9
Jace
“Banks, was wondering if Sadie could talk to her sister,” I say into my phone.
“She’s in Valor Springs with Delaney, Indigo, Riley, and Rowan. They’re all holed up together to keep them safe. We’ve got Lone Star Security checking in on them while we’re away.”
I glance at Sadie who waits beside me with wide eyes. “Right. I’ll call Delaney. Thanks.” I’m about to hang up when Banks interrupts.
“Everything okay?”
I don’t know if he can hear it in my voice or if Mack may have mentioned something to him about catching feelings. I glance once more over at Sadie. “Everything’s fine. Why?”
“You just sound funny.”
Ugh. Leave it to my brother to state the obvious. Bank’s and I are closest in age. “All’s good.” I’m hoping he drops the subject because I don’t really want to have this conversation with Sadiesitting on the couch next to me, smelling like sunshine and something tropical that makes me dizzy.
“Okay. Call me back,” he says, knowing full well I’m full of shit.
“Yep.” I hang up before he can say anything else. I pull up Delaney Coleman from my contacts and put the call through. Delaney grew up with us in Valor Springs and her and Nash were as thick as thieves when they were younger. It’s fitting how they’ve made their way back to each other.
She answers, “Jace, any news?” Delaney’s been a nervous wreck since Nash’s kidnapping.
“No news yet. I’m actually calling to let Sadie speak with Anniston. I’ve heard all the women are there.”
I can hear Delaney’s smile through the phone. “Yes. Women are stronger together. So, I figured I’d have them all come here.”
“Smart.” I wait a breath while Delaney hands the phone over to Anniston. I do the same, giving Sadie the phone.
Her eyes are grateful as she takes the phone. Tears slip down her cheeks as she says, “Hello? Anni, are you okay?”
I rise from the couch, patting her knee as I stand to offer her some privacy.
They talk on the phone to each other as I pack a bag for the beach. It’s the perfect play. Locals loosen up there. Tourists blend in. I can ask casual questions about new faces at the marina or weird yacht activity without anyone thinking twice. And maybe Sadie will relax for five minutes instead of glaring at me like I’m the reason her lesson plans are on hold.
Sadie ends the call and hands me back the phone. Our hands brush and I swear there’s a slight shot of electricity that buzzes from our connection. “I’ll get dressed.” She heads down the hallway as I try to push down these feelings and to take Mack’s advice and not think with my dick. Easier said than done.
A few minutes later, the bedroom door opens while I grab my sunglasses.
Sadie stands there in a navy blue bikini.
The color makes her skin look like warm honey in the morning light. The halter top ties behind her neck and cradles her full breasts in a way that is modest and completely unfair at the same time. The bottoms sit low enough on her hips to show the soft dip of her waist and the gentle flare of curves that make my brain short-circuit. Her legs are long and toned, the kind that could wrap around a man and make him forget his own rules. She’s not runway thin. She’s real. Soft where it counts, strong everywhere else. Perfect. The kind of body that belongs on this beach, in this sun, and yeah, I’m man enough to admit I want my hands on every inch of it.
I realize in that exact second I’ve made a huge mistake.
Suggesting the beach sounded smart last night. Professional. Smart cover for intel. Now? I’m screwed. Because how am I supposed to focus on asking around about locals when Sadie Wells looks like every fantasy I never let myself have?
She catches me staring and lifts one eyebrow, the serious elementary school teacher look she’s perfected. “Problem, Hawthorne?”
I set the sunglasses down before I drop them and paste on the charming grin that usually gets me out of trouble. “Not a singleone. You look ready to own that beach. Navy blue is a good call on you.”
She tugs at the tie on her top like she is checking it’s still there. “It’s practical. Less likely to make people stare than some of the dental floss options in the shops. And don’t get any ideas. This isn’t for your viewing pleasure.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say, lying through my fucking teeth. My body’s already having plenty of ideas, and none of them are professional. “But if we’re selling the happy-couple cover, a little looking might help the story.”
She rolls her eyes and grabs a canvas beach bag she’s packed with a few items. “You’re impossible. Let’s go before I decide staying inside with the blinds closed is the smarter plan.”
We load the Jeep with towels, an umbrella, and a cooler I stocked with water and fruit. The drive to the public access near the boardwalk takes five minutes. The town’s waking up in full summer mode. Kids with boogie boards, couples holding hands, the creak of the boardwalk under feet, the distant thump of music from a food truck already setting up. I park in the shade of a dune and grab the gear. Sadie walks beside me in a light white cover-up that does almost nothing to hide the bikini. The sand is warm under my bare feet when we hit the beach proper. I pick a spot with a clear view of both the water and the path back to the parking area. Close enough to people-watch, far enough from the loudest families.
