“There you are.” An American voice calls from across the garden. Colin and I quickly shift away from each other. I hadn’t seen Pierce approach or even noticed that the rain has lightened to a drizzle. He’s carrying an umbrella and walking toward us with concern on his face.
My heart is hammering in my chest as I try to look natural.My gaze keeps skipping to where Colin is sitting uncomfortably against the cold wall of the gazebo.
“Baby, what happened?” Pierce asks at seeing Colin’s ankle.
“I slipped in the grass,” he stutters nervously.
“Oh no, are you okay?” Pierce crouches in front of Colin.
“I’m fine. I think I just need to rest it for the afternoon.”
“Of course. And this is where the cake decision needed to be made?” Pierce asks with a haughty laugh.
“No,” Colin replies, glancing toward me. “I just needed a break before going back in to face my father,” he says.
“Oh, he’s not that bad,” Pierce replies, rubbing his shoulder. “Don’t give him such a hard time.”
Colin doesn’t respond; he just seems to retreat in on himself a little.
“Come on,” Pierce says. “Let me carry you back.”
“All right,” Colin replies.
My chest tightens with annoyance. I offered to carry him back. It should have been me.
I’ve never felt so helpless in all my life. And so out of place. What am I doing here? Why do I feel as if their relationship has anything to do with me? I don’t belong here.
“I should get back to work,” I say, rising from the floor and brushing the dirt from my pants.
Before I can leave, Pierce claps a hand on my shoulder. “Thanks for taking care of him,” he says. “But I’ve got it from here.”
I don’t respond. I just glance down at Colin briefly before nodding at Pierce. Then I turn my back on them both and march out into the rain.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Colin
Nine years ago
Amsterdam
“I’ve never had sex on a houseboat before.” Declan drops his bag on the floor of the rental, and we both look up at the same time, smiling at each other from across the living room. We haven’t seen each other in a year, andthat’swhat he starts with? The wordsexfrom his lips has my heart pounding excitedly. The taxi just dropped us off, and those were Declan’s first words when we stepped foot inside. I wasn’t quite sure if we were going to pick up where we left off, but I was planning to follow Declan’s lead.
So this is a very pleasant surprise.
“Um…I thought we could go on a canal tour or go take a peek at the Red Light District,” I reply coyly, taking a step toward him.
“Sure,” he says with a nod of his head, taking a matching step toward me. “Or…”
I smile widely before biting my lip and looking down to hide the blush on my cheeks. We both just flew into Amsterdam this morning. I came all the way from Los Angeles, and he came fromEdinburgh, where he’s living with his younger brother.
On our past summer trips, we’ve always danced around the line a little before jumping right into it. Last summer was different though. Los Angeles set a new precedent, and I’m not upset about it at all.
“Or…” I say, coming closer and letting my voice trail.
He reaches a hand out toward me and grabs me by my collar, tugging me closer until I’m standing flush against him. There’s a jolt in my belly from excitement and arousal.
“Or this,” he murmurs before dipping his head down and kissing my neck. It’s instant heaven. My cock twitches in my pants, growing thick as my hips reach for him.
