“I can do that,” I agreed.

  It had never occurred to me that Vanna might have some physical insecurities after what had happened to her. Probably because I would never be able to see her as anything less than stunning, no matter how many scars she had or how she cut her fucking hair.

  Hell, ever since I’d realized how much I wanted to spend more time with her at Torie’s wedding, that compulsion wouldn’t leave me alone.

  I’d tried to give her some space, even though we were living in the same house.

  I thought she’d need time to herself in between her visits from therapists and Torie.

  “She does not need to be alone right now,” Torie mentioned as though she’d read my mind. “What she really needs is to keep her mind occupied with something other than work and the kidnapping. The last thing she needs is more time to think or work.”

  “I’ve been trying to make sure she has everything she needs,” I explained.

  “And you’ve been doing a wonderful job as her advisor,” Torie agreed. “Physically, she’s getting stronger every day. Sadly, I think she could use another companion. Vanna and I are too close. She went through a lot of my recovery process with me. Now that I’m ecstatically happy with a wonderful husband, I think she’s worried that if she shares what’s on her mind, it will trigger me or make me unhappy. I think we both know that’s ridiculous, but in her mind, she never wants to see me like that again. I get that, Chase. It kills me to see her like this, too.”

  “Maybe you are too close to the situation,” I considered.

  She shot me a dubious look as she continued, “I’m not so sure you can be totally objective, either, but I think you could be one hell of a distraction to her if you wanted to be.”

  “I’m not quite sure what you mean by that,” I answered.

  “Oh, come on, Chase,” she said, sounding exasperated. “I know Vanna isn’t just some kind of project for you. You care about her.”

  “Probably more than I should,” I replied, my voice graveled and rough. “But that doesn’t mean that she needs me to be in her face all the time, right?”

  “Honestly, I think that might be exactly what she needs,” Torie said thoughtfully. “Vanna hasn’t had anyone except me who really cares about her in a long time. She was devastated when she lost her mom. I think she’s spent a lot of time running away from her loneliness. I think she became a workaholic so she didn’t have to deal with the fact that she had nobody and no close family left.”

  “She obviously trusted Bradley,” I said defensively, still wanting to tear that bastard’s head off for hurting Vanna.

  Torie snorted. “No, she didn’t. I think he was safe for her because he didn’t demand much of her emotionally. He hurt her and humiliated her, but it could have been a lot worse. She wasn’t in love with him, and they spent very little time in the same place. She deserves a whole lot better.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you about that,” I told her. “But that doesn’t mean she wants to see my face all the time, either. I told you what happened when I asked her to spend a day with me. She couldn’t get out of that hotel suite fast enough.”

  I wanted to be her friend, but I also didn’t want to make her feel like she had to accept my company if she needed her privacy.

  “Self-preservation,” she threw back nonchalantly. “I don’t believe for a single second that she wasn’t tempted to accept, but she avoids any guy with a heart like the plague. Those actions are defense mechanisms, Chase. If she found a guy who was really crazy about her and wanted to be with her, I’m not sure she’d know how to handle that situation. She’s convinced that she won’t find anyone because she spends most her time wading through war zones and catastrophic situations in boots and dirty jeans. I guess she thinks all guys want supermodel partners who look gorgeous all the time.”

  “You’re joking,” I said, dumbfounded.

  “I wish I was,” she shared. “But you have to admit, you’ve dated your share of the supermodel type.”

  “Only because they’ve been pretty plentiful in the world of fashion and the luxury products that Durand is famous for producing,” I shot back. “And as you’ve probably noticed, none of those relationships have worked out.”

  “I think you’ve just never met the right woman,” Torie considered. “I’m not saying that there aren’t brilliant supermodels who know how to care about someone. But I grew up in the same world you did, Chase. Genuine people were the exception and not the rule in high fashion and luxury products. It’s a really competitive, cutthroat industry. Dad loved it because he appreciated quality goods, and he managed to blow off the rest of it. He played the game, but he was never emotionally invested in it.”

  “Wyatt and I learned from the master,” I said drily. “Do you think we don’t feel the same way? The only thing that matters is the products.”

  “I know you do,” Torie said softly. “I’m just saying that maybe it’s time to spend some time outside of the artificial glitz and glamor. Durand is just as successful as it’s always been. You and Wyatt don’t need to spend any more time proving that. I’m just saying that you may not find what you’re really looking for while you’re completely submersed in that world. Most of the beauty there is extremely superficial.”

  Like I didn’t know that already?

  “Maybe that’s why I’m not looking anymore,” I said shortly.

  “You were interested in Vanna,” she prompted.

  “And that interest wasn’t returned,” I stated firmly. “Let it go, Torie. Asking her out was a mistake. I’ve known her since she was a child. Right now, my biggest concern is seeing her get well again.”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t care about her happiness, too,” Torie warned.

  I slammed my fist onto the desk, frustrated with the conversation. “Of course I care! I just have no fucking idea how to make her happy, and I’m not convinced that she wants to spend more time with me than absolutely necessary.”

  I knew something wasn’t right with Vanna, but I couldn’t force her to tell me what was wrong. And I wasn’t about to make her endure my company if she didn’t want that. She’d been through enough.

  Torie folded her arms across her chest. “You can be incredibly charming when you choose to be,” she told me. “Our parents taught us how to enjoy life. Show Vanna how to do that, too.”

  I let out a beleaguered breath before I said, “I’m not sure I remember how to do that myself anymore.”

  Hell, about all Wyatt and I had done for the last several years was work.

  “Of course you do,” Torie scolded. “It’s ingrained in us because we were raised that way. You just haven’t practiced it for a while. You’re a stubborn guy, Chase. You’ve never hesitated if you wanted something. Be persistent. I think Vanna backed away from you because she was scared, not because she didn’t want to spend time with you.”

  “I’m trying to be her friend and advisor,” I protested.

  “And how’s that working out?” she pushed.

  Fuck! I knew it completely sucked, but I didn’t have a lot of options.

  There were things Torie didn’t know about and didn’t understand, and I wasn’t about to try to explain that to my sister.

  Not now.

  Probably not…ever.

  “It’s working out well enough,” I shot back irritably.

  She stood as she said, “Keep telling yourself that. Maybe you’ll start to believe it.”

  “What in the hell do you want me to do?” I asked sharply.

  She glared at me. “If the way you feel about Vanna has really changed, then nothing. But if you care about her, now’s the time to show her. She could use some of that right now.”

  “I care, dammit!” I growled.

  Torie shot me a satisfied smile. “Then be the relentless brother I know and love.”

  Without another word, my little sister sauntered out of my office and closed the door behind her.

  I leaned back in my office chair with a groan, feeling like my guts had been turned inside out.

  Maybe I had made a mistake by limiting the length of time I spent with Vanna.

  I was under the impression that she wanted it that way while she tried to get herself back together physically and emotionally.

  She already had people coming in and out of the house every day to try to help her heal.

  But what if she really is lonely and needs someone beside her who gives a shit about what happens to her?

  It wasn’t like I didn’t wonder how she was doing every fucking moment of the day right now.

  So much of what Torie had said made sense. Well, except for the part where she assumed that Vanna had ran away from me in Vegas because she was scared.

  Vanna Anderson had never had an issue telling me exactly how she felt.

  Except…she had seemed a little off-kilter that day, especially after I’d asked her to spend the next day with me.

  Her rejection had nagged at me ever since, but I’d never considered that I’d simply made her uncomfortable because I wasn’t the kind of guy she normally dated.

  Fuck it! I had promised to be her friend and advisor.

  Yeah, I’d done my duty as an advisor, but I’d hesitated to push myself on her to be a friend.

  What if Torie is right? What if Vanna really needs someone other than her best friend right now? What if distance is the last thing she needs at this point in her recovery? What if having a male friend to tell her she’s gorgeous would actually help her?

  If Vanna needed someone, I’d gladly give her everything I had.

  Problem was, I just wasn’t quite sure how to offer it.

  Suddenly, my sister’s words broke through my hesitancy.

  Our parents showed us how to enjoy life. Show Vanna how to do that.

  I grinned as memories flooded through my brain.

  Maybe I hadn’t practiced enjoying life nearly enough lately, but there were some things that a guy could never truly forget.

  Savannah

  “Red or white?” Chase asked me after we finished dinner.

  My eyes shot from the dishes I’d just finished loading into the dishwasher to Chase, who was standing near the sink weighing a bottle of wine in each hand.

  My heart skittered as I saw the mischievous grin on his face.

  It had been a long time since I’d seen that particular smile.

  It was also the first time he’d lingered in the kitchen once we’d finished dinner.

  His company was always entertaining at our evening meal, but he generally retreated to his office once we’d finished.

  “Oh,” I said, surprised. “I really don’t need—”

  “Red or white?” he asked insistently. “Choose or I’ll be happy to choose one for us. I know you’re not a wine hater. I’ve seen you drink a glass or two before.”

  “Red?” I said uncertainly.

  He nodded as he put down the white. “Good choice. I have an excellent, full-bodied Bordeaux from a small winery in France.”

  I watched, completely fascinated as he expertly removed the cork, put a small amount in a glass, sniffed the contents, and then swirled the liquid around. For some reason, I held my breath as he took a sip.

  He continued to smile as he pronounced, “It’s acceptable.”

  I took a large, beautiful wine glass from him that he only filled about halfway to the brim.

  “Are you rationing my wine?” I asked with a small laugh.

  He shook his head as he picked up his own glass that was filled similarly to mine. “Not at all,” he protested. “To appreciate a wine, you have to be able to enjoy the whole experience. Swirl it, smell it, and taste it. Don’t swallow the first sip right away. This one is meant to be savored.”

  I took a small sip and let it roll over my taste buds for a few seconds.

  I’d never actually taken the time to recognize the very first burst of distinct flavors of a vintage, but I closed my eyes before I finally swallowed. “It’s incredible,” I informed him as I licked my lower lip.

  “What did you taste?” he asked curiously.

  “Black current and plums,” I shared. “It’s really…earthy.”

  He chuckled. “That could be good or bad.”

  I smiled at him. “It’s definitely good. I drink wine occasionally. Some I like. Some I don’t like. I’ve never really stopped to recognize specific tastes.”

  “I don’t think I’ve done it for a long time, either,” Chase said thoughtfully. “It’s taken a while for me to remember that anything enjoyable is worth drawing out for as long as possible.”

  He closed the dishwasher and took my hand before I could respond to his comment. “Where are we going?” I questioned suspiciously.

  “It’s winter in San Diego, Vanna. There’s nothing like a good wine and a beautiful sunset,” he answered as he proceeded to pull me toward the sliding glass doors to the patio.

  I felt the coolness of the evening as soon as he opened the door. “Chase, I don’t even have my shoes on.”

  He took both of our wine glasses and set them on a side table on the patio between two lounge chairs. Then, he snagged me around the waist and swung me up into his arms like my weight was virtually nothing to him. “No need for shoes,” he said huskily. “I’m here for transport.”

  He dropped me gently into a lounge chair and wrapped me up in a fleecy blanket before he took his own seat in a matching lounger on the other side of the small outdoor table.

  I was still breathless as I picked up my wine and snuggled into the blanket. “I’m starting to think you’ve lost your mind,” I muttered with no hint of criticism in my tone.

  “Absolutely not true,” he countered. “I’d have to be crazy not to want to spend time with a beautiful woman watching a winter sunset.”

  He was right. Sunsets seemed more spectacular this time of year in San Diego for a variety of reasons. I’d noticed that when I was a child. Since then, I hadn’t really taken the time to watch a sunset anywhere.

  Okay, maybe the sunset is pretty, but he is definitely missing the beautiful woman part of the equation.

  “No work in the office tonight?” I asked nervously, wondering why Chase was breaking from his usual routine.

  “Nope,” he answered, sounding like he was perfectly content exactly where he was at the moment. “Relax, Vanna. Are you warm enough?”

  “Yes,” I squeaked before I took another sip of my wine.

  Relaxing wasn’t exactly my forte or something I knew how to do.

  Especially not with someone like…Chase.

  “It’s a beautiful night,” he commented as he leaned back in his chair.

  I finally pulled my eyes from him and focused on the sky.

  It was alight with reds and golds that swirled together until you couldn’t tell where one color ended and the other began.

  I took a deep breath, noting that while there was a slight chill in the air, it wasn’t exactly freezing out here.

  “It is really pleasant,” I agreed, finally allowing myself to unwind a little.

  Chase had a beautiful waterfront home, and between the distant cadence of the waves and the blindingly gorgeous sunset, I felt a little mesmerized.

  A comfortable silence settled between Chase and I while we drank our wine and watched the sun slowly drop out of sight.

  “That was incredible,” I murmured after the light left the sky.

  Chase picked up a remote from the table and turned on a muted light, just enough so I could see his face as he grinned.

  “It was good enough to draw out as long as possible, right?” he asked jokingly.

  I nodded, still not used to this new and different Chase Durand. “It was.”

  “Now that it’s over, tell me how you’re really doing, Vanna,” Chase said in a more serious tone. “Your body is healing. It’s just a matter of time. I want to know how you feel.”

  “About the kidnapping?” I asked since we rarely discussed anything else.

  “About anything and everything,” he corrected.

  Uncomfortable with the intensity in his expression, I turned my head toward the lights of a few boats sitting out on the water. “Chase, you’re so busy—”

  “Don’t,” Chase growled. “You said something similar when I asked you to spend time with me in Vegas. I’m not too busy to listen to you. I’m not too busy to spend time with you. I’m not too busy to give a shit whether or not you’re okay emotionally, and that’s not limited to your kidnapping, Vanna. I’m not asking as a CEO of Durand. I’m asking as a guy who cares about you.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but ended up closing it without saying a word.

  I wanted to tell him everything he was asking for, but I wasn’t quite sure how to really talk to Chase about anything other than the kidnapping.

  I finally responded. “I don’t know how to communicate with you if we’re not in the middle of a debate or talking about my issues from the kidnapping,” I confessed.

  “It’s quite simple,” he cajoled. “Just open your mouth and tell me what’s on your mind. I plan on being honest with you. I wanted to spend time with you in Vegas. That desire hasn’t changed for me.”

  I snorted. “I was alone there. You were just trying to be nice.”

  “If I remember correctly, I was going to be alone there, too,” he corrected. “Did it never occur to you that I just wanted to spend some time with you doing something other than arguing a current events topic?”

  “No,” I answered truthfully.

  “I did. Still do.”

  I shook my head. “Then I have no idea why.”

  “I’m not sure you’d want me to answer that question candidly,” he answered. “Let’s just say I prefer your company to my own. Maybe I don’t like being alone all the time.”

  God, I could relate to that. I felt the same way.

  “But you have your family,” I disagreed. “And when is a billionaire in your industry ever really alone?”

  It was ludicrous to think that a man like Chase Durand couldn’t get the attention of dozens of people if he wanted it.