Page 72 of To Steal a Heart

Evidently, Arden wasn’t the only one who needed air because the terrace was crowded. It was nice and cool outside—a welcome change from the ballroom, which had heated up from all the bodies. The faint taste of salt in the humid air tickled Arden’s tongue. They weaved through the clusters of people and made their way to a section of the handrail that wasn’t occupied. A silvery moon in the shape of a fat fingernail hung low in the night sky. Arden looked out at the crashing waves and was reminded of the evening she’d spent on the beach with Garrett. Hurt rose up like a tidal wave inside her as she blinked to stay the tears. Had Garrett seen her dancing? She hoped it made him insanely jealous.

Wesley touched her arm, his voice going soft and contemplative. “You are a beautiful dancer.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. Ew! Wesley had a starry-eyed look. Grandmother’s plan was working so well that even Wesley had bought into the charade. He walked his fingers across the line of her collarbone, his tone husky. “Maybe the two of us could go to dinner next week.”

“Maybe,” she chimed.Not a chance!her mind screamed. “Right now, I’m parched. Would you mind getting me some water from the bar?”

“Of course,” he cooed as he removed his hand. “Anything for you.”

Arden breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him go. Hopefully, it would take a while to get the water. She needed time to clear her head. The dress was cutting off her wind. She took in a deep breath to fill her lungs with as much air as she could before turning her attention back to the ocean. The white noise of the waves brought back the sensation of home. This was Arden’s world. Her haven. And now Garrett was here. If only he’d never come into her life, she could’ve gone on as she had before. Eventually, she would’ve met a nice, standup guy. She might never have known the passion of someone lighting her cells on fire, but at least she wouldn’t know the depth of pain that the loss of a man like Garrett could inflict.

What was his end game? And why couldn’t she get over him?

She nearly jumped out of her skin when strong arms encircled her.

“Are you trying to drive me crazy by dancing with that buffoon?” Garrett growled into her ear, his voice savage and tormented.

Her pulse hammered in her ear to the point of making her dizzy as she clipped out a short laugh. “It’s called smoking out the rat.” Euphoria swept over her, bringing home the knowledge that Grandmother’s plan was working!

He grunted. “Now that the rat is here, what’re you gonna do with him?” His tone was cavalier and amused, letting her know that his Casanova mask had slipped back into place.

She wished she could switch roles as fast as he could. She was supposed to be furious and unyielding. Instead, all of the yearnings she’d felt over the past several months bubbled up to the surface with a force that nearly choked off her breath. Her traitorous body trembled at being so close to him. His muscles were lean and sinewy against her skin. She sputtered out a breath when he trailed the side of his finger down her neck in a light motion that seared tantalizing heat down its path.

She’d wanted him to come … had wanted him to haunt her. Well, now he was here, and she couldn’t think straight. Everything in her wanted to believe that he was good. As idiotic as it was, she wanted to turn around this instant and kiss him, of all things. His fierce passion called to that inner part of her, making her feel things she never thought she’d be capable of feeling, but it wasn’t all about the attraction. She needed restitution for her heart. He’d stolen it, and she wanted it back. Sure the flame between them burned hot and bright, but at what cost? She would get consumed by the fire. Her eyes misted. “You hurt me.” She needed a standup guy. Someone who would sit with her at church and hold her hand. Someone God-fearing with a strong sense of right and wrong. Someone who would call her out on the carpet if needed and help her become a better person. Someone she could raise a family with. She’d believed Garrett was that guy. How wrong she was!

“I know, and I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

He sounded so sincere that she could almost believe him. “Stop it, Garrett!” she hissed.

He tensed. “You know my real name?”

She barked out a humorless laugh. “It wasn’t hard to figure out. I talked to Hank. I know everything about you,” she punched out, “including the part where you knew exactly what you were doing.” Tears splashed over her cheeks. “You used me as your ticket into Sylvia’s home.” She grunted. “I was such a fool.”

“Don’t say that.” His voice went hoarse. “What we have is real. More real than anything I’ve ever felt before. I love you.”

Those were the three words she’d longed to hear most. And yet, they were a mockery. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Baloney! You didn’t care about me then, and you don’t care about me now. The only reason you’re here is because of the diamond.”

“It was never about the diamond. You need to know that I’m trying to work—”

“Arden! What the heck?” Wesley’s voice was accusing … wounded.

Garrett released his hold on her arms. Arden took the opportunity to spin around to face him. He darted off in a flash, moving so fluidly through the crowd that he disappeared almost as suddenly as he’d come.

CHAPTER 17

“I have to tell Katia the truth.” Arden paced back and forth in front of Grandmother’s desk, wringing her hands.

“You don’t owe that woman anything,” Grandmother spat. “Sit down, so we can talk about this rationally. You’re wearing a trail across the carpet, not to mention the fact that you’re making me dizzy.”

“Fine,” she harrumphed as she tromped over and collapsed in one of the chairs facing Grandmother’s desk. After her encounter with Garrett, Arden told Wesley that she had a headache and needed to leave the gala. Of course that didn’t go over well with Wesley, who demanded to know the identity of the man who’d been holding Arden. She told Wesley in no uncertain terms that it was none of his business. He accused Arden of playing him. Hah! That was laughable. Arden told Wesley just what she thought of him, enunciating the part about him being a womanizing louse. Then, she marched back into the ballroom with the intent to tell Katia about Garrett and how he was going after the diamond. She was done with Garrett’s twisted games. She wouldn’t allow him to hurt another person—not on her watch.

However, she learned through Grandmother that the Bergmans had retired to their rooms for the night. Arden told Grandmother how Garrett had sought her out on the terrace. That’s when Grandmother insisted that they go to her office so they could talk privately. Long ago, back before Arden was born, Grandmother had bowed out of the day-to-day operations of the hotel. However, she insisted on maintaining an office in the same vicinity as Mom and Talon. Arden assumed it was a power play on Grandmother’s part.

Grandmother’s gravelly voice grew analytical as she listed the facts. “The diamond is already here at the hotel. There’s nothing anyone can do about that now. Every precaution has been taken to keep it safe. The FBI is here, along with a private security team. Also, Sheriff Russell is abreast of the situation. I don’t see how anyone, including Garrett, could get past all of that security.”

Arden wasn’t so sure. She creased her brows as she thought of something odd that Garrett had said. In all the commotion, those words had blended in with all the others. However, now they stood out to her. “He said this wasn’t about the diamond.”

“What?” Grandmother looked as perplexed as Arden felt. “That’s interesting,” she mused. “I wonder what he meant by that.”

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