Be Mine Forever_Darcey's_Book 2 Page 4

  “I envy you, you know. Your family’s so warm. You have one close-knit family, despite being English.” He coughed out a laugh.

  “Well, it isn’t perfect. No family is picture-perfect. We’ve had misunderstandings. I grew up without a father, as you know. And my mum was always so stressed about finances, being a single mum isn’t easy on anybody. But my grandparents were just really too generous. They showed me how to find ways to get along with other people, despite differences.” Darcey giggled nervously. Talking helped her tuck away her sadness about leaving Nathan in California, at least. “Yes, I’m lucky to have them.”

  He was silent, but his eyes were tender as he studied her face. She gave him a weak smile. “Nathan, you were born with a silver spoon, from Tiffany to be exact. You’re intelligent and handsome and successful. I’m certain Sissi is very proud of you. It’s never too late to reach out to your father. It’s not too late to go on a date with your mum. She loves you in her special way, maybe not the way you have in mind. Not all families are the same. But I really just want you to be happy.” She turned away briskly, a tear formed just under her lashes. She walked to the kitchen counter behind them and picked up her cup of coffee.

  He returned to staring outside the window. She followed his gaze. A flock of white birds flew over the calm sea.

  He finally spoke, “Someday, you’ll make an incredible mother. And you’ll make a man a very lucky husband.” The pain in his voice broke her heart all over again.

  *****

  They drove in painful silence to the Los Angeles airport. The traffic was terrible, worse than usual. They had hurry to the departing area. Her flight was to leave in less than two hours, and there were immigration lines to hurdle after checking in luggage.

  “You could just drop me at the gate. I should be fine,” she told him as they inched their way through the crowded airport road.

  He didn’t respond and drove the car straight into one of the many parking structures. They continued in silence as they stepped out of his car. He removed her suitcase from the trunk and wheeled it towards the departure gate.

  “Are you excited?” he finally spoke.

  “I can’t wait to see Luis and Trisha, and my family,” she admitted.

  “Send my love.”

  As soon as they arrived at the check-in counter, she handed her luggage. Nathan wore a stoic expression the entire time. She knew that something wasn’t right, but didn’t dare ask or say anything, fearing his words would break the dam that held back her tears.

  She did wish he would show a hint of emotion, show her whether he was angry or sad. She wasn’t sure if he was as devastated about their painful separation as she was. No one knew if their parting was temporary or indefinite.

  Quietly, they walked hand in hand towards the immigration counter. She turned around and softly placed a hand on his cheek. “Nathan, you know I really don’t want to do this. I don’t ever want to hurt you. But we both know and agree this is for the best right?” Her words came in a whisper.

  He lifted a hand to cup hers. “Goodbyes are never good. And break-ups are meant to break hearts. Still, you think it’s for the best? People change, so do feelings.” He averted his eyes away as he spoke.

  “Please don’t make it hard for me. I know how hard it is, trust me. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.”

  A billion times more than when Ollie and I broke up.

  She pulled her hand away and turned towards the immigration counter, her feet felt like heavy weights on the ground.

  He turned towards her, his eyes searched her face. “I know. All day today, beginning from breakfast until now, I haven’t seen a tear escape your eyes. I guess you’re all grown up. You are braver now, stronger. And, because I care for you, I’m glad.” He smiled.

  You have no idea what keeping calm is costing me, she thought.

  She pulled her passport out. “We’re breaking up, not because we no longer love each other, I know that, but because we do. And we know that it’s best to leave when we still love and respect each other.”

  More than anything, she knew she was talking to herself. Convincing her own heart.

  He nodded. “I know. Maybe time and space will make us think of what we truly mean to one another. Maybe we did rush into a relationship. Maybe we no longer want the same things. You haven’t left. But I already miss you.”

  They reached the gate where only passengers were allowed to enter. Slowly, as if in a dream, she turned to him, afraid of the upcoming goodbye that was just moments away from where she stood in time. To her surprise, he pulled her in his arms and held her ever so tightly, before planting a tender kiss on her forehead. She allowed him to, wishing her heart didn’t break so much. But it did.

  He kissed each of her cheeks, then her nose. When he finally kissed her lips, sadness coursed through her very soul. It was a kiss that said the words and sonnets she didn’t have the courage to say. A kiss so soft and intimate, one filled with longing beyond compare. It was the saddest kiss they had ever shared. A bittersweet kiss. A kiss she knew she would never forget.

  After several seconds, she hesitantly pulled away. A lump formed in her throat. She knew that if she stayed another second, she was going to start sobbing.

  “I have to go.” And with that she turned around before the tears that had threatened to spill all day would overcome her, and she would never have the courage to leave.

  “Darcey.” His voice was hoarse. She didn’t look back, choosing instead to head straight for the immigration counter up ahead. As soon as her back was turned to him, the tears began to fall. All the words she wasn’t able to say came out freely in the form of her tears.

  “I love you, too, “ she whispered into the air as she quickened her steps.

  She handed her passport to the immigration officer.

  He gave her a sad look. “Coming home should be a joyous occasion,” he told her, studying her British passport.

  “I’m leaving home.” She wiped her tears away with a tissue.

  “You can always come back. Your visa is valid for the next five years, and I’m sure that gentleman who’s still watching you from behind will always welcome you home. ” The officer smiled.

  She nodded as she wiped fresh tears away.

  “So, you consider Los Angeles home?” he asked while handing back her passport and boarding pass.

  “No, but I read somewhere that sometimes home has a heartbeat.”

  Chapter 6

  “Ugh, my head is spinning.” She winced when Luis pulled the blinds open.

  “It’s almost lunch time. We have to make Sunday roast,” Luis told her. The smell of coffee from his Nespresso machine was more than inviting. He approached her bed and handed her a drink.

  “What is this?” she asked skeptically.

  “It’s a magic concoction I learned from a bartender I dated a million years ago, and up to this day I continue to make it, in memory of him,” Luis said ever so dramatically. “I’m going to shower. There is muesli and oats in the fridge and almond milk. As you know, I am lacto-intolerant. There are also some apples, bananas and oranges.”

  He was heading towards the bathroom when she called out to him. “Luis, wait!”

  “Yes?”

  “Did I misbehave last night?”

  “I don’t know what you mean by ‘misbehave’. Your idea of misbehaviour and mine are quite different. But if you must know, I am angry. Seriously, Darcey. You had Dimitri, who’s like Adonis in human form. Then you had Nicholas who’s as delicious as the food he makes, and then you had Nathan, Forbes’ Man of the Year. Yet, you want to flirt with a Warwick? Not even the playboy Marcus but with Leo, my Leo.” He sighed deeply, wiping away invisible tears. “I suggest you think about your actions, because I know what you did last night. But, since we are friends, I forgive you. You can also be with a Warwick and be Trisha’s sister.”

  “Oh my gosh, Matthew is a romantic. That speech was just wonde
rful,” she replied. She took a sip of Luis’s concoction and almost threw up. “Yuck, are you trying to poison me?!”

  “Do you think I would do that to you, after you stole Leo from me?”

  “Darling, I didn’t steal something that was never yours and—eeew, this drink is too disgusting!-- and, second of all, it was from too much champagne. And--” Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “And missing Nathan, been trying hard to forget him”

  “Blame, Don Perignon if you wish. But, to be fair, you are an English Rose. You can be his Kate. Just don’t push him over the boat.” Luis chuckled and twirled dramatically while admiring his reflection in the mirror.

  “Huh? Are you high, Luis?”

  He did a mock Leonardo DiCaprio pose from the Titanic film. “Jack, don’t leave me, Jack. My heart will go on and on and on!”

  “Oh, the Titanic. Sorry, my brain’s still half asleep.” She laughed and immediately groaned when the morning light through the window did another number on her tired eyes.

  “Well, now.” Luis, standing prim and proper once more, brushed off invisible dust from his shoulders. “I need to shower. And I want to hear from Trisha all the juicy bits. Finally, Matt and Trisha, happy together.” He stared into space dreamily.

  “Indeed, at least one of us is happy in love.” Darcey sighed.

  “I’m happy and in love with life. And myself,” Luis corrected her.

  “I know. Go and shower so I can shower, too! I have clothes I left here right?” She glanced around the pristine room.

  “Yes, it’s in the drawer labeled Charity.”

  She raised a brow. “Charity?”

  “Yes, for whenever I feel charitable towards mates who are going to be homeless because they can’t hold their alcohol.”

  “Oh, Luis, what would I do without you?” She grinned at him, resisting the urge to plant a wet, sisterly kiss on his smooth cheeks.

  “I know,” he replied haughtily. “Therefore, you better contemplate your actions last night as I bathe and shower all the negativity from my system.” He pranced towards his huge bathroom.

  She continued to sip the disgusting concoction he had given her, surprised how it was doing magic on her headache. Rubbing her temples, she slowly began to recall the previous evening’s happenings.

  “I’m going to the loo,” Luis had told her the previous night, leaving her in Leo Warwick’s company.

  Before she had been able to protest, Luis scurried off.

  “Champagne?” Leo had handed her a flute from one of the passing waiters.

  “Thank you.” She recalled smiling at him and peering into his insanely beautiful eyes.

  “Missing Los Angeles?” Leo asked her, gazing with the smoldering eyes the Warwick brothers were known for.

  “Not just yet.” She had suddenly felt shy, very shy.

  “Although, correct me if I’m wrong, you’re missing someone?” Leo asked, his gaze grew more intense as he sipped brandy.

  “Is reading minds one of your skills?”

  He smiled softly. “No, but I assume a beautiful woman like yourself has someone waiting for her back in the City of Angels.”

  She giggled nervously, wishing she was as elegant as her friend Trisha. “I wish someone was missing me right now.” She wanted to be honest. Or perhaps it was the expensive champagne. It had been days since Nathan had sent her any message.

  She was aware he was busy entertaining South Korean clients and a famous Chinese investor at the moment. One of his meetings made it in a top business news website. The time difference, along with a big dose of pride, kept her from sending Nathan a message, not even a simple one asking how he was doing.

  Leo brought her attention back into the moment, his smooth voice asking, “Ah, I see. Well, his loss is my gain.” His voice was deep and luxurious, like the man himself. “Tell me more about your work in California.”

  She cleared her throat. “I write for C’est La Vie magazine, it’s a luxury travel and lifestyle publication.” His face was too gorgeous for her own comfort. She decided to shift her eyes toward the people dancing around them.

  “With assignments like reviewing Warwick Hotel?” Leo’s strong brows rose when he asked, a small smile lingering on perfect lips.

  “In fact, yes, covering your family’s hotel is right on my assignment list.”

  “Well then, let’s get you the honeymoon suite at the hotel. Trust me, you’ll be enjoying the best experience.” He sipped his brandy slowly and deliberately, his eyes wouldn’t leave her face for moment.

  She cocked her head to one side. “Ah, bribery won’t work, Mr. Warwick. I’m very fair when it comes to my reviews. And the honeymoon suite? You are a Warwick after all.” She gave him a teasing smile while wagging a finger at him. He was slowly driving her nervousness away. Or perhaps it was the bubbly’s doing?

  He grinned, handsome features turned even more stunning when he smiled widely. “Yes, indeed, Warwick is my last name. Is that a bad thing?”

  “No, you’re probably trained to say the right things, and it paves the way to your demands, correct?”

  He frowned slightly, but his eyes were cheerful and teasing. “It depends. But I do like a challenge. You could say I always get what I want.” His eyes peered right into her soul. Leo Warwick was clearly challenging her.

  “And this is how you pick up girls?” There was an edge in her tone, she was ready to challenge him back. If Los Angeles thought her anything, it was dealing with aggressive people with stark competitive streaks.

  “I don’t pick up girls, Darcey. I’m merely engaging you in a conversation because your friends have left you alone, it seems. And I thought I might be a gentleman and keep you company.” His smile was provoking almost, but in a friendly and sexy way.

  A bit too sexy. She couldn’t help but notice Leo’s strong jaw and pristinely shaped lips. He smelled of the coast of Amalfi, with a hint of limoncello, reminding her of a summer spent in Southern Italy.

  A waiter passed by and Leo took another glass of champagne. She glanced around the room, pretending she was looking for Luis. Leo’s next question almost made her spurt out expensive champagne, like a humpback whale spurting water.

  “Would you go on a date with me?” he asked ever so casually.

  She fought the urge to gasp, quickly gathering her wits about her before replying. “Whatever happened to you simply being a gentleman, talking to a wallflower who had been abandoned by her faithful friends? Just because you’re a Warwick and your brother--,” she began, but Leo cut her off, showing her a piece of bacon-wrapped food. It appeared to be a piece of date.

  “A date, a popular snack in the Middle East, Darcey.” He lifted the appetizer to her lips.

  She stared at the food, her heart beating quickly, while her face, to her horror, began to heat up to the temperatures of the Sahara.

  Before she could reply, he released a hearty laugh, one that made people turn their way. “I was merely asking if you would like to have a date. Actually, it’s a bacon-wrapped date. It’s quite delicious. And the term wallflower doesn’t suit you. I think you’re one of the most beautiful flowers in this room, if not the most beautiful. I’m certain Matthew would argue, but my brother and I have different tastes.” There was amusement in his voice.

  She was a hundred percent sure her face had turned beetroot red. “I, um, I’m sorry for what I said,” she began slowly, unable to trust her words this time. “You may think I’m so full of myself to even think that you would ask me for a date, when--when you’re just being nice.” She hated how she was suddenly stammering.

  He popped the date in his mouth and chewed slowly, smiling at her.

  How can he make eating look so darn sexy, and how can he be so composed while I’m dying here? She glanced around again, this time really looking for Luis or, better yet, the fire exit.

  Leo smiled graciously. Instead of a mocking tone, he sounded warm and friendly. “Don’t be sorry because, as much as I’m enjoyin
g our conversation, I also wonder how you would feel in my arms when I dance with you.”

  She knew she was blushing even more, if that was at all possible at this rate. “Oh, no. You wouldn’t want to dance with me. I’d only embarrass you! In case you didn’t know, I’m not a good dancer. Trisha is the good dancer.” She tried her best to sound calm and composed, though she was feeling anything but.

  “How about you let be the judge of that?” Leo motioned to a waiter to come over. “May I?”

  He removed her glass from her hand and placed both their glasses on the waiter’s tray. Like the polished gentleman that he was, he then thanked the waiter before turning back to gaze at her face with admiring eyes.

  He held out a hand. “Miss Vaughn, would you like to dance with me?”

  “I don’t think you want to. I mean, seriously. It will be the biggest mistake of your life.” She laughed nervously. Too nervously.

  He laughed and grinned again, his face looking more handsome in an instant. “Are you trying to scare me? Because it looks to me like you’re the one who’s scared.”

  “No, I’m not scared of dancing with you,” she replied with forced confidence, but inside she realized just how intimidating Leonardo Warwick really was.

  She knew she was about to dive into very dangerous waters.

  “Then prove it,” he challenged.

  She took a small step closer to him, his tantalizing scent growing even stronger. Before she could blink, he led her towards the dance floor, an arm around her waist, his tall frame standing out from the crowd.

  A slow song floated in the air.

  “You’ll regret this, you know,” she whispered as he placed a hand on her back, pulling her closer to his tight chest.

  He whispered next to her ear, causing tingles to rise from her lower back up to her head. “Let’s find out.”