Chapter 23

NICOLETTE

“I’m sorry,” I said without thinking. “For leaving without saying goodbye.” The words just came out, and I realized I really was sorry. “You must be upset with me.”

He stood straight and his face softened. “I missed you.” His eyes held such emotion, and I wondered if it was just lust or something more.

We stood in silence for a moment, looking at each other. Then I remembered where I was.

“So, another penthouse suite, huh?” I spun around to look at the space. “And what a view.” I looked out at Lady Liberty.

“The view is better from here.” He motioned with his head. “Come.”

“I’d rather talk about why you tricked me up here.” I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to be angry. But he was just so beautiful. And he’d admitted to missing me.

“That was incredibly rude, Darien. I was in a business meeting. My leaving like that was unprofessional, and now I’ll have to lie to him when he inevitably demands an explanation.”

And then I really did become angry, the weight of his actions and inconsideration crashing on me as I spoke the words out loud. He didn’t own me.

He sighed and looked at the ground. “When they told me in Crimea that you were gone, I…panicked.” He looked up at me. “I just had to come back to find you.”

I gave him a look that told him to continue.

“So I came back. I found out where you were and—”

I opened my mouth to interrupt and ask how he found out, but he anticipated the question and held his hand up to stop me.

“And when I saw you with…that man,” he continued, “I just…I panicked again.” He put his hand down.

“Yeah, well, the way you looked at me down there was unfair. You have no right to be angry about who I spend my time with. Especially when you don’t know the full story.”

“You are right, Nicolette, and I am sorry. Sorry that you thought I was angry at you.” He took a step toward me.

I uncrossed my arms and cocked my head.

“My anger was at Mr. Andretti.”

My eyes widened with surprise that he knew the man I was dining with. “You know him?”

Darien nodded and took another step closer. “I know him enough not to trust him.”

His vague answer told me that he wasn’t going to elaborate. I bet they had some kind of business feud. Or rivalry. Then my heart skipped a beat. What if it was over a woman?

I knew deep inside that this was the truth. Jealousy welled within me, and I cursed my own hypocrisy.

While I was in momentary freefall, he closed the gap between us. “Just be careful around him.” He cupped the side of my face and looked deeply into my eyes.

I melted against his palm and nodded my head.

Then he withdrew his hand and my trance was broken.

“Well, I should go back down there. He’s probably furious,” I declared, pulling my purse strap higher on my shoulder.

Darien shook his head. “No need. My man already informed him that you left. Family emergency.” He gave me that smug smile and stepped back to the railing. “Join me, desime.”

I glared at him, but it was just for show. I was relieved to not have to go back to that man. Who looked at me like I was his supper. I shuddered at the thought and joined Darien.

“He offered me a job. A once-in-a-lifetime job.” I stared out at Lady Liberty.

“The Brazilian expedition, yes?”

I really needed to stop being surprised at what this man knew. I should have known by now that he knew everything. But my eyebrows flew up nonetheless.

He chuckled. “Yes, I found out about that too.” Then his face went serious and he faced me. “It is your life and your decision, but if you value your safety, stay away from that man.”

I exhaled sharply out of my nose. I knew he was right, that Mr. Andretti was bad news, but maybe Darien’s words were about something else. I decided to find out.

“I don’t know what happened between you two, but instead of being cryptic, how about you just say you don’t want me to be with him?” I smiled playfully. “That you’re jealous.”

“No. I do not want you to be with him, Nicolette. I value your safety.” He grabbed my hand and held it between both of his. “And I value you.”

My heart fluttered. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought he’d say something smug, to tease me. I was stunned silent.

When my brain began working again, I said, “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot.” Then I turned my tone playful again. “You know, for such a brute of a man, you’re being rather sweet to me.” I smiled.

“Well, Nicolette.” He straightened and grabbed my other hand, now holding both. “That is because I want you to be mine.”