I knew Caleb was waiting for clarification behind my odd request. However, the shock of seeing Shay hadn’t worn off yet, more so how quickly he’d controlled by body. The man had become a manipulative bastard—nothing like the Shay I knew. As a reminder, slick wetness coated the inside of my thighs, my nipples throbbed, and my aching pussy screamed for release.
Coming face to face with Ryleigh had left me out of sorts but running into Shay had my whole world crumbling in under a second. Once she saw me, I expected Ryleigh to convince him to leave town. Either she couldn’t get him to change his mind, or she hadn’t told him about meeting me.
The fact that Shay had befriended Caleb, complicated matters. He was one of the sweetest men I’d met since leaving Rocky Mountain, I felt awful for not telling him the truth. Something I should’ve done the second Shay walked up to our table. Using Caleb with no explanation was another strike against my moral compass if I ever owned one.
He released my hand to change gears. “This guy must’ve had some impact on you. Don’t think I’ve seen you this preoccupied, ever. Not that I blame you, he does seem kind of intense.”
Surprised, my eyes snapped to Caleb. “How did you know it was him?” I gawked, trying to recall if I’d mentioned Shay to him. Intense was an understatement. Shay had changed. There was a certain element of mystery to him and although I wanted to find out what it was, in the same breath I needed to stay away.
“Skye, the way you’re reacted to the guy, even a blind man would’ve seen the undisguised chemistry between you two. If I had to be romantic, I’d say he has some hold over you,” he joked the last part, but his expression didn’t mesh with his words. Curiosity painted his features a distinct shade of ‘what’s up with you two.’
My mouth went dry. There was no way I could tell him who Shay was now. He’d think me sick, perverted for sleeping with my brother. Clenching my fingers, I turned to look out the window.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I glanced at him. “Raincheck?” My eyes pleaded for his understanding.
He studied me for a moment before he replied, “sometimes it helps to get something off your chest before it becomes too much to handle. Alone.” My gaze flitted to the passing scenery, tempted to tell him the truth. He must’ve mistaken my silence for hesitation because he added on a sigh, bringing my gaze back to him. “Want to come home for a nightcap? I’ll run you a warm bath and throw in a massage for good measure. Might do you some good.” He wiggled his brows.
I smiled, loving that gesture he used when trying to get me to laugh. “Thank you but I have some work I need to get done for tomorrow.” I stared at my fingers. Truth was, I needed some time to regroup. Shay’s appearance especially his last comment shook my well-established foundation, and I wasn’t sure how to repair the cracks without breaking down.
‘You ran away, denying me a chance I deserved with you.’
Those words played on a loop since he said them. What did he mean? He married Ryleigh. How did I deny him something I couldn’t give him?
“Mom, can I stay over at Jesse’s, please,” Griffin piped up from the back.
“Hey, buddy, I thought you were sleeping,” Caleb replied with a chuckle before he looked at me. “I’m taking Jesse fishing out on the boat tomorrow. You okay with Griffin joining us?”
“Sure.” I laughed as excited chatter flooded the backseat.
“We’re home,” Caleb announced a few minutes later. “Griff, anything you want to grab before we say goodbye to your mom.” Both boys were out of the car in a flash while we followed at a slower pace. At the door, he gathered me into his arms and when his lips met my brow in a tender kiss, a sudden flash of gray eyes startled me, and I jerked back. Surprised, Caleb eyed me with worry, his hands tightening a little at my lower back. “Are you sure you’re okay, Skye?”
“Yeah. Maybe I’m more tired than I thought.”
“Okay, get some rest then,” he said as the boys scooted past, their chatter loud enough to wake Paris. That’s if she was back from her date with Mr. Millionaire.
“You’re forgetting something, Griff,” I called after him as Caleb stepped back.
Griffin stopped mid-climb and dragged his feet back to me. “Sorry, Mom.” He slipped his arms around my waist before lifting onto his toes to kiss my cheek.
Laughing, I ruffled his hair. “Have fun.”
Caleb dropped a soft kiss to my brow and followed Griffin to the car. I watched until they drove off then locked the door. In the kitchen, I put on a fresh pot of coffee and fed Griffin’s bearded dragon. Upstairs, I found Paris’ room empty and checked the time. She’d probably straggle in around midnight. In my room, I exchanged my work clothes for sleep shorts and a tank, washed my face, brushed the day out of my hair and walked into Griffin’s room to close the curtains.
I sighed, breathing in the fresh sea breeze that seemed to permeate the air all the time. Not even Shay’s unexpected arrival could mar the peace I felt when I stared up at the mountains. Behind the robust silence they presented to Blue Haven, it felt like having a big brother looking over your shoulder no matter which part of town you found yourself in. I loved it here. It was my piece of paradise.
Closing the curtains, I went downstairs for that last mug of coffee before I called it a night. I knew my dreams tonight would be haunted by gray eyes and a devilish smirk. Stupidly, I looked forward to it. Seemed like Shay Donovan still held my heart in a vice grip and no attempt to ignore him, would work. The man was unfathomable, unforgettable, and undeniable.
Just as I came down the stairs, the doorbell pealed. I shook my head. Paris probably forgot her key like she usually did when her man was in town.
I opened the door. “Forgot your key—” the words died on my lips, the air sucked right out of my lungs, my gaze trapped by sparkling metallic ones I’d seen less than thirty minutes ago.
With his hands in the pockets of his black slacks, the charcoal dress shirt opened two buttons down giving me a peek at his toned chest, bottom lip between his teeth, Shay leaned with his shoulder pressed into one of the two pillars that decorated the front porch.
I swallowed a few times, trying to dislodge the lump that had formed in my throat. “What...what are you doing here?” God, could I just act natural around him, for once. Even though Caleb mentioned where I lived, I hadn’t expected Shay to show up.
His brow shot up in that cocky way I’d dreamed off so often. “Not going to invite me in?”
