His words are meant to provoke, but this time, Grey’s response is a cool, collected look that belies the irritation I know he feels. Leaning in, Grey replies with a hint of a smirk, “Oh, don’t worry, the endings Amelia and I have are always more than happy.”
That’s my boy.
Daniel’s eyes narrow sharply, a flicker of surprise and annoyance crossing his features before he can mask it with an indifferent façade, but he keeps his mouth shut after that.
Finally, we arrive at the most spectacular spot of the hike—the vast cliffside that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the coastline.
This is where I’d hoped to have a moment alone with her.
I catch Oliver’s eye and give him a subtle nod. Bless him. He understands immediately. With a gentle nudge that would make a secret agent proud, he signals Grey, who tears his eyes away from Amelia. They slow their pace with all the subtlety of a pair of elephants trying to tiptoe, allowing Abigail, August, and their daughters to catch up.
“You guys are both lawyers, right?” Grey asks, his expression carrying a hint of mischief as he directs his question at August and Daniel.
“Yes,” August replies, his curiosity clearly piqued. “Why?”
Daniel simply raises an eyebrow, waiting.
Dickhead indeed.
“How are the laws for stalking here? How much time can one get?” Grey continues, his gaze flitting to Oliver in a clear challenge.
Oh my God, what an idiot.
“Depends.” August’s response is measured, cautious, his eyes narrowing in a way that broadcasts how done he is with our shit. “What are you getting at? That’s not something you can estimate without knowing all the facts.”
Oliver chimes in with a mischievous grin, “Oh, and how about hacking into company servers?”
“What company? Wait, no, don’t tell me.” August groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t want to know shit that can be used against me. Plausible deniability and all that.”
“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Stanley,” Daniel drawls, a hint of amusement coloring his voice. “Where did you hack yourself into? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”
Seizing the distraction, I reach out and grasp Amelia’s hand, pulling her aside to stay back with me as the others walk on. Amelia looks at me, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity, but she doesn’t pull away.
She lets me hold her hand, and though the gesture is small, I will savor whatever she offers.
The cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop, and the ocean waves crash below us, filling the air with the salty tang of sea spray.
It’s the perfect setting.
“I’ve got something for you.”
Sliding my backpack off my shoulders, I reveal the small pack of Twizzlers I’d brought along, and her eyes light up with excitement. She snatches them greedily, tearing into the pack with a grin I haven’t seen in ages. Her face alone was worth sacrificing half the space in my suitcase for this stuff.
She bites into one, and her eyes flutter closed as a moan escapes her lips. The sound goes straight to my groin, my cock twitching in response. Stepping closer, my heart pounds in my chest as I reach out to brush a stray hair from her face.
She opens her eyes, and the gratefulness in them is unmistakable. She leans into my touch, her breath hitching as I trace my fingers down her neck.
So damn beautiful.
“There’s more where that came from,” I whisper, and her smile tells me I’ve scored a point.
“Thank you. I didn’t think I’d ever taste this goodness again,” she murmurs, looking down at her feet.
Something in me tightens. Reaching up with my thumb, I guide her chin so she has to look at me again. Her eyes are wide, a little flustered, as they meet mine.
“I get why you needed space, Bug, but you didn’t plan to come back to me at all?” My words are low, heavy with hurt and hope, demanding an honesty we’ve both avoided. “Talk to me.” Grabbing the pack of Twizzlers from her free hand, I put it in my pocket.
Her lips part, but she hesitates. Then her words come out in a whisper. “I-I already told you guys you hurt me. I don’t know what to… you know I’m not good with this.” The plea in her eyes almost breaks me, but I need answers.
