“I’m listening.”
“I need you to take Paris and Griffin out for breakfast while Skye is still sleeping.” Leaving the roses on her front step, hadn’t elicited the response I’d hoped for. She declined my breakfast and lunch invites. Even inviting Griffin over hadn’t made her change her mind. Now, I planned to make sure she took notice, starting with breakfast. After all it was the most important meal of the day.
Dad rubbed a thumb over his bottom lip, his expression contemplative. “Be careful, son. Skye’s always been vulnerable where you’re concerned but she’s also scared to have her heart broken again.”
“I don’t plan to.” I looked out toward the gentle ripples of the water. No words could explain how I felt the day she walked out of that church, taking my heart with her. How I’d clenched my fists so tight to not go after her, I’d drawn blood. How my chest had constricted so tightly, Ryleigh thought I was having a heart attack. How Griffin had to hold me over the toilet while I puked my guts out from too much whiskey, on my wedding night. But I never went after her and I should have. “I hurt her, Dad and nobody knows it but me.”
If only she’d trust me again...
41. Lights Down Low – Max
Skye – 25 years
Three things registered as my eyes opened.
Griffin hadn’t come to wake me like he did every morning. The room was relatively dark compared to the usual brightness, courtesy of my son opening the curtains. A familiar scent overpowered my nostrils.
I inhaled deeply.
Shay.
“Morning, Blue.” As if he heard my thought, his deep voice resonated through the silent space.
My body snapped upright. His fingers steepled under his chin, long jeans-clad legs stretched out in front of him, dark hair still wet with hooded gray eyes on me, Shay sat...no...casually relaxed in one of the two couches near the French doors.
Stunned, I swiped the loose strands of hair out of my face. “What...what are you doing here?” My eyes zipped to the closed door then back to him. “Where’s Griffin?” I winced at the alarm in my voice. He was someone I could never be afraid of, and he’d never hurt Griffin.
Since his arrival I’d tossed and turned, haunted by images of a man who wasn’t just forbidden to me but unavailable. Yet, he played my body like the sweetest sounds of passion to make the coyest of women dance. I knew as long as he remained in Blue Haven, sleep would become something of the past.
He held my gaze for a moment, his expression unreadable. “I haven’t kidnapped him, Blue but Iwillcollect ransom in kind, either way.” One dark brow lifted, heightening the mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“What?” I was starting to sound like a real bumbling idiot around this man.
Slowly he stood. Unnerved with having him near me, I scrambled out on the other side of the bed before he could move. He paused, his eyes rolling over me in a lazy taunt. Acutely aware of my royal blue silk camisole and the tiny matching shorts, my body burned from the inside out. I curled my toes into the carpet to maintain a semblance of calm.
“Definitely in kind.” He winked, biting down on his bottom lip.
