Page 56 of Day Break

“What do you know about that woman?” He jerked his head towards the pathway where Chloe had just disappeared. “The family is talking. We’re thinking of hiring that PI Marcus Colter to track down some more information on her.”

“Don’t,” I warned him.

Derrick’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Do you know something about her?”

“Yes, she’s probably the most decent person on the island,” I growled. “Leave her be. Besides, as I mentioned, she works for our grandfather. It’s his business.”

“Yeah.” Derrick chuckled. “But the old man is losing it. I mean, he lives here full time now. This place was good when we were kids, but now it’s just… pathetic.”

“Then why are you here?” I said, not missing a beat.

Derrick looked annoyed. “To do a job. To protect my future.” He finally dropped the hold on my arm, then he stepped closer. “As I said, it would be best if you stayed out of the family’s way.” He walked past me, bumping my shoulder as he went, something he always did when he wanted to show me that he was bigger than I was.

I wasn’t small. But my six-foot-two frame was less bulky than his and Phil’s. Neither of them had ever gotten into fitness like I had. Instead of swimming, running, lifting weights, and boxing, they’d just stuck with weights and sucking down beers, by the look of their belly fat. I could probably outrun them both, and when it came to power behind punches, I probably had them beat there too. Not that I ever used it. The last time I’d punched one of them had been before Sherry’s death.

I waited until Derrick disappeared down the path before heading back to the house. It pissed me off that they had always been able to intimidate me.

With anyone else, I could usually get the upper hand, but with my family…

When I stepped into the kitchen, the house was quiet. I passed through the kitchen and heard a grunt and something bang in the hallway. Then I heard Chloe’s voice and rushed into the pantry, afraid one of my cousins had cornered her again.

What I found was her standing on a small stepladder, reaching for a jar on the top shelf. The cream-colored shorts she was wearing exposed her sexy legs, and my eyes ran over them.

She was up on her toes, her arms stretched high above her head, and damned if she didn’t look very appealing.

She’d gained some weight since I’d first seen her on the beach. Just enough that her hips and other fun parts had filled in.

I hadn’t thought, just moved. Quickly, my hands wrapped around her tiny waist, holding her. She gasped, then smiled when she realized it was me.

“I thought you were…”

“My cousin?” I smiled. “Nope. If you needed help…” I dropped off.

“You weren’t around,” she said, finally getting a hold of the jar she wanted. “And I was not going to ask anyone else to help me. I’ve already been cornered by your cousins enough for a lifetime.”

I frowned at this thought, but then she turned in my arms and my entire body went on guard. We were so close, our bodies brushing up against one another’s.

The jar was sandwiched between us as Chloe leaned down slightly and placed her lips over mine.

“I was starting to believe I’d imagined it,” she said, when she pulled back slightly.

“What?” I asked as she rested her forehead against mine.

“The way you make me feel. The way my body reacts to yours. How perfect your lips are.”

I smiled at that. “My lips? Do you even know how soft yours are? How perfect your body feels against mine? You’re so pretty it hurts.”

I’d expected her to smile when she pulled back, but she was frowning and there was a small crease between her eyebrows. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” She shook her head quickly. “It’s just… I’ve never had anyone.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve never had a man tell me how pretty I am.”

I jerked back and frowned at her. “Seriously?”

She nodded and shrugged, then I helped her step off the ladder.

Instantly, I missed having her at eye level and looked down at her.

“You were married,” I pointed out.