Sianna
AFTER DINNER, KYRAsuggested a game of monopoly. Drake excused himself to get some work done, and the rest of us settled in front of the fire. Me slicing my finger seemed to have created some unease between Rayden and his father. All through dinner, they’d hardly spoken to each other while I, an anxious bundle of nerves, toyed with my food, searching for something to break the tension. Thankfully, Kyra and Tamara kept up a steady stream of conversation. Still, I hated that I’d caused undue stress I could do without.
Now, as we waited for Kyra to set up the game, Rayden rested his head in my lap. “Are you having a good time so far?” He twirled a lock of my hair around his finger.
I nodded. “One of the best holidays, I guess.” While it was the truth, I hadn’t had any other holiday to speak of, and surprisingly the knowledge that I was in Drake’s home didn’t affect my answer. “Why?”
“You just seem a little distracted. Did I do something wrong?”
Despite my laugh, my insides resembled over-stirred Hollandaise. I ran a hand through his hair. “I’m fine, and you haven’t done anything wrong.”
“So, I’m still your best boyfriend ever.”
“No.”
He faked a hurt look that had me laughing again. Smiling, he cupped my neck, drawing me closer, and captured my lips in a slow kiss. The thick curtain of my hair shielded us.
The sudden clearing of a throat had me pulling back. Drake stood behind one of the couches, arms crossed over his chest, his face shrouded in annoyance. His lips pressed into a flat line, he kept his gaze trained on me. “Ray, I need more help down at the stables tomorrow. Think you can spare the time?”.
“Sure. Can we do it when we come back from town?” Rayden sat up.
Drake nodded, then turned to leave. “Don’t you want to join us for a game, dad,” Kyra stopped him.
“I’ve got work to do.” Although he smiled, I picked up on the edge of hardness lining his words, something his family didn’t notice.
“When have you become such a bore during holidays,” she pouted. “You’ve always enjoyed cheating me in monopoly,” she teased. Kyra was trying to make him stay. He eyed his daughter briefly, his brow furrowed in deep creases that did not detract from his good looks.
I could tell he was struggling to accept my relationship with his son, and after our interactions since the slopes, it was becoming harder. My chest tightened. He didn’t want to spend time with his children because I was in the room. I felt awful.
Not giving any thought to my action, I stood. “Stay, please.”
His eyes met mine. There was a moment’s hesitation before he raked a hand through his hair and nodded. As I turned, Tamara looked up from her phone, her expression curious. Rayden, on the other hand, appeared entirely baffled by his father’s acceptance.Oh, God.Had I just stirred a hornet’s nest?
Rayden’s sudden smile gentled my nerves. “Thanks,” he whispered when I sat down again.
“You can take my place, Drake.” Tamara stood.
“Why?” I asked, once again, not thinking. Her moving brought Drake right next to me.
“I have another game I’d rather play.” She winked, waving her phone and earning a laugh from everyone. Earlier, she’d mentioned a guy to me. Only, he was married, and that she had no idea how to end it. Somehow memories of me discovering Drake was married played in my head.
Expecting reticence from Drake, it never came. Throughout the game, he joined in the banter Kyra started by calling both men cheaters. He appeared a lot friendlier than when he’d sat down. “Jesus, Ray. You’re next in line to inherit Princeton, and you’re announcing bankruptcy so early in this game. How am I to trust your judgment?” he teased.
“Because I’m my father’s son,” Rayden snorted a laugh. “I think I got a pretty good handle on judging things. Here’s a good example.” He winked at me before squeezing my thigh. “What do you think, dad?”
Feigning interest in the fake money in my hand, I felt Drake’s gaze on me. “Best decision, ever,” his reply warmed my chest, but only I caught the underlying regret.
“I second that,” Kyra’s lighthearted comment drew my gaze.
