Unexpected Treasure - With TOC -Final -

by Melody Anne

  “Let’s move your things in,” he said, not looking up from his newspaper.

  Haley’s eyes bolted up, her bite turning to sawdust in her mouth. Was he speaking to her?

  “Excuse me?” she managed to mumble after a strained pause.

  “I want you to move out of your room and come stay with me,” he replied as he put the paper down, his eyes gazing steadily back at her.

  How did she reply to this? She hadn’t known him long enough to stay in his suite. That was insane, wasn’t it?

  “I, ah, don’t think that would be wise,” she replied, automatically lifting her cup and taking a fortifying sip of her coffee, hoping the caffeine would clear the cobwebs from her brain.

  “I plan on spending every night with you anyway, so wouldn’t it be much easier to just have your items here? This is a resort, Haley. It’s not like I’m asking you to give up your house,” he said as if he were making the most logical statement ever.

  “Well, I just like to have my space,” she murmured.

  He paused for a moment, looking at her quizzically. “Where do you live, anyway?”

  It was a perfectly rational question, but she’d seem pathetic if she told him the truth. Dread filled her that he might realize she was indeed pitiful, and then end what they had barely even started.

  “It doesn’t matter. I think we’re fine the way we are. So, any good articles in your paper?” Maybe she could sidetrack him with a change of subject.

  Her ploy didn’t work.

  “Come on, Haley. Give me something,” he said, then leaned across the table and grasped her free hand. She took another sip of coffee, scalding her tongue slightly.

  “I live in Seattle in an apartment,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “That’s not so bad. Why are you hesitant to tell me?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t like to give out too much information about myself. I guess it’s from the years of having to be self-reliant. It’s difficult for me to share…” she trailed off.

  Crew looked at her strangely, just as she’d expected him to. She was hard to understand. Heck, she couldn’t really understand herself. How was she supposed to explain it to him?

  “Did you have any other family you could turn to? I know your grandparents should have been drawn and quartered for the way they treated you, but was there anyone else in your life at all?”

  This was a subject that Haley absolutely hated speaking about. No. She hadn’t had anyone in her life but the servants at her grandparents’ place, and even those relationships had faltered over the years. She hated dwelling on how alone she truly was. She’d fantasized about being part of a large, loving family, but had given up on that dream years before. She didn’t want him to fully comprehend how messed up her life was. This sharing of her past and present wasn’t what she’d signed on for.

  “I had some rough years with my grandparents, as you know. I have fought against all the doubts they instilled in me since I got away from that ‘home,’ but I tend to psych myself out about it all too often. Going to school has really helped, but at the end of the day when I look in the mirror, I still see this person whom nobody wanted. I promise it’s getting better, but I’ve just had to do whatever it takes to make it day by day. If I think too far ahead, I get overwhelmed, and that’s when I find myself start sinking within myself.” She held her breath, waiting for him to roll his eyes and give up on her. She was too crazy for a man like Crew, who had it all together.

  Now he was going to know she was too much effort, and she’d never get the privilege of sleeping in his arms again. The thought was horribly depressing.

  Crew’s gaze didn’t shift as he brought his cup up and took a sip.

  “All the more reason for you to move in with me. You need to have someone take care of you. We’ll go pack your things after breakfast.” Treating the matter as closed, he set down the mug, picked his paper back up and started reading again.

  Haley ran her hands through her hair and stared at the back of his newspaper. Was he the one who was insane? Why wasn’t he trying to delve deeper, get into her head, or just send her packing? If she knew she wasn’t completely together, why couldn’t he see it?

  Yet wasn’t she overanalyzing this, and trying to seek out serpents in her temporary paradise? It wasn’t as if she couldn’t just move back out again when their relationship, or whatever this was called, ran its course. He hadn’t mentioned anything about her two-week vacation. Did he want her to stay longer? Doubtful.

  It might be best to avoid reminding him that she was only here because she’d won a raffle. If she brought that up right now, he might snap out of this spell he seemed to be under and tell her that he’d personally pack her bags and get her to the airport to send her off. The thought of leaving him in a couple of days turned her stomach inside out.

  With a sigh, she looked at her breakfast, the once delicious cinnamon roll now turning her stomach. There seemed no need to respond to Crew anymore, since he’d already made up his mind, and to tell the truth, she wanted to sleep by his side each night. At least for a while, she could pretend this was a normal relationship, and that this incredible man cherished her. A little fantasy would help her sleep on those nights when loneliness was eating her alive.

  Making up her mind, she pushed away her plate and took small sips from her cup while she tried to convince herself that it was OK to seek enjoyment from life. It was OK to not worry about what tomorrow would bring. She’d see this through to the natural end, and she’d grow as a person. That was all she could ask of herself and Crew.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A few days later, Haley felt obliged to tell Crew that her time was up. Her train ticket was for the next day, and though she didn’t want to leave, she needed to get back to the real world. She’d always believed that the word heartache was a metaphor, but there was no denying the physical pain in her chest as she stood in the bathroom and practiced her goodbye speech.

  Would he ever think of her again? In time, would she get over him? She and Crew had been together only two weeks, but they were two glorious weeks, and she knew she’d never be the same.

  That was all thanks to him, and to his wonderful lessons. Her gloom didn’t prevent a contented grin from spreading across her features when she thought of the magic he’d created within her. She now knew it wasn’t a sin to enjoy sex; it wasn’t a crime to feel like a woman.

  Her grandparents had been so wrong in so many ways, and she wished they were still alive so she could confront them with their cruelty. Was it always wrong to think ill of the dead? They’d tried their hardest to destroy her, and they’d almost succeeded, so she didn’t think so in this case. As long as she didn’t descend into anger and bitterness, they wouldn’t control her from beyond the grave.

  It was amazing how much could change within a person in such a short amount of time. She knew she had a long way to go before she’d be the person she wanted to be, but because of Crew, she was much closer than she’d ever been.

  Taking a soothing breath, she gripped the doorknob and emerged from the warm bathroom. She could hear the crinkling of the paper as Crew turned the page. After closing her eyes for a moment to imprint everything to her memory, she moved forward.

  No matter what, she wouldn’t cry. Why make him feel guilty about her pain? Everything he’d ever done was meant to help her feel better about herself.

  He mumbled a good morning as she sat and poured herself a cup of coffee, and grabbed a chocolate croissant. With the churning in her stomach, she doubted she’d be able to eat, but it was such a habit now to sit at this small table while he read the paper and she nibbled on the goodies before her while downing a couple of cups of espresso.

  “I was thinking of playing hooky today, Haley, and taking you out to see the Catalina Island Conservancy so you can see the bison. You told me last week that you wanted to do some exploring.”

  Crew set down the paper to focus all of his
attention on her. Normally, he finished reading first, then gave her his undivided attention. On the morning she had to tell him goodbye, his extra attention hurt even more. Could the man get any more perfect? Was he really as flawless as she’d made him in her mind, or was she just placing him on a pedestal?

  There was no need to drag this out, so she plastered a fake smile on her face. “I really need to pack today. My train leaves early tomorrow,” she said, proud she’d been able to say the words without trembling.

  Crew froze and his face lost all expression; his eyes bored into hers. After a few moments, he finally set his cup down.

  “I don’t want you to leave.” It was simple and to the point and her heart began to swell in joy…but wait. Maybe he’s just saying that.

  “I know, Crew. I’m having a wonderful time here, too, but the package I won was for only two weeks, and my time is up…” she said, her voice starting to crack just the slightest bit.

  “Screw the contest. Are you happy being here with me?”

  “Of course I am,” she replied with exasperation. It wasn’t about her happiness; it was about her time being up.

  “Do you have a job to get back to?” She shook her head no. She’d quit to come on this trip.

  “Aren’t you on break from school right now?” Again, he was correct, so she nodded.

  “But, Crew —”

  “I don’t see any reason for you to leave. I want you to stay. You want to be here, and you have no obligations calling you back to Seattle right now. Let’s cancel your return and go see the bison.”

  She wanted that so badly, but…

  “Look, Haley. Let’s not make this complicated, OK? We like each other. It’s still new and exciting, and I’m not asking you for forever, here. I’m asking you to give me a chance. Let’s have fun together, light the sheets on fire, and not throw this out the window just because of semantics.”

  He rose from his chair and came around to her, kneeling in front of her and caressing her thighs. She couldn’t think when he touched her like this. She knew she should protest, just a little, but she’d suddenly forgotten why. And she wanted to be with him, wanted to feel his touch, sleep in his bed, hear his words of encouragement. She wanted to continue having the feelings of love and affection she felt while in his arms — whether hot and heavy in the bedroom or just cuddling on the beach. Was she asking for too much?

  Really, what would it hurt for her to stay another week or two? It wouldn’t alter her life in the least. It may even make her that much stronger in the end.

  “I don’t know…” she hedged, trying not to be rash.

  As if he’d already won, Crew smiled before standing up and pulling her into his arms. “Let me convince you, then,” he said as he lifted her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

  “I need to think, Crew,” she whispered as he set her on the bed.

  “No you don’t. Obviously you get poor ideas in your head when you try to reason out what the right choice is. Let me remind you of why you can’t leave,” he replied as he parted her robe and began nibbling on her neck.

  “Ohh,” she moaned, trying to focus but quickly losing the battle. The man did crazy things to her crazier mind, and that was fine by her.

  As he began moving his head down her body, she gave up any ideas of going “home.” Her heart was right here — at least for the moment.

  They didn’t make it out to see the bison…

  *****

  Haley kept checking the calendar, counting the days, and shaking her head in disbelief. August had hit and she was still with Crew.

  Marlin had told her that Crew was choosy about his women, that the scandals about him in the papers were made-up lies. Still, even Aunt Mae was surprised by the length of time that she and Crew had been together. He wasn’t known for long relationships. Should Haley still be afraid? He’d said nothing of a more permanent relationship, but he also didn’t seem in the least bit of a hurry for her to go. She had to make a decision about whether to get back to the real world or not, though. School started in a month. She needed to choose that or travel…

  Most mind-boggling of all was that he continued his lessons with her. She found small trinkets on the nightstand, flowers on the bathroom counter, her favorite coffee waiting for her when she woke up after he’d had to rush out and miss their breakfast together.

  The greatest present she’d received had been the day he’d taken her on his private boat to a secluded beach on the island. They’d had a picnic, and he presented her with a map he’d had made, then walked with her as she went on a treasure hunt.

  At the end of the hunt, she’d found an antique chest, and inside had been a beautiful old journal, antique sterling silver cup and hankie from the eighteen-hundreds. She’d treasure those items forever. Already, she’d spent countless hours poring over the words of the journal, tears falling as she read about the heartbreak of the woman writing in it when she’d lost her infant child.

  In this new age, it was hard to imagine that common ailments that we simply shrug off today could lead to death back then. Still, even though it broke her heart to read the words of this brave woman, she couldn’t put the gift down, knowing she’d treasure it forever.

  Twice, Crew had had to leave for a couple of days, and when he came back, he hadn’t been empty-handed, bringing her a glorious string of sapphires and gold that she refused to take off, and an anklet that was their own personal joke.

  He told her that if it had been the days of old, he’d have had her chained to his bed, where he could feast upon her day or night. She replied that she would be an open buffet for him any time he liked, no chains required. Still, each time she looked at the little lock on her ankle, she felt herself grow warm as she imagined what new adventure he’d take her on that night.

  The sex was otherworldly. Sometimes it was hot and passionate, with clothing shredded and flying in their passionate frenzy to fuse with each other. At other times, it was slow and sweet. He’d lick her all over while his hands caressed her heated skin. No matter how they made love, the crashing conclusion was always the same — explosions and fireworks and an afterglow that bonded her closer to him.

  But it couldn’t last. Haley knew that good things never did. Once a servant of her grandparents had given her a Pound Purrie, an adoptable “down on her luck” kitty found in a charity thrift shop. She’d loved that ratty, stained stuffed animal with all her starved soul. Then one day it just disappeared. OK, Crew couldn’t be likened to her grandparents. He was kind and attentive, but he was simply too wonderful, too good for her. The other shoe was poised to drop. After all, the Catalina Couture Resort was for sale, and there was a very interested buyer.

  But she had to be grateful. “Take this day as if it’s your last, Haley. Live, love, laugh,” she told her reflection in the mirror. To live truly happy for even a short time was so much better than to walk through life as an empty shell.

  There was no time to dwell on the future. She didn’t know what it would hold. All she knew for sure was that for today she was a happy person — carefree and with a terrific man. Well, she would be carefree and happy if she’d quit stressing over every little thing for ten seconds.

  Crew had business meetings all day long, so she planned to go shopping. The island wasn’t a place for good bargains — for that, you needed to go to the mainland — but laziness was seeping through her bones. She’d stroll the beaches and check out some of the gift shops here on the island, part of a private tour to take it all in before she moved back home.

  One thing she knew for sure was that her life was forever changed. She wouldn’t hide in the corner anymore, and she wouldn’t be afraid to go after what she wanted. Once she’d left Catalina Island behind, she would move forward, finish her degree and go on that dig someday. She wasn’t going to give up on herself ever again. Hey, maybe she’d even get a cute little house, or a nice apartment with access to a swimming pool.

  Wherever she ended up, she wa
s going to be a grown-up and make adult decisions. There was no need to keep being fearful she was this person her grandparents had convinced her she was — an abomination that no one wanted.

  Now that she’d had a small taste of security and love, she wanted it on a more permanent basis. Her grandparents’ taunts were a thing of the past; she wouldn’t let those people haunt her from the grave.

  Leaving the room with a smile on her face, and a future filled with endless opportunities, Haley pushed aside her fears of no tomorrow with Crew as she entered the lobby, then decided to go out the back door and walk to town by way of the beach. The breeze was a bit warm, but the waves were calling to her.

  Stepping onto the patio, she looked to the right and froze. Crew was standing in the center of a group of people with big smiles on their faces as a petite redhead had her arms wrapped tightly around him.

  With Haley’s jaw gaping open, she watched as the woman kissed him loudly on the cheek and then told him how much she’d missed him and civilized life. With a burst of laughter, Crew lifted her from the ground and spun her in a circle.

  After the initial shock, fire ran through Haley’s veins, and she fought the urge to rush forward and rip the girl’s hair out. How dare he humiliate her like this! No, she and Crew were not committed, there were no promises of forever, but he could have at least had the decency to end it with her before moving on to his next conquest.

  She’d certainly been giving him enough sex to appease ten men, and yet he’d still felt a need to cheat on her. She wanted to destroy both of them, then kick him so hard he’d never be able to please another woman.

  Before she could screech and act on her impulse, she took a fortifying breath and thought back to all the lessons he’d taught her on how to be more confident, how to make a man desire her so much, he couldn’t see straight.

  Squaring her shoulders, she strode into the small alcove, watching as Crew’s eyes lifted and met hers. The jerk didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed that he’d been so blatantly caught out.