Chapter 25
ANDREW
I slept fitfully in my childhood bedroom and finally woke around seven when my phone rang. I reached around, fumbling in the dark since I was half asleep.
“Good morning, love.”
My sleepy body was wide awake once that sexy British accent hit my ear.
“Ro, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Well, not really. I fucking miss you, but it won’t be long now.”
I ran a hand over my face and sat up in my bed, the sheets tangling around my waist. “I’m sorry I freaked out and left.”
“It’s all right, I understand given your past. And I think we were both in shock yesterday.”
“To put it mildly, yes. But I’m not running away. My mother gave me some tough love when I got here.”
“Did she? What did she say?”
“That I should’ve waited until my contract was over before we got together. Oops. And she told me not let this press racket ruin our future, and finally, she wants to talk to you as soon as possible.” I threw out the last part to see if Rowan would cut and run. Or hang up on me, in this case.
“Well, you can tell her that one, she’s right, but oops again. As to the second, I agree wholeheartedly, and finally, I’ll have my plane ready and waiting for her.”
“I’ll let her know.” I smiled. “What happened with Kayla?”
“I fired her and kicked her off the ship. She threatened to go to the media again, but I’m preparing to sue her for breaching the NDA.”
“Holy fuck!”
“Exactly. I had a long chat with my solicitor, Aiden Barstock, after I fired her. He arrived late last night, and now he’s busy getting me prepped for a virtual news conference I’m hosting.
I have to tell my side of the story to the public to settle things down.
And I need to talk to you about what I’m going to say.
Like your mother, Aiden is not happy with me right now, and by the way, he is currently having you investigated.
It’s a formality given my wealth, but unfortunately, a necessity. ”
“I have nothing to hide, so investigate away.”
“And Aiden would like to meet you. He’s a friend in addition to acting as my legal counsel. I’m sure you’ll find him highly amusing. He’s like a mouthy shark, highly intelligent but deadly in any argument, and he has absolutely no tact. Be forewarned.”
“No problem. I’ve got a pretty sharp mouth myself.”
“I love your mouth. I miss it. I miss you.” Rowan sighed. “Fuck, where was I? Oh yes, I’ll give a statement to the press that summarizes how you and I met, that we are in love, that you no longer work for me, and to please, please leave us alone.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you’ll be a bit more detailed than that.”
“Not really. The less said the better. I want this over with so we can move on.”
“Speaking of which,” I started. “I did a lot of thinking last night after I talked to my parents. I’ve decided to move to Florida. That way I’m closer to you in the winter months.”
“The Florida Keys?”
“Maybe. I’d have to look into the housing market.”
“Or maybe you could come live with me in a newly renovated historic house that needs your warmth and charm?” Rowan suggested.
I chuckled. “I think we need some normal boy meets boy stuff before we take on the shared living space. And, I’ve got to pay off my debt and get my company up and running.”
“Let me get rid of your debt so you can start over, without stress.”
“Rowan…”
“If we’re going to commit to each other, then you have to get used to the idea that I’m going to spoil you in every way I can.”
“I’m used to paying my own way.”
“I know, but for now, let me share the financial burden with you. I want you focused solely on achieving your dreams. Please.”
I shook my head and smiled. “Is there any point in arguing?”
“Not in this case.”
“What can I say to that except thank you. Your support means everything to me.”
I was lightheaded and still getting used to the fact that Rowan and I were really going to make a go of this.
From hiding our feelings about each other to the possibility of living together.
I forgot that Rowan was relentless when he wanted something.
And what he wanted was me. The very thought made me hot all over.
“And I’m happy with whatever living arrangements you’re comfortable with. If you want to find your own place for now, I understand,” he said.
“When are you holding the press conference?” I asked.
“This afternoon at three. Aiden is expecting at least a dozen reporters to dial in.”
“Are you still docked in Anguilla?”
“Yes. By the way, Aiden is sending an American colleague of his to visit you today, to be on hand when the media storm erupts. I’d like to hire private security as well to ensure you and your family are safe.”
“I won’t say no to that. I’ve already been inundated with calls and messages and so have my folks. There are probably reporters camped outside but I haven’t checked yet.” I paused. “But I have another idea. How soon can you fuel up one of your planes?”
“I’d have to contact the pilot, probably an hour or two at most.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but can you arrange it to be here in Atlanta around 10 AM?”
“I’ll make it happen.”
“Good, tell Aiden to get ready because he’s going to have a second guest at the press conference to prep.”
“Are you sure you want to do that, love?”
“Being with you means I better get used to this sort of thing. No time like the present, sweetheart. But I would like to have security here, on hand, for my parents.”
“Of course, send me their details, and it will be arranged,” Rowan replied and then sighed. “I can’t wait to see you, love. We’ll get through this together, I promise.”
“I’ll see you soon Rowan. I love you.”
“I love you more.”
ROWAN
“Run through it again,” Aiden barked at me. He’d helped me craft the joint statement that Andrew and I would offer the press, but he kept revising it, and after the tenth draft, I was ready to jump overboard.
“Andrew will be here shortly, so why don’t we wait until he arrives and run through it together?”
“Fine. But in the meantime, I need another drink. Preferably one that has ninety five percent gin and five percent tonic this time. Make that two.”
We lounged on the sundeck. Or rather, Aiden relaxed on a lounger, and I paced back and forth in front of him.
“Stop parading around, Ro, he’ll be here. Jesus, I hope I never catch what you have. Love has turned you into a high-strung dramatist. You and Andrew could star in your own fucking film.”
“I’ll stop pacing if you stop acting like a wanker. This scrum will put Andrew in the public eye from now on, so naturally I’m worried about how it will affect him. And us.”
“If he’s everything you say he is, he will handle it. And handle you. The sooner the better on the latter.”
“What if he changes his mind and decides I’m not worth the trouble? I don’t know if my heart could take it.”
Aiden rolled his eyes, stood up, and handed his drink over to me. “Down the hatch. Now.”
“No. I need a clear head.”
“You need to relax. One thing at a time.”
I downed the rest of Aiden’s drink and set the glass down on the table.
“I’ll relax when I see Andrew.”
“I guess we finally got our timing right.” A familiar voice echoed behind me, and I turned suddenly to find the object of my one and only desire standing near the stairs.
It was crazy, really, since it had only been thirty-three hours since we’d been in each other’s arms, but it felt like a fucking lifetime.
Dark, beautiful eyes surveyed me slowly.
I wasted no time rushing over to Andrew, pulling him into my embrace, and taking his mouth in a passionate kiss that I needed more than my next breath.
Everything in my life made sense when Andrew was in my arms. Where he belonged.
I refused to let go until he slowly pulled back and chuckled.
“Save that for later, sweetheart. I think someone’s trying to get your attention.”
I reluctantly let go of his mouth but kept one arm around his waist. Aiden was shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
“Andrew, this is Aiden Barstock, my solicitor extraordinaire and occasional friend,” I said with a smirk.
“Aiden meet Andrew Slater, the love of my life.” Andrew squeezed my waist and leaned in to steal another kiss.
Now that Andrew and I were committed to being together, I was holding nothing back.
Aiden responded by leaning over the railing, making retching noises. “It’s not motion sickness, Ro, it’s you two. Please stop that vomit-inducing dialogue until I leave.”
Andrew burst out laughing, and I knew right there that these two would become fast friends. My Andrew befriended everyone, so I was not surprised.
“I promise to control myself, Aiden, but I can’t guarantee about Ro. You should see his text messages; he can co-write those romance novels with his aunt now.”
Aiden’s responding boom of laughter was a welcome sound.
“Cheeky,” I whispered against Andrew’s lips. “And you love my text messages.”
“Enough. Let’s get down to business. We have a press conference in an hour,” Aiden barked.
Aiden was right, so I reluctantly let go of Andrew, and we all sat down to review the plan.
Andrew asked a lot of detailed questions about how and what we should say and how we would handle the press moving forward.
Aiden was suitably impressed with Andrew’s input.
Once we felt comfortable with our plan, we reached out to our respective friends and family members to advise them, and I had my security company on standby.
Then we headed down to the interior to get dressed.
George and the rest of the crew were informed about our relationship, so they were prepared when they saw Andrew and I holding hands.
I knew that some members may have been put out by this unexpected scenario, but I wasn’t going to hide.
I hadn’t planned on this relationship, but at the same time, I wasn’t ashamed of my feelings for Andrew, and if others didn’t like it, too bad.