Page 78 of Enticing Her Love

Chapter Twenty-Two

FLYNN AWOKE FROM a deep sleep to the sound of Sutton’s adorably soft snores against his chest and his phone vibrating on the nightstand. He snagged his phone and saw Victory’s name on the screen. She never called that early unless something was wrong.

Sliding a pillow under Sutton’s head, he carefully climbed out of bed and headed into the living room. “Hey, Vic. You okay?” He opened the door to the deck, leaving the rest of the wall intact, and stepped outside, bristling against the cool morning air.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just wanted to talk to you.”

“It must be important for you to get me out of bed at the crack of dawn.” He paced the deck.

“Can’t I just miss my brother?”

“Not likely when you just saw me a few hours ago.” He and Sutton had hung out with everyone for a little while after their dance last night. When Sutton had said she was going to head back to Port Hudson, just as they’d anticipated, Leni and Victory had wanted to take off as well, which made it easy for Flynn to say he was beat and was heading out, too, without raising eyebrows.

“Speaking of last night, did you enjoy your birthday?”

He raked a hand through his hair, thinking about how the night had started with needing a distraction from thoughts of Sutton and how it had ended like a dream, making love to her in his bed. “I had a great time. How about you? I was surprised you wanted to go to the club.”

“So was I, but it was your birthday, and I was having fun catching up with Leni and getting to know Sutton. I like her.”

“That’s good. I like her, too.”

“I know. I could tell.”

“That’s why you called.”

“So? She’s fantastic, Flynn. I really like her, and by that I mean, I like her for you.”

He scoffed. “I can’t remember the last time you weighed in on my personal life.”

“I know. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything, but I couldn’t just sit back and bite my tongue when the chemistry was crackling around you two.”

“Vic—”

“Just hear me out, and don’t try to pretend you weren’t eyeing her all night. Noah and Clay may have been oblivious to the daggers you were casting, but I’m your big sister. I’ve always seen things you probably wish I didn’t, and last night you were looking at Sutton the way you’ve only looked at the most exciting things in your life since you were a little boy. You looked at her like she was uncharted territory that you’d stop at nothing to explore. You haven’t had that look in your eyes for so long, I wondered if you ever would again.”

So did I.

“I don’t know if you two already have a story, or if you just want one, and I don’t need to know. But I want you to be happy, Flynn, and if Sutton is your once-in-a-lifetime like Harvey was mine, then take it from someone who knows how fast something precious can be taken away. Don’t waste a second of the time you have.”

“Vic—”

“Let me finish. I know you’re her boss, but Harvey was my boss, too, and he tried to fight what was between us for a whole year before I finally broke down his walls. If he hadn’t been so worried about what people would think, we could have had all that time together. Do you know what I’d do to have another year with him? I’d give anything for another hour.”

“I know you would, Vic. I wish I could bring him back for you.” She never brought up Harvey, which told Flynn how strongly she felt about him and Sutton, and that made him feel good all over. But her phone call also brought to light how he needed to get control of the way he looked at Sutton before someone at work caught on.

“Flynn?”

He turned around at Sutton’s sleepy voice as she padded out of the bedroom, looking adorably sexy in his orange Syracuse T-shirt she’d slept in, her hair a tangled mess. He stepped inside. “I’m right here, babe.” The second babe was out of his mouth, he realized his mistake, but he couldn’t have stopped it if he’d wanted to. He wasn’t one of those guys who used endearments with just any woman, but with Sutton it came naturally.

Sutton mouthed Sorry, and headed for the kitchen.

“Babe?” Victory said accusatorially. “Is there a woman at your house? Did I totally read you wrong? Are you seeing someone? Or did you pick up some random chick last night? Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

“Chill out. It’s Sutton.”

“It is?” Victory practically cheered.

Sutton glanced over, her brow furrowed in question. He mouthed, It’s Victory. She winced.