9. Laurie

Worth lifted the cover from a dish. My mouth watered when I saw a small portion of risotto topped with scallops. It tasted as good as it looked. More dishes followed, including a lightly battered stuffed grouper and a simply prepared lobster tail.

As I contemplated licking the butter off the plate of lobster, Worth said, "Do you really want me to move out of the villa?"

I considered his question. It would be for the best, but… "No."

"Good."

We continued sampling until, finally, Worth lifted the lid on the last of the dishes. I started to protest that there was no way I could eat another bite. Then I saw the filet mignon. I could tell how juicy it was. The steak was lying atop mashed potatoes along with spears of asparagus. The presentation was as elegant as all the other entrées had been. I wondered if ordering this much food cost extra. It had too. No way could all-inclusive mean unlimited, but to Worth cost was nothing. Would I ever really grasp how wealthy Beck's family was?

Worth cut off a bite. I expected him to try it first. Instead, he held the bite out to me. "Go on. Try it."

It was too much. Too intimate. If we kept up like this, there's no way we could keep our hands off each other for two whole weeks. I should tell him to stop. I should tell him I was full, that I was going to my room.

I didn't. I leaned forward and took the bite from his fork, slowly pulling it away with my lips. I heard Worth draw in a breath, but I didn't dare meet his eyes.

The filet melted in my mouth like butter. I moaned, and Worth made a strangled noise.

He had to clear his throat before saying. "I take it you approve?"

I swallowed and responded. "It's fantastic."

"Take a sip of wine."

I'd found the red wine he'd poured okay when I'd tried it with the seafood Fra Divolo with linguini, but this time when I tasted it, it was delicious. "Whoa. How can it taste so different just because I had steak?"

"Good wines shift depending on what you're eating, the circumstances, how hot or cold they are, and even how you're responding to them."

Was he still talking about wine?

"I'm really full. I should probably—" Worth laid a hand over my wrist, pinning me to the table.

"Please stay so we can finish our meal. The next few weeks are going to take a lot of self-control. We should get used to it."

"What if I don't have much?"

Worth's expression softened. "You wouldn't have survived your circumstances if you didn't."

I wouldn't have survived what Worth had done to me in bed either. "What about you? How much self-control do you have?"

"I've never needed much until recently because of the stupid fucking job I agreed to take."

"What if I don't want to have any?" Why the hell had I said that? I'd only had a little wine, it shouldn't be clouding my judgment.

He rested a finger against my lips. "That is a dangerous thing to say."

"Worth, I'm?—"

"Not now. I'm going to open the champagne, and we're going to enjoy our dessert."

"Seriously, I'm not sure how much more I can eat."

"I only ask that you try a bite of one dessert and a sip of champagne. Surely you can manage that."

At least I'd be far too stuffed to make any advances on him tonight. I'd be happy to fall into bed in a food coma. I could deal with my out-of-control horniness tomorrow. I could also hopefully talk to Beck. I glanced at my phone. He still hadn't returned my text.

"Checking to see if Beck responded?"

"Yeah. He hasn't. Has he texted or called you?"

Worth shook his head. "I didn't expect him to. He'll need some time to cool off. I think he'll be okay by tomorrow."

"He really told you to stay away from me?"

"Yes, but I didn't pay attention to his messages until he called."

I studied him for a moment. "Do you wish you'd listened to them?"

"No."

"Neither do I." Fuck what is wrong with me? I needed to stop this.

"I don't have to obey my little brother."

I shook my head. "He is the only friend I have left. If he doesn't want us together?—"

"He doesn't want us together because he thinks I'm going hurt you. He also thinks—and he's probably right—this isn't the time for you to start something."

"Does it have to mean anything?" I asked.

"You tell me. I'm Mr. One Night Only."

"And yet…."

"And yet I'd like a second night with you and a third, and we could see from there. That's why it's probably a good idea to keep our hands to ourselves, for now at least."

For now? Was he seriously contemplating us seeing each other after this vacation? Would he really want to get together after I'd had more time to process what I'd been through?

There was no way he was that interested in me. As soon as I wasn't right in front of him, he wouldn't pursue me anymore. He probably wouldn't even remember me. That was why, as soon as I'd tasted a dessert or two, I needed to close myself in my room, maybe even barricade the door.

My eyes widened when Worth took the lid off a beautiful piece of cheesecake with curls of lemon peel on top.

"Lemon double cream cheesecake goes beautifully with champagne," he said as he lifted the bottle from the ice and began opening it.

I watched, fascinated by his hands, remembering how they felt on me. I was so tense the pop of the cork made me jump. I didn't know what to say or what not to. I couldn't betray Beck's trust. I shouldn't encourage Worth to do that either. If it weren't for Beck, I wouldn't be here, and yet what had happened with Worth was all I could think about. Nothing I'd ever experienced had affected me as much as Worth fucking me.

"Taste the cheesecake, then take a sip of your champagne," Worth encouraged.

This time I picked up my own fork. I didn't think I could handle him feeding me again. The cheesecake was incredible, a perfect blend of sweet and tart from the lemon and cream. I realized I was making sex noises again.

Worth grinned. "You're not making this easy."

"Sorry." I picked up my champagne flute and took a sip. The bubbly liquid eased over my tongue. It was a delightful contrast to the creaminess of the cheesecake.

"Good?" Worth asked.

"Yes, but I feel like you could make me like anything."

"I think I could too, and I'd really like to try."

He held my gaze. I didn't breathe, and for a moment I couldn't move. Heat rose up my neck and into my face. I pushed my chair back, picked up my glass of champagne, and raced to my room. This time, Worth didn't try to stop me.

When the door was closed behind me, I sank down on the chaise in front of my window. Minutes passed before I could breathe normally again, but when I could, I called Beck. He didn't answer, so I texted him.

Please talk to me. I'm so sorry.

I told you it isn't your fault.

Then talk to me.

A FaceTime call came through, and I was relieved to see Beck on the screen.

"Worth really didn't do anything wrong. I'm fine. I'm safe. I'm happy." I managed to get out the words without my voice shaking.

"I should never have sent you there with him. I should've had you come stay with me, but I wanted you to experience Aruba."

"It's beautiful. I love it here, and like I told you, I never thought your brother was dangerous. He's nothing like Tommy."

"God, no. Worth would never hurt you. I know that."

I ran a hand through my hair. "Maybe tell him that."

"I can arrange for you to have another room."

"You don't need to spend any more money. Worth and I are fine, this villa is bigger than the house I shared with Tommy."

Beck sighed. "I guess it's better anyway. I don't want you there alone."

"But you also don't want me with Worth."

He blew out a long breath. "I don't want you with him with him. You need time on your own, and my brother doesn't do relationships."

"I know. You've told me all about him."

"Then why would you start a fling with him? You have to know it was a terrible idea."

I needed help, and I was grateful Beck had gotten me out of St. Louis, but he was talking to me like I was a child. I'd survived hell. Couldn't I decide if I wanted a fling or not? "What I know is that Worth was kind to me. He treated me with respect."

"Things won't work out well for the two of you."

I knew that deep inside, but I wanted to ignore it. I'd spent the last several years doing nothing but making bad choices. Why would I change now?

"He's a lot older than you," Beck pointed out.

"Ten years, that's not insane or anything. Tommy was closer to my age and look how that ended up."

I wasn't sure why I was arguing with Beck. He was right. I needed time to process what I'd been through and figure out what I was going to do now. Plus, Worth didn't want to make any commitments, but somehow, I couldn't let go of the idea that this wasn't as bad of an idea as Beck thought.

Beck sighed. "I wish I'd told this law firm I wasn't available and gone to Aruba."

"Imagine if you'd been in the casino or out at a bar, and then come back to…."

"Tell me you wouldn't have slept with him if I'd been here."

"No, I wouldn't have, not when you might walk in on us. It was horrific when Worth turned the phone to let you see me."

He shuddered. "I don't ever want anything like that to happen again."

"But you want your brother to be happy?"

"Of course I do."

"He's not happy right now."

Beck nodded. "I know, that's why I asked him to go to Aruba with me."

"So we're both here being unhappy together, and…."

"Laurence, promise me you won't let Worth seduce you again."

I frowned. "He's not a predator."

"I know, but you're vulnerable right now."

I sat up straighter and wished I'd made myself presentable for this call. "I'm fine."

"Laurence."

"Okay, I'm a mess, but?—"

"I don't want you to get hurt again. Please." Beck sounded so worried, how could I contradict him again?

Listening to him was the right thing, even though what I wanted was to go climb into Worth's bed. "I promise, just don't be angry with me anymore."

"I'm not. I'm sorry if you thought that. I was only angry with Worth."

"Maybe you shouldn't be," I said, "I did lie to him."

"But he thought you were an escort."

"It was…."

"What?"

Was I really going to tell him I was more flattered than offended? "Nothing. Good night, Beck."

"Good night. Take care of yourself."

"I will." But I'd rather let Worth do that.

I was lying on my bed staring at the ceiling when I heard a soft knock on my door.

"Laurie, are you ok?" Worth asked.

"I'm…I will be." I was sad, angry, and embarrassed, and I wasn't sure I could face him. Beck was right. I was fucked up from all I'd been through, and I hadn't taken any time to process it. This wasn't the time to fall for a guy who was going to walk away after a quick fling.

He said he'd never hurt you.

He wouldn't mean to, but he's not into relationships, and that's what I want from him, or I would if I let myself.

I thought you just wanted to have fun.

That sounds great, but I'm already feeling obsessed, and that is fucking dangerous. I've learned my lesson.

"I'm going to bed. I was just checking on you."

Why did he have to be so fucking sweet? Was he really not like this with other guys? "Good night."

"Good night." I heard Worth's retreating footsteps, then the click of his bedroom door closing.

I climbed into bed. turned over on my side and pulled my knees up. My ass twinged as I did, and I groaned. Even if I could get my mind to think about something other than how much I wanted Worth, my body was going to keep reminding me how good being fucked by him was.