“Do you at least believe me when I say, Elizabeth has done what she’s done? Regardless of the porn she was able to produce of the two of us?” I ask.
Tinsley presses her lips together, and then there’s a long silence between the two of us as she mulls over what I’ve said.
She sits in the middle of my king size bed.
“I’ll give you that,” Tinsley concedes.
“So?” I ask.
“So, what?” She responds.
“What about us?” I ask.
She looks out the window and then back at me, almost like she’s looking for a way out. “I’m just… I’m not sure anymore Noah. Things have been so complicated, and so messed up…”
“Your father practically approved of us,” I tell her.
“That doesn’t mean he’d be happy about us being together,” Tinsley shakes her head.
“Is that what’s most important to you?” I ask.
“No,” she automatically shakes her head. “But I can’t help it Noah, I feel guilty, I feel guilty that Elizabeth has done all of this to Ava. She didn’t deserve any of it and the fault is partially on me, at least.”
It’s an argument we’ve had before.
I don’t want to take part in another discussion about how my choice, choosing Tinsley over Elizabeth, could’ve possibly made Elizabeth do this.
The guilt of that would weigh too heavily on me.
The woman has been out of her mind for a long time, instead of simply talking like two rational adults and moving on she went and did all of this.
“Noah, think back, how old was Ava when everything first happened?” Tinsley pleads with me.
“Seventeen probably,” I guess.
“So that was before Elizabeth-” She starts.
“She’s been running this game for years,” I cut Tinsley off. “For all we know, she was planning to do this all along, you’re making too many assumptions here.”
Tinsley quiets because she knows I am right on some level.
“This doesn’t make it any easier,” Tinsley replies finally. “I still feel it Noah, the guilt.”
“Would you take it back?” I ask firmly.
“What?” her voice is tinged with confusion.
“Would you take it back?” I repeat. “Would you take back everything that happened that night? Would you take us back? Everything that happened between us?”
“Noah, of course not!” she cries
“Well then, I guess you’ve got to decide what’s more important. Moving forward, or living in the past,” I tell her as I sit on the bed. “We can’t change what happened, and I wouldn’t change us for the world. I know how selfish that is, but after all this time I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Tinsley mulls over this for a second, running a piece of hair between her fingers.
“Neither would I,” she admits. “Except the part where I almost married Connor.”
“That I would change,” I agree laughing.
Then Tinsley’s glorious laugh fills the room and I am filled with a sense of relief.
It’s so good to hear that laugh again, to hear her relaxed and sound happy.
We’ve been arguing ever since we left for Fiji, over every little thing because of the tension.
The tension over Ava, the situation, Corban, and let’s not forget Olivia and Elizabeth.
When you throw everything together I wouldn’t blame her if she wanted to walk away.
It seems like she does.
Then Tinsley lays back against the soft coverlet to stare up at the stars through the skylight.
“I think they really love each other,” Tinsley tells me. “I honestly believe they’re in love, even though they might not know it. They’re so fluid and natural together, it’s kind of incredible isn’t it?”
“It is,” I agree before I lay beside her.
She just doesn’t know what I do, about Corban.
If Tinsley knew she might think of this differently.
Then she slips her hand into mine and when I turn to look at her, there’s that familiar look of desire in her eyes.
I know we shouldn’t, but I can resist pressing my lips against hers as that familiar desire takes over me.
Chapter 13: Corban
May 10, 2017
I do as Ava says. If only because I still haven't told her the whole story, because explaining how I figured how that she is Isa is her mother will be another lie unless I can convince Noah to just, tell her the goddamned truth.
I need to tell her. I need to say to her that her mother is Elizabeth Darlington and that Elizabeth Darlington knows Noah.
Noah knows more than he's letting on.
She must be his daughter, I can’t see it any other way.
But I'm not sure.
Noah wasn't specific on what I could and couldn't say, I'm aware that Noah's secrets are his own, and it's not my place to share with Ava that she's possibly not just a Darlington, but Noah's daughter.
Thank god, my mother and Noah divorced years ago, and that they never had any children, or else this would be way more messed up.
More messed up than it already is.
Unfortunately, Ava's misdirected anger got me booted off the island.
Like a lone survivor, I am on my own, to deal with Rowan.
I don't get it.
By the time I woke up this morning, very much alone, all I wanted to do was go back, and I will, but for now I'm having breakfast in one of the main dining rooms alone.
I realize now this was a mistake, because Rowan is on the loose, and probably looking for vindication after yesterday's debacle.
Right on cue, I see her alone as she struts towards my table with a sure smile on her face.
I wave to her because she's going to join me if I extend an invitation or not.
“Care to join me?” I decide a peace offering is probably in everyone's best interests here.
“Why, how lovely of you to offer. Did your new wife abandon you already?” she sneers.
Rowan takes the empty seat across from me, leaving more than enough space between us, but she leans forward, showing her ample cleavage falling out of her tiny bikini top.
I know her breasts aren't real, and honestly, she doesn't appeal to me anymore.
I wonder if she ever did because the intensely passionate woman that Ava is turns all my gears in just the right places.
“She's quite the Spitfire,” Rowan sneers
“My thoughts exactly,” I smirk at Rowan, who seems to be turned on at everything I say.
“You told her my secret,” She tells me simply.
“I didn't tell her anything, at least I don't think I did. You never know what you're going to say, wrapped up between the sheets,” My voice is low and seductive; I enjoy playing with Rowan, she was always fun to fuck with, not so much fun to fuck.
Rowan orders and I tell the waitress to put it on my room.
“And you don't miss me in the slightest?” She bats her long eyelashes.
“Not an inch,” I smirk again, my cock is completely flaccid. “If you knew what my wife, was like in bed, you wouldn't miss you either,” I wink at her, as the waitress returns with Rowan's mimosa and grapefruit with a cherry garnish.
“So, you love her then?” Rowan asks.
She looks bored.
“I do,” And this isn't a lie.
Maybe I haven't exactly said the words to Ava, but I’m fairly certain this is love.
It's clear to me now that I'm not ready to let her go, not now, and now for the foreseeable future.
What can I offer Ava?
To have and to hold for the foreseeable future?
She deserves more than that.
Especially if I lose everything.
If I am right, and she's Noah's long-lost daughter, she's Ava Darlington-Stone, and she can do way better than a broken little Winthrop, even if she does want me.
Everything was hinged on this trip, and now I'm about to blow it all.
Blow it all because of Ava.
She's worth it though.
We're going to end up in more deep shit if I don't get it together, but now with Rowan here?
If there's even a lick of possibility that Isa decides to fuck us all, my house of cards falls, and she might choose just to burn Ava anyway.
I don't want Noah to have to step in because of me.
Ava can be used as leverage against me, but not against Noah.
Noah Stone is unbreakable.
“So, Clint had nothing to do with this?” Rowan asks, a glint in her eye, and suddenly I know exactly what she's talking about.
“What did you have to do with Clint? Or did you get paid to fuck him?” I narrow my eyes at her.
I know exactly what is going on here.
“So that's how I know Ava,” Rowan smirks, biting the cherry of its stem. “You paid her.”
“You work for Isa,” I say the words slowly.
Suddenly it all makes sense.
“Bingo. So now, you know what I'm about to tell you?” Rowan sneers.
The odds that Rowan doesn't already know what I've done are slim. She's here for my head of course.
“You were the reason Clint racked up all the debt, weren't you? You got him gambling again?” I pause for effect, so she thinks I'm not ten steps ahead.
I watch her nod and smile at me.
This isn't some delicious secret. This is ridiculous.
“And that's why I'm here. To save my business, because I made a deal with Isa, to break Ava for her, so she didn't have to. So, Ava would go back to her,” I infer further.
“Now that we're both on the same page, can we get to the part where you ask me what I want for my silence?” Rowan pouts her overly plump lips at me.
I make a mental note to burn her as fast as I can and talk to Noah.
“What do you want?” I ask.
I don’t really care, but I should.
Noah knows what I did.
Ava could be his daughter.
He's willing to help me anyway?
I count my blessings that Noah has been there for me all my life and understands that people make mistakes.
“I want you to undo what she did,” Rowan demands.
“I'll do a press release. As soon as this is done. I don't want to hurt her any more than I already have,” I wave a hand.
No one is going to care about her fake blue eyes once her life blows up.
I intend on making sure of that.
“As long as it gets done. Fast,” She downs the mimosa, leaving the rest untouched.
I'm left sitting there in shock after she leaves.
My secret isn't so secret.
I am sure that Noah knows everything, and he is just waiting for me to tell him everything.
I know now that I need to leave Ava alone for the rest of the day so that I can maintain my composure.
Noah and I need to speak.
I need to move but I can't, because my body is cold, I feel frozen.
I'm going to lose Ava.
PART TWO
Chapter 14: Ava
May 11, 2017
With Corban absent, Tinsley's sincere invitation to join me on Noah's mega yacht is met with gratitude on my part because I've been surrounded by men.
Tinsley is stunning, her skin is browned by the sun and she looks almost Brazilian even if she is part Italian.
Her hazel eyes go well with her brown hair, though she tells me the blonde highlights are new because she needed a change after the last few months.
I wholeheartedly support the change because they go so well with her hazel eyes and the tone of her skin.
She's tall too, she could easily be walking the runways in Milan or New York.
“You could be a model,” I comment.
Tinsley shrugs. “That was never my interest, once I got my degree I was intent on saving the world, until my father interfered and I lost my job,” she sighs.
“Your father?” I give her quizzical look.
“Yes,” She studies me for a moment. “I’m going to tell you the truth but keep this between us or Noah will go into a rage.”
I can only nod.
“I was consulting for a rival energy company, just been promoted. However, if I was to be engaged to Connor, that wouldn’t work. My father said he wanted to move my trust around, and then suddenly he’d bought me a seat on the Whittaker energy board, and I was toast,” She admits.
“Oh god, that’s terrible!” I exclaim.
“It’s done,” She waves a hand.
She’s content right now.
She looks perfectly at home, lounging in luxury as she sips her water, a giant pair of sunglasses covering her eyes.
“I love your sunglasses,” I comment.
“These are from one of those street sellers in Italy. Knock-offs. But I've had them for years now. I got four pairs for five euros; you can't beat that.”
Tinsley is a mix of designer and thrifty, she doesn't like to spend money if she doesn't have to and her genuine personality is refreshing.
Refreshing as the plate of fruit she's had set out on the polished wood table.
“So, you and Corban,” Tinsley begins. “A spur of the moment, wonderful love story I can dream about?”
“Yes,” I smile because at least part of that is correct.
A portion of me obviously cares for the man deeply because I still miss him, even now being away from him, space is nice, but I do miss his presence.
Even if I am angry.
Then she says something I am not prepared for.
“Noah told me, how you met,” she smiles
“Oh?” I try to hide my shock. “I didn’t realize he knew.”
“Noah knows everything,” Tinsley replies.
“Well yeah, Corban hired me,” I admit. “Things just progressed, it was funny because this was supposed to be my last job, and we just clicked.”
“That's amazing,” Tinsley grins. “It's funny how things like that happen, one second he’s your best friend, and the next you fall in love.”
She’s not talking about Corban and I.
“Are you thinking about having children?” Tinsley asks, changing the subject.
“You know it's funny, I never thought about it. I never thought about me being a mother,” I admit.
“Maybe someday,” Her smile is infectious, as is her good mood.
You can tell there's something sad in her eyes, but hidden behind the sunglasses, she just looks like a happy young woman.
“I always figured I would have a big family. I don’t even know where I’m going at the moment,” Tinsley confesses.
“Become a nun?” My suggestion is a joke, and we both laugh.
“Maybe,” Both of her perfectly manicured eyebrows raise above her sunglasses. “I was this geeky little teenager you know, before? With glasses and braces, and I didn't know what tweezers were.”
I laugh. “So was I! But without the braces and the glasses. I was always a little odd. The dark one they used to call me, with my head in a book.”
“Me too!” Tinsley reaches across the table to high five me, some of her water spilling down her body.
In this heat, it doesn't matter because it's refreshing and I pour half my water bottle over my head.
“Swim?” Tinsley suggests, and we both decide to dive off the back of the yacht.
Jumping into water is blissful, and we can't resist paddling around until we're pruning nice and good.
Only then Tinsley lifts herself up on the end of the boat, and I follow her, still curious about her broken engagement.
She doesn't seem to be the least bit heartbroken. We sit on the back, dangling our legs over the water, in silence.
“So, what is the story?” I ask quietly. “I mean, girl to girl since it's just us. You seem like you, need someone to talk to. Since you went away with Noah, judging the situation,” I decide to offer more. “Considering my life lately, it's not like I ha
ve no one to talk to anyway either.”
Tinsley crosses her legs.
Does she look to be about twenty-two maybe?
A little younger than me?
Isa would have a field day with her.
“The hardest part is everyone knowing he married my best friend,” Tinsley says.
“What about you?” I nudge her, looking out over the endless expanse of crystal clear water, it almost clears your mind.
“Connor wasn't the one. We dated for years,” She explains carefully. “He asked me to marry him, and I said yes because I had to. We were always supposed to be together, according to our parents, so it was only natural that it happened. But there was always Noah, he’s always been in my life,” Tinsley smiles.
I nod, this part is obvious. I feel like they'd both be in trouble if anyone found out.
“About a month ago, a week before the wedding I called it off. I knew nothing about his marriage until the day we were supposed to get married. Lucius found out what was happening because they put it in the Times, the freaking announcement,” Tinsley laughs again.
“Lucius?” I ask.
“Noah's head of security at the company,” Tinsley explains. “He found out about the wedding announcement and I was more bothered by the humiliation. Even then I don’t think I cared.”
“So, it was basically arranged?” I guess.
Tinsley nods. “It was arranged, I’ve been tricked into doing things my entire life, but this time I just couldn’t do it, I couldn’t marry Connor. I don’t even care that he married my best friend because now she has to deal with him, as her husband,” She shakes her head.
“I just feel bad for her, I’m not angry with her, I know the kind of man Connor is,” Tinsley adds.
This makes me realize that I could sense something was wrong with Corban the whole time, and yet I didn't bother to ask.
Just like I had a feeling about Isa.
Oh god.
I'm mad at him for nothing.
“Jesus,” I sigh.
“What?” Tinsley looks confused.
“I got mad at my husband for telling me something, and it wasn't his fault,” I laugh harshly at myself. “It was information he was just passing along. He just didn't tell me right away, but I don't blame him.”
Tinsley pauses thoughtfully for a moment, as if she’s going to say something and changes her mind.
Exposure_A Stone Billionaire Series Novel Page 12
