“Deal,” he said.
Her smile was breathtaking. “Deal.”
Closing her eyes, she tilted her face back up toward the sun.
Eyes on the road.
Because all he wanted to do was watch the stress clear from Avery’s expression and know he’d had a hand that small miracle.
What’s more, he wished he could always be there to help her step back from her responsibilities, to share her burdens.
And that was very far from being an acceptable wish for a temporary affair.
Chapter Six
Avery leaned against the doorway of the mansion-turned-art-gallery, staring out over the expansive lands that boasted twisting trees and fields so green she’d wondered if they were even real. No place this beautiful should actually exist. In fact, their whole afternoon shared the same dreamlike quality, starting with the fast ride she’d enjoyed despite herself. They’d left the beach behind and steadily climbed the slopes of the towering mountain. The higher altitude allowed for a break from the heat of the beach. It also revealed a handful of towns she’d love to spend days exploring. Instead, Hayden had reviewed her list and selected this particular spot, a knowing smile on his lips.
Smart man.
The setting of this beautiful house was as breath-taking as it was romantic. She could easily picture happy brides holding their ceremonies on the sweeping lawn. Did everything on this damn island have to look like it was lifted from some lucky honeymooner’s fantasy?
“Enjoying the view?” a voice whispered in her ear.
There was no stopping the smile that twisted her lips. “It’s incredible,” she replied. “But we can’t shuttle tours up here. It’s too far to only visit this one spot.” She forced herself to focus on work. It was, as ever, her safe haven. Thinking of the hotel left little room to dwell on its owner.
Liar.
She lifted her chin. A little self-delusion never hurt anyone.
A fingertip traced down her bare arm as Hayden’s chest pressed against her back. “We could see if there are any gallery tour companies that do day trips to other inland museums and locations,” he said. “Come for the beach, stay for the culture.”
Not a bad idea.
“I’ll check it out when I’m back,” she said. “You know, you could save yourself my fees and do my job yourself.”
“Trust me, having your eyes on this matter is money well spent,” he said, his breath fanning her ear.
“You’re just saying that because you want to seduce me and being surrounded by water is a pretty good way of ensuring I don’t just drive off and leave you in the lurch.”
He slid around her, blocking her view of the grounds.
“I can’t deny my intentions,” he said. “But when I say you’re good at your job, I mean it. We might not have had much to do with each other before the gala, but even then I knew you were an asset to the company.”
She blinked. “I always assumed it was Wyatt who got my reports.”
“I read every one of them,” he replied. “Plus, I implemented a great many of your suggestions. You’re not here because I wanted to corner you, Avery. You’re here because you’re the best and I don’t settle for less.”
Pleasure coursed through her. It shouldn’t matter that he respected her talents, but she rather liked knowing he’d read the words she’d spent weeks crafting. She’d always wondered if her work was filed away in some forgotten desk. Some of her clients only chose to follow bits and pieces of her advice. Others were happy to chuck out her reports and carry on as they always had. What happened once her contract was finished was none of her business. She hadn’t realized Hayden had taken her job seriously.
“You’re really having a hard time believing I’m anything other than a spoiled brat living off caviar and carousing around Monaco, aren’t you?”
She glanced away, knowing he had a point. “Whenever I saw you, it was with a different gorgeous blonde on your arm and not a care in the world.”
He shrugged. “Everyone has a type.”
“You’re not even a little ashamed you rotate through women faster than most people go through Tic Tacs?”
“Why would I be? I learned young not to take life for granted. If I want to spend my days having fabulous sex with more than willing women, why shouldn’t I?”
“Haven’t you ever wanted more?” she asked, even knowing the answer. Why would he? His life was the living embodiment of every man’s fantasy. There were no limits, no restrictions on what he could do or whom he could do it with.
Unlike her life, which was far more controlled.
But that’s the way I like it.