“Thanks, Jennie.” Jacob gives Mum a hug. “The home opens at eleven, but there was another one at two I wanted to check out.”
My sister groans. “That one is so much bigger than what we need, though.”
“We’ll grow into it, babe.” My brother-in-law winks, making my sister blush, and my dad folds his arms over his chest.
Jacob was a little harder to win over with my Dad. Whether due to his abundance of charm or the fact that he’s a football player, who knows?
It’s most likely because he plays for a rival team, and his goal percentage is the reason Dad’s favourite team can never win against them.
“Sounds to me like you have time to enjoy some child-free time together,” says Mum.
“Mother!” Maddie’s cheeks turn red.
“Oh, I meant for a lunch date or something, since you’ll be out and about.”
I look up at my brother-in-law, who stands beside me with his hands in his pocket, rocking back on his heels. He looks down with a cocky smirk.
“I’m heading out, too,” I announce, walking over to hug my dad, saving my sister from her embarrassment.
“Bye, cherub.” Dad is always the last to pull back from a hug, and it warms my heart every time.
I wave to them as I pick up my handbag and head out the door. The September sun is warm on my skin, but cool wind blows off the river as I walk alongside it to the ferry. It’s only afew minutes walk from my parents’ house to the dock that will take me back to the city side where my apartment is.
I don’t have long to wait for the next ferry. When I climb on, I take a seat at the back and stare out over the water as we drift. I love easy Sunday mornings spent with my family and afternoons unwinding with my cat, Hallie, getting my mind quiet and ready for the week ahead.
My parents have always been a source of inspiration when I think of my own relationships. I love the way Dad is so fierce in his protection of us. He always listens so intently, studiously observant of whatever Mum needs. Mum found her own strength of character after therapy and guidance through Life Vine, but Dad gave her the kind of safety she’d never felt before.
My sisters found men much the same, who praise their independence, encourage their aspirations. They found partners who became their best friends. I’ve never had that in a relationship. Something about my past boyfriends feels lacking; the curiosity, the passion, that need to be around each other. I feel like I never joined my life with theirs. Not the same way I see my mum and sisters have. They’re intertwined with their partners, moving as both separate parts and as one. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong in finding my own person, but it gnaws at me.
As the Heart Assets building comes into view along the city skyline, and the ferry gets closer to the dock, my mind runs circles over the other things that have been calling for me to understand. A guarded man, with secrets hidden behind tattoos, and a heart that feels as untouched as my own.
Chapter seven
“You want to cover those up? You know Aunt Henrietta screams every time you’ve got the Grim out.”
I look at the shadows, vines, and thorns, mixed with cursive script and black roses that are inked from where my shirt sleeves are rolled up and stretch down to my knuckles. We’re headed to the annual general meeting for H&H Mining. An unfortunate obligation for being a shareholder in our family’s multi-billion-dollar company, but as much as I begrudge the task, I’ll do it for Grams and Aunt Henrietta. They’re the reason for all the good fortune in our lives, financial and otherwise, and there’s nothing a Heart wouldn’t do for family.
“I can’t help that she thinks it’s looking right at her.” I shrug, standing from my chair and moving over to the door, pulling it open while I look back at my brother. “Why can’t this meeting be in winter, though? I’m forced to wear a suit when it’s fucking hot as Satan’s balls outside.”
“Oh!” The breathy, sweet sound of a voice I recognise too quickly commands my head to turn. Isabelle stands with a hand poised in the air, as if she were about to knock on the door.
It’s been a month now since our trip to Royal Harbour, and I’m sure I’ve thought of her more days than not. More accurately,nights. When I’m lying in bed, unable to drift off to sleep, I close my eyes and imagine the soft warmth of her body wrapped inmine, the scent of her cocooning me. I take her in as she stands in front of me, and I know my thoughts of her are only going to increase now.
Her hair is swept over one shoulder with little braids framing her face. A delicate silver chain hangs low over her chest, sitting on breasts that are pushed up by a tan suede corset-style top, and I’m in hell. Or is this heaven, imagining her in a corset and not much else? My cock twitches in my pants, and I’m forced to take a breath and redirect my less-than-honourable thoughts. And, now I’m remembering I just said balls right in her face.
“S-sorry. Hi,” I say.
“Hi.” How can anyone make that word sound so sweet? I desperately wish I could know what she’s thinking as I watch her eyes trail down from my head to my feet.
“Did you need something, Iz?” Caleb asks as he joins us by the door. “We’re just heading out for the board meeting at H&H Mining. I’ll be back in about two hours.”
Isabelle takes a last sweeping look up my body, and it feels like flames follow in its wake. She darts her eyes over to my brother the second she locks on mine, realising she was caught staring.
Isabelle gives us an update for Smoke and Barrel, that we need a new liquor licence since we’re outside of the casino’s building. Everything’s on track for the mini gathering we’re hosting at the site to celebrate my new business venture and collaboration with a local whiskey distillery.
“Great job, Isabelle,” Caleb says and puts his hands on her shoulders to turn her around, leading us all over to the elevators. I can’t help the displeased grunt that travels up my throat with my brother’s hands on my… Isabelle.
He looks at me, and I can tell he wants to know what the fuck my problem is. I, too, would like to know because I don’t get possessive of women. Especially ones I have no claim whatsoever over.
