Page 42 of Bride of Betrayal
‘We got out and you got your family out…they’re free.’
‘Yes.’ Angelica let the peace of that wash over her and her heart ached for Leo’s loss. So much worse than hers. She said, ‘I get it, you know…’
‘Get what?’
‘Why you don’t want to have a family. Who would want to risk that kind of trauma again?’
‘Precisely.’
Angelica wanted to say more but there was a look in Leo’s eye warning her off. He’d made the decision to close himself off to that risk and it wasn’t up for discussion and she’d be a fool to think she could persuade him otherwise.
Obeying a rogue urge, Angelica stood up abruptly. Leo looked up at her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Going for a swim.’
‘It’s dark.’
Angelica shrugged. She walked away from the terrace, down the garden and onto the beach. The moon was so bright, it lit up the beach and water. Then she undid the knot holding her dress up and let it drop to the ground.
She looked behind her to see where Leo had followed her to the edge of the beach. ‘Coming?’ She turned around and ran straight into the water and dived underneath the silky surface, telling herself that she needed to eke out every moment with Leo while they were still together because soon enough it would be over again and— A shape under the water made her squeal even though she knew it was him.
His hands went around her waist and held her. They could stand where they were—the water came up to Angelica’s breasts and Leo’s lower belly. His hands moved up, cupping the firm flesh, thumbs rubbing across her pebbled nipples. She sucked in a breath, hands going to his arms where his muscles bunched under her fingers.
‘No more talk of the past, hm? Let’s just enjoy this.’
As if she’d needed him to confirm her own thoughts.
She went close to him and wound her arms around his neck. ‘Sounds like a good idea.’
‘The car is here.’
Angelica sighed and turned away from the view of the iconic blue/green of the Caribbean Sea. She slipped shades over her eyes so Leo might not read how sad she was to leave this bubble behind.
They’d spent two more days in paradise, in a haze of sensual abandon, eating, drinking, swimming and sleeping. They’d been careful not to stray into the past again, keeping their conversation light and focused on the present.
And now, they were headed back to New York for a couple of days because Leo had meetings, and Angelica had a shoot booked for an iconic jewellery brand. They hadn’t discussed exactly how much longer they’d continue this fake marriage but they both seemed to be tacitly agreeing not to question it. For now.
Leo was standing a few feet away in chinos and a light blue short-sleeved polo shirt that enhanced his darker tan and virile power. Muscles bulging under the short sleeves. He had lost the tight, slightly stern look he’d had since she’d seen him again.
It was as if they’d both unwound the shackles of the last three years and let them go.
‘OK, I’m ready.’ Angelica took a breath and filed away the memories of this idyllic hiatus, and let Leo guide her into the back of the car, his hand on her arm doing little to stop the inevitable physical reaction to his touch.
For a moment she felt panic. What if no other man ever made her feel as he did? What kind of a life would that be—always comparing someone to your first love?
Notlove. It’s not love, Angelica desperately told herself as they were driven to the tiny island airfield, looking out of the window in a bid to avoid looking at Leo. But, she knew she was lying to herself. Nothing had changed. She was still in love with Leonardo Falzone.
Angelica realised that her linen trouser suit wasn’t really appropriate when they arrived in New York and the temperature had dropped precipitously since they’d been here before. Winter was coming.
Leo had spent most of the flight on his phone and laptop, working. Angelica had spoken with her New York agent, who was excited about a potential opportunity for Angelica to become the face of one of the world’s most famous beauty lines. Angelica knew that at the age of twenty-four, which some might consider the twilight years of her modelling career, she was incredibly lucky to still be in demand, but she told her agent she’d think about it. Signing up to a deal like that was a commitment that once she would have jumped at but which now felt constrictive.
Leo reached for her hand across the back of the car and she looked at him, forcing a smile.
He frowned. ‘Hey, what’s up?’
Absurdly, Angelica felt like crying, her emotions far too close to the surface. She shook her head. ‘Nothing, just post-holiday blues.’ She told him about the conversation with her agent.
Leo said carefully, ‘Shouldn’t you be looking a lot more excited? That’s a massive opportunity. I’ve even heard of them.’
