The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

She liked that about him. Even as she thought about kissing him again, she liked that she’d set a boundary and he’d accepted it without question. She liked it a lot.

Marvin got up from the spot in front of the fire and came to her side. He sat and put his head on her knee, and her heart softened. “Marvin is not a trained therapy dog, but you’d think he was. He’s my best friend in the world.”

Cole’s gaze was steady. “If you don’t want to answer this, I’ll respect it. Is there a reason why you’d need a therapy dog?”

Brooklyn swallowed around the large lump in her throat. It had been a few years now, and it wasn’t exactly a secret. After all, it had been on the news and the communities in this part of the province were small. But choosing to tell someone was different.

Because it was telling, and not just having them know.

Cole slid over on the sofa and took her hand in his. His hand was warm, in contrast to her cold one. He chafed it a bit and said gently, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. The last thing I want is to upset you.”

She looked up at him. “Are you even real?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you’re rich and you look like...that, and it’s crazy that you’re this nice as well. I keep wondering where your flaws are.”

“Oh,” he said darkly, “I have them. Never fear.”

She sighed as he twined his fingers with hers. Marvin still pressed close to her knees, and she felt very comforted and protected in that moment. Something that was in short supply most of the time, even though she faked bravery whenever she was out of her comfort zone.

“It happened a few years ago, in town, in the middle of the afternoon.”

* * *

Cole held on to Brooklyn’s hand firmly, waiting for her to go on. She’d paused, and he would be patient, because he sensed what she was going to say was important. And it was unusual and flattering that she trusted him with whatever her story was. Not many people did. Only two, really. Jeremy and Branson. The truth was that other than his best buddies, Cole didn’t have close relationships. And fears? He hadn’t lied. He was 100 percent a commitment-phobe and, despite seeing it in his best friends, wasn’t sure he really believed in love, either.

But he liked Brooklyn, more than any woman he’d ever met. There was something so real about her. He never questioned her motives. She was unfailingly honest and authentic, with no hidden agenda.

And right now, a wild storm was raging outside and she was holding onto his hand for dear life. He knew he should be cautious. That he should not want to get involved in whatever personal things she had going on. But she was also letting him in, and there was something addictive about knowing someone trusted you enough to share a secret. It wasn’t something that he was used to. It was also something he usually avoided, but with Brooklyn, it felt oddly safe.

He rubbed his thumb over her hand, encouraging her to go on.

“I was home for the weekend, and I went into the liquor store to buy a bottle of wine for my mom and me. We were going to have a wine and movie night, because I was heading into finals and needed some downtime to chill.

“So I’m waiting in line with my wine, and this guy comes in. I didn’t think anything about it. I barely even noticed him. And then he walks up to the cashier in front of me and pulls a gun out of his jacket.”

“My God,” Cole exclaimed. “In a town that small? Does that sort of thing happen often? I mean, I kind of pictured a crime rate of about zero.”

“Bad things happen everywhere,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry. Go on.”

She hesitated and he waited. Not that he wanted to pressure her, but he got the feeling she needed to say it. Marvin let out a whine and nudged her leg, and she reached down with her other hand and patted his head. “Thanks, Marv,” she murmured. “Okay.” Her voice strengthened. “We all did exactly what he said. We didn’t move. The cashiers gave him the money. But they’d also hit the panic button, and once he had the money he started to freak out. So he grabbed me and dragged me outside with him.”

Cole swore. She’d been part of an armed robbery. No wonder she was skittish.

“His car was outside. I’d dropped my bottle of wine and it broke everywhere, and I had a piece of glass in the top of my foot. He opened the driver’s side and shoved me in, and then got in after me. There was a split second where I froze, but then I remembered watching a show and hearing that the one thing you should never do is go to a second location with someone, so I unlocked the door and jumped out, hoping he wouldn’t use the gun. He didn’t. He took off, and I was left there on the sidewalk.”

She was trembling now, so he slid closer and enfolded her in his arms. “You’re safe now,” he said gently and kissed her hair. His heart hurt for her. What a terrifying ordeal. “You were smart and did everything right.”

“That’s what the cops said. I was able to give a good description and a partial plate. He was arrested shortly after.”

“So you got Marvin.”

“Not at first. I went through all the victim services stuff, and some counseling, but I really struggled. I left school, which I still regret sometimes. Eventually I got Marvin, and then I came over to the island for a few days to get away. It was the first time I’d felt peace in months, so I asked if I could move over here for a while. Two years and counting and I’m still here. My grandmother deeded me the property so it would be in the family but she wouldn’t have to deal with it. Marvin’s been with me through all of that.”

Cole held her close but was gratified to see that she’d stopped shaking. “He’s quite a dog,” he said. “And you’re quite a woman.”