Page 56 of Tristan’s Temptation

“Come here. Hurry.”

He pulled her around a corner and together they huddled behind a stall featuring enormous sombreros with the word “MEXICO” painted in gaudy colors on the brim.

“Did you want to buy a hat?”

“No. Shh!” He peered out at the crowd. His entire body was tense.

“What’s wrong?”

“Damn it. It is him.”

“Who?”

“Levin. Damn it. Scoot back a little. I don’t want him to see us.”

Shannon stepped back. She stepped back and stared at Tristan. Saw him. Saw their relationship, perhaps for the first time.

The pain racking her heart was sharp and bittersweet. There was probably anger swirling around in there somewhere as well.

Because Tristan tracked Levin’s every move and angled her deeper into the stall as his friend hove into view. Hiding her.

And she knew.

In her heart of hearts, she knew.

She couldn’t be with Tristan.

She couldn’t be with a man who was ashamed to be seen with her. Who willfully kept their relationship a secret.

It hadn’t bothered her—well, not too much—before. At first.

But it bothered her now.

She couldn’t even school her expression when Levin finally climbed the gangplank of one of the other ships. When he turned around and his gaze fell on her face, he paled.

Fortunately he didn’t patronize her by asking what was wrong. He had the cajones to refrain from playing games. “Shannon, that was not what it looked like.”

“It looked like you were avoiding your friend.”

“I was.”

“Because you’re here with me.”

He sighed and dragged his fingers through his hair. “We’ve been through this.”

“I know.”

“It’s just, if Adam knew…”

“I know.”

“He would make my life a living hell.”

“I know. I get it. I understand.”

“Then why are you angry?”

Shannon glanced around the plaza, at the beautiful day, at all the people having a wonderful time, totally oblivious to the devastating heartbreak going on right inside her chest. “I’m not angry, Tristan. I’m hurt.” She swallowed, a pathetic attempt to force back the tears hovering on her lashes. It didn’t work. One fell, and then another. And then many.