CHAPTER9
Sophia
Tor and Cyrus drop me off at home, then get back in the car and head out. They weren’t happy about leaving me here, especially after we almost missed our flight because of my decision to go AWOL. They tried to persuade me to spend the evening with them, but I’ve told them I’m fine.
And right now, all I need is to be alone.
My house feels cold and empty, and I wrap my arms around my body as I head in through the door. Home. Is it though, really? What makes this a home to me? Sure, it’s the place I come to sleep, but without someone to share it with…without him…it’s just a building where I keep my stuff.
I’m not sure I’m ever going to be the same again. As much as I’ve tried to persuade myself that it was, this wasn’t just a vacation fling. It meant more than that. To me and I’m pretty sure to him, too.
I don’t even care that he lied.
That thought makes me draw a quick breath. “I don’t even care that he lied?”
My words sound hollow in the emptiness as I flick on a light and drop onto the couch, still hugging myself for warmth.
It’s true. I don’t care that he lied. I don’t care that he trashed his place. I don’t care about any of it.
I still want him. And I’ve ruined it.
The tears start to flow before I can stop them, and once they’ve started that’s it. I’m sniffling away, barely able to see as I plug my phone into the outlet. Tor made me promise I would, that he’d be checking up on me every hour to make sure I’m okay and if he couldn’t get through…
I told him he could go stalk his wife, and to leave me alone, but I don’t think it went down too well.
The phone starts dinging with messages from my friends, but I ignore them as I collapse onto the floor, unable to even make it back to the couch.
Why did I leave with them? Why didn’t I stay and talk to Chance like a grown up? Why did I have to ruin something I never thought I’d find?
A sudden scent hits my nose, and I take a deep breath, almost comforted by it. God, it’s like I’m being haunted by him, by his trouble and lust scent. It must be coming in from outside somewhere, one of the neighboring houses or someone nearby and the wind has just caught it at the right angle.
I laugh when there’s a creak from the hall. What is this? A Daphne du Maurier novel? My house is going to remind me of him for the rest of my life?
“Baby, don’t cry.”
I shriek, turning to face the doorway. Blinking through the tears, I see the massive figure framed in the darkness. I wipe away the tears, fear and hope colliding inside my chest, making my heart race and my breath stall.
“Chance, is that…am I losing my damn mind?” I choke out the words as I stare. “You can’t be here. This isn’t real.”
“It’s me, baby. I’d go anywhere for you.” He sounds so calm, so strong, and despite it all I’m on my feet, running to him, wrapping my arms around his middle. If this is some sort of hallucination, I want it to stay. “Hey, shhh. Don’t. I told you I was never letting you get away from me, and I meant it.”
“But how is this possible? How did you know where to find me?”
He chuckles softly as he rubs my back, nestling his nose into my hair and inhaling deeply. “Let’s just say, you could sue the hotel for breaking confidentiality if you wanted to. I’m hoping you don’t want to.”
I laugh, not sure whether to be annoyed or delighted. “I’m not going to sue anyone. But you said you can’t be around lots of people. I live in the city, Chance, I can’t give all this up—”
His finger is pressed against my lips, and he leans in, taking my mouth in a strong, firm kiss that promises me the world and everything in it. “We’ll work it out, baby. I’ll live here part of the time, I’ll live on the island when the crowds get too much for me or when I need a break. But we’re going to have to work out your staffing situation because I can’t not have you with me. It would tear me apart.”
Staring into his eyes, he makes it sound so easy. Could it really be that simple? Find someone to take over the work at the restaurants when I’m on the island?
“Wait, what if I—”
“Opened a restaurant on the island,” Chance finishes for me, grinning and nodding. “Fucking awesome idea, baby girl. I’ll invest. I need somewhere safe for my money.”
“The restaurant business isn’t exactly safe…”
“With you at the helm? What could be safer?” He wipes my face, brushing away a tear, and I giggle, wrapping my arms around his neck, hardly able to believe all that’s changed in the last few minutes.
Then I hear them.
“Hey, fucker, get your hands off my sister, you—”