Page 24 of The Billionaire's Kiss
Chapter Ten
Orla
“Can we have a real conversation before we go anywhere? You know, in private.” I had learned a lot about him from what his sister-in-law had told me, and I had to be sure that we were on the same page here. He’d been through so much already. I didn’t want to cause him any further pain—even if pain was a part of life.
“Come on.” He took my hand, pulling me with him. “We can talk in my office.”
As soon as we stepped into the lobby, Mona and her mother caught sight of us. Mona waved, and then her eyes darted to our clasped hands. She dropped her hand unceremoniously and turned away.
Good. I don’t want to talk to her anyway.
Warner led me to his office, closing the door behind us. “Have a seat on the sofa, and we’ll talk about whatever you want, Orla.” He sat down beside me but left some space between us.
“I talked to Alexis this morning. She was the one who gave me the massage.”
His jaw tightened as he nodded. “I see.”
“She didn’t say anything bad about you, so don’t worry about that. But she did tell me that you’ve never dated any of the guests or employees from the resort. And she also told me that you’ve had relationships that didn’t last long and thatyouended them.”
“She’s right.”
I took his hand. “Warner, I’m afraid that I might hurt you if we keep going the way we are. I’m afraid that when the time comes for me to leave, it might do more damage to your heart than has already been done. And I don’t want to be a part of that.”
“And what aboutyourheart, Orla?” he asked with sincerity in his blue eyes. “Doesn’t your heart matter?”
“It does matter. But mine hasn’t been smashed to pieces the way yours has. So mine is on the back burner for now. I don’t want to sound presumptuous, but I know there’s something special between us, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Moving his hand to caress my cheek, he looked deeply into my eyes. “Orla Quinn, you are truly one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
I laughed at that. “You still hardly know me, Warner. But I do care about you, and I don’t want to cause any further damage.”
“Honestly, you’ve already done much more good than you could ever do harm. There’s something therapeutic about talking to you, spending time with you. I think you’re just what the doctor prescribed.”
“But what about when I’m not here anymore? Will you still feel that way?”
“You’ll leave your mark on me, that’s for sure.” He chuckled. “You and I keep getting bogged down in what will happen when you have to leave. Let’s make a pact to stop talking about that. Itwillhappen, and we both are fully aware of it.”
“And you’ll be happy with only the memories we make?” I knew I would be, but I wasn’t sure about him.
“Iwillbe happy with just those. And I’ll be happy making those memories too.” His thumb grazed my lower lip, heating me up inside. “And I think that knowing that I can share myself with someone will help me grow a little.”
“So, you’re using me as therapy?” I laughed. “I can deal with that.”
“Good. Because I’m ready to get moving with us. We only have six nights, after all. No time to waste. And on the morning that you leave, we will part on good terms. I think it’s what I love the most. No breaking up. No tearful goodbyes.”
“What makes you so sure you won’t cry like a baby?” I laughed again. “I’m not a thousand percent sure that I won’t.”
“If you feel like crying, then do it. Hopefully, they’ll be tears of joy from what we meant to each other while you were here.”
It sounded to me like he’d been thinking things through and wasn’t merely shooting from the hip. As long as he was aware of the reality of things, I was okay with moving forward. “So I’m going to go change into something that I can take a stroll in without making my feet sore.” I’d worn low heels with a long skirt, and that wouldn’t do for what he had in mind.
“I’ll be right here when you’re ready. I’ll see about making reservations for us somewhere really nice. What’s your favorite type of food?”
“I like seafood.” Getting up to go to my room, I left him making plans.
As the elevator doors opened on my floor, I saw Mona standing there. She looked at me with her beady eyes. “And what do you think you’re doing with Warner Nash, Orla?”
Stepping off the elevator, I huffed. “Why do you care? And I just saw you down in the lobby. What has you back up here?”
