Chapter 8 #3
“No, I meant this—being here with you.”
She smiled as her vision wavered around the objects on the table until it settled unsteadily on him. “I’m actually having more fun than I thought I would.”
“See? We’re good together. Familiar.”
They were familiar with each other, but she didn’t know if she could do this again. The weight of her guilt pressed against her conscience. “You’re really special to me, Soren.”
“I have the same feelings.”
“So special that I don’t think we should go on another date.”
“Wren—”
“Just hear me out.” She splayed her fingers to hold back his objections. “I only have Bodhi and you guys. You’re my entire world. If we go there, and it doesn’t work out, I lose a quarter of my world.”
“You’d never lose me.”
“You can’t say that. People fall in and out of love all the time. Divorce happens, and it can get really nasty.”
“Do you honestly think I could ever be nasty to you? My brothers would skin me alive.”
“Or, they’d take your side, and I’d lose even more of the people I love.” There was just too much to risk.
Once again, he took her hand, his thumb tracing circles against her palm. “That’s not going to happen. I swear to you, Wren. Even if things don’t work out between us, I give you my word that I would never disrespect you in any way.”
She sighed, doubt churning in her stomach like acid. One way or another, someone was going to get hurt. And despite all of his well-intentioned promises, Soren had a short temper and he was known to be a poor loser when he didn’t get his way. “You realize I had a date with Logan.”
“I’m aware. He said it didn’t go well.”
She still carried guilt about the way she and Logan left things. All the Hawthornes had short fuses and regardless of how much they believed they were in control of their emotions, she’d seen each of them lose that control from time to time.
Unfortunately, she was drunk, and that meant her words weren’t as accessible as she’d hoped. She could only come up with temporary excuses at the moment. “I have to think about this.”
“But you’ll consider it?”
She hesitated. Was she actually willing to cross so many invisible lines? No, but maybe she already had. Logan tried to kiss her. Greyson touched her. And, now, she was on a date with Soren.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Protecting them was her primary concern.
“I don’t want that either.”
“And I’m not making any promises. I don’t want to be rushed into anything.”
“No one’s rushing you.”
“What about the stuff with Magnus?”
“Leave him out of this. I understand that’s part of how we got here, but it’s not my motive.”
She frowned in confusion, champagne making her thoughts sluggish. “What is?”
“You, Wren.” He laughed softly, the sound warm and intimate. “I want this. I want to see what it can be like with us.”
“Really?” He spoke as if he’d thought about this much longer than she expected.
“Yeah. When my dad made his ridiculous announcement, of course, you were the first thought that came to mind. Not because I thought I could get you to agree, but because I realized this is our time. There’s a peacefulness about you.
It’s easier to breathe when you’re nearby.
You’ve always helped me find a sort of calm I can’t find with anyone else.
You’re the one, Wren. You’re the woman I’m meant to be with. ”
“Soren...”
“I understand I’m saying too much again, but it’s the truth. You’re the only person I’ve ever been able to picture a future with. You’ve always been with us. Why not make it official?”
She stared down at the table, as candlelight danced across the white linen. “I have to tell you something.”
“What?”
She swallowed and forced the confession out. “I’ve been seeing your brother.”
“I’m aware. We just talked about this—”
“Not Logan.”
The air stilled and a chill slipped in. “You’ve been seeing Greyson?”
Maybe seeing wasn’t the right word. “Not officially. But there have been some moments.” Despite the chill, her skin burned with shame. “Does it seem hot in here?”
“Wren, look at me.”
She didn’t want to. What kind of woman dates three brothers? She was making a mess of things. How could she sit here and claim she didn’t want to risk what they shared when she was risking all of it?
“Wren.”
“What?” Concern flashed in his eyes when she looked up at him with regret. “I didn’t pick any of this. You all came to me.”
“Greyson came to you?”
She shook her head, embarrassed. He knew Greyson wouldn’t do that. Which meant he probably also knew she threw herself at him. Her vision blurred, as he spread his hands in a calming gesture.
“Okay, okay. Don’t get upset. I was just taken off guard. I didn’t think Grey was in the running. He showed no interest in taking over the company when Dad—”
“It’s not about the company with him.”
Soren laughed, but the sound held an edge. “Wren, if you think the company is the prize here, you’ve seriously misinterpreted the situation.” He took her hand. “I told you. You’re the real prize.”
Now, she felt like prey. Soren was just one Hawthorne. How would she ever deal with three of them? Even if she fell for one, others would get hurt. Someone was going to lose. Maybe all of them.
The moral dilemma became less complicated as she reminded herself of the only promise that mattered—she would only marry for love. As long as she kept true to her promise, she’d figure the rest out eventually.
Looking back at her friend, she smiled awkwardly and confessed, “I had too much to drink and it’s making me say things and think things that…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m drunk.”
“It’s okay. You never have to be embarrassed in front of me.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thanks, Soren.”
The drive home was quiet, filled only with the hum of the engine and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
“Tired?”
She turned to watch him as his eyes focused on the road. “A little.”
“When can I see you again?”
“My schedule’s usually the same most days.”
“How about Saturday night?”
That constituted prime real estate, and she wondered if she was making decisions too fast. She also realized Soren wasn’t planning on backing off any time soon. Maybe if she gave in, he’d realize they were better off as friends. They were, weren’t they?
“Sure. Saturday works.” It wasn’t like she had a demanding social calendar to check.
“Great. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
Of course, he would.
When they got to her house, he shut off the car and walked her to the door. She dreaded any awkwardness and worried how far he might go to prove this was a date.
Unlocking the door, she turned to him with uncertainty. “Thank you for a beautiful night and the clothes.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Well...” Moments like this were so painful. She just wanted to get through it. “Goodnight.” She hugged him, but he caught her hips, then slowly moved his hands up her back, fingers trailing through the silk.
“Goodnight, Wren.”
“Soren…” She feared he wasn’t going to let her get away without a kiss.
“Do I scare you?”
“Of course, not.”
“You’re not trapped here.”
Although he held her intimately, she was free to leave. With an awkward smile, she said, “Well, goodnight then.”
They broke apart, and she took a step, but Soren caught her hand and tugged her back. It was just enough to set her off balance as he backed her into the wall and caged her in with his body.
“Did you honestly think I’d let you get away without a kiss goodnight?”
She sucked in a breath as he gave her a moment of warning, his body radiating heat in the cold night air. Her heart raced as he closed the distance.
“Tell me that you’re not the least bit curious and I’ll stop.” He framed her face with his hands, tucking her hair behind her ears with gentle reverence. “Last chance to push me away, Wren.”
She had plenty of time to tell him no, but she was silent, caught between terror and anticipation.
“Don’t be scared.”
Her breath hitched as soft lips glided over hers. Slow and seductive, teasing her mouth open with practiced skill. It was nothing like Greyson’s hungry, desperate kisses, and she immediately felt guilty for thinking of Greyson at a time like this.
“You’re not kissing me back,” he whispered, as his hand slid into her hair.
Slowly, she traced the tip of her tongue against his, and he groaned, taking control and deepening the kiss. He was measured and deliberate, the kind of kisser who had so much skill one could never get bored.
Enjoying the feel of his mouth on hers, she leaned into him, looping her arms over his shoulders. His hand tightened at her hips as the other threaded through her hair. He kept her on her toes, and when he pulled away, she swayed, warm and slightly disappointed to see it end.
He touched her lower lip with his thumb. “I knew it would be like that—kissing you.”
“Like what?”
“Life-affirming.”
She might have rolled her eyes if she weren’t still reeling, her pulse hammering wildly against her throat. Who knew one kiss could confuse her so much?
“You’re dangerous, Soren Hawthorne.”
“Never to you, Wren Wilde. Never to you.”