Queen's Island by Michele E. Gwynn

Author:Michele E. Gwynn [Gwynn, Michele E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paper Gold Publishing
Published: 2019-09-02T16:00:00+00:00

***

Claire

“Are you hiding?” A deep voice asked.

Startled, I half-jumped out of my seat, nearly knocking the chair backwards. A steady hand grabbed my arm, catching me before I landed ass over elbows on the Terrazzo tiles. I glanced up into the handsome face of Garret. He was trying not to laugh, but failed.

I looked quickly around the patio where, up until that moment, I’d been quietly stewing while surfing the internet on my laptop. I’d come out here to think after running out of the gym, away from Cade. With nothing better to do until the afternoon when I’d have to deal with Thierry and whatever activity he’d planned, I’d grabbed my computer from my room and stole into one of the tables tucked away behind beautifully potted flowering plants. Here, I logged into my clients’ websites, checking on the traffic, toggling the SEO keywords, and adding in fresh content from my files. So into my work, I hadn’t noticed anyone come up behind me until Garret’s deep baritone had rumbled like thunder in my ear sending me into a panicked back-pedal. And he thought it was all too funny.

“No. I was simply killing time,” I muttered, shaking off his hand. He released my limb and without asking, sat in the chair opposite me.

“Don’t you have therapy in the morning?” He leaned on his forearms, pinning me with his blue eyes.

My own lowered, breaking the contact briefly. “I do, but Cade was busy with Dr. Chadwell.” It was only a smidge of a lie. I refused to feel guilty.

Garret watched me in a way that seemed as if he was dissecting me.

“So you’re at loose ends then?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“I was told you were looking to book a massage last night but that no one was available.” Something shifted behind his eyes, something akin to mischief. “And we missed our morning appointment. Come,” he stood up, reaching out his hand, “I have time now, and you are far too tense.”

“That’s okay, Garret, I’m good,” I hedged, pulling back in my chair. I didn’t want to go. My pride was already pricked enough for one day and all I wanted was to be alone and lick my wounds. I didn’t need yet another ridiculously good-looking male having fun at my expense.

“Claire,” his voice softened. “It’s okay. I promise.” The little devil that seemed to live in his eyes disappeared. His expression turned kind, gentle. I watched as his head cocked to the side and an encouraging smile slipped over his lips.

Something in me softened towards him. I looked at his hand, extended palm up.

“You can trust me.”

It was the way he said it. No hint of teasing. Straight-forward. I placed my hand in his and stood. As soon as I was up, he released it, and reached around, pushing my chair in.

“I’ll meet you in your room. Just need to grab my table and things, okay?”

“Okay.”

He left me as I clutched my laptop to my side, walking back to my cottage.

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