Page 53 of When We Were Us

My cheeks flushed as I remembered our passionate night. "What? There's no way. I'm already sore after last night."

Oliver's expression immediately softened, concern etching his features. "Of course, honey, we don't need to have sex tonight."

I bit my lip, feeling a familiar heat building despite my protests. "There might be no escape from it."

"Why would you say that?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I met his gaze, my heart racing. "Because you turn me on."

A slow smile spread across Oliver's face. "Ditto, Mrs. Fox, ditto."

With a contented sigh, I stood up and put the container of crab salad back in the refrigerator. I drained the last swallow of champagne from my flute and held out my hand to Oliver. He brushed the crumbs from his sandwich into his plate and stood, intertwining his fingers with mine.

We walked out to the deck, our feet pounding down the stairs in eager anticipation. The hot sand felt divine against my bare feet as we made our way through a grove of palm trees, emerging onto the vast expanse of our private beach.

"I can't believe we have this whole place to ourselves," I marveled, taking in the breathtaking view.

Oliver squeezed my hand. "Believe it. It's all ours. No photographers, no annoying interruptions."

His words were abruptly cut off by a familiar voice calling his name. I groaned inwardly, hoping this unexpected arrival wouldn't spoil our moment. Oliver whirled around, tension visible in the set of his shoulders as he faced his brother, Jonah.

My eyes widened as I took in Jonah's appearance. He was wearing nothing but a pair of blue swim trunks, his muscular torso on full display. While impressive, he couldn't quite match the Adonis-like physique of my husband.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" Oliver demanded, his voice sharp with surprise and a hint of irritation.

Jonah's sandy hair, longer than I remembered, flopped into his eyes as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "I haven't seen you in months, and that's what you say?"

As I studied Jonah, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the brothers. They shared the same strong jawline and confident stance, but Jonah's eyes were a lighter shade, more reminiscent of the sea than Oliver's deep sapphire gaze.

The tension in the air was palpable as the brothers faced off, leaving me to wonder how this unexpected reunion would unfold on what was supposed to be our private getaway.

Oliver's eyes flashed with barely contained fury as he growled at his brother, "You shouldn't have taken off. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Jonah crossed his arms defensively, his stance defiant. "You expected me to stay here all cooped up?"

I felt Oliver's hand tighten around mine, his jaw clenching as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I had my reasons, and you know them," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Jonah's gaze shifted to me. "Can't I at least say hello to my new sister-in-law?"

I offered Jonah a weak smile, acutely aware of Oliver's hard stare boring into me. The tension between the brothers was getting worse, like a rubber band stretched to its limit.

Oliver's voice was cold and clipped as he conceded, "Say hello to her and get back to the employee's quarters. I want to enjoy my honeymoon without interruptions."

Jonah stepped forward, enveloping me in a soft hug. I reciprocated briefly before quickly stepping back, feeling caught between the two men.

"Can we talk sometime this week?" Jonah asked, his eyes pleading.

"If I have time," Oliver replied, his tone glacial.

Jonah's shoulders slumped slightly. "Suit yourself," he muttered, turning to sprint back up to the house, his footsteps kicking up sand in his wake.

As soon as Jonah was out of earshot, I turned to Oliver. "You didn't need to be so gruff with him," I said softly, trying to diffuse the tension.

Oliver's eyes flashed dangerously. "Ryleigh, don't tell me what to do when it comes to him. He's a fuck up."

"He's trying," I protested, feeling a need to defend Jonah.

Oliver's voice was sharp as he retorted, "If he was trying, he would've straightened himself out."

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