Love Islands…The Collection. Jane PorterЧитать онлайн книгу.
me.’
She didn’t reply at first and then finally, after what felt like the longest moment, she sighed and sat down on the sofa.
He held out the deck of cards, his face strained, uncertain. ‘What would you like to play?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I can. My brain doesn’t seem to be working.’
Nodding slowly, he half smiled. ‘My parents have that effect on people.’
He let out a long, slow breath and his smile faded. She waited.
Finally, hesitantly, he reached out and took her hand, his face filled with angry bewilderment. ‘I find it hard.’
The words sounded as if they were being dragged from him.
Her chest squeezed tight. ‘What do you find hard?’
‘Choosing not to be like them.’ He ran a hand wearily over his face. ‘For years I had no choice. Even when I was little they’d drag me to parties and nightclubs.’ He paused and gave her another taut smile. ‘They didn’t see why having me around should stop them doing what they wanted. And if I was difficult, then they’d just leave me behind.’
‘Where?’ Addie felt her heart thump painfully hard.
He shrugged. ‘With their friends. And by “friends” I mean the people who found it hardest to say no to them.’ Glancing up, he caught sight of her face and his mouth twisted. ‘I don’t know what was worse. Worrying that they would never come back or knowing they would.’
She stared at him, feeling his pain, the fear of a little boy abandoned by his so-called parents, his dread of their return. ‘Why didn’t they get a nanny?’
‘They did. But they never stayed for more than a couple of weeks. It got better as I got older.’ His eyes met hers. ‘I got better at managing them.’
She swallowed. ‘Is that why you went back to Miami?’
He looked away. ‘Yes. They can charm their way out of most situations. But sometimes, like last night, when they’ve gone too far and someone’s threatening to call the police, I have to step in.’ Smiling dully, he shrugged. ‘It’s irritating, but it’s just easier and a lot less time-consuming if I sort it out.’
‘And why did you leave? Tonight.’
She held her breath, sensing it was one question too many, but finally he turned to face her and the bleakness in his eyes almost broke her.
‘I’d had enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Of their games. With them, it’s always a game. I just don’t want to play any more.’
He fell silent.
Not trusting herself to speak, Addie sat mute beside him. How could anyone survive that kind of damage? It was almost worse than what had happened to her. That had been an accident. This had been deliberate, sustained. But the outcome was the same: a shattered life, a damaged soul. And she knew exactly what it took to repair that damage. It needed acceptance and hope and patience.
And love.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she closed them quickly, trying to stop them from falling, trying to block out the truth. Except she couldn’t. The truth was that she loved him—still, and so much.
And it was time for her to accept that fact.
She opened her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. But it was not the time to share it. Now she needed to keep her promise. To be there for Malachi. Without thinking, she reached forward and slid her arms around him. After a moment’s hesitation his arms tightened around her. They held each other in silence, their hearts beating in time together, until finally Addie shifted free.
‘Come on. Let’s go to bed.’
Standing up, he glanced out of the plane’s window and frowned. A pale yellow line was already edging the dark sky. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart, I don’t think we’re going to get much sleep. We’ll be landing in less than an hour.’
She smiled. ‘Who said anything about sleep?’
His eyes locked on to hers and for a moment, she stared at him, hypnotised by their fierce dark longing. And then he reached down and, scooping her into his arms, he began to carry her towards the staircase.
IT WAS LATE afternoon in Caracas. Staring out over the city from the balcony of Malachi’s suite, Addie let the straps of her camisole slip down over her shoulders to catch some sun.
Two hands slid around her waist. ‘Afternoon, sleepyhead.’
Her heart started to pound as Malachi kissed her shoulder, his lips drifting languidly down over her throat.
‘You were sleeping so deeply I thought I was going to have to wake you with a kiss,’ he murmured.
The hands round her waist were beginning to drift too, slipping under the silk camisole, circling and caressing the bare skin of her belly, then reaching up to stroke her breasts, caressing her nipples until she was shaking with desire.
Unable to stop herself, she moaned softly and she felt his body stiffen, his fingers stilling.
‘You did that earlier,’ she said hoarsely. ‘That’s why I was so tired.’
His hands were moving again, sliding slowly over skin.
‘In that case I think you should lie down right now,’ he said, and, gently he dragged her back into the suite and onto the huge bed.
Later, feeling warm and dazed, she lay beside him, watching him devour the brunch that had been delivered. As he pushed the last forkful of eggs Benedict into his mouth, she gave him a mischievous smile and started clapping.
Draining his coffee cup, he grinned, eyes gleaming. ‘I was hungry. And you want me to keep my strength up, don’t you?’
Remembering their feverish lovemaking, she felt a melting heat ripple out from somewhere deep inside. Yes, she did. Only ‘want’ seemed too feeble a word to describe how fiercely she craved him.
‘I’ll try to be less demanding tonight,’ she said lightly. ‘Shouldn’t you be getting ready?’
Rolling onto her side, she watched him get dressed. His pale grey shirt was still unbuttoned to the waist and she stared hungrily at the smooth, flat muscles of his stomach. Even half dressed, and with his hair still damp from the shower, there was a glamour to him that set him apart from other people, turned heads. It wasn’t just his looks. It was something to do with that air of detachment, of being alone in a crowd.
Thinking back to his parents’ party, she felt a rush of protectiveness. It was no wonder he had chosen to stay alone, or that he found it so difficult to let people get close to him. But he was changing. Look at how he had opened up to her last night. It might not have been his whole life story, but it had been a brief glimpse into what had made him the man he was. And it was the first time he had ever even hinted that he might need her. And surely with need came love?
She glanced up, her heart aching. She longed to tell him that she loved him but she knew it was too soon. She had barely come to terms with how she felt. If she sprung her feelings on Malachi it would be disastrous. Like trying to put a head collar on a wild mustang. She needed to follow her own advice and be patient. But there was nothing to stop her from showing she cared.
Trying to keep her face as casual as possible, she sat up, pulling the sheet over her breasts. ‘How are you feeling?’
Stepping away from the wardrobe, he turned to face her, frowning. ‘Fine. A little tired.’ The corners of his mouth curled upwards.
She smiled back at him, then hesitated. ‘I actually meant how are you feeling