Leverage - Part 3

Through with the conversation, Miles moved away. “You’re a pig,” he said. “No wonder Julianna wants to be free from you. Maybe if you’d treated her with an ounce of kindness and respect she might’ve put up with your insufferable attitude but you can’t help yourself from being a total douche.”

Boston stilled the sudden leap of fear. She would return to him. She had to. He couldn’t — no, he wouldn’t — lose her.

“Here’s what you don’t know about Julianna….” He let the words hang in the air and Miles stopped but didn’t turn around. A cold, knowing smile followed as understanding followed. Miles couldn’t help himself. Julianna was a mystery that he couldn’t quit. Boston understood that drive, that longing. Too bad Miles was destined to lose. “She will come back to me. That’s a promise. So don’t get attached. And here’s another word of advice…if you fucking touch her…I will destroy you.”

Miles shook his head and tossed a dismissive wave Boston’s direction before disappearing into the resort.

Boston chuckled. Yeah, keep walking pretty boy. We’ll see who’s right. And who’s left behind.

#

Miles had never wanted to punch someone more badly than he wanted to bury his fist in Boston’s smug face right this moment. He wanted to understand why someone like Julianna would get involved with a man as crude and ruthless as Boston but he didn’t want to pepper her with questions right after an altercation like that. He found her sitting apart, clearly still agitated by the situation. Her brows pulled into a subtle frown and her gaze shone a little too brightly as she held back tears. Miles took the seat opposite her and reached for her hand. “Are you okay?” he asked, noting the wildly jittering pulse in her neck and the sad downturn of her beautiful, soft mouth.

“He’s such a jerk,” she said, staring unseeing at her plate. “He’s the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.”

Yeah, Miles agreed. But there was something else. As much as he hated to see it, he voiced his private fear. “But you love him don’t you?”

“Love?” She glanced up, suddenly very vulnerable. “What makes you say that?”

He sighed. “Because even though he’s treated you terribly, you’re about ready to cry over him,” he said gently. When her eyes welled even more, he said with a sigh, “Don’t beat yourself up over it.” Adding with earnest as he squeezed her hand. “Sometimes we have to fall in love with the wrong person so that when we meet the right person, we know what’s real.”

She sniffed and withdrew her hand as she wiped her eyes. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never imagined I’d be one of those pathetic women weeping over some jerk who treats me badly after knocking me up. I’m a cliché.”

“You’re hardly a cliché,” he assured her with a chuckle, loving the way the light danced around her crown, creating a halo. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Julianna needed him. “You’re a sweet person who gave your heart to the wrong guy. Simple as that.”

“It’s not that simple,” she murmured, blinking back more tears. “I can’t tell you why it’s more complicated than that but trust me, when I say that it is.”

A warning bell went off in his head, ringing with the echo of Boston’s taunt. What did that guy have on her? He was perplexed but seeing as talking about it seemed to upset her more, he tried to change the subject. “How about we go do something fun today?” he suggested.

“What do you mean? Don’t you have to go to work? I don’t want to complicate your life more than I already have.”

“That’s the best part about being a traveling doctor…I’m part of a rotating service. Today is my day off.”

“Oh,” she said, breaking a tiny smile. “And you want to spend it with me?”

“I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather spend it with.”

“You’re good for a girl’s ego,” she said, risking a bigger smile. “I mean, how can I say no?”

“You can’t. I engineered it that way,” he said with what he hoped was a charming grin. “How about this…a ride to other side of the island. It’s a great scenic drive and it’ll give you a chance to get out of your head for a little while.”

“That sounds wonderful,” she admitted but hesitated. “Are you sure? I feel like a toad for monopolizing your only day off.”

“Have you forgotten that I have ulterior motives?” He gestured toward her bathing suit and she blushed. “See? I’m not entirely a gentleman. You have a rocking body and a wonderful personality. I don’t see how spending a day with you would be a hardship. If anything, it might be a hardship on you putting up with my tour guide mentality.”

“Tour guide mentality?” She arched a brow in question. “What does that mean or do I want to know?”

“It means I can’t help myself when I move some place…I have to find out everything there is to know so I can speak like a know-it-all at dinner parties.”

She laughed, her mouth curving in a sweet smile. “Oh, you’re one of those guys.”

“Totally guilty. I know just enough to be dangerous.”

“Well, thanks for the warning but I like the idea of the driver knowing a bit about the area. So I think we’re safe. What time do you want to leave?”

“I do need to call in, double check I’m not on call, and then if all is good, we can leave around eleven. I’ll even pack a picnic.”

“A picnic? That sounds fun. Should I bring anything?”

“Sunscreen and that gorgeous smile. I will handle everything else.”

“Well, sounds like you have this all figured out.” She grinned. “Meet you in the lobby at eleven?”

“Sounds good. Now,” he gestured to her plate. “Eat up. Don’t starve that baby.”

Julianna laughed as if there was very little threat of that but took a bite for his benefit. “Good girl,” he said, excusing himself. “See you in a bit.” He grabbed an apple on the way out, the only blemish on his thoughts was the lingering knowledge that joking aside, Julianna, for all her bluster, was suffering from a broken heart. He could read the anguish in her stare, even as she tried hard to hide it, and he could sense it in the way the corners of her mouth turned down in the most subtle, nearly hidden manner. All the signs pointed to disaster, so why was he patently ignoring the big, yellow caution sign warning him of the broken bridge up ahead?

The smart thing to do would be to back off and let Julianna and Boston figure things out.

But then he remembered what a self-centered prick Boston was and how badly he’d treated Julianna and he knew the only way he was going to back down was if Julianna pushed him away. She deserved someone who would treat her as the sexy, vibrant woman she was, and not some possession to jerk around whenever the mood suits. Was he that man? Maybe. He’d like to give it a shot. He knew with a certainty that he was a far better match for Julianna than Boston. All he had to do was get Julianna to see that, too.

And if she didn’t?

He supposed he’d just have to take his chances.

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