Page 72 of Worth the Risk

‘Then give me a straight answer. Will you stay?’

No. Say no. End this now before it’s too late.

‘How long do you want me to stay?’

A flame seared his eyes, but it was the light of triumph, not the emotion I’d hoped to see. ‘How about we don’t put a time frame on this? Let it play out the way it feels right?’

No. I was a planner at heart. Nowhere on the list of how I lost my heart included throwing caution to the wind and bungee jumping into the unknown. ‘That doesn’t work for me.’

Ruthless determination settled on his face. ‘Tell me what works and I’ll make it happen.’

My needs were simple. And endlessly complicated. ‘I’ll think about it.’

‘Leonora—’ He swore as his phone burst to life again.

Seizing the reprieve, I rose from bed, grabbed a bathrobe. ‘You really should get that.’

His jaw tightened for a second before he snatched up his phone. ‘Aunt Flo, unless this is urgent...’ He paused to listen to whatever his aunt was saying but his gaze didn’t waver from mine.

I knew our conversation wasn’t over but I needed to retreat. To think without the juggernaut of his will bearing down on me. I backed towards the door but Gideon was faster. With lightning speed, he launched himself off the bed and wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me prisoner as he carried on his conversation.

‘A little more notice would’ve been nice,’ he said into the phone.

I tensed. His eyes met mine and he grimaced. ‘Well, if you’re here a day early, then of course you must see the yacht. I’ll make sure brunch is ready for you when you arrive.’

He hung up, then pulled me closer. ‘You heard that.’

I nodded. ‘I’ll inform the chef.’

Gideon regarded me steadily, another layer of resolve sliding into place. ‘I want you to join us.’

And hasten my heartbreak? I wasn’t in the mood for further revelations about Gideon and Penny.

His aunt was special to him, the one who most likely held the key to all the layers of the man I was sure I was falling for. The man I suspected would never be available to me. ‘It’s not a good idea, Gideon.’

‘Why the hell not?’ he growled.

‘She’s the most important person in your life. I’m just the woman passing through. Ships in the night and all that.’

His lips brushed my ear. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, I’m attempting to anchor you.’

Yes, but for how long?

I was saved from facing my own question when his phone buzzed again. I took advantage, dancing out of his distracted hold. ‘I’ll see you later.’

‘Join us, Leonora. Or I’ll come and get you.’ He turned away, his finger stabbing the answer button.

I shut the door and hurried to my cabin. Inside, I phoned the chef and relayed instructions for brunch. Then I froze, my gaze moving erratically around the room.

Gideon wanted me to stay. Every cell in my body screamed at me to say yes.

But could I afford to let this play out? The real world waited. Gideon’s world. So did the demons he was choosing to fight alone. I might have pushed him into revealing his past to me, but it’d done nothing to dissipate its bleakness. My sole role on the yacht was to provide an escape. Oblivion.

But at what ultimate cost?

Deathly afraid of the answer, I pushed the question aside and headed for the shower. Once dressed, I placed a scheduled call to the office, frowning when it went to voicemail.

It was after nine and my part-time assistant’s day off but Andrea should’ve answered. A call to her mobile produced the same result. I was leaving a message when the sound of rotor blades pierced the air.

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