Page 57 of Turning Up the Heat

“I wouldn’t say that, but my family has greatly embarrassed me, too.”

Gemma shook her head. No matter what Tom and his father disagreed on, he had never been publicly mocked within their industry. “Why did you target me?”

“I didn’t target you.”

“No, you didn’t. But your company did.” She went into the kitchen, and he followed her. She pulled a bottle of wine from the rack on the wall. She didn’t speak as she opened it and poured out two glasses. “Here,” she said, sliding one of the glasses across the table to him.

“Thanks.”

They both drank wine, watching each other over their glasses. The tension radiated between them. She hated it, hated him. No, she didn’t hate him. She loved him. But she hated everything else. Finally, she lowered her glass. “I’m the best rum distiller in the world,” she said, simply.

“I know you are.”

“And that your company embarrassed me, mocked me, in their newest ad campaign is low as fuck.”

He nodded. “I know. It shouldn’t have happened.”

“I wouldn’t be so mad if you thought you could compete in the distillery. But that’s why you had to resort to shady tactics.”

He put down his glass heavily, and the wine sloshed over the rim. “You know, you keep saying that I did these things. It was done without me even knowing. And none of that changes how I feel about you.”

“Is that why you called and said you wouldn’t be coming down here?”

“It was part of it. I was trying to get ahead of it. I was hoping it could be stopped before it went live.” He paused. “But that wasn’t it.”

“What is it?”

“I had my own doubts and concerns. My father found out about us. That’s why he went after you. I was willing to work past it, but I was scared, too. I didn’t know how to reconcile you and my family. But the difference between you and me is that I was willing to try. I tried to call you last night, but you ignored my calls.”

“I didn’t answer because I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“Because you were mad that I wasn’t coming to visit.”

“I wasn’t mad because you weren’t visiting. I was mad that I cared so fucking much,” she admitted.

“I don’t understand.”

“Everything with us has been so quick—a whirlwind—and the feelings have been so intense. I fell so hard for you. I fell in love with you.”

“It’s been like that for me, too,” he said, taking a step toward her.

“But I never wanted that,” she told him, stopping him in his tracks, clearly not expecting her to say that. “At some point I lost control,” she continued.

“And that’s bad?”

“Yes.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m ridiculous?”

“Yes. Losing control is what love is about. And I’m just as lost and confused as you are. That’s what I realized last night. I was so unsure of how to separate you and the business. But I don’t want to.”

“Well, I hate it.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“I want my old life back.”

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