Page 34 of Nothing to Do

“No,” she said and shook her head. “If that was true, my sister’s life wouldn’t have been endangered last night. One slip, one fall, one stray fist, or a thrown bottle, anything could’ve happened with him so out of control. And you know what…?” Her hand came up to gesture. “You know what’s really scary about what happened last night? The number of endangered women. Women who don’t have their sisters and families looking out for them. Maybe it’s okay because you have all this money and think you can pay off anyone your cousin traumatizes—”

“Thea—”

“Money doesn’t excuse bad behavior. Fame doesn’t negate responsibility. At least not in my opinion.”

“Thea—”

“Some of them will never have been exposed to that kind of behavior. They’re young and adore that man. You gave your cousin a platform to abuse—”

“Thea!” This time he grabbed her arm to haul her against him. “I will never disappoint you again.”

“No, because I’ll never give you a chance.” Her fingers splayed on his chest, pushing yet without strength. “You’re not the man I thought you were.”

“I want to be that man. For you.”

“Zane…” his name was an exhale.

“What?” he asked, his voice low. “Read me the riot act, baby.” The warmth of his caress fizzed from her temple, down through the rest of her all the way to her soul. “Long as you’re talking, you’re with me. Keep talking, baby.”

“I need to be with a man who…” The weakness in her words came with the loosening of her muscles. “Zane…”

“Yeah, baby?” Shit, she had nothing. He stooped lower. “I’m going to fix this.” Her head dropped into the cradle of his hand as it sank into her hair. “I’ll make you so happy, I swear it, baby.”

Until that moment, the moment his lips made contact with hers in that room, her brain believed they’d been getting closer. That their dates meant something, that spending time together could lead to something else.

In that second, everything changed.

This kiss was different. In the past, he’d held back, restrained himself. This man kissing her was strong, confident, determined. And the funny part? She’d believed he was all of those things before the floodgates opened and the truth spilled out.

Finding her sense, she pushed and leaned back. “No.”

“No?”

“I can’t—we can’t—” The glimpse of movement outside betrayed her sister’s approach. “I’m late for dinner with my sister.”

As she tried to move, he tightened his hold, and she sprang back against him. “If you’re leaving the island, I’m coming with you.”

“Don’t say things like that.”

This time she did get free and hurried to open the sliding door for Alessia and Lark, who’d joined her for some reason.

“Oh my God, Mr. Dyce,” Lark said, rushing to him. “It’s an honor to—oh my God.” Without invitation, the young woman threw her arms around him in a hug. Instantly, he held his hands up at each side, like in surrender. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”

“Yes, it’s really me,” he said.

His eyes met hers and she sensed the request. Giving the guy a break, she went over to pick Lark’s arms away to break the embrace.

“How’s Roman?” Lark asked like she hadn’t just violated him. “Will we see him tonight?”

“Unlikely.”

“Not the right answer,” she said, gaining all focus. “If that man is loose on the island—”

“You’ll be safe, I promise you.”

“Yeah, it’s not like he actually hurt us,” Lark said, kind of affronted. “He’s just… passionate.”

“That’s an excuse.”

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