by Mia Caldwell
When he had to attend to other business, Sabela spent her time designing and sewing. He found a shop in Andermatt that had sewing supplies and fabric. Taking her shopping and giving her such simple pleasure had been a priceless joy.
And, of course, Colin was delighted to play the part of fashion critic when she modeled a new design for him. Most of the time, she wasn’t wearing anything underneath them, which made him look forward to the impromptu fashion shows even more.
Colin couldn’t believe how happy he was every time Sabela smiled. There were times when he still thought about Blanca, but they were becoming fewer every day. He had Marie pack away the picture he had kept of her in his bedroom out of respect for Sabela, and because he was ready to let Blanca go.
It made him feel sad in a way, but it was a long-delayed part of the grieving process. He was moving on.
That evening, he sat with Sabela in the hot tub on the rear balcony overlooking the valley. She had been completely enthralled with the idea of lounging in hot water while the air around them was icy cold.
Colin liked how the temperature had her pressing against his side, her fingertips trailing across his bare chest.
From the way her fingers toyed with his nipple, he guessed they would be back in his bed soon enough.
“I guess this is all going to end soon,” she said to him as she looked up at the stars overhead.
“What do you mean?”
Sabela huffed a sigh and let her head rest against his shoulder. He held her close, arm around her.
“Reality will rear its ugly head some time, right? After this weekend with your associates, it’ll be time for me to go back to work. That is, if I still have a job.”
The worry in her voice bothered him, and he pulled her a little closer to soothe her. “I’ve known the owner of Pinkie’s for years. I’m sure that you’ll be welcomed back with open arms.”
An odd emotion shot through him. Disgruntled. That’s what it was. He didn’t like the idea of her returning to her old job and her old life. He couldn’t say it, though. He had to tread lightly, considering what had gone on between them.
“I hope my job is there,” she said. “I want to start saving the money, now that I don’t have debts to worry about. I’m thinking of applying for some grants, too, so I can attend design school next semester.”
He wanted to say that Colin Morgan Enterprises would be happy to offer her a full-ride scholarship, but he wasn’t sure how she would react. For now, he’d leave it be. “That’s great,” is all he said.
It looked like Sabela was getting her life back on track, but what did that mean for him? Colin wanted to keep her close, but he didn’t want to quash her dreams like Trevor had done to her.
He wouldn’t ever burden her if he could help it. He wasn’t quite ready to ask her to commit any further time to seeing him after the weekend. There would be plenty of time to talk about what came next when they were on the plane on the way home. And he definitely planned for there to be something next for the two of them.
“We have three days before we have to think about going back to the real world,” he said. “Why think about that now, especially when there are so many other things we can be thinking about?”
He slid his free hand up her inner thigh to give her an idea of exactly what he was thinking about. Not that she would misunderstand. It was pretty much all the two of them had been thinking about for days. He couldn’t get enough of enchanting, tantalizing Sabela Vaughn.
He felt her respond to him immediately and saw the pebbles of her hardened nipples just below the surface of the water. He moved his hand between her legs then and found the edge of her swimsuit.
“Colin, someone might see,” she protested in a harsh whisper. But even as she protested, her eyes fluttered closed.
“You know I love to see your face when you come for me,” he whispered against her ear. “We won’t do anything else until we get inside. But show me. Show me how badly you want me.”
Distracting Sabela was proving to be all too easy, especially when she reacted to him the way that she did. He moved his fingertips so that they dipped inside her warm folds and watched as her head fell back against his arm.
He pulled her between his legs so her back rested against his chest, allowing him to use both hands as he stroked her.
Beautiful scenery, a beautiful night, and a beautiful woman to spend his time with. If this wasn’t the proper groundwork for a new future, Colin didn’t know what was.
Chapter Forty-One
THE WEEKEND WITH COLIN’S ASSOCIATES went off without a hitch. Sabela loved playing the part of the hostess of the Haberlin Chalet. Seeing the adoration and approval in Colin’s eyes was the cherry on top of her happy cake.
Given the chance, she’d do it all over again. Maybe, just maybe, there would be other business meetings after this one, and Colin would need a hostess for those, too.
While Colin talked business, Sabela watched Marie prepare the different meals so she was able to tell the guests about the different ingredients and what wine to pair with each course.
Her skiing skills had improved enough that she was able to navigate the smaller slopes without making a fool of herself, or embarrassing Colin. Not that she really had to worry about that anymore. Every time Colin looked at her, she could see how much pride he took in her.
To be admired so lavishly was a feeling like no other. Sabela was hooked.
The admiration went both ways. Watching Colin talk business, all confidence and charisma, made her swell with pride for all that he’d accomplished. She could see why he was successful.
With each passing day, her giddiness grew. She was so happy.
But she’d be happier to know that what they had would continue after the weekend was over and reality set in again.
Finally, their last night at the chalet arrived. The business associates were gone, and Sabela sat down with Colin for what felt like their first dinner alone in a long time.
“You were fantastic this weekend,” he said as he leaned in close and gave her a kiss.
“You were pretty fantastic yourself.” Sabela grinned, but inside she wasn’t feeling all that confident.
She wanted him to tell her he would continue to see her. She knew that they were flying back to the States the next day. All she wanted to know was that this wasn’t the end of the magic between them.
No matter how perfect things were now, and no matter how much she thought Colin was devoted to her, she wanted to hear the words spoken.
Bringing the topic up in conversation proved more difficult than she anticipated. It wasn’t the first time Sabela had tried to broach the subject.
Ever since the hot tub, she’d been dropping hints, but each time Colin had deftly moved the topic to something else. The silver tongue that served him so well in business was excellent at deflecting her, and Sabela came away from their encounters charmed, but without the answer she was seeking.
It was time to give it another shot. Opening the doors to what would happen after the flight home might make him talk. Sabela hoped he’d take the wheel and let her know what he was thinking.
“You’ll have to let me know if there are any of the clothes that you would like me to take back,” she said.
“Take whatever you’d like. It was all for you.” Colin sliced at his steak. “Whatever you don’t take right away, Marie will pack and ship to you.”
Sabela looked down at her food and started to pick at it. It wasn’t the answer she was hoping for. “You know, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Marie doing the menu planning. I was thinking about learning how to cook better, move past my whole burned water episode and all. You’re such a great cook that you could probably give me some pointers.”
Hopeful, Sabela looked up from her food, then continued. “I was thinking I could try to recreate that duck we had last night, since you really enjoyed it.”
“We’ll make sure that Marie sends you home with the recipe
,” he said.
Damn the man. It was as if he knew what she wanted and he delighted in not answering her.
His reluctance to talk about the future was driving her nuts.
“I guess what I’m trying to ask is what nights I might see you next week so I can ask them off from work,” she said, deciding that she needed to be bold. “You are flying back with me tomorrow, right?”
There, she had gone ahead and addressed the elephant in the room.
Colin looked up at her then and gave her a lewd wink. He opened his mouth to reply when the doors opened on the other side of the room. They both looked up as Bruno entered and made his way to Colin’s side.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. Morgan, but there is a guest,” he said.
“Who is it?” Colin asked.
Bruno’s gaze flickered in Sabela’s direction, and she felt a prickling of anxiety. Something was wrong.
“The visitor is for Ms. Vaughn,” Bruno said. “He says that he’s her brother.”
Chapter Forty-Two
TREVOR VAUGHN WAS IN THE chalet.
Cold rage, like the course of an icy river, rushed down Colin’s spine. How that man could dare to presume to come to Haberlin Chalet was beyond comprehension.
Besides, from what he understood about Trevor, the man never left his apartment. Yet here he was at Colin’s chalet halfway across the world. How the hell did he get here?
Sabela shot to her feet, and Colin followed.
She held up a slender hand. “You don’t need to come with me. I can take care of this.”
The worry on her face was reason enough for him to go, even if he hadn’t hated Trevor for everything he’d done. “Like hell. I didn’t invite him here, and he isn’t welcome. I intend to tell him that.”
“He’s my brother, Colin,” Sabela said, lightly touching his hand. “If he’s here, it’s because he was worried about me. Please don’t make a scene.”
Colin realized his fists were clenched, and he struggled to release them. “You think I’m the one that’s going to make a scene?”
Sabela sighed and let her shoulders droop. “Just hear him out before you say anything, okay?”
Colin saw no reason to listen to anything Trevor Vaughn might say. He considered the option of demanding Sabela stay put so he could go toss Trevor out on his ass. It was a pointless consideration, though, since Sabela would never obey.
He shrugged a noncommittal response, and then followed Sabela down the hall and into the receiving room where Bruno had stashed their unwelcome guest.
For the first time in four years, Colin gazed upon Trevor Vaughn in person. He’d seen photos, of course. He had, in fact, had a hard time getting those few shots of Trevor since the man had become such a recluse.
Once upon a time, Trevor had been a handsome man. Blanca had often remarked on it when she was trying to make Colin jealous in a bid to draw attention to herself. But now, it was obvious that Trevor’s long-standing health issues had taken their toll on his body.
He was a thin, stooped man, looking decades older than his actual years. Skinny instead of built, hunched instead of straight-backed and proud, he radiated savage resentment. And all of it was focused on Colin.
Trevor stood up as they entered the room, using a cane to support himself.
“I had to come see this for myself,” he said in a sneering tone.
He pointed his cane at Colin. “I can’t believe you would stoop so low as to try to take my sister away from me. You are pathetic.”
“You better sit down before you fall down.” Sabela hurried across the room to help, but she stopped when Trevor turned his gaze onto her.
“Sister, I told you that you shouldn’t be here. I don’t know what this guy has done to you, but he’s messing with your head, just like he messed with Blanca’s. I came to save you and take you home.”
“I’m an adult, Trevor. I don’t need you to protect me,” Sabela replied. “I can make my own decisions and my own judgments about people.”
Colin watched the two of them, every inch of him primed for a fight. If Trevor was going to cause trouble, Colin would cause trouble right back.
“No, you don’t understand what he’s capable of. I told you that he’s only using you to get to me. You can’t let him take advantage of you,” Trevor said.
“That’s bullshit,” Colin snarled. “You’re not welcome here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Now. Haven’t you done enough to ruin the lives of the women you love?”
Trevor turned on him. The speed of his movement wasn’t that of a crippled man. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean. Your immaturity killed Blanca, and you won’t admit it. Then on top of that, you dragged Sabela into your sad existence of a life and forced her to care for you when you could have learned to care for yourself. In a way, you stole Sabela’s life, just like you stole Blanca’s. You should be ashamed of yourself. That’s not how a man behaves.”
Sabela interjected. “Please, you two, be civil —”
“You were always jealous of me,” Trevor said. “You couldn’t stand that Blanca wanted to be with me instead of you. If you weren’t so pigheaded and controlling, she’d still be alive because she’d be with me.”
That was it. Colin took a step forward, jaw clenched. “My fault? Are you mad? I wasn’t the one driving the car.”
“You were the reason I was driving it,” Trevor snapped back.
“It was your fault. If you had just left Blanca alone, none of this would’ve happened. You stuck your nose in where it didn’t belong, and now you’re ruining Sabela’s life, too.”
How could one man be so self-absorbed? If it weren’t for Sabela standing nearby, Colin would have dragged the man from his house and tossed him head-first into a snowbank.
“I was driving the car, but all of it is your fault,” Trevor said. “Now you think you’re going to get back at me by taking my sister away from me? Forget it, jackass. I’m taking her with me, now.”
“The hell you are. She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Sabela’s voice rose over both of theirs. “You both need to shut up! Right now.”
Colin stopped, stunned, and looked at her.
Her fiery gaze shot back and forth between Colin and Trevor. He’d never seen her so angry.
She shook a finger at them both. ”You are two grown men. Enough is enough. This ends now.”
Chapter Forty-Three
IT WASN’T OFTEN THAT SABELA stepped into the middle of a fight that she wasn’t a part of.
But then again, it wasn’t often that she found her brother and her boyfriend about to rip each other to shreds over who was responsible for an accident that had happened more than four years ago.
The long-standing feud between them was as alive as ever, but neither of them were in the right. Sabela couldn’t decide which of them she was more frustrated with.
On one hand, her brother had come halfway across the world to try and rescue her only to ignore her entirely, and on the other, Colin claimed the past was in the past, but clearly it was still a sore spot for him.
And both of their behaviors were atrocious.
She had no idea how much longer the two men would continue to hurl insults at each other if given the chance. Somebody had to do something, and she realized that it would have to be her.
She whirled on Trevor. He looked at her with a startled expression.
“Trevor, I love you. You’re my brother, and I realize that you think you’re trying to protect me.”
He reached out and touched her shoulder.
“I love you, Sister. That’s exactly why I’m here.”
She shook her head and brushed his hand away. He wasn’t getting off the hook that easily. “I know that you love me. But I also know that the reason you’re here has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with him.” She nodded toward Colin.
“Uh, no, you’re —”
“That makes you no better than him. Everything that happened between the two of you and Blanca should be ancient history, but it’s not. I think it’s time that we cleared the air.”
“What are you talking about?” Trevor demanded.
How convenient that he forgot to defend himself against her accusations. Sabela set her lips, irritated. She read Trevor like he was an open book.
“There was a letter that Colin received after Blanca died. I read it, and I need you to tell both of us the truth about it. Blanca didn’t write that Dear John letter, did she?”
Sabela stared Trevor down. He wobbled a little where he stood and set his cane back on the floor. For a man who couldn’t get out of bed to fetch his own beer, he was doing a lot of unassisted standing.
“I know your handwriting, Trevor,” she said. “With all those ‘to do’ lists you write for me, I should. You tried to disguise your writing and make it look more feminine in that letter, but it was you who wrote it, not Blanca. I’m positive of it, so you might as well admit the truth.”
The bombshell had been dropped. No one spoke. She didn’t dare look over at Colin, not wanting to see what was likely his devastation.
Trevor trembled, stunned. His expression began to crumble into the weak, pathetic mask he’d been using to keep her under his thumb for so long. She could see that now. He’d manipulated her so easily.
Those days were over. “Tell me the truth, Trevor. You owe me that, for everything I’ve done for you and if you expect me to continue to be part of your life.”
Trevor studied her, as if sussing out whether her bravery was just a show. It wasn’t, and he was smart enough to figure that out.
He dropped into the chair behind him, blowing out a dramatic breath. “Fine. I don’t care if you know. And I certainly don’t care if he knows. He wasn’t the one for her, Sister. Blanca was blinded by him paying for college and everything else she wanted. But he wasn’t there for her the way I was.”