Done With Love by Niecey Roy

thinking about him. It didn’t help I’d loved him since I was twelve. Leo had been a troublemaker with one of those hard-not-to-forgive smiles. Even as a boy, his mischievous grin made women hand him cookies, had caused girls to give up their favorite swings on the playground to kick rocks wherever Leo might walk by. Back then, I’d been just a girl with the ridiculous life goal of becoming Mrs. Leo Moss, right up until the moment he let me go. Through a letter.
    Leo was a part of my past who wasn’t supposed to be here.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked after it became clear he didn’t plan to clue me in any time soon.
    Leo considered me for a moment before replying. “I guess I’m on vacation.”
    “And that girl...she’s not your girlfriend?”
    “No, she’s not.” The muscles in his face softened.
    I couldn’t look away from the intensity of his gaze.
    “And you just happen to be on the same island that I’m vacationing on?” This wasn’t just any vacation, but he was polite enough not to point it out.
    “And I got here just in time.”
    I stiffened at his insinuation. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
    “Lexie, you can’t just take off to the Caribbean alone. It’s not safe.”
    “It’s a five star resort and costs more than my monthly car payment for one night. I’m pretty sure it’s safe.” I stood and used the back of the stool for balance. “Leo, you shouldn’t have come. This was supposed to be my honeymoon. ”
    You weren’t invited.
    He’d had plenty of time to come take care of me—six damn years!—and he hadn’t. So Leo was the last person I wanted for a babysitter while I walked around this resort in a drunken stupor. It didn’t matter he’d been Special Forces, or that protecting people was his job as a security specialist now. What mattered was how messed up I was at this very moment, and all because of the men I’d trusted and given my heart to. He happened to be one of those men, and I wasn’t in the mood to share this island—or anything—with him .
    “Lexie.” His voice was low, as if he were ready to lecture me.
    “My family sent you here, didn’t they?” I asked.
    He shrugged, but didn’t answer yes or no.
    I steeled my shoulders so he’d know I meant business. “How much are you getting paid for this babysitting job? I’ll double it just so you leave. I came here to be alone.”
    “No one is paying me, and I’m not going anywhere.” He glanced over to my half full drink. “And you sure as hell need a babysitter. Look at you.” He was angry now. “You’re not a drinker, you never have been. You’re vulnerable walking around like this, all by yourself. You’re in no condition to make responsible decisions.”
    “Like what?” I threw back at him. “Like me kissing you? That’s responsible? I just left my fiancé at the altar. It’s all over the damn news , Leo. I think I deserve some peace so just leave me alone. ”
    He frowned and took a step back. “I’m sorry.” His voice sounded strained. “I’ll leave you alone if you want me to, but I’m not leaving this island.”
    The hurt on his face didn’t ease my already aching heart. Damn it, what is wrong with you? It wasn’t his fault my fiancé had turned out to be a toad. It wasn’t his fault Deborah had made it her mission to ruin my reputation. My past with Leo was just that—the past.
    He came all this way to make sure I’m okay. My pulse quickened at the idea of it. And that kiss…
    I shook my head. This was too much. He was too much. Everything is too damn much. I stepped away from the bar. “I’m going dancing. You have fun babysitting the bar.”
    I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to see if he followed. He probably would. He was on duty, after all.

Chapter Five

    Peeking an eye open, I glanced around the dark room from the bed of my private villa. I had no idea how I’d gotten here. Too much rum.
    Most of the evening was a blur, fuzzy memories of Leo