Travel, Live, Love - A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 5)

by Gray, Jessica

  “It is. If you weren’t in that third world country, we wouldn’t have any of those problems. Anyways, I’ve thought about it, and with the wedding coming up soon, you need to come home immediately to finish the preparations.”

  Angela gasped. “Jasper, I can’t just drop everything and try to book another flight back home. I’ll be back two weeks from now. We’ve talked about this already.”

  “Well, I’ve thought about it again, and you need to come home. Now; not in two weeks’ time.”

  “Jasper, you’re not being reasonable…”

  “Reasonable? What’s reasonable about letting my fiancée traipse off across the world to hike some stupid mountain? And all so she can write about it on some stupid blog site that I’m not even sure anyone reads!”

  Angela’s temper flared. She’d been willing to ignore his disinterest in her activities, but enough was enough. She barely managed to hold back on all the things she wanted to tell him. “Jasper, that’s enough. I’m flying back in two weeks and not one minute earlier!”

  She was near tears when he growled into the phone and then hung up on her. Angela took several deep breaths, trying to calm her frustration and anger, but the emotions were running too high this time. She closed up her iPad with trembling hands, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get any more work done this night. Why can’t he be more like Patrick?

  She caught herself going down that mental road and quickly shut those notions out of her mind. That is so not helping. Don’t think about Patrick.

  Anger and frustration rushed over her like a wave and she paced the porch from side to side, trying to get her thoughts in order. When she passed her bag, she reached inside and pulled out a chocolate bar. Chocolate always helped to soothe her agitated mind. Not this time. She violently crunched the innocent chocolate bar with her teeth, giving free reign to her emotions. But that made it only worse; she lost control and started crying. He’s not worth crying over. Stop whining.

  Angela was well aware that her tears were more tears of anger than of sadness, but they were tears all the same. Tears she really didn’t want to be shedding.

  She picked up her stuff and walked inside, stopping to pour herself some tea in the dining area. With the teacup in her hand, she stopped short when she saw Patrick sitting at one of the tables working, absolutely focused on his latest video shots.

  Why does he have to be here? She watched him, mesmerized by his concentration-filled face, and the turmoil of emotions in her body rose once again. Tears and anger forgotten, a surge of desire darted through her and settled in her core.

  He looked gorgeous with the designer stubble along his jawline. Since the day she’d met him he hadn’t shaved, and with each passing day, he looked more masculine with his growing beard. God, she loved men with beards.

  She even loved how messy his slightly too-long hair always was. It came from constantly running his hands through it. She’d noticed he did it when he was reflecting or plain nervous, as in when he was observing her.

  Thinking about his hands had her imagining them on her body, and how it would feel to be engulfed by his strong arms. As her imagination began its own little side journey, she was shocked at herself. No way. I’ve never cheated before and I’m not about to start now. I’m not a cheater.

  When Patrick glanced up and spotted her, she quickly looked away, not wanting him to see her puffy eyes. He apparently got the hint and went directly back to his work.

  He’s just like all of the rest of them. Why does he look away, instead of saying hello? She tried to pinpoint why she was angry with Patrick, of all persons. He’d been nothing but nice to her. Why does he have to be so nice? Why can’t he just disappear into thin air and leave me alone?

  She paced the small space, her tea sloshing against the cup, coming dangerously close to spilling it over the rim as she walked to and fro. Her mind was consumed with many thoughts, most of them causing her more frustration and more angst. She continued walking back and forth in the space, soon walking complete circles around the perimeter of the room, mindless of the other guests watching her with interest.

  Chapter 9

  Patrick tried to work on his video documentary, but ever since he’d left the dining area earlier in the afternoon, something hadn’t felt quite right. His mind had been straying back to a blonde-haired woman with light brown, almost caramel-colored eyes. Angela.

  As if he’d conjured her up, she walked back into the room and a smile appeared on his face. But only for a moment. His smile faded when he saw her swollen face, and he instantly had the urge to console her. Before he could act on that thought, she turned away from him, signaling she wanted to be left alone.

  He tried to honor her unspoken request and pretended to go back to work, but his eyes kept straying to her. She looked so vulnerable, and his heart ached for her. He heard her pacing around the room and when she turned the back to where he was sitting, he glanced at her, catching her eye for a brief moment.

  Unable to sit still, he got up and poured himself another cup of tea, trying to figure out how to approach her. She continued to pace around the room, lost in some inner dilemma that was clearly not getting any better. Finally not able to watch her suffer any longer, he called out to her, “Angela? Trying to pace the miles you couldn’t hike today?”

  She startled, turned, and looked at him. Her angry look pierced his heart and he wanted to apologize for the bad joke, when she calmed her expression and said, “I’m sorry if I am disturbing you at your work.”

  He grinned at her. “In fact, you did, but don’t be sorry. I’d rather chat with a beautiful and intelligent woman than continue to tear my hair because this video just doesn’t look the way I want it.”

  She laughed out loud. ”Happens to the best of us.” Then she looked at him for a moment and asked, “Could I see your video?”

  “Sure.” He gestured towards another chair and she joined him. He started the video from the beginning again, but instead of watching the video play out, he studied her facial expressions. He was so fixed on her face, he didn’t see her reach for his arm.

  Bolts of electricity raced down his arm to settle in his groin, and he sucked in a sharp breath. He tried to meet her eyes, but she was watching the video. Did she even realize she’s reached for me?

  In that moment he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Angela was the only woman he wanted. Now. Forever. He had plenty of time to observe her expressive face, because she was completely enthralled with his video.

  “Patrick, this is amazing!”

  “Thanks,” he murmured, still watching her. “Do you really like it?”

  “I do, but there were a few spots that seemed a little disjointed.”

  Patrick caught her eye and asked, “Where exactly?”

  She was providing him the exact type of feedback he craved. They spent the next two hours, Angela pointing out the areas that didn’t fit together well while Patrick made notes about what was needed to fix them. Soon they were absorbed in a deep discussion about his video and before he knew it, they had gone through the entire production.

  Now he had a list of shots and sequences he needed to make. As he packed up his equipment, he almost couldn’t believe his own ears:

  “I could go with you tomorrow, if you like?”

  “Really?”

  “Sure.”

  Patrick grinned and readily accepted her offer. “I’d love to have your company.” He looked into her eyes, getting lost in their warm brown gaze. “Sure you won’t get bored?”

  Angela shook her head, giving him a bright smile, and he remembered her tears from earlier. Her eyes were still slightly puffy, and her voice was huskier than normal with her emotions. Unable to resist, he pinned her with his gaze and questioned, “Why were you crying?”

  She shook her head and said, “Nothing.” But her body betrayed her, because her eyes welled with tears again.

  “I can see that.”

  He touched her shoulder, on
ly to regret it the next moment. It felt as if the flaring flames coming across burned his hand.

  Chapter 10

  Angela couldn’t decide if she wanted to answer his question or not. It felt so good to be near him, and when he’d touched her shoulder it was all she could do not to throw herself into his arms. She knew he would listen to her sorrows, but then, it was too dangerous to open her heart to him, as she wasn’t sure she could trust herself in his presence.

  But hidden under the surface was another, more important reason she didn’t want Patrick to know about Jasper. Would he still give her that irresistible smile, if he knew she was taken? She wanted him so much she decided to omit part of the story for the moment. Like her mother always said, “Everything you say has to be true, but you don’t have to say everything that is true.”

  When she looked up and saw the compassion and honest caring in his eyes, she lost her last shred of control and burst out sobbing. “This will be my last traveling trip before I settle down to lead a normal life.”

  Patrick pulled her into his embrace, and she closed her eyes and allowed herself to be held. She was crying all over his shirt, but she didn’t care. Being held close to his chest felt so good, she never wanted him to let her go. Ever again.

  His asked in a curious tone, “Why would you want to do that?”

  Yes, why? Is Jasper, or any man for that matter, worth giving up my dreams? “I don’t know, I… Can we not talk about it, please?”

  She pushed herself out of his arms and resumed pacing around the room. Talking more to herself than to him she said, “My best advice: Never date a girl who travels. I should make it a warning on my blog. I might even rename it ‘Travel. Live. Stay Away.’” She tried to put a small smile upon her face to make it sound like a joke, but knew she’d failed.

  He’d already caught up to her, and his hand on her arm spun her back around. His intense steel-blue eyes caught hers and he held her right there, as he answered, “My best advice: Let the boring boys date the boring girls. I’d much rather date someone like you.”

  At this instant, Angela’s heart melted, and deep down in her soul she knew he was her Prince Charming. Before her mind could take control, her body plastered itself up against Patrick’s chest once again. When he took her head into his hands and captured her mouth with hungry need, she parted her lips slightly and absorbed his intoxicating taste. His tongue explored every corner of her mouth, and waves of emotions rolled through her. His deep and sensuous kiss seemed to go on forever, sending her world spinning. But while she loved the feelings he evoked in her, she grew angry once again. At herself. At him for getting her into this situation.

  She broke the kiss to face him, and the sweet and tender look in his steel-blue eyes washed every bit of anger away. How could she be mad at him, of all persons?

  One look from his wonderful eyes and her body burned up. If he looks at me like this one more moment, I’ll go up in flames. I need to stop this.

  She freed herself from his embrace and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to take advantage of you.”

  He answered with the most irresistible grin, “Don’t be sorry, that was the best kiss of my life. Now I can die.”

  “Die?”

  Patrick’s grin widened even more. “Isn’t there a saying…something about seeing Venice and then dying?”

  “You’re funny. Have you ever seen Venice?”

  He shook his head.

  Thankful for the distraction from her out-of-control emotions she said, “I have. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. It even gave me two country points!”

  Patrick raised an eyebrow and asked, “Country points?”

  “I keep a list of countries I’ve visited. My ultimate goal is to visit all of the countries in the world.”

  “Wow! That’s ambitious. I love that idea. What are the requirements for a country visit? Do you need to do anything special?”

  Angela shook her head, “No. Be there, get to know the place. I don’t have a minimum requirement.”

  “So landing in the airport? Would that be enough?”

  “No. Being in the airport doesn’t give you a country point. You have to go through immigration and actually experience the country, even if it’s only a few hours.”

  “I agree. I’ve been in a lot of airports around the world, and at the end of the day they all look the same.”

  “Yes.”

  “So, where do you keep this list and can I see it?” Patrick asked her.

  Angela retrieved her iPad and opened her country list. She already had fifty-nine countries marked as visited on it, and she watched as Patrick used his finger to compare his own travel history to her list.

  “Wow! I only came up with forty-seven countries.” He looked deep into her eyes and asked, “How can I ever catch up to you?”

  Why did he have to be so sweet? She was sorely tempted to kiss him again, but then she remembered she was engaged. She put a safe distance between them and closed her iPad. “I’m sorry, that kiss was a mistake. To be fair, I’m not interested in a relationship right now. Besides, you’re way too young for me.”

  She ignored the sad look that filled his eyes and before he could answer she offered him the only thing she could. “I’d love to be friends, but that’s where it has to end.”

  His bright grin gone, he slowly nodded his head. “Fine. Friends.”

  Angela looked at him one last time before she left for her room and hoped he could stick to that. I hope I can stick to that!

  Chapter 11

  Patrick was utterly confused. Again.

  Angela was the perfect woman for him. He loved everything about her; in fact, he’d never found a woman who was more compatible. But every time he felt like they were getting closer to a breakthrough, she shied away from him. It was as if she was afraid of letting him get too close.

  The kiss they had shared was phenomenal; but then she’d called it a mistake. Any man who ever claimed he understood women must have been lying. I for sure don’t understand them.

  He’d agreed to the friend thing, even though he wasn’t sure he could trust himself in her presence. A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. He’d think up a way to convince her that love was worth the risk. Time. She needs time.

  He was willing to give her as much as he could, even though time was the one thing he didn’t have. His heart squeezed at the thought that once one of them left to return to Kathmandu, they would never see each other again.

  The ringing of his cell phone brought him back to reality and he answered it distractedly. “Hello?”

  “Patrick? It’s Sam.”

  Samantha! What’s she calling me about, unless…

  “Patrick, are you there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. What’s up?” Please don’t be calling with bad news! The Armstrong siblings were close, and he hadn’t heard from his sister in quite a while.

  “You are a new uncle.”

  He could hear the excitement in her voice and grinned. “Melissa had her baby?”

  “She did and everyone’s fine. Dean is ecstatic, and the baby is perfect. His name is Emerson and he’s so cute. I saw pictures. Do you want me to send you some? Can you receive email? I’m heading over to Princeton on the weekend. I’m so excited…”

  Patrick smiled; his sister had a bad case of motor-mouth whenever she got excited or upset. He patiently waited until she had to take a breath and then said, “Give Melissa a big hug for me and tell them that the first opportunity I get, I’m flying to New York to see them all.”

  “I will. Gosh, I can’t wait to cuddle the baby.”

  “So, how’s Craig?” Patrick asked, referring to Samantha’s boyfriend.

  “Uhm…well, I’d rather not talk about that right now.”

  “Why? Is something wrong? Talk to me, Sam,” he urged her, but his sister could be stubborn like a mule. This was one of those occasions, and all she would say was that things weren’t going as well as she’
d like.

  “Do I need to call and talk to him?” Patrick asked, willing to battle for his sister.

  “No. Just because you’re one of my brothers doesn’t give you the right to meddle with my life. Now, enough talk about me. Tell me about that woman you’ve met in Kuala Lumpur.”

  “You heard about Tricia, didn’t you?” he asked, knowing his brothers never could keep a secret.

  “Yeah. She sounds nice enough, but not the type of girl who’d put up with you for long.”

  Patrick sighed into the phone, “She’s not. She isn’t actually around any longer. It was just a fling while I was in Kuala Lumpur. I’m over her now.”

  “Well, that’s something.”

  “How so?” he asked.

  “I mean, at least you recognize what you don’t want in a woman. Now, tell me what you do want.”

  Patrick’s first impulse was to change the subject back to her boyfriend, but decided to humor her a little longer. “Well, the perfect woman would be one that loves to travel and see new things. Someone who could go with me on my trips and be content with this nomadic lifestyle I’ve chosen.”

  “Go on,” she urged him.

  “She’d be beautiful and have a wonderful bright smile, her caramel eyes would shine with enthusiasm when she talks…”

  “Of course.”

  “She’d be intelligent, and independent, but only so far. She’d be willing to let me be her knight in shining armor if the need arose, but independent enough to make up her own mind and stand up against me. And she would never ever give up on her dreams.”

  “She sounds amazing. I think I might become best friends with a woman like that.”

  You would! Patrick stopped as he recognized about what he’d just listed. Gee, it sounds like you’re describing Angela. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

  Sam noticed his pause and asked, “Did you have someone in mind who fits those traits?”

  “No! You asked me to imagine and I did.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Sam scoffed. “In fact, I think you’ve already met the perfect woman and don’t want to tell me. Don’t screw it up.”