Surprise shot through me. “Brazil?”
“I can shoot the Spix’s macaw. It was an endangered species, but conservation efforts have reintroduced dozens into the wild. My company is doing an awareness campaign. Anyway, I’m leaving next week.”
She’d been in Costa Rica, she had another opportunity to photograph a rare macaw, and she was traveling internationally again in a month. But she’d returned worried about the girls because of June? Disappointment soured the taste in my mouth. If that picture hadn’t circulated, would Kirstin have ever visited the kids between international trips? “Is that why you came home?”
A flicker of guilt crossed her expression, but she quashed it and lifted her chin. “I was worried about the kids.”
Then why didn’t she call more? The headache was making a return. Pursuing this conversation wouldn’t help. “What if you meet some photographer guy who has a thing for colorful birds?”
Her mouth curved into a smile and what looked like relief lit her blue eyes. “I might have to lock it down. What about you? What happens when you meet some woman who has young kids and no wish to move out of Bourbon Canyon?”
I had already met her. Our kids carpooled and we planned playdates for the girls. But Annette didn’t interest me. She wasn’t an amber-eyed songbird with the voice of an angel who could speak for brokenhearted women everywhere.
Her eyes widened. “Did I just describe someone?” She let out a scandalized gasp. “I did—and you’re not interested. Oh, Rhys.” She rose and went to the door. Shoving her feet into her hiking boots, she shook her head. “When we met, you made me feel like a queen. I could tell you were cautious. I could tell you’d had your heart broken, and eventually, I realized your heart was never really mine.”
“Kirstin—”
She held her hand up. “But you went through the motions. You treated me like I was your priority. And you kept it up... right until I didn’t want to live in Bourbon Canyon anymore. I don’t know what hold the dirt in this part of Montana has on you, but it’s powerful.”
We had argued around this subject before, but she’d never been so direct. “Dad was sick?—”
“Then it was Wren. You couldn’t leave her. But here’s the thing... I don’t think it would’ve mattered. I think there’s something keeping you here and I don’t think it’s honor or obligation. I think you’re scared, Rhys. But you never opened up to me. I used to believe June knew the reason, but I don’t know anymore. It’s fucked up, but that makes me feel better. Because it was never me. It wasn’t even June.” She barked a resentful laugh. “You know the real reason I rushed home? I had this weird feeling I’d get pushed out altogether for June because you’d think it was best for the girls.” With that, she pushed out of the door, presumably to join the kids and Wren outside.
CHAPTER TWENTY
June
The birds chirped obnoxiously outside. I adored not hearing traffic outside my window, but the birds and frogs were extra loud in the country. Still, the pleasure of waking up to a warm, strong body behind me was worth it. Even in an empty bed, I’d take wildlife sounds any day of the week.
A strong arm banded around me. I’d gone to sleep in Rhys’s arms. The sex had been great as always, but he’d been quiet. Introspective. I’d asked him what was on his mind, but he’d said it was the short night of sleep he’d gotten thanks to the sex.
Didn’t he realize I could still tell when he wasn’t saying everything? I rarely got the sense he wasn’t being transparent, but there were times Iknew. Usually, it related to his real feelings regarding his dad and especially when he discussed his mom. Iusually got the glossed-over version, like he was making his time with her seem better than it had been.
He let out a gentle groan and buried his nose in my neck.
I wiggled my ass against him. “Morning.”
He slipped his hand down my belly. All I had on was a nightshirt. No underwear. Mostly for this situation, but I was dying to pry. Why had he been stuck in his head last night? Why wouldn’t he talk to me?
Because we weren’t in a relationship. We fucked around. This was fucking around. So as he slipped his hand lower, I stuffed all my questions to the back of my mind and widened my legs.
His strong fingers found my clit and an appreciative groan left him. “You’re wet for me.”
“Mmm.” I kept my eyes closed and rode his fingers. This was what I had wanted to experience. A lazy morning of lovemaking. He’d rush off to do chores soon enough, but I was the first thing on his mind. I was the one he reached for as soon as he woke. No schedule came first. No performance. No urgency to return messages, calls, or DMs in every single social media platform we could be on.
I’d never had that, yet I’d always known I would’ve had it with Rhys.
“Damn, June.” He hitched my leg higher with one of his and wedged his erection at the juncture of my thighs.
I ground into him and he slipped inside.
Nothing but our pants and moans filled the air. Like last night, he was quieter.
The mattress rocked. The wooden headboard banged against the wall. The springs squeaked. He pounded away, thrusting in and out with ruthless precision.His fingertip rested on my clit and the movement alone was enough to stroke me toward my peak.
“Rhys,” I said on a long moan. I coasted toward the top and then rolled over. Pleasure coursed through me, reaching a crescendo. I rode the wave, milking him as long as possible.
“Let it all go. Take everything I’ve got.” He punched into me once, twice more, then stiffened. His hot release filled me and I clenched around him as my orgasm continued to ripple through me.
