Page 44 of Sinful Promises

Sever ties. Walk away. Never think of Roman again.

“Actually. I’ve changed my mind.” I flicked his hand off my arm. “I’m going now.”

“But what about this tour? We need you. I need you.”

A smile wobbled across my lips. “You’ll survive without me. I’ll call Bruce and let him know, and make sure he sends someone to take my place.” I’d never done it, but I knew of other tour guides who’d had replacements flown in because they were sick or had quit. Bruce would be pissed, but I didn’t give a fuck about him. Or my job anymore.

Roman’s jaw dropped. His eyes were wide. He looked crippled with fear.

I wanted to say I’d never see him again. Never hold him again. Never have another kiss that blew my mind. But I couldn’t. He didn’t deserve to hear any of that. He needed me out of his life. And I needed him out of mine. That was exactly what was going to happen. I huffed out a breath and urged my mind to formulate a goodbye without choking up with emotion. “It’s been wonderful getting to know you, Roman.”

He jerked back. “What? This isn’t goodbye.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Of course it is. I’ve told you; my visa is about to expire. Who knows how long it will take before Mother—” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

“But you can come back.”

“No, Roman.” I shook my head. “I can’t.”

He blinked at me. How did he not understand the finality of my expiring visa? How could he have missed that?

I forced myself to squeeze his hand to make it real. “I’ve had the most incredible time with you.” I was surprised at how calm my words were. But it was the total opposite to the raging torrent barging through my brain. Leaning up on my tippy-toes, I kissed his cheek. “I will never forget you.”

As I strode away, a huge lump formed in my throat.

I could barely breathe.

At the luggage hold, I grabbed my suitcase.

A sob burst from my throat as I walked toward the taxi rank I spied in the distance.

“Daisy. Stop. Don’t go. I’m sorry.” Roman’s voice was shrill. Desperate.

But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

Breaking away was the hard part. Now all I had to do was keep moving.

Chapter Nine

It was surprisingly easy to catch a flight out of Prague, and within five hours of leaving Roman, I was in yet another taxi on my way to head office. London was dark and miserable, matching my mood in every way. When the cab pulled up, it took all my effort to drag myself out of the car and walk into the Vacation Dreamz office.

Tracy’s eyes bulged. “Daisy, what happened? Are you okay?”

Maybe she saw my distress. I probably looked like crap. “Is Bruce in?”

“Yes. But, ummm, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll tell you in a minute.” I strode to Bruce’s office and knocked.

“Come in.”

His eyes also bulged when I stepped through the door. “I’ve been wondering when you’d show up. I cannot believe you deserted your group like that.”

I handed over the letter I’d scrawled while waiting at the Prague airport for my flight to London. “My resignation.”

“What? Why?”

“My mother has cancer. I have to return to Australia.”

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