His Perfect Match by Elaine Overton

never allow the Hawaiki to be affected. This place had saved him. It had been his haven all those years ago, and he took great pride in its success.
    His mind wandered as he meandered up the stairs. He had a nephew he hadn’t even known existed. Despite how the news came, he couldn’t help but find some joy in it. The boy was almost ten now, according to Liz. Climbing the stairs, he stopped in midstep. Ten? Was it possible? Could she have been pregnant when she ran away?
    He shook off the thought and continued up the stairs. No, the boy wasn’t his. She would’ve told him. That would’ve been the ultimate card of manipulation and she hadn’t played it, which meant it didn’t exist. He frowned as his mouth twisted in a snarl. Maybe she didn’t know who the father was. Bitch.
    He yawned as he started feeling the effects of the champagne. He stood at the top of the stairs for several long minutes thinking over the conversation, replayingevery word. He’d known the moment she told him what she needed that he would do it. How could he not? But, he couldn’t deny the fact that it felt good—really good—to watch her squirm for a while.
    Maybe now she could understand just a little of what he’d felt standing in that church dressing room reading a letter left to explain the unexplainable. Maybe now she would understand what it felt like to have your heart ripped from your chest. How her one ruthless act had changed the entire trajectory of his life. Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn’t. But before it was all said and done Liz Donovan would understand that actions bore consequences.
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    Liz wasn’t sure what brought her out of her deep sleep, but the silhouetted man sitting on the side of her bed was enough to bring her fully awake. “Who the hell are you?”
    She pulled the covers to her chest and scooted across the bed, her eyes trying desperately to see through the dark. Waking up in a strange hotel room had many disadvantages, one of which was disorientation. She had no idea where the door was, or even where her portable iron was. Either might be necessary depending on whether she would need to fight or run.
    â€œI used to love to watch you sleep.” The familiar but groggy voice came out of the shadows.
    â€œDarius?” Her heartbeat slowed down only incrementally. She felt only slightly safer. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œYou’re so beautiful, and when you sleep you look like an angel fallen to earth.”
    She squinted into the shadows. “Have you been drinking?”
    He chuckled. “What? I have to be drunk to thinkyou’re beautiful? I thought you had more self-esteem than that, Liz.”
    â€œWhat time is it? What are you doing here?”
    â€œI don’t know and…” He sighed. “I don’t know.”
    â€œWhat do you want, Darius?”
    â€œYou can’t figure that out?”
    She pulled the covers closer. “Get out of my room!”
    â€œYour room?”
    â€œWhile I’m a guest here this is my room —get out!”
    He stretched across the end of the bed resting his head on his forearm. “No.”
    She stood from the bed. “Why are you doing this?”
    Even in the dim light she watched as his pupils dilated. “Nice gown.” His eyes were glued to her breast where the thin worn material of the gown revealed much more than she realized. “Is that for my benefit? Are we still bargaining, Liz?”
    Liz pulled the comforter from the bed and wrapped it around her body. “Why are you here, Darius? Is this to punish me some more?”
    â€œActually no. It should be. I should be back in my room thinking of all the ways to make you pay for this kidney you want so bad, but instead all I wanted to do was to be near you. Isn’t that pathetic?”
    She didn’t answer and a quiet settled between them. She waited, hoping, praying he would leave