BOUND
BYTHE
SEAL

ZOEYORK

ABOUTTHISBOOK

Sometimesenemiesmakereallyfunbedmates…

NavySEALBraydenLucasassumesthatwhenhedetainsaburglarattheCaribbeanplantationhe’s
house-sitting,it’llbeastraightforwardmatteroffiguringoutwhothewould-bethiefisandturningherin
totheauthoritiesifneedbe.

Thatwasbeforehetiedherup,andtheystartedtalking.

Butthetruthisthere’snothingstraightforwardaboutArielleDay.Notthewayshelightshimupinside,or
thesecretsshe’sobviouslykeeping.

AndnothingisgoingtostopBraydenfromexploringtheexplosivechemistrybetweenthem…

ASSIGNMENT:CaribbeanNights

DuchessIslandbyKatCantrell
CommandingHerSEAL
ClaimingHerSEAL
RevealingHerSEAL
RedeemingHerSEAL
ProtectingHerSEAL

MiralindaIslandbyZoeYork
RuinedbytheSEAL
BoundbytheSEAL
CherishedbytheSEAL
BoughtbytheSEAL

AngelCaybyAnneMarsh
SweetforaSEAL
HerOneBestSEAL
TheTroublewithSEALs
StillHerSEAL

Visitusat

NavySEALRomance

andnevermissastoryintheASSIGNMENT:CaribbeanNightsseries!

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DEDICATION

Formyreaders,whoareinfinitelypatient.Thankyouforlovingthisworldsomuch.

ONE

AFTERTWELVEYEARSASANAVYSEAL,BRAYDENLUCASWASACIVILIANAGAIN.

Itwasaweird-assfeeling.
HewavedathisformerfellowSEALandbrand-newbusinesspartner,MickFrasier,waitingonthe

othersideofthecustomshutattheMiralindaInternationalAirport.

BesideMickstoodagorgeousislandwomanwithcaramelskinandcrazybrownandgoldenhairthat

spiraledinlongcurlsallaroundherhead,spillingoverhershoulders.Braydenstillcouldn’tbelievethat
Mickhadcomedownheretolayclaimtoaplantationandendedupfindingafiancéeinstead.

Theplantationthinghadturnedouttobemorecomplicatedthantheirbuddy,WillParry,hadexpected.

ThethirdSEAL,grandsonofabillionairess,hadbeenunderthemistakenimpressionhe’dinheritedVilla
Sucre.ButsincehewasstillcontractedtoUncleSamforanothersixmonths,he’dsentMickdowntosort
itout.

Braydenwassupposedtofollowwhentheywerereadytobreakgroundonanewexecutivetraining

facility.

NowMickwasgettingmarried,theplantationwasstilltiedupinestatelegalmumbo-jumboinNew

YorkCity,andBraydenwasn’tsurewhatthehellhewasdoinghere.

Exceptsoakingupthesun.
Thatsoundeddamnfine.
Andmaybefindingawillingbedmate.
Butfirsthehadanemptyplantationtobabysit,becauseMickandCarawereheadingtothefarsideof

theislandforsomemuchneededalonetime—aloneandnotwrappedupintheunexpecteddramaand
workarounduntanglingtheestatecomplications.

“Heyman,”hesaidwithaneasygrinandafirmhandshake.“Andthis…”Heturnedhisattentionfrom

hisbuddytothewomanonhisbuddy’sarm.“MustbeCara.”

“Hello,Brayden.”Hereyestwinkled.“It’ssuchapleasuretomeetyou.”
“Allmine.”Hewinked.“Andnowyou’regoingtoputmetowork,hmm?”
“Nothingtoit,Ipromise.”Sheglancedatthebackpackslungoverhisshoulder.“Doyouhaveany

moreluggagethanthat?”

Heshookhishead.Morewouldarrive,eventually,buthedidn’tneedmuch.
“Thenlet’sgo!”
Cara’senthusiasmwasinfectious,andBraydendidn’tmissthatMickmostlyjustwatchedhisfiancée

—orthatthemanlookedridiculouslyhappy.Andchill.

“Islandlifelooksgoodonyou,”Braydensaidunderhisbreathastheyfollowedthepetitebombshell

throughtheairportterminal.

“Feelsgood,too.”Mickrolledhisshouldersin.“Sometimeslifegoesinanunexpecteddirection,and

it’sjust…right.Idon’tknowhoworwhy,butI’mgratefulasfuck.”

“Good.”Braydencuthimselfoff,becausethey’dstoppedinfrontofasmallhatchback…andaneven

smallermoped.

“No.”
Carajustlaughed.“Butofcourse.Wewilltakemycar,soyoucanrideMick’smoped.”
“No,”hesaid,repeatinghisobjectionalittlemoreforcefully.“Hellno?Nototheno.Whereisthe

nearestcardealership?”

Threehourslater,Braydenshifteduncomfortablyonthehard,woodenchairinthestiflinghotusedcar

salesofficeandregrettedevercomingtoMiralinda.

DefinitelyregrettednottakingMick’smoped,nomatterhowridiculousitwas.
Thehingeontheswingingdoorsqueakedbehindhimasthesalesmanreturned.“Manyapologies,Mr.

Lucas.”

Braydenswallowedhisfirstresponseandjustnodded.
“Butwenowhavealltherequireddocumentation,sothankyouforyourpatience.Ifyou’llfollowme,

wecangetyoubackontheroad.”

Well,hotdamn.Heleaptupinonefluidmotionandgesturedforthesalesmantoleadtheway.“After

you.”

Tenminuteslater,hewasbehindthewheelofabad-assJeep,topoffandwindowsdown,heading

towardPetiteCiotat,andtheVillaSucreplantation.

Hestoppedintowntograbsomebeer,becauseitwouldberudetodrinkallofMick’s,thenheadedto

theplantation.Cara’sneatlydrawnmapwaspreciseandhelpful,andhefoundthebunkhousewithoutany
difficulty.

Mickhadalreadybegunrenovationstothisbuilding,carvingoutanapartmentofsortsforhimselfand

Cara.ButtherewasanothersetofbedroomsatthebackwhereBraydenandWillcouldstayintheshort-
term.

Inthelong-term,heimaginedhe’dmoveintotown.
They’dneedofficespaceseparatefromtheplantationnowthatthingswerecomplicated.Theirentire

businessmodelmightneedtoberevised.Shit,stufflikethatgavehimaheadache.

He’dturneddownthenextcontractofferandhunguphisuniformtocomedownhereandputhisold

constructionexperiencetogooduse.

Nowthattherenovationswereinlimbo,Braydenwasn’tmuchusetoMickandWill.Theywereboth

smarterthanhim.Slicker,andbetterabletodothesmooth-talkingwiththepotentialclientstheyhopedto
bringonboardfortheirnewexecutivetrainingprogram.

Braydencouldtrainthemoncetheywerehere.He’dbeenaBUD/Sinstructor.AfewCEOswouldbe

apieceofcake.

Itwasgettingthemhere…planninghowtodothat.Hewaslostthere,anddidn’tlikethefeeling.
Buthecouldfindthemofficespace.Thatwouldbehistomorrowproject.Oneto-doitematatime,

andonedayhe’dlookupandtheprojectwouldbeunderway.Justlikearuckmarch.Onestepatatime.
Don’tworryaboutwhatthefinishlinelookedlike.Allthatmatteredwasthenextstep.Takingit.Never
givingup.

Hedumpedhisbagonhisbunk,thengrabbedabeerandheadedouttotakeatouroftheproperty

beforeitgotdark.

Theoceanaccesswasrocky,buttherewereenoughsandypartstocallitaprivatebeach.Hesatona

large,flatrockashefinishedhisdrink.Heknewenoughguyswho’ddonethistransitiontocivilianlifeto
knowtheunsettledfeelingwastobeexpected,buthedidn’thavetolikeit.

Afterhedrainedthelastdropofbeer,heheadedbackupthepathtowardthebunkhouse.Butwhenhe

burstintotheclearingandhadaclearviewoftheplantationhouse,hepulledupshort.

Alightflickeredinanupstairswindow.Aquickflashthatdisappeared.Itwasn’ttotallydarkyet,but

itwasduskyenoughthatheknewitwasn’tareflectionofsunlight.

Hewaited,watching.
Anotherflash,thisonefromanotherpartoftheroom.
Somuchforhavingtheplacealltohimself.
Hepulledouthisphone.

Arielle’sheartpoundedasshemovedthroughtheemptyrooms.Shecouldn’tfindanysignofahidden

door.Daddy,whatthehellkindoftroublehaveyougottenyourselfinto?

Shemovedclosertoaclosettuckedinthecorner.Thedoorwasalreadyajar,soshenudgeditopen

andpeeredinside.Nothing.Sheshonethelightupattheceiling,thenalongthebackwall.

Withafrown,shemovedontothenextroom.Itwasexactlythesame,justflipped,mirror-imageto

theonebesideit.Sameclosetandeverything,shethoughtasshesteppedback.

Weird,though,thattheclosetswereshovedtothecornerslikethat,andnotverywide.Seemedlikea

wasteofspace—

Herheartbeatspedupasshestaredatthestretchofblankwallinfrontofher.
Theclosetwasonherright.
Theotherroom’sclosetwouldbeonherleft.
Sowhatwasinthemiddle?
Sheranherhandsovertheplaster.Itfeltlikeasolidwall.Nohidingspotsorhiddendoors.
Maybeintheotherroom.
Herpulsepounding,shedashedintothecorridor—andstraightintoabig,unyieldingbodythatnot

onlystoppedher,butspunheraroundandpressedheragainstthewallsoquicklyshedidn’tevengeta
lookattheguy’sface.

Beforeshecouldscream,ahandpressedagainsthermouth.
Hotbreathbrushedagainstherear.“Whoareyou?”askedawarm,masculinevoice.
Howwasshesupposedtoanswerthat?Hishandwasoverhermouth.Shethoughtaboutbitinghim,

butshedidn’tknowwhatshewasdealingwithhere.Ashiverrackedthroughherasfearclimbedtothe
topofherfeelingspile.Itsatitselfdownrightontopofregret,whichwassquishinganger.Worrywas
suffocatingsomewhereatthebottom,butitwasthere,too…

Whatifthisguyknewaboutherfather?
Whatifshewasoutoftime?
“ArreeeDaaay,”shemumbledintohispalm,straddlingthelinebetweencomplianceandannoyance.
“IfItakemyhandaway,areyougoingtoscream?”
Sheshookherhead.Ifhewantedtohurther,he’dhadhischance.Hewantedinformation,whoeverhe

was.Okay.Shecouldgivehiminformation.Inexchangeforcluesshecouldhopefullyuseherself.

Becauseassoonasshegotawayfromthislunatic,shewasgoingtothepolice.
Thiswasinsane.
Heslowlywithdrewhishandfromhermouth.Hisotheroneremainedclampedaroundherwrists,

though.Shetuggedherarm,buthejusttightenedhisgrip.Okay,sohewasn’tlettinghergojustyet.

“ArielleDay,”shemuttered.“DoIgetyourname?”
“No.Comeon.”Hejerkedherawayfromthewallandmovedherforward,shiftinghisholdonher

fromherwriststoherupperarms.Buteventhoughherhandswerefreenow,shestilldidn’thaveany
leverage.Andshedidn’tknowwhathelookedlikeotherthanhewasbig.

Herhearttrippedoveritselfatthetopofthestairs,butwhoeverhewas,he’ddonethisbefore.

Somehowhemovedthembothdownthestairseffortlessly,evenliftingherwhenherfeetgottangledup.

That’swhatbeingscaredoutofyourmindwilldo—makeyouclumsyandstupid,clearly.
Oh,God.
Daddy,I’mgoingtokillyou.RightafterIrescueyou.
Thegoodnewswas,shehadatotallyreasonablecoverstoryforbeinghere.Andsinceshewasa

totallylaw-abidingcitizen,andahigh-schoolteachertoboot,shecouldplaytheinnocentcard.

Rightupuntilshegotachancetoflee.

Thenshewaskickingthisguyinthenadsorwhackinghimovertheheadwithsomethingheavy.

Maybeboth.

Heshovedherintothekitchen.Itwasdark,liketherestofthemansion,butshecouldmakeouta

backpackopenonthetable.

He’dcomepreparedforsomething.
Washelookingforthesamethingshewas?
Washearmed?
Herfingersshookatthethoughtoffiringagun.Butshecoulddoit.Maybe.Probably.
Tosaveherlife,ofcourseshecould.
Pullyourshittogether,Arielle.Watchandthinkandlisten.Waitforanopportunityandthenact

withouthesitation.

Sometimesbeingraisedbyacriminalhaditsadvantages.
Achairbumpedintothebackofherlegsasplit-secondbeforehishandlandedheavyonhershoulder,

pressingherdown.“Sit.”

Herthighstensed,butshecomplied.Amistake,sherealized,assoonasheloopedropearoundher

wrists.“Whatareyoudoing?”

Hegrunted.“Securingyou.”
“I’mnotathreattoyou.HaveIevenfoughtback?”
“You’vethoughtaboutit.”
Well,yeah,becauseshewasn’tanidiot.“You’vegotitallwrong.”
“Thenstarttalkingandtellmewhatyou’redoinghere.”Hedidn’tstopwiththerope,though.Her

armswere…secure.Damnit.Heknewwhathewasdoing.Itfeltlikemaybedoublecolumntiessecuring
herarmsindependentlytotheslatsinthechair.

“I’mbeingtiedupbyastranger,”shepointedout.Hersasswouldalmostdefinitelybeherdownfall,

butshecouldn’thelpherself.

Atleasthelaughed.“Andbeforethat?”
“Pinnedagainstawall.Really,Ithinkweshouldtalkabouttheassaultandbatterychargesthatshould

belaidagainstyou.”

“Okay.”Hemovedaroundinfrontofher,givingheralookathimforthefirsttime.Hewastalland

broad,withdarkhairandtanskin.Caucasian,andfromhisaccent,American.“Let’stalkabouthowyou
brokeintomyworkplaceandIsimplyusedreasonableforcetodetainyou.”

Asuddenwaveofreliefwashedthroughher.HewasafriendofMick’s.“You’reoneoftheSEALs.”
Heraisedoneeyebrow.“That’snotreallyanyofyourbusiness.”
“I’mafriendofCara’s.”
Henoddedandkneltinfrontofher.“That’sagoodcoverstory.”Hecuppedhishandaroundhercalf

andnudgedherclosertothelegofthechair.“ButIcalledCaraandshesaidnobodywouldbeherethis
weekend.”

“Callherback.”
Heknottedtheropeoffandmovedtoherotherleg.“Can’tdothat,I’mafraid.”
“Whythehellnot?”Nowthatsheknewwhohewas,shewasn’tholdingback.Hewastyinghertoa

chair,forGod’ssake.“Letmego!Thisisridiculous.”

Hepausedandlookedupather.Eveninthedarkeningroom,shecouldmakeoutthedeterminationon

hisface.“What’sridiculousisthatyou’dcomeherewhenyourso-calledfriendisaway,andgoroom-to-
roomwithaflashlightinsteadofjustturningonthelights.RidiculouswouldbelettingyougoafterI
apprehendyouforobviouslycriminalbehavior.Sowe’regoingtositandwaithere,together.”

“Waitforwhat?”
Heshrugged.“Caratocomebackfromaneveningcruiseoutatsea.OrIcancallthepolice.Your

choice.”

Herheartsank.She’dforgottenthatMickandCarahadadinnercruisebooked.Damnit.Theircell

phoneswouldn’tworkoutontheocean.

Anddespitewhatshe’dthoughtaboutcallingthepolicebefore…thatwashasty.Especiallywhenshe

knewthisguyinfrontofherwasn’tathreat.

Eventhoughhe’dtiedherup.
Sheliftedherchinandgavehimanobstinatelook.“Fine.Thenwewait.”
Littledidheknowthatsheknewathingortwoaboutbeingtiedup.Andbeingpatient.
ArielleDayknewhowtobeagoodgirl,allright.

TWO

BRAYDENSTEPPEDBACKFROMTHEBOUNDINTRUDERANDTURNEDONTHEOVERHEADLIGHTINTHEKITCHEN.

Heneededabetterlookather.
Whoevershewas—andhedoubtedshewasatruefriendofCara’s—shewaspretty.Probablyusedto

usingthattoheradvantage,buthewouldn’tbeswayed.Instead,he’dlookforanysmalltellthatgave
awaythecracksinherstory,thatexposedherweakness.

Everyonehadasoftunderbelly.Hejusthadtofigureoutwhatherswas.
Rightnow,shewasn’tevenlookingathim.Herlong,glossydarkhairswungaroundherfaceasshe

twistedabitinherchair.Shewassmart—shewasn’tpullingenoughtotireherselfout.Probablyjust
tryingtogetamentalpictureontheknotshe’dused.

Hecouldcallheronthat.Calmlytellherwhathe’ddone,withtotalconfidencetheknowledge

wouldn’thelpher,andatthesametimefireashotacrossherbow—“Iknowwhatyou’redoing,pretty
girl,andit’snotgoingtohelpyou.”

Butthatwasn’thisstyle.Hedidn’tgloat.
“HowlonghaveyouknownCara?”heasked,grabbinganotherchairandspinningitaroundsohe

couldsitinfrontofher.Hergazefollowedhiseverymovement.Shewassharp,thisone.Smart,butnot
thatexperienced.Shehadashittypokerface.Shewasbristlingthathewasn’ttiedtohischair,for
example.Sohecouldn’tplaygoodcopandpretendtheywerejusttwopeoplehavingareasonable
conversation.

“Herentirelife,”shefinallyanswered.“Wegrewuptogether.”
“Sowhycouldn’tyouaskforherhelpinthisroom-by-roomsearchyouweredoingwhenIcaught

you?”

Shepressedherlipstogetherandlookedaway.
“That’swhatIthought.”
Herheadsnappedbacktocenterandshefixedhimwithafirm,unwaveringglare.“Youdon’tknow

anything.”

“Iknowyouwereskulkingaroundbehindyourso-calledfriend’sback.ThatsayseverythingIneedto

knowaboutyou.”Adirecthit.Hereyesflaredwideandherlipstightened.Nowtheyweregetting
somewhere.

Heleanedforward,remindingherthathehadfreedomofmovementandshe,alas,didnot.Butifshe

gavehimmoreinformation,maybeshecouldearnherfreedom—oratleastabitofcomfortbeforehe
handedherover,makinghersomeoneelse’sproblem.

Shelickedherlips,apinkswipeacrossduskyskin.Yep,unbelievablypretty.Thatprobablyworked

onweakermen.

“IfCarawerehere,I’dhavetalkedtoher,”shesaid,hervoicecracking.Ooh,aplayonhissympathy.

Nicetouch.“Butshewasn’t,and…look,itdoesn’tmatter.Wecanjustwait.”

Shedroppedherhead.
Braydenstaredather.Ohno,prettygirl.Youdon’tgettosetthetermsofthisconversation.He

neverdidwellwiththetug-of-warovercontrol,andtonightwasn’tgoingtobeanydifferent.

Hewasincharge.Always.

AriellekeptherheaddownevenastheSEAL’sgazeboreintoher,hotandhardandjudging.Screw

him.Hehadnocluewhatherlifewaslike,andshedidn’tcareatallifhehatedherforthenextfew

hours.Thatwasfine.Thenthey’dgetthissortedoutandshe’dneverhavetoseehimagain.

"Whydon'twestartwithyoutellingmewhatyouarelookingfor?”
Shedidn’tlookup.“That'snoneofyourbusiness.”
“Youdon'tthinkso?”
Shestudiedherknees,andtheropespreadcarefullyacrossherthighs.
“Arielle.”Ohboy,hehadthecommandingtonedownpat.Ittookeveryounceofherwillpowerto

fighthernaturallysubmissiveinstincts.No,hecouldn’tdemandshelookathimjustbysayinghername.

“It’shardtohaveasnarkyresponsetothatsinceIdon’tknowyourname,”shesaid,forcinghervoice

tostayeven.

“Yes,sirworksjustfine.”
Shesnorted.“Nevergoingtohappen.”
“Wereyoulookingformoney?”
“Nope.”
“Piratetreasure?”
Whatthehell?Shejerkedherheadup,notwantinghimtomissherrollhereyes.“Howclicheddo

youthinkweare?”

Hegrinned.“Gotyoutolookatme.”
Shegrowled,buthewantedhertolookathim?Fine.She’dglareathimforagoodlongwhile.
“Now,let’strythisagain.”Hespreadhisarmswideandshetriedlikehellnottonoticejusthow

broadandwelldefinedhischestwas.Sowhatifhewashot.Thatmeantnothing,exceptheprobablyhad
anegotomatchthesizeofhisridiculousbiceps.“Maybethestandardpracticeonyourisland,sweetheart,
isthatallpropertyiscommunityproperty.ButI'mnotfromtheislands,andIhaveabigproblemwithyou
breakingintoapropertyI’mprotectingwhennobodyissupposedtobehere."

Shepracticallyhissed.Whatwaswiththisguyandassumingshitaboutherislandways?“Hello,that's

exactlythepoint—nobodywassupposedtobehere.I’mnothurtinganyone.Andithasnothingtodowith
communalanything.I’mnotlookingforanythingthat’snotmine.”

“Soyousay.”
“IamCara’sbestfriend.I’mnotathief.I’mahighschoolteacher!I’msureyou—"
“No,stoprightthere.Youdon’tneedtoassuremeofanything.Inthemorningwe’llsortallofthisout.

Bythetime—”

“Thereisnothingtosortout!”
Helaughed.Crap.She’dprotestedtooquickly,toooften,andthejigwasup.Becausetherewas

definitelysomethingforhertofind,somethingrighthereontheestate.Andthisgianthulkofaman,with
histoo-sharpeyesandhisannoyinglygoodropeskillswasgoingtomakesureshedidn’tfinditnow.
“Okay.Let’splayitthatway.Sowhatdoyouwanttodoforthenextfewhours?ShouldweplayTwenty
Questions?”

Thatdidn’tdeserveananswer.
“OrmaybeIshouldcallthepolice.”Hesaiditlazily,butsheknewbetter.Hewastestingher.
Whattimewasit?Sheknewnothingwouldcomeofthat.Evenifthelocalconstabledidcomeoutto

investigate,shehadn’tdoneanythingwrong,exactly,andtherewasnowayCarawouldpresscharges.

Ontheotherhand,shedidn’tneedanygossipaboutapoliceinvestigation,either.Notwhenshe’d

workedsohardtodistanceherselffromherfather’slifechoices.

Sheputasmuchindifferenceintoherresponseasshecouldmuster.“YouknowI’mnothreat.You

havenoreasontodetainme.”

“Soyoukeepsaying.Iseeitdifferently.”
Thatfiredherup.“Andyouhavenoreasontomistrustme,asIkeeptryingtoexplaintoyou.Soifyou

don’tuntiemethissecondI’mgoingto—”

“You’regoingtodowhat,Princess?”Hesnorted,andboy,didthatmakeherseered.
“I’mnobody’sprincess.”
“Butyou’resomebody’sproblemandit’snotgoingtobemine.SoI’mgoingtoleaveyoutiedtothat

chairuntiltheauthoritiesarrive.”

Nowitwashertoturntolaugh,becausetheconversationhadtakenjustlongenough.“Atthistimeof

night?It’sgoingtobealongnightofyouwatchingme,becauseIdon’tknowifyou’venoticed,butPetite
Ciotatshutsdownbetweentenatnightandsixinthemorning.There’snobodyondutyatthestation.”

“ThenIguesswe’llsithereuntilmorning.I’msurethere’ssomewaywecanpassthetimewithyou

boundtothatchairallpretty-like.”

“Youdidn’tjustthreatentoassaultme.”
“No.Notatall.Butifyouaskedmeniceenough,I’dshowyoujusthowcreativeIcangetwithrope.”
Ashiverranthroughher.Hadhepickeduponher…preferences…somehow?She’dmanagedtokeep

thatpartofheridentityevenmorehiddenfromthegoodpeopleofPetiteCiotatthanherfamily’smurky
history.

Oneofthehighschoolteachersbeingthedaughterofasmugglerwasonething.Herbeingkinkywas

anotherentirely.

“What’sthematter,prettygirl?Catgotyourtongue?”
Hedidn’tcallherprettylikeitwasacompliment.Prettygirl.Itwasasneer,aninsult.
Shewouldn’tletitgetunderherskin.Hethoughtherattractivenesswassomethingthatmatteredto

her?Shelikedherselfbestwhenshewasahot,sticky,sweatymess.Ropemarksandbruiseswerea
bonus.

Butthatwasforhertoknow,andonlyspecialpeopletofindout.
Onethingshewasquitecertainof—therewasnothingspecialaboutthisman.Hewasrudeandcrude

andentirelyordinary.

“Sure,”shesaid,flickingherhairoverhershoulder.“You’vescaredmestraight,sir.I’meverso

sorryfortheerrorofmyways,andI’dbesogratefulifyoucould—”

“Doyoualwaysusesarcasmasadefensemechanism?”
“Doyoualwayscompletelyfailtopickuponhintsthatsomeonedoesn’tlikeyouorwanttotalkto

you?”

“Usually.”
“Yeah,well,ditto.”Sheflickedhergazeoverhisshoulder.Ittookawhile.Hewasridiculous.All

musclesandhulkingpresence.

“What?”
Sheswallowedhard.“Nothing.”
“Okay.”Butitwasn’t,becauseheonlyhesitatedasecondbeforetryingagain.“Youlookedlikeyou

wantedtosaysomethingthere.”

“Reallydidnot.”
“Huh.”Hesaiditextra-irritatingly.
“Stopthat.Stoptryingtogoadmeintolookingatyouandsayingthings.Youaren’tColumboandI’m

notamurderer.”

“Soyoukeepsaying.You’reahighschoolteacher.”
“Istheworldalwaysdividedsoneatlyintorightandwrongforyou?”
“No.”
Herattentionflewbacktohisface,butthathadn’tbeenatricktogethertolookathim.
Hegaveheraruefullook.“Didn’texpectthatanswer,didyou?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Look,Igetit.Youprobablyhadagoodreasontobedoingwhateveryouweredoing.Andatsome

point,you’lltellthattoCara,andshe’llhelpyou,andthiswilljustbeanunfortunatespeedbumpinour
friendship.”

Shesnorted.
“What?Youdon’tthinkyoucanbefriendswithsomeonewhotiesyouup?”

ThelastthingBraydenexpectedwasforArielletostartgiggling—andthenfortearstostartrolling

downherfaceandhiccupstofollowasshetriedandfailedtoregainhercomposure.

“Itwasn’tthatfunny,”hemutteredashemovedaroundher,checkinghercirculation.
“It’sfunnyinaweird,long-storykindofway.”Shesighedandrolledherheadtooneside,thenthe

other.“Look.You’reabigguyandyoulooklikeyoucouldkickmyassinamilliondifferentdirections.
HowaboutyouletmegoandIpromisenottotrytorunaway?”

“HowaboutIuntieyourlegs,keepyourhandsbehindyourback,andwegoupstairsandlookfor

whateveryouwanttofind?”Hebrushedhisfingertipsoverherwrists.Shewasprettylooseandrelaxed
forsomeonewhowasbeingheldagainstherwill.

“Mypiratetreasure?”Loose,relaxed,andstillwithaharshbitetoherwords.Shewasmadeofsteel.
“Sothat’sano?”
“Ithinkit’sprobablytimetocallCara.”
Hemovedbacktohisseatandpulledouthisphone.Hehitthespeakerbuttonasheplacedthecall,

butitcouldn’tconnect.“Sorry.Notbackyet.”

Allhegotinresponsewasalittleshrug.
Hefrownedandrubbedhisjawashewatchedherstudiouslypretendnottobewatchinghim.

Somethingdidn’taddupaboutArielleDay.

Thewayshesatinthechair—bound,hisprisoner—butstillregal.Stillrighteous.
Shewasnocriminal,hehadtoadmit.Orifshewas,shewasthebestconwomanhe’dnevermet,

becauseforallhertalkaboutbeingmorallyambiguous,shewasobviouslysureshewasontherightside
ofthelaw—atleastinthebigwaysthatreallymattered.Sheacknowledgedshedidn’ttechnicallyhave
therighttobehere,rightnow,butingeneralfeltconfidentshewouldn’tbepunishedtooharshlyforthe
infraction.

Punishment.
Hisfingersmovedfromhisjawtohislowerlip.Itwashisthinkingstance.Theguyswouldmockhim

forit—tuggingonhismouthlikehewantedgoodideastospillout.

Butitworked.Hedriftedhisgazeoverheragain,lookingatherashetugged.
Sherolledherheadslowlyfromlefttoright.
Hershoulderstoo,fromfronttoback,thentheotherdirection.Stayinglimber.
Shecanbefriendswithsomeonewhotiesherup.
It’sfunnyinalong-storykindofway.
Hemadeaninvoluntarygruntingsoundandshelookedathim.
Helookedrightback.Reallylookedatherthistime.Ahighschoolteacherwithsomethingtohide.

Somethingembarrassingbutnotcriminal.

“So,prettygirl,”hesaid,rockinghischairontothetwobacklegs.“What’supstairs?Something

kinky?”

THREE

WASITBETTERORWORSETHATHENOWTHOUGHTSHEWASSIMPLYASEXUALDEVIANT?

Definitelyworse.
Becausethatmeant…ifhesomehowknewshewasadirtygirl,ithadtobebasedonhisown

knowledgeoffilthanddeliciousdepravity.

Andhewasajerk.Hecouldn’tbetheonlyonetoseetherealher.Thatwouldbecruel.
Acitizen’sarrest-lovingjerkcouldnotbeafellowkinkster.Notonanislandofpurevanillapeople.

Therewasnowayshecouldhandlehimbeingsomekindofbackwardally,ifonlyinkeepinghersecret.

No,no,never.
“Don’tberidiculous,”shesaid,anditwasn’talie.
Hejustshrugged.“Okay.ButI’montoyou.”
Sheliftedoneeyebrowimperiously.“Areyou?”
Hegrinnedfrombehindhishand.“Yeah.IthinkIam.”
“Well,you’vealreadythoughtthat…what,ahalf-dozentimesinthelasthour?Andyou’vebeenwrong

eachtime.Sothisguessisprobablyjustaswrongastheothers.”Evenmoreso.Iftheywereplaying
Hotter/Colder,she’dbegleefullycacklingthathewasgettingcoldernow.

Henarrowedhiseyes.
Shewantedtoshiftunderhisscrutinyandresistedtheurge.Instead,shelookedrightback.Where

beforehe’dbeenperilouslyclosetothetruth,andshe’dwantedtohidefromhisinspection,nowhewas
clumsilypokingaroundinaspacethatwasn’treallyalie…butitwasn’tanythingtodowithherfatheror
thestatue,either.

Soshefeltsaferinaway.Andlyingtocoverupkinkystuffwasn’treallylying.Itwasself-

preservation.

Besides,nowthatshewasn’tinimmediatefearofbeingarrested…nowthattheadrenalinerushhad

faded…therewasahandsomemaninfrontofher.

Cara’sfiancéhadgood-lookingfriends.Itwasn’tahardshipforhertousethattoheradvantage.
Shesoftenedherexpressionandboldlycheckedhimout.
Hislegs,huggedtightbyfittedcargopants,spreadwideasherockedbackandforthinthechair.His

hands—thesameonesthathadtiedherupwithwhatshewasnowcertainwasanon-militaryprofessional
knowledgeofknots—keptplayingwithhislowerlip.

Andhiseyesdidn’tleaveherface,sowhenhergazefinallysliduphismountainofabody,hewas

lookingrightather.

Shesmiled.“Whatwasthequestion,again?”
“Ididn’taskone.”
“Hmm.”Shewinked.“Butyouwanttonow,don’tyou?”
“Tellmeasecret,”hesaidabruptly,standingup.
Shefollowedhimwithhergaze,herheadliftingtothesideashemovedaroundher.“Thatwasn’t

phrasedintheproperformofaquestion.”

Helaughed.“Comeon.Givemesomething.”
“Saysthemanwhotiedmeupagainstmywillandwhostillhasn’ttoldmehisname.”
Hedroppedtoonekneeandundidtheknotbehindthechairleg.Theroperelaxedandpooledather

feet.“Brayden,”hegrunted.

Sheforcedherselftorelaxashemovedtoherwrists.“Brayden?”
“BraydenLucas.”
“Nicetomeetyou,Brayden.GladIhaveanameIcangivetheauthoritiesnow.”

Anotherchuckle.“Comeon,prettygirl.Upyouget.”
“Don’tcallmethat.”Shewiggledherarmsasshestood.“There’sasecretforyou.Idon’tliketobe

calledpretty.”

“Ah.”Hereachedforherarm,pausingbeforehisbighandcircledherwrist.“MayI?”
Sheshrugged.“Sure.”
Herubbedherskinbriskly,limitinghistouchtowherehisropeshadpressedtheirmarks.Eventhough

hewastakingcaretobeappropriate,shecouldn’thelpbutrespond.Deviousofhimtoplayitstraightand
berespectfulofherboundaries.Thatwasadirtytrick.

Mixinthenaturalappealofhim—theheightandbreadth,theknowinggazeandlaughingmouth—and

itwasonlyreasonablethatshe’dshiveralittlewhenhetouchedher.

Itmeantnothing.
“You’recold.”Hefrownedashemovedhishandsupherarms.“Howareyourlegs?”
“They’refine.”
Thatdidn’tstophimfromdroppingtohiskneesinfrontofherandrunninghishandsuphercalves.

Herblackyogapantsdidnothingtoshieldherskinfromtheheatofhistouch,andwhenhesqueezed
aboveherknees,shegasped.

“Ishouldcheck—”
“It’snotmyfirsttimebeingtiedup.IpromiseyoueverythingiscirculatingjustfineandIdon’thave

anyhotspots.”Shetookabigstepbackandbumpedintothewall.

Braydentookhistimetorisetohisfullheight.
Longenoughforhertoreplayherwordsinherheadafewtimes.
Notmyfirsttime.
Beingtiedup.
Notmyfirst—
“Arielle.”
Shetriedtosuckinadeepbreathbutfailedmiserably.Herchestwasrisingandfallinglikeshewas

breathing,buttheairwasn’tgettingintoherlungs.Notreally.Shallow,weak,ineffectualbreaths…oh,
goodLord,whathadshedone.

Hesteppedcloser.“Arielle.Takeadeepbreath.”
I’mtrying,shethoughtinherhead.I’mtryingandfailingandohno,heknows.“Youknow.”
“Well,IknewafewminutesagowhenIrealizedyouwerekinky,ifthat’swhatyoumean.”
“I’mnot.”
Hechuckledasheslowlybracedhisarmsoneithersideofherfaceandleanedin,brushinghis

foreheadagainsthers.“You’reaterribleliar.”

“I’mahighschoolteacher,”shewhispered.“We’renotsupposedtobedeceptive.”
“Iknow,”hewhisperedback.“You’resuchagoodgirl,aren’tyou?”

FOUR

“NOBODYKNOWS.YOUCAN’TTELLANYONE.”

Thatmuchwasobvious.Braydenstareddownintodark,glittering,fearfuleyesandsomethinginside

hischestcrackedalittle.Theyneededtorewindtheentireeveningandstartoveragain,becausehe
wasn’tthetypeofmantothreatenawoman.Anddefinitelynotoverwhatevershelikedtodointhe
bedroom.

“Notaproblem.Yoursecretsaresafewithme.”Hesaiditsoftly,likehewouldtoafrightenedchild.

Braydenknewallaboutfear.Howitcouldparalyzesomeone.Spikeanxietyandgluethemtothespot.
He’dseenitmoretimesthanhecouldcount.Trainedmentoovercomeitwhenitwouldriseinside,
unexpectedandvicious.

ButAriellewasn’toneofhistrainees.Shewasn’tachildinawar-torncountry.Shewasn’teven

scaredofhim.Shecouldcertainlytakecareofherself,hehadnodoubt.

Thatdidn’tstophimfromwantingtoprotecther.
Tomakesuresheknewshecouldtrusthim.
Peculiarfeelingstohaveaboutsomeonehe’dsuspectedofbeingathiefnotthatlongago.
“What’swiththeCatgirlgetup,Ms.Day?”
Shefrownedupathim,herbrownskinripplingasherforeheadcreased,thensmoothedout.Shehada

shittypokerface,butaspectacularresponsetimeforfixingit.Hebelievedshewasateacher—shehad
thepersonalitytoremainfrostydespiterepeatedaggravation.

Andhewasstartingtogettheappealinaggravatingher.
“They’rejustyogawear.”
“Isallblackyourusualclothingcolorofchoice?”
“Yes.”No.Thetrueanswerflaredinhereyes.He’dbetanymoneymostofherclotheswerelightand

airy,liketheoceanbreeze.She’dlookspectacularinturquoise.Coral.White.

Ofcourse,shelookedspectacularinblackspandex,too.
“IfIwerethepunishingkind,you’dhaveearnedaspankingforthat.”
Shelaughedrightinhisfaceandhegrinned.
“No?”
Sheshookherhead.“No.Notmything.Butthankyou.”
“Thankyou?”
“Forthelaugh.”
“MaybeIwasserious.”
Sherolledhereyes.“You’renoDom.”
“Andthereyougoagain,revealingalittletoomuchknowledge,”heteased.
Shehesitated,andhecursedhimselfforbeingtoofamiliar.
Hetookadeepbreath.“ThefirsttimeItiedsomeoneup,IhadnoideawhatIwasdoing.Sheasked

metodoit,andIwasaSEAL,youknow?Iknowmywayaroundknots.Butmyhandswerestillshaking
likewhoa.”

Sheblinkedathim.Right.Thatwasaweirdthingtoshare.Buthewastryingtoshowherthiswasn’t

one-sided,thesecretthing.

Hetriedagain.“Myfriendsdon’tknow,either.Imean,theywouldn’tcare—andthereareotherkinky

guysintheservice.Justliketonight,itjusttakesafewslipsofthetongueandwepieceittogether.Butwe
allkeepitontheD-L.”

“D-L?”
“Downlow.Youcantrustmewiththis.”

Sherelaxedagainstthewall.“Okay.”Shelickedherlipsandthelittlepinkswipeofhertongue

grabbedhisattention.

Don’tthinkabouthertongue,hetoldhimself.Toolate.
Hepushedoffthewallandpacedbackward.“WeshouldcallCaraagain.”
“Orwecouldkeepthisasecret,too.”Shegavehimasmallsmile.“Justuntilthey’reback.Ipromise

I’mnotgoinganywhere.”

Thatwasabadidea.Thathewasstronglyconsideringitwasthewrongcall.
Hewasthinkingwithhisdick.No,higherthanthat.Hisheart.Hewasasapforthiswoman,hewas

quicklyrealizing.Andokay,hisdickhadsomecomplicatedthoughtsabouthertongue.Andthoseyoga
pants.

Butstill,hehadaresponsibilityhere.Heopenedhismouth.“Sure,”heheardhimselfsay.“That

makessense.”

Reliefwashedacrossherface.“Oh,good.Thankyou.”
“Ononecondition.”ThankChrist,hisbrainhadtakenoveragain.Hewouldn’ttakebackhis

agreement,buthe’dholdhertoitinadifferentway.

Shenarrowedhereyes.“What?”
“Tellmewhatyou’relookingfor.”Atfirst,hewasn’tsureshe’dgoforit.Hewantedtostepforward

again,pressherbackagainstthewall.Presshertotrusthim.Pressheruntilshemadethatgaspagain
becauseshelikedbeinghelddown,maybe.

Spankingwasn’therthing.Ropewas.
Thatwastwosecretsofhersthathehadnow.
Hewantedanother.Hewantedthebigone,theonehehadnorighttoaskforbecausehewasa

stranger.

Shepinnedhergazeonhimandblinked.Measuringhimup.Heheldhishandswide.Youcantrustme

withthis.

“Astatue.Ithink.I’mnotsure,exactly.I’mlookingforsomethingmyfatherlefthere.Hesentmean

emailaweekago,askingmetoretrieveit.”

Aweekago?Braydenwantedtoaskhermoreaboutthat,butheresistedhisnaturalinstinctstotake

overandwaited.

“Ididn’twanttogetinvolved,”shefinallyadded,hervoiceheavy.“Buthesaidheneededitby

Monday.IemailedbackandtoldhimIcouldaskCaraifshe’dfoundanythingintherenovations,and
moreinformationforwhatIwaslookingforexactly…becausenothingwithmyfatheriseasy.”She
laughedandshookherhead.“It’shardtoexplain.”

“We’vegotallnight.”
Shedroppedherhead,thentuggedatthebottomofhershirt,peelingituphertorso.
Braydenfeltaspikeoffieryinterestinhisgutashewatchedasliceofhersoftabdomencomeinto

view,thenthenipofherwaistandthebottomofherribcage,delicateandlovely.

Butshewasn’tdoingastripteaseforhim.
ShepulledaZiplocbaggiefromahiddenpocketontheinsideofhershirtbeforelettingthefabric

settlebackagainstherrubbed-bronzeskin.Herhandsshookassheopeneditandunfoldedapieceof
paper.

Hetookitwhenshehelditouttohim.Itwasatypicalprintoutfromabrowseremailprogram,

completewiththetoandfromemailaddresses.

Bunny,

SailedtoBVIwithoutincidence,butwhenIgothere,myaccountsweremorethanIexpected.

Hadtoselltheboat.Notallbadnews,though.Igotagreatpriceandwasabletosettleeverything
infull.

Haveanewopportunitylinedup.Justshortoncapital.Couldusesomehelpretrieving

somethingofmine,frommyrecklessyouth.Don’tmakethatface,darling.It’llbefine.YouknowI
can’ttrustanyoneelsewithsomethingthisimportant.

It’sintheplacewhereyourmotherfinallyagreedtomarryme.WhereIoncehadfourlegs,then

two,andwilleventuallyhavethree.Thatfuturemeiswhatyou’relookingfor.

IneedyoutofinditbyaweekMonday.

Love,
Dad

Braydenfrowned.Yes,thatwascryptic.“Andheneverreplied?”
“No.So…whenCarasaidtheyweregoingawayfortheweekend,Ithought…whatcouldithurtto

comeandtakealook?”

“AndthenIfoundyou.”
“Andtiedmeup.”Onecornerofhermouthliftedinaruefulsmile.“Ididn’tplanonthat.”
“Sorry.”
“Whatever.Soanyway,nowyouknow.”
Henoddedashelookedatthepaperagain.“DoIwanttoknowabouthisrecklessyouth?”
“Probablynot.”
“Didheinvolveyouinsomethingillegal?”Braydendidn’tlikethatideaatall.
“Probablynot.”
Hejerkedhisheadupandpinnedaglareonher.“Maybeyoushouldhavestuckwithafirm‘no

thanks,Dad’ifyouweren’tsure.”

“Andthereyougowiththatright-and-wrongthingagain.It’snotthatsimple.”
“Whynot?”
“That’salongstory.”Shewavedoffhisprotest.“Iknow,we’vegotallnight.But…”
“Enoughsecrets?”
Sheshookherhead.“It’snotasecret,actually.Caraknowsallaboutmydad.It’sjustexhaustingto

talkabout.”

“Wedon’thaveto.”
Shejerkedherheadtowardthecupboards.“Youknowwhat?Ineedadrink.”
Oh.Hewavedhisarmwideinthatdirection.“Bemyguest.You’dknowbetterwhereanythingwould

bethanIwould.”

Shesmirkedatthat.“Yes,Iwould.”
“You’regoingtomakemeapologizefortyingyouup,aren’tyou?”
“Repeatedly.Beerorrum?”
“Beer.”
Shewenttotheoversizedfridgeandgrabbedtwogreen-glassbottles,thenpoppedthecapsoffwitha

bottleopenermagnetedtothesideoftheunit.“Cheers.Tofuckedupfamilytales.Pleasetellmeyou’ve
gotone,too.”

“Dirtpoorparents,brotherinprison…Icanholdmyown.”
“Good.”Shesankintoherchairandtippedherheadbacktostareattheceiling.“Okay,shortversion

is…Hechoseme.Hedidn’thaveto.Helovesmeandsowhenheasksforsomething,Ican’tsayno.Ifhe
needssomething,Ineedtohelphim.Endofstory.”

“Shouldn’titbetheotherwayround?He’syourfather.”

“Yes.Ineverywaythatcounts,inanywaythatmatters,he’smydad.ButI’mnothis.Not

biologically.”

FIVE

HE’DHEARDCRAZIERSTORIES.ANDITEXPLAINEDHERLOYALTY,NODOUBT.

ButasAriellecontinuedtospillhergutsinbetweensipsofbeer,Braydencouldn’thelpbutwonder

whythebalancewastippedsoheavilytowardherbeingthecaregiverfortheso-calledparent.

“MymomdiedwhenIwasakid.Shewastheloveofhislife,andshebrokehisheartoverandover

again.Andthen…shewasgone.”

Shit.“I’msorry,”hesaidgruffly.
“Yourturn.”Shetookadeepbreath.
“Mybrotherkilledsomeone.Fightoveragirlgonewrong.”Thisnextadmissionfeltlikearockinhis

chest.“Ihaven’tbeenthebestbrothertohimsincehe’sbeenaway.”

Hereyebrowspulledtogetherslightly,alittletwitchofsomethingthatcouldbereadaseitherconcern

orjudgment.Hedefinitelydeservedthelatter.Shedidn’tsayanything,though.

“Iknowthat’sselfish.”Hetookalongpullofbeer.
“It’snot.”Sheheldhisgaze,steadyandsurprisinglykindashereyeslookedstraightintohim.“It’s

calleddrawingboundaries.Iknowallaboutthat.”

“Liketellingyourfatheryouwon’tbreakintoanestatetofindastatuehewantstohock?”
Sheblushed.“Exactly.ExceptIshouldhavestucktothatline.”
“SometimesIwishIcouldbend,though.”Hefinishedhisbeerandliftedthebottleintheair.“Want

another?”

Shehesitated.“Sure.”
Hecrossedtothefridge.Whenhecameback,hechangedthesubject,becausefuckmaudlin-

wallowing.“Yourfather’semail…whatdidhemeanwiththosecluesaboutwhatyou’resupposedto
find?”

Shetookasip,thenwipedthecornerofhermouthwithherfingersbeforeleaningforward.“It’sa

riddle.Whatstartswithfourlegs,thentwo,andendswiththreelegs?”

Heshookhishead.“Dunno.”
“Aman.Bornababywhocrawlsonallfours.Thenhelearnstowalk.Andfinallyneedsacaneinhis

oldage.”

“Ah.”
“TherewasastatueofanoldmanhebroughthomewhenIwasakid.Mymotherfreakedoutandtold

himhecouldn’tkeepitinthehouse.”

“Soyouthinkhebroughtithere?”
Shenodded.“Thisiswherehemarriedmymother,theotherclueintheemail.Sheworkedherefora

brieftime.She’dcomeoverfromthePhilippinesasananny—bywayofNewYork,wheretheParry
familyspentmostoftheirtime—andwhenshegotpregnant,shewassureshe’dbesenthome.He’dmet
herintown,andsheconfessedhersituationtohim.Heaskedhertomarryhim.”

Itsoundedromantic,butshe’dalreadytoldhimitdidn’thaveahappyending.
“Sotheyweremarriedhere,andshewasletgobytheParrys.Butinsteadofbeingdeported—the

worstcasescenario—shemarriedalocalandIwasbornhere.Itwasn’tthelifesheenvisionedfor
herself.”

“Shewantedmore.”
“Yeah.”
“America?”
Arielleshrugged.“I’mnotsure.Yes,theAmericanDream.Butitwasmorethanthat.Sheliked

workinghere,fortheParrys.Shelikedwealth.”

Hecouldpainttherestofthepicture.Arielle’sfathertryingtoprovidethatwealthbyanymeans

necessary.Fights.Fadingdreams.

Hedidn’tknowwhattosay,sohewentbacktothestatue.“Isitvaluable?”
Sheshrugged.“Probably.Therewasalotofstuffflowingthroughhishandsbackthen.Booze,drugs,

art.WehadaCézannehangingonthewallofourlivingroomforaweekonce.”

“Holyshit.Didyouknowwhatitwas?”
“Yes.”
“Wasthatstressful?”
Shenodded.“Buthewasalsomydad.Myhero,youknow?SoItrustedhim.”
“Didheevergetintroublewiththelaw?”Itwasanobviousquestion,butassoonashe’daskedit,

herfacetightenedandheregrettedgivingintohiscuriosity.“Ignorethatquestion.”

“It’sokay.”
“It’snot.It’snoneofmybusiness.”
“He’snot…he’dneverhurtanyone.”
Shewantedhimtoknowthatherfatherwasn’tviolent.LikeJosh.Hefeltlikeshitforasking.“He

soundsluckytohaveyouinhiscorner.”

“Sameformewithhim.Hewasstuckwithme,but…hechoseme.He’salwayslovedme.Soyoucan

seehowI’mhardpressedtobecriticalofhim.”

“Ican.”
“That’swhy…youknow,allmybigtalkaboutboundariesaside…I’dneverlethimdown.”
Braydenhadawildhunchitwastheotherwayaround,overandoveragain,butifAriellehaditin

herheadthatherfatherwasherhero,therewouldn’tbeanythinghecouldsaytochangethat.Anddamnit,
hedidn’twanttostealthatfromher,notreally.

Hejustwantedherto…besafe.
“Okay,I’min.”
“In?”Shelaughed.“Forwhat?”
“I’llhelpyoufindthestatue.”Andmaybebecomeanaccessorytoacrime.Great.Maybehecould

GooglearttheftinMiralindaandseewhatthestatutesoflimitationwere.

“You.Helpme.”
“Hey,I’macleverguy.Goodwithmyhands.”Hestoodand,withaneasyhop,touchedtheceiling.

“Tall,too.Thathassomeadvantages.”

Shegavehimawarylook.
“Comeon.Givemeachancetomakethisuptoyou.”
Anotherlook,thistimewithascowlattachedforeffect,butherlipscurledintoasmiledespiteher

efforts.

Herolledhisbottomlipbetweenhisteeth.Hecouldsweetenthepot—maybeforbothofthem.“Okay,

howaboutthis.Wetrade.”

“Trade?”
Hegrinned,broadly.Wickedly.Ohyeah,thiswasagreatidea.“Trade.I’llhelpyousearchforthis

statue.We’llexploreeveryinchoftheestate.Leavenostoneunturned.”

“Andinexchange?”
“Youletmetieyouupagain.Thistime…withsomediscussionbeforehand.And,withyourconsent,

I’llexploreeveryinchofyou,too.”

SIX

NO.

Thatwastheonlysensibleanswer.
Itwasn’twhatcameoutofhermouth.“Thatsoundslikeblackmail,Mr.Lucas.”
Oh,God.Shewasflirtingwithhim.Anditfelt…weird.Good.
Hegrinned.“Onlyifyoulikeblackmail.”Heleanedforwardanddroppedhisvoicetoawhisper.

“Onlyifyouwantthatexcusetotellyourselfthisisallmyfault.”

Shedidwantthat.Shelickedherlips.“I’llthinkaboutit.”
“Youdriveahardbargain.”
“Ido?”
“Ofcourse.NowIneedtohelpyousearchsimplytorestoremyreputationinyoureyes.”
“Well,”shesaidtartly.Atotalfacade.“Givenhowouracquaintancebeganthisevening,Iagree,that’s

forthebest.”

“Bringyourbeer,woman.Let’sgoseewhatwecanfind.Astatue,huh?”
She’dhopeditwouldbeassimpleasgoingupstairsandfindingahidingspotinthewall.
Herluckwasn’tthatgood.
Braydenrappedhisknucklesalloverthewallinoneroom,thentheother,andshedidthesame.He

taughtheraboutstudsandwhathollowspacessoundedlike,andafteranhour,sheagreedwithhis
assessmentthatthewallshe’dgottensoexcitedaboutwouldprobablyyieldnothing.Shecouldn’tbring
herselftobustopentheplaster.

Foronething,thenshe’dhavetotellCarawhatshe’ddone—inwhichcase,shemightaswellask

permissionfirst.

Foranother…thisdidn’tfeelright.
Thiswasn’tlikeherfather,tocarefullyplasteroversomething.
He’dhaveputitsomewhereinahurry.
“Floorboards,maybe,”shemused,andBraydenimmediatelyshiftedtoaslowwalkbackandforth

acrosstheroom.Thenthenext,buttherewerenolooseboards,andhalftheroomshadrecentlybeen
refinished.Thesamethreatofdamageappliedhere,aswell.

“Coulditbeinplainsight?”
“Thefuturemeiswhatyou’relookingfor…”AriellespunaroundandgrabbedBrayden’sforearms.

“Yes.Inplainsight.Gah,whydidn’tIthinkofthat?You’reagenius.”

Underherpalms,hismusclesflexed,andsheglancedupathisface.Whoa.Hewasrightthere.She’d

practicallythrownherselfintohisarms.

“Iam?”Heliftedoneeyebrow.“Goodtoknow.”
“‘Thefuturehim’iswhatwe’relookingfor.Soweneedtolook…look…scanaround,Iguess,for

somethingthatlookslikethefuturehim.”

“Idon’tknowthepresenthim.”
Sheletgoofhimandsteppedawayfromthewarmthradiatingoffhisbody.“He’stall.Notlikeyou’re

tall,butnormaltall.”

“WhatamI?”
“Freakishlytall.”Shepaused.“Nooffense.”
“Nonetaken.”
“Good.Andhe’s…outgoing,charming.”Sherolledhereyes.“Everythingyou’dexpectinaconman.”
AtleastBraydenlaughedatthat.“So…howwillheage?Whatdoesfuturehimlooklike?”
Shepointedathim.“Don’tsayinajailcell.”

Hehelduphishands.“I’dnever.”
“Butmyfatherwould.Oh,Dad.That’snotfunny.”Shescannedtheroom.No,notinhere.Shehurried

intothehallway.Thereweren’tanygratesonthewalloralongthefloor.Theyretracedtheirstepsthrough
theotherrooms,endinginthemasterbedroom.

“Whatexactlyareyoulookingfor?”Braydenasked.
“Jail.Barsoragrateora…”Shetrailedoffandlookedatthedoorleadingouttoaprivatebalcony.

He’dhavenoreasontobeinthisspaceallthoseyearsago.Ithadbeenaprivatebedroom.Buthermother
hadalwayshadaweaknessforMrs.Parry’sthings.Herspace.AndAriellewouldbetanymoneythat
gorgeousbalconythatoverlookedtheoceanwasthesiteofherfather’sproposaltohermother.He’dhave
cometofindherwhentheParryswereatchurchorasocialevent,andshe’dhavedraggedhimuptothe
balconyforaddedprivacy.

Itwouldbepoeticforherfathertohidethestatuethathermotherhadrejectedthere.
Anotherthoughtoccurredtoher,oneshereallydidn’tlike.Onethathittooclosetohome,especially

withBraydenstandingnexttoher.

Mrs.Parryhadstoppedcomingheremorethanadecadeearlier,andthenpassedawayayearago.
Therehadbeensomeconfusionaboutwhoinheritedtheproperty.Carahadbeenthedirectorofthe

MiralindaHistoricalSocietyatthetime,andtheSocietywasnamedinawill.VillaSucrewastobe
turnedintoaprotectedpublicproperty.

ThatwasuntilMickarrived,adifferentwillinhand,withthebeliefthathewasrepresentingWill

Parry,Mrs.Parry’sgrandson.AfellowNavySEAL.

AndBrayden’sbestfriend.
Mick,Will,andBraydenhadhadplanstorenovatethisspace.Theystilldid,althoughthewillwas

nowinprobateinNewYorkCityandeverythingwasupintheair.MickandCara,whomanagedto
overcometheirdifferencesandfallinloveatthesametime,nowhadaplanthatwouldbothprotectthe
siteashistoricallysignificantandstillallowtheSEALstousethelandtodeveloptheirexecutivetraining
facilityasplanned.

NoneofthatwasreallyaffectedbyArielle’ssuddenrealizationthatherfatherhadprobablystolenthe

statuefromtheParrys.

Becausehe’dreturnedit.Here.Aplacethatmadenosenseasahidingspotexceptthatitabsolved

himofthecrimeinthefirstplace.

Atsomepoint,hemusthaverealizedthatthey’dneverfoundit.
Ifshewasright,shecouldturnaroundandtellBraydenherhunch.Tellhimthattherewasaminor

pieceofartsomewherethatprobablybelongedtohisfriend,andshewantednopartofit.

Butnobodyelsehadputthosepuzzlepiecestogether.Andmaybeshewaswrong.
Oh,Dad.Sherubbedherforehead.Onethingatatime.Shesteppedintotheanteroomleadingoutto

thecupola,herheartpoundinginherchest.

Outside,itwaspitchblackstill.“Whattimeisit?”sheaskedassheopenedthedoorandsteppedout

intothewarmnightair.

“Nearlytwointhemorning,”Braydensaidashefollowedherout.Hepulledouthisphoneandturned

itintoaflashlight.

“Neattrick.”
“Yougettingtired?”
Shestifledayawn.“No.”
Hejustlaughedashedidaslowturn,shiningthelightalongtheclosedinwallsoneithersideofthe

balcony.“Nothinghere.”

Sheshookherhead.“Notthere.”Sheclearedherthroatasshedroppedtoherknees.Howmanytimes

hadherfathershowedherthistrickintheiroldhouse?“Youcanhidethingshere…”

Shefeltfortheedgeofthegratethatcoveredanopen-airventonthefloor.Itallowedhotairtoflow

fromthespacebelow,ratherthangettingtrappedundertheoverhangontheverandah.Butwhenshe
hookedherfingersthroughtheopenslatsandtugged,itdidn’tmove.

Braydenbrushedhisfingersagainsthers.“Here,letmetry.”Thewoodcreakedandwhinedwhenhe

pulled,butitstilldidn’trelease.Clearlynobodyhadplayedhide-and-seekwithadollyuphere…ever.
Yearsofpaintanddirtweresunbakedintothecracks,cementingthegrateinplace.

Heshifted,pullingsomethingfromhispocket,thenwithaflickofhiswrist,hehadaknifeout.He

shimmieditalongtheedgeofthegrate,onallfoursides,thenagain,thistimediggingdeeper.

Hetookherhandandsetitononeside.Hetooktheother,andexplainedtheyshouldpullatthesame

time.“Onthree,areyouready?”

Shenodded.“Ready.”
“One,two,three!”Theytuggedtogetherandatfirstshewasn’tsureitwouldcomeout,butthenthere

wasgive,andsuddenlyshetumbledback,thegratefreeandintheairaboveher.

Braydensnatcheditwitheaseandsetitaside.“Okay,Catwoman.Takealook.”
Heshonethelightintothespacebetweenthefloorboardsandsheduckedherheaddown,butshe

didn’tseeanythingotherthandirtonthatside.Butwhenthebeamoflightshiftedaroundandshe
followed,shegasped.

Therewassomethingthere.
Sherolledontoherstomachandreachedinasfarasshecould,butherfingersjustglanced

ineffectivelyoffthewhitefabricitwaswrappedin.“Ican’tgetit,”shegasped.

“Letmetry.”
Herhandsshaking,shetookthephonefromBraydenandheflattenedoutonthedecking.Hisreach

waslonger,andwithonlyacoupleofgruntsassheimaginedhegainedagoodpurchaseonit,hehadit
andwasrisinguponhiskneesagain.

“Hereyougo,”hesaid,handingthebundleoverandtakinghisphoneatthesametime.
Sherosetoherfeetandmovedbackintotheanteroom.
Behindher,shewasvaguelyawareofBraydenreplacingthegrate,butshewasconsumedwiththe

discoveryofthestatue.

It’snotyours.No,sheknewthat.
Itwasstillkindofthrillingtofigureoutthepuzzle,though.
“Wow.”Thewhiteclothfelltothegroundandshesawtheoldmansherememberedfrommanyyears

earlier.Sheturneditoverinherhands,thebrasssolidandheavyandfullofhistory.

Complicated,dangerous,and-now-she’d-looped-in-a-good-guy-oh-shitkindofhistory.
Braydencamealongsideher,andshenoddedabsently.“Thankyou.Wecan…pretendthisnever

happened.”

“Arielle.”Hisvoicewaslowandrough,andshedidn’twanttolookhimintheface.Didn’twantto

seeregretthere—forhelpingherortrustingherormaybeevenlettinghergo.Maybesheshouldbetiedto
thekitchenchair,andnotinasexyway.“Hey.Lookatme.”

Damnhersubmissive,eager-to-pleaseimpulses.Sheflickedhereyesup,lookingathisfaceas

commanded.

“Idon’twanttopretendthisdidn’thappen.Thiswas…fun.”
“Idon’twantthestatue,”sheblurtedout.
Hefrowned,thenlookeddownatit.“Okay.Wecanputitback.”
No.Ifherhunchwasright,itshouldprobablybetuckedawaywhereherfatherwouldn’tfindit.“We

shouldputitsomewhereelse.”

Thefrowndeepened.“Why?”
“Idunno.”Becauseitbelongshere.Butshecouldn’tbringherselftovoicethattheory.Sheneededto

talktoherfatherfirst.

Henoddedlikethatwasareasonableanswerwhenittotallywasn’t.“Thenlet’sfindaplace.”
Sheledthewaydownstairs.Sheknewtheestatewellnow,havingspentalotoftimehereoverthe

lastyearwithCara.Butitstillwasn’teasyfindingaspottostashastatuewhereitcouldstayhidden.

“Howaboutupthere?”Braydensaid,pointingtoanairventrunningalongthetopofthewall.The

gratewassimilartotheoneinthefloorofthecupola.

“Maybe.”Shestoodonhertiptoes,notthatitbroughtheranyclosertothegrate.“Ifthere’salittle

ledgeinthere,itwouldwork.”

“Here.”Heheldouthishand.“I’llboostyouup,youcantakealook.”
Shesetdownthestatueandcarefullysetherfootinhiscuppedfingers.Hisotherhandsettledonher

hip,thenheliftedherwithtotalease.

Sheignoredtheflutterinherchestandpressedherhandsagainstthewall.Sureenough,theventwas

wellconstructedontheinside,withaplasteredover“floor”,andlittlenookstothestudsoneitherside.
“Yes.Thiswillwork.”Shetuggedonthegrate,butitdidn’tcomeout.“Samethingasupstairs.It’scaked
inthere.”

Heloweredherdownandgotouthisknife.Hehadnoproblemreachingtheventhimself,althoughit

waswellabovehishead.Itdidn’ttakehimlongtofreethegrateandliftitdown,restingitonthefloor.

“Upwegoagain,”hesaid,hisvoicealittlerough.
Sheglancedupatthevent.Hecouldreachthespace.
Hemovedcloser.
Shepickedupthestatuebeforeclosingthegapbetweenthem.Herbreathcaughtinherthroatasheset

hishandsonherhips.Heheldherthereforasecond,thenslowlyturnedheraround.Hisheatradiated
againstherbackandshewantedtoleanintohishard,broadbody.

Insteadsheliftedthestatueintheairandsaid,“Up.”
Hehoistedherthistimewithbothhandsonherwaist,untilshewasuphighenoughtoputherfeeton

histhighthathebracedagainstthewall.Thenshecarefullytuckedthestatueaway.Itwastherightthingto
do.

Herdadwouldbepissed,butthatwaslife.
Youdidn’talwaysgetapony.Orstolenart.
Thefloorcreakedashesetherdown.Neitherofthemsaidanythingashereplacedthegrate.Some

dusthadfallentothefloor,evidenceofwhatthey’ddone.

Shemotionedtothekitchen.“I’llgetaclothtocleanthisup.”
“I’llgetit.”Heclearedhisthroatandshovedhishandsinhispockets.“Listen,Arielle—”
“Thankyouagainforyourhelp.”Shecuthimoff.Don’tsayanythingelse.It’slate,andwe’reriding

somecrazyadrenalinehere.Let’snotdoanythingwemightregretinthemorningbecauseyou’rea
HerowithacapitalHandI’mtheamoraldaughterofanunrepentantcriminal.

“Hangon.Let’sgetthiscleanedupfirst.”Hepointedhisfingerather.“Waitrighthere.”
Shewatchedhimdisappearintothekitchen,thenshedidtheonlysensiblething.Sheturnedonher

heelandfledoutthefrontdoor.

SEVEN

MICKANDCARARETURNEDLATEINTHEAFTERNOONONSUNDAY.

Braydenstillhadn’tgottenoverArielle’sdisappearingact.
He’dgoneintothekitchenwithasemihard-onandaplantokissherwhenhereturned.Instead,he’d

foundthefrontdoorwideopenandzerotraceofthewomanhewantedinadecidedlyunholyway.

He’dspenttherestoftheweekendfuming.
“Howwasyourweekendaloneattheplantation?”CaraaskedasMickdisappearedintotheirhalfof

thebunkhousewiththeirbags.

Letthehalf-lyingbegin.“Notnearlyasinterestingasmylastjob,”Braydensaidwithashrugofhis

shoulders.“Dranksomebeer,exploredabit.”

“Didanyonestopby?”
BeforeBraydencouldanswerthat,Mickreturnedandpulledopenthefridgedoor.“Notmuchfor

dinnerhere,angel.Brayden,man,youcould’vedonesomegroceryshopping!”

He’dthoughtaboutit.Butstalkingawomanyou’djustmetseemedinpoorform,andifhe’dgone

backintotown,he’dhavelookedforArielle.Hewouldn’tbeabletostophimself.

“Thenlet’sgooutfordinner!”Caraclappedherhands.“We’llshowyouaround,too.”
Theyparkedonaside-streetoffthemaindraginPetiteCiotatandMickandCaraledhimthroughthe

shoppingdistrict,pointingoutshopstheyliked.Everythingwasshutnow,exceptaninternetcafe,a
twenty-four-hourlaundromat,andtowardtheendofthestrip,aclusterofrestaurants.

“There’sDaphne,”Carasaid,pointingahead.
Brayden’spulsepickedup.BecausebehindtheblondewomanCarawaspointingatwasanother

womanwalkingtowardthem.Onewithlongdarkhair,goldenbrownskin,andawise-assmouthhestill
hadn’thadatasteof.

Awomanheneededtopretendhedidn’tknow,andcouldn’tbeattractedto.Herdisappearingacthad

practicallybeenaDearJohnletter.

Carawaved,thenadded,“AndArielle,too.”
Anunnecessaryaddition,ofcourse,butshedidn’tknowthat.Herblackcatsuitget-upwasgone,

replacedbyaturquoisetanktopandjeanshortsthatrevealedstrongthighs.

Caraintroducedthemastheymetattheentrancewaytotheopenairrestaurant.
“Nicetomeetyou,”Ariellesaid,holdingoutherhand.Ittookasecondforhereyestoliftandmeet

hisgaze,butwhentheydid,healmostbelieveditwasliketheyweremeetingforthefirsttime.

“Pleasure’sallmine,”hemurmured.Itwas,too.Herhandfeltgoodinhis,smallanddelicate,but

strongasshesqueezedherfingersaroundhisandpumpedherarm.

Nowayhewouldn’tbeinterestedinheriftheywerejustmeetingnow.Thatwhole“don’tknowher,

can’tbeinterestedinher”planhadtoberevised.

Henowofficiallydidn’tknowthiswoman,butverymuchwantedto.
Therewasn’tahostesstoseatthem,sotheywanderedthroughthespacedottedwithtables,somewith

patronsatthem,othersemptybuttoosmall,untiltheycametoalarge,roundtableatthebackofthe
restaurant.Halfablockaway,theoceansurfcouldbeheard.

“Thisplaceisallkindsofawesome,”BraydensaidasheshiftedpastDaphnetositnexttoArielle.
Shegavehimalook,likedon’tyouremembermeditchingyoursorryass?
Hejustsmiled.Hedid.Atsomepointthey’dneedtodiscussthat.Butfirstthingsfirst—hehadtoget

sometimealonewithher.

Behindher,Daphnesmiledtoo,andhehopedArielle’sfriendsmightthinkhookingthemupwouldbe

agoodidea.

Hethoughtitwasaswellonehimself.

NormallyAriellereallylikedthisplace.Theyhadwickedgrilledchickenandtheirmahi-mahiwasto

diefor.Plustheyalwaysdidareallynicefruittrayforthetabletonibbleonbetweendinneranddessert.

Buttonight,shecouldbarelytastehermealbecauseallshewasawareofwasBrayden’sthigh

pressedcasuallyagainsthers.Hiscargoshortswentdowntohisknee,butherlegwasbareandhadshe
knownhe’dbeenhere,she’dhavedresseddifferently.

ButdidyoureallythinkCarawouldleavehimathome?Sheignoredthatquestiontoherself,

becauseshedidn’twanttothinkabouttheanswer.

RightnowhewastalkingtoDaphne,butshecouldfeelitcoming—themomentwhenhe’dturntoher

andaskthesamequestionashe’djustpolitelyofferedtoherfriend.

Itwouldfeelcompletelydifferent,though.Anditwouldbeprivate.Justforthem,theirlittlesecret.I

alreadyknowthis,hiseyeswouldsay.ButIwanttoknowwhatyou’dsayifwehadn’talreadymetin
themostunconventionalway.Andshe’dtellhimwhateverhewantedtoknowbecausewhenhefixed
thoseblueeyesonher,shewasagoner.

Itwasagoodthingshe’dfledfromtheplantationtheothernight.Orrightnowshe’dberemembering

ahellofalotmorethanjustaconversation.

Againstherleg,hismusclebunched,alittleheads-uphewasabouttoturninherdirection.Shefixed

herbestpokerfaceinplaceandturnedtowardhimatthesamemomenthelookedather.

Outofthecornerofhereye,shedidn’tmissCaranoticingthatthey’dturnedtowardeachotherasif

bymagic.

Icanfeelhisdamnlegprojectinghisnextmovement,shewantedtoprotest,butthenshe’dhaveto

explaintoCarawhyherlowerbodywasplasteredagainstBrayden’s,andthatwouldonlydigthehole
deeper.

AndnowthatCarawasridiculouslyhappyandinlove…
OhGod,shewastotallygoingtomeddleandtrytosetthemup.
“Andhowaboutyou,”Braydensaid,thecornersofhismouthtippingupjustso.“Areyouabartender

orahistorian?”

“Neither,”shesaidwryly.Shewantedtostickouthertongueathim,butthetensionzingingbetween

themwasn’tquiteconducivetotongue-sticking-out.Notunlessshewantedhimtocallherabratandhaul
heroverhislap.Sosheplayedthegame.“I’mateacher.”

“Interesting.Hereintown?”
ThatmightbethefirsttimeinhistorythataNavySEALthoughteducationwasaninterestingjob.She

smiled.“Yep.Iteachmathematicsandliteratureatthehighschool.”

Hiseyebrowcurvedupinthesurprise.Ha.“Bothsubjects?”
“We’reasmallschool.Eachteacherneedstopulldouble-dutytocoverthecurriculum.”
“Fascinating.I’dlovetohearmoreaboutthatatsomepoint.”
Heatspearedhercheeks.Beforeshecouldreply,thebartenderpoppedovertotakeanotherroundof

drinkorders.Spared,butonlyfornow.

EIGHT

AFTERDINNER,BRAYDENOFFEREDTOWALKHERHOME.

“I…”Andtherestofherwordsfailedher.
“Icoulduseawalk,”Carasaidwithawink.“Whydon’twedoalooppastDaphne’sboatand

Arielle’sapartmentbeforeheadingbacktotheplantation?”

Ohgreat.Nowitwasagroupexerciseintorture.
Butitwasn’tbad,actually.CaraandMickledtheway,withDaphnefallingintostepwiththem.

BraydenandAriellehungback,andsuddenlyitwasn’tawkwardatall.

“Sorryforthedisappearingact,”shewhispered.
“Iguessyoudidn’twantmetotieyouupagain,huh?”Hebumpedhisarmlightlyagainsthers.
“Ididn’tsaythat.”
Hegrinned.“Goodtoknow.”
Shetookadeepbreath,thenletitout.“Maybeonethingatatime.”
“Well,youknowwhereIam.Feelfreetobreakinanytime.”
“I’lltakethatunderadvisement.”
Hechangedthesubject.“Thisisaprettynicelittletownyou’vegothere.”
“Welikeit.There’sanicemixoflocalsandex-pats.Sometourists,buttheymostlysticktothe

resorts,unlesstheysailinanddockatthemarina.”

“Doyousail?”
Andsotheconversationflowed,justlikeithadthenightattheplantation,andbeforesheknewit,they

wereatherlowapartmentbuilding.Shesaidgoodnighttoherfriendsfirst,thenwavedatMick.Finally
sheturnedtoBraydenandsmiled.“Nicetomeetyou.”

Heheldhergazeandsmiled.Couldanyoneelseseetheferaledgetoit,orjusther?“You,too.I’m

sureI’llseeyouaround.”

Oh,shehadnodoubt.

BraydenmanagedtosquarehisfacebeforeheturnedbacktoMickandthetwootherwomen,butthat

didn’tstopanyofthethreefromshootinghimnosy-asslooksastheywalkedthenextblocktothemarina.

“What?”hefinallysaid.“She’sgorgeous.Doyoublameme?”
“Blameyou?”Daphnelaughed.“Ifyoumakeherhappy,dude,we’llloveyou.”
Mickraisedhiseyebrows.“Nopressure.”
TheyhadnoideawhathewasreallyfacingwithArielle.Begoodtoher?Thatwouldbetheeasy

part.

Arielleknewherfatherhadlethimselfintoherapartmentwhenherkeydidn’tturnthedeadbolt.She

shookherheadandpushedthedooropen.

Hewasinthekitchen,cooking.
Sheflippedherkeysontothecounterandcrossedherarmsasheglancedherway.Hishandswere

busyflippingveggiesandgrillingmeat,buthestillhadabrilliantsmileforher.

Healwaysdid.
“You’reback.”Shesaiditflatly,buthedidn’ttakeanyoffense.

Heneverdid.Insteadheputdownhiskitchentongsandspatulaandheldhisarmswide.“Baby.”
Sheshookherheadandlaughed.“Hey,Dad.”
“Don’tbecrosswithme.”
“Youdidn’treplytomyemail.”
“Iwasbusy.”Hegaveherabalefullook.“Didyoufindit?”
Shedidn’tneedtoaskwhathemeant.Sheswallowedhardandfudgedthetruth.“Whatdoyouthink?

Yourinstructionsweretoocryptic.”

“Ahwell.Anothertime.Areyouhungry?”
“Ijusthaddinner.”
“Withaman?”Heputonaninstantlysuspicious,over-protectivecharacterthatgratedonhernerves.
“Withfriends,”shesaidfirmly.“Butthatsmellsgood.I’llhavealittlebit.TellmeaboutSpanish

Town.”

Hedishedouttheirfood,moreforhim,lessforher,thentheysatandhetoldherabouthismostrecent

adventure.ThePG-13,sanitizedversion.Vagueenoughthatsheknewhewasleavingoutdetails,butthat
wasfine.Sheneverwanteddetails.

Exceptnow,shedidwanttoknowmoreaboutsomethingfromthepast.
Shemovedherfoodaroundonherplateforthesecondtimetonight.
“What’sonyourmind,monbébé?”
“Youalwayscouldreadme.”
“Youhaveaterriblepokerface.”Hereachedacrossthetableandstilledherhand.“Tellme.”
“Thestatueoftheoldman…”
“Ah.Soyoufiguredouttheclues.”
“Idid.”Shepuffedouthercheeksandliftedhergazetolookherfatherintheeye.“Whenyouhiditat

theplantation…wereyoureturningittotherightfulowners?”

Hedidn’tlookaway,buthedidn’tanswerimmediately,either.Amuscleinhisjawflexedfirst.“That

wasalongtimeago.Theestatehasstoodemptyforyears.”

“It’snotemptynow.”
“Ishouldn’thaveaskedyoutogothere.Iwasn’tthinkingaboutthedifficultpositionI’dputyouin

withCara.”Hesmiled.Alittletooeasy,alittletoowide.“Howisshe?”

Achangeofsubject.Damn.“She’sfine.She’swhoinvitedmeoutfordinnertonight.”
“AndDaphneaswell?HowismyfavoriteAmericanex-pat?”
“Stillbartending.”
“Notmakingthatsoapofhers?”
Great.Sotheywerecommittingfull-boretotheinanesmalltalk.“Yep.Justinhersparetimefor

now.”

“ItoldyouI’vegotanewlead.Ifitpansout,I’dbehappytobackherinaventure.”
Itwouldn’t,butshewasusedtothatkindofpromise.“Youdon’tneedtodothat.”
“Sure.Anythingformybaby’sfriends.”
Itwouldneverhappen.“IthinkDaphne’sprettyintentondoingitherownway.”
“Yougirlshavealwaysbeenindependent,haven’tyou?”
Theyhadtobe.Allthreeofthem,indifferentways.Speakingofwhich…“Areyoustayinghere?

Sinceyousoldtheboat?”

Shehadtheextrabedroom.Daphnehadmovedout,andArielle’steachersalaryeasilycoveredthe

rentontheentireunit.

Butherfathershookhishead.“I’mheadingbacktoSunshineBaytonight.Needtomakesomedeals

tomorrowtopullthisnewventuretogether.”

Shetookadeepbreath.Shewouldn’tapologizefornotbringinghimthestatue.“Itwasgoodtosee

you.Thankyoufordinner.”

“Iputtheleftoversinthefridge.”
Theywashedthedishestogetherwhilecoffeebrewed,thenshepouredhimatravelmugandgavehim

atighthugatthedoor.“Iloveyou,Daddy,”shewhispered.Nomatterwhat,itwasthetruththatbound
themtogether.

“Iloveyoutoo,bébé.”

NINE

ITWASN’TLIKEHE’DBEENSTUCKINABOARDROOMBEFORE,BUTBRAYDENWASSTILLIMPRESSEDWITHHISNEW
OFFICE.

Mickhadcalledtheirteammeetingtoorderbyhandingoveracoldbeerandpointingdownapaththat

ledtotheocean.

Nowtheyweresittingontwolargerocks,thesurfcrashingnearby,andtheywerecompilingthe

motherofallto-dolists.

Theyneededtodesigncoursesthatwouldappealtoaciviliancustomer—alittlebitofbootcamp,a

littlebitofluxury,andalotofblow-their-mindtakeawaylessonssothey’dspreadthewordaboutthe
NavySEALexecutiveretreatintheCaribbean.

Theyalsoneededfacilitiestohouseandeducateandentertaintheirclients.Forthefirstyear,they

plannedtopartnerwiththehotelsandresortsinPetiteCiotat.

MickfilledBraydeninonCara’sideaofrunningVillaSucreasaworkingBedandBreakfast.Ifshe

enjoyedthat,theycouldexpandtobuildamoderninnonthegroundsaswell.Butfirst,theyneeded
clients.

ThatwouldbeWill’sjob,intheory.Butinreality,theywerequicklyrealizingtheirnewbusinessplan

wouldneedmorehandsondeckthanjustthethreeofthem.

Thefirststepwouldbetohaveallthreeprincipalsinthesameplace.Mickpointedatthethirdrockin

thecluster.“Will’sgoingtoneedtocomedownhere.Wecoulddorenovationswithouthim,butpickinga
constructionsite?Idon’tknowaboutthat.That’slookingataseven-figurebudget,easily.”

Braydennodded.“Iagree.Andhecangetawayforaweekend.”
“Maybewe’llseewhoelsecancomedownatthesametime.Mightaswellmakethetripdodouble-

duty.”

“Whatareyouthinking?”
Mickgrinned.“Mywedding,ofcourse.”
“Shit.That’sfast.”
“Notforus.I’mreadytocallCaramywife.”
“Well…hell.Thencongratulations,man.Ithoughttheengagementwouldlastawhile.”
“Don’tseethepointinthat.We’realreadylivingtogether.Andoncewegetpastawedding,Ican

focusonfindingusahouse.Ormaybebuildingonehere.We’llsee.”

“Icouldmoveoutofthebunkhouse.Intotown.”
“Nah.Icouldmoveintotown,too.We’regoingtoneedanofficespacethere,todifferentiateour

addressfromtheplantation.Plusit’sgoingtobeawhileuntilwehavephysicalspaceherebeyondthe
bunkhouse.Theprobatecouldtieeverythingupforages.Iwanttohitthegroundrunningassoonaswe’re
legallycleartodoso.That’llmeanhiringareceptionist,settingupawebsite…”

“Doweneedtohiresomeonerightaway?”SpendingmoneylikethatalwaysBraydennervous.

Expenseswithoutanyincomemadehisstomachtwist.

“What,youthinkwe’regoingtohaveyouansweringthephones?”
Shit,thiswasgettingreal.Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.“No,Iguessnot.ButIcould.AndI

would.”

Hewasgratefulforthisopportunity.He’dputwhateverheneededintoittomakeitwork.
“We’llsortitout,”Micksaid.“Andwe’llallmakethedecisionstogether.Let’sseehowquicklywe

cangetWilldownhere,andgofromthere.”

Therestoftheafternoonspedby,butBraydencouldn’tshakethenervoustremordeepinhisgut.He

wasusedtothisfeeling.Ithappenedbeforemissionsandpromotioninterviews.BeforeanewBUD/S
class.

Healsoknewexactlyhowtogetridofit.
Sexwashardlyanoriginalcopingstrategy.Andifworsecametoworse,hecouldjackoff.Itwasn’t

thesamethingashavingawarm,sexywomanbeneathhim,butitwouldtaketheedgeoff.

Hewantedmorethanthat.
HewantedArielle.
Bound.Willing.Wet.
Theywerenowherenearthat,though.Hecouldn’tassumetoomuch.Firststepwascontactingher.He

foundCarainthekitchen,preppingdinner.

Shehandedhimasliceofmangoashesatonastoolnearthecounter.“Ishouldhaveaskedaboutyour

foodpreferences.”

Heshookhishead.“Foodisgood.That’smyonlypreference.ButIwasthinkingofheadingbackinto

towntonight.”

“Oh?”Shegavehimaknowinglook.
Hegrinned.“AndIwaswonderingifmaybeyouwouldgiveAriellemynumber?LetherknowthatI

wouldbeintown,ifshewantedtomeetmesomewhere?”

Shelaughed.“That’sverychivalrous.Icanjustgiveyouhernumber,though.Cutmeoutofthe

middle.”

Herubbedhisjaw.“Sure.Thanks.Ipromisenottomisuseit.”
Sherolledhereyes.“Okay.It’snotlikeIdon’tknowwheretofindyouandkillyouifyoudo.”
“Fairpoint.”HehandedoverhisphoneandwatchedasCaratypedArielle’sdetailsintoanew

contact.Takingitbackgavehimacuriousthrill,likejusthavinghernumberwasasignificantthing.He
lookeddownathernameonthescreen.ArielleDay.“I’lltakegoodcareofher.”

“CanIgiveyousomeunsolicitedadvice?”
“Forsure.”Hesatalittlestraighter.
Caragavehimathoughtfullook.“She’snotimpressedbyslick.”
He’dalreadyguessedasmuch.Charmwasdefinitelythewrongapproachifhewantedtogainher

affection.“I’llbestraightwithher.”

“Andshedoesn’tbelieveinhappyeverafterendings.”
Whoa.Whosaidanythingaboutthat?Butfromawomanwho’dapparentlyfallenheadoverheelsina

matterofdays—andMickclearlydidthesamething—itwasareasonablewarning.

“We’regoodonthatfront,too,”Braydensaid,tappinghisknucklesonthecounter.“Idon’tbelievein

forevershit,either.”

TEN

SHETEXTEDHIMBACKASHEWASSITTINGDOWNATTHEBAR.

Fifteenminuteslater,shewalkedinthedoor,lookingdrop-deadgorgeousinawhitedresswithan

asymmetricalhemthatcrawleddeliciouslyhighononethigh,andpulledintighttoherwaistthankstoa
coralbeadedbelt.

“Iknewyourwardrobelookedliketheocean,”hemurmuredinherearashestoodtogreether.It

soundedlikealine,buthecouldn’thelpit.“Thanksformeetingme.”

Shetippedherheaduptolookathim.“Thanksforbuyingmeadrink.”
“ItwastheleastIcoulddo,sinceyoudidn’tcometome.Iwaslookingforwardtoapprehendingyou

again.”

Herlipstwitchedintoasmile.“Ihadtowork.”
“Soyourlifeofcrimeisstrictlylimitedtoweekends?”
Thesmilefaded.“Definitelylimited,anyway.”
“What’swrong?”
Shestartedlaughing.“IwishIhadaninscrutableface.”
“Ilikeyourfacejustthewayitis.”
“Revealing?”
“Expressive.Ican’twaittoseetherangeofemotionsyougothroughwhenyou’returnedon.”
Hereyesflaredwide,buthewasputtingthatoutthere.Ifshewasn’tinterested,bettertoknowsooner

thanlater.Sheheldhisgazelongenoughtostokesomeserioushopedeepinsidehim,thensmiledagain.
“Goodtoknow.”

Hecouldn’timaginethreewordshe’dratherhearmurmuredbyherperfectlittlemouth.
Hegrinnedandwaiteduntilshe’dtakenherseattorelaxbackintohisown.“Howwasworktoday?”
“Mondaysarealwaysabitofabattle.Butmostofmystudentsareworkingonbiggishmid-term

projectsrightnow,sotheirheadsareinschool-zone.”Shegavehimasmallsmile.“Longwayofsayingit
wasdecent.”

“Iliketheexpandedversion.Tellmemore.”Hewavedoverthebartender.“Whatwouldyoulike?”
“Rumpunchisgoodforme.”
Theywatchedthebartendermixherdrinkinasilencethatfeltbothfamiliarandeasy,thenhewatched

hertakealong,slowdrinkbeforepressinghertocontinue.

Helikedthewayshelaughedwhenhepromisedhewantedtoknoweverythingaboutherday.
Sherolledhereyes.“Whydon’tyoutellmeaboutwhatyoudidtoday?Howareyousettlingin?”
“Notrestforthewicked.Todaywasaworkday.Wejusthappenedtoworknexttotheocean,whichis

prettysweet.”

“Perkofislandlife.”
“I’mlovingit.”
Shetookanothersipofherdrink,thensetitdownandleanedforward.Hisentirebodytightenedin

anticipationasshestrokedherindexfinger,wetfromcondensationonherglass,acrossthebackofhis
hand.“Doyoureallywanttotalkabouthowworkwas?Ordoyouwanttofinishthesedrinksandcome
backtomyplace?”

Hesethisbeerdown.“I’mnoteveninterestedinfinishingthedrinks.”

AriellecouldfeeltheheatofBrayden’sbody—bigger,wider,stronger—rightbehindhersasshelet

themintoherapartment.

Herheartpoundedinherchestasshedead-boltedthedoorandflippedthesecuritylatch.Shedidn’t

wantanyoneinterruptingwhateverwasgoingtohappennext.

Basedonthefirsttimetheywerealonetogether,sheexpectedhimtousethatstrengthagainsther.She

wantedhimto.Pinheragainstthewallandtakehispleasure.Wringhersfromherbody,overandover
again.

Instead,hesethishandsonhershoulders,stoppingherinthemiddleoftheroom.
Eversoslowly—ah,sotorturewashisgame—hebrushedherhairoutoftheway.She’dleftitdown,

hangingstraightdownherback,andnowhecarefullyslidthestrandsoverhershoulder.Hisfingertips
grazedherbareskinhereandthere,makinghershiver.

Hetippedherheadforward.
Thenshefelthislipsonthebackofherneck.
Shecriedoutandhewhisperedagainstherskinforhertobeagoodgirl.
Oh,heknewallthemagicwords.Shebitherlipandheldstillforhimashebrushedhislipsagainst

hervertebrae,onebyone,untilhereachedherhairline.Hewrappedhishandaroundherhairandtugged
herheadtotheside,kissingalongherneckandontoherjaw.

Heledherbythatfistfulofhair,turningherinhisarms,untilhismouthcoveredhers.
Onlythendidheletgoofher,andonlysohecouldwraphisarmsaroundherbody.
Hetastedfaintlyofbeerandmostlyofdesire,thatsharp,delicious,incomparabletasteyouonlyhad

intheheightofpassion.

Sheliftedherhandstohischest,tentativeandunsure.Ifhewasintokink,washeoneofthoseguys

who—

“God,yes,touchme,”hegroaned.
Reliefcoursedthroughher.Shepalmedhismusclesthroughhist-shirt,thenmovedhigherinsearchof

bare,hotskin.

Hescrapedhisteethoverherlowerlip.“IfIdon’twantyoutotouchme,I’lltieyourhandsbehind

yourback.Therestofthetime,feelfreetomaulme.I’vewantedyourhandsonmybodyfordays.”

“Metoo,”shewhispered.
“Whatelsedoyouwant?”Hestrokedhishandsdownherback,pressingheragainsthim.Hewashard

allover.

Shepressedagainsthiserection.“Iwantthat.”
“And?”Hisbreathpuffedagainstherneck,hotandragged.“Gimmesomedetails.”
Atthesametime,hishandsfoundherwrists.Shesighed.“Yes,that.Iwantthat.”
Hepulledherhandstightbehindherback.“Doyouhaveanyrope?”heaskedroughly.
Sheinhaled,thepromiseofhiswordspainfulagainstthefactshedidn’tkeepanykinksuppliesinher

apartmentatall.“No.”

“Wecanimproviseuntilnexttime.”
“You’vegotrope?”Itwasastatement,becauseofcoursehedid,andaquestion,becausehowcould

shebesolucky?

“WhatdoyouthinkItiedyouupwiththatnight?”
Herlipspartedandhereyeswentwide.Ofcourse.Itwasn’tliketherewerejustcoilsofropelying

aroundthevilla.

“Shocklooksgoodonyou,”hemurmuredashebrushedhislipsoverhercheek.“Makesmehard.”
Heatpulsedthroughheratthecrudeness.“Whatelsedoyoulike?”
“Turningitaroundonme,areyou?”
Shelickedherlips.“Seemedfair.”
“Ilikewatchingawomancomeundone.Ilikekeepingherthereonthebrinkforawhile.Ilike…

struggle.”

Needsurgedinsideher.“Metoo.”
Hepulledbackenoughtomeethergaze.“Thenit’sagoodthingwefoundeachother,isn’tit?”
Averygoodthing.Ithadbeentoolong.Herthighsachedastheneedinsidehergrew,madeherslick

forhim.Heatswirledthroughherandmadeherpainfullyawareofherbreastsswellingbeneaththe
shiftingfabricofherdress.

Hermouthwentdry.No,shecouldn’tfindthewordstotellhimwhatshewanted.
Butshecouldshowhim.Shetensedherforearms,tuggingagainsthishand.Hegrippedhertighterand

shewhimpered,rockingagainsthim.

Hiscockflexedhardintothesoftnessofherbelly.“Wait.God,you’refeisty.”Hegrinned,hardand

feral.“Ilikethat.Butfirst,weneedtonegotiatesomerules.”

“Nospanking,”shesaid,andhelaughed.
“Youalreadymadethatclear.AndIdon’tshare.”
“Finebyme.”
“Isallpainoffthetable?”
“Hairtugging,beinghelddown…anypainthatmightbeincidentaltomeresistingisfine.”
Hisgringotbroader.“Soyouwantthebigbrute?”
Everythinginsideherlitup.“Ohyeah.”
“AndwhendoIknowtoletgo?”Hekissedher,hardandfast.Histongueslickedagainstherlower

lip,leavingitwet.“Doyouwantasafeword?”

“Alwaysagoodidea,”shewhispered.“AndIlikecheck-ins.You’llneverruinthemoodbyasking

meifIlikesomething.”

“Goodtoknow.Iliketalking,too.AlmostasmuchasIlikefucking.Andteasing,andlicking…”
Herheadfellbackandheshowedherexactlywhathemeantonherneck.Shewasvaguelyawareof

himmovingherfartherintotheapartmentashefoundherpulsepointandnippedherthere,thensmoothed
overtheskinwithahot,widepressofhistongue.

Hekissedlower,intothevalleybetweenherbreasts,untilheranintotheedgeofherdress.Thatonly

stoppedhimaslongasittookhimtonudgeherstrapsoffhershoulders.Theyfelltoherelbows,baring
herbraandbindingherarmstohersidesatthesametime.

“You.Are.Gorgeous,”hegroundout,tracingthecurvesofherbreastsalongtheedgeofthelacemesh

bra.Hefollowedtheedgeofthecup,findingastraining,eagernipplewiththetipofhisfinger.

Hegroaned.Shegasped.Hepushedhergentlybackwardandshefoundherselfbouncingontothe

couch.

“Sorryaboutthat,”hesaidinanot-at-allsorryvoice.Hedroppedtohiskneesinfrontofherandslid

hishandsupherthighs,bunchingherdressashetouchedher.“Here.Holdontothis.”

Hepushedthefabricintoherhands,makingherrevealherselftohim.
Herfaceflamedashesatbackonhisheelsandblatantlytookherin.Hiseyesrakedoverherbra,

overherpanties,andthewhitedressthatnowfellinwavesaroundhermiddle.Slowly,helethisgaze
dropbacktotheapexofherthighs,andherlegsclenchedundertheintimateappraisal.Couldheseehow
wetshewas?Herpantiesweresheernudelacemesh,sameasherbra.Neitherdidmuchgoodinkeeping
anysecretofherbody’sresponsetohim.Hardnipples,wetsex.

Hedidn’tmissanyofit.Heleanedin,bracinghishandsoneithersideofher,andkissedhermouth

first.Thenhecontinuedhisoralassaultonherbody,firstsuckingonhernipplesthroughthebra,then
nudgingherswollen,achingfleshoutofthecupstobetorturedbytheairashemoveddownherbodyand
settledhisshouldersbetweenherthighs.

Wherehetuggedherpantiesasideandprovedjusthowmuchhelikedteasing,andlicking,andonce

shewasrestlessandachingforit,fucking,too,becauseashistongueswirledaroundherclit,heslida

thick,talentedfingerinsideherandmadehershamelesslyhumpagainsthim.

“More?”heaskedashekissedherinnerthigh.
“Yes,more.More,more,more,”shegaspedasheaddedasecondfinger.
“Comeon,gorgeous.Comeforme.”
Allshecoulddowaswhineashemovedinandoutofher,hisbreathateaseagainstherclit.
Atsomepoint,shemighthavewhinedhisname,followedbysomecursewords.Shewasn’tsure,and

didn’tcare,becausewhatevernoisesshemadeeventuallyconvincedhimshereally,reallywantedhis
mouthonherclitagain,andwhenhesuckedonthatsensitivenub,sheexploded,aspiralofblissspun
totallyoutofcontrol.Anexplosionofbliss.Agreedy,desperateblissattackonhercentralnervous
system.

Thenshestartedgiggling,becausehowmanytimescouldthewordblissflashinneoninherbrain

beforeitstartedtolosemeaning?

“Goodone?”Braydenaskedwithagrinashesweptherintohisarms.“Andwhere’syourbedroom?”
Shepointedinthegeneraldirectionandwrappedherarmstightaroundhisneck.Ohyeah,thatwasa

goodone.

Hesetherdownbesideherbedandshequicklyundidherbelt,thenslidoutofherdressand

underwear.Naked,sheleanedbackagainstthemattressandwatchedhimunbuttonhisshirt.Hisbare
torsowasutterlymasculine.Sculptedmuscles,athintrailofhairleadingsouthfromhisnaveltohisbelt,
anddark,flatnipplesthatmadehermouthwater.

Sheshiftedrestlessly,andhestoppedundressing.Hiseyeshoodedashetookherin.“Getuphigher

onthebed.”

“Why?”
“Showmehowwetyouare.”
Sheflushed.“Youknow…youwerejust…”
“Eatingyouout?Hellyeah,Iwas.AndImissthetasteofyoualready.Nowgetuponthebedand

spreadyourlegsforme.Showmewhereyouwantmycock.”

Shescrambledbackandpulledherlegsup.Shewasshamelessinherwantforhim,therewasno

doubtaboutthat.Howdidtheyevengethere?He’dinvitedheroutforadrink.

Andshe’dtoldhimshe’dratherdothis.
Thathadbeenbraveofher.Andohsoclever.
Hisgazedidn’tleaveherbodyasheunbuckledhisbeltandpushedhisdresspantsdownhislegs.
“Iforgottotellyouthatyoulookednice,”shewhispered.
Heleanedoverandpulledacondomfromhispantspocket.
“Itwasagoodattemptat—”anicedate,shewantedtosay,butshecouldn’tbecausehewasontopof

her,kissingher,andwordswereimpossible.

Thoughts,too,forthatmatter.
Allthatremainedwasasudden,burningneedtohavehiminsideher.Allofhim,asdeepashecould

get.

She’dbeentryingtosaynicethingstohim.He’dheardthewords,buthe’dalsoorderedhertoshow

himherpussy,andassoonasshe’dcompliedwiththat,allnicetieshadbeenwasted.

Thiswaswhathe’dwantedwhenheaskedhertojoinhimforadrink.He’dbeenstarvingforthiskind

ofanall-consumingdistraction,andhewasgettingthatandsomuchmore.

Thatdidn’tmeanhewasn’tawareofher.Hewashyperawareofher.Arielle.Ohyes,heknew

exactlywhichwomanwasstretchingbeneathhim,reachingherarmsautomaticallyfortheheadboard

becausethat’swhatgoodgirlsdid.

Hecuppedoneofhersmall,perfectbreastsandsqueezed,plumpinghernipplebetweenhisfingers.

Shemoanedandrolledherhips.Hecuppedthecurvedflareofhersideandstilledher,andshe
whimpereduntilhepraisedher.“Yes,justlikethat,”hemurmured.“Letmetouchyoualittle,first.”

Shenoddedherheadandhekissedheragain.Hetastedhermouth,herneck,herbreasts.Hecouldn’t

getenoughofherskin,warmandsweet.Ofherscent,feminineanddelicatelyearthy.Ofhersounds,
desperateandquiet,thennot-so-quietashepushedoffhisboxerbriefsandlethiscockbounceheavy
againstherlegs.

Andstillhetouchedher.Helearnedhowhernipplespebbledatagentletouchandbloomedwhen

suckled.Herolledheroverandkisseddownherspine,lickingrighttotheseamofherbuttocksuntilshe
squirmed.

“Notthere?”Hegrinnedagainstthesmallofherback.
Shehesitated.“Notonafirstdate.”
“Isthisadate?Ilikethesoundofthat.”
“Let’stouchbaseonwhatwe’recallingthisafteranotherorgasm.”
“Ilikethatyou’restillsassywhenyou’returnedon.”
“Ilikethatyou’restillabletoholdaconversationwhenyourcockhastobedesperatetogetinside

me.”

Heshovedherlegsapartandrockedagainstherfrombehind.Thewetslideofheragainsthiserection

actuallydidrenderhimmuteforasecond,butherecoveredbecausehewasn’tafanofnothavingthelast
word.Notevenduringsex.“Notjustmycock,gorgeous.Everyinchofmeisdesperate.”

Insteadoftauntinghimagain,shejustroseontoherkneesandhediedalittleinside.Thiswas

perfection.Thiswasjoy.

Hesheathedhimselfandnotchedhimselfagainsthertight,warm,wetpussyandpressedintoher.
Theunholygroanshemadeasheslowlypartedherfoldsandenteredherbodywasthebestsound

he’deverheard.Herpantinghowbighewashadtobeaclosesecond.

Likeanyotherman,hewasasimplecreature.Praiseforhiscockandgeneralsexualprowesswas

definitelygoodstuffforhisego.

Butashesankintoher,ashersnugheatsqueezedhislength,baserinstinctspushedprideandegoout

oftheway.Hehadonejobnow—tomakehercomeagain.Toserviceherinanefforttoclaimher,ifonly
foranight.Toprovehimselfworthyofher.

Worshipthroughpleasure.
Dirty,carnaladoration.
Heclutchedherhipsandthrustintoher,shallowatfirst,thendeeper.Shelikeditslowandhard,he

discovered.Good.

Hereachedaroundherhip,pressinghisweightintoherback,andfoundherclitwithhistwomiddle

fingers.Shejerkedinhisarmsashefilledheragain,pushingherintohisfingersashebottomedout.
“Yes?”

“Dothatagain,”shebreathed.
Hedid,pressingintoherharderwitheachthrust,untilhewaspinninghertothebedandshewas

writhingagainsthishand.

“More?”
“Yes.”
“Harder?”
“God,yes.”
“Faster?”
Shecriedoutandhetookthatfortheyeshesodesperatelywanted.Hepushedhislegsagainstthebed

andletloosetheanimalinsidehimthatwantedtomarkitsclaimonthiswoman.

Hefeltherclimaxstart,deepinsideher,andheburiedhisfaceinherbackashechasedhisown

release.Hewantedtoburyhimselfinsideherclenchingpussyandnevercomeupforair.Thiswas
everythingheneeded.

Hisballspulledtightanddarknesstingedhisvisionastheirsweat-slickedbodiesmovedtogether,

pushingandpullinginacrazedunisonthatcouldn’tbechoreographed.

Andwhenhecame,hecamehard.Likeashotgunblast.Fuckingperfect.
Heheldhimselfinsideheruntilthelasttwitchyaftershockfaded,thenherolledontohisbackand

dealtwiththecondom.

Shestayedrightwhereshewas,faceburiedintheblanket,butsheliftedherheadabitwhenhe

strokedhisfingersgentlydownherspine.

“Ineededthat.”
Hesmiled.“Me,too.”
Sherolledontohersideandgavehimacuriouslook.“Yeah?”
Heknewshewasn’tbeingnosy,butrulenumberoneofusingsexasanescapewasnotexplaining

whatheneededthebreakfrom.“Mightneeditagain,soonerthanlater.”

Shesmiled.“Excellenttohear.”
“Howdoyouwanttodothis…ifwe’regoingtouserope,I’massumingyouwanttobecarefulabout

whenandwhere.”

Shenodded.“Thankyouforgettingthat.”
“Notatall.Discretionismymiddlename.”Infact,thatgavehimanidea.“Oneofmytasksthisweek

istorigupsecurityattheplantation.It’sgoingtohaveacoupleofdifferentpurposes—realsecurity,for
onething.Butwe’realsogoingtousethesystemforobservingourstudents.SoI’llneedtotestrunthe
camerasetupasIdesigneachblockoflessons.”

“Filmisahardlimitforme,”shesaid,cautionradiatingoffher.
Heknewthat.Sillygirl.Herolledintoher,thenontoher,pressingherintothebedwithhisbody

weight.“Iknow.WhatI’mtryingtosayis…I’llknowwheretheblindcornersare.Andwecanusethe
systemtoouradvantage.Havelotsofwarningshouldanyonearriveattheestatefromanydirection.”

“Oh.”Herbreathcaughtasshegazedupathim.“Ilikethatideaalot.”
“Ithoughtyouwould.”
“Soyouliketheideaofsettingupsomecovertplaydates?”
Sherockedupagainsthim.Shewasslickandwetforhimagain.“Yes,”shesaidbreathlesslyashe

reachedforacondom.

“Andwhataboutregulardates?”Washepushinghisluck?Hedidn’tcare.Recklessdesirehadserved

himwellsofartonight.

Shereachedbetweenthemandhelpedhimfindherentrance.Shebitherlipasheslidintoheragain.
“Arielle,”hegroaned.
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhimandliftedhermouthtohisear.“Yes.Realdates…Iwantthose,

too.”

ELEVEN

SHEWOKEUPTHENEXTMORNINGTOATHANK-YOU-FOR-THE-CRAZY-HOT-SEXTEXT.

Thatwasafirst.Braydenwasbothagentlemananddelightfullyfilthy.
Shealsowokeuplate,havingapparentlyhitsnoozethreetimestoomany,anditwasonlythedifferent

chimeforthetextmessagethatdraggedherfromherloopingdreamofBraydengoingdownonherinthe
livingroom.

Shethrewherselfintotheshowerandgrabbedcoffeeandapastryatthebakeryonthewaytoschool.

Breakfastdidn’tactuallygetconsumeduntiltheten-minutebreakbetweenfirstandsecondperiod,which
meantherthank-youreplytohisthank-youtextdidn’tgetsentuntillunchtime.

Arielle:Lastnightwasdefinitelymypleasure.Repeatedly.SomuchsoIsleptinthismorning!
Brayden:Wereyoulate?
Arielle:No.Madeitjustbeforethefirstbell.Yourtextgotmeup,actually.
Brayden:Ishouldmakethatuptoyou.DinneronWednesday?
Arielle:Soundsperfect.Can’twait.

Italsomeantshehadtwodaystorecover.AnightwithBraydenwasbetterthanadoublecardioclass

atthegym,althoughitalsocamewithsomeinterestingsideeffects.Shewasprettysureshehadbeard
burnonherthighs.

Thenextmorningshehadanothertext.

Brayden:Thisisyourwake-upcall.
Arielle:I’mup.
Brayden:Areyouamorningperson?
Arielle:Yes?
Brayden:Thequestionmarkprettymuchguaranteesthatyouaren’t.
Arielle:IamifIgotobedearlyenough.I’maneight-hours-a-nightkindofgirl.
Brayden:Iwilltakethatunderadvisement.
Arielle:It’sworthitifthesexishotenough.
Brayden:Sotheothernight…
Arielle:Stopfishingforcompliments.

Butonceshegotupandorganizedfortheday—withplentyoftime,thankstothewake-uptext—she

reachedforherphone.

Arielle:Totallyworthit.Bestsexofmylife.
Brayden:Andwehaven’tevengottentotheropeyet.

Afactshewasmostdefinitelyawareof.

Arielle:Andwhenmightwehaveachancetodothat?
Brayden:IthinkMickandCaraaregoingtochurchonSunday.

Arielle:They’llhavetogoeverySundayuntiltheweddingiftheywanttheministertomarry

them.

Brayden:Thatsoundslikeastandingdatetoblasphemetogether,don’tyouthink?
Arielle:Ireallydo.Yes.Oh,yes.
Brayden:Andtomorrownight,we’llbecivilized.
Arielle:I’msurewecanfindawaytosecretlybedepraved,too.
Brayden:I’mcountingonit.

TWELVE

FLOWERSWERESUCHAHIT-OR-MISSTHINGWITHWOMEN.

Braydenwasintown,runningdownhisto-dolist.Hehadaleadonacontractorwhowasleavingfor

ayearandhadaboatloadoftoolstooff-load.Therewereafewemptystorefrontsonthemaindragfor
possiblerenting.Hefolloweduponbothofthose.Thentherewasthepersonalto-dolist:impressa
womanwhowasallergictocharm.

Hestoppedinfrontofasmallflowerstandjustoffthemarket.Therewerebirdsofparadiseand

orchidsupfront,buttheywouldbothbetryingtoohard.Hemovedundertheawningandsmiledatthe
womantrimmingleavesoffstemsatawoodentableinthemiddle.

“CanIhelpyou?”sheaskedinheavilyaccentedEnglish.
“I’mlookingforflowers,forawoman.Somethingdelicate,butstrong,andnottooshowy.”
“Doyouhaveacolorpreference?”Shetippedherheadsideways.
“Notred.Somethinglight.Yelloworwhite,maybe.”
Shenodded.“Ihavejustthething.”Shemovedtoastackofbucketsandpulledfromthecenteronea

smallbundleofpaleyellowbloomsthatfadedtopinkattheedges.Thestalkandleaveswerecrispdark
green.“Allamanda”,shesaid.“Willtheydo?”

Theywereperfect.Hehandedoversomemoneyandtookthebouquet.
Heputthebouquetonthepassengerseatforthedrivebacktothevilla,butstasheditinthebackwhen

heranintothebunkhousetoshowerandchange.Hedidn’tneedMickandCaraknowingtheextentto
whichhewasintoArielle.

Whateverwashappeningbetweenthemwasprivate.
Thatinstinctprovedprescientforhowtheirdinnerconversationunfolded.
Hepickedherupatherplace.Shelikedtheflowers.Shelikedthehellokissevenmore.
Hecouldn’thelpit.She’dopenedthedoorwearingabrightreddressthatendedperilouslyhighon

herthighs,andallofhisgentlemanlythoughtswentstraightoutthewindow.

“Hello,”shesaidwithasmile,steppingbacktolethimin.
Heleanedinandbrushedhismouthagainsthersashepressedtheflowersintoherherhand.“These

areforyou.”

“Thankyou.”
“Andassoonasyouputthemdown,Iwanttheextendedversionofthatkiss.”
Shegrinnedandwiggledherfingers,gesturingforhimtofollowherintothekitchen.Shefilledavase

andsafelystowedtheflowersinthewater,thenspunaroundandstretchedherarmsoutwide,tracingher
fingersalongthecounteredge.“Howextended?”

Hecrowdedrightupagainsther.“I’mgoingtomakeyouwaituntilafterdinnertocome.”
“Okay.”Shetiltedherheadback,surrenderingtohislips,andhetookthewelcomefromfriendlyto

X-ratedasfastashecould.

Shefeltsodamngoodinhisarms.Sexyandlush,herhipswideandherlegsstrong,buttherestofher

sodamnpetiteitmadehimwanttocarryhertothebedanddevourher.

Shedidn’tletgoofthecounter,buthestillslidhishandsupherbody,tracinghercurvesuptoher

face,wherehecuppedhercheeksinhishandsandheldherstillforhisonslaughtofkisses.

Shetastedsweetandclean,eagerandpliant.Readyforwhateverhewantedtodotoher,withher,and

thatwillingnessmadehimsohardithurt.

Heshiftedonehandaroundtocurveagainstherneck.She’dbraidedherhairtonightinatwistyplait

thatcurledoveroneshoulder,leavingthenapefreeforhim.Herewardedherattentiontodetailby
strokingupanddownhervertebraethereashisotherhandmovedsouth,seekingthehemofherdress.

Underneathhefoundaformidablepairofspandexshorts.
Shestartedlaughing,butdidn’tmove.Hereyesdancedashegaveheralook.“What?I’mnot

interestedinanyoneotherthanyouseeingmybuttcheekstonight.”

Hecuppedhersexthroughthethinmaterial.“Goodplan.I’llrewardthatlater.”
Sherockedherhipsandhepulledhisfingersawaybeforeshecouldgetagoodgrindagainsthis

knuckles.“Notnow?”

Heshookhishead.“No.Nowyou’rebeingpunishedforhidingthatsweetpussyfromme.”
Shelaughed.“Forthebest.Wedon’twanttogooutfordinnersmellinglikesex.”
“Well,Imightwantto…untilsomeonenoticed.Andthenitwouldceasebeingsexy.”Heleanedinand

brushedhislipsagainstherear.“ButIdolovethesmellofyouonmyfingers.”

Sheshiveredandhehauledhercloseforanotherkiss.Thefantasyofhavingherridehishandwould

havetobeenoughtogetthemboththroughameal.

“Speakingofdinner,”hegrowled,steppingoutofgrabbingrange.“Youlookfantastic,soweshould

goout.Anypreferences?”

Shegavehimasidewayslook.“Well…”
“What?”
“HowwouldyoufeelaboutdrivingintoSunshineBay?”
Heshrugged.“Sure.Thenightisyoung.”
Anditwasprettysweetcruisingalongtheoceansidetwo-lanehighwaywiththetopdownonhisJeep

andArielle’shandclaspedinhis,theirfingersrestingonherbarethigh.Whentheycurvedaroundthe
dormantvolcanothatrosemightilyabovethecapitalcity,shepointedoutapull-offatagravelparking
lot.

“That’sagreathikingpath,”sheshoutedoverthewind.
“Thenwe’llhavetogo!”
Thatwastheextentoftheirconversationonthedrive,thankstothewind,butassoonastheyfounda

restaurantandwereseated,thewordsflowedoutofthembothwithease.

Theytalkedabouthiking,sailing,cooking,andoncethetablenexttothemgotcleared,andtheyhad

someprivacy,theconversationturnedtokink.

“Soyou’vegotsomeexperienceintheBDSMcommunity,”hesaid,keepinghisvoicelow.
Sheblushed,adarkpinkbloomunderhergoldenskin.“Some.”
“Butnothere.”
Sheshookherhead.“IdidlurkontheFetlifeboardsfortheCaribbean,butitwasalltoocloseto

home.MostofwhatI’vedonewasinMiamiandNewYork.”

“Sonothingserious.Norelationships.”
Sheshookherhead.“Notwithpowerexchanges.Itendtogravitatetowardguyswhoarenaturally

dominant,butnoneoftheguysI’vedatedhaveeverhintedatknowinganythingaboutkink,andIdon’t
reallywanttoteachthem,youknow?”

Hedid.Itwouldtakeabigleapoffaithforabottomtolayitalloutthereandhopethatherpartner

justgotit.Thesafetyconcernsalonemadehimanxious.

“Howaboutyou?”
Hetookalongsipofwaterbeforeanswering.“There’sadecentkinkcommunityinthemilitary.It’s

prettyquiet,butit’seitherlearnfromeachother,orpretendtobesomeoneelsecompletelyincivilian
kinkcircles.That’snotagreatwaytoestablishtrust.Sowetendtoslideintoitthroughamilitarybuddy
whocanvouchforusinhisprivatecircles.”

“Youdon’tdostufflikeFetlife?”
“Wedo.Ido,forsure.Butthatcan’tbemyonlyconnectiontotheworld,becauseI’mdefinitelya

lurkerthere.”

“And…relationships?”
Helikedthebiteofjealousyinthequestion.Hesmiled,slowly.“I’vedatedinthescene.Butnothing

serious.”

“Andvanillarelationships?”
“Nothingseriousthere,either.Jobmakesitdifficult.”
“Differentjob,now.”Shegavehimaslowupanddownappraisal.Didsheknowthiswasatrap?No,

sheprobablyhadnoidea.Buthewouldn’tfallforit.

Hekepthisexpressionlazy.Indulgent.WhateverAriellewanted,that’swhathewanted.“Andthe

womanI’minterestedindoesn’tdocommitment.”

Hereyebrowsshotrightupandherlipsparted.
He’dsurprisedher.
Helikedthat.
Sheliftedoneshoulder,thesilkyredfabricslidingoverherskin.“That’strue.”
“Areyouafraidofourconnectiongettingtoointense?”
Sheshookherhead.“No.”I’mnotafraidofanything,thesetofherjawpromised.
“Arielle.”Shealmostglaredathim.Hegrinned.“I’mnotgoingtogosoftonyou.Ipromise.Your

terms,nomatterwhat.”

"AndifmytermsareI'dliketokeepthisjustbetweenus?"
"I'mfinewiththat.Butforthesakeoffulldisclosure,youshouldknowIgotyournumberfromCara."
"Ifigured."
"Shedoesn'tstrikemeasthenone-of-my-businesstype."
Ariellearchedhereyebrow."No?"
"No."
Shelaughed."You'reright.Butwecantellherthatyoustruckout.”
“DidI?”
Shegavehimabrilliantsmile.“Oh,mostdefinitelynot.”
“Thensure.Ifthat’showyouwanttoplayit.”
"Ithinkit'sforthebest."Shetookadeepbreath."Sinceneitherofusarethecommitmenttype."
"Right."
Shenarrowedhereyes."Right?"
Hegrinned."I'mthe'let'sgetcheesecaketogosoIcaneatitoffyournakedbody'type.Doesthat

workforyou?"

"Absolutely."

THIRTEEN

BYTHEENDOFTHEDAYONTHURSDAY,BRAYDENWASBONE-TIREDANDWELL-STOCKEDWITHTOOLS.

He’dendedupbuyingoutthatcontractorwhowasleavingtheisland.Hewasanxiousaboutmaking

theinvestment,butintheworstcasescenario,hecouldalwaysre-selltheequipmentandatleastbreak
even.

AndtherewasapartofhimthatwashappytobesettingdownsomerootsonMiralinda.Really,ifthe

toolsdidn’tgetusedintheproposedrenovation,maybehe’dhangouthisshingleasahandyman.

Therewasalsothesmallmatterofbeingknownastheguywhohadallthepowertools.Afellow

NavySEAL,EvanSilva,calledhimlateintheafternoon.“Heyman,rumorhasityouknowwheretoget
constructionmaterials.Canyourecommendalumberstorethatwon’tripmeoff?”

“Surething.Howaboutmybackyard?”
Thenextday,Evanshoweduponaboat,fulloftalkofimpressingawoman.Braydenknewabit

aboutthat,notthathewastellingEvanorMickaboutAriellejustyet.AfterdinneronWednesdaynight,
hewasn’tsureshewantedtotellanyoneaboutthem,andseemedtohaveswornCaraandDaphneto
secrecy.

"I'mquicklylearningthattheislandwayistograbanydealyou'reoffered,becausewhoknowswhen

it'llhappenagain,"Braydensaidasheledthewaytothesugarmillhe’dstartedconvertingina
workshop.He’dalsopickedupsomelumber,andthatwasconvenient,becauseEvanwantedtomakean
entertainmentunitwithhisowntwohands.

ThatmadeBrayden’sgoalofwantingtogiveArielleafewkinkyorgasmsseemkindofweakin

comparison.Inhisdefense,hethought,they’dbeprettykillerorgasms.

Hestartedlaughingatthat,andhadtostoptrimmingtheboardsinfrontofhimforaminuteashe

regainedhiscomposure.

“Whatwasthatallabout?”Mickaskedwhenhefinallystoppedshaking.
“Hardtoexplain,”Braydensaid,takingadeepbreath.
“Privatejoke?”
“Somethinglikethat.”
Mickgavehimacuriouslookbutletitgo.Theyworkedfortherestoftheday,tradingstoriesback

andforthabouttheex-patcivilianlife.ItsoundedlikeReefCowasprovingproblematicfortheirfriends
onDuchessIsland,andMickandBraydenquietlyagreedthatthey’ddowhatevertheyneededtosupport
theirfellowSEALs.

AfterseeingEvanandhiscustom-builtentertainmentunitoff—andwishingthemanluckwithhis

plans—Braydenheadedbacktothebunkhouse.

HewalkedintothekitchenjustintimetooverhearCaratryingtosweettalkMickintodinnerwithher

mother.

“Butbaby,shewantstotalkaboutanengagementparty.”
“That’snotmotivationformetojumpintotheshowerandheadonover.”
“HowaboutifIjoinyouandhelpyouwashoffallthathardworkyoudidtoday?”
Braydenclearedhisthroatandthecoupletwistedaroundtolookathimguiltily.He’dmadesome

vaguenoisesoverthelasttwodaysaboutstrikingoutwithArielle,andapparentlythatmadehima
sympatheticfigure.“Don’tmindme.I’lljust…”Hepointedtowardhisroom.“Youknow.Beoverthere.”

Caraflippedhercorkscrewcurlsoverhershoulder.“We’regoingoutfordinner,butthereare

leftoversinthefridge.”

“Excellent.I’llmakeshortworkofthem.”Hestoppedjustbeforedisappearingdownthehall,asifthe

questionhewasabouttoaskwastotallycasual.“Howlongdoyouthinkyou’llbegone?”

Theyglancedateachother,thenCarashrugged.“Maybejusttwohours?Idon’tknow.Itdependson

howlongittakestoagreeonwhatanengagementpartyshouldlooklike.”

Mickrolledhiseyes.“Itwon’ttakelongatall.I’mdownwithwhatever.”
Sheelbowedhimintheside.“Exceptthatyou’llinsistit’scasual.”
“Ofcourse.Whointheirrightmindwouldsayotherwise?”
“Thesamewomanwho’smakingusgotochurcheveryweek.Begratefulshe’snotinsistingonthe

counselingtheministeroffers.”

Mickblanched.
Braydenleftthemtoit.
Twohourswasn’tenoughtimetosafelyinviteArielleover,notatthelastminute.Buthecouldget

creative.

“Whatareyoudoingrightnow?”
ArielleclosedhereyesandlettheexcitedheatwashthroughherasBrayden’slow,warmvoicerang

inherear.“Lessonprepfortomorrow.”

“Sexy.”
Shelaughed.“AndnowI’mmovingawayfrommydesk…whatareyoudoing?”
“Thinkingaboutyoumovingawayfromyourdesk.Thinkingaboutyoustretchingoutonyourbed.”
“Youhaveaveryaccurateimagination.”Shewiggledoutofheryogapantsandfollowedhis

instruction.“Yousound…naked.”

“Wishfulthinking,I’mafraid.ButIcangetmorecomfortable.Howaboutyou?”
“Ijusttookoffmypants.”
Hebreathedin.“Excellent.Whatelseareyouwearing?”
“Pantiesandatanktop.”
“Nobra?”
“Neverathome.”
Shegotalong,sustainedgroanforthat.Then,“Doyoulikethebrushoffabricagainstyournipples?”
Shesquirmedashiswordsheatedupherskin.“Ido.”
Admittingthatsoeasily,sofreely,wasarushinitself.
“Whatdoyouwanttohearnext?Doyouwantmetotellyouwhattodotoyourself,orwhatI’ddoifI

werethere?”

“Both.”Shecouldn’thelpit.Shewasgreedyforhim.“Startwithone.Surpriseme.”
“Maybethey’rethesame.MaybeifIwerethere,I’dstandatthefootofyourbedandwatchyou

squirmasItellyoutoslideyourhandunderyourshirtandcupyourbreast.”

Shedidjustthat.“Areyoutouchingyourself,too?”
“ImaginethatIam.ThatIunzipandwrapmyfistaroundmycockasIwatchyouplaywithyour

nipple.Ican’tseeit,butIcanseethewayyoubiteyourlip.Thewayyoureyesdriftshutbecauseitfeels
sogoodandyouwanttoloseyourselfinthefeeling.”

Asighslippedfromherlipsasshepinchedandpulled,hiswordsjustasarousingastheexperienced

touchofherownfingertips.Andhereyesdiddriftshut,becauseitwaseasiertopicturehiscockthatway.
Shewantedtowatchhimgethimselfoff.Butnotatthefootofthebed.“Iwantyoutokneeloverme,”she
whispered.“Nottouching,butclose.Iwanttohearyouasyougetturnedon.”

“I’mturnedonrightnow,gorgeous.”
Shesmiledtoherself.“Butyou’renotclosetolosingcontrol.Iwanttohearthat.Thewayyoustartto

shake,theheavybreathing.Thecatchasyouholdyourbreathabit,thenletitgo.”

“You’vebeenpayingattention.”
“I’magoodstudent.”
“I’venoticedthat.Whatelsehaveyoulearned?”
“Youlikethetasteofme.”
Hesworeunderhisbreath.Thatgaveherathrill,thatjustthementionofhimgoingdownonherhad

thatmucheffect.“Yeah,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasgravellynow.“AndIthinkyou’vetakenchargeofthis
call.”

“Byaccident.”
“Backontracknow.SpeakingofthatpussyIliketolicksomuch…howwetareyou?”
“Very.”
“Idon’twantyoutotouchyourself.”
Shefrozewithherfingersonherlowerbelly.“That’smean.”
“IwantyoutoimagineI’vetiedyouup.Yourarmsareboundtoyourbody,yourhandsontheinsideof

yourthighs,holdingyourlegsopen.”

“Icouldturnmywrists,”shewhispered,tryingtoimaginehowthatwouldwork.
“Youcould.Butyou’reagoodgirl,andyouwon’t.”Oh,hehadmorefaithinherthanshehadin

herself.

“Notevenifsomeonecameintoyourapartment.Youwouldn’tmove.”Shesqueaked,becausebeing

caughtinacompromisingpositionwasaseriousnightmare,andheknewthat.Forasecond,sheforgot
thatinthisfantasy,he’swithher.“It’sokay.I’dsendthemaway.I’dleaveyouboundandhelplessforme,
andwhenIgotback,I’drunmyhandupyourthighandfindyoudrippingforme.”

“Please…”
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Letmetouchmyself.”
“Notyet.”Heinhaledslowly,andshepicturedhimstretchedoutonhisbed,rubbinghimselflazilyas

hetorturedher.

Maybesheshouldsneakintothebunkhouse.Lethimcatchhertryingtostealsomethingfromhis

room.

“Iwanttoseeyouspreadoutforme.”
Shepushedatthewaistbandofherpanties,thendraggedherhandhigheragain,uptotheflatplane

betweenherbreasts.“Anytime.”

“Rightnow.”
Shestrainedtohearanything—thesqueakoftheoldwoodenfloorboardsoutsideherapartment,the

heavyfallofhisfootstepsonthestairs.Nothing.

Shelickedherlips.“Mydoorislocked.”
“Andwhatifthatwouldn’tstopme?”
Herheadspunwiththepossibilities.
Shecouldhearhimbreathingashepressedthephonereceiverclosertohismouth.“Arielle?”
“I…”Sherealizedherlegswereshakingandsherolledontoherside,pressingthemtogether.Oh,the

ache.“Youwouldn’t.”

“Iwouldifyouwantedmeto.”
Inthedistance,shethoughtsheheardasmallclick,andherpulsespedup.Shepushedherselfoffthe

bed.“IthinkIalwayswantyou.”

Itwasastunningconfessionshehadn’tknownshewasgoingtomake,butthewordsmaybemeant

somethingdifferenttohim.Somethingbaser,morelikepermission,becausetherewasanotherclick,and
nowsheknewitwasn’therimagination.

Frozentothespot,shehadtowaitasherapartmentdoorswungopen,thenclosed.Assteps

approachedandalarger-than-lifesexmaniacfilledherbedroomdoorway.Tonight,Braydenworeafitted
blackt-shirt,stretchedtightacrosshischest,andcargopants.Helookedbad-ass.Afantasyshehadn’t
evenknownshehad.

Hepausedabeatashetookinherposition.“Yougotup.”
Sheswallowedhardassheblinkedathim.“I…”
Hisgazewashooded.Hot.“NexttimeI’llactuallyhavetotieyoudown.”
Herheartpoundedinherchestasshemovedclosertohim.Thiswasofficiallyoutofcontrol,this

burningheatbetweenthem.

Shestoppedinfrontofhimandslowlysanktoherknees.Withoutaword,sheliftedhershakinghands

andcoveredhisbulge.Hiserectionpulsedagainsthertouch,andsheleanedintorubherfaceagainsthim
thoughtheheavycottonofhispants.

Aclocktickedinherlivingroom.
Outsideacaraccelerated,thesoundfadingasitdroveoffintotheunknown.
Duskhadsettledwhilethey’dbeentalkingonthephone,andnowherapartmentwashungwith

shadows.

“Youknow,”shesaid,hervoiceshakingassheopenedhiszipper.“Normalpeoplejustcallandsay,

‘hey,canIcomeover?’”

Helaughedsilently,withhisentirebody.“Right.ImissedtheNetflix-and-chilllesson.”
Shebreathedinthescentofhimassheworkedhimfreeofhispantsandboxerbriefs.“Iforgiveyou,”

shewhispered,herlipsbrushinganeagerdropofmoistureatthetipofhiscock.

Heshudderedashesankhisfingersintoherhair.“ThankChristforthat.”

FOURTEEN

HESPENTSATURDAYRIGGINGUPWIRELESS,STORM-SAFESECURITYCAMERAS.

IfMicknoticedthatBraydenhadskippedhisusualhemmingandhawingoverthecostofsomething,

andgonestraighttoanovernightshipmentofallthetechheneeded,itdidn’tcomeup.

Instead,hispartnerjoinedinasBraydenworkedonthemapofthepropertyinthemainkitchen.
“That’sagoodobstaclecoursesiterightthere.”Mickpointedtoaflatrunofgroundalongabluffthat

roseabovetheocean.“Mightneedfencing,though.”

“Whatdoyouthinkaboutstairseveryhundredfeet?Andthen,yeah,fencinginbetween.Idon’tknow

howmuchthemaintenancewouldbeonallthat…”Braydenscratchedhischin.“Notsure.I’musedto
UncleSambudgetingforthat.”

“Ifitdrawspeoplein,it’llpayforitself.What’stherangeonthetranspondersonthecameras?How

faroutcanwego?”

“Rangeisamile.Ibetmore,though.Waylongerthanthespacewe’vegot,sowecangorightuptothe

propertyline.”Thepropertywasn’tthatbig.They’dgoneforarunalongthebluffthatmorning,and
figuredtheusablechunkoflandwashalfamilelong.

“WhenWillgetshere,weshouldlookintowhoownsthelandnextdoor.Maybewecanleasesomeof

thatspace.”

“That’sagoodplan.”
“AndCarasuggestedwereachouttothelocalschoolandoffersomeoutdooreducationasashowof

goodfaithtothecommunity.”Micksaidthatlikehe’dsaideverythingelse,asifitwerenobigdeal,but
Brayden’spulsestillhammeredthickandheavyinhisneck.

He’dhavetotellAriellethatCarawastryingtoplayaslymatchmakergame.
Thatdidn’tnegatethevalueofthesuggestion,though.“Yep.”Henodded.“Goodidea.”He

swallowedhard.“Willcouldcoordinatewiththem.”

Outofthecornerofhiseye,hesawMick’seyebrowtwitchup,butthatwasit.Messagesent.Brayden

didn’twanttobepushedtogetherwiththeprettyschoolteacher.

Officialpartyline.
Unofficially,hecouldstillfeelherlipsaroundhiscock.Hehadamentalcountdowngoingto

tomorrowmorning,whenhe’dfinallygettowrapherinhisrope.

Thesecretthingwasfrustrating.Butitwasalsoinsanelyhot.Thephonesexturnedsexiest-home-

invasion-everthenightbeforehadbeenoffthechain.

Andbeforehethoughtaboutthatanyfurther,heneededtoheadoutsidetodosomethingdistracting.

BraydenwaswaitingoutsidewhenAriellearrivedthenextmorningexactlytenminutesafterMick

andCaraheadedoutforchurch.Hepointedtowardthesugarmillworksandshefollowedhiswordless
instruction,parkingbehindanoutbuilding.Hefollowedonfoot.Shedroveasmall4x4,andhewondered
idlywhereshe’dhiddenitthenighthecaughtherbreakingin.

He’daskheratsomepoint.Maybeonceshewastiedup.
Shehoppedoutofthevehicleandwaved.Hewatchedwithfrankappreciation,becausedamn,she

wasgorgeous.Shewaswearingdenimcut-offshortsandatanktopagain.Helikedherwhenshewasall
dressedup,butthiscasualAriellewascrazyhot,too.Itwasprobablyafacadejustasmuchasthe
glitzed-to-the-ninesversionandtheCatwomanget-up,too,butassheswungherhips,herfeetskippinga
littleassherantowardhim,hehadalittlefantasy—whereshewashisgirlfriendandthiswasn'tsome

secretaffairbecausehehappenedtobegoodwithrope.

Notthathewouldtradetodayaway.Notonhislife.
Hecouldn’twaittogetherupstairsandshowherwhathecoulddo.
Awidesmilebrokeacrossherfaceasshestoppedinfrontofhim.“Readytogetmykinkon.”
“Comehere,you.”Hetuggedheragainsthim,cuppingthebackofhernecksohecouldgreether

properly.

Shemeltedintohisarmsashekissedher.
“Today’sgonnabefun,”hesaid,hislipsstillagainsthers.Shetastedamazing.
“Iknow.”
“Butwe’regoingtogoslow,too.Figureoutthelimitsthatworkforus,makesurethisissafefor

you.”

“I’mnotthatnervous,”shesaid,uncharacteristicallyshyforasecond.Sheglancedtotheside,andhe

mirroredher,holdinghergaze.

“No?”
“Idon’twanttobe,anyway.”
“Icanbedominantasfuckduringsex,butItakemykinkboundariesseriously.”
Herentirefacebrightened.“See?That’swhyI’mnotthatnervous.”
“Good.”Hekissedhernose.“Let’sgouptothehousesoyoucanstripdowntoabsolutelynothing.”

ThebeadofsweatrollingdownArielle’sbackhadnothingtodowithhowhotitwasoutsideand

everythingtodowiththefactshewasdoingthishere,ontheisland.Here,inahistorichome.Butoh,it
wassobeautifultoo.

Allofit—thehome,theman,theriggingalreadysetupinaspareroom.
Shepointedattheblacksilkcordhangingfromaheavy-dutylookingtetherintheceiling.“Andhow

haveMickandCaranotnoticedthatbefore?”

Helaughed.“Theanchorisforthat.”Hepointedtoapunchingbagleaninginthecorner.“Iputthe

ropeupjustbeforeyougothere.Now,firsttogiveyouthesecurityorientation.”

Hesethishandsonherhipsandturnedheraround.
Onthewallwasatriooftelevisionscreens.Twohadasplit-screensetup,eachshowingfoursmall

shots,andtheoneinthemiddleshowedabigshot.Everyfewseconds,theimagesrotated.

“Wow,”shebreathed.“Andisthereacoverstoryforthose?”
“Don’tneedone.Thisismyjob.Observation.”Heglanceddownather,intentclear.“Veryclose

observation.”

He’dthoughtofeverything.Herpulsepracticallydancedwithexcitementasshepeeledoffhertank

top.Shehadn’tbotheredwithabraunderneath.Thenshekickedoffhershorts.

Braydenstoppedherwhenshestartedtopushoffherpanties.“Leavethoseon,”hesaid.Hisvoice

wasthick,rough,andsheknewthatsound.Shedidn’tneedtoglanceathiserectiontoknowhewasturned
on.Thatmadetwoofthem.

“Why?”sheasked,twistingherhips.
“Becauseifyoutakethemoff,I’mgoingtofuckyousohardyouscreammyname.Becauseifyoutake

themoff,Iwon’ttrustmycontroltodothisandwatchthemonitorsandkeepyousafe.Butmostlybecause
ifyouleavethemon,it’ssaferforthatpussythatIvalueeversomuch.”Hegrinned.“Wouldn’twantto
pinchyourclitwiththerope.”

Shelaughed.“Okay.Butjustsoyouknow,sex-until-I-scream-your-namesoundsprettygood.”
“Itsoundsfantastic.Andwe’llgetthereifwe’vegottime.Ifnot,I’llfollowyoubacktoyourplace.

Eitherway,I’minchargerightnowsostopbeinglippy.”

“Iwasn’t.”
“Thatwasapreventativeinstruction.”
“Noted.”Shesmiledashebrushedakissagainstherlips.
Thenhewasallbusiness.Theycoveredsafewords,equipmentorientation,andabitabouthis

bondagephilosophy.Hislipstwitchedabitashesaidthewordphilosophy,butsheknewhetookthe
wholethingseriously.Heevenshowedherthesafetyscissorshehadandtestedthemonasparebitof
ropesoshecouldtrusthehadawaytoquicklyreleaseherifshewantedhimto.

“Ready?”Hekissedherneck,thenhershoulder,ashemovedaroundher,doingafinalcheckofher

hair—braidedandpinnedoffherneck—beforehekissedtheothershoulderandsethishandsonherarms,
showingherwherehewantedhertoholdherposition.

Shenodded.
“Thencloseyoureyes,gorgeous.”
Heworkedquicklyandconfidently.Forthemostpart,hedidn’tspeak,andshelikedthat.Itallowed

hertorelaxintothesensationofbeingbound,oftheropepressingintoherskinandreleasingthenervous
excitement,lettingacalmhumofgoodenergytakeover.Therewassomethingrightabouthowhebound
her.She’dhadachestharnessbefore,itwasaprettystandardrigging,butBraydenknewjustwheretoset
theropesonherbody.Hestrokedhisfingertipsalongherskinfirstbeforesmoothingtheropeoverthat
line,andheavoidedthespotswhereheknewshewasmoresensitive.

Upandover,aroundandaround.Thenovertheothershoulder,carefullyframingbothbreasts.Thatthe

backofhishandkeptbrushinghernippleswasalmostcertainlynotanaccident.Thatshemanagedtokeep
fromarchingintohistouchwasaminormiracle.

Shewasrewardedforherpatience,though.Hefinishedofftheharness,explaininghowhewas

wrappinguptheropebehindherintoaquickreleaseknot.

“I’vekeptyourarmsfreefortoday.Nexttime,I’llbindthemintotheharness.”Hegentlymovedher

armsbackandfoldedthembehindherbody.“Likethis,ifthatfeelsokay?”

Shenodded.“Feelsgreat.”
“Andthen…”Shefelthimmovingbehindher,thentheharnesstugged,encouraginghertoliftupon

hertoes.“Justabit,”hesaidgently.“Doyoulikethat?”

Herbreathcaughtinherthroat.“Yes.”
Herelaxedthelead.“Anddownonyourknees.”
Shecouldn’thelpbutopenhereyesandlookaroundathim.“Foratastytreat?”
Heburstoutlaughing.“Sure.Ifwe’vegottime.”Heglancedathiswatch.“You’llhavetobequick.”
“Orjustteaseyou.”
Heacknowledgedthatwitharuefullookandgesturedforhertogetdownanyway,shiftingherknees

backwarduntilshestartedtotipforward—andthentheropecaughtherrightatthebalancepoint.“Isthat
okayonyourknees?”

Shenoddedagain.
Hemovedbehindher.Theropewenttautashetieditoff,thenhecrouchedbesideherandsmoothed

hishandoverherbody.Hesqueezedherpanty-coveredbottom.“Youlooksobeautifullikethis.”

Herhearthitchedatthesincerityinhisvoice.Attheadoringwayhisfingerstracedtheropesthat

huggedherbody.Sheshudderedasheraisedgoosebumpsonherback,herarms.

“We’vegotsometimestill,”hewhispered.“Doyouwanttocome?”
“Always.”Shewaspracticallypantingforit.
Hecuppedherbreast,plumpingandcaressingherfleshuntilshewassureherpantiesweresoaked

anduseless.

“Enoughteasing,”shewhispered,closinghereyes.

Hisotherhandstrokedupherinnerthigh,makinghershakewithneed,buthedidn’tteaseherthis

time.Heslippedrightpasttheskimpyfabriccoveringhersex—whichcouldhavecomeoff,becausehe
hadn’tendedupdoinganythingaroundherlegs,butthiswascrazyhotanyway—andstartedtouchingher.

Therewasanarttothis,andBraydenwasamaster.Nottoodemanding,hecoaxedherarousaloutof

herbodyandslickeditoverherflesh,alwaysleavingherwantingmoresothenexttouchwashotter,
righter,moremaddening.

Andhiswords,whisperedinherear,wereperfect,too.
“Youliketobeteased,don’tyou?Youlikeagentletouchwhilemyropespresstheirmarksintoyou.

You’regoingtohavelinesalloveryou,allaroundthoseperfecttits.Ifwe’vegottime,I’mgoingto
unwrapyouandthencomealloverthosemarks.Jerkmyselfagainstyourreddenedskinandtellyoujust
howdamnprettythatis.”

Shegasped,becauseyes,yes,yes,shewantedthat.Shewantedthat,anditwasokay.Betterthanokay,

really.Braydenthoughtitwashothowdirtyshecouldget.Helikedhershameless.

Heteasedherwithonefinger,thentwo,fillingherquicklyasshearchedherbackandgaveherbody

overtohim.Theheelofhishandkeptasteady,eroticpressureonherclitasheworkedhisfingersinand
outofher,thickandperfect.

Whenshecame,itwassilent,butincredible.
Oh,ithadbeentoolong.
Herarmsflewwideasifshewereactuallyflyingaseverycellinherbodyburstwithjoy.Brayden

rockedwithher,hisfingersstretchingoutherorgasmlikeitwasmadeofmagicalelastic.More,more,
yes,oh,God.

Whensheslumped,itwasintohisarms.Alltheway,becausehe’dreleasedherfromthetetherline,

andthenhequicklyunwrappedherfromthesilkropeharnessaswell.

“Upyouget,gorgeous.”Heliftedherwithease,thensetheronherfeet.
Stillshaking,shereachedforhimandtuckedherfingersintothebeltloopsonhiscargopants.
Hewrappedhishandsaroundherwristsandliftedherfingerstohismouth.“Notimeforthat.Come

here.”

Heranhishandsoverherskin,massaginggentlywheretheropehadindeedleftmarks.She’dstandin

frontofthemirrorwhenshegothomeandtouchthemherself.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher,kissing
thetopofherheadfirst,thenheliftedherchin.“Thankyou.”

Sheblinkedupathim.Thatseemedlikeherline,butthelookonhisfacewaspriceless,likeshe’d

actuallygivenhimagift.Crazymanwhodidn’tevengettocome.Shepusheduponhertoesandkissed
himthistime.“Ican’twaittodoitagain,”shesaidbreathlessly.

Thenshetookherclothesandthrewthemonbeforesprintingforhercar.
Thistimeshewasn’trunningawayfromhim.SheknewBraydenwouldfollowher.

FIFTEEN

FORARIELLE,GIRLS’NIGHTSHADSTARTEDTWODECADESEARLIERWITHSLEEPOVERSANDGOSSIP.

Nowitfeltlikethey’dcomefullcircleagain.
Astormhadrolledin,soDaphnehadbatteneddownherboatandcometostayinheroldbedroomat

Arielle’splace.She’dbroughtwithhermintandsugarandamuddler,sotheyweretossingbackmojitos
whilewindandrainlashedthewindows.

“Doyouthinkthey’rerushingthiswedding?”Daphneasked,tryingforathirdtimetohaulArielleinto

Cara’sbusiness.

Ariellejustrolledhereyes.“Notforustosay,right?”
“You’retoodiplomatic.”
“Behonest—isthereanylengthofengagementthatyouwouldthinkreasonable?”
“Acoupleofyears.”Daphnethrewherhandsintheair.“What?No?”
Ariellelaughed.“HaveyouseenthewayMicklooksather?Ican’timaginethey’dwaitthatlong.”
“Waitforwhat?Idon’tthinkthey’vewaitedforanything.”
“For…”Ariellesurprisedherselfbynotchokingonthenextwordoutofhermouth.“Babies.”
Daphnehooted.“Right.Okay,maybethey’rewaitingforthat.Canyouimagine?”
Shereallycouldn’t.Itwasn’tthatArielledidn’twantkids.Shedid,definitely.Justinthefuture.The

distantfuture,whenshewasn’tstillworryingaboutthechildishbehaviorofherfather.Shewasn’t
preparedtoparentinbothdirections.ButCaradidn’thavethatsameproblem.Andshehadamanwho
lovedher.Whowouldprobablybeoverthemoontofindouthiswifehadfallenpregnant.

Whowouldwaituntilhe’dmarriedawomantomakethatdecisionwithher,andthenbebyherside

fortheentireprocess.

Shepuffedouthercheeksandpointedtothemuddler.“Bartender,pourmeanother.”
Daphnedidjustthat.“Isthisaboutyourdad?”
“Everythingissomehowaboutmydad.”
“CanIaskhowthat’sgoing?Whereishenow?”
Arielleshrugged.“Idon’tknow.SunshineBay,Ithink.”
Daphnemadeasympatheticface.“I’msorry.”
Ariellejustwavedheroffandtheychangedthesubject.
Twentyminuteslater,aknocksoundedatthedoorandAriellejumped.Shespunaround,lookingfirst

atthedoor,thenatDaphne.

Herfriendfrowned.“Arewesupposedtonotbehere?Areyouhidingfromsomeone?”she

whispered.

“No,”Ariellehissedback.
“Thenareyougoingtoanswerthedoor?”
NotifitwasBrayden,shewouldn’t.Ifhewasstupidenoughtogooutinastorm,thatwasn’ther

problem.Heshouldtextfirstlikeanyself-respectingsecret-affair-participant.

“Girls!Ibringfood!”afemalevoicesaidfromtheothersideofthedoor.“Openup!”
Cara.AriellesaggedagainstthecounterinreliefasDaphneleaptupandsprintedforthedoor.“You

areofficiallyalifesaver.”

Theirthirdmusketeerswannedinwavingtwobigbagsoftakeoutandsetthemonthecounter.“Voila!”
“Excellent,”Ariellemurmured,tryingtoforceherpulsetoreturntonormal.Whatifithadbeen

Brayden?WouldithavebeentheendofdaysifDaphnehadseenhim?Theywouldhavecomeupwitha
coverstory.Hewasquicklikethat.

“EarthtoArielle.”Carasnappedherfingers.“What’sup?Youlookguilty.”

“No…”Arielleclearedherthroat.“Butwhatareyoudoinghere?”
“Daphtextedthatyouonlyhadstalepastriesandasad-lookingmango.”
Arielleshottheirotherfriendadirtylook.“Youcouldhavebroughtfoodwithyou.Also,Ithinkyou

atelikeanhourago.”

“Itwastwohoursago.AndIwasinchargeofmojitos.Ithoughtyou’dhavestockeduponfood.

You’reaterribleislander.”

“It’snotahurricane.Everything—otherthanyourboat—isstillopenforbusiness.”Sheputherhands

onherhips.“AndyoutextedCarainsecret?”

“Aha!Soyoulookguiltybecauseyouwerehavingasecretsleepoverwithoutme.”Caragrinned.

“Neverfear.Mickcanlivewithoutmeforonenight.”

Daphnegroaned.“Argh!Iregretthetextnow.”
“IpromiseI’llkeepthelovey-doveystufftoaminimum.”
Ariellewavedheroff.“It’sfine.We’llstopbeingcrankysinglegirlsnow.”Aweirdpangofguilt

stabbedthroughherasshesaidthat.Itwastheexpectedthingforoneofthemtosay.Notabigdealthat
shedidit.

Notevenifshedidn’texactlyfeeltotallysingleanymore.
Diggingintothefoodprovidedabitofdistraction,buttwomoremojitosandablanketfortlater,and

Daphnebroughttheconversationbackaroundtobabiesandforeverlove.

“Sohe’sreallytheone?”shesaid,herwordsslurringtogetherabit.
Caranoddedherheadslowly.“Yep.”
“You’renotscared?”
“Nope.”
“Iwantthat.”
Ariellesatupsofastherheadspun.“What?”Sheblinkedathersupposedbestfriend.Thiswas

brand-newinformation.Itwaslikeastrangerwassittinginfrontofher.“Sincewhen?”

“Sinceearlier.Iwantababy.”
“That’stherumtalking.Also,you’recutoff.”
“Notrightaway.Butlike…Iwantaman.Agoodman.Afamilyman.Down-to-earth.Salt-of-the—”

Shefrowned.“Dothosemeanthesamething?”

“You’rerepeatingyourselfabit,honey.Comeon.Let’splananawesometrip,justthetwoofus.”
“We’llfindyouaman,too.Wecandoafoursometrip.Sixsome.Allthesomes.”
“Howmanydrinkshasshehad?”Caraasked,giggling.
“Toomany,”Ariellewhispered.Sixsomes.Foursomes.Twosomes.Herchesthurt.“Butit’snotall

easy.Right,Cara?YouandMickfight,right?”

Carashrugged.“Yeah.Butinaway,that’showIknowit’sright.”
“Thatmakesnosense.”
“Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit.JustfromthemomentImethim,wewerebuttingheads,butnotina

badway.Frustrating,yes.Ofcourse,Iwantedtotrouncehim.Butasmuchasheinfuriatedme,Inever
reallythought,deepdown,thathewaswrong.Iwasafraidofwherehe’dpushme.Fearputuson
oppositesides.Strengthputusonthesameside.Andnow…he’smamoitié.”

Herbetterhalf.Ariellefrowned.“Alreadyyouknowthatabouthim?”
“Sure.Lookingback,Ithinkwebothknewitalmostrightaway.”
Crap.“That’s…lovely.”
Cara’sfacecrumpled.“DidIjustruintheblanketfortvibe?”
“No.Butyoumayhavepoppedabubbleortwoofself-denial.”
Fromherproneposition,Daphnegaveasilentthumbs-upinagreement.
“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“Nothing.”Oreverything,butAriellewasn’treadytosaythatoutloudjustyet.

SIXTEEN

THREENIGHTSTHEFOLLOWINGWEEK,BRAYDENFOUNDEXCUSESTOGOINTOTOWNSOHECOULDLOSEHIMSELF
INARIELLE’SARMS.

Somethinghadshiftedbetweenthem.Somethinggood,butheady,andintense.
Somethingthatdrovehimhard.Byday,heworkedoncoursedesign.Whataweekendofexecutive

bootcampmightlooklike.Aweek.Asingledayiftheycouldconvincecruisegroupstostopin,because
Mickhadheardthatexcursionsorganizedthroughthetravelagencieswerequiteagoodsourceof
revenue.

Butbytheendoftheday,he’dfindhimselfrestlessandwantsex—orthatwaswhathewastelling

himself.ThattheincessantacheinhischestwasnervesandonlyAriellecouldeaseitbecauseshewas
hisbedmateofthemoment.

Whathereallywanted,though,wastotakeheroutwiththegroupandkeephisarmaroundherthe

entiretime.InvitehertotheestateandholdherinhislapinfrontofMickandCara.

Ithadstruckhimlikealightningbolt,andhehadn’tbeenabletoshaketherealizationfromhis

thoughts.Hewasmarginallybetteratkeepinghismouthshutaboutit,becauseshewasn’tthereyetandhe
knewit.

SowhenWillsentwordhecouldgettwoweeksleave,promptingMickandCaratoheadinto

SunshineBayforadaytocheckoffanumberofwedding-relatedtasks,Braydentoldhimselfhewasjust
goingtoinviteArielleovertoplay.Emptyplantationhouse,eagerlibido.

Andthatwashowitstarted.Anothertwo-ropebox-tiechestharness.He’dbindmoreofheroverthe

courseoftheday,buthehadbigplans.He’dstockeduponfingerfoodandhadevenpracticedsome
suspensionriggingincaseshewasgametofly.

Bylunch,theywerewellintotheirsecondscene.Whenherstomachgrowledathim,hegaveherthe

choiceofwaitingtoeat,orbeingforcedtowaitinadifferentway—bound,whilehewentdownstairs.

They’dtalkedaboutthis,howbondagewasasmuchamentalgameasaphysicalone.Didshetrust

himtohaveherback?Toprotectherprivacyandhersafety?

“I’llwaithere,”shewhispered.
“Youcanseethesecuritycameras.”Hehandedherapairofsafetyscissorsandaskedhertotestthat

shecouldcutherselffreefromthetether.Herfeetwereontheground,soshewasfine,buthewasalways
careful.“AndIwon’tbelong.”

“Bequick,”shesaid,notcaringthatthewobbleinhervoicebetrayedhernerves.
ShetrustedBraydenwithallhersillyfears.
“I’lltakeexactlyaslongasIneedto,”hesaidwithagrin.
“That’sevil.”Shetookadeepbreath.
“Okay,howabout…I’lltakeexactlyaslongasyouneedmeto?”
“Alsoevil.Buthot.”
Helaughedasheheadedoutthedoor,andsheclosedhereyes.Oh,God.Howlongwouldhebe

gone?

Themansionwasbigenoughthathisfootstepsfaded,andshehadtoimaginehimmovingaroundthe

kitchen.Butitwasn’tsobigthatshecouldn’thearthedooropenandthenslapshut,andBrayden’s
footfallsashejoggeddowntheverandahsteps.

Herheartratepickedup,andthenstartedracingwhensheheardvoices—plural.
Cavalier,laughingvoices.Sheswallowedhardandherfingerstensedonthescissorhandles.

Thevideofeed,shethought.Shedartedhereyestowardthescreens.Twomen.Braydenandsomeone

shedidn’trecognize.Gesturesandnods,andthen,justwhenshethoughtshemightfaint,theotherman
headedawayfromthehouse.Shewatchedhimmovefromonecameraviewtoanotherbeforeheclimbed
ontoMick’smopedanddroveofftheproperty.

HerpulsewasstillbouncingprecariouslyontheedgeofpanicwhenBraydenreturnedwithaplateof

freshfruit,cheese,chocolateandsoft,flakybread.

Hehadalazygrinonhisface,likeshehadnoreasontobefreakingoutthatshe’dheardhimtalkingto

someoneoutside.

“Sorryaboutthat.Someonedroppedby.Now,wherewerewe?”
Hefedherapieceofpineapplethatturnedherfrustrationintopleasureagain.Shelickedhis

fingertipscleanofthestickyjuicebeforeanswering.Shewentwiththeresponsethatwouldgetthem
backontrack,andshowhimthathedidindeedhavehertrust.“Halfwaybetweenorgasmsthreeandfour.”

Hetracedthenetworkofsilkyblackropescrisscrossingherbody,makinghershiver.“Yes,yeswe

were.”

“Thatwasclose,”shewhisperedashesanktohiskneesinfrontofher.“Oneofthesedayswe’re

goingtogetcaught.”

Braydendidn’tsayanything.Hejustbroughthisforeheadtoherbelly,andleftitthereuntilheranxiety

fullymorphedtorestlessnessformore.

Herosetohisfeetandreleasedhersotheycouldhaveapicniclunchtogether.Thentheymadeout,

dessertforgotten,untilshewaspantingandhewasreachingfortheropeagain.

Hewasinsatiable.
Sowasshe,forthatmatter.Yes,maybetheywereusingsextoexorcisesomeofherdemons.Maybe

someofhis,too.

Theyshouldtalk.
Sheshouldstartaconversation.
Somanyshoulds.
“What’sgoingoninyourhead?”Braydenaskedasheboundheragain.
“Mysteriousthoughts,”shequipped.
Heacceptedthat.Ofcoursehedid.She’dmadeitprettyclearthatshewantedtokeepthingslight.She

missedtheweirdnessofthatfirstnightwhentheytradedsecretsbackandforth,becausethat’swhatone
didinthemiddleofthenightwhenweirdshitwasgoingdown.Butitwasn’twhatyoudidwithafuck
buddy.

She’ddonethistothem.Putthisruleofsilenceovertheirrelationship.Andthat’swhatitwas,there

wasnomoredenyingthat.Itwastimeforhertogetcomfywiththeideaofoutinghowmuchshelikedthis
guy.

Braydendidn’tgiveherlongtowrapherheadaroundit,though.
Hegotherallriggeduphowhewanted,thenstrippeddown,revealinginchafterinchofdistracting

muscles.Aploy,clearly.Hegaveheragrin.“SoMickandCaraaregettingmarried.”

Sheraisedoneeyebrow.“I’maware.”
“Smart-ass.”Hegrinnedandhiserectionlifted,heavyasitswayed.Helikedhersass.Butheclearly

wasonamissionhere.

Shestuckhertongueoutathim.Thatdidn’tdoanythingtodistracthimintolet’sfuckterritory.
Heputhishandsonhiships.“AndIwantyoutobemydateforthewedding.”
Sheshouldhaveseenitcoming.Andshecouldn’tdenytheinvitationmadeherfeelgood.Butstill,she

knewwhatanswertogivehim.Thesafeone.“No.”

Hedidn’taccept.“Youcouldthinkaboutitforahotsecondbeforerejectingmesocompletely.”
“Okay.”Shetiltedherheadtotheceiling.Ifherhandswerefree,she’dtapherfingertoherchininan

exaggeratedthinkinggesture,butsincetheywereboundbehindherback,shehadtolethimfillinthat
detailwithhisimagination.“No.”

“Whynot?”
“BecauseI’mhavingfunwiththissecretthing.”Andshewasscaredofitbeingshort-lived,butthe

samefearkeptherfromtellinghimthat.Shehadtogetoverthat,sheknewit,buteasiersaidthandone.

“Theyknowwelikedeachother.Therewasnodenyingourchemistry.Willitreallybeabigsurprise

todiscoverthatmaybewestilldo?”

“Idon’tknowthatwelikeeachother.”Itwassarcasticandfunny,butitwasn’tevenalittlebittrue.
“Youlikeme.”Hecamecloserandleanedin,hisbreathbrushingagainstherneck.“Youlikemeso

much.”

Shereallydid,andmoreeverytimetheyspenttimetogether.“Ilikeyourcock.”
“Crudewordsfromsuchasweetmouth.”
“Inmymouth.Ilikeyourcock,inmymouth.”
“Thatcanbearranged.”
“You’renotgoingtoblackmailmeagain,areyou?Takedirtypicturesofmeonmykneesanduse

thoseagainstmesoIagreetobeyourdate?”Shesmiledashehuffedaquietlaughagainstherskin.

“Thatwayit’snotyourcall?Youcantellpeopleyou’reonlyonmyarmunderduress?”
“Maybe.”
“Isthatyourroundaboutwayofsayingthatyoumightconsiderit?”
“Onlyifyoublackmailme.”No.Thatwasn’ttrue.Shewastotallygoingtobehisdateforthe

wedding.

Thistimethelaughwaslouder.“Arielle,doyouwantmetotakedirtypicturesofyou?”
“Ithoughtyou’dneverask,”shesaidprimly.“Butyes,thatsoundslovely.We’llhavetodeletethem

immediately,andmaybenotofmyface.”

“No,Iagree.Definitelynot.”Hetracedtheoutlineofherropeharness,followingthesilkytwistsuntil

hecametoherbreasts.“Butmaybethese,withmydickbetweenthem.”

“Soundsamazing.”
“You’rethemostperfectwomanintheworld,youknowthat?”
Shetippedherheadbackandlaughed.Hardly.Buttheyweredefinitelygoodtogether.Maybeitwas

timetosetasideherfear.“Iguesswecouldsittogetheratthewedding.”

“Anddancetogether?”
“Thatwouldmakesense.”
“Holdhands?Kissalittle?”
“You’regoingtostartviciousrumorsifyoudothat.”
Herolledonacondomandteasedherwithjustthetipofhiscock,apressofthesolidnessshe

desperatelywantedinsideher.“MaybeIwantpeopletoseehowmuchIlikeyou.”

Shegroaned.“Thisisadirtytrick.”
Heliftedoneofherlegs,openingherupforhim.“Sayyes,Arielle.”
“Yes,Arielle,”shemocked,butitendedinagroanashestretchedheropen.
“Youwantmore?”
“Always.Blackmailiscruel.”
“Youlikecruel.”
“Yes!”shecrieditoutandhethrusthome,wrappinghisarmsaroundher,pressingtheropeharness

intoherskin.“Yes,I’llbeyourdate.”

“Andwe’llholdhands.”
“Yes.”God,thatshouldn’tbesohot,butdeepinside,somethinghitchedhard.
“Anddancetogether.”

“Allnightlong,”shewhispered,tighteningherlegaroundhim.Hecuppedherassandliftedhersohe

couldfuckherfrombelow,soshewashangingforhimtothrustinto,tofillcompletelyandutterly.

“You’llbemine,”hepromised,andshetrembledbecauseyes,shewantedthat.Shewanteditall.
Anditdidn’tmatterhowdangerouswantcouldbe.Shewashookedonhim,andreadytorisk

everythingforachanceatmorethanshe’deverhopedfor.

Hesurgedintoheroncemoreandshefelltopieces,herorgasmtearingherapart.Andheheldher

untilshefoundherwaybacktoonepieceagain.Heldherthroughhisowntwitching,explosiverelease,
andonlyaftershewasdonebeingreassembledintoawholenewArielledidheletherdownandunwrap
herfromherbonds.

SEVENTEEN

WILL’SARRIVALTWELVEDAYSLATERPUTANEFFECTIVEENDTOTHEIRSTILL-SECRETHOOK-UPS.

Itwasn’tthefirstthingthatBraydennoticed,ofcourse.Thefirstdaywasaheadlongdiveintowork.

Theywereuplongpastmidnighttalkingabouttheirplans,andhesteppedoutsidelongenoughtosend
Arielleagoodnighttext.Shesentbackamessagetellinghimtoworkhard.

Thesamethinghappenedthenextdayandnight.
ButonSunday,whenMickandCarawenttochurch,andWillthrewhimselfintothehammockonthe

verandah,Braydenrealizedhe’dhavetogotoArielle’splace—exceptthatwhenhetextedher,she
respondedmiserablythatDaphnehadshownuptomakepaperflowerbouquetstosurpriseCara.

Anotherflurryoftextmessages.
Anotherdaytheydidn’tseeeachother.
Andtherewasn’taneasywayaroundthat.Ariellehadagreedtobehisdatetothewedding,butthat

wasn’tthesamethingaswantingtowearalabelashisgirlfriendnecessarily.Andbetweenworkand
weddingplans,itwasamiracletheystillgotprivatetimeatall.Hewasn’tabouttoupsetthatdelicate
balancebypushingforheartsandflowersandaticker-tapeparade.

Sohe’dbeencoolwiththestatusquocontinuing—untilhewassharingabunkroomwiththenosiest,

mostobservantfriendever.

“Headingout?”WillaskedfromwherehewasstretchedoutonhisbedacrosstheroomonSunday

night.“Withcondoms?”

Braydensquaredoffhisshouldersandturnedslowly.“Headingout.Endofstory.”
Hisfriendgrinned.“Takemewithyou.Arewepickingup?”
Jesus.“Youwanttogogetadrinkintown?”

Arielleyawnedandstretchedherarmsoutwideforextraeffect.
Daphnedidn’tlookupfromtheflowershewascarefullyassemblingoutofphotocopiesofhistorical

texts.Itwasanawesomecraftprojectandalovelyideatogivetoabridewhowasplanningonjust
pluckingsomebloomsforherbouquetonthedayofthewedding.

But.
But.
But…AriellemissedBrayden.
AndDaphnewascock-blockingher.Blockingherfromthesupertalentedcockshe’dgrownsuper

attachedtointhelastmonth.Andthefunny,sweetguyitbelongedto.

Nexttoher,herphonevibrated.Shepickeditup,andherheartsank.

Brayden:Willwantstocomewithmeintotown.Idon’tknowhowtotellhimno.We’regoingto

hitabar.

Arielle:Havefun.

Itwaskindofasnippyresponseandshewastypingoutanicer,longerreplywhenhisnexttext

appeared.

Brayden:I’dratherhaveitwithyou.Comeout.Youcould“runintous”.

SheglancedatDaphne.

Arielle:CanIbringD?
Brayden:Ofcourse.

Sheputthephonedownandclearedherthroat.“Doyouthinkwe’regettingprettyclosetobeing

done?”

Daphneglancedupandlookedatthelongrowofpaperflowers.“Yeah,probably.”
“Youdeservearewardforthishardwork.Let’sgoout.”

DaphnefiguredoutthatAriellehadanulteriormotiveassoonastheywalkedintothebarnexttothe

marina.Shetookonelookatthemensittingatatableontheedgeofthedancefloor,thenspunaroundand
jabbedherfingertowardArielle.“AreyousettingmeupwithBrayden?”

Forasplit-second,Ariellethoughtaboutsayingyes.Continuingthesham.Butsheshookherhead.

“Notyou.”

Daphgaveheraconfusedlook.
AdrenalinecoursedthroughArielle.“Me.”
Understandingdawnedandherfriend’smouthdroppedopen.“Oh,yes.Ilikethatplanalot.”
“Hush.”
“Doesheknow?Oristhisastealthattackbecauseyou’vewokenupandrealizedhelikesyou?”
Heatsweptthroughher.“Heknows.We’vebeenkindofhavingathing.Quietly.”
“Yousneakybitch.”
Arielleshiftedfromsidetoside,butDaphne’sexpressionwas…proud.“Yeah,IguessIwasalittle.”
“WellIdon’tblameyou,he’sprettyhot.”
Thatwastheleastofit.Hewaseverything.“Iguessthat’sWillParryhe’swith,”shesaid,readyto

changethesubject.“Shallwejointhem?”

Daphnenodded,thenraisedherhandandcalledoutBrayden’sname.“Whatasurprise!”shesaida

littletooloudlyasthemenstoodup.Shedidthehardworkforthem,slylyputtingAriellenexttoBrayden
astheysettledintoseats.“So…”Sheclappedherhandstogetherasshelookedatthenewcomer.“You
mustbeWill.”

Atfirst,thespontaneousdrinksideawentwell.Underthetable,Ariellewrappedheranklearound

his,andhegottorubhisfingersagainsthersastheirhandsdangledbetweentheirchairs.Jesus,thatfelt
amazing.Theysharedaprivatesmileashepouredheradrinkandinthatmomenthethoughteverythingin
theworldwasdamnperfect.

Butsomewherebetweenthesecondandthirdroundofdrinks,Will’swealthcameup,andeverything

wentsideways.

“Bytheway,what’swiththeofficespace,guys?”Daphneshookherhead,hershoulder-lengthblonde

hairswingingchoppilyasiftounderlinehowstronglysheapparentlyfelt.“Isn’tthatjust,like,wasted
rent?”

Braydenclearedhisthroat.Hedidn’tdisagreewithher,butitalsowasn’tanyofherbusiness.“We’re

startingaswewishtocontinue.”

WillleanedinandgaveDaphneacharmingsmile.“Don’tworry,sweetheart.Wecanaffordit.”

Ah,shit.
BesideBrayden,Ariellestiffened.
Charmwentoveraswellwithherbestfriendasitdidwithher,whichwastosay,notatall.
“Sweetheart?”Daphnesnorted.“Look,baby,ifyouwanttowasteyourmoneybecauseyouhavemore

ofitthanGod,that’syourprerogativeIguess.”

“Itsureis.”Willdidn’tgiveafuck.
Ofcoursehedidn’t.Hewasn’ttryingtoimpressanyone.
Ariellecrossedherarmsandscowled.
Brayden’sheartsank.
“Anotherroundofdrinks?”heasked,butsheshookherhead.
“It’saworknight,”shesaid.“We’llheadoutsoon.”
Hepuffedouthischeeks.“So…hey,Will.Daphnehasasailboat.”
Willlovedsailing.Itwasagoodsegue,right?
Wrong.
Hisfriendleanedbackinhischairandgrinned.“That’sfantastic.Areyouamemberoftheyachtclub?

I’dlovetojoin.”

Daphne’smouthdroppedopen,thenshesnappeditshutandsetherjawfirmly.“No.Theywon’thave

me.Littlematterofmebeingriffraff.Oh,andIliveonmyboat.Also,I’mahippiewhomakesherown
soap.Andofcourse,there’sthetopperthatIthinkrichpeopleareselfish,out-of-touch,navel-gazing-
dillholes.”

Arielleshovedtoherfeet.“Okay,thanksforthedrinks,guys.”Shepointedatoo-brightsmileatWill,

eventhoughshesharedDaphne’sclearlyprojectedopinionthathewasprobablyaself-entitledjerk.“See
youlaterBrayden.”

Shehauledherbestfriendoutofherseatanddraggedheroutofthebar,shushinghereverytimeshe

triedtosaysomethingelse.

TheywereacrosstheparkinglotandonthesidewalkwhenDaphnefinallystoppedlaughing.“That

wasawesome.”

“Noitwasn’t.Itwasawful.Whycouldn’tyoukeepyourtrapshut?”
“Becausehewasbeingridiculous.”
Ariellesighed.Hehadbeen,alittlebit.“Youcouldn’tjustplayalong.Yachtclub,blahblahblah.So

lovely.Fabulousregatta.Wouldthathavebeensohard?”

Daphnenoddedgrimly.“Ithinkthatwouldhaveactuallykilledme.Adeadbodyatthetablewould

havebeenmoreawkward.”

Ariellegroaned.“Jeez.SomuchfortryingtohangoutwithBraydeninanot-so-secretway.”
“Nexttimeit’llbebetter.”
“Right.Likeyouwon’tcomebetterpreparednexttimewithanentireRobinHood-esquetreatise.”
“Youreadmymind.”
“Stopit.”
Daphnewavedherhands.“Sorry?”
“You’renot.”
“No.Myprinciplesmatter.AndthewayBraydenwaslookingatyou,Idon’tthinkhecaresthatmuch.

He’dhavebeenhappytoletWillandIdukeitoutwhilehestaredatyouadoringly.”

Adoringly?Well,thatdidmakeherfeelabitbetter.“Ishouldtexthimwithanapologyforrushingout

ofthere.”

Daphnesnorted.“Prettysurehe’llbesneakingintoyourbedinanhour.Apologizethen.”
Shewasn’twrong.
AndArielledid,allnightlong.

EIGHTEEN

ARIELLEWASALMOSTTOTHESCHOOLWHENSHEREALIZEDSHE’DLEFTHERLESSONPLANONHERKITCHEN
TABLE.

Sheturnedaroundandsprintedbacktoherapartment.Shehadtimestill,butsomuchforarrivingin

herclassroomwithenoughtimetoexchangedirtygood-morningtextswithBrayden.

Herphonerangassheroundedthecorneronherblock.Shesloweddownandpulleditoutofher

backpack.

“HeyDad.”
“Bébé…Areyouatwork?”
“Sortof.I’mheadingtherenow.What’sup?”Shedartedintoherbuilding—andranrightintoher

father.

Heputhisphoneintohispocketandgrinned.“Hey,there.”
“Ah.”Sherolledhereyes.“Wasthataboutwantingtostayhere.”
“I’llmakeyoudinnertonight.”
“Okay.”Shekissedhischeek.“Comeonup.Ineedtograbsomethingandheadrightbacktowork,but

we’llcatchupthisafternoon?”

“Can’twait.”Hepickedupanoversizedbackpackandfollowedherupstairs.

Itturnedoutthepropertybuttingupagainsttheplantationwasforsale.
“Weshouldbuyitup,”Willsaidoverlunchashepickeduptherealestatelisting.
MickstartedtosaysomethingwhenCaracalledoutfromthefrontentrancethatadeliveryhadjust

arrived.Heexcusedhimselftogoandgrabit.

Braydenshookhishead.“Man,thiswhyDaphnelostitonyoutheothernight.”
Willjustgrinned.“She’llcomearound.Andinthemeantime,I’mserious.It’sforsale,wewanttoget

startedonconstruction,andtheestateisstilltiedupinprobate.Thisseemslikeanobvioussolution.”

“Obviouslyexpensive.”
“Whatgoodishavingmoneyifwecan’tuseit?”
Braydenfrowned.“Iwouldn’tknow.”
“Comeon.Youknowwe’reallinonthis.YouandMickaredoingtheheavyliftinghereonthe

ground.I’mprovidingthestart-upcapital.Ipromisethat’sequalinvestmentinmybooks.”

Thethingwas,Willtrulybelievedthat.ItwashardforBraydentowraphisheadaround,butthey’d

beentalkingaboutthisplanfortwoyears.Willhadbeencompletelyconsistentonthispoint.

Heleanedin.“Andit’snotliketheinvestmentwon’tgrow.Atsomepointinthefuture,Icanslidethe

start-upmoneyoutifitmakesyoufeelbetter.”

Braydenletoutafrustratedbreath.“Sure.Right.”
“Let’sgoseetherealtorthismorning.You’llsee.Thisisgoingtobegood.”
Mickreturnedcarryingamedium-sizedcardboardboxthatwasobviouslyheavy.“Thisisforyou,

Will.Boxofbricks,apparently.”

Willslicedthroughthetapewithhispocketknife,thenliftedoutanofficial-lookingletteronthick

creamletterhead.“Ah.It’saboutmygrandmother’sestate.Itsoundslikebecauseofhermultiplewills,
they’reallbeingadjudicatedbyaneutralthirdparty.Asanamedbeneficiary,”hereadoutloud,pointing
atthepaper.“Youarerequestedtocompletethefollowingquestionnaireaboutyourrelationshipwith
thedeceased.Whatthehell?”

Helookedatthenextpageandsnorted.“Thisisridiculous.Shewasmygrandmother.WhydoIneed

tojustifywhyshewilledmeapieceofproperty?And…”Herifledthroughthebox.“Andtheywantmeto
dosomeduediligenceandwaiveaclaimtoanythingelseintheestate.”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”Braydenleanedin.“Whatelsecouldyouclaim?”
Willshrugged.“Art,Isuppose.Thatwasreallymygrandfather’sthing,andmygrandmotherdidn’t

haveadetailedenoughwillonthatfront.ButIhavenoideawhatanyofthisstuffis.Thiscameupbefore
onaconferencecallwithmycousins.Idon’tevenwantanyart,butIsupposeit’smyduediligencetogo
throughthecatalogs…”Willkepttalking,butBraydendidn’theartherestofwhathesaid.

BecauseBraydenknewwhatatleastoneofthesepieceswas.
Onthecoverofadustycatalogthatwasatleastthirtyyearsoldwasapictureofabronzestatueofa

blackmanwalkingwithacane.

Hegotupandstrodeintothehallway.Theventpoppedouteasilythistime.Ofcourseitdid.He’d

loosenedit,hadn’the?Andthenhe’dboostedArielleupsoshecouldsafelystowthestatuejustinsidethe
wall.Buthewastallenoughtoreachintherehimself.Hehadn’tneededtoboostherup.He’djustwanted
anotherchancetotouchher.

He’dbeenblindedbylust.Then.Now.Allthedaysinbetween.
Becausethestatuewasgone.

NINETEEN

ARIELLEHADASTUDENTPROGRESSMEETINGAFTERSCHOOL,BUTASSOONASTHATFINISHED,SHEHEADED
STRAIGHTHOME.

Shehadn’ttextedBraydenyet,butshewantedtofindoutjusthowlongherfatherwasstayingbefore

shesaidanythingtoher…boyfriend?Lover?Sexy-timesbuddy?

Man,feelingswerecomplicated.
Ifherdadwasplanningoncomingtothewedding,thatwouldmeanhewasstayingforaweek.Or

maybehewasbackintownbecausehewaslookingforanapartmentandplannedtostickaround,butthat
wasn’thisstyle.Ithadn’tbeensinceshereturnedfromTeacher’sCollegeandsettledintoherapartment.
Itwaslikehe’dbeenkeepingahomeforheruntilshewasabletokeeponeofherown.

He’dbeenabirdinthewindeversince.
Butwhenshegottoherapartment,herdadwasn’tthere.Hisstuffwasinthespareroom,andthere

weregroceriesinthefridge,butnosignofheroldman.

Shefrowned.Heknewwhattimeshegotoffwork.Shepulledoutherphoneandcalledhim,butit

wentstraighttovoicemail.

Rollinghereyes,sheheadedforherroom.Mightaswellchangeintosomethingmorecomfortable.

Shestrippedoffherfittedskirtandsleevelessblouseandpulledonshortsandat-shirt.

Thenshewentbacktothespareroom.
Therewasnoreasonforhertounzipherfather’sbagotherthanaweirdsenseofintuition,butassoon

asshedid,sheknewshe’dhadthatfeelingforareason.

InfronthersatthestatuefromVillaSucre.
“Merde,”shewhisperedtoherself.

Shesteeredherbicycletoaquietstopattheedgeofwherethejunglecutback,openinguptothe

sprawlingplantation.Thelightwasfading,butthemoonwasalreadyontherise.Nodarknesstohide
undertonightiftheywerehere—buttheestatelookedquiet.

Maybeiftheywerealldownatthebunkhouse,shecouldgetintothemainhouseandgetoutagain

withoutanyonebeingthewiser.

Thestatuewasinherbackpack.Shecouldfeeltheheavyweightofitinmorewaysthanone.
Shetuckedherbikeintothefoliage,thentookadeepbreath.Shecoulddothis.
Skirtingaroundthefrontgardens,sheheadedaroundthesideofthebuilding.ThenightBraydenhad

caughther,she’dgotteninthefrontdoorwithbobbypins.Itwastheoldesttrickinthebook,butitreally
worked.Oneservedasthetensionwrench,theotherunfoldedintoadecentsmallhookpick.

Exceptsheknewshecouldn’tdothatnow,becauseMickhadrecentlyupgradedthelocksonboththe

frontandbackdoors.Andusingbobbypins,whilenotethicallyinviable,hadaleastanairof“happened
tohavethemonme”.Shecouldhavebroughtherfather’slock-pickset.Shedidn’t.

Shewasn’tacriminal.
Sure,shewasbreaking-and-enteringforthesecondtimeinadisturbinglyshortperiod,buttherewere

reasons.

Shestoppedatthesideoftheverandahandpicturedtheinsideofthehouse.Thiswastheballroomon

themainlevel.Thatroomgotprettyhotlaterintheafternoon,andCarahadatendencytoleavethe
windowsopenwiththeshutterspulledtooverthescreens.

Arielleclimbedontotherailingandreachedforthenearestshutter.
Itmoved.Sheleanedout,gotabetterpurchaseonit,andpusheditopen.

Thescreenwashardertopopoutoftheframe,butafteraminuteoflip-bitingjimmying,thattoogave

way.Shecarefullyloweredittothegroundbeforetossingherbagovertheledge,thenhaulingherselfup
andin.

Herheartpoundingwastheonlythingshecouldhearasshesettledontotheballsofherfeetand

orientedherselftothesilenceofthemansion.

Shereallywasaloneinthespace.
Shetookadeepbreathandleanedbackoutthewindow,grabbingthescreenrestingontheground

below.Shelifteditbackintoplace.Itpassedacursoryinspectionrightnow,andshe’dgoaroundthe
outsidewhenshewasdoneandpopitmorefirmlyintoplace.

Shecrepttothehallwayandpeeredinbothdirectionsbeforedartingintothekitchen.She’dneeda

chairtoreachthevent.

Butshepulledupshortasshereachedthekitchentable,becausecrossingthebackgardensbetween

thebunkhouseandthemainhousewereBraydenandWill.

AndBraydenlookedmurderous.
Shespunaroundanddashedforherbackpack.Pickingitup,shesprintedupthemainstaircase,

slidingadesperatelookatthevent.Fromthisangle,shecouldseeitwasabitajar,andherheartsank.

Howhadheknownitwasmissing?
Howlonghadherfatherhaditinhispossession?
Shefeltsobetrayed,butworsethanthat,shewasterrifiedthatBraydendid,too—byher.
Shewasn’twrong.
Assheslidintoabedroomupstairs,rightabovethekitchen,thedoorbelowslammedopen.She

‘pressedherbackagainstthewallandwilledherselfnottomakeanynoise.

“Okaywetalkinhere,”someonesaid.Will.“AlthoughIthinkatsomepointsoon,we’regoingtoneed

toloopMickin.”

Herstomachheaved.Cara.She’dbesodisappointed.
Braydengroaned.“I’msosorryaboutthis,man.Ishouldhave—”
Shebitherliptokeepfromcryingout.
“Igetwhyyoudidn’t.Nowweneed—youneed—tofindher.”
“She’snotatherapartment.”
“Callher.”
Arielle’spulsejackedupandshesilentlyreachedforherphone.Herfingersshookasshepoweredit

down.Shewouldn’tputitpastthemtobeabletotrackthesignalorsomething.

OhGod,thiswasanightmare.
Afteralongstretchofsilence,sheheardBraydenmoveagain.“Noanswer.”
“Thenlet’saskCarawhereshemightbe.They’vebeenfriendsforever,yousaid.”
“YouthinkCarawillbeonyoursideinthis?Thethreeofthemarethickasthieves.Ha.Thieves.”
Atearrolleddownherface.Hesoundedsobitter,andrightlyso,althoughhewaswrong.Cara

wouldn’tbeonhersideinthis.Shelookedatthebackpackclutchedagainstherchestandhereyes
burned.

“Comeon,let’sgodowntotheoceanandhaveabeer,”Willsaid.
“No.Ineedtofindher.IneedtofindyourGoddamnedstatue.”
“Idon’tcareaboutit.Icareaboutyougettingtothebottomofthis,foryourownpeaceofmind.”
“Don’tbesofuckingcavalier.”
“Okay.Sorry.”Anotherlongstretchofsilence,thenWillsighed.“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?Call

thepolice?”

Braydengrowled.“No.”
Thatmadeherheartcrack.Whatamessshe’dgottentheminto.

“Look,nobody’smissingthestatue.Ididn’tevenknowitwashereuntilyousaiditwasn’t.Whydon’t

wejustwaitandseehowthisshakesout?”

“Because…Fuck,man.Itrustedher.Youknow?”
“That’swhatthisisabout.”
“Damnfuckingstraight.Lovemakesyoustupid.”
Love?Herarmsshookandherheelskiddedoutfromunderher.Shebumpedherheadbackagainstthe

wall,thenfroze.

Below,achairwaspushedoutoftheway.
Thescrapeofwoodonwoodwaslouderthanastarter’spistol.
Shesteppedawayfromthewall,leavingthebagbehindher,andstoodthere,asifmadeofgranite,

whileBraydentookthestairstwoatatime.Shecouldseehimboundontothelanding,thenstop.He
movedhisheadslowly,sortingoutwhichroomwasrightabovethekitchen.

Whichroomhe’djustheardthatnoisein.
Whichroomcontainedthethiefhe’dcapture,yetagain.
Shecouldn’tmove,butshecouldturnherhearttostone.Shecouldforceherselfnottocry,nottogive

himthat.

Hestoppedinthedoorway.Shewasintheshadows,buttherewasnomistakingthathesawher.
“Soyou’rehere,”hesaidquietly,prowlingtowardher.“Youreturnedtothesceneofthecrime.”
“Ididn’ttakeit.”
“ButyouknowexactlywhatI’mtalkingabout.Thestatue’sgone.”
“Ibroughtitback.”
“Overwhelmedbyguilt?”Hesteppedintoher,movingherbackuntilshebumpedintothewall.
Hedidn’tglancedownatthebackpackbesideherfeet.Hisgazewaslockedonherface.
Sheswallowedhard.“We’renottheonlyoneswhocansearchahousefromtoptobottom.”
“ThatwasWill’sstatue.Hisfamily.Youstolesomethingfrommybestfriend.”
“Ididn’t.Iknowit’shis.I’dnever—”
“Youknow?Howlonghaveyouknown?”
“Ididn’tgiveittomyfather.Ididn’ttellhimwhereitwas.”Thatwasthemostimportantpieceof

informationhere.ShehadtomakeBraydenunderstandthat.“Iknewyouwouldn’twantmeto,soI
didn’t.”

She’dchosenBraydenoverherfather.Itmadeherfeelill,butshe’ddoneit.
Anditstillwasn’tenough.
Heshookhishead.“Wronganswer,prettygirl.Therightansweris,youknewitwaswrong,soyou

didn’t.”

Yourterms,nomatterwhat.He’dliedtoher.He’dforgottentoaddthecaveatthatsheshouldhave

knownanyway—thathisabsolutiondidn’tincludeherbeingathief,ifevenanaccidentalone.Hottears
sprangtohereyesagain,butshewouldn’tletthemfall.Hisloss.

Herheartcrackedopen.No,itwasherloss.Oneshe’dtotallyseencomingandlethappenanyway.

Lovewasacruelmistressthatway.She’dforgottenthatwhileshecouldtrusthimwithhersillyfears—
kinkypreferences,dirtyfantasiesothersmighthavejudged—ithadbeenfoolishtotransferthattrustto
moremeaningfulfears.

Abandonment,forone.
Thatfearwasseriouslygroundedinreality.
“I’mnobody’sprettygirl.”Hervoiceshook,butshewasrocksteadyinside.“Thestatueisin—”
“Stoptalking.”Coldasice,heleanedin.“Just…stop.”
“Why?”Sheglaredbackathim.“DidIdisappointyou?DidIletyoudown?WasInotenough?

Newsflash,asshole.That’sthestoryofmylife.Thereisnothingyoucansayordothatwillmakemefeel

shittierthanIdorightnow.Ibroughtthedamnstatueback.Isearchedmyfather’sbelongingsandfoundit
andIimmediatelyreturnedit,becauseofyou.Becauseofsomemisguidedsenseofloyaltytoamanthat
doesn’tvaluemeforshit,sodon’tevenstartwithme.Goon.Friskme.Tieme.Callthecops.Doyour
worst.Ipromiseitwillmeannothing.”

“Youwantmetofriskyou?”Hisvoicedropped,buttheheatratchetedup.
“Do.Your.Worst.”
“Youdidn’tletmedown,”hesaidsoftlyasheturnedheraroundandkickedherfeetwide.Hecoasted

hishandsoverherback.“Youpissedmeoff.There’sadifference.”

Hecheckedherpockets,andshewasgratefulshehadn’tbroughtanytoolsofherfather’strade.She

triedtoignorehowgoodhisfingersfeltasheslidthemintofirstherfrontpockets,thenherbackones.He
tookhistime.Howscrewedupwasitthatshewastryingtodesperatelyremembereverytouch,every
momentofabodysearch?

Herguttwisted,andshewantedtocryout,toyellathimandtellhimhe’dgotitwrong,buthe

wouldn’tlisten.He’dmadethatcrystalclear.

Hedroppedtohiskneesbehindher.Herlegswerebare,butthatdidn’tstophimfromrunninghis

handsupanddownthem.

“Youscrapedyourknee,”hemuttered.
“Fromatree-climbingadventure,”shelied.
“Climbingintothehouse,morelikely.”
Shestaredstonilyatthewall.
Herosebehindherandtuggedonherbraid.“Youareadamnedninny,youknowthat?”
Thewordsdidn’tprocessproperly.Herbrainspun,tryingtomakesenseofwhatwashappening,as

hislipsbrushedagainstthebackofherneck.

“Weneedtohaveaserioustalkabouttrustandcommunication,gorgeous.”Hereachedbetweenher

andthewall,andwrappedhisarmsaroundherwaist.“Whydidn’tyoucallme?”

“What?”
“Hey,Brayden.Mydad’sbackintownanditlookslikehemanagedtofindthestatueatVilla

Sucre.Thisisawkward,hey?WhatshouldIdo?”Hepressedhischeekagainstherhairandsighed.“I
don’tknowwhatIwouldhavesaid,becauseyou’reright,thatisawkward.ButI’dhavebelievedyou.”

“Butyousaid…”Herhearthammeredagainstherchest.“Ipissedyouoff.”
“BecauseIcouldn’tfindyou.BecauseIwasworried.”
“Oh.”
“Howmuchofourconversationdidyouheardownstairs?”Hebrushedhislipsagainstthecurveof

herear.

“A-allofit.”
“DidyouhearthepartwhereIsaidlovemademestupid?”
“Y-yes.”
“WasthatclearwhatImeant?”
Yes,butshewantedtohearitagain.Notthroughafloorgrate.“No.”
Heturnedheraroundandcuppedherfaceinhishands.“Iloveyou.I’msorryifthat’smorethanyou

wanted,butit’swhatyouget.Me,always,nomatterwhat,evenifyourdadhasapastthat’skindof
complicated.Evenifthestuffthatswirlsaroundusisweird,thisrightherehasalwaysfeltrightforme.
Fromthefirstnight.”

Heleanedinandkissedher,softlyatfirst,thenmoreintently.Hekissedheruntilsheroseuponher

tiptoesandmethimstrokeforstroke.

“Iloveyou,”hewhisperedagain.“AndI’msodamngladyou’reokay.”
“Iloveyou,too,”shesaidrightback,hervoicehitching.“AndI’msorry.”

Heshookhishead.“We’llgetthere.Don’tworryaboutit.”
Fromdownstairs,theyheardthekitchendooropenandclose.Shemadeagrimacingface.“Speaking

ofapologies…IprobablyoweWillacouple.”

“We’llworryaboutthattomorrow.He’snotbigonpeoplebeingnicetohim,anyway.”
“Oh,good.That’llmakethefactthatDaphnehateshimwaylessstressful.”
Braydenlaughedandgatheredherinhisarms.“Comehere.”

TWENTY

THEBRIDEOPTEDNOTTOTHROWHERBOUQUET.

She’dcriedwhenDaphneandAriellegaveittoher,andpromisedtokeepitforeverasakeepsake.

Twodozenflowers,eachuniqueandhand-craftedoutofwordsandloveandpaper.Itwasthekindof
uniquetouchthatAriellewantedforherownwedding,maybe.

Kindofcrazytothinkaboutthat,butthenshejusthadtolookatBrayden,impossiblyhandsomeina

linensuit,anditdidn’tseemcrazyintheleast.

ThemenhadallgonetoSunshineBayandcomebackwithmatchingoutfitsthatsuitedthetropical

settingperfectly.

Thewomen,ontheotherhand,allworesomethingdifferent.Cara’sdressendedmid-calf,soshe

couldbebarefootonthebeach.Whitelace,aswirlingskirtthatflowedliketheoceaninthebackground.

DaphneandAriellehadraidedtheirownclosets,andendeduptradingclothesfortheoccasion.

DaphneworeArielle’sfavoriteturquoisesundress,andAriellediscoveredthemostperfectcoraldressin
Daphne’scollection.

“Youneverwearthis,”Ariellesaid.
“Becausemylegsneverlookthatgoodinit,”Daphneteased.“Braydenwillswallowhistonguewhen

heseesyou.”

Hedidindeed.
NowtheywerelookingateachotheracrosstheverandahatVillaSucre.Theceremonyhadbeen

beautiful,andthecateredmealwasincredible,butshewasreadytobealonewithherman.

Weddingshadneverturnedheronbefore.SheneededtowarnDaphne,becausetherewasdefinitely

somethinginthewater.

“Don’tyouthinkit’sabouttimeyouintroducemetoyouryoungman?”herfatherasked,comingup

behindher.

Shetookadeepbreath.“You’vemetBrayden,Dad.”
“Right.TheawkwardconversationwhereIhadtoexplainhowWill’sgrandfathergavemethatstatue,

andyourmotheralwaysthoughtI’dstolenit.Thatwasalotoffun.”

“Dad…”
“ButnowI’myourfather,you’remylittlegirl,andhewantstocourtyou.Sothepowerisontheother

foot,sotospeak.”

“Don’tberidiculous.I’mnotyourlittlegirlanymore,andthereisnopower,anywhere.”
“Doeshemakeyouhappy?”
“Very.”
“Good.”
“YoustickingaroundPetiteCiotatforawhile?”Shealreadyknewtheanswerwasno,butshewas

gladhe’dcomeforthis,anyway.

“I’llbebackforyourwedding,monbébé.”
Shejustlaughed.“Okay.You’llbewaitingawhile.”
ButwhenBraydenfinallywhiskedheraway,hisarmfirmlywrappedaroundherwaist,heleanedin

andwhispered,“Thatwasgoodfun,right?”

Shetippedherfacetolookathim.“Thewedding?”
Henodded.
“Yeah.Itwasbeautiful.”
Hesmiled,anditreachedallthewaytohiseyes.“Thankyouforbeingmydate.”
“Always.”

“That’stheplan.”
“Brayden?”
“Yes?”
“Ihaveaconfessiontomake.”
Hegrinnedather.“Yeah?”
“Istolesomethingfromthewedding.”
“Oh?”
Thereweretwopiecesoftraditionalweddingfruitcakeinherpurse.Sheliftedherchindefiantly.

“Youcan’tmakemetalk.”

“We’llseeaboutthat,gorgeous.”Heleanedandgaveheramenacinglookthatmadeherpantieswet.

“Nowareyougoingtogetinthecarwillingly,ordoIneedtocuffyou?”

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