Page 47 of Royal Shark
He brushes my hair back and then cradles my jaw, tipping my face up to his.
I meet his steady gaze and calm a little. “Ade, if I go, it has to be different. I don’t want to see the cottage I rented with them. I don’t want to see the north beach or anything we did before.”
“I can’t promise you that. It’s an island. You’re bound to see something that reminds you. But I can promise you that you’ll be having such a good time—getting the inside tour of the casino, playing poker at some of our high-stakes tables with comps, and being with yours truly—that Villroy will become a new set of memories. The kind adult you can handle.” He gives me a devilish grin. “I swear you’ll love it, or your money back.”
I give him a watery smile. “I’m not paying any money, you goof.”
He kisses me, just a brush across my lips that leaves me wanting more. “There are other ways you can pay me.”
I’m still scared of what lies ahead, but he distracts me with his kisses, hauling me into his lap and holding me close. I tell myself as long as I focus on Adrian, it’ll be okay.
He stands with me in his arms, carrying me to the bedroom.
I snuggle into his warm chest. “If I have a breakdown, it’s on you.” I say it like I’m joking, even though I’m scared that’s exactly what will happen.
“You won’t have a breakdown.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re strong and capable. You can do this.”
He sets me gently on the bed and covers me with his body. I hold on tight.
He kisses me and cradles my jaw with one hand, gazing into my eyes. “Thank you, Sara, for taking a chance on me.”
My voice is shaky. “You’re a good bet.” I want it to be true.
He smiles, his eyes lighting up. “Now you’re getting it.”
He kisses me again, and I let myself go, losing myself in sensation, letting my dark thoughts fade. They’ll be back soon enough.
Chapter Ten
Sara
Adrian and I are spending the night in the hotel suite since it’s already paid for. He’s asleep. It’s 1 a.m. and I slip out of bed to clean up the game in the living room area. I send Chloe a quick text to let her know I’ll be away for a few days in Villroy with Adrian and the guys. I don’t expect her to be up, but she responds right away.
Chloe:What time are you leaving tomorrow?
Me:What’re you doing up so late?
Chloe:Reading.
Me:If you need me, I can cancel.
Chloe:I want to go with you. I’m hoping Villroy will bring back memories of Mom and Dad. I only have a few indistinct memories—Dad going off to work with his laptop bag, and Mom yelling at me to stop jumping on the sofa. I only remember that because I hit my head on the coffee table and we went to the ER. Afterward, she got me ice cream.
Ironic how I fear triggering memories of our parents, and she yearns for them. I hadn’t realized she needed that.
Chloe:Besides, it might be hard for you to be there. I want this to be something we do together.
I can’t deny it would be easier to have her with me, and I’ve so missed spending time with her. She has a passport from when she travelled to Nicaragua this past summer on a service trip. I got mine at the same time so I could fly there on a moment’s notice if she needed me.
Me:What about your classes?
Chloe:I’ll get the notes to Friday’s lectures. I’m on track with studying. Don’t worry.
I smile to myself. I’m not worried about that ever.
