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Seconds later, Ty had the snake, and he and Lane walked farther down the beach to euthanize the killer python. Sorry, but my sympathy was restricted to four-legged pets. And two-legged. I did hate to see Lane sad.
Maybe sad was a strong word; he was well aware of the reality and had already done more for the ecosystems down here than I had, but he loved those creatures too.
He reminded me a little bit of my grandpa, who always said the best hunter was an animal lover. They detested suffering and respected the laws of nature.
“You know what’s probably not gonna be quick and painless?” It was Reese who’d asked the question, and I glanced over at him as he nodded toward the horizon.
A chunk of dread sank into the pit of my stomach.
Help.
What were the odds of it being someone other than Walker on that speedboat currently approaching the shore?
Fuck.
I swallowed nervously and didn’t know what to do with my hands. Should I just stand here? Should I be the first to greet him? The last? Was I gonna end up bawling my eyes out and throwing myself into his arms? All those goddamn emotions swelled up like a summer storm, and it was impossible to tell which emotion would win and take the lead.
“If you never want to be at home, why do you fuckin’ live here?” he yelled angrily. “Why are we even together, Macklin? Huh? Every time I want to spend time with you, you’re bitchin’ about not being able to go out and party. Just fuckin’ go!”
I flinched.
His Tennessee accent was more pronounced when he was angry. And tired. And turned on.
“That’s such bullshit!” I yelled back. “We haven’t been out in months! You act like I wanna hit up clubs and dance with other men—all I wanted was a night at the house with our friends! It’s a goddamn barbecue, not a rave!”
I clenched my jaw and folded my arms over my chest.
“That’s the spirit.” Reese shook his head in amusement. “Shay, come to Daddy. Let’s show Macklin how to greet someone you love.”
Shay rolled his eyes but couldn’t resist. He jogged over and fought a grin, and soon he was in Reese’s arms.
“Helpful,” I said flatly.
“By the way, this is the start signal to our playtime,” Reese told me. “All Tops know all bottoms’ limits. From here on out, only your safeword will save you.”
Noted. “Okay.” I left the lovebirds and their silly make-out session, stupid grins, and dumb chuckles.
By now, I could see that the man on the speedboat was Walker. He tossed in the anchor a little closer to the island than Ty had, probably because the boat he’d rented was smaller.
I stopped when my toes sank into wet sand, and I couldn’t look away. No going back now. Safewording wasn’t an option for me. Which was the usual drill when I laid eyes on Walker. I stopped functioning properly. My self-preservation took a hike.
No suit in sight now. Just a pair of khaki shorts and sunglasses—and he removed those before he threw a duffel bag into the water and dove in after it.
Shit. We were down to seconds now. My stomach tightened with unease and frazzled nerves, and my head was a complete mess. Moments we’d shared together whooshed by in my mind, from the private ceremony we’d had on his boat shortly before we’d broken up…
“You may kiss your husband.”
I screwed my eyes shut the second he dipped down and kissed me forcefully.
“It has to be us forever,” I pleaded and locked my arms around his neck.
He nodded and held me tighter. “I can’t let you go. I won’t. You’re mine.”
…to the early morning weeks later when we’d finally given up.
I couldn’t do this anymore. The thought made me sick, but I just couldn’t. We’d gone around in circles all fucking night. My heart was already broken.
“Just say it, Macklin.”
I looked at him and brushed away the tears that rolled down my cheeks. Wasn’t he tired? I didn’t have another fight in me. I was ready to keel over. And yet, I watched him and felt such need to be near him. To take us out of our living room, across town, to where the boat was docked—for another stolen reprieve.
We had to end this. No matter how much I loved him, we’d been poisoned.
“Say it,” Walker growled.
I sucked in a breath. “We’re over.”
Someone give me strength.
My gaze remained glued to Walker as he came out of the water, step by step, each one bringing him closer to me. That was the stunning contrast about him. Polished in a suit, rugged as fuck without one. I was drawn to both. I craved both.
Not too much had changed in the last two years since I’d seen him—since I’d sworn it was the last time. His hair was still dark blond and silver. His chest was still equal parts sculpted and stocky, with chest hair that matched the hair on his head. And the scruff… Perhaps he’d added to the sleeve on his arm. The tattoos looked darker and denser than I remembered. He was one of those who got a perfect tan after five damn minutes in the sun too.
