by Barb Han
After running a brush through her wavy locks, she strolled into the kitchen, looking for Kyle, needing to steel her nerves before she led the guests outside.
As soon as Kyle looked up, she spun herself around. “What do you think?”
“Oh, Bejesus. Careful. You’ll give an old man a heart attack in that dress,” he said clutching at his chest and grinning his devilish outback best.
“You’re not old. And you’re being kind.”
He stared at her for a long thoughtful moment. Then he shook his head. “You really don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
“Nothing, then. Never mind. You’re beautiful, by the way. Really beautiful. Not like those others out there.”
“You’re biased now that we’re friends.”
“True. Doesn’t make what I said any less true, though. Go and have a good time, then. Off with you.”
Avery turned but lingered at the door. “He hasn’t been back here looking for me, has he?”
“Haven’t seen him.”
Avery took a deep breath and steadied her nerves before facing the crowd on the other side of the door. Shoulders straight, she walked into the reception area smiling as heads turned in her direction. And many heads turned. Looked like a few jaws dropped, too. Avery preened. She felt like the most beautiful woman in the room. From out of the corner of her eye, she also caught Ryker watching her. His expression tense, he didn’t seem to be enjoying the other eyes on her.
When she made it to the terrace doors, she turned and said, “If I may have everyone’s attention, we will continue the party under the light of a thousand stars.”
She opened the doors and ushered guests outside, smiling at each one as they passed. More than one man stumbled through the door while looking back at her.
Avery smiled graciously. She felt every bit as beautiful and unique as the dress she wore. The attention she received had surprisingly little to do with the confidence she felt. Because at the end of the day, she found she cared a hell of a lot more about how she felt about herself than what others thought. And she felt beautiful.
As the guests spread out and made their way downstairs to other alcoves, Avery moved to the bar and ordered a drink. A short thin man with spiky hair and impeccable clothes came up beside her. He was attractive in a very different sense that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Very fashionable. He eyed her in a way that made her feel a little self-conscious. It wasn’t like he sized her up for a date, but more like appreciated her as though she were a fine painting.
He handed her a slip of paper and gracefully strolled away. It was a business card. She suddenly realized where she’d seen him before. She’d read about the newest up-and-coming fashion designer in Milan, and he was it. He’d scribbled a note on the card that read, call me—I have something almost as beautiful as you.
The fashion designer was the first stranger Avery spoke to that evening, but certainly not the last. A string of men followed. She met an American athlete next, who enjoyed speaking at length about being MVP in last year’s Pro Bowl. Then she met an investor from India who wore a turban with his expensive Italian suit and had a slight lisp.
As Avery found herself enjoying making small talk with complete strangers, she was ever aware of Ryker standing on the opposite side of the terrace, downing drinks and glowering at her.
Even Bits paused at the bar next to Avery.
“You did good,” Bits said quietly. And then she strolled away.
After a brief and boring discussion about futures and pork bellies, the athlete interrupted. “I circled back to ask for a dance.”
Avery agreed, mostly to get away from the pork bellies.
As soon as Pro Bowl took her hand, she instantly regretted her decision. Charging like an angry pit bull from the other side of the terrace was Ryker. His expression tense, his eyes brooding, he tapped Pro Bowl on the shoulder. “May I cut in?” he ground out.
Avery was certain all three of them knew it wasn’t a question.
Pro Bowl nodded. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he said to Avery.
“She’ll be busy,” Ryker growled as he took one of her hands and wrapped his free arm around her waist. He pulled her tight against his warm hard body.
“You didn’t have to come charging over, you know. I would’ve danced with you earlier if you’d asked,” Avery said still a little taken back by his actions.
“When? Men haven’t left your side all evening,” Ryker said tersely.
“It’s my job to make sure people are having a good time,” Avery felt the need to point out. God, how her skin trembled when it came into contact with any part of him.
His body shook too, but Avery was pretty certain it was from anger, which didn’t exactly make sense to her, given the circumstances. Hadn’t he said his apologies and his goodbyes already?
“All in the course of your work?” he asked, eyeing her for a reaction the entire time.
“I hope you think I’m worth it when you’re sent the bill,” she said, not allowing him to goad her into an argument right there on the dance floor.
She forced herself to smile at him, and she could swear she almost saw steam rise out of his ears. Get through this dance, Avery. Then politely excuse yourself and go for a walk on the beach.
Thankfully, the song ended a few uncomfortable moments later. “If you’ll excuse me, I have duties in the kitchen.”
He stood there fuming as she walked away. She wound down the stairs and ran past the kitchen door as soon as she was out of Ryker’s view. Her gaze trained to the sand, she refused to look up as she kicked off her sandals and ran along the shore. The lullaby of rolling waves didn’t break through her frustration and tears.
This beautiful island.
Avery would miss this place from deep in her soul.
And she would never be quite the same again.
Chapter Twelve
Ryker was angry, frustrated, and treading new ground. He’d spent most of his evening alone, brooding, watching the woman he loved. Avery. Her golden hair. Her beautiful face. He found himself wishing she wasn’t so intent on leaving. Didn’t they have something between them worth fighting for?
Weren’t they different together?
Yes.
On one hand, they were from different worlds but had everything in common. They both knew what it was like to walk away from rich parents. They both knew what it was like to have mothers they were ashamed of. Ryker’s had arrived hours ago, and he had yet to greet her. They both knew what it was like to grow up too early.
Avery was about to leave his life forever. And he should be damn glad about it.
He raked his fingers through his hair. Why the hell did it feel like he’d never breathe again if she walked out the door? There were beautiful women everywhere he turned, but he couldn’t keep his mind off one.
Why?
Looking around the party, seeing the beautiful and empty faces, he instantly knew. Better to have a challenge with Avery than a ready smile with any of them.
Avery was different.
And so was he. He needed to talk to her, find out where they stood. He’d claimed her once, and he wanted more. He would search everywhere until he found her.
Searching the sea of faces at his party gave him nothing.
Ryker burst into the kitchen. “Have you seen her?”
“Not for a while. She asked about you, though. You checked her room?”
Ryker shook his head, muttered a few terse words in his native tongue.
“She’s here somewhere,” Kyle offered with a small gesture.
“But where?” Ryker asked, a hint of exasperation in his dark tone.
Kyle thought about it for a minute. “You check the lighthouse?”
“No...” Ryker rocked his head and swiftly moved out of the kitchen. He’d find her if it was the last thing he did.
He quickened his stride and ignored the lump rising in his throat at the thought she mig
ht somehow be gone already. He needed to talk to her. Now. Ryker Li always got what he wanted. Didn’t he? He nearly laughed out loud. Not when it came to Avery Chase he didn’t. She was stubborn and infuriating. She could be sullen and difficult. She did nothing he asked and pretty much took the opposite route, issuing him a challenge at every turn of the road.
She made him want to share all his secrets and know all of hers as well. She kept him guessing.
Ryker was certain of about one thing. He couldn’t allow her to walk out of his life.
He stopped dead in his tracks at the lighthouse.
There she stood. Alone. Quiet.
He walked up from behind, stopping so close her hair brushed against his chest when the wind blew. “We need to talk.”
She pushed off him, her face scarlet in the moonlight.
Silence sat between them thickly.
“I’m packed. I’ll be ready to go first thing in the morning.” Her hands were balled into fists, and her eyes were so angry he could see she held back threatening tears.
“Come back to London with me instead. Or we could stay here a few more days.”
Avery glared at him with lashes spiked with tears. Tears that trembled in her eyes, threatening to tumble down. “We both know that’s not a good idea.”
“I don’t.”
“Really? Why is that a good idea for either one of us?”
Her anger, her distress radiated from her. Ryker frowned. “I want you to stay.”
“For how long? Until you don’t want me anymore? You’ll get sick of me. Like all the women in your life.”
“I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
“I think we both know I was a...a...fun distraction.”
He quirked a smile. “You are not fun.”
“Great. Now I’m not even a good time.” She paused. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“You are so much more to me.”
Her slender shoulders stiffened. “Are you serious?” Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she breathed. Her gaze flew to him, accusingly, bright with pain. “You don’t mean it.”
“I’m not trying to upset you. You’re so much more to me than entertainment,” he clarified.
“But you’ll find someone else. You always do.” Her gaze, ripe with accusation, bored holes into him.
“What if I told you that I only want you?”
“For now. But you’ll move on. Like you have from every woman in your life. I’m no different or—” She broke off, her body quaking.
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, Avery. You are nothing like the other women I’ve dated.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better? I don’t have your experience with the opposite sex. I’m not sure how these arrangements are supposed to work.”
“You’re making this complicated. Let me make it simple for you. We spend more time together.”
“Give you more time to do what? Use me and throw me away? Then what?”
“Why don’t you just say it?”
“What?”
“You think I’m a calloused bastard.”
She glared at him. “It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
He scoffed. “According to you?”
“Ask any woman out there.” Her finger pointed toward the party. “Come with me. Pick just one. I’m sure you’ve dated more than a few.”
“I won’t lie. I have. What of it? Why would those women make you feel threatened? Not one of them compares to you.”
“But for how long?” Her voice rose and trembled thickly by the end.
“I see what’s happening here. I’m not the ruthless billionaire you make me out to be.”
“When did that change?”
“Why do I have the feeling my morals are not in question? No, you’re too good for me, aren’t you? To feel anything for a rich bad boy like me. You’re above the need for that, aren’t you?” He watched her, realizing he’d scored a direct hit.
“What are you accusing me of, exactly? Having feelings for you?” she asked through a strained voice.
****
“You do have feelings for me. More than you care to admit.” His lips parted in that trademark smile, melting her heart a little.
Avery forced her gaze away from those lips as her tongue darted across her own.
“Not sure what to say next?” he said, pinning her with his words.
She took a step back as her hand came up to the base of her throat. “No. I don’t have your skill in dealing with ex-lovers.”
“Is that what I am to you?” He took in her face in a long slow moment.
Avery could scarcely look straight at him. She couldn’t imagine a worse feeling than this. She wanted to believe his words. To know she was special to him. But didn’t every woman believe they had Ryker when his attention was on them?
He took a step toward her, his gaze fixed on the base of her throat, on her pulse. “Don’t you see? You aren’t like any of those other women. What do I have to do to prove that to you?”
Her body released a shiver, but no words came out. He’d been loving and kind in the time they’d been together. He’d made her feel nothing but beautiful. Her distrust of rich men had less to do with him and more to do with her scarred upbringing. And that wasn’t exactly being fair to him, was it?
He grazed his thumb across her collarbone and bent down to kiss the spot. “What is it going to take?”
“To what?” Her question came out hushed.
“Convince you.”
When his lips found their way to hers, he kissed her. The kiss smoldered with sensuality and promise, and something Avery couldn’t quite put her finger on.
Suddenly, he stopped. Taking her hand, he pulled her back toward the party.
Surprised, she cleared her throat. “Good. I have work to do, I should get back.”
“Trust me.”
Ryker led Avery to his mother. She sat at the bar, stiff, upright, and dignified. Her eyes grew wide with surprise as though shocked her son brought a woman to meet her.
“This is Avery,” he said, his tone deadpan. “The one I told you about.”
“How very nice. That you seem to remember this one’s name.”
Chilly woman.
Ryker’s gaze hardened and became narrow. “I thought you should meet first. She should have all the information at hand before making an informed decision.”
What does he mean by that?
Ryker’s mother held out a perfectly manicured hand to Avery, even as her expression looked as though she’d just been asked to walk a plank in the open sea. “It’s a pleasure. I’m sure I have no idea what my son is up to.”
“Let’s not begin caring now, Mother,” was all Ryker said.
Avery took the hand being offered. The skin might have been soft, but the fingers were cold as ice. “It’s a pleasure.”
Taking back Avery’s hand, Ryker walked her out onto the beach and far enough to be completely alone. When everything was quiet save for the rhythmic waves next to them, he looked straight into her eyes and bent down on one knee.
She gasped, and the noise echoed out to sea.
“You are nothing like any woman I’ve ever met.”
Chills ran up Avery’s arms. The world shrank. Nothing mattered but the two of them. There. Together in the place she loved, with the roiling waves as their music.
“I want to spend our lives figuring out exactly what that means. You are the only woman for me, the only woman I want to share my secrets with...the only woman I promise to be faithful to...” He looked at her hand. “The only one capable of wrapping me around her finger...
“Avery Chase, will you do me the considerable honor of being my wife?”
Barely a beat later, Avery nodded. For a woman who didn’t believe in fairy tales, she sure felt like a princess. Here she was in a magic land, complete with a loving and kind man.
“Yes. I will marry you.”
Ryker swept her off her feet, picking
her up in one fluid movement. He mumbled a good night to the few couples they passed along the beach and carried her straight to his bedroom, where he locked the door behind them. “This time, when we make love, I don’t want to use protection.”
“You don’t?”
“I want children. That is—”
She blinked, waiting for the caveat.
“If you’re ready.” He breathed into her neck, groaned when he pulled off her dress. “I want a child and so much more from you.”
“There’s more?”
It didn’t take two seconds for him to be completely naked. “All of our lives spent together, and many, many children,” he said as he buried his kisses in her hair, up and down her neck, and then buried himself between her parted thighs.
She was ready for him, allowing the three little words he said over and over again to overtake every other thought. I love you.
They climaxed perfectly in sync with each other, each movement of release a perfect symphony of electricity until every last ounce of pleasure had been drained.
Ryker didn’t pull out right away. “I want to stay right here forever. In you. With you.”
Avery’s breathing slowed as her lips quirked a smile. “As much as I love that idea, and believe me, I do, we have to venture out to eat sometime.”
He ran his finger ever so slowly, tantalizingly, from her belly button up, between the rise of her ribcage, in between her soft breasts to the base of her neck. His lips crushed down on hers, and she moved her lips with his.
As his finger moved in sensual strokes up her neckline, he opened his eyes and held her gaze.
Perfect tiny droplets of pure joy spilled from Avery’s eyes.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend the next eighty or so years, than to be right here with the woman I love.”
“You make me feel beautiful.”
“With everything I am capable of being, I love you. Only you. It was only ever you. My perfect Avery. I can’t imagine a life without you or a world without you in it. I want to be with you...forever.”
Epilogue
The news of the wedding spread faster than Alexandria could move her fingers on the keypad of her Blackberry.