Page 30 of Risk It All
I draw back to look her, not expecting her question. And yet, we have nothing but time, so why not use it to get to know each other? “For a long time, I was focused in building my company. But mostly because I haven't met anyone.”
“Not even Jana?”
I'm not surprised she knows about Jana. Dating a celebrity meant everyone knew our business. Why people were interested was beyond me, but it was what it was. “I cared for Jana. I even thought about marrying her, but it's something I plan to do once and forever. And . . .”
“And what?”
“It felt too . . . vanilla. There was no passion or excitement. Perhaps I'm looking for something unrealistic. Marriage is about longevity, not intensity, but still.”
“So, you don't think passion and excitement can last in a relationship?”
“I don't know. I hope so.” I fear I have a romanticized idea of marriage, but I'm not quite ready to give it up.
She doesn't say anything, but since she asked me, I decide I can ask her. “What about you? There have to be throngs of men wanting to commit to you.”
“Not so much. I'm too much trouble.”
“Dating disaster?” I remember her saying.
“I love my work and to do it, I have to travel a lot. Most men get tired of waiting around.”
“Most men?” I quirk a brow at her.
She sighed. “Yes, most. Chase didn't mind though, but that's because he was able to find other company while I was gone.”
I'm not surprised. Chase Elliott has a reputation as a womanizer. I know I do too, although I haven't earned it. I might have dated several women, but never at the same time. I’ve never cheated and I’ve never used a woman. “Clearly he wasn't worthy.”
She shakes her head. “No. It was worse than that. He was more interested in the Hainsworth money. I suppose you get that too; women who are only interested in your wealth.”
“Sometimes.”
“When I tossed him to the curb, he went after my sister. Those pictures of her dancing on a bar and taking shooters from a man's abs are thanks to Chase. Emma is a party girl and impulsive, but even that was outrageous for her. Chase arranged for her drink to be drugged and a photographer to take pictures. Then he tried to bribe her to influence my family to invest in his business.”
“Jesus.” I'd known all about Chase Elliott's questionable reputation, but I never imagined something like drugging a young woman and bribery.
“Of course, Emma didn't care. She's like that. She can weather a storm with very little damage to the ego.”
“So, your family just let her picture be published?” I'm not related to the young woman, but every protective instinct is firing at the thought of the young woman being exposed and humiliated.
“It wasn't like that. My family threatened to go to the police for extortion, which we were able to prove because Emma got him to admit his part on tape. But since the pictures were taken by someone else, they still got out.”
“I can see why you'd think men are scum.”
Her hand presses against my cheek. “Only some men. You're not like them.”
I grin. “I've been trying to tell you that since the night we met.”
She nods. “It's more than that. It's not just that you're not like most men, you're not like most people. I haven't met very many people who are as authentic as you and willing to put their lives on the line for what is right.”
I take her words and hold them close to my heart. She has every reason to avoid men, but she's letting me in. I promise myself that I won't do anything to make her regret it. “I can't take all the credit. You inspire me to want to do more, to do better.”
She smiles.
Wanting to lighten the mood, I ask. “So, what's the first thing you're going to do when we get out of here?”
“I'm going to take a long, hot shower to get all this dirt and sweat off me. Then I'm going to soak in a tub. What about you?”
“I'm going have a large, foot-long hot dog and French fries that are fried until crisp.”
“That sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen.”
“It's not any more dangerous than spending the night in jungle.”
She laughs. “No, I guess not.”
We lay in silence for several moments.
“I think we should get some rest,” Madeleine says. “We'll need all our wits about us when it gets light enough for us to find a way out.”
I pull her close and kiss her on the temple. Not another word is said, as we lay, cautious, frightened, and yet strangely content, in the dense jungle, as we wait for the pre-dawn to arrive.
