I LOOKED DOWN at my cell phone, then back up at the huge house in front of me. Hailey had texted me her address, but this couldn’t be right. This house was huge. I bet it wasn’t even called a house. It was probably called an estate or something. There’s no way a barely employed twenty-two year old lived here. I double-checked the text then turned my Wrangler onto the huge circular driveway, parking next to a car that cost more than what most people made in a year.
I was second-guessing my wardrobe choice now. I’d thought I was meeting a broke young mom and had dressed down in a slate blue slub-knit tank and khaki shorts. My toenail polish was flaking, my cheap Old Navy flip flops had seen better days, and I wasn’t wearing any makeup. Oh well, too late to do anything about it now. I texted Hailey that I was outside, then shouldered my camera bag and headed for the steps leading to the front door.
Before I could ring the bell, the door swung open, and Hailey appeared. A Jack Russell terrier flew around from behind her and jumped against my legs, demanding to be noticed. Bending down to pet the hyper dog, I spied a cute redheaded toddler peeking from the doorway. He was wearing a navy polo, plaid shorts, and a bucket hat, his thumb stuck firmly in his mouth. He was adorable.
“You’re here!” Hailey cried, jumping up and down.
One side of my mouth tugged up. “I am.” I stayed in my crouch and looked at Cody. “Hey, buddy. I’m here to take some pictures of you for Daddy. We’re gonna have some fun today.”
Cody took a few steps to Hailey and hid behind her legs.
Hailey laughed and scooped him up, balancing him on her hip. “He’s always shy at first. Give him twenty minutes, and you won’t be able to get him to hush. And the furball sniffing your toes is Edison.”
Giving Edison one last pat, I stood up. “No problem. I don’t have any other plans this morning except for you guys. In fact, Cody, I brought a present for you. Want to come with me to get it?”
He looked at me, then at his mom, then back to me. Finally, he unwrapped his chubby little arms from around Hailey and reached for my hand. Giggling, I took Cody, settling him on my own hip and handed Hailey my camera bag. “Come on, buddy, we have to go back to my car. I’ve got balloons!”
Cody’s eyes lit up. “Bawoons?”
Hailey and the Jack Russell followed us down the steps, and I grabbed the ribbons to the dozen blue helium balloons I had bought that morning. Motioning for Hailey to get the child-size white chair I had thrown in the back as well, we edged around the property to the backyard.
“So, Hailey, you live here?”
Hailey snorted. “Not what you were expecting, huh? This is my grandparents’ house. My parents didn’t want me living with them anymore because of the whole baby-before-marriage thing. They felt like it tarnished their perfect image or something. Whatever. I’d rather be here with my grandparents anyway. Plus, Wyatt and West are here. And Adam feels safer knowing Cody and I are surrounded by family while he’s away.”
“Where was home?”
“Chicago. But the three of us always spent our summers here, so this feels like home too. That’s why Wyatt picked here to live after college—it felt like home, and it was far from Mom and Dad.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You guys don’t like your parents?”
“It’s not that. They were fine as parents. Not spectacular, but not bad. They made sure we always had the best of everything. It’s just that they required us to maintain a certain image, and Wyatt rebelled against that the most. He hated all the dinner parties and things we did because it was expected. He just wanted to be him. So as soon as he finished school, he came here and never looked back.”
“So your parents cut him off?”
“No. We all have trusts. After college, we get yearly stipends as long as we’re gainfully employed. So basically, as long as we’re not sitting on our asses, we’re golden. Wyatt used his money to open the bar. Figured he was there enough, he might as well own it.”
“And West too, right?”
She hesitated. “Not quite. West is our half-brother. We have different dads. He tried to join the family business in Chicago. Went to Wharton, got his MBA. He played by the rules, jumped through all the hoops, was being molded into this perfect little clone of my Dad. I’m not sure what happened, but about a year ago he showed up here. Said he was sick of it all and was going to do his own thing his way. He runs a small charter fishing company.”
“So he used the trust money for start up?”
Hailey shook her head. “He refuses to use his trust money for himself. Said he doesn’t want it. So he dumps it all in Wyatt’s bar. Wyatt wouldn’t just take it though and made West a co-owner. West uses his half of the bar’s profits to run his company. That’s why he’s living with Wyatt too—because he won’t touch their money.”
Well, that explained why Wyatt was in the kitchen when I woke up in West’s bed. “And what about you?”
“I’m still in college, so I don’t have any restrictions on my trust right now. I’m taking some business classes. Just a few each semester because of Cody, but I want to be like my brothers—independent. I’m trying to start up a jewelry company.” She shyly held up her wrist so I could see the bracelets hanging there, braided cord with a nautical feel.
Wait a minute . . .”West wears some of your work, doesn’t he?”
She blushed. “Yeah. He’s sweet about it and tries to support me. He’s trying to teach me about networking and commission sales. Maybe reaching out to some of the tourist shops on the nearby islands.”
“That’s a great idea, Hailey!”
She nodded. “I’m still working on product design and building up an inventory. We’ll see.”
We walked past a pool, a separate pool house, and a wide, curving stone patio with an outdoor fireplace before reaching an open spot. The grass was perfect—not one weed to be seen. Cody was climbing on the chair we had set in the middle of the yard, tugging on the balloon strings we tied to the back of it. I took out my camera and started snapping some candids while we talked. “So West fishes for a living?”
“Basically!” Hailey laughed. “He always says he has the best life now. He gets paid to take rich guys fishing. He does a bunch of those tournament things too, out of Charleston. You know, ten thousand dollars to the guy that catches the biggest mackerel or whatever.”
I lowered my camera, stunned. “There are contests where people can earn five figures for catching a fish?”
“I know. Crazy, right? But some of these guys get super competitive about it. They think using a local guide with insider knowledge of the best spots will guarantee them a win. Too much money and too much free time, if you ask me.”
I raised the camera again and went back to shooting Cody, who was wrestling with Edison now. Edison was very tolerant. My mind was on West, though. He hadn’t mentioned his business to me. He had let me think he was just a bartender. I wondered why.
Putting West out of my head, I focused on my photo shoot. We undressed Cody until he was just wearing his shorts and hat and then posed him with the balloons and the chair. I got a bunch of Hailey and Cody together. Them lying on the ground with their heads together but their feet going in opposite directions, so that one of them looked upside down. Some of Hailey throwing Cody up in the air, with Cody surrounded by the puffy clouds that were meandering across the sky. A few of them together with Edison, laughing and playing on the perfect lawn. Hailey had even made one of those cakes that looked like a giant cupcake, and we got a bunch of great shots of Cody diving into that, with Edison right there with him getting covered in blue frosting. Just sheer cuteness everywhere.
After cleaning up the worst of the cupcake mess, I showed Hailey some of the raw photos. I still had to edit everything, and they would look better when I was done, but it would give her an idea of what I’d captured that day. Cody was setting the balloons free one at a time, watching each one dance its way up to the clouds, getting smaller and smaller until he couldn’t see it anymore, and then he’d let go of another one. “Bye bawoon,” he called, waving as one twisted away on a breeze, pulled out over the water.
I was packing my camera away when two couples and a young woman walked around the corner of the house, gesturing to the huge lawn spread between the mansion and the ocean. Hailey waved at them, and the older lady waved back. They were too far away for us to hear them as they stood at the corner, deep in discussion.
“The older couple is my grandparents,” Hailey said. Hailey’s grandmother was stylish in a summery dress with a wide-brimmed hat topping her gray hair. “And that’s the Perottis with them. Aubrey is the same age as Wyatt.”
Glancing over again, I studied Aubrey. She looked exotic, with olive skin and dark, glossy hair. She was dressed in white linen pants and a shiny high-necked navy top that left her arms bare. She looked like Yacht Club Barbie. Her parents looked like they had just stepped off the tennis court. I scanned my frosting-smeared tank and shorts and patted my haphazard bun, feeling inadequate.
The group was headed our way, and I stood, cursing myself again for not dressing nicer. As they got closer, Aubrey’s tasteful gold jewelry flashed in the sunlight. Her hair was pulled back into a classic French twist, not one strand out of place, even with the ocean breeze. I wondered if perfect girls like her ever did normal things, like sweat or get a pimple. Probably not.
When Cody saw his great-grandma, he went running. She bent down and scooped him up, cuddling him close, heedless of the blue frosting still smeared in a few places. I instantly relaxed, that action alone telling me what kind of woman she was at heart. Separating herself from the group, she walked over to us, assessing our messy outfits and the two balloons still tied to the chair. “So I take it the photo shoot this morning was a success, dear?” she asked Hailey, warmth evident in her tone.
“Oh, Grandma, just wait until you see what Sadie’s done! She’s amazing!” Hailey gushed. “Sadie, this is my grandmother. Grandma, this is my new friend I was telling you about, Sadie Mullins.”
The elegant gray-haired woman reached her hand out to me. “You can call me Margaret, dear.” I took her soft hand in mine. She had a firmer grip than I expected.
So this was the grandma West kept mentioning.
I couldn’t help but smile at her, genuinely pleased to meet her. She seemed like the type who would keep her grandkids in line.
“Your house is beautiful,” I said.
She smiled. “You’re welcome here anytime.”
Hailey reached for Cody and nodded toward the others. “What are the Perottis here for?”
Margaret glanced back at the well-dressed group. “We’re having an early meeting about the gala.”
“What’s the gala?” I asked.
Hailey rolled her eyes. “Every year Grandma and Grandpa host the annual Sailing Regatta Gala. It’s where everyone on the island with money comes to see and be seen.”
Margaret tsked. “It’s not that bad, Hailey. You know we raise a lot of money for charity every year. Anyway, this year Aubrey is the event organizer. She wanted to come look over the space and start brainstorming.”
Hailey snorted. “Sure. That’s why she wanted to come over.”
Margaret gave her a quelling look. “I expect you to behave.”
“Always.” Hailey batted her eyelashes.
After giving Hailey one last stern look, Margaret drifted back to the other group.
We picked up the rest of the props and then started herding Cody and Edison back around the other side of the house. We were just passing the pool when an unmistakable deep bay filled the air. We both paused and turned to see General Beauregard loping into the yard from the far side, announcing his arrival. Not far behind him were Wyatt and West. I glanced at Hailey. “Well, this should be interesting,” she murmured.
Cody spotted his uncles. “Wy!” he called out, turning toward them. He started tottering in their direction, Edison dancing around him. As he rounded the pool, he picked up speed, startling Edison, who tried to dart in front of him. Edison yelped and tumbled, tripping Cody. As Cody pitched forward, his momentum carried him into the deep end of the pool with a small splash.
Hailey screamed, and the sound spurred me into action. Dropping the chair and my camera bag at my feet, I darted toward the pool, stepping out of my flip flops as I ran. Across the yard, I briefly registered West and Wyatt charging in our direction.
I reached the side of the pool and dove into the water, heading straight for the bottom where Cody’s red hair waved at me. Kicking hard, I swam frantically to reach him, his little body putting up no resistance when I wrapped my arm around his chest. I pushed off the bottom, propelling us both to the surface. As soon as our heads popped up by the stone-lined border, strong arms were reaching down to pull first Cody, then me out of the water.
I gripped the lip of the coping, and my feet dangled in the water as I hunched over, pulling air into my lungs and trying to catch my breath. My pulse was racing from adrenaline and fear. Wyatt and West were both bent over Cody, their bodies blocking my view, but after a few heart-stopping moments, I heard the sweetest sound ever—Cody coughing. I lay back on the warm pool deck and closed my eyes in relief. Thank God he was okay.
A minute later, I heard Cody’s weak voice. “Mama?”
Hailey, crying hysterically, gathered him in her arms and rushed inside.
From behind my eyelids, the sun turned to shadow, and I squinted up at it. West was hovering above me, concern etched across his face. “Are you okay?”
I rose up to my elbows and realized the rest of the group had crowded around. “I’m fine.” West reached a hand down and pulled me to my feet. I stood there awkwardly, my bun flopped to one side and dripping down my shoulder, a puddle forming at my bare feet.
Margaret rushed forward and embraced me, soaking the front of her dress. “Sadie, my angel, you saved my baby!” Her voice caught on a sob, and her husband took her shoulders and drew her into his arms.
I shrugged. I hated this part of being a lifeguard. The overcome parents, thankful a crisis had been averted. I wasn’t anything special, and I hated being the center of attention. I was just doing my job. I managed a relieved smile. “I’m just glad I was here.”
A breeze whipped by us, and I shivered. Warm fingers tugged on my elbow, and West pulled me toward the pool house. “C’mon. Let’s get you a towel and some dry clothes.”
I followed him, grateful to escape. Inside, West dug around in a closet and came back with two thick towels. I wrapped one around my shoulders. “Why don’t you jump in the shower and warm up?” he suggested. “I’ll run inside and grab some clothes from Hailey for you.” He pointed to a closed door that I assumed was a bathroom, and I nodded, moving toward it. “And Sadie?” I stopped and looked back over my shoulder at him, clutching the towel around me. He smiled. “Thanks for saving my favorite nephew.”
“Anytime,” I whispered. We looked at each other, and something seemed to pass in the air between us. Something electric and alive and shimmering. I shivered again, but not from cold this time.
Shutting myself in the bathroom, I leaned against the door. I took a slow, deep breath and closed my eyes. I had to be imagining things. All that adrenaline coursing through my system was making extra neurons fire, making me feel things that weren’t real. Exaggerating gratitude into something more. After stripping off my wet clothes, I dumped them in the sink and then took the world’s fastest shower, using whatever random toiletries were in there. I wrapped one towel around my head, the other around my body.
Opening the bathroom door, I peeked out. West was leaning against the wall just outside. He straightened and handed me an armful of clothing. “Here. These should work. And Hailey said thank you times a million.” He gave a crooked grin.
I took the clothes and retreated into the bathroom again. “Thanks for getting these for me,” I called through the door. “I wasn’t looking forward to driving home in wet clothes.”
West made a sound I couldn’t interpret. Spreading out what he’d brought me, I surveyed it. An oversized Nike tee, matching shorts, bra, and underwear. I took one look at the bra and tossed it aside. It was way too big for my B cups. The rest looked like it would work. I dressed quickly and then towel dried my hair. I didn’t see a brush and had to settle for finger combing the best I could. I checked my reflection. With my hair still damp, I was a bit chilled, and my hard nipples showed through the t-shirt. I hunched my shoulders. It sort of helped. I wrapped my wet clothes up in one of the towels and left the other hanging over the shower curtain rod. Upon opening the door, I stepped out and walked into West, who hadn’t moved from his position. My arms holding their wet bundle pressed into his stomach, but he didn’t move back. Instead, he reached for the towel and took it from me, setting it on a chair behind him.
“Tell Hailey thanks for the clothes. I’ll wash them and get them back to her soon.”
“I’m sure that’s the last thing she’s worried about right now.”
“Oh, I left the bra in there. It was . . . not the right size.”
His eyes dropped to my chest, and I hunched my shoulders more when my nipples tightened in response. He lifted his heated gaze back to my face, and his lips quirked up on one side. “I have to admit, once I knew Cody was okay, I kinda liked the wet t-shirt look on you.”
I took a step to the side. “I’m sure you did,” I replied.
He took a step to match mine, and I was pinned between him and the wall. He leaned closer, and his breath fanned over me, sending small tingles up and down my spine. “Well, if I’m being truthful, I liked the way they looked naked the best. And, Sadie, they are definitely the right size.”
His hands settled low on my hips, and I stopped breathing for a moment. “Were you spying on me in the shower?” I asked in confusion, my voice sounding breathy.
He leaned down until his lips were by my ear. “Not here. My house. The other night.”
“I thought we didn’t have sex that night.”
“I might have been too much of a gentleman to take advantage of you when you were drunk, but I’m only human. I couldn’t help sneaking a peek when I changed your shirt.” His thumbs rubbed lazy circles against the points of my hip bones. He leaned back, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Before I could come up with a response, his lips were on mine. It was just a gentle brush, an introduction. One soft sweep then back again. I sighed. His lips curled up in a grin and his fingers dug into the top of my ass. Settling his mouth more firmly against mine, he kissed me again. This time, he was thorough, learning the shape and contour of my lips, tracing the curve of my bottom one with his tongue before tugging on it with his teeth. He made a noise deep in his throat, and one of his hands coasted up my side to cup the back of my head, tilting me for better access.
Our lips clashed, and I twisted a handful of his shirt in my hand, using it to pull him closer. His hips pressed me against the wall, letting me feel how much the kiss affected him. Slowing the pace, his lips journeyed from my mouth, over my jawline, to the tender spot below my ear. I moaned and rocked against his hardness, dampness gathering between my legs. Desire made me dizzy. His breath was fast and harsh against the side of my neck, and his hand still gripped my hip, his fingers flexing. I tipped my head to the side, and his tongue had started a path down my neck when we heard the creak of the door opening.
West jerked away from me, stepping into the bathroom to grab the towel I had left hanging. I leaned against the wall, too unsteady to move. Aubrey poked her head in and saw me then turned to West as he emerged from the bathroom, holding the balled-up towel in front of him. Covering his anatomy, I noticed. I bit my lip to hide my grin.
“I better get back out there and help Wyatt. We’re moving a sofa around for Grandma. Thanks again, Sadie. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Funny,” I called out as he neared the door.
As he moved past her, Aubrey grabbed his arm and leaned close, talking to him in a hushed voice. West paused then shook his head. Aubrey spoke more adamantly, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. West’s jaw hardened, and he glared at her before giving a stiff nod. As he moved out the door, Aubrey’s hand trailed down from his elbow to his wrist. My stomach rolled. It seemed like an intimate gesture, yet he hadn’t seemed happy to see her.
She walked across the room to me. “I just wanted to make sure you were all right. We haven’t been introduced, but I’m Aubrey Perotti. And I would have been devastated if anything had happened to little Cody, so thank you again for, let’s just say, being in the right place at the right time.” Her husky voice had a slight accent. Of course it did.
“I’m just glad I could help,” I said.
“And I’d like to return the favor, if I may.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
“You’re a photographer, correct? I’d like to hire you. Hailey was singing your praises, and I trust her. Have you ever done . . . boudoir photography?” Her voice dropped at the end, like she was sharing a secret. “I’ve always wanted to have some shots made, you know, while I still have the body for it. And if I like your work, I’ll be sure to whisper your praises in the right ears to make sure you have plenty more jobs headed your way.”
“Why me?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.
She laughed. “Partly because I don’t know you well. Somehow, stripping down seems easier in front of a stranger than with a friend, yes? You’re a photographer, you must understand that. And, like I said, I want to do this now, while I’m young. While I still have the body and haven’t lost my nerve. I’ll pay you three grand. Is that enough?”
My eyes widened at that number, and I looked her over more objectively as a possible subject. There was no denying she was beautiful. Her skin was flawless, her curves lush without being trashy. She would photograph well, as I’m sure she already knew. And, as coordinator of that gala thing Hailey was talking about, she was no doubt telling the truth about her connections and pull. Not a good enemy to make by refusing. Plus, three thousand dollars? Yeah, I could use the money.
I ground my teeth before forcing a smile. “When would be a good time for you?”
“Are you free tomorrow? Just after lunch? I’ll text you the address.”
I recited my number, and she programmed it into her phone, which was covered with pink crystals. “Well, I’m sure you want to get home and get . . . cleaned up.” Her eyes raked over me with frank disapproval. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait,” I muttered under my breath to her retreating back.
I was almost done loading the Jeep when West snuck up behind me and boxed me against the driver’s door with his arms. “Do you have plans for tonight? Have dinner with me.”
I turned and found myself only inches away from him. He smelled slightly of sweat from whatever he’d been doing for his grandma, and he was short of breath, like he’d run to get to me. I liked it.
I put one finger over his chest. “I can’t. I’m going out with Rue and Theo tonight.” I drew my hand down, letting my finger trace over his abs. His shirt was damp and sticking to his skin, and his muscles tightened with my touch.
He growled. “Skip it.”
“No.” He stared at me like he couldn’t believe I’d turned him down. “Look, you want to go out with me, give me some notice.”
“I just did.”
“Five hours is not notice.”
“Fine. Where are you going?”
“Why?” I teased. “Planning on crashing?” His checks turned a bit red, and I laughed, a real laugh. “I don’t know. It’s Theo’s turn to pick. Better luck next time.” I patted him on the cheek and slipped out of his loose hold, opening the car door.
His hand grabbed the frame as I went to shut it. His eyes flashed as he looked at me, and he opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but then he shook his head.
Neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. The air around us felt charged with heat and anticipation. Finally, he closed my door and backed away, watching me the whole time.
As much as I felt drawn to him, a part of it scared me. It felt like too much too soon, like a firework, all bright and shiny and exciting, but with no staying power. If I was smart, I’d remember it wasn’t safe to play with matches.