“I thought I’d drive to the other side of the island. There’s a national park there along the water’s edge, and they rent out a few cabins. It might be a tourist destination we can promote. I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures and report back my findings next week.”
“So it’s a working weekend.”
Some of the tension drained from her shoulders. “Precisely.”
“Then I should come with you. We are partners, aren’t we?”
The tension flooded right back.
“I can handle this myself,” she said, her tone less than welcoming.
“I’m sure you can. But for the good of the hotel, it only makes sense that I tag along. Unless you have a different reason for going. Trying to run away from me?”
“This is not your kind of weekend,” she tried. “I’m told the cabins are very basic.”
“Good thing you seem to have packed for an army.”
“Keon is just an excellent guide. And trust me, this isn’t your thing.”
“I can handle a night without luxury.”
Avery hesitated, seeing no way out without admitting she wanted time away from him and his constant campaign to win her over.
A glimmer of an idea crossed her mind, and she bit back a smile.
“Fine,” she said. “I should have invited you sooner. Why don’t you go pack a bag? We can delay our departure a few minutes.”
Driving off when he was packing might be the coward’s way out of spending a weekend together, but if it helped keep her pants on, the trick would be well worth it.
“That’s very generous of you,” he said.
She smiled in acknowledgement.
“But I wouldn’t want to hold you up.”
“What?”
Grabbing the back of the truck, he swung himself over the edge, dropping onto the futon beside her.
“You don’t have any supplies,” she said.
He shrugged. “We can stop somewhere along the way and pick a few things up.” He tapped the open window into the cabin. “Is that okay with you, Keon?”
“Not a problem, Mr. Wexton.”
“Good man.”
“You are going to wear a ten-dollar T-shirt?” she demanded.
“For a weekend with you? I’ll even buy fifteen-dollar jeans.”
She shook her head.
He leaned closer, invading her space. “Unless you’d rather tell me why you’ve been avoiding me. Going to admit I’m getting to you?”
“Never,” she said.
“Then there should be no problem with this trip.” He settled in beside her. “Ready when you are.”
As the truck pulled out of the driveway, Avery closed her eyes and prayed for patience.
Because spending the night in a secluded island cabin with Hayden without either killing him or kissing him was going to require the strength of a saint.
Chapter Eleven
Hayden marveled at the natural beauty around them.
And beside him.
It’s been years since he’d driven across the island, and though he’d thought he’d be consumed by memories of his visits here with Sophia, instead he was filled with delight at being able to share the sights with Avery.
They’d just started down the winding rainforest road, and already her eyes were bright with wonder. He bit back a smile, knowing how breathtaking this journey could be.
He shifted by her side, grimacing at his clothing. True to his word, Keon had stopped at little shop before starting their adventure. He’d insisted Avery accompanied him into the store to ensure she didn’t leave him stranded in the parking lot. Twenty minutes later, he’d left with a bag of bargain priced clothing. Honestly, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d purchased anything for under a hundred dollars, let alone a full wardrobe.
Avery had stared at him for a long, silent moment when he’d emerged from the changing room transformed. She’d walked away without speaking, which left him wondering if the shift had been approved or not.
But even he could understand that Gucci had no place on the weekend they were embarking on.
Glancing over at her, he saw Avery had her camera out snapping shots as they bounced in the back of the truck.
“Look at that,” she said, pointing at the contrast between the brilliant green of the rainforest and the cerulean blue of the sea crashing below them. Throw in the jagged black lava rocks and their view was just about as picture-perfect as it was possible to get.
“Lovely,” he said, staring at her.
She turned toward him, her camera poised in her hand and a happy smile on her face. It seemed the stunning setting around them had made her forget his unwelcome presence, at least for the moment.
Yes, he shouldn’t have pushed his way into this trip, but she’d become adept in avoiding him this past week.