Priceless Treasure(40)

“Did you honestly think you could break up with me just like that, sneak out of the hotel when I was in the other room, and believe that would be the end of it?” Kalli yelled, making sure the entire island could hear the depth and the breadth of her outrage.

“I didn’t sneak out, Kalli,” Ashton told her. “I figured you’d shrieked at me long enough — three hours to be exact, unless you want me to get into minutes and seconds — and you were finished. There was nothing else to say.”

“What? Nothing else to say? Does this ring on my finger look like nothing, Ashton? You promised me marriage and that’s exactly what you’ll give me. You will not walk away from me. We’re talking breach of promise.”

“Kalli, it’s over, and in this century you can’t really think that you’d win a lawsuit of that sort. You need to accept that and move on. Keep the ring, as I’ve already told you. Hawk it, reuse it, do whatever the hell you want to do with it, but we are over. You need to accept that and leave.” Ashton was trying to remain calm, but this woman had no business creating a scene in front of his crew.

“Ashton, you can’t do this to me. You can’t,” she said, no longer snarling as the waterworks began.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, Kallista. I really am. If I did hurt you. But you have to admit that we weren’t a good match. Hell, both of us were far happier when we weren’t together.” He felt compelled to remind her of that, even in front of this growing throng of eager eavesdroppers.

“That’s not true, Ashton. It’s not true at all.” She was shedding copious tears as she glided toward him.

He retreated slowly. “No, Kalli. Don’t do this. This is where I work. You’ve already created more of a scene than you should have. So let this go.”

“Let’s go talk in private, baby. I have some things to show you.”

“Kalli, please don’t make me get security to escort you out of here. I don’t want to embarrass you that way, but if you don’t leave on your own right now, you’re going to leave me no choice.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Savvy begin to move from the ship she was working on and start going up the docks. Dammit. He wished she’d been able to stay out of Kalli’s sight. Was he born cursed?

The ex-fiancée spotted Savvy at just that moment. Yes. Cursed.

“It’s because of that bitch, isn’t it?” Kalli screeched, her tears immediately disappearing. The woman could turn them on and off faster than a working faucet.

“This has nothing to do with anyone but you and me,” Ashton told her. “And I’m done talking to you. I’ve already explained your choices: turn around and leave, or be escorted out.” He was fed up with humoring her.

When she didn’t move immediately, he nodded his head to a security man who was standing by.

“Don’t bother, Ashton. I know my way out.” Then, thankfully, she turned on her expensive heels.

He hoped like hell she didn’t trip again in this new pair.

He didn’t need to watch her as she left in a huff. He was finished with the woman he’d agreed to marry, and he didn’t give a flying … damn. What in the world had he been thinking? Arm candy and perfect trophy wife, plus a good set of business connections? That just wasn’t worth the headache of marriage.#p#分页标题#e#

But he suddenly heard another screech of rage and he spun around in time to see Kalli lunge and shove Savvy, who was standing there completely unprepared.

With no time to react, Savvy flew backward and splashed into the cool water. The security guy went after Kalli, who was now gripping her dangerous heels in her hand while running up the dock.

Ashton didn’t have time to deal with that mess. He rushed over to the water, dove in, and grabbed Savvy just as her head resurfaced.

This time she didn’t fight him as he pulled her to the ladder and gave her a push to help her get up. And then he found himself there in front of her, both of them soaked, her face in shock.

And he couldn’t stop the words that popped out. “Haven’t we met here before?”

Her eyes widened for a moment and then her lips twitched and that was all it took. Suddenly both of them were bent over with laughter. His crew would surely think he’d gone mad, but they were all smart enough to stand back and pretend not to watch the new episode of this soap opera.

“This so isn’t funny,” Savvy finally gasped.

“No, I know,” Ashton had to agree. And then he couldn’t drag his gaze away from her sparkling eyes. “Damn, I want to kiss you right now.”