Page 52 of An Inconvenient Marriage
SinceZachhaddismissedme so cruelly a few days ago, my mood had gone from furious to hurt, but the most important one had to be elation. Honestly, I wasn’t happy with how he’d treated me after touching me and then walking away like I had the plague.
That stung.
A whole lot more than I’d ever admit.
But I was happy it happened, because if it hadn’t, he wouldn’t have sent me back to the Castilla and I wouldn’t have been alone for the first time in my life. And yes, Renata and Martina were here, too, but I only saw them when they wanted to offer me something to eat or drink.
Other than that, I was completely by myself, and I loved it.
I’d explored the Castilla—well, every room except Zach’s study; I didn’t want to intrude. I’d gone for a swim and I’d done the one thing that always made my heart happy. Ever since I’d gotten back, my fingers and imagination had been working overtime to get the designs inside my head on paper.
I’d only made two rough sketches: one of a summer dress and the other—the one I was currently working on—an extravagant wedding dress. It was a deep plum color that would pop so beautifully if the vineyard was used as a backdrop.
This design had started to form the moment I’d laid eyes on the mountains and rows of luscious grapes. And now that I was finally putting it on paper, I knew it would be my best one yet.
And as soon as I was free from my father, I could finally go to the Fashion Institute of Technology like I wanted and make my designs even better.
That day was a lot closer now. I didn’t know the hows or whens, just that I couldn’t go back. Not ever.
Unable to stop a smile from touching my lips, I kept working on the dress, only looking up every few minutes to take in the vineyard and all its beauty. From my spot on the main bedroom balcony, I had the perfect view, too.
After almost an hour of sketching, my stomach rumbled way too loudly. A laugh bubbled up my throat when I pressed my hand against it and it just rumbled some more. I should probably get some breakfast but I didn’t want to leave my spot.
I also didn’t want Renata or Martina to wait on me all day, and if I didn’t get my butt downstairs soon, one of them would come up with a tray loaded with food. That was enough to get me moving.
Closing my sketchpad, I pushed onto my feet. I’d barely turned to head back inside when I spotted a figure leaning against the doorframe. Three things happened at once.
My sketchpad flew through the air.
I let out the most unladylike scream.
And I tumbled backward.
Thankfully, Zach caught me by the arm and tugged me against him before I landed on the floor.
It took one breath for his scent to wrap around me and for my body to remember how his touch felt. I groaned. Somehow, landing in a miserable heap on the floor seemed like the better option.
“I can stand.” I tried to pull away, but his arm snuck around my waist, and his hold tightened. “Seriously?”
Those dark eyes found mine and held me captive.
“What seems to be the problem?” His voice was low and gravelly, his accent thick.
Gosh, it was so unfair for such a mean man to be so utterly delicious.
I closed my eyes and then remembered the sting of his rejection. How he’d left me standing there in nothing but my underwear and walked away as if he couldn’t bear to look at me.
Shoving at his chest, I tried to put distance between us. I should have known it wouldn’t be enough for him to release me. Still, it didn’t stop me from shoving him again. “You! You are the problem.” I wiggled and shoved. “Dammit, Zach, let me go.”
In my experience, men rarely listened, so it shocked me when his arm fell away. Even more when he stepped backward and finally gave me room to breathe.
“You’re upset.” That intense look in his eyes was back. “Iupset you.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I didn’t want to get into it. Because how could he possibly understand what a freaking big deal the other night was? I didn’t do things like that. Making out with a guy and letting him feel me up wasn’t a normal Friday night thing for me.
And how on earth could I tell him how much it hurt when he’d just left me there?
I couldn’t. That was why I crossed my arms in front of my chest and lifted my shoulders in what I’d hoped was a nonchalant shrug. “I’m fine.”
