Unexpected Entanglement (Echo #3)

27. Chapter 27

twenty-seven

Five days to the wedding

“Take the back stairs,” Rowan told Chris in a hushed voice as she pushed him out of her quarters.

“Why are we whispering?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Just go before Alex and Oliver arrive,” she urged him to move.

But Chris only slipped away after taking her mouth for one last kiss. Rowan’s hand went to touch her lips, and she couldn’t help the smile forming there as he disappeared around the corner.

They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms after their massage last night. This morning, they’d only meant to shower off the oil from their skin, but one thing led to another. And now they might risk discovery.

Rowan waited for a minute after Chris left before heading to the kitchen to start the coffee. But she found Alex sitting on one of the kitchen stools, sipping coffee and reading something on her phone.

Caught off guard, Rowan blurted out, “Oh, you’re early.”

Alex looked up with a strange smile—not bad strange, just peculiar. “Am I? I thought I’d given you guys enough time to get decent before I rolled in.”

Rowan felt blood rushing to her face, but she played it cool. “I woke up late. I must’ve really been tired— ”

“Save it. I saw Chris sneaking out of your room.” Alex’s brow rose with a superior look on her face.

Rowan’s jaw went slack. “I… He… We—”

“Good for you, girl.” Alex winked.

Rowan’s mouth clammed shut in confusion, but she uttered, “What?”

“I knew something was up between you two. You can say this engagement is fake, but this connection you two have.” Alex gave a micro headshake. “It ain’t fake.”

“What are you talking about?” Rowan brushed off Alex’s observation and went to pour herself a cup of coffee.

“You and Chris,” Alex pressed. “You act like a real couple. You gravitate toward each other like lovers.”

“We have to make it look real.”

“If that’s all pretend, I’ll get you both a set of fucking Oscars,” Alex said. “Why are you denying it?”

“Because it’s just sex, okay?” Rowan told her friend.

This was too much conversation before she finished a cup of coffee.

“Just sex?” Alex repeated with eyes narrowed on Rowan.

Rowan looked around, checking that Oliver wasn’t about to appear like he always did. When she felt the coast was clear, she leaned into Alex. “The connection you see is called attraction, or in Chris’ word, lust. That’s all there is to it.”

“Bullshit,” Alex claimed. “How that man looks at you isn’t saying lust. Well, maybe, but there’s more.”

Rowan shook her head. “No, we’re just two people filling each other’s needs. It’s temporary.”

Alex didn’t look convinced. “You’re not the type to just sleep with any guy to fill a need.”

Rowan laughed. “I spent years feeling unfulfilled. I’m making up for a lost time.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Alex shrugged.

“Look, he’s leaving once we’re done with the wedding. He has his life to go back to and his resorts and hotel empire to deal with. I might see him again, depending on how things go with my half-sister. But uh… yeah.” Rowan nodded. “This is temporary.”

“You said that,” Alex noted.

“Right.” Rowan smiled brightly at her friend, showing her she was okay with the arrangement. “I just got out of a long-term relationship. I’m not ready for anything but a casual... ”

“Dancing in the sheets? The occasional bumping boots? Meaningless riding the bony express?” Alex suggested.

“What in the fuck?” Rowan laughed.

“Isn’t that what you’re trying to say?” Alex pointed out with her usual careless demeanor. She added, “Or is that what you’re trying to convince yourself?”

Rowan decided it was wisest to say nothing and drank her coffee. Because after last night, she wondered the same thing.

Chris was about to leave his room when his phone rang. He saw the caller’s name and answered, “Hey, brother. What’s going on?”

“You tell me what is going on,” Dean retorted from the other end of the call. “How did you get yourself engaged to my wife’s half-sister?”

“Rae told you, huh?” Chris grimaced.

“Of course she told me,” Dean said. “You think she can keep that big of a secret from me? She’s antsy and keeps saying she needs to rescue you.”

Chris laughed. “I don’t need rescuing. I know what I’m doing.”

“What is it exactly you’re doing?” Dean questioned. “You were supposed to go to Vinalhaven, assess the situation, and get out. You’ve been there a week now.”

“I’m helping the Kellys with a wedding. They were in over their heads, and I offered my expertise,” Chris explained. “It allows me to dig deeper. There’s a lot going on here, more than the inheritance issue. That part actually isn’t much of an issue.”

“It sounds like you should’ve left when you figured that out,” Dean said.

“She needs me.”

“Who?” Dean asked.

“Rowan.”

“The fiancée?” his friend teased. “If they were after my wife’s money, I’m not worried now since they’ve bagged you.”

Chris scoffed. “That’s not who they are. These Kellys are proud, hard-working people. I admire their love and commitment to this place. ”

“I’m hearing a touch of regret in your tone,” Dean observed.

Chris sighed. His friend knew him well.

“Being here reminds me of all those times I followed my dad, learning at his feet. Becoming like him, being at the helm of The Sullens, was all I wanted when I was a kid. I wanted to continue my grandfather’s legacy and what my father built on.”

“Yeah?” Dean prompted when Chris paused.

“That’s all Rowan wants with Bright Head, continuing her family’s legacy. Even after knowing her father’s mistakes, she’s determined to keep her promise to him, which includes finding Rae.”

“She has no problem accepting Rae?”

“I’m sure it will take time, but I think they’ll get along. They’re not all that different. With all the challenges she’s facing right now, Rowan just won’t give up. That woman is half gumption and half stubborn. Sounds like someone we know?” Chris said with a chuckle.

Dean laughed. “Sounds like you like this woman.”

“I do. She’s…” Chris trailed off.

Shit. I like her. I mean, really like her.

“Uh, I…” Chris stumbled. “I have to go.”

“Hey, before you go, I need to warn—”

But Chris’ mind was already somewhere else, and he hung up. He went down the main stairs, still pondering what he’d just realized. How naive he’d been, believing it was just lust between them.

Maybe it was at first, but was it lust that drove him to give her a full-body massage because she could use a bit of pampering? Was it lust that made him pour his heart out to her about his childhood? And was it lust that fanned this need to protect her?

Man, talk about getting entangled. But Chris realized he didn’t mind it.

He was about to push through the swinging door to the kitchen when the sound of conversation on the other side stopped him in his tracks.

“Just sex?” He heard Alex’s voice.

Chris stepped away, knowing he shouldn’t eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation. But curiosity prevailed. He leaned back in.

“We’re just two people filling each other’s needs.” He heard Rowan’s voice this time. “It’s temporary,” she stated .

Chris pulled back abruptly, spun around, and walked outside.

On the porch, Chris laughed at himself for thinking there might be more between him and Rowan.

My mistake.