Page 24 of How to Undo the Proud Billionaire

But weirdly, despite the numerous affairs on both sides, his parents had been insanely jealous. He recalled vicious fights, the throwing of crystal and china, of shoes and handbags, his mother screaming and his father’s mocking responses. He recalled rooms being trashed and walls punched and, in the morning, when it all was over, he remembered lines of coke on tables.

He had no idea what a good marriage looked like; his parents were his only reference.

So much about relationships rattled him. He was terrified he’d not only lose control and his temper, but also his dignity, so he avoided anyone who made his heart accelerate, his breath catch. If he liked a woman a little too much, he dropped her quickly, walking away without a second glance.

Because what if he took a chance on love and it backfired? What if his partner ran to the press after a fight? What if she had an affair and the press found out? What if she…

Radd shuddered. God, no! He’d lived through that scrutiny as a child and teenager and he would not, ever, go through that again. The only way to guarantee that was not to get involved with anyone, ever.

But none of his mental ramblings had anything to do with Brin’s flowers. And it was her choice whether to take the credit or not.

“Fine,” Radd told her.

“And I can keep a low profile when your other guests arrive?” Brin asked, and something in her expression made him pause. Why was she so determined not to interact, to keep her distance? Naledi was a social butterfly and her face was instantly recognizable, but Brin had no interest in making her acquaintance. It was unusual, and Radd didn’t trust unusual.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Brin shrugged and rubbed her fingertips over her brow, her hand effectively hiding her eyes from him. “It’s been a long and confusing day and it’s not even seven yet. I’m really tired.”

“Yet I still don’t know whether you are staying or going.”

Brin scrubbed her face with her hands before slumping in her seat. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t have the money to pay deposits to hire a plane or a car. So you…” she drilled a finger into his chest “…need to pay me.”

“And I will when I get the chance,” Radd replied.

Brin hauled in a huge breath. “Provided I don’t have to join or interact with the wedding party, and if I can stay in the background, then I’ll stay.”

Radd worked hard to keep his expression inscrutable, to stop himself from doing an air pump. “Good.” No, it was damned excellent.

Brin gestured to the bush beyond their car. “Do you think we can go back? I’m really tired and would love a nap.” She sent him a mischievous grin that tightened his pants and ignited flames in his stomach. “And, seeing that I’m now your guest, I’d like that crab, lobster and truffle omelet.”

Radd grinned and accelerated away. When she forgot to be insecure, Ms. Riddell could be quite bossy. He rather liked it.

CHAPTER SIX

LATERTHATEVENING, Brin walked from the dining area of the main lodge onto its expansive deck and plopped down on one of the wide two-person loungers, kicking off her shoes to swing her bare feet up onto the cushion. Leaning back, she tipped her head up, sighing at the swish of stars making up the Milky Way.

“I can’t get enough of this sky.”

“It’s pretty impressive,” Radd agreed. Brin pulled her eyes away from the sky to watch him gracefully walk across the deck, holding a bottle of red wine and two glasses. Stopping next to her lounger, he dashed wine into the glasses while kicking off his flip-flops. He’d pulled on a light, hooded sweatshirt to counter the slight chill in the air but still wore the cargo shorts he’d changed into after their game drive earlier that morning.

“Shift over,” Radd told her and dropped down into the space she created. His shoulder pressed into hers, his thigh lay alongside hers, and Brin felt like he’d plugged her into an electric substation. He was so big, so solid, so very masculine…

Untamed and a little intimidating, like the land he so loved.

Radd handed her a glass of red wine and Brin placed it on the floor next to her, in easy reach. He placed his arm behind his head, sighed and look upwards, and Brin could almost feel the tension leaving his body.

Radd relaxing had happened in increments all day, a sigh here, a roll of the shoulders there. Kagiso was good for him, Brin decided. No, Kagiso was great for him.

“It’s not often I’m here on my own, and I forget how much I love it when it’s empty,” Radd said, his soft words echoing her thoughts.

“Except that you are not alone, I’m here,” Brin pointed out.

“But you’re surprisingly restful company, Brinley Riddell.” Radd turned his head to look at her and his small smile made her stomach flip over. And over again. “You don’t feel the need to fill silences with chatter, you’re happy to be quiet. That’s pretty unusual. Why is that?”

Brin lifted her wineglass and took a sip. “Probably because I have a sister who dominates every conversation and a mother who encourages her.”

“And your dad?”

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