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“You’ve got a beautiful voice, Sweets,” I tell her, reaching across the console between us to take her hand.
I don’t miss the way she tenses slightly at my touch, but immediately relaxes. I’m not about to press her further, though while on this trip, I’m going to get in there. Maybe not physically, still I’ll have her open up to me and when she does, she’ll find out my intentions where the two of us are concerned.
Holding her hand in mine, the only sound filling the cab is the music as I drive the rest of the way to the coast, both of us in our heads . . . thinking.
* * *
It’s nearly one in the morning by the time I get to the beach house. The others will also stay here, it’s big enough for all of us, bonus each room has its own bathroom.
I park and turn the key, shutting off the engine, more than ready to get inside and pass the hell out. It’s been a long day with everything I’ve found out and then driving here after having a damn good meal. The only thing that would possibly keep me up right now is if I were to take pleasure in Nevaeh’s body and that won’t be happening. It’ll be another night for me and my hand.
Opening my door, I finally speak. “You get the cat, and I’ll get our bags and his shit. Once we get inside, we’ll get Gizmo set up, then head to bed,” I inform her, and a plan comes to mind. Sure, there are plenty of rooms, but she doesn’t know how many of my brothers are coming later.
“Okay,” Nevaeh says softly, scooping the kitten in her arms and getting out.
The sound of the water hits my ears, and the smell of the sea breeze fills my nose. I love it and always have. I grew up pretty much living by the ocean. Being an only child, I even inherited my family’s property. Not that I’ve been there since my parents passed away. I didn’t fit in that world. Never had and never will.
I come from a prestige family that made money in the oil industry. The company is still running and though I’m the owner, I don’t run it. It isn’t my thing. I leave it in the hands of a CEO, though I still have to meet with him a few times a year to make sure everything is running in an orderly fashion. Just because it isn’t my thing, and I’m not a part of that world, doesn’t mean I won’t step in to handle business if needed.
I loved my parents, and they taught me to be who the hell I want to be. Doesn’t matter what I do in life. The key was to always be smart and know when to walk away from something or when to fight.
And I’ve fought plenty. I fought to keep the company when another wanted to take it from me. If not for the ironclad will my grandparents and then my parents put in place, it would have been taken. Which reminds me, I should probably check my email and see if there’s anything there I’ll need to handle. Better yet, I’ll forward to Viking and Dice and let them take care of it for me. Or more like they’ll get it over to the club’s attorney, who will then make sure everything is in order.
When I’d taken control of the business, I gifted a share to the club who gets a check each month, just as I do. This didn’t go over well with others, but I don’t give a shit. It’s mine to do what I want with.
Letting out a breath, I gather everything together and start toward the house. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Nevaeh following me. Up the stairs we go. I punch the code in and open the door.
Inside, I guide her through the dark halls, up to the top floor and to the room that the two of us will share. It’s the master and the best view there is with the French doors that open to the sea breeze.
I drop our bags on the floor by the little seating area off to the side, and step over to the side of the bed where I turn the lamp on to show a soft glow of light. Finally, I turn to face Nevaeh, ready to tell her that she’s sleeping in here with me. Instead, though, I find myself staring at her as she takes in the room before moving to the French doors. That damn cat still in her arms.
After a moment of simply watching her, I decide to move closer. Nevaeh’s eyes shift to me as I close the distance and I notice the way she bites that bottom lip. I take the cat from her and drop him to his feet gently before pulling her in my arms and announce, “We’ll be staying in this room together.”
“Why don’t I just go get another room?”
“Not happenin’. You’re in here with me, Sweets, so let’s get Gizmo situated. Then we’ll get ready for bed,” I state firmly.
“But—”
“No buts, Nevaeh. I want you in here with me and that’s where you’re staying,” I interrupt her, not giving in.
Nevaeh huffs out a breath and pulls out of my arms. She glares at me before spinning on her heels and stalking to the cat supplies. She then proceeds to set about getting Gizmo straight.
I’ll give her a moment while I take my boots and shit off, the whole-time watching Nevaeh. With my cut laying on the arm of the little couch, and my shirt on the floor, I toe off my boots and empty my pockets on the nightstand before I unbuckle my belt and drop my jeans. In nothing more than my boxers, I grab the comforter and climb into bed, aware of Nevaeh watching me, though she’s trying not to.
Once she finishes with Gizmo and gets him situated, she grabs her own bag and goes into the en suite bathroom. Nevaeh isn’t one for puttering around in anything she does, so it doesn’t take long before she’s back out wearing a tee I recognize immediately as one of mine. I smirk knowingly. She’d fucking stolen my shirt.
“When did you snag the shirt, Sweets?” I ask, grinning.
Nevaeh stumbles slightly but catches herself just as quick before starting to the couch.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to sleep on the couch,” she announces.
“No, you’re not,” I grunt and throw the blanket off me, climb out, taking several steps to get to Nevaeh and grab her wrist. “We’re sleeping in the bed.” I meet her gaze and hold it. “Together.”
“Maverick,” she calls in protest.
