“Balen!”

Monica slammed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing the shit out of him like they were long lost lovers reunited. To say he felt nothing would have been a lie. There were a lot of emotions churning inside him—resentment, disgust, betrayal... And when he glanced over the top of her head and saw that giant hole in his front window? Anger. A lot of anger.

Reaching up, he untangled her arms from behind his neck and peeled her off him. “What are you doing here, Monica?”

“What do you mean? Isn’t it obvious? I came here to see you. Balen, I want you back.”

Well, she never had been one to beat around the bush. For that he supposed he should be grateful. “And you thought throwing a rock through my front window was the best way to accomplish that?”

She glanced at the ground and bit her bottom lip before turning that remorsefully pathetic gaze back on him. It was one he’d seen too often and had grown immune to a long time ago. Sadly, there had been a time he’d fallen for her “poor me” act, bought it more times than any self-respecting man should’ve. Even now he couldn’t deny how stunningly beautiful she was. Unfortunately, it had taken him a while to realize that Monica’s beauty was only skin deep.

“Connor wouldn’t let me in. This is my house. You bought it for me.”

“Was your house. You lost the right to it when you started fucking Scott Cunningham.”

Cue the tears. And just like that he was glaring into two glittering emerald pools. Could he have been more tactful? Probably. But Balen was pissed. Monica was the last thing he wanted to be dealing with. Especially because he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d messed things up with Autumn.

“I made a mistake. Balen, I love you. I want you back. We were good together once.” Stepping into his space, she placed her hand on his chest and slowly ran it down his stomach, purring, “Maybe you just need a reminder of how good it was.”

He caught her wrist, stopping her descent before it could go any lower. Her touch did nothing for him anymore. The prickle of goosebumps crawling over his flesh like fire-ants was a mixture of revulsion and guilt. There was only one woman he wanted touching him and he’d unfortunately had to leave her bed to come deal with this shit.

“Apparently not good enough,” he snapped. She winced at his tight grip and struggled to pull her wrist free. He held on a moment longer than necessary before finally releasing her with a disgusted shove that sent her stumbling out of his personal space. “Monica, listen to what I’m telling you. We are never getting back together. And you coming over here, throwing shit through my front window, is not going to help anything.”

She shook her head in denial and took another step back, wiping at the big fat alligator tear rolling down her cheek. “No. I…I can’t accept that, Balen.”

“That’s not my problem, sweetheart. I’ve moved on and I suggest you do the same.”

Her emerald eyes snapped up to his and before she could lock it down, he saw that infamous flash of temper warning him they were about to go another round.

“There’s someone else, isn’t there? Are you seeing someone else?”

“Yeah, I am.” Perhaps it was unfair of him to use Autumn for his scapegoat. And given their conversation in the car a few minutes ago, it might not even be true anymore. But he’d say whatever he needed to get Monica off his front lawn and out of his life for good. The problem was, the words rang truer than Balen ever would have imagined.

“Who is it? Do I know her?” she demanded.

“No. She’s not a wave runner.” By the flash of hurt in her eyes, he knew the insult had hit its mark. But she let it slide. Possibly because she knew if she lost her shit, this conversation would be over.

“Do you…love her?”

“I think I might.” The confession made his chest feel tight and something inside there warmed, but he quickly dismissed it. He couldn’t be falling for Autumn. He hardly knew her. But he couldn’t deny they shared a connection. It wasn’t until she’d gotten on her knees that he’d realized just how strong that connection ran, and it wasn’t because she’d blown him. Every time he went to a competition, he had women lining up to suck his cock. He did casual sex all the time, so he was experienced enough to know that this wasn’t it. In the time he’d been separated from Monica, never once had his emotions gotten in the way of sex—until now—until Autumn.

“I’m not giving up on us, Balen.”

Oh, for crissake. Exhaling a sigh as he prayed for patience. “I really wish you would.”

“I love you.”

And the sad thing was, he believed her. She’d probably even loved him when she’d had another guy’s cock halfway down her throat.

“Balen, I made a mistake. Just tell me what to do to make this right.”

You could start by not throwing rocks through my living room window. “There isn’t anything you can do, Monica. It’s over.”

“Are you going to ruin my life over this? Over one mistake. It was one mistake, Balen.”

The longer he stood here, the more evident it became that he just couldn’t reason with crazy. Taking a step toward the Jeep, he held up his hands in surrender. “We’re done here. If your life is ruined, it’s been your own doing, Monica, not mine. I want you to leave. And if you ever do something like that again—” He pointed to the hole in his window. “I’ll call the police and I will press charges.”

Tears poured down her cheeks. He had to hand it to her, she was a pretty crier—the only woman he knew who could sob and look beautiful while doing it. Perhaps because she’d practiced it so much, it’d practically become a form of art.

“Go home, Monica.”

“This is my home.”

“Not anymore.” He didn’t want to be mean. He was so past this drama with her. Honestly, he should have thanked her, because if she wouldn’t have cheated on him, this was what he would have been saddled with right now. “Go back to Cunningham, Mon, before you fuck that relationship up too.”

He turned toward the Jeep and opened the door. As he was climbing inside, he thought he heard her say, “I already have.”

He turned the key and the engine fired up. Downshifting into reverse, Balen paused before lifting his foot from the brake and studied the woman he’d once thought he was in love with. It gave him no pleasure to see her broken. Maybe six months ago that wouldn’t have been the case, but now? Now he just felt sorry for her. “Do you want some advice? Because it’s the only thing I have to offer you.”

She wiped another tear away and nodded pitifully.

“Learn from your mistakes and stop repeating them. Quit being a wave runner, there’s no future in it. Go home to Bill and Cheryl and spend some time making the inside as beautiful as the outside. Goodbye, Mon.” Without waiting for a response, he backed out of the driveway.

* * *

I don’t want to get hurt, Balen.

Autumn stared at her phone, cursing herself for impulsively sending the message. This had to be a violation of the ground rules. Although getting emotional hadn’t specifically been stated, it was kinda implied with the whole don’t-fall-in-love-with-me pact.

No response. Or perhaps this was his response. In which case, message received loud and clear.

Autumn tossed her phone on the bed and checked the clock on the nightstand. The catamaran didn’t set sail for an hour and a half. If she got in the shower now, she’d have just enough time to get ready and walk the quarter mile down the beach where they were scheduled to depart. She wasn’t going to miss out on this sunset dinner cruise just because Balen suddenly had to leave. She’d go alone. After two years, she was used to it.

* * *

“Welcome aboard Cyprus Sunset Cruises.”

Autumn slipped on her sandals before stepping up the boarding plank. The captain took her hand, assisting her onto the boat, and a caterer handed her a glass of wine from the platter.

“Thank you.” She graciously accepted the glass and took a sip before continuing to the upper deck. It was less crowded there, probably because the bar was on the main level. Hopefully, it’d stay that way. She was looking forward to a quiet, relaxing cruise. She would probably pass on the dinner—she didn’t have much of an appetite anymore—but they could certainly keep the wine coming. Spotting an empty bench-seat toward the back of the boat, Autumn settled in as the Captain’s announcement came over the intercom that they would be departing in five minutes.

It was the perfect night for a cruise. The air was warm, the humidity low. A briny freshness salted the air with the exotic flora of hibiscus and plumeria. Billowy clouds painted the horizon, showcasing a pallet of pinks, purples, and oranges, promising it would be a spectacular sunset. The only thing missing was Balen. For what must have been the hundredth time, she pushed thoughts of him from her mind as she stared out at the water. Perhaps that wasn’t the best place to be looking, because everything about the sea reminded her of him. This wasn’t good, not at all. She couldn’t allow herself to develop feelings for him. But if the gnawing ache in her chest was any indication, she feared she was already too late.

The engines revved and the boat slowly pulled away from the dock. She exhaled a sigh and took another sip of wine. What was she going to do about this? About him? If she was smart, she’d end it before things got any more complicated. Maybe she was worrying about it for nothing and in Balen’s mind it was already over. She’d told him she didn’t want to get hurt and he hadn’t responded. Perhaps this was his way of gracefully bowing out of their “friendship.”

“Is this seat taken?”

Autumn startled from her muse and glanced up, surprised to see she was no longer alone. She hadn’t heard anyone approach. How long had he been standing there watching her?

“Balen? What are you doing here?”

His gaze swept over her, his expression giving away none of his thoughts. “What do you mean? I have a date with a beautiful redhead. I think she might be pissed at me, though.”

Oh, he was smooth—and gorgeous—and too charming for his own good. But she wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. Taking a sip of her wine, she casually asked, “Why do you think she’s mad at you?”

“Ugh…” he sighed dramatically, sitting down beside her. “Where do I start?” He held out his hand for her wine.

When she gave him the glass, he took a sip and then handed it back. “I hurt her feelings. I didn’t mean to. But, I’m pretty sure she thinks I don’t feel like she’s important.”

Autumn arched her brow in question and sipped her wine. With a bored tone she asked, “Where would she have possibly gotten that idea?”

At least he had the decency to look culpable. “I got her into my bed and then I ran out on her without any explanation. And I might have said that where I was wasn’t important.”

“Yeah, that would do it. Tough nubs and good luck getting back into her pants again.” Autumn drained her glass and stood up to leave, sliding between him and the table. She needed a refill—badly. And a change of scenery, because being this close to such a gorgeous view was messing with her willpower. Balen caught her arm, stopping her before she could walk away, and tugged her back down on his lap.

His forearm slipped around her waist, locking her against him, and there was no denying the very prominent bulge pressing against her backside. “The thing is,” he continued, as if she hadn’t tried to bail on him. “She that is important.”

Autumn turned her head and locked eyes with her captor. He shifted her sideways and reached up, tucking a chunk of hair behind her ear. Leaning in, he whispered, “I am sorry, Autumn.” His breath skated over her neck, sending a shiver down her spine and into the sensitive place nestled firmly against his erection. “Let me make it up to you.” His lips brushed over her neck, soft coaxing kisses no woman in her right mind would have had the willpower to resist.

“Balen… I don’t think this is a good idea—”

Autumn’s protest was cut off when he laid his hand on her thigh and slipped it underneath her sundress. His fingertips grazed the lacy barrier of her thong and a low growl chortled deep in his throat.

“I wholeheartedly disagree.”

“Balen, stop it. People will see us.”

He paused his oral assault on her neck to lift his head and scout out the situation, as if just now realizing they weren’t alone. People milled around the upper deck, a few were seated at tables like they were, but most of them were at the railing, looking out into the sea and admiring the blooming sunset. No one was paying attention to them tucked away at the back of the boat.

“They can’t see under the table.” Then, bringing his mouth close to the shell of her ear, he whispered, “Just don’t scream.” Without any further warning, he plunged two fingers deep inside her. Autumn’s breath hitched in her throat, a startled gasp that morphed into a soft moan that made Balen’s cock buck beneath her bottom. “Sweetheart… You’re already so wet for me.”

He wasn’t playing fair and he knew it. Ten minutes ago, she was prepared to tell him this needed to end, that she couldn’t see him anymore. And now pleasure overruled the threat of her broken heart. Though that may very well have been an inevitable outcome, it seemed worth the risk when compared to what Balen was offering her.

He knew right where to find her sweet spot, and quickly worked her into a hot mess. To anyone watching, it would appear that he was whispering a secret, but the things he was saying were no secrets. His thumb found the bundle of nerves at the top of her sex as his fingers withdrew and slowly pushed back in, over and over, setting an erotic rhythm that threatened to push her over the edge.

His mouth was at her ear, that deep husky voice telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved watching her come, coaxing her to let go. No one had ever spoken to her so wickedly before. She had never done anything like this in public, and although scandalously shameful, there was a part of her—a part Balen seemed to bring out of her—that reveled in the thrilling new experience of exhibitionism. Did she want to give all this up just to protect a heart that was probably already lost to him, anyway?

A tremor rippled through her, she was so close to coming. All the while, Balen whispered filthy things in her ear. Autumn had no idea she liked that sort of thing, but the sound of his voice, the dirty words coming out of his mouth, just about sent her careening into bliss.

“Come for me, baby. I wish my cock was buried inside you right now. So wet...and hot. I have never wanted anyone as much I want you, Autumn. Since the moment I first saw you. Never dreamed you would taste so good.”

Her heart raced. The pressure building in her core was unbearable, but still she struggled to hold on, not willing to cede her release to him. The nagging awareness of how very public they were, anchored her to the reality of what they were doing. As if he knew she was holding back, he renewed his verbal assault and turned his wrist just enough to—Oh my!

As Autumn’s orgasm ripped through her, Balen snagged a fistful of her hair, pulling her mouth to his, swallowing her cry and devouring the sound of her release. His kiss deepened as her channel gripped his fingers. He groaned into her mouth, or maybe it was more of a growl, but she felt the effort of his restraint, the echo of his own need becoming an unquenchable ache deep in her core. And that was the moment Autumn knew she was in serious trouble, because she would never get enough of Balen Kroft.