Page 22 of The Billionaire's Kiss
“Yeah, some people do—but not you.” He met my eyes, making sure his words sank in. And they did. But I still wasn’t willing to forget about Orla. “And maybe she’s rethinking spending a whirlwind week with you.”
“Baldwyn, I know you’re just trying to look out for me, but we know this will end. I don’t think we’ll fall in love knowing that we only have six more nights together.” And I hoped we’d soon be spending the whole of the nights that way too.
His lips formed into a thin line as he came up with his next argument. “You’re right, I am worried about you. Mom and Dad’s death messed with your head, Warner. How couldn’t it have? You were so young—we all were. And you’ve yet to see someone about that, even though it’s already affected every relationship you’ve had. Forgive me if I don’t see how this one is going to be different—that this is just one more in a long line of unhealthy relationships.”
“It does feel different though. I’m going into this with eyes wide open. It’s not like I planned this anyway, it just happened. We met, sparks flew—end of story.”
“Here’ how I think it will go. You met, sparks flew—hearts got broken.”
I was used to living with a broken heart. “I’ll be fine.”
“Sure you will,” he said sarcastically. “You weren’t fine to begin with.”
“But I was.” I had my hang-ups, but I was perfectly okay. “I’m not some broken man, Baldwyn. I can handle my business just fine.”
“You can handle your business more than fine. It’s your love life that you can’t handle. Do you have any idea how many of your ex-girlfriends have come to me or one of your other brothers to ask what they did wrong to make you dump them?”
“I had no idea that any of them had done that.” I didn’t think that was appropriate of them, nor did I like that my brothers didn’t tell me about it. “And why haven’t any of you mentioned this?”
“Because we all know why you did it, and we always tell them that it wasn’t anything they did,” he let me know. “Would you really have taken it well if any of us had told you?”
“No.” I wasn’t taking it well now. “You know, some of them did do things that turned me off. It wasn’t always just me. But I did always take the blame for the way things ended. I wasn’t a complete jerk about it.”
“I know that you never entered any relationship with evil intentions. But you also never went into one with an open heart.”
“How am I supposed to go into one with an open heart when you’ve pointed out that the one I have is broken?” He was starting to get on my nerves in the way only a brother could. I’d had just about enough of this conversation. “If you’re worried that I’m going to get my heart broken, then rest assured that I’m looking at this with the same heart I always have—the one you’ve so kindly pointed out doesn’t work properly.”
Baldwyn sighed, rubbing his hands down his face. “Look, maybe that’s the thing I’m really worried about here—that it seems like you finally are going in with an open heart. It’s obvious you genuinely clicked with this chick.” He sighed heavily again. “I can see it in your eyes. There’s something there that I’ve never seen in them before—and I don’t want this to blow up in your face.”
I’d seen it in my eyes too. “I think knowing that this will end without a fight helps take the pressure off.”
“You know, just because something ends without a fight doesn’t make it hurt any less.” With a nod, he got up, signaling the end of our argument. “I’m going to walk away to give you time to reach your own conclusion. I only hope that you’ve heard at least some of what I’ve said.”
“I’ll think about what you’ve said.” Even if I didn’t agree with him.
“Good.” A smile curled his lips. “That’s all I ask.”
As he left my office, I got up to stretch my legs as I’d been sitting too long. I had to get out of my office for a while. Orla had my number if she woke up and wanted to see me.
Walking down the hallway, I decided I should grab a quick bite. Something small, as I wanted to take Orla out to dinner later. Even if my oldest brother disapproved, I wasn’t going to stop seeing her.
I’d never felt more strongly about anything where a woman was concerned. I wasn’t going to take the safe path and miss out on what seemed very special to me. And I hoped Orla felt the same way.
But there was a thread of doubt about that. She’d gotten so distant on the drive back to the resort last night. And the whole vibe at the door to her room was on the cooler side. But I knew she hadn’t expected me to kiss her on the cheek and not ask for more. I hoped that would show that she was special to me. Even though it couldn’t last, it wasn’t something I wanted to rush either. I just hoped she was willing to give it a chance.
Rounding the corner to the café, I found Orla walking towards me with a bagel in hand. She froze in place, her green eyes wide.
I kept going, walking right up to her even though I wasn’t sure what that look was all about. “I thought you were still sleeping.”
“I’ve been up for a while. I got a massage. And then I got a mani-pedi.” She wiggled her polished fingernails. “I honestly didn’t expect you to be available during the day. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“I don’t consider you a bother at all.” Taking her hand, I looked at the color of her nails. “Nice. I love shiny red nails.”
“I usually go with a more neutral shade like soft pink or champagne. But I thought that since I’m in the very colorful U.S.A., I would be more daring.”
Seeing her nails had stirred a memory inside of me. And for once, the memory didn’t leave me reeling with pain. It left me feeling warm and happy. “My mother also liked to paint her nails red. And they were short like yours. I love the way they look.”
“Wow.” Blinking a few times, she added, “This is the first time I’ve ever gotten them red. I just saw the color and told the manicurist that I wanted it. I had no idea that it would stir you.”
