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Beau leans back in his chair, tips his face up and drinks in the first rays of the rising sun. “I’m so glad you insisted we stay up for this.”
I nod in agreement and enjoy the quiet peace that descends as the sun rises.
Beau taps the table. “I know Mom did a number on us and that you deserve the chance to do whatever you want. But, don’t let searching for someone who doesn’t exist – some perfect woman without any flaws – keep you from missing out on something special.”
It’s the tip of my tongue to say I’ve found her. But, that’s crazy. Sure, we had a great week together. But…our lives are incompatible for anything more than friendship. And even that seems to make her uncomfortable.
Beau nudges my chair. “I’m going to swim,” he declares and stands up to head to the water.
I throw a fist full of sand at him as he ambles off towards the water.
Beau is soul searching and unsettled. But the fact that we’re here together and that he’s got enough security in his life to have space to daydream, makes me feel less worried about him.
I missed a lot of my adolescence, and sometimes I lament that, but it feels so worth it to see my brothers whole and happy.
The way I felt when I was with Regan.
Just thinking of her makes my heart thud and my stomach flip.
I want to punch myself.
For a man everyone calls smart, I’ve been incredibly stupid.
She’s married with children, I live on another continent, I’ve never even come close to falling in love. And whatever I felt for her when I was ten, was gone. But when I jumped off that gondola, I knew.
And still, I persisted.
Because I thought there was safety in the fact that we would have to say goodbye. I should have recognized that for the wolf in sheep’s clothing that it was.
There is no safety net you’re ensnared by a femme fatal. There’s only free fall.
We agreed to wait until tomorrow but, I miss her and it’s not like anyone’s paying attention.
I scribble a note for my brothers on a cocktail napkin and go in search of my goddess.
Hot Stone
Regan
There’s a light knock on my door and I put my book down and just stare at it for a minute. It’s barely 9am and Stone is fast asleep next to me. He showed up a few hours ago, and I was too happy to see him to mind that he was breaking one of our rules. He crawled into bed, wrapped an arm around my waist, pulled me so my back pressed against his chest and fell asleep.
The knock comes again, a little louder this time. I disentangle myself from the warm weight of his arms and slip my robe on before I pad over to the door.
I look through the viewfinder and my heart drops to my toes when I see Hayes Rivers standing there.
I gasp, my heart racing and jump back from the door like it’s on fire.
What in the world does he want? Maybe I can pretend I’m not here. He knocks again, more insistent this time.
“One second,” I call out and run to shut the bedroom door, then scan the room for any signs of Stone’s presence. Seeing none, I take a steadying breath, and open the door.
Hayes Rivers is an entire mood. He looms large and imposing in my doorframe, smiling pleasantly, but his eyes tell an entirely different story. They’re cold and intent and his severe brows give his handsome face an austerity that is intimidating.
“This is a surprise. I expected you to be keeping the new Mrs. Rivers company,” I say in a lighthearted tone that is as transparent as his disapproval. I draw my robe tighter around me.
“Yes, my wife told me that you were responsible for her having her hair done. I wanted to thank you.” His smile is nothing close to grateful, and my chest tightens.
“You’re welcome and it was my pleasure. But you didn’t have to come all this way to tell me that.” I give him a tight smile.
