“One moment, bella.” I roll over and find my pants on the floor, rummaging through them to find my phone.
The number is a familiar one, and it sends a jolt of dread through my chest.
“Is everything okay?” Madison slides a hand over my shoulder.
“I’m fine, but I must take this in the other room.” I press a kiss to her forehead and walk, naked, into the hall.
My phone stops ringing, but I know the caller won’t give up. Sure enough, by the time I reach my own bedroom, it begins ringing again.
This time, I answer it.
MADISON
When Damiano returns to the bedroom, I know immediately we aren’t going to resume what we’d started.
For starters, he’s fully dressed. Slacks, a button-up shirt, shoes. Then there’s the rolling suitcase in the hallway that he left by the door.
Then there’s his face, pinched with regret.
“I’ll pack my things.” I clamber awkwardly from the bed. I really wish I had some clothes on right now. I struggle to wrap the sheet around my body.
“Not necessary. And I am so sorry I have to leave.” He strides forward and helps me cover myself with the sheet. “It is a shame to leave a beautiful, naked woman alone in bed. But an emergency has come up, and I am the only one who can resolve it.”
“I’m your guest—I can’t stay here without you.” I can only imagine the awkwardness of sharing this beach house with my former brother-in-law, who seems to hate me.
“Nonsense. I brought you here to enjoy the weekend.” He smirks. “And I never did get to show you the sunset last night. We were otherwise occupied.”
“Yes, we were.” I accept his kiss. “But let me get my things. I should leave, too.”
“There’s a chance I can come back before the weekend is over. Please, stay. If I can’t return, Seth will give you a ride home. But if I can, we will watch the sunset and enjoy each other. Perhaps in the hot tub.”
“I don’t know…”
“Please. I don’t expect my task to take very long. It’s possible I could return this evening. Please stay and enjoy the beach, bella.”
His intense brown eyes are both forceful and reassuring. I remember losing myself in his gaze last night, the way he focused on me while giving me pleasure and little bites of pain.
I cave to his demand. “Yes. I’ll stay.”
SETH
Damiano needs a swift punch to the teeth. He knows what he’s doing, and he doesn’t give a shit who he hurts in the process.
Madison walks carefully around the house like a kicked puppy, like I could snap at any time. I flick open my newspaper—an archaic indulgence I save for trips to Mirarosa—and resolve to ignore her. I will enjoy this morning in peace, no matter what.
I scan an article about some kind of scandal with the Surf Rats shortstop, my eyes seeing the words, but my brain not comprehending them. It seems most of my focus is reserved for the curious kitchen sounds Madison is making.
It’s time for more coffee, anyway. I grab my half-full mug and stalk into the kitchen.
Madison stands before the counter, fresh fruit chopped on a cutting board next to a blender full of fresh spinach leaves. She freezes when she sees me, but then says carefully, “Good morning.”
“Morning. What the hell are you making?”
“A smoothie.” She looks pointedly at the blender and throws pieces of mango and strawberries inside. “You sound mad about it.”
“It’ll be loud.”
“So go in the other room.” She turns to face me, fire in her gaze. “You’ve been nothing but rude since I got here, Seth.”
