“I’m parched. I could really use a glass of water.” Noa snuggles into my side as if she belongs there.

  “Bring two glasses of water with our dessert,” I tell him. The chair scrapes the wooden deck when I pull hers next to mine, not wanting to have any distance between us.

  “May I ask you something?” She sits.

  “After the trust you just showed me, you can ask me anything.”

  “Why are you so guarded with your past?”

  “I said you could ask. I didn’t say I’d answer.”

  “Alright, let’s play a game. I’ll tell you something personal, and then you share with me. I’ll even go first.” She lays her hands in her lap, and her shoulders rise with her inhale. “I just found out my husband had an affair.”

  I shift in my seat and take her hand in mine. “I’m sorry.”

  “Your turn,” she says unblinkingly.

  “Wait…can’t we discuss your feelings about it. I mean, it has to be difficult because you can’t even confront him with what you know.”

  “That’s probably a good thing,” she scoffs.

  “How did you find out?”

  “I visited the place we shared, and I found a notebook in his handwriting.”

  “It was my fault. I should’ve been here with my husband, not traveling around the country…for what?” That’s what she was crying about in the apartment when I saw her. “Did he mention who it was?”

  “No, but I found out from his best friend, Kip.”

  “Kip Oliver?”

  She squints. “You know him?”

  “Yeah, I’ve used his firm on several projects.” I don’t divulge that he’s the architect that handles some of my family’s business.

  “He knew, and he didn’t tell me.”

  “I’m not taking his side or anything, but if they were best friends, it would be bro code that he couldn’t tell you.”

  “In the two years my husband has been dead, I think he should have informed me.”

  “Why? To sour your memories of the man you loved?”

  Her shoulders drop with a deep exhale. “Because he fathered a child.”

  “Ouch.” I caress her hand with my thumb.

  “Needless to say, we’re no longer on speaking terms.”

  I’m sad for her but happy that she’ll steer clear of him. “I don’t blame you.”

  “Now, tell me something about you.”

  I stare at her.

  “How about if I ask you something specific?”

  “Okay,” I draw out the word.

  “How did you get the scars on your back?”

  “Perhaps something easier?”

  “Who did you go to live with after your mother died?”

  “My father.”

  We’re interrupted by a platter filled with different types of desserts being placed in front of us.

  “Don’t you want to discuss it?” She throws my words back at me.

  “No. I answered your question.” I cut off a piece of strawberry cheesecake with my fork and hold it out for her to open her mouth.

  “Just no?” She raises both eyebrows.

  I nod, and she takes a bite, scraping her teeth on the fork.

  “This child that your husband fathered, are you wanting to meet him?”

  “The only thing I want is to make sure he’s financially taken care of. He’s Drake’s son, and he should have his money.”

  “That’s very big of you.”

  “In my mind, it’s the right thing to do.” She picks up her own fork and scarfs down half a piece of cheesecake, and I polish off the other half and then delve into the rich chocolate cake.

  “My father,” I say between bites.

  “Your father what?” She stops her fork midway to her mouth.

  “He left the scars.”

  12

  Noa

  No wonder he’s so guarded. How could a father cause that kind of pain? “I honestly don’t even know how to respond to that without being full of disdain toward your father.” He lets go of my hand, and I draw it back into mine.

  “Disdain is a mild word compared to what I feel for my father.”

  “Do you still see him?”

  Way more than I’d like. “Not any longer.”

  “Good, because if I ever had to meet him, I’d scratch his eyes out.”

  He full on laughs. “I like this feisty side of you.” Then he grows serious. “But I wouldn’t be worth it.”

  I fold my finger under his chin and position him to look me in the eyes. For the first time, I see how deep-seated his pain really is. “Why would you say that?”

  “Because my heart is calloused.”

  “I don’t think that’s true. All I’ve seen from you is kindness…maybe a beast in bed,” I tease to lighten the moment.

  He scoots his chair back and walks over to the rail, gripping it with both hands, looking out over the dark water.

  Dabbing my mouth with my napkin, then tossing it on the table, I stand and stroll over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind him.

  “As much as you think you’re a bad man, all you’ve shown me is goodness.”

  “Stick around, and the ugly will come out.” He turns in my arms. “But I’m glad you see the good in me.”

  “If you look hard enough in the mirror, you’ll see it too.” I kiss the dimple in his chin.

  “What do you say we go back to bed?” he growls.

  I peek over my shoulder. “That lounge chair looks like a good place to curl up.”

  “I wasn’t talking about sleeping.”

  “Neither was I.” I let go of him, and as I pad over to the chair, I strip out of my dress and then curve a finger at him. “Come here.”

  “Have you ever ridden a Sea-Doo before?” We watch as his crew lowers one into the water.

  “Yes, many times. You do have two of them right? Otherwise, you’re riding bitch.” I smile.

  He holds up two fingers to the man lowering it to bring out another one.

  I shield my eyes from the sun. “Where are we?”

  “This area is called the West Hampton Dunes.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “This is the part of New York I love.”

  “Then you’d like Essex. Is the beach always this secluded, or did you pay to have it private for the day?” I elbow him in the side.

  “See that house on the end?”

  “The big white one?”

  “I own it. I purchased it a few years back, and I’ve never been inside.”

  “What?”

  “One of my trips out here in the yacht, I saw a for sale sign on the property, and I picked up my phone and purchased it from right here on this deck.”

  “How come you bought it if you didn’t plan on living in it or renting it out?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps I was waiting for the right reason to make it my own. Do you want to go explore it?”

  “Absolutely, I do.” I jog down to the platform where the Sea-Doos are and shred out of my cover-up.

  “Unless you want me to have a hard-on the entire day, you need to put that back on. I’ll gladly help you out of it once we are on the beach.”

  “I thought you wanted me in a barely there bikini,” I snort.

  “I do, but not when I can’t get my hands on you.” He straddles the Sea-Doo, adjusting the bulge in his crotch, and I put my cover-up back on.

  “I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable for the ride.” I wink, put it back on, and turn the key over. “I’ll race you,” I holler, taking off over the water.

  My heartbeat roars with excitement in my ears like I haven’t heard in years. The wind blowing in my face, and the salty mist of the water splashing against my skin, is exhilarating, and there’s a freedom to it. I make a sharp turn sending a wave of water over me, and then squeeze the handle and bolt by Ever, soaking him. He laughs and drives in a circle drenching me.

  “Two can play that game.” He’s all smiles, and it’s good to see him having fun rather than being so serious.

  We race to the beach in front of his house and dock the Sea-Doos in the sand. He spreads his fingers wide for me to take his hand. I love that he wants to touch me whenever he’s near me. He’s starting to feel like someone I don’t want to leave.

  “This is even more gorgeous up close and personal. I love the blue trim and the wraparound porch. It has an ocean view from every angle.”

  He digs a set of keys from his board shorts, and we stomp up the blue steps. The door hinges squeak in protest from the salty air.

  “You first,” he says, opening it.

  The old original floors are beautiful but in dire need of stripping and polishing. A large crystal chandelier hangs in the entryway. “This feels like a home you’d see in Cape Cod.” I run my hand along the white wainscot in the hallway, making my way to the kitchen with an island bar that runs the entire length of the room.

  “Wow!” I spin in a circle, taking it all in.

  He stands in the middle of the room with a single finger tapping his lip. “I was originally thinking I would modernize it a bit…”

  “Don’t you dare,” I cut him off. “If anything, you should restore it to its natural beauty.”

  He grins. “Any other suggestions?”

  I purse my lips and keep looking around. “If I made any changes to the original concept, I’d remove this wall and open up this space so the sun shines in here, and it would also give you the perfect view from this window.” I walk over to it and pull back the dusty curtains.

  “I like that idea. What I’d like even better is to see that bathing suit of yours now.” His stride in my direction is deliberate and sexy.

  “Don’t you want to tour the rest of the house?”

  “In due time.” He fists the hem of my cover-up in his hands and yanks it off of me.

  I’m breathless waiting for his next move.

  He runs his finger under the strap of my triangle top and pulls it down my arm, exposing my left breast, where he proceeds to plant his mouth. “You’re salty,” he mumbles, teasing my nipple with his tongue.

  My head falls back, soaking in the pleasure.

  “I love these,” he says, tugging at the strings on my hips and untying them. “Easy access.”

  The bulge in his board shorts is calling to me. I undo the white string and the velcro, setting his cock free and cupping him in my hand.

  “I don’t have a condom,” he growls.

  “I thought you were a Boy Scout.” I tease his lips, nipping them with my teeth.

  He picks me up, and I drape my legs around his waist as he walks with his hands cradling my ass until I feel my back slam against a wall. “You’re my heaven and hell.” His voice is heavy. “The time I spend with you is heaven. The thought of you leaving is hell.” In one slick move, he drives inside me over and over, hitting the spot he knows so well. It’s not slow and easy, but rather as if he’s trying to climb inside of me and claim me, and I let him.

  “You feel so damn good skin to skin,” he hisses.

  I detonate into a frenzied orgasm so quickly.

  “Shit!” he shouts and abruptly pulls out of me, grasping his dick and pumping until I feel warmth dripping on my stomach.

  I wrap my arms around his head, and he buries his face between my breasts. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen so fast.”

  “Don’t apologize. I love your passion.” I slide down his body and replace my bathing suit while he fixes his shorts and searches the kitchen for paper towels.

  “How about we tour the second floor?”

  As I wander up the stairs, I imagine the pictures that used to hang from these walls and want to know the history of the family who lived here. “Do you know the people that owned the house?”

  “It was an older couple. They raised their kids here, and when the man’s wife died, he said he couldn’t live here with all the memories. At least that’s what he told his realtor that sold me the place.”

  “I bet it was filled with lots of love.” I poke my head into one of the bedrooms. “This was probably one of his kid’s rooms. How many bedrooms are there?”

  “Five.”

  “Do you ever want children?”

  He stops walking. “I’m getting a little too old to start a family.”

  By the frown on his face, I don’t think that’s really what he was going to say. “Nonsense. You’re not that old.”

  He continues walking down the hall to the master bedroom. “I could see us making love in this room.”

  “You mean now?” I point at the floor.

  He peers at his crotch. “I think I need a little more recovery time. You’ve been wearing it out.” He glances up. “I meant in the future.”

  I swallow. “I thought we were keeping things casual.”

  “We are, but surely you’ll come for a visit every now and then.”

  Stepping up close to him, I brush a piece of hair from his forehead. “Is that what you want? For me to come visit?”

  He opens his mouth and shuts it, only to open it again. “Yes, and so much more, but I’m not in a position to offer you more.”

  I let my hand fall to my side with disappointment. He’s gotten under my skin in a short period of time, and part of me would like to see where things could go between us, but the other part of me is still in turmoil given what I’ve just learned about Drake, and not ready to risk my heart. “You could come see me in Essex.”

  His jaw flexes with something he’s not telling me. “Perhaps we could meet in the middle.”

  I resolve not to question him and return to exploring the house. We make our way downstairs to the deck overlooking the ocean. “I think if I owned this house, I’d never leave this spot. Imagine the sunrise, lounging in a bed swinging from this ceiling?”

  “We don’t have to imagine. I’ll have my staff bring over pillows and blankets, and we can sleep right here tonight.”

  “And give up the luxury of your yacht?” I snicker.

  “I’d sleep anywhere with you.”

  He says his heart is calloused, yet, he says the sweetest things to me. My heart aches at the thought of saying goodbye to him.

  13

  Noa

  Noa

  * * *

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you, Ms. Sutton.” One of Ever’s staff sets a carafe of coffee and one mug on the deck next to me.

  I stretch, feeling sore from sleeping on the ground and everywhere Ever claimed me under the midnight stars. “Where is he?” I sit, looking for Ever.

  “He received an urgent phone call and rode back to the yacht. He asked me to make sure you have everything you need.”

  “Is he coming back?”

  “Yes, as soon as he’s done. What would you like for breakfast? I can have it brought to shore for you.”

  “I’m good with coffee for now.” He fills the mug, handing it to me. “How long have you worked for Ever?”

  “I’ve been in Mr. Christianson’s direct employment for a year.”

  “What do you mean, direct employment?”

  “Up until last year, I worked for his family.”

  “So, you know them?” I tug the sleeping bag over my shoulders.

  “Yes. Is there anything else I can get you?” He clasps his hands in front of him.

  “Did you like working for his family?”

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss my previous employer, but I can tell you that Mr. Christianson is nothing like them, and he treats all his employees well.”

  His father must really be ruthless if they are instructed not to talk about him. I mean, I’ve witnessed the scars he’s left on Ever; it’s no wonder he wants nothing to do with him. “That’s good to know. Thank you. I don’t need anything else.”

  He nods and trots across the sand to the dinghy he drove to shore. Uncovering, I get to my feet and lean against the railing, sipping my coffee and watching the sky gradually bring in the colors of the day with faint pinks and oranges on the horizon.

  Last night with Ever was amazing. Never in a million years did I think when I came to New York this week that I’d be enjoying myself with a stranger or that I’d ever agree to a no strings attached relationship. He’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I feel renewed and not like the sad, lonely widow I’d succumbed to the past two years. He’s the push I needed to open up my heart again and feel like my life isn’t over. It’s given me the strength I need to confidently deal with the business at hand.

  After the sun has risen and Ever has still not returned, I meander into the house, envisioning what it would feel like to live here with him. Strangely, it comforts me, and that’s something I’d like to hold on to, but it will never happen. We live in two different worlds, and we’ve both made it clear that this thing between us is only temporary, yet somehow, he’s embedded in my heart.

  “Get your act together, Noa,” I scold myself. “This isn’t reality. It’s a temporary fix, and then you’ll go back home.” I head back outside and pour the rest of my coffee in the sand, and lay the mug on the deck. Trudging through the white sandy beach, I hop on the Sea-Doo and take it for a ride further down the island and pick up speed to ride the wake of a fisherman’s boat. I lose all track of time, thrilled to be out in the salty water and the warmth of the sun kissing my skin.

  I start to head back, and I see a Sea-Doo in the distance hauling ass in my direction with water shooting straight up from the tail end. I motor forward, realizing it’s Ever. He comes to a quick stop next to me.

  “Don’t ever disappear on me like that again.” His teeth gnash.

  “You were tied up, and I wanted to go for a ride.”

  “You had me worried sick!” he snaps and runs a hand through his wet hair.

  “What are you so upset about? When I woke up this morning, you weren’t beside me. You left to handle a call. Did something happen?”

  “I had business to take care of, and I made sure you knew where I was, unlike you who just left.”

 

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