I walk over to her, wrapping my arm around her and giving her the water bottle.
“Drink this. Take your time.”
She takes a deep breath and a drink. “I’m okay. That came on suddenly. We can carry on with the drive, okay?”
I walk her back to the car. I’m overwhelmed by how precious she is to me. I don’t want her out of my sight. I want to be there to look after her if she feels ill, to bring her breakfast in the morning and indulge every one of her desires.
Once we’re on the road again, she looks over at me. “I have something to tell you, Duncan.”
I glance over. “I do too. Do you want to go first?”
She shakes her head. “You can. I need to work up my courage. My situation is a little different to yours. You’re my boss, remember?”
I smile. “Oh, yes. Does that mean I get to order you into my bed whenever I feel like it?”
The ghost of a grin appears on her face, before she shakes her head again. “What did you want to tell me?”
I grit my teeth. I have to be honest with her. Not that I was ever in any doubt that we were destined to be together, but last night has made me sure we shouldn’t ever be apart.
“It’s not a coincidence that you’re here as my employee. I made sure of it.” It sounds stark and I’m not sugar-coating it, but I need her to know.
Her forehead wrinkles. “You made sure of what?”
“That you’d work for me. I paid off the agency. You were the only person I wanted for the job. In fact, I created the position. I had a freelance PA handling things before. But I wanted you.”
Her expression is frozen. “You wanted me?”
“You, gorgeous Margot. Is that so hard to understand?”
Her hand tightens around the water bottle. “So I didn’t get this job on merit or anything? I don’t understand. Why did you wantme?”
“Why wouldn’t I want you? It would be impossible for me not to want you. And when I want something I go after it aggressively. Tell me you weren’t happy to get out of the city, and find a job and a place to live waiting for you here…”
“Well, yes. I was. But knowing you arranged it all, why did you do that? How did you find me?” We’re at the bottom of the mountain now and I take the turn into the outskirts of Snowflake.
“I trailed you home after our first night together. Then I found out everything I could about you. I know all about you. I took a deep dive into your life.”
She lets out her breath, making a huffing sound. “Wow.”
“It was never going to be just one night, Margot. I knew we were meant to be together. I loved you from the first second I saw you, fending off that sleazy prick on the dancefloor.”
“There’s no such thing as love at first sight. That only happens in fairy tales and those cheesy holiday romance movies.” She shrugs.
“I’m proof that’s not true. And you can’t deny that you feel something for me too. It’s so strong between us. You can let your guard down with me. I’m here to look after you. I want to give you everything. I’m all yours.”
“I need some time to process this. I’m not sure…” She rubs her hand across her eyes.
“I’ll drive us to my place and you can–”
“No! Take me home, Duncan. Give me some space. You’ve just admitted to practically stalking me.”
“Stalking was a means to an end. Let me explain. It’s not safe for you. I can protect you…”
She grasps my arm. “This is all too crazy. I’mfine. I’ve looked after myself for years before I met you. I’ve been on my own ever since Aunt Thalia died. I don’t need anyone to look after me.”
There are tears in her eyes and against my better judgment I take a right at the crossroads which leads to her street. It must be a shock for her. Now isn’t the time to tell her about the cameras and the bodyguard. She’ll understand once I give her the full picture about the man her father wants her to marry. But I’ve handled this clumsily and I don’t want to overwhelm her.
There are dark circles under her eyes and she’s pale. Some sleep and food will do her good. I had the refrigerator stocked while we were away, so I know she’ll have plenty to choose from. And Salvo is right underneath her. I need to back off for a moment, before I try again.
