Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

that I’m sure you thought I totally ignored. But most of all, I looked at your spirits, your souls, and you’ve shown me that and more. With all that in mind, I’ve decided to sell to Hannah and Aurora Holdings.”

Cassie throws her fist into the air, and despite my reservation, I get up and hug Wesley before ignoring Tony’s offered handshake to hug him tightly. “Thank you so much,” I whisper in his ear. “I have a feeling you had a hand in that.”

He whispers back. “Congratulations. You deserve it.” He has a faint smile on his face as he steps back.

“Tony—”

“Can you tell us what set them apart?” Caleb asks, cutting me off. “You realize they’re probably going to tear this place down to put up a fucking resort hotel, right?”

“One of the greatest forces on Earth is water,” Wesley says. “Water flows, but at the same time, it can crash. Water and time will even someday reduce these islands to the oceans from which they were born. Change is inevitable, Caleb.”

Tony raises his hand. “Caleb, everything’s going to be fine.”

Caleb turns to Tony. I don’t think he really wanted the philosophy speech. “I know that, Tony. I just wanted some answers, especially for Oli. Is that too much to ask?”

Caleb sighs, nodding at us even though he’s clearly not in the best of moods “Thank you for your hospitality and this crazy adventure, Wes. Congrats, ladies. You did earn it. I’m man enough to admit that. It just really sucks to be in a tough situation. But it is what it is. I’m going to go get my shit together.”

He turns and walks off, Tony staring at him but not following.

“Get your shit together!” Mo Mo screeches.

“I . . .” I begin, but Tony shakes his head.

“I’m sorry about that, you guys. I’ll talk to him. He’s just a little upset.”

“It’s okay,” Wesley says, smiling. “If you need any help with your bags, we’d be glad to help,” he says, nodding at Alani, who hands Tony a package. “Just a book for your flight home and contact information. If you ever need someone to vouch for you . . . just give me a call. Hannah, Cassie, let’s discuss business in a half hour or so.”

Wesley gives us a nod and a smile before leaving. Tony crosses the room and leans in, giving Cassie a look that she reads perfectly, ditching the room. “I think I’ll give Myra the good news, if you don’t mind.”

Cassie leaves, and Tony clears his throat in the silence. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

“I’d like that,” I reply, while silently hoping he says the words that I’ve been praying to hear. We go out onto the porch, looking around. The day is searingly beautiful, although on the horizon, I can see rain clouds gathering. I suppose it’s appropriate, considering the way I feel. “You know, I’m going to miss this place.”

“What do you mean?” Tony asks, leaning on the railing. “You’ll be coming back here, I’m sure. Aurora is going to need a top-notch project manager.”

I shake my head. “It won’t be the same. Things will be different.”

Tony reaches over, taking my hand. “Hannah . . . even if the resort thing were true, I want you to forget what Caleb said. I want you to be happy. You fought for this. You earned it and you deserve it. Someone else would’ve bought this place if it weren’t us. Better us, or those we represent, than someone else.”

He’s saying so many nice things, but each one is like a dagger in my heart. Why won’t he say what I want him to say? Why can’t he say it first? I come close but back off. The separation is so much, and he’s going to have a lot of explaining to do when he gets back home.

I’ve always been afraid of falling in love. That level of vulnerability seems like a freefall with a mere whispered promise of being caught in the safety of his arms. I’ve always worried I’d end up hurt, or worse, sacrificing myself to the relationship. Finally, I find a man I think I’m falling in love with, and maybe worth the risk of jumping in, but this feels like the end.

“Hannah, I don’t regret saying those nasty things to you that first night we met,” Tony says, chuckling. “Because they at least allowed us to get to know each other some. And this time here . . . I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” He leans in close and pulls me in for a sweet, painful kiss. “I wish you all the best, Hannah Fowler. You’re one hell of a woman.” He stares at me for a long moment, as if he doesn’t want to leave, before letting out a soft sigh. “Give me a call when everything’s settled back at work. Let me know how things are going?”

It feels like a brushoff, or at least, a finality, so I nod softly, the pain of my heart cracking and hurting too much to let me speak.

Then slowly, as if committing my face to memory for eternity, Tony turns and goes inside. Moments later, I hear him calling something to the house staff. I don’t look up as I hear the doors on Tony’s rented car close, the engine fire up, and he drives off. I whip my head up as I hear the tires crunch over a rock, but he’s already made the turn, and I can hear him accelerate. I nearly crumble as I round the corner of the house and all I see is the cherry red tail lights. “Tony . . .”

I feel like screaming, like jumping off the porch and chasing after him, but before I can, I hear a quiet voice behind me. “Hey . . . you ready?”

I turn to see Cassie, her face alight with happiness, and I swallow my tears. I still have paperwork to do, stuff