“We’re late, Ginny.” He tried to turn her around to get her walking again, but she refused to budge.
“How come you never compliment me? Am I that unattractive?”
An irritated Agent Collins stepped out of the Moke, walking toward them. “Mr. Allerton has called several times. You two can finish this conversation in the vehicle.”
Ginny sighed in frustration at the agent hurrying them. “We’re coming.” Then she gave Reaper a harassed frown.
“Don’t blame me; you’re the one who kept me in bed all evening.”
“Don’t blame me when your uncouth ass sleeps on the couch tonight.”
Climbing into the Moke, she slapped his hand away when he would have assisted her.
“I see how you are. Is that the thanks I get for taking your mind off seeing your mother and not being able to see your father?”
Ginny nearly tripped over her feet getting inside. “You made us late because you were trying to relax me?” she hissed.
“I thought it would be easier than fucking you, but I didn’t want to shower again. I’m becoming a prune.”
Both men in the front seat turned around to look at them with their mouths gaping open.
Ginny waited until he was seated in the back seat before turning both barrels on him. “Gavin, remember the good old times when you wouldn’t talk to me? Channel him back. I miss him.”
Chapter Nineteen
Ginny’s anger and hurt at Gavin evaporated the moment they entered the lobby of the private resort. The grandeur of the entryway was designed to inspire awe and envy with its masterful strokes of creams, sea foam green, and a touch of gold, making you feel as if you were traveling through a portal that only a few were allowed admission.
As they were led through the lobby, Ginny didn’t feel awe-inspired; she felt deeply rooted in sadness. Remembering how she had begged Manny to come inside, too young and innocent to know the beautiful resort was just an illusion meant to hide the ugliness and duplicity ingrained within each building block.
She had no desire to live in this world of luxury. This was the world that Kaden Cross and Dalton Andrews could easily walk among without missing a beat. Ginny had to give them credit for resisting the lure; stronger men and women hadn’t.
Going up the curved staircase, Ginny could feel the speculative gazes as their small group was escorted to the right hallway. Unconsciously, her hand went to her side, searching for Gavin’s, her exasperation with him put on the back burner as the stressful encounter with her mother loomed closer.
“You’ve got this.” It took a second for Ginny to realize the thought that had popped in her head had actually been Gavin speaking out loud.
Her nerves stretched so tightly as she skimmed over the occupants of the room, not recognizing any of the four female guests as her mother.
Allerton broke away from a tall, charismatic man to greet them.
“Mr. and Mrs. James, Agent Collins, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. We’ve been waiting.”
Agent Collins gave them an aggrieved look, and then the experienced veteran placed guilt where it belonged. “I’m going to excuse myself to make apologies on their behalf and chase down one of those waiters. Excuse me.” Agent Collins left Gavin and Ginny on their own.
Ginny couldn’t blame him for cutting and running. She wished she could, too.
Seeking a quick response for their tardy arrival, Gavin cut in with, “Mr. Allerton, please forgive us. Ginny and I are in the honeymoon stage of our marriage. I’m sure you can understand that, when romance beckons, a man wants to keep his wife happy.”
Forgetting her issue with God, she prayed the floor would open and swallow her whole.
Allerton looked like he was praying for the same thing for her, except visualizing Gavin being swallowed first. “I’m not married.”
“No? That’s a shame. You don’t know what you’re missing,” Gavin said blithely, unconcerned that Allerton was staring at them with distaste.
“Yes, well ….” Allerton turned a cold shoulder to Gavin. “Mrs. James, Soleil just stepped out to take a call from Jasper. She should return at any moment.”
“That reminds me,” Gavin interrupted, making it possible for everyone listening to overhear. “We’ve not had cell service since we’ve arrived. Our families will be concerned we haven’t called.”
“I will have to check into the matter in the morning.” Allerton took two glasses of wine from a passing waiter, giving one to Gavin then one to her, before reaching for another one for himself before dismissing the waiter.
“Come along, my dear,” Allerton said brusquely. “I want to introduce you to a few of your parents’ friends.”
Leaving them to follow him, they made their way to a small group. The two men and one woman smiled politely at their approach. Gavin’s firm grip on her hand kept her from approaching too closely.
“Mrs. James, I’ve been a fan of yours since I heard you sing in Nashville with Kaden Cross.”