Chapter 21 #2
I feel weak at the knees. My legs are going to go.
‘Move it along, lovebirds,’ bellows Bran. ‘We need to be at the Mule Station in twenty minutes.’
I have a million questions to ask. They are all the same version of what happens now?
Matteo smiles at me. It lights up his whole face. He has a quiet confidence about him, an intelligent, curious expression ever-present in his eyes. He thinks this whole marriage, this whole trip, is bonkers because he’s sane and normal and lovely. I must try to reflect that in my own behaviour.
Luke catches up to me while we are being paired up with our horses for the next part of the safari. We are trekking across the forest area to the east of the canyon. A minibus ferried us to a huge hunting-lodge-style wooden motel-slash-café-slash-gift-shop-slash-excursion pit stop.
‘I’m sorry,’ he says with a pained expression. ‘I’m sorry I came here. I realise now it was a mistake.’ He scrubs a hand over his face with a sigh. ‘A big fucking mistake.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I knew you were coming to Las Vegas and I took the job on purpose.’ Luke stares down at the ground. ‘That was so wrong of me.’
‘We all make mistakes,’ I say bluntly. I don’t want Matteo to see us talking. Not when he’s so pissed off with Luke. ‘Forgive yourself and move on.’
‘Help me make it right,’ he says, his voice losing its usual power, his eyes pleading. ‘I’ll do anything. I don’t want to die. You have to call the hit off.’
‘Sssshhh,’ I say quickly. ‘And I did not put a hit out on you. Jesus. It was an accident. Not even mine. It was… It doesn’t matter whose fault it was. We’ll sort it. Just try and stay out of my way.’ We both happen to notice Matteo throwing a hard look Luke’s way.
‘I get it. I’ll book myself on to the first flight out of here,’ he says in earnest. ‘I promise. I’ll never pursue this again.
I got carried away by my feelings for you, but I can see that you and him…
’ He indicates Matteo. ‘Well, you’re married to someone else so that’s that.
But I hope this hasn’t put you off working with me again. ’
He stands, hands in shorts, peering at the ground.
‘To be honest, it has. We absolutely can’t work together. I’m going to resign from the Sinfonia when I get back. I’m sure I’ll get a chance to sing with another orchestra. Our last tour wasn’t such a disaster. They might still give me a good reference.’
Crestfallen, he puffs out a long breath. ‘I’m sorry. If anyone should resign, it’s me. I’ve been a spoiled, over-privileged brat all my life. It’s time I grew up and took responsibility for it.’ He puts a hand to his breastbone. ‘Please forgive me.’
A quick dip of his head and he’s gone. I see him move to the front of the queue. He leans towards Liberty and the two remain deep in conversation. She throws me a half-smile when he’s finished and gives me a thumbs up. Our troubles are nearly over.
A movement at my side causes me to turn. Matteo is astride a horse, feet in stirrups, muscular thighs gripping the flanks, strong hands holding the reins, a moody gleam in his eyes. Jesus wept. Could he be any sexier?
‘Ready?’
Under his watchful gaze, I make a haphazard mess of trying to mount my steed. I’m burning with embarrassment when he slides easily from his horse and walks it over to help me. He ties it to the wooden rail and saunters towards me.
‘May I?’
‘You may.’
We’ve been here before. Matteo holds me steady while I grab hold of the saddle and hook my ridiculous sandal in the stirrup. He is standing very close behind me, his hands gripping my waist. I’m going to positively evaporate if his hands go any lower or higher.
‘What was all that about?’ he says in a low voice. ‘Was he bothering you?’
I shake my head. ‘The opposite.’
Matteo gives me a quizzical look.
‘He’s going to get on the first flight out of here tonight. He’s going to resign from the Sinfonia.’
I swish my ponytail from my neck, exposing it to him. I bite my lower lip enticingly and blink slowly at him. It’s as though a spark has been ignited.
‘Please don’t,’ he says in a low groan that only I can hear. His eyes skim my body. I’m wearing tiny Barbie hot pants and a bra top. With one fluid move, he hoists me up onto my steed.
I watch him mount his own and pull it round to my side.
‘Okay then. One down, one to go,’ I say, smiling at him. ‘We might just get a night to ourselves after all.’
‘I can’t wait,’ he says, smiling at me. ‘I’ll try to make another reservation for Caesars Palace.’
His phone buzzes.
My chest tightens as he pulls it out of his pocket.
He throws his head up to the sky with a sigh. ‘Birdie suddenly has another job offer. She’s leaving tonight.’
‘But that’s great, isn’t it?’
‘It means we need to bring the completion date forward for the record we’re working on. She wants me to go back to LA with her to finish it.’
‘She wants you to leave tonight?’ My whole stomach drops. ‘That’s so out of order.’
‘Either I leave with her or she pulls the plug on the whole deal.’