I'Ve Got You by Louise Forster Page A

snide remarks. “You look tired, why is your hair dull, didn’t you sleep well? Perhaps you’re working too hard. I can take on more of the workload. Must you wear that at the office?” What the … !’ Belle grimaced; she fisted her hands, shaking them. Kabe eased them open and brought them up to rest on his chest. Though she gritted her teeth, he watched her swallow several times. As much as he wanted to, he wasn’t going to stop her from finishing what she’d started. Though telling him probably wouldn’t be enough to rid her of the crap. He tensed as he realised she was studying his reaction. He pulled his body under control, forced his muscles to relax, and hoped she wasn’t put off by the emotions warring behind his eyes, because there was nothing he could do to stop that.
    â€˜You’re perfect in every way.’ Kabe stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers, then moved his hand around to her neck. ‘I love what you wear and the way you wear it. The sheet, your shorts … and undies.’ He gave her a teasing smile.
    â€˜I could see that,’ she told him, giving him a faltering smile back. ‘You want me to go on?’ Kabe nodded. ‘Okay, the powers that be decided we—Greg and I, together—should research a possible site for Eagle Ray in Vanuatu. I thought, it’s a big island, I can do this, but he was there at breakfast, at lunch, and at dinner. In hindsight, both Greg and Eagle Ray had an agenda—get to me and they’d get to Butterfly Island. Greg denies the accusation and claims it’s all in my head. And of course, I don’t have any proof that’s what they were after.’
    He felt her tremble and his gut told him there was more to come, and it was much worse. She unwrapped his arms from around her and pushed at his chest to give herself space. Her action hurt more than he cared to admit, but he let her have what she needed to go on.
    * * *
    Long-buried, nauseating images were back searing her brain. Belle surged to her feet, wondering if they’d ever fade. She paced across the sand in front of the airbed, aware Kabe watched her every move while her life shattered once again. How could she possibly explain?
    Belle took a deep, unsteady breath. ‘So on the last night of our stay Eagle Ray organised a celebratory dinner, which included Vanuatu ministers of lands, tourism, and planning. Eagle Ray executives were there as well, what could go wrong?’ She hesitated, heart in her throat. ‘Um … the … the next morning, I … I woke and Greg … he was in my bed … Ugh!’ she dry-retched, shuddered and protectively wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Horrified doesn’t even begin to describe how that felt.’
    Kabe stood and reached out to her. Belle couldn’t handle his touch right now and put her hands up to stop him. Thank God, he didn’t push it and was smart enough to step back.
    â€˜He told me that I’d invited him in. I don’t remember anything like that … I would not have done that! Revolted, I flew out of the bed. We argued, I screamed at him to get out. I questioned everyone who’d been there including restaurant and bar staff. No one noticed anything. It’s his word against mine. I needed to get off Vanuatu and caught an earlier flight home, and handed in my resignation. They insisted I comply with my contract, which stipulated that I was to give them four weeks’ notice. I fully intended to take them all to court, but I had nothing to back up my claims … and …’
    Kabe’s eyes blazed with such quiet intensity, it was scary. Lips together in an angry line made a muscle in his jaw twitch. His interlaced hands tight, his knuckles white. He didn’t say a word—didn’t have to.
    Tears burned behind Belle’s eyes; she swallowed them back past her thickening throat and continued explaining the most