“I don’t think so, angel. It will be very busy.”
Mira ducks her head. “Oh.”
“Or we can do a private lesson,” Rhett jumps in. “I could drive us into town tomorrow. There’s plenty I could teach you. And even just working up a sweat is its own reward.”
I look at him, try to convince myself he’s good, convince myself he’s not one of the bad guys.
If Mira weren’t here, I’d say no, even if the thought of Rhett coated in sweat with his muscular arms on displaydoesaffect me. I’m not some sex-crazed woman, never was, and definitely not after Lucian. I’d be able to ignore the temptation if it weren’t for that unbreakable hope on Mira’s adorable face.
“Sure, yeah, okay,” I murmur. “I guess that could be… fine.”
“Fine,” he repeats. “Make sure to bring that same level of enthusiasm to myYelpreview.Rhett Maddox is just fine…”
A laugh erupts from me, loud and carefree. I cover my mouth, but then he winks, and I laugh again. Mira giggles as a line of syrup slides down her chin. Rhett looks at her, wiggling his eyebrows, and that makes her laugh even harder, which makesmelaugh even more.
It’s beautiful and impossible and magical, and somehow, I can’t shake the feeling it’s going to end in disaster.
CHAPTER 7
RHETT
Istep out of the shower. Wipe the steam from the mirror and look into my dark brown eyes. As I shave, I tell myself I need to tell Elle before this goes too far.
Yesterday meant more to me than it had any right to. A drive with her and her funny, cute little sister, making them smile, felt like its own damn reward.
But if she knew?—
“Then fucking do something about it,” I growl at my reflection.
Before I leave, I go into my study and find the book I was thinking about all last night. I couldn’t shake the warmth I felt when Elle talked about photography, not that I wanted to shake it. Her passion made me feel… well, just feel. That was a miracle in itself.
Anything other than white-hot rage isn’t usually on the menu.
Yesterday at the diner, I would’ve needed to be the most ignorant man imaginable not to see her hyper vigilance. She wastrying her best to hide it. But more than twice she flinched. It was as if she didn’t even know she was doing it sometimes.
Which is why I need to tell her.
Fucking hell, I’m getting repetitive. Boring myself even.
Either do it or shut up, man.
When I reach her cabin, I know I’m going to go with the shut-up option. They look too excited for the day, Mira wearing a karate outfit that looks like a Halloween costume. Gi pants and a shirt with Chinese lettering, complete with a ribbon around her head.
Elle is wearing tight-fitting leggings and a practical sports shirt. As she approaches the car, hunger stirs in me. Those leggings grip her thick thighs like they’re waiting for me to tear them loose and reveal her creamy perfection.
I close my eyes and take a breath.
Then climb from the car and open the backseat. Mira raises her arms as if she wants me to lift her into the car. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Elle anxiously chewing on her lip.
“Come on now, ninja girl. I bet you canjumpinto the car!”
Mira giggles and leaps up. Elle smiles gratefully at me. When I walk around to the passenger-side, she stops and turns to me. “What are you doing?”
“Opening your door.”
She rolls her eyes, but that tempting, gorgeous flush in her cheeks is back. I’m getting addicted to bringing that out in her.
“I can do that myself.”
