"If that were the best way to proceed, the investigator would suggest it," he said.
"But what if you and your brothers did it?" she asked. "Maybe that would have more impact than it would from the P.I."
Michael's nostrils flared in anger as he looked at her. "Bella, we've already discussed this. It's none of your business."
"But you're suffering," she said, clenching her fists. "I can't stand it."
He lifted his hand. "Enough. I'm spending the night alone. You're on your own."
She felt as if he'd stabbed her by shutting her out. "Michael," she said.
"Good night," he said and turned away.
Frustrated and hurt, Bella wanted to throw something against the floor-to-ceiling windows and make them break. She wanted to break down this barrier between her and Michael. Their relationship had become very different from what it had been when it started. Every now and then she felt as if she were getting past the walls Michael had built around himself, but then she felt as if the walls were forged from concrete.
"Oh," she groaned, pushing her hair from her face. Why should she stay here? She would just become more frustrated and upset. Fine, he said she was on her own. She would leave.
The following day, Bella inwardly fumed, practicing a half dozen speeches designed to set Michael straight, as if such a thing were possible. As if he'd listen to her for more than three seconds. Not on the subject of Leo. After lunch, she was still in flux about her evening plans. If her aunt weren't so busy with her new beau, Bella would have spent the evening with her."Bella," Charlotte called in a singsong voice. "You have a visitor."
Bella glanced up to see Michael standing next to the front desk. Surprise washed over her, although she was still peeved with him.
"Don't worry about a thing. I've looked at the book, and Donna and I can take all your appointments. It won't be any trouble at all," Charlotte said.
"Take my appointments," she echoed, confused. "Why?"
Charlotte smiled coyly. "I'll let Michael tell you. But don't worry about your other appointments today. I've got those handled, too."
"What?" she asked as Charlotte walked away. "What is she talking about?"
"I'm considering buying a property in Grand Cayman," Michael said.
"That's nice," she said, looking away from his gaze, wanting to hang on to her anger. Her anger would keep her safe from getting more emotionally intertwined with him.
"I'm flying down there this afternoon and coming back on Saturday morning."
She shrugged. "Have a nice trip."
"I want you to join me," he said.
She blinked and met his gaze. "This afternoon?" She shouldn't go. Who did he think he was telling her to join him with zero notice? Join him for a trip to a luxurious Caribbean island where it was warm instead of gray and gloomy. "I can't imagine leaving Charlotte in the lurch like this, especially on Saturday."
"I discussed it with Charlotte and she's all for it."
"I don't want Charlotte overworking," she said, fidgeting as visions of her and Michael walking along a beautiful beach danced in her head.
"Has she been overworking?" he asked.
"Well, no, not yet, but-" She broke off, feeling pinned by his gaze.
"Are you afraid of going with me?"
Her stomach dipped. "Of course not. Why would I be afraid?" Because she was starting to develop feelings for him, strong feelings that could cause problems for her later.
"You tell me," he said.
When she didn't answer, he shrugged his broad shoulders. "I won't force you to go. If you're not interested in stepping into water so clear you can see down fifty feet and-"
"Okay, okay," she said and told him the same thing she had when his brothers had come to town. "I'm in."
"Fine," he said. "We can leave from here. I'll buy everything you'll need down there."
"But can't I pick up just a few things? I don't want to spend my time there shopping."
He gave a wry chuckle. "Not something I would expect to hear from a woman. You don't want to spend your time shopping. Okay. I'll have the driver stop by your apartment. You have one hour."
"Sheesh. "Do you ever give a girl some notice?" she muttered. "Aunt Charlotte, I'm headed out," she called.
Charlotte beamed and walked over to give her a hug. "Take pictures."
"Camera," Bella said, imprinting the item on her list. "Must bring camera."
"And have a good time."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Bella asked, suddenly worried again.
"I'll be fine. You shouldn't pass this up." She glanced at Michael. "Treat her right or you'll find a pair of scissors in your head when you least expect it."
"Whoa," he said and gave her a mock salute. "I'll make sure she has a good time."
"You do that," Charlotte said then clapped her hands. "Now get going. Daylight's burning!"
Four hours later, they were sitting at a restaurant on the ocean watching the sunset as they were served a gourmet meal. A parrot squawked in the background and a warm breeze slid over her skin.
"Uncle," she said.
"Uncle what?" Michael asked.
"I can't deny that this is incredible. The food, the sunset, everything."
"It's not bad, is it?" he said. "Grand Cayman is one of the more civilized islands. Rarely gets hit by hurricanes, but it can happen. The rainy season is supposed to be unpleasant. You'll have to tell me what you think after you've spent more time here."
"I can tell you already that it's a wonderful break from winter, if that's what you're looking for," she said.
"That," he said. "And I always consider the investment benefit. This would be more for fun, though."
She smiled at him. "Oh, my. I thought you weren't interested in spending money for fun."
He slid her a sideways glance. "I can do fun things. I just haven't been motivated until recently."
"And why is that?" she asked, lifting her glass of wine to her lips and taking a sip.
"I think you know it's because of you," he said.
"Hard for me to believe I have any influence over you." She stared out at the ocean, drinking in the sight.
"Is that what you want? Influence over me?" he asked.
She met his gaze. "I want you to be happy."
Something flashed in his eyes, something she couldn't identify at first glance because it came and went so quickly. "And you think you know what would make me happy."
"That sounds potentially arrogant, but I think I have an idea of what might help. Not that I'll get a chance to help with that."
"Why do you care about my happiness?" he asked. "You're getting what you want. I've funded your aunt's business. You know I'm not going to renege."
Her stomach twisted and she frowned. "I don't know. Maybe I'm more of a sap than I thought I was." She met his gaze again. "Or maybe there's more to you than I thought there was."
"That last one would be wrong. I'm shallow," he insisted.
"Yes," she said. "That's why you agreed to resuscitate my aunt's business."
"I benefit from that agreement in several ways."
"It was still coloring outside your lines. You're a liar if you disagree," she said.
His eyes lit with amusement, but he said nothing.
"And there's the matter of the community center," she said.
"Anonymous could be anyone."
"Uh-huh," she said. "There's another subject that reveals your tender side, but you get all touchy when I bring it up, so I won't."
"Thank you," he said and nodded toward the horizon. "Don't miss the sunset."
She watched the orange ball sink lower and a green light followed it. "I've never seen that before," she said. "What was it?"
"A green flash," he said. "I'm not much for legends, but legend has it that seeing it means you have the ability to see into another person's heart."
"So, you don't believe it," she said.
He paused. "I didn't say that."
She leaned toward him. "You could have any woman. Why do you want me?"
He shook his head. "Too many reasons. Would you like dessert?"
She also shook her head. "No. I'm ready to go if you are."
Minutes later, the driver drove them down a winding road to a gated driveway which opened after the driver punched in a code. It was a clear night, and the moonlight glowed on the stucco mansion with colored roof tiles as they drove toward it.