Page 37 of Hideaway Reunion

Only his boxers.

“Oh. Hi. Good morning.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. “Um, your turn.” She jerked a thumb toward the bathroom.

“Great, thanks.” He smiled and her heart soared. Her eyes devoured him as he crossed the room. If this was any other morning, she’d drag him right back to that bed.

He paused, his hands skimming her waist to settle just above her hips and his slow, thorough kiss melted away that burst of anxiety. Her mind blanked, her heart danced, and her body warmed with anticipation.

This was the piece of her that had never felt quite right. The smallest misalignment. One she couldn’t correct when they’d been just friends.

Now, touching him, she understood what had been off for so long. Her heart was his. All this time. Holding herself apart from him in the most essential way had been the issue. This morning, everything felt exactly right. She was his, in every way now. He was hers too and they would discover the way forward together.

The newness of the moment thrilled her. She simultaneously wanted to tell her sisters everything and keep it all to herself.

“Your sisters are on the way.” He held up his cell phone so she could read the text message. “I suspect we’ll need the help.”

Her stomach dropped. She didn’t want to tell them right this second. “Okay,” she managed. She stroked his chest, because she could, and wondered if they’d have the energy for an encore performance tonight.

“Definitely,” he murmured, nuzzling her ear.

“You’re reading my mind now?”

A low chuckle floated over her skin. “You’re an open book, Roni.”

She jerked back when she heard voices in the kitchen. “I’d better close it for now.”

“That’s a shame.” He pulled her closer. “But all your secrets are safe with me.”

Her cheeks caught fire and images of her body tangled with his filled her mind. She savored the sensations of past and present blending seamlessly together. Just for another minute.

Hearing the squeak of the hinge on the dryer door along with muffled voices, she forced herself to move. “Seriously. I need to get out there before they attempt to cook.”

“Don’t worry. If they break anything, we’ll bill Indigo Reef,” he joked as they parted ways. “I’ll be out in five.”

“Thanks.”

She paused at the door and took a deep breath. She’d never understood how Celeste had enjoyed living in the manager’s suite surrounded by strangers when they’d been running the Hideaway as a standard B&B.

Well, her stint here wasn’t forever. If Bobby and Cav were willing to talk about the ECM situation, they might put this whole mess behind them sooner rather than later. And then she and Brayden could start thinking about themselves and making plans.

In the meantime, she had guests. Scheduled reservations or not, Celeste would have her hide if she skimped on the hospitality.

Walking into the kitchen, she smiled. “Good morning.” Then her jaw dropped.

All three men were in the kitchen. Cav was at the coffee maker. Brian was at the breakfast table, his leg elevated on the bench seat. And Bobby glanced her way from behind the refrigerator door. “You want eggs?”

Her gaze flew to the clock. It wasn’t yet seven. After a wild, chaotic, and stressful night. “Your clothes.” All three wore clean shirts branded with the Indigo Reef logo. Cav and Bobby wore their freshly laundered pants, and Brian had his pants too, minus the cut off leg.

“Your man up too?” Brian asked, voice low. At her nod, he added in a normal voice, “We were trying to be quiet.”

She mentally struggled to get over the idea that these strangers recognized Brayden as “her man”. It was true and yet too new and too weird. Especially under these circumstances.

“I appreciate that.” She propelled herself toward the stove. “I’m happy to handle the cooking.”

“Afraid he’ll mess it up?” Cav winked. “I get it. But he won’t.” He filled a mug with coffee for her. “We’re fueling up to get out there.”

“Out there?” she echoed.

“Storm did a number on the place,” Bobby announced as he cracked eggs into a mixing bowl. “I took a few pictures on my way across and back again.”