She heard Daniel sigh behind her. “What’s wrong, Sabrina?”
“Everything is wrong. The New York Times published an article about us, claiming I’m a high-class hooker.” A sob tore from her chest. How would he take the news?
Daniel reached for her elbow and turned her to face him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out. I knew it would upset you.”
“You knew about the article? When? When did you find out? Did Eve tell you when she came on to you just now?”
When he lowered his lids, she knew the truth. Disappointment coursed through her.
“I knew before today. I read the article the day it was published.”
Sabrina pulled her elbow free of his grasp. “Why? Why would you hide that from me?” She turned her face away. “For the past few days people in town have been giving me strange looks. I couldn’t figure out why. Now I know: they read the article. They think I’m a gold-digging prostitute who tricked you into marrying me!” She paused to take a deep breath. It did nothing to calm her.
“I’m sorry, baby. Ever since I read the article, I’ve been trying to get them to retract it and issue an apology. I was hoping that I could make it all go away, and you would never have to deal with it.”
She shook her head. “Daniel, I got fired today!”
Daniel stared at her, stunned.
“The firm terminated my employment because of that article. Everybody thinks I’m a whore!”
Daniel gripped her biceps. “Don’t say that word! That’s not you! They’re wrong. They’re all wrong.”
“Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter what the truth is! Because everybody believes the lies in that article. I can’t make that go away.” She tried to pull from his grip, but he didn’t allow it.
“I will make it go away. It’s my responsibility, because I am responsible for this.”
She gave him an inquisitive look. “What do you mean you’re responsible for it?”
Daniel released one of her arms and shoved a hand through his dark hair. “It’s because of Audrey.”
Sabrina’s heart stopped only to restart at double the rate a moment later. Hadn’t they laid their issues with Audrey to rest several months ago?
Daniel sighed. “She managed to get her hands on a copy of my credit card statement and saw the charge for the escort service on it. With it she concocted a story, and the newspaper believed her. I just have to discredit it.”
“Hold it! How did she get your credit card statement?”
Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. “Frances, my assistant. Turns out, she was spying for Audrey all along. That’s how she always knew what I was up to. I fired Frances immediately when I found out.”
Sabrina pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh my god! Where is this gonna stop? How are we going to ever fix this?” She pushed back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her and rob her of her ability to think clearly.
Daniel lifted her chin with his fingers. “I’m already on it. I’m looking into a way to discredit her story. Please trust me.”
“What are you trying to do?”
“Let me worry about that. You’ve got enough on your plate with the wedding preparations.”
Sabrina looked at him and took a few breaths before she continued, “Daniel, we can’t go on like this.”
His face paled. “Like what?”
“You can’t constantly keep things like this from me, Daniel. If this marriage has any chance of working, we have to be honest with each other, no matter what.”
Daniel let out a ragged breath as if he’d expected a bombshell and instead only a small pebble had hit.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll do better in the future. I’ll never hide anything else from you. I promise you.” He lowered his head, his lips suddenly hovering over hers. “Forgive me? Please?”
It was impossible to reject his request. With a sigh she leaned toward him, brushing her lips over his and offering him the kiss he sought. When their mouths fused together, she felt his arms coming around her, cocooning her, protecting her.
Daniel lifted her into his arms then lowered himself to his knees, placing her with her back in the soft sand. Daniel’s hand trailed down the length of her body until he reached the hem of her skirt, which he lifted just enough to slide his hand beneath it. His palm was hot on her stomach, igniting her with one touch.
He ripped his mouth from hers. “Do you think I’m crazy, because I want to make love to you right now?”