But I’m not paying any attention to them.
Because I recognize the silhouette of the man standing behind her, and every alarm bell in my body has just erupted like a siren.
ChapterTwenty-One
Theron
Hidden by the slight curve in the lane, I still have a great view of the jetty arriving because of my height.
I’m panting fast, trying to release the alcohol from my bloodstream.I swear the fumes are so strong they are bending the light prism in front of my eyes.
Something sobers me up real quick.
The door on the passenger side of Ben’s truck bursts open.Falling out in a furtive crouch, Aila scrambles along the side of the road, coming towards me in a blind panic.
She’s so intent on putting some distance between herself and the ferry that she doesn’t see me seated astride my Harley.I’m not surprised when she pulls up short a few yards away.
The pupils of her eyes show fear, but not because of me.That puts me on edge.It takes a lot to make my brave, beautiful Aila afraid.I am curious to know why she is running scared.
“Theron?”
Who else but me would be trailing you, Aila?
“Yep.Thought I’d come by and say?—”
Her leg is up and she’s sliding behind me onto the seat before I can finish the long farewell speech I wanted to make.
Her voice is muffled as Aila hugs me round the waist and whispers harshly.
“Change of plans, Theron.I—I have to go back to Ben’s house.”
I’m not celebrating yet, because I know I’m not the reason for this sudden change of heart.This woman is giving me whiplash with her mood swings, damnit.
My hesitation seems to annoy her.Aila hugs my waist harder.
“Come on.Come on.Let’s go.I need to be dropped off at Ben’s house.”
It doesn’t make any sense.If she wants to head there, why doesn’t she just stay in the truck?
Starting the engine, I push back and reverse as Aila clings to me like a limpet, pressing her face against my back.“Let me take you to the inn instead of to Ben’s.”Because I am not letting you out of my sight until you tell me what in the fuck is going on.
Aila is paying me no mind.She’s fiddling with the helmet locked to the side of the bike trying to get it loose.
Getting off the bike, I hunker down and thumb the lock open.“You want to wear a helmet?I’m not gonna go fast.”
Pulling the helmet out of my hand, Aila crams it over her head and flips down the blacked-out visor.
“Please take me to Ben’s, Theron.I want my mom.”
She gives a startled jump when the tractor engine turns over.It begins to pull past us, dragging the wagon load of holidaymakers with it.The sound of their happy voices fills the air.
Flinging herself into my arms, Aila presses the helmet against my chest to hide her face.
Something is wrong.This is not how the Aila I know behaves.Where’s that cute swagger and teasing sparkle that attracted me right from the start?
The tension goes out of her body as the tractor noise fades away.Lifting the visor and then the helmet lets me see that Aila’s expression is ecstatic with relief.
“Oh, thank God, they’ve gone past us.Whew!That was close.I can go on the ferry now.”She shoves the helmet back into my hands and begins to step away from me.“Sorry for being so scatty, Theron, but I’ve changed my mind… again.”
