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I glanced up at the cliffs and did a double take. A house stood on the top now. It wasn’t there before. I think I might have known someone bought the property, but I pushed it from my mind because it made me sad. The view from those cliffs had always been my favorite, so not getting to climb the switchback path and sit there for sunset hurt my heart.
It was okay. I could still do that on the beach.
I changed while I was gone. Couldn’t expect everything to freeze in time when you were the one who ran away.
The long drive up to our gates unfolded in front of us.
Vaughn let out a low whistle. “Been around here, but never been up close to this one.”
“It’s nice,” I admitted.
Who was I kidding? It was way, way more than nice. My stepfather was one of the most sought-after entertainment lawyers in the country, and my mother was an interior designer whose work graced the cover of magazines. The only reason she didn’t have her own TV show was that she didn’t want one. I knew for a fact she had producers banging down her door and begging on a regular basis.
The security guard at the gate leaned into the window, looking at Rowan skeptically. “Name?”
“It’s me, George. Isolde.”
His eyes skipped into the backseat and onto my face. Then he smiled. “It’s nice to see you, Miss Allen. I know your family is looking forward to having you home.”
“Thank you. Can you put this car on the open access list? I’ll make sure to get you everyone’s names.”
“Of course.”
Stepping back, he waved us through. There were already cars along the road, and several pulled up on the gravel driveway in front of the house. All the guests wouldn’t be here for a couple of hours, but I swallowed anyway. Showtime.
As soon as the car stopped, I went for the door, and a hand fell on my shoulder. “No.” Cade’s hand stayed there, gently holding me in place as Joel exited the car and opened the door for me.
“I can open my own doors.”
“Yes, you can,” Joel said. “But you won’t. Not with us around.” He helped me down from the taller height of the SUV.
“Why?”
With a hand on my hip, Joel pulled me to the side, guiding my back against the warm metal of the SUV’s side. “Why what?”
“Why can’t I open my own doors?”
His laugh rasped over my skin, voice impossibly deep. Those slate-blue eyes focused on mine. “You might not want the entire package offered to you, Isolde. But we’re here to do more than just put on a show in front of your family.”
All I could do was blink. If they weren’t here to do that, what were they here to do?
He leaned closer. Close enough to overwhelm me with the rich, sharp scent of bourbon and that depth of spice. So close I could feel his breath on my neck. It was hard to remember that Ididn’twant the entire package when he was this close.
“We’re here to take care of you, Isolde. As many… needs as you’ll allow us to take care of. Whether that’s standing with you in front of your family and offering support, no matter the reason, or opening your car door for you.”
I let out a shuddering breath and swallowed, trying desperately to find words when my mouth was suddenly dry. “Still, I’ve been opening my own doors for a while now. It’s okay if I do it.”
Joel’s eyes crinkled with a smile again. “Sorry, beautiful. Comes with the deal. No opening your own doors. Not while we’re around. If it makes you feel better to think it’s all a part of the ruse, go ahead.” He leaned closer, my breath going still in my chest when his lips brushed over mine in a non-kiss. Nothing more than contact.
Contact that made me feel more than I had in years.
“But it’s going to happen anyway,” he said.
“What is?” I couldn’t even think with him so close, his scent in my nose.
His laugh vibrated against me. “Us taking care of you. Better get used to it.”
I looked up at him when he pulled back, unsure of the look in his eyes. Or the rest of them, now congregated behind Joel, blocking us from anyone’s sight.
