She made it sound like the saddest thing in the world, when it really wasn’t.
‘It’s a good opportunity to get quiet time when everyone else is on holiday. There are no interruptions and I can focus.’ He looked at her and pointed out the obvious. ‘You were planning on working too.’
‘Because it’s a way of seeing more of the world. Because it’s different. It’s not what I do every year. Do you work every Christmas?’
He didn’t understand her point. This really was the least of their problems.
‘You hate it,’ she said slowly. ‘The people. The celebrations. Is that why you wanted rid of all the Christmas decorations?’
He realised she really didn’t know much about him. Not his past—the accident that had destroyed everything. Right now, he didn’t have the equilibrium within to enlighten her. ‘I needed the space for my work.’ He passed it off glibly. ‘I’ve a bunch of files with me.’
‘So you’ve got plenty to occupyyou. What do you expect me to do while I’m stuck in here all day?’
Violet paced around the compartment. As luxurious as it was, it was too small to be in withhim. Although, to be fair, a full-sized athletics arena would also be too small to be alone in with him. The man wasn’t just magnetic, he rearranged her insides—melting her muscles, scrambling her brain. He was her personal kryptonite.
He leaned back in the sofa, watching her with an increasingly wicked smile. ‘You can keep the uniform on if you want. I don’t mind.’
‘You want me as your attendant?’ She shot him a look. ‘Like a hand maiden?’
‘Pouring my champagne and turning down my sheets...’
‘Not happening.’ Except she was wrought with temptation, such temptation.
‘That’s probably for the best.’ His smile faded. ‘You know I wouldn’t have stepped on board had I known you were working this service.’
Wouldn’t he? He didn’t want to bother her. That shouldn’t hurt, yet somehow it did. What had he been doing these last few weeks? Had he seen someone else since her? She had no right to know, let alone be jealous. But she was. And she was very glad he was travelling alone here. It would have been horrendous if he’d had a woman with him.
‘But it’s a good thing I did or I might not have...’ He trailed off. His frown fully returned.
‘I would have told you,’ she said, but his frown didn’t lighten. ‘You think I would have kept it secret from you or something?’
He didn’t acknowledge her words.
Her legs felt empty. She sat in the arm chair opposite to his sofa. ‘Don’t you trust people?’
‘I’m always cautious of the reasons why people seek my company.’
She blinked. He couldn’t be serious. ‘Well, you are insanely good-looking, and people like looking at pretty things. Plus, you’re wealthier than pretty much anyone else on the planet.’
‘Superficial things, Violet.’
‘No, you fool.’ She shook her head. ‘Maybe people seek your company because you’re a nice guy.’
‘I thought I had a “resting grump face”.’
‘Sometimes, sure. But actions trump everything. Even looks and money.’
‘Actions?’
She drew a breath. ‘You were nice to me.’
‘Because I gave you multiple—’
‘No.’She flushed. ‘Not that. You were nice to me at Halloween. Even when you didn’t want to be. You helped me escape the zombie crush.’
‘Because Iwantedyou. It was entirely self-serving.’
‘Are you trying to tell me that beneath that charming, frowning facade you’re a total jerk?’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t believe you for a second. I was vulnerable and you were a gentleman. And, anyway, that first night you walked away, so you didn’t even want me all that much.’