Although, if he keeps sending those feelings through the bond, I might be joining them before long.
He kisses my cheek, then takes Phoenix’s offered hand and stands. He strips off his shirt, and I hear Hunter suck in a breath from behind me. Phoenix lets his gaze travel over my mate, making no attempt to hide his appreciation. Caspian looks up and down the empty beach. I know what he’s about to do a moment before he does it, but it’s not enough time to stop him. He shucks his bottoms in one quick move, then runs toward the water with Phoenix chasing after him.
“I should probably tell him to wait to strip until he’s in the water.”
“I’m not complaining.” Hunter’s voice is low and quiet. I’m not sure I even heard him right.
I study his face, but his expression is blank as hewatches Caspian and Phoenix break past the first crash of waves, splashing and hollering at each other.
We’re silent for a long while, watching the water, listening to the squawk of seagulls.
Our fingers brush as we both reach for the grapes at the same time, his gaze locking with mine.
I clear my throat, take another sip of champagne, then set down the now empty bottle, feeling just the slightest bit of a buzz. Out beyond the breakers, Phoenix drops below the water so suddenly it’s clear Caspian yanked him under. They look like they’re having fun.
“So, how do you and Phoenix know each other?” I ask, trying to fill the silence.
“It’s hard to remember, actually. He’s just always been there. Like a wart that won’t go away.” The words are grumpy, but there’s a note of humor in them. “We grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, then the same college. Even when we drifted apart after he started working expeditions out at sea, he always seemed to come back to me.” There’s a softness to his voice now, something nostalgic in his tone. He watches as Phoenix pops back up. Caspian flicks water at him with his tail, then Phoenix dives under again.
I watch the expressions change on Hunter’s face, and it’s almost like I can see the memories flickering through his mind. So much history. I don’t have anyone in my life I’ve known that long, apart from family.
“He’s quite the character,” I whisper, turning my attention back to the waves.
Hunter chuckles. “You don’t know the half of it. Those stories he was telling at lunch are just the surface.” He moves a little closer, leaning in. “When we wereyounger, he was always having some sort of adventure and getting into trouble. The man could never sit still or stay home. He spent most nights sneaking out. I can’t tell you how many times I had to cover for him because he was fucking his way through half the town.”
My head swings toward him at the bitterness in his tone. “You love him.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. Phoenix isn’t the settling down type.” He grabs the bottle of champagne, like he’s forgotten he doesn’t like it, and tries to take a swig before he realizes it’s empty.
I didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable with my questions, but it’s clear I did.
“So… um, I still think we should start in the caves,” I say, attempting to steer the conversation away from Phoenix.
Hunter sighs, leaning back on his hands, but his lips turn up ever so slightly, like he appreciates the change in topic. He doesn’t look at me. “It’s too dangerous, Madi.”
Madi. My heart flutters a little faster. I pick up the last grape and spin it in my fingers just to give my hands something to do.
“It’ll be harder to excavate surrounded by rock,” Hunter continues.
I eat the fruit, then shift positions, sticking my legs out to bury my feet in the sand. “A lot of the caves have sandy bottoms that could be hiding all kinds of things. You know I’m right.”
“What if the tide comes in too quickly?”
“We can bring scuba gear.”
“What about…” He looks away, expression hard. “Chipping away at rock like that could cause a cave-in.”
Like with Aunt April. She was searching for Ocearus just like I am, only she thought it was farther down the coast. The team had set up in a cove, not so different from this one, but instead of cliffs on all sides, one side had a steep rockface. There was a grassy area on the other side of the beach. That’s where they were digging, but one morning, Aunt April went off on her own to the cliffs. No one knows exactly what happened, but there was a cave-in. They didn’t find her for two days.
“Were you there?” I whisper. I want to touch him, to offer some comfort, but resting my hand right next to his on the sand is the bravest I get.
He nods once, but doesn’t answer, staring blankly out to sea.
“Did you…” I don’t want to ask, but curiosity drives me forward even as my gut twists and spins. “Did you care about her?”
“Of course,” he answers immediately.
My stomach drops through the sand, a jealous flush heating my cheeks. Of course, this older, distinguished man was interested in my aunt. She was smart and funny and adventurous. Not to mention closer to his age, just a little older than him. He probably prefers older women. That would be just my luck.
