Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back and tried to calm the storm raging inside me. I needed a plan. I was in a country I didn’t know, in a job I no longer wanted, and trapped in a hotel suite with my boss and his new lover. That I could do something about.
I signalled to the waiter who came over.
“Can I get another one of these?” I held up the empty glass. “And could you also find out if I can book a new room? I’m in room 1011, but I’d like somewhere on my own. I don’t mind what room it is or how much it costs.”
The grey haired man offered me a confident nod. “Of course, sir. Let me see what I can do.”
He reappeared a few minutes later with my drink and an unhappy expression.
“I’m sorry, sir. We’re fully booked for the next week at least, but I have asked reception to let you know if we have any cancellations. You’ll be first on the list if there are.”
I let out a sigh, taking the drink from him and taking a sip. “Thank you.”
He walked away, and a shadow fell over me. I looked up, my jaw tightening as I stared at the man I not only didn’t know, but didn’t even recognise anymore.
TWENTY-THREE
JASPER
I staredat the door long after Travis had slammed it, his words swirling around in my head.
Loved me.
Loved me.
He was in love with me.
A cough next to me pulled my attention back to the moment. I turned to face Finn. I pointed at the door. “I should go after him.”
Finn pulled a face that made it look like my words had physically hurt him, and I hated it.
“Sorry, but I need him. For the project. I need him to stay and help me sort this shit out and we need to set up the research boat.”
Rolling his shoulders and standing a little taller, Finn offered me the fakest smile I’d ever seen. “Of course, Professor. The project must come first.” Sarcasm hung from his words.
I frowned. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
He stepped away from the counter that minutes earlier I’d had him pinned against. “Actually, I don’t, but I’m here to do a job, as are you and Doctor Jones, so I’ll leave you two to discuss whatever you need to discuss. I’ll be in my room, so you don’t need to worry about me interrupting.”
“Finn,” I begged.
He didn’t reply, didn’t look at me, walking away and closing his door with a quiet click.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I blew out a long breath deciding I needed to find Travis first and speak to him—I couldn’t risk him leaving and not just because of work—and then I’d make things right with Finn… although I had no idea how to make either of them forgive me for my crappy handling of this entire situation.
FINN
I locked my room door,stripped off my clothes—needing to remove any trace of Jasper’s scent from me—and headed to the ensuite, catching sight of myself in the full-length mirror. My scars glinted in the light. I’d felt out of place and unlovable for most of my life. My dad’s reaction to my sexuality was the final nail in the coffin of my self-esteem, and I’d struggled ever since. No amount of accolades through my dancing, no amount of reassurance from Bobby and my friends was ever enough, no amount of chasing people to give me what I craved was ever satisfying enough.
And here I was again, the universe proving that I wasn’t worthy of something good.
Turning on the shower, I stepped under the water and burst into tears, telling myself I could have a minute or two to fall apart before I pushed down my feelings and forgot Jasper was anything but my boss. Then, when we got back to England, it was time to look for a new job.
TRAVIS
Jasper tooka seat across from me. I downed my third double rum and reached for my fourth, trying not to notice how different he looked with his short hair and beardless face.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered.
