Page 88 of Tangled Control

“Rian, don’t do this. Don’t do this now. I need you!” Alexandra sounds desperate.

“The other night,” he continues relentlessly, “when we went to the restaurant, did you enjoy yourself?”

“Of course!”

“Really?” When she hesitates, Rian keeps going. “We have a great time together, Alexandra, when we’re out with friends. We banter and joke, we flirt. But when it’s just the two of us, the conversation dries up. Can you imagine a whole life with me the way our date was?” His voice grows stronger. “I can’t! And I’m not going to put us through it, no matter how perfect it would be on the outside. Our shared future has always been pretend! Don’t you see? This idea that we’re meant to be – our parents schemed it up. And we’ve both been using it as a shield to protect ourselves.”

What the hell is happening?

“Rian, we’re not like everyone else. We have responsibilities and expectations to live up to. One of those is joining KSS and Calla!”

“Our fathers can do that without us. If they had wanted to, they would’ve done it years ago. They don’t need us! It’s just this romantic idea they’ve created, that love is the glue to cement the merger. And we have stupidly bought into it.” He pauses. “Do you love me? Are you in love with me? Does your heart flutter at the thought of me?” He’s ruthless.

I can’t breathe.

“And you decide to come out with this now, at the barbeque? And the way you let me know something is wrong is by heading off with some random woman for the night?” Silence. “Oh. I’m so stupid. This isn’t new, is it?”

“No, it’s been going on for a while,” Rian admits quietly.

“Then why on earth did you go on that date with me?”

“Because I didn’t think I had a choice! I thought there was no other option. But there is,” he insists. “And there is for you too, Alexandra. I think you want us to be together because you need to get away from your father, not because you want to be with me. But you don’t need me for that. Take the leap, Alexandra. Leave and see what the world has to offer.”

They are quiet for a long time. I’m not making a sound, hoping they’ll never know that I’ve overheard their very personal exchange.

“You’re right,” Alexandra says eventually, her voice surprisingly even. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I can’t let my guests down.” She adds quietly, “I trust you will leave the party discreetly to avoid too much gossip about why you left with another woman.”

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

And then there’s nothing.

My heart pounds.

I draw a deep breath as Rian appears in front of me, his head lowered and fists tucked in his pockets.

And his eyes burning into mine.

There are voices from the party in the distance and the sound of the water gently caressing the pier. But nothing exists other than the two of us. Rian finally speaks.

“Did you hear that?”

I nod, not trusting my voice.

“You just witnessed the end of an era.” His voice is low, but his face is open, honest. He holds out his hand and wets his lips. “Will you do me the honour of joining me for the new era?”

I can’t speak. Too much has happened in too short a time. My emotions have gone from utter despair to a hopeful shade of green that threatens to glue together the pieces of my shattered heart.

He hurt me so badly.

Can I trust him again?

I’ll never know unless I take the chance. My lungs expand on a shaky inhale. I reach out.

Rian’s shoulders drop and he grabs hold of my hand, tightly, as if never intending to let go.

Forty Six

Rian