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Sweat trickles down my temples and I wipe it with the back of my arm.
The sun descends in the lake, casting an orange reflection on the clear water. And just like that, our stay here will come to an end.
We’ll have to go back to the island tomorrow.
But why do I feel like every ounce of happiness I experienced will vanish as easily as the sun?
I crouch in front of the flowers and stroke Iris’s rosy petals. “You don’t know either, huh?”
“Please don’t tell me you’re talking to flowers again.”
My spine tingles at the very familiar voice and a sudden frisson erupts at the back of my neck. I tilt my head to the side to find Landon standing in the middle of the terrace, his usually impeccable shirt slightly untucked and his hair ruffled and finger-raked.
I slowly stand up and search behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“I jumped through your sister’s balcony.” He points a thumb behind him. “I always wanted to try and see what it’s like to climb walls and windows for your beloved à la Shakespearean. Not too bad. Four out of five would recommend.”
“Why only four?”
“Whether or not I add the fifth star depends on the results of this.” His darkened eyes rake over my satin shorts and thin camisole. “So far, it’s looking promising.”
I suppress a smile. “You should probably leave before Dad notices your absence from his immediate surroundings and comes knocking at my door.”
“We better be quick, then, or else I’ll fall victim to his relentless cock-blocking.”
I bite my lower lip and inspect our surroundings. It’s probably better that I push him out, but then again, he’s not the only one who’s sexually frustrated. With Dad keeping Lan on a leash—as much of a leash as Landon will allow—it’s been impossible for us to get time alone. Especially since Lan has made it his mission to meet every single member of my existing family.
“So you want to spend time with me now?” I sign. “I thought you were more interested in Grandpa, Aunt Reina, and the rest of my family.”
He searches around the flowers.
“What are you doing?” I sign.
“I’m checking to see if one of these edgy flowers is perhaps poisonous and might cause hallucinations. Otherwise, why in the ever-loving fuck would you think I’d rather spend time with your family than you?”
“Well, didn’t you want to meet them all?”
“Yes, but only because I figured it’d make you happy if I get to know the people you love.” His brow furrows. “Did I miscalculate something? Is my spending time with your family perhaps not something you want and actually makes you displeased instead?”
My lips part as I study his face.
He looks genuinely confused. He was going against his nature to provide me with a form of happiness, but I shot him down.
I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest. Lan engulfs me, his larger hands covering my back in a protective cocoon.
“If you don’t speak to me, I won’t understand, Mia. Do my actions have the opposite effect of what I intended?”
I shake my head against his chest and then push back. “It does make me happy. I guess I was a bit salty because I missed you these past couple of days.”
A wolfish grin lifts the corner of his lip and he strokes my cheek. “Say that again.”
“It makes me happy.”
“No, the other part.”
I smile. “I missed you, Lan.”
“You did, huh?”
