Reverse psychology worked every time. But he admired her strength and couldn’t help but grin at her renewed spirit. That was the young girl he’d met, surviving needles and tests and more at the hospital while his father hovered over her ill stepmother, not his petite daughter.
Tyler was glad to see that spunk still lived inside her. He found it easier to focus on this side of Ella than the vulnerable woman who’d pulled away from him in bed. He hated knowing that he’d hurt her, and even more, that the pain had stuck with her all these years. There was a lot he didn’t know about Ella and the woman she’d become. Any time his sister spoke of her, Tyler tuned her out, not wanting to deal with the lie between him and Avery or the self-loathing he always experienced because of how he’d behaved afterwards.
But now, he had an opening. Apology given, he could try, at least, to put his own guilt aside and deal with Ella as a woman. A woman he still had extremely hot chemistry with. A woman he both liked and admired. And a woman he wanted to get to know better. Shit.
Pushing those thoughts aside to deal with back home, he refocused on getting them out of here. While Ella retrieved her toiletries from the bathroom and packed them too, Tyler checked the drawers and closet, although all were open and nothing left inside.
A little while later, she’d emptied the hotel safe and packed things up, adding them to her bags. She slid one particular piece, a long necklace, over her head, a blue item that resembled an amulet, and patted it against her chest. “Now I’m ready,” she said, her hazel eyes alight with excitement. She was as ready to blow this joint as he was.
“We just need to check out.”
They stopped at the front desk, where an older woman sat behind the counter. “All set?” she asked.
Ella nodded, placing a pair of sunglasses on top of her head.
“There’s no charge to either of you for last night’s room. Between the storm and the robbery, we’re just so sorry you had an unpleasant stay on our island.”
“We appreciate that,” Tyler said. Considering they hadn’t had a solid meal, he was glad he didn’t have to argue about paying.
“I need to close out my account for the earlier part of my trip,” Ella said.
“Our computers aren’t working today. I’m going to have to mail you the bill,” she said regretfully. “It’ll go on the credit card you left when you checked in. Any issues, just give us a call.”
“I will.”
“Do you need a ride to the airport?” the clerk asked.
“We do,” he said, all too eager to leave.
The clerk gestured to a man sitting by a desk near the door. “Matteo can help you.”
“I’ll be right back,” Tyler said, heading over to arrange their transportation and returning almost immediately. “He said a cab would be here any minute.”
“Okay, I’m ready.” Ella reached for her luggage, but he beat her to it, grabbing the handle.
“Before you go, I just want to say that I love your necklace,” the woman behind the desk said.
Ella lifted the blue amulet trimmed in gold. “Thank you. It was part of the photo shoot. My boss asked me to make sure it got home. I figure my best bet is to wear it.”
The desk clerk leaned over the counter, and Ella let her look more closely at the piece while Tyler tapped his foot with impatience. Though he had sisters and should be used to discussions about jewelry and makeup, it was because he’d grown up with two females that he lacked a healthy tolerance for it.
“You know, it looks like a replica of an item stolen from a museum on the island years ago.”
He perked up at the word stolen. Part of the job, he supposed.
“Legend has it that one of the earlier kings had it designed for his cousin’s bride. It was part of a collection in the national museum until it was stolen. There have been replicas floating around for years.”
“I didn’t know it had such history attached to it. That’s fascinating,” Ella murmured, eyes twinkling as she studied the necklace. “I’ll have to look into it some more when I get home.”
The woman smiled. “You should do that. It’s interesting. Anyway, Matteo’s gesturing for you. Your cab’s here. Have a safe trip back.”
“Thank you,” he and Ella said at the same time.
They stowed the bags and climbed into the cab, and the driver, a chatty man, explained that the island had escaped the worst of the hurricane, experiencing some power outages and minimal damage.
They just weren’t equipped for heavy outages, and the hotel, a place with only thirty-eight rooms, had lost phone service. And the help had left to head to their homes, Tyler thought, his stomach growling.
“Hungry?” Ella asked with a grin.
“Starving. I hope Ian has the plane well stocked because I could eat a horse,” he muttered.
“Ahh, to be rich and famous,” she said with a laugh.
“Rich. Thank God I’m not the famous one in the family.” He shuddered at the thought. “My father brought enough notoriety on us as kids to last a lifetime.” A mistress, a second family … the kids at school had had a field day bullying the Dares. Until Ian, Scott, and Tyler had stood up for themselves and their sisters. Nobody had bothered the Dares ever again.
“I’m sorry. That was a tactless joke.”
“You don’t have to censor your words around me. It is what it is. Or was. We’ve all come to terms with it.”
“Have you?” she asked, staring too perceptively into his eyes with understanding that made him want to confide in her.
He’d just run through all his faults hours earlier. He had no desire to do it again. “Not really,” he heard himself saying, admitting it because she’d asked and he wanted her to know. “But it’s too long to discuss on a short cab ride.”
“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.” And with that, she respected his wishes and closed her eyes, shutting out him and the world.
Ella leaned her head back, resting, but he could tell from the strain around her mouth she was in more pain than she let on. Unable to help himself, he slid his hand over hers, meaning to comfort. The spark of desire he felt on touching her was undeniable, and his cock jerked in response to the heated feel of her soft skin.
Her lashes fluttered open, and she turned her head, meeting his gaze, the flow of awareness between them strong.
“We’re here,” the cab driver said, breaking the sensual spell.
Tyler glanced out the window as he pulled into the large area of the airport where private planes were stowed.
Another cab pulled up close behind them. Too close, and hit the cab’s back bumper. Their taxi driver let out a string of curses. “He’s been following too close ever since we left the hotel, the bastard.”
Tyler narrowed his gaze. He wasn’t one for coincidences, and between Ella’s mugging, her hotel room break-in, and now this, he wanted to get her off the island immediately. Even if this incident had nothing to do with her, and it probably didn’t, his senses were tingling and everything felt off. He’d be happier when they were back in the U.S. and this island and her nightmare were behind them.
The driver hopped out of the car and confronted the other driver.
“Wait here,” Tyler said. He exited the vehicle and looked around, assuring himself that it seemed to be just an accident before returning to help Ella out of the car.
“We need our bags,” he said to the driver, interrupting his angry tirade. The bumper tap was just that, no damage, and it was easy to pop the trunk and get their luggage. Tyler paid, tipped the man, and left him to his issues.
They entered a small building, where they checked in and were surrounded by more people than Tyler had expected. He clasped Ella’s hand and held on tight, keeping her by his side, all the while his gut twisting uncomfortably.
“Tyler?”
“It’s fine. Just stick close,” he said, unwilling to explain the unexplainable.
Finally, they headed out onto the tarmac, where a
man in a golf cart drove them to Ian’s fueled and waiting plane. They boarded and headed home, but Tyler remained uneasy.
* * *
The private jet was a luxury unknown to Ella. From the discreet flight attendant catering to their every need to the plush seats and room to walk around, she was overwhelmed and out of her element. Add the concussion and events of the last forty-eight hours, and no sooner had she settled into the comfy chair and buckled in than she tipped her head back and fell asleep.
She woke up to find Tyler studying her intently.
“I hope I wasn’t snoring,” she said, uncomfortably aware of how alone they were in the cabin. How alone they’d been in the hotel room, and what had almost happened between them. What she still wanted to happen, despite knowing better.
He grinned. “That’s my secret to keep.”
She blushed, feeling the heat rush to her face.
“We’re landing soon,” he said. “I left my SUV at the airport, so I’ll drive you home.”
She glanced out the window at the clear blue skies and the ocean below. Soon enough, she’d be seeing the shoreline of Miami. Of home. Reality. “I think I’ve put you out enough. I can take a cab.”
“Ella.” He placed a hand on her bare knee, below the hem of her skirt, his warm touch a brand on her flesh. “I said I’d take you home,” he said in that commanding voice so common to the Dare men.
And when Tyler used that tone, everything inside Ella stilled, compelled to listen. She shivered at his touch, but her mind wasn’t on her physical reaction but the emotional one.
She wasn’t used to anyone looking out for her in any way.
She’d had a family once, and then her mom had died of a stroke when Ella was five. After that, it was just Ella and her dad, until he’d met and married Janice Freeman when Ella was eight. At first she’d been excited to have another woman in the house. She’d missed her mom and having someone to talk to, shop, and do things with like her friends did with their moms. But Janice was a cold woman with no interest in having a daughter. She’d had her twelve-year-old son, Drew, and didn’t need another child. To this day, Ella wasn’t sure why the two had married, but she marked it as the day her relationship with her father had ended.
Harry Shaw had doted on his new wife, spent time making his stepson happy, and when Janice was diagnosed with cancer, he’d done as he’d been doing for the last two years, put his wife’s needs before his only daughter’s. After visiting her comatose mother in the hospital, Ella was petrified of hospitals and anything doctor-related, especially needles. Even so, he hadn’t looked far for the bone marrow donor, zeroing in on a frightened, lonely little girl to do the right thing when Janice’s son wasn’t a match.
The irony was, Janice hadn’t appreciated the sacrifice. Having received a second chance, after she’d recovered, she’d dumped Harry Shaw for a younger, wealthier man in her zeal to really live.
Had Harry stepped up and become Ella’s parent then? No, he’d chosen to give his affection to alcohol instead. Nothing had been able to stop his downward spiral, not even a thirteen-year-old child who needed him. And a year later, after a devastating car crash, he was found guilty of Drunk Driving Vehicular Homicide, and was now serving time in jail. The aunt Ella had gone to live with was a widow with no children, who mostly left Ella alone. Was it any wonder her vacations with Avery and the Dare family had been a fairy tale and dream come true for Ella?
But given her life, was she used to anyone worrying if she went home by herself? Taking care of her when she was sick? No, she was not. She didn’t know what to make of the fact that Tyler wanted to be there for her now.
But from the determined look in his eyes and the set of his jaw, he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
So she went from the private jet to the luxury passenger seat of his black Range Rover. The truck smelled like Tyler, his musky masculine scent and distinctive cologne something she’d recognize in the dark, or blindfolded. He made a few calls while they drove, catching up with his business, and she watched the palm trees go by as they headed for her apartment.
At this point, she didn’t know if her life was a dizzying blur because of the concussion or Tyler Dare’s persistent presence.
He parked in a visitor’s spot and headed inside. As he rolled her suitcase down the hall, he turned to her. “You never got a roommate after Avery moved in with Grey?”
She shook her head. “I’m looking but I’m picky. I’m fortunate that my boss is generous, but I’m going to have to pull the trigger soon or move.” She was about to dig into her purse for her keys when she remembered. “My keys were in my purse, which was stolen.” She slumped against the wall, frustration overtaking her.
“Good thing I’m ahead of you,” he said, knocking on her door. “Avery had the locks changed today. She has a set of keys for you inside.”
“You’re back!” Avery flung the door open and threw herself at Ella, pulling her into the tightest hug she’d ever experienced.
To her mortification, tears filled her eyes, and she broke down for the first time since the mugging and waking up all alone in the hospital in St. Lucia.
* * *
Tyler never knew what to do when a woman cried, and given he’d been raised with two sisters, he had plenty of experience. Though he should be used to it, he found himself emotionally wrecked by Ella’s tears, affected by her pain, both of which told him there was more to him wanting to be with her than a sexual fling. Again, none of which he could allow to matter.
He studied his sister, her dark hair highlighted with blonde, wearing a strappy dress and flat sandals, in stark contrast with Ella, her light brown hair shorter than Avery’s, her outfit more casual. He couldn’t tear his gaze from Ella’s trembling form. Even as he wondered what the hell it was about her that had always gotten past his barriers, he already knew. He had a pattern of behavior that could only hurt her if they got emotionally involved.
As he liked to point out to himself, if only so he never forgot it, when things got tough, Tyler ran instead of facing his problems head on. And though he was home now, trying to prove he’d learned from the past, before he told any woman, especially Ella, she could count on him for the long haul, he needed to know he not only meant it but that he could act on his intentions.
Otherwise he’d be left with one more unresolved issue, one more person he’d screwed with his behavior. No better than his father, no better than Jack Gibson, his fellow soldier and friend who’d gone AWOL and, in doing so, gotten himself killed, leaving Serena and their baby daughter behind.
He glanced at the women as Avery hugged Ella one more time. “Let’s go inside.”
“Good idea. Is Grey here?” Tyler asked, eager to move along from their emotional reunion and the introspection it inspired.
“He’s home getting ready for our trip to L.A. He’s recording this week, remember?” she asked, as they stepped into the apartment and she shut the door behind them.
He parked Ella’s rolling bag against the wall, and she headed straight for the sofa in the living room, falling into it with a thud.
“Ouch,” she muttered, bracing her head in her hands. “That wasn’t a smart move.”
He winced. Having had a concussion, he could imagine her pain.
“Can I get you anything?” Avery asked.
“No. I just really appreciate everything you did for me, sending Tyler down and being here now.” She reached out and squeezed Avery’s hand.
“Do you think I’d leave you stranded?” Avery blinked back tears. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Now, I brought a bag, and I can stay tonight and even the night after, but I’m leaving in two days, and we’re going to have to make sure you’re taken care of.” Avery not-so-subtly looked Tyler in the eye.
He coughed, unprepared for what she was insinuating—that he continue to look out for Ella and the fact that Avery would be okay with it.
“No!” Ella pushed herself up on the sofa. “You go home to Gre
y and pack for your trip. You’ve been looking forward to traveling with him for this new recording session, and nothing is going to ruin it. I’m a big girl, and I’ve been taking care of myself for a while now. I’ll be fine.”
Avery turned on her full-fledged pout. “Well, you know I’m not going to let you fall back into ultra-independent mode. Not when you’ve been through so much. What if you don’t feel well in the middle of the night, or you get dizzy? Tyler, tell her I’m right.”
“He’ll do no such thing,” Ella said before Tyler could get a word in between the two bickering women. “The doctor released me from the hospital, so he must have been sure it was safe.”
“He released you into Tyler’s care. You said yourself they wouldn’t let you leave alone.”
“The danger period has passed.” She shot Tyler a pleading look.
“What if I promise to come by after work tomorrow and check on her?” he heard himself suggesting to his sister. Giving himself the opening he needed to see Ella again.
Avery sighed. “Well, if that’s all I’ll get out of you two stubborn people, I’ll take it. But I’m calling to check on you before bedtime. And as soon as I wake up in the morning.”
“Deal,” Ella said quickly, obviously before Avery changed her mind and insisted on a full-time babysitter again.
She gave Tyler a grateful look, piercing him with those doe eyes, and he didn’t want to leave.
Instead, knowing it was smarter, he straightened, preparing to head out. “Can I get you anything before I go?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You’ve done so much. More than anyone’s done for me before.”
This wasn’t the first time, on the island and again now, that she’d alluded to the fact that she was used to being on her own. He came from a big family where people stepped up for each other. When he was younger, he’d always had his siblings and his parents around him, his mother as a constant presence, his father as a larger-than-life icon until that idolization had been blown to smithereens.
When Tyler had taken off to be on his own, it was by choice. He couldn’t imagine being alone out of necessity, and his gut told him that was what had happened to Ella. He was aware of vague details about her past, that her mother had died when she was young, her father had remarried, she’d given bone marrow to her stepmom, and her father was now in prison. Beyond that, there was little he knew about her personal life.
Dare to Take (Dare to Love #6) Page 4
