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Her heart sank.“Oh, okay,” she murmured.
“If you’re hungry, just dial the kitchen.They’ll rustle up something for you.”
She tried to smile despite the vice tightening around her heart.Zach was in full retreat mode.He had no intention of confronting his demons.At least not today.“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
He pulled her to him and planted a hard kiss on her parted lips.Heat immediately engulfed her, but he strode away toward his study.
She stood there, her fingers touching her tingling mouth as he shut the study door behind him.For the first time since she’d met him, Zach had actively, willingly retreated from her.
Trepidation welled up in her gut and grew with each passing second.
Perspective.You need perspective, girl.
Whirling, she flew up the stairs and headed for their suite.Going to her side of the bed, she sank down and grabbed her phone.
Keely answered on the third ring.“Hey, Peaches.”
Bethany grimaced.“If I told you I’m terrified of losing a man I barely knew a week ago, would you call me crazy?”
“Nope.I live in constant fear of losing men I’ve never even met, never mind fucked yet.”
She squeezed her eyes shut.“I’m serious, Keel.”
A sympathetic sigh echoed down the line.“I know, baby girl.I knew it when we spoke last week.Casual relationships aren’t your thing.Was I hoping you’d somehow make an exception this time?Probably.And I most definitely wasn’t counting on your no-strings guy being Zachary Savage himself.So I’ve kinda been waiting for this call.”Keely’s voice oozed sympathy.
“What should I do?He… he won’t talk to me.”
“You need to find a way to make him.”
“I’ve tried every way I know how.”
“Then try something else.Something that’s guaranteed to get his attention.Go for broke, or chalk it up to experience and come home before the hurt gets worse.”
Bethany kicked her shoes off and slid into bed.Rubbing her foot on the luxurious coverlet, she sucked in a slow breath.“The only thing that gets his attention is sex.”The realization made something in her chest hurt.She rubbed absent-mindedly at the spot just beneath her breastbone and gripped the phone harder.
“Are you sure?You’ve got him hooked enough for him to send a total stranger flowers and champagne.That might be a billionaire thing to do, but it’s certainly not a casual billionaire thing, especially from a guy who values his privacy the way Savage does.”
“I don’t want to hope, Keel.I’m scared I’ll get hurt again.”
“That makes total sense.But isn’t it better to get hurt now than further down the line when you’re even more invested?”
Although she agreed with Keely, Bethany didn’t want to admit either scenario.
“And remember, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from getting on a plane and coming home now.”
That particular thought made her insides twist with panic and fear.“I don’t think I can.”
Keely stayed silent for several heartbeats.“Then do what Aunt Keely thoroughly recommends.Go for broke.”
Go for broke.Could she do it?And if she couldn’t, was she prepared to live with the alternative: that she hadn’t tried at all?A shiver of apprehension washed over her.Relaxing deeper into the bed, she turned her face into Zach’s pillow and inhaled his familiar heady scent.The idea of never smelling him like this again caused her heart to plummet.Seizing the opportunity to change the subject, she smiled.“Speaking of aunts, how’s Auntie Mel doing?”
“She can make a miraculous recovery tomorrow.Or she can get worse.You tell me which you want it to be, and I’ll make it happen.”
Crap.Keely was too clever by half sometimes.Bethany had called because she needed perspective.Keely was holding up the mirror far too effectively, and Bethany had no choice but to confront what lay ahead.
She bit her lip and passed her free hand over Zach’s pillow.She recalled the flash of pain she’d seen in his eyes and her resolve firmed.
“I think Aunt Mel needs to be sick for just a little bit longer.”