Page 14 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Isla

"You’re where?" Zara screeches.

Her eyes are so big I’m sure they’re going to fall out of their sockets.

"Shh!" I glance toward the door of the restroom where I’ve locked myself in. The bathrooms on private airplanes are big enough to rival my bedroom in my apartment. "Told you, I’m on the alphahole— I mean, the asshole’s private jet."

"Alphahole, huh?" She narrows her gaze on me.

"Asshole, I meant asshole," I snap.

"And he’s whisking you away to the island near Venice where the wedding is going to be held?"

"He says he wants me away from the media ruckus from our last post. He wants me to relax and unwind in time for the big day."

"He may have a point there."

"Hey, who’s side are you on? His or mine?"

"Yours, of course, sweetie. It’s just… I’m worried about you."

I blink. "You are?"

"It’s a lot you’re going through right now. Marrying him so suddenly, and in circumstances that are far from ideal. Are you sure he’s not coercing you into this?"

I scoff. "Do you think I can be coerced into anything?"

"You have a point. Still, marrying him so quickly after his previous fiancée walks out on him? Couldn’t you two delay the wedding?"

"Uh, he didn’t want to, and neither did I, to be honest."

"Now you’re going to tell me the two of you are so in love together that you didn’t want to wait?"

"Something like that," I concede.

She searches my features. "You sure that’s all there is to it? Is there something else you need to tell me?"

"Of course not." I glance at my reflection in the mirror, making sure my hair is in place.

"And you’re definitely going to tell him?"

I glance away, then back at her. "I will… Eventually."

"It’s not anything to be ashamed of, Isla. It’s who you are. If he loves you, he’ll accept all of you."

"And the media, will they accept me as I am? Especially now that I’m going to be married to a man who looks like him?"

"You are the most beautiful, most courageous woman I know. And anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be drawn and quartered. If they judge you for who you are, then it reflects badly on them, not on you."

Warmth fills my stomach. My chest feels like it’s going to burst. Pressure builds behind my eyes and... No, no, no, I’m not going to cry. Not now. I sniff, and Zara looks concerned.

"Oh sweetie, I didn’t say that to upset you."

"You didn’t upset me. I wish I had your strength of conviction. Wish I could disregard the media the way you do."

"Oh, I’ve just had more practice. As has Liam. Which is why he made the wise move of taking you out of London, to somewhere distant enough that the paps can’t trail you."

I stiffen. "Are they... Have they been staking out my house?"

She stares at me.

"Damn, why didn’t I think of that? Of course, now that the video’s out, they know who I am and where I live. And if I were there, they’d trail my every move in London."

She nods. "Which is why what he’s doing is very wise. And I assume you’ll move in with him when you return."

Unfortunately. “Yes."

"Well, that’s good then. His security will ensure you’re safe."

"At least you’re coming at this from a practical standpoint. I’m afraid I’m too close to the situation."

There’s a knock on the door then I hear his voice, "Isla are you okay?"

"Shit, that’s Liam. I gotta go."

"You take care, and I’ll see you soon." Zara signs off.

I disconnect the call, then splash water on my face.

"Isla?" His knocks are more urgent. "If you don’t answer, I’m going to break the bathroom door down."

"I’m fine." I dry my face, drop my phone into my bag and cross over to the door. I throw it open to find Liam standing there with a scowl on his face.

He surveys my features. "Everything okay?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?" I brush past him and into the main cabin of the aircraft, then head over to the seat farthest away from his. To my annoyance, he stalks over and sits down opposite me.

"In case you haven’t noticed, there are many other empty seats on this flight," I huff

"I like this just fine." He leans back and kicks out his legs so they brush mine.

I pull my legs back and glower at him.

He presses the tips of his fingers together and surveys me.

"I envy those people who’ve never met you," I say sourly.

"And you’re not pretty enough to be that dumb."

I gape at him, then clamp my lips shut. "You… You’re a pizza burn on the roof of the world’s mouth."

He smirks. "Someday you’ll go far; I just hope you’ll stay there.”

What the— "Can’t believe you were the sperm that won," I snap.

"That sounds like a you problem," he drawls.

I scowl. "Grab a straw because you suck."

He laughs, a spontaneous, belly laugh that wells up from somewhere deep inside.

It’s so hot, such a sexy sound; my toes curl, and my stomach flip-flops.

Heat flushes my veins and I can’t tear my gaze off of his features.

Something shifts in the air, and his laughter dies.

He looks between my eyes, then leans forward. The charge between us seems to amplify.

"I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong," he says in a low voice.

The heat under my skin seems to grow even more intense. A shiver runs down my back. I lick my lips, and his gaze drops to my mouth. He firms his jaw and a pulse throbs at his temple. He’s looking at me like I’m a morsel he can’t wait to gobble up.

I force my brain cells to fire, to form the words needed, to send impulses to my tongue to obey their direction.

"You just might be why the middle finger was invented in the first place," I whisper.

His lips quirk. The dent in his chin deepens. He reaches over, runs his knuckles down my palm.

"You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met." His warm voice flows through my veins like honey.

I squeeze my eyelids shut. "You don’t mean it."

"You can trust me, Isla."

I snap my eyelids open. "Excuse me?"

"Whatever it is you’re hiding, you can tell me. I won’t judge you."

I search his features but only find empathy there.

His touch on my arm singes like someone dragged a drill down my arm.

My stomach hollows out, and something inside urges me to come clean.

Tell him, this is the opportunity. Just get it over with.

I open my mouth but what comes out is, "You’ve already investigated me, so you know everything. "

He tilts his head and an expression of disappointment flickers over his face before he wipes it away.

"I know the salient facts of your life. What I don’t know is the scars you carry inside.

I want you to share your fears, your hopes, your dreams with me, Isla.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

What has you constantly pulling away even though you’re so attracted to me? You can tell me."