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“The janitor’s closet? That’s not allowed.”
“Should I return it before or after I use it to boost you up and get the next treasure?” The cocky way he asks is so sure, as if he knows me so well already.
“After, obviously.” I roll my eyes, realizing he’s got me. “You already have it.”
Setting it up, he holds it still for me, and I climb to the top. At first, I almost miss the tiny button, but the angel’s hands fall open and display a large red ruby. I gasp in surprise even though it’s exactly as the poem said.
“I still can’t believe it’s real. It’s a ruby,” I say down to him. We’re surrounded by tall trees, but they’re sparse, so I quickly grab the ruby and close the angel’s hands. Then I make my way safely down, only to be cuddle up in Milo’s arms when I hit the ground.
“Still second guessing yourself?”
I shake my head, leaning back against the ladder to look up at him. When his lips slowly make their way to mine, I know I’m a goner for this man. Upon impact, I melt, and without even sleeping together, he’s got total control of my body.
Too quickly, he breaks the kiss, and we hurry back down the trail with the second treasure tucked away with the key.
6
Milo
Real treasure. My mind still reels from it all when we make it back to the beach.
“It looks like the ruby might fit into the key,” Meno says, pondering the red jewel that does appear to have a metal frame, indicting it might fit into something.
“Or maybe, it fits someplace at the next location. The next one is the last one.”
She gives me that adorable squeal of excitement and jumps up.Grabbing her waist, I lift her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist, her going arms around my neck. Then she kisses me. Right there, for the whole beach to see. My chest fills with the sentiment of her claiming me for everyone to see. Whatever worries I had about us not being a good idea quickly disappear. If my age doesn’t bother her, I can easily make everything else work. The Candy Cane Key gossips will have a tea party soon, and I’m glad. Everyone needs to know she’s mine. Signed, lips sealed, and dated.
My huge smile breaks our kiss, and we laugh as the people around us whoop and holler. One voice in particular sounds familiar.
“Hey! You ever seen a beached whale?” the familiar voice shouts.
“That sounds terrible,” Meno says, her smile falling. Leave it to my sister to ruin a good thing for me.
“It’s not what you think,” I tell her, setting her small frame back on the sand.
Turning, we see the “whale” in all her glory layed out in a lounge chair. My beautiful, six-month pregnant sister lounges under a palm tree with a book folded on her belly. I won’t ask her anything about its contents, though. I learned the hard way not to do that.
“She’s not a whale. She’s just very dramatic about her pregnancy,” I tease as a big brother should, leading my girl over by the hand. “Meno, this is my sister, Robin.”
“Oh my gosh, hi. So nice to meet you. I really wish you hadn’t seen me climb your brother, just now,” Meno says. She sounds nervous, so I tuck her under my arm. The action seems to relax her, and she sinks against me with a look of thanks.
“Don’t be silly. I’m happy for my brother. At least, one of us should get lucky.”
“First off, ma’am, inappropriate. Second, you’re glowing with luck. I think you’ve had enough.”I tease.
“Ha, ha. I beg to differ.”
“You could just tell me who the father is and let me drag his sorry ass back here to man up,” I say through gritted teeth.
“That would most definitely not get me laid,” Robin retorts.
“So you do know who he is?” I point, accusing, but regret it instantly. Reminding myself she’s a grown woman living her own life. Making her own decisions even when I disagree. I also love my sister and don’t need to be picking a fight with her right now.
Pulling back, I groan in frustration. Ifthis guy ever shows up, and I’m confident he will because my sister is a fuckin prize, I’m gonna kill him. When he’s learned his lesson on how to treach her,then I’ll send him back to her as a better man. One with manners, who understands you don’t fuck around; you stick around.A man worthy of being the father who raises her child with her. Otherwise I can make a coffin from the scraps I’ve got at Grand Rapids.
“Meno! That’s such a beautiful name, so perfect for my brother, the marine biologist,” Robin says, changing the subject to something she thinks would make me uncomfortable. The jokes on her. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Meno is perfect, but not because of her name.
“Thank you. My parents wanted to name me something weird, so no one would copy them. That’s a direct quote from my mother,” she jokes with a crooked smile.
