Page 120 of Seale the Deal

We move around the kitchen like magnets. We take any small excuse to be in each other’s space. I graze his knuckles reaching for an avocado. He swats my ass as he grabs cheese for the eggs, sending heat straight to my core.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this giddy and alive. And it’s with a man I have no idea what the future will look like. That’s a tomorrow-Wrenley problem. Today, I’m going to enjoy it. Go to work. Come home. Get thoroughly ruined by a hot, rugged Alaskan man who can cook and picks good beer.

When I set the plates on the table, Ruger follows with two mugs of coffee. He leans in and brushes a kiss across my cheek as he passes me mine.

I take a bite of my avocado toast, humming at the first buttery crunch.

I love the sounds you make, he says, and I know he doesn’t mean the ones over breakfast.

His gaze is hungry in a way that makes me squirm in my chair.

Don’t start, I warn, though my smile ruins it. I have to get to the shop.

A knock and the front door opening yanks us back into reality.

Hello? Remi’s voice calls out.

In here! I call back.

I square my shoulders, getting ready to keep things as they were. Ruger winks at me over his mug, then steels his own face.

Oh my God, you’ll never guess what my editor said about the latest sex scene I sent her. She was like— She stops dead when she spots us at the table. Oh my God.

What? I ask.

Ruger shifts in his seat, his jaw tight.

Remi’s eyes sweep the room before landing on us. You two fucked.

Chapter 24

Wrenley

DAYS LEFT ON VISA: 44

The words hit like a slap across the face. She’s not laughing. I look at Ruger, silently pleading for some sort of rescue, but he doesn’t meet my eyes. My stomach twists.

What… what do you mean? I say, my voice sharp. The question sounds weak even to my own ears.

You know what I mean, she replies.

I play innocent, shrugging while Ruger just stays the same. He’s straight-faced with his arms crossed, looking at his sister.

Smushed bathing suit parts. Shook the sheets. Put the banana in the fruit salad! You two had sex! she says, more exasperated.

I open my mouth, but no words come out.

Her face grows dead serious. That better not have been the start of a lie, Wrenley St. James.

I look down. I’m sorry.

Remi shakes her head. I’m not looking for an apology, she says. I’m wondering what the hell is going on.

What do I say to that?

While Ruger and I have had many discussions, I can’t exactly pinpoint the second I realized that maybe this plan might not go how we originally envisioned. How do I explain something I barely understand myself?

I don’t know, I admit.