CHAPTER FIVE
THANKFUCKTHEIRfood arrived. If Simon had to sit across from Marianna with that deep sadness etched on her face for one more minute, he was going to do something stupid. Like make another move to comfort her.
Instead, they ate in silence. Silverware clinking, voices echoing in the background and all the time the electric connection between them hummed.
He couldn’t just turn off his instinct to protect, but how quickly would protecting turn into something more with Marianna? He was supposed to be moving forward, not backward.
Simon took the last bite of his steak. He glanced up at Marianna, but she kept her eyes fixed on the plate in front of her. Then she stood up and grabbed her purse.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To the restroom, which I can handle on my own.” Marianna raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to object.
Simon frowned but said nothing as she crossed the busy restaurant and went through the restroom door. He’d give her five minutes, and then he was going in.
Simon studied the crowd at the Four Seasons bar. Mostly men in suits, though he only had a partial view from where he was sitting. He drummed his fingers on his thigh, waiting for Marianna to reappear. The bill came and went, and she still hadn’t returned. Simon crossed his arms. Where the hell was she?
He stood up and started in the direction of the restrooms, but as the length of the bar came into sight, he stopped. There she was. The place was packed, but that was no excuse. He missed when she’d slipped out. It was the kind of mistake he had worried about, the kind he couldn’t afford to make. And Marianna was talking to the same guy from the airport. What the hell was he doing here?
Simon gritted his teeth and headed straight for them. Marianna’s back was turned to him, and he headed over fast as the guy rambled on.
“...to the Hunter Valley this weekend, to one of the wineries up there.”
Simon stopped, taking in every detail. American accent, polished but muscled up. Despite his expensive clothes, there was something that didn’t fit in here. This wanker was standing way too close to Marianna, looking down at her like he was going to eat her up.
The guy’s hands curved around her arm. “Let’s find somewhere quieter to talk.”
Something was off about the whole scene. Or maybe Simon was just a jealous bastard. Didn’t matter. Either way, he was putting an end to this.
Simon came up close behind her, wedging himself next to the bar. Marianna knew it was him. He could tell by the way she didn’t move, didn’t even look. Maybe even leaned a little closer. The guy’s gaze flickered up to Simon, and his hand dropped from Marianna’s arm. Simon glared at him.
“She’s not available,” Simon said slowly, emphasizing each word.
Marianna stiffened, twisting around, her eyes fiery. She opened her mouth, no doubt some smart remark on the tip of her tongue, but he rested a hand on her shoulder and flashed her a warning look.
The guy raised his eyebrows. “Sorry, man,” he said, not looking sorry at all. “Didn’t catch your name.”
“Didn’t give it.”
Before the guy had a chance to ask further, Simon whispered, “Bedtime,Princesa.”
At least she didn’t resist. His hand found hers, and they walked out. But as soon as they crossed the lobby, out of sight, she tugged her hand away.
“What was that about, Simon?” she asked, hands on her hips. “That’s the guy I sat next to on the airplane.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“I wasn’t going to head out with him. We were just talking,” she said. “After all, what are the odds that we’re staying in the same hotel?”
“Exactly,” he grumbled. “What are the odds?”
He walked up to the elevators and punched the call button. She positioned herself in front of him, her brow furrowed, as if she really didn’t get it.
“I sat next to that guy for thirteen hours, probably drooling on him as I snored at some point. Without you chaperoning.”
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped in, with her right behind. As the doors shut, blocking out the noise from the lobby, Marianna turned to face him.
“That’s twice you’ve kept me from talking to him.”
