Chapter 13
KATHERINE
It’s late when we get back to Gabe’s house on the beach. Shon’s headed back to Boston. Emma and I shared a long hug and promises to get together more regularly. Gabe and King wanted to check something over before we head back to the city, and Alex and I are along for the ride.
There’s a large storage crate along the side of the driveway. Out back, the breeze is cooler and fresh in the way only salty sea air can be. A handful of landscape lights dot the perimeter of the yard. A pergola is partially erected at one end of the pool. I can’t wait to see it come together.
“Can we walk on the beach?” I ask Alex, knowing he’s going to want a team out there where we’ll be in the open.
His head lifts, and he stares out at the waves, then over to Gabe and King.
On the other side of the pool, King babbles away, but I can’t really make out what he’s saying. Gabe’s nodding along, inserting answers and comments here and there. On the horizon, lights sparkle, a reminder that the world is still turning.
“Of course,” Alex answers, draping an arm over my shoulders, keeping me close to his side.
My sundress and cardigan don’t provide much coverage, and his fingers brand me through the fabric. I’ve wanted to be alone with them all day.
I wrap an arm around his waist, tucking my fingers through his belt loop, happily soaking in his heat.
We stroll across the porch, down the steps, and follow the path to the sand. I kick my sandals off by the gate, and we make our way out onto the beach. The sky is inky perfection, and the steady churn of waves settles everything inside me.
I slide my free hand against his abs because I can’t stop touching him. He’s real and warm and firm beneath my fingers.
The sand shifts beneath our feet as we walk along in easy silence. It’s been like this from the first. Simple. Compatible.
“I’m so happy for you, Alex.” My words are light, carried away on the breeze.
His hand squeezes my side as our hips brush. “Because?”
“I know opening your heart up is hard. And you did it twice. With me and now with Gabe.” There’s a pang inside my ribs. “That couldn’t have been easy.”
He’s silent for a long time. So long, I don’t think he intends to say anything, and I’m okay with that. He’s entitled to his thoughts and privacy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Alex Hunt, it’s that he’ll speak when he’s ready. And he’ll always give you the truth.
We pass a dark blob, which I assume is a hunk of driftwood and continue on our way. Some of the houses are dark and shuttered. Others are bright beacons beyond the grass. Laughter and chit chat ring from several pool decks. Way down the beach, fireworks burst across the night sky. Pop. Pow. Boom.
“What do you think of Gabe’s idea? For us to take over Chanler & Cort?”
Alex stops, turning me toward him. My fingers slip from his belt loop and take up residence on his hip. Even in the dark, I feel the intensity of his gaze.
“Accepting things with Gabe was easy because he’s easy to love. But it was hard because changing a good thing is bound to be hard. It wouldn’t be worth it if it wasn’t.”
A soft moan passes my lips. Man, when he finally finds the words, he really picks good ones. I lick my lips and blink back a sheen of tears. “Well said.”
I guess I had a leg up where King is concerned. We’d wanted each other for a while. But still. Considering all the what-ifs was terrifying.
“I have you to thank for that,” he says.
My brows knit. “Me?”
“For showing me it’s possible—to open my heart wider.” He cups my cheek. “That it’s safe and well worth it. I’m not sure I would have found the courage without you.”
“Yeah, right,” I scoff. “You’re the bravest person I know.”
He hums and shakes his head.
I hug him and rub against his palm. “King told me how you leapt into action, checking in with contacts and making a plan to rescue me. No fear. All drive. How you jumped in that water like it wasn’t cold, dark, and full of sharks.”
The wind buffets my back, and I press in closer to him. I don’t know if I can adequately explain what he means to me. They all put something on the line for me that day. King, with our friendship and his comfort and well-being. Gabe with his freedom. And Alex with his life.
A single tear makes its way down my cheek, and I don’t bother swiping it away.
“Oh, Beauty.”
He lifts his other hand, wiping it away with his thumb before cupping my other cheek.
“I love you so much,” I whisper. I grab handfuls of his shirt, needing the anchor.
My breathing goes shallow as he bends his knees and then ducks his head to brush a soft kiss against my lips. Too soft. Painfully so. Heat and desire rise inside me, demanding more.
“I love you so much it scares me,” he admits softly, voice a tiny bit shaky.
His admission has me nodding in agreement. Tangled up in this man, I admit to myself just how scary, how wild, my desire is for them. Just how far I’d go for them. “Standing on the bow of that boat, staring down my mother—”
His fingers tighten just a fraction, and then he loosens his hold, sliding an arm around my waist.
I shake my head, looking for the words. “I’ve never felt rage like that before. But it wasn’t loud or wild. It was so quiet. So focused.”
He nods, just once. “Your soul was on fire. That’s exactly how I felt when they told me you’d been taken.”
That’s a good way to put it. I’d gone from survival mode to ready to burn the world down.
“I would choose you every time,” I say. “All of you. There wasn’t a bit of me that hesitated.”
“Ditto,” he whispers, claiming my lips again. And then, “Up.”
I jump. He hooks me beneath the thighs and lifts until I’m clinging to him koala-style. I twine my arms around his neck and kiss him for all I’m worth. He sucks on my tongue, and need explodes beneath my belly button.
“Alex—” I’m out of breath. Panting my need. High on emotion and hormones. It doesn’t matter that it’s dark out and we’re in way too public a place for what I have in mind.
It’s like he reads my mind. Lifting his head, he stares over my shoulder. “You’re addicting, Beauty. You make me lose my head.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever apologize for that.”
I smile as he lets me down. But I don’t go far. I like being plastered against him.
Alex’s thumb traces a comforting swath up and down my side. “About Gabe’s proposal—”
My heart skips a beat before I remember my earlier question.
“I think you should do what makes you happy.”
“You make me happy.”
“Then you should do me.”
A laugh bursts from my lips. His twitch. “That was so cheesy.”
“I know. Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Oh, I’m telling them.” I nod to where Gabe and King are making their way toward us.
He tugs me against his chest, laughing down at me as he cups my cheek again. A smiling Alexander Hunt is breath-stealing. Truly. Brooding Alex is sexy. But the grin on his face right now could turn sand into glass.
“I love your laugh,” he whispers against my lips.
I stretch up to meet him, loving the way his stubble scrapes my skin.
Another set of hands slides over my back, caressing, dipping down to cup my ass. “Should we take this inside?” Gabe asks.
Heat curls through me.
Should I be alarmed that I can’t seem to be without them for a single day? Maybe. Am I? Not the least little bit. They’re like a tornado of testosterone. And I’m ready to be swept away.
“Yes, please.” He laces his fingers with mine and starts toward the house, King on his other side, Alex to my right.
I pull us to a stop, and they all fall into a semi-circle in front of me. “I have a question first.”