Chapter 32
RAFE
THREE DAYS LATER, SWITZERLAND.
E ntertainment News Now - International fashion model and photographer Rafe Carter was spotted alone at the Geneva airport, fresh from his Australian junket.
Carter was rumored to be in a relationship with Captain George Bernard, an employee of Carter’s brother, real estate billionaire Rowan Carter.
Does Rafe’s solo appearance in Europe signal the end of that relationship?
Sources claim that Rafe has moved on and so has Bernard, seen here with his ex-lover, Aldo Veruci. In other news…
“Fucking tossers,” I grumbled as I perused the news site on my mobile.
My agent had texted early this morning to give me the heads up that a story was circulating.
I knew that most of what was spewed online was half-truths designed to sell advertising, but it still chafed.
I should be used to it by now, and just ignore it like I usually did.
But between travel exhaustion, missing my George, and the implication of the article, I was pissed.
I latched on to the photo of George and Aldo.
It was probably taken well over a year ago, but it annoyed the fuck out of me.
Who was this bloody source that claimed the two of them were back together?
I was going to do some digging of my own, but I didn’t think I’d have to look far.
Given Aldo’s reluctant departure a few weeks ago, I guessed he was behind this.
I had told George that Aldo wasn’t gone for good, and it looked like I was right.
I was about to videocall George when a loud knock sounded on my hotel door, startling me. Between dealing with jet lag from a twenty-two-hour flight and this morning’s news (gossip), I was grumpy as hell.
I tightened the belt on my hotel bathrobe and glanced at the peephole. Room service? I had no memory of placing an order last night, but I must’ve done so. Stress was making my hyperactive brain run rampant, even though I double checked that I hadn’t missed my medication.
Opening the door, I was greeted by a young man with a large, covered cart.
“Good morning, Mr. Carter. My name is Horace. I’ll be your valet for your time here at the Geneva Empress. Where would you like your breakfast?”
“Good morning, and nice to meet you. The table by the window, please. Funny, I was just trying to remember placing my order last night and I couldn’t recall.”
He pushed the cart into my suite and headed for the living area. Pulling off the cover, he set the tray down on the dining table.
It was then that I noticed the rose.
“Courtesy of Captain Bernard. Enjoy your meal. If you need any assistance during your stay, please dial extension 450.”
I went to grab my wallet to provide a tip, but Horace shook his head. “It’s all been taken care of, Mr. Carter. Have a good day.”
Horace quickly left and I turned to the table. A lovely full breakfast and a pot of tea greeted me, but my stomach could wait. I picked up the white rose and the card underneath it. All my irritation from this morning was swept aside.
My heart,
You’ve had a long voyage to Europe and must be exhausted.
Eat, rest, and pamper yourself. You told me your first day was free from appointments, so I have arranged for a massage therapist to visit you in the afternoon.
I’m missing you terribly, but I look forward to your calls.
And check your suitcase, I left you a surprise.
I’m counting the days until we are together again.
With all my love always,
George
My eyes welled up and I tapped on George’s profile on my mobile. Three rings later—it felt like forever—he answered. His handsome face popped up and I’d never felt so relieved to see someone in my life.
“Sweetheart, thank you for breakfast and the rose and the note. And the massage appointment. You’re killing me here. I miss you so badly.”
“I miss you more, and it was my pleasure.” He winked at me. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Not hardly. It’ll take another day or two to get used to the change in time, but more importantly, not sleeping beside you. How about you?”
“Much the same, I tossed and turned all night. I’m missing your hot body and cold feet,” he quipped.
“My feet aren’t that cold!”
“I’m buying you warming socks for your birthday,” he chuckled, and the sight made my heart full to bursting.
“How’s the ship?”
“Just about finished with repairs. I’m getting ready to hand off to my substitute, who should be here tomorrow for the run down. For the first time in so long, I’m really looking forward to going back to Tortola. A couple of weeks with no duties is much needed.”
I didn’t want to disrupt our phone call with bad vibes, but I had to tell George about the news article. “Good, that’s good news. And now for the bad news. I’m sending you a link to an article about us that was published online.”
I forwarded the link and waited for him to read it.
His expression turned thunderous. “Gossip rags. And where did they get that picture of me and Aldo? It’s a year and a half old.”
“I think it’s safe to say Aldo is likely the source for the article. Who else would have access to that photo? George, he told you he wasn’t giving up. I think this is his last-ditch attempt to drive a wedge between us. But it’s not going to work.”
“Of course not. Don’t worry, my love. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Do not engage Aldo, please. That’s exactly what he wants. We need to ignore it and go about our lives.”
“Did you check your suitcase?”
“Not yet, I called you as soon as I read your card.”
“Have your breakfast first,” George replied, and I heard someone in the background calling his name. “That’s Charlie. I’ve got to go, my heart. I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more,” he replied and then he was gone.
I sighed like a sappy teenager as I held the rose to my cheek, the velvety petals so soft and fragrant.
How lucky was I to be loved by this incredibly sensitive, caring man?
My curiosity piqued, I ambled over to my bedroom and opened my suitcase.
I threw aside the jumble of shirts and trousers and found a stack of envelopes.
I picked them up and noticed each one was dated.
One for every day I was traveling. Fucking hell, George had written me love notes to open every day we were apart? When had he found the time to do that?
Fresh tears welled up in my eyes.
I felt like total git, and those doubts that had lingered at the back of my mind reared up again.
What had I done to show George my love and adoration?
Yes, I gave him my attention and affection when we were together, but I didn’t think to plan romantic stuff like he did.
And I didn’t want our relationship to be one-sided. What was wrong with me?
Without thinking, I picked up my mobile again and called my Aunt Cara, the romance novelist. She’d been married four times, but still had that optimistic view that her one true love awaited.
All right, she wasn’t the most reliable person to ask about relationship success, but she knew a thing or two about romance.
“Rafe, my dear nephew, so good to hear from you.”
“Aunt Cara, how are you?”
“I’m doing well, darling. I just finished the third book in my new series and sent it off to my publisher. Then I’m heading out to visit your mum and dad for lunch. They’re in London for a few weeks.”
“Yeah, I talked to mum and da a few days ago,” I paused, suddenly nervous. “Do you have a moment to chat?”
“For you, I have all the time in the world. Is this about your new beau, the rugged Captain Bernard?” she asked.
“How did you know about that?”
“I read the entertainment news, Rafe. Where do you think I get the ideas for my books?”
I chuckled. “Right.”
“And I talked to your father recently.”
“He seemed okay with the news, but we’ll see.”
“He’ll be fine. George is a wonderful man, and I’m not surprised that the two of you found your way to each other. I noticed the way you were circling one another the last time I was on board for our family get-together. It was just like me and my third husband—hate at first sight.”
I shook my head. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing, Cara. And he’s so incredibly romantic, sending me roses and love notes. And I don’t think of stuff like that. I’m worried he’s going to think that I don’t appreciate him. But I do. I love him so much.”
“I’m so happy for you, lovey. For both of you. I assume George knows you’ve never been in a serious relationship before?”
“Yes.”
“He’s wooing you, darling. Showering you with all the romance you never knew existed. And George is an unselfish bloke. He’s not expecting you to do the same.”
“But I want him to feel special. As special as he makes me feel.”
“What is it he wants the most? What does he long for? You have the answer to that, and you’ll know what to do.”
I thought about my recent conversations with him. The changes to his work schedule, the condo in BVI we’d be calling home, adopting a dog, building a life together. George wanted a true partner and a family, things we both assumed we’d never have, we wanted with each other.
“Thanks, Cara. If I haven’t said it lately, I love you.”
“I love you too, darling. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Cheers.”
First thing I did was make a few phone calls. Afterwards, I enjoyed my breakfast with the fabulous view of Geneva.
I put aside my fears and focused on planning my future. The one I wanted with George.
And suddenly I knew exactly what to do.