I leave for San Diego at four o’clock and luck out with traffic. It still takes me two and a half hours to reach Point Loma from Malibu. By the time I find parking down the street from my brother’s new digs, I’m starving, my ass is numb, and I need to pee like no one’s business.

Grabbing the housewarming gift from the passenger seat, I hightail it to the front door. It’s open in welcome, framed by whimsical, blooming vines. Jazz music and voices drift toward me down a long, airy hallway. I hear Alex’s low laughter, followed by Thea’s teasing voice, and warmth expands in my heart.

Our mother’s death hit Alex the hardest—they’d had a unique bond, born of shared temperament. Deacon, Charles, and I take more after our father. Our feet stay on the ground and our heads ruled by logic. At least, I like to think so. My mother was a wonderful woman, but she was also impulsive, often ruled by her emotions.

Alex’s girlfriend, Thea Sands, is a perfect match for him. I knew it the second I met her and witnessed the strange, oddly electric connection between the two of them. Having stood helplessly by as Alex flew off the deep-end after our mother’s death, I’m extraordinarily grateful to Thea for bringing him back to life.

After making use of the half bath, I wander toward the back of the house. There are a handful of people in the open living-dining space, and several more on the wide deck outside.

Alex sees me and strides quickly across the room. He hugs me hard, squeezing the breath out of my lungs. My feet dangle an inch off the floor.

I choke out, “Put me down, you dolt.”

He chuckles and sets me on my feet, blue eyes just like mine sparkling with happiness. Of the four of us, Alex and I look the most alike. We were also the closest growing up. For these reasons and more, he’s my favorite brother.

“I’m so glad you could make it,” he says warmly, and turns toward the patio. “Thea! Candace is here.”

Thea makes excuses to her company—a dark-haired man I recognize from the opening of Alex’s San Diego restaurant—and walks toward us with a wide smile.

She stops beside Alex, uncertainty flickering in her expressive hazel eyes as she debates hugging me. Yep, she’s a thinker. For some reason, I’m reminded of Sebastian. The two have a similar presence—contained and watchful.

I make the decision for her, grabbing her into a hug and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for making an honest man out of my big brother.”

She blushes prettily. “Thanks for coming. Would you like some wine?” I nod, and she calls toward the kitchen, “Michael, will you pour a glass for Candace?”

I glance over to see the same man from outside now in the kitchen. His eyes find mine and he smiles, displaying dimples. Cute.

“Red or white?” he asks.

“Red,” I reply, grinning back at him.

“Easy, tiger,” murmurs Alex. “You’d chew him up and spit him out.”

I glance guiltily at Thea, who shrugs. “Michael’s made of pretty strong stuff.”

I smirk, eyeing the shoulders flexing under a navy sweater as he pours wine. “I’ll say.”

Alex groans. “You’re worse than most men, Candace.”

Thea adds softly, “I will say that, uh, Michael’s more of the serious commitment sort.”

“Damn,” I sigh, and laugh at Thea’s shocked expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my claws out of him.”

Tobacco and vetiver. Sebastian asks blandly, “Keep your claws out of who?”

He moves past me to hug Alex, then Thea. Lastly he turns to me, and I see the same watchful calculation in his eyes I glimpsed in those of my brother’s girlfriend. Jesus. Alex found the female version of his best friend.

“None of your business, Bellizzi,” I say, and make my escape. Michael meets me halfway across the room with a glass of wine. I take it and offer my hand. “I’m Candace, Alex’s sister. I think we met briefly at Hemlock’s opening.”

He nods, dimpling again. His brown eyes are warm and open, just a shade darker than his hair. “Michael Collins,” he says, clasping my hand. His grip is perfect, not one of those weak handshakes men sometimes give women. “I remember you. Nice to see you again.”

“You’re an architect, right?” I ask.

His eyes widen. “Good memory.”

“Near photographic, actually.”

“You don’t say? Is that a blessing or a curse?”

“It depends,” I say, smiling coyly. “So, are you helping with the remodel?” Alex bought the house primarily for the view of Sunset Cliffs, which Thea has a special love for. The sheer romance of it makes me gag a little. The place does, however, need serious updating.

Michael nods. “The kitchen and deck. The head of the firm, Matthew, is designing the rest of the house. Want to get some air?”

His swift redirection takes me by surprise, until I see his gaze flicker over my head. I glance back to find Alex, Thea, and Sebastian staring at us.

“Yes,” I say immediately, and follow Michael onto the back deck.

“That was… unsettling,” he says, laughing softly. “I take it your brother is protective?”

I laugh. “No, actually. Those looks were to warn you off me.”

His eyes widen and he takes a quick step back. “Are you an ax murderer?”

I laugh, but before I can reply, a dark voice says, “No, she just tears through men like tissue paper. And you, my friend, have caught her eye.”

I whirl on Sebastian. “What the hell!” I hiss.

Michael glances between us. “I’ll, um, leave you two alone.” He slips inside before I can stop him. Not that I have any idea what I might have said. Wait, don’t you want to be torn through?

Sebastian glowers down at me. “You’re out of control, Candace.”

I’m so fucking mad I can’t even talk. All I can do is glare at him and sputter. Sensing conflict, the occupants of the patio scoot inside.

I’m two seconds from flinging my wine in his face when he laughs. Laughs. And says, “Do you know that when you’re mad, the golden flecks in your eyes lighten? Like little daggers that might shoot out at me any moment.”

He catches my hand before I can throw the wine. Red liquid sloshes over our wrists. I gasp, having not been aware of my own intention.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The sunset gleams in his dark eyes, giving him a sinister aspect. “Don’t even think about it,” he whispers.

My anger fades, sucked down the drain of bafflement. “What on earth has gotten into you?” I ask, scanning his face. And me, for that matter?

His grip softens on my wrist. A thumb brushes over my pulse, making it spike. “It’s my turn, Candace. I’m sick of waiting.”

“Huh? Waiting for what?”

“To be inside you again.”

A volcano of lust erupts in my body, weakening my knees. My heart thunders in my throat. His eyes are so dark I can see myself in them. Small and pale.

A wave of fear grips me. Sebastian isn’t tissue paper—he’s a brick wall.

“No,” I rasp, then clear my throat roughly. “Sebastian. We can’t. Alex… and that’s in the past. Where is this coming from?”

I’m babbling but can’t control it. He’s staring at me like he wants to lick me from top to bottom. Or, knowing him, from bottom to top.

“Let me take you on a date,” he says softly. “A real date.”

I freeze, lightheaded with shock. From him, the simple request is a slap to the face. No—a sucker punch.

Eight years ago, naked and replete with me in a hotel bed, he’d said the same thing.

I’m moving out here next year, Candy. Will you wait for me? I’ll take you on a date. A real date. I’ll buy you flowers, dinner, whatever you want. Just promise me you’ll wait.

Tearful at the prospect of saying goodbye, I’d eagerly promised to wait for him. And I had. Even when, after a month, he stopped returning my phone calls. I waited seven long months, until Alex casually mentioned Sebastian’s new girlfriend.

“You’re a son of a bitch, you know that?” I ask him now.

I see the moment he realizes what he said—his eyes shift away from mine, expression pinching. I pull my hand from his and turn toward the balcony. Taking a long swallow of wine, I stare at the spectacular sunset. Orange. Magenta. Red and gold. There’s nothing quite like sunsets in Southern California.

“Candace—”

“Leave me alone,” I grind out. “We don’t need to air this dirty laundry. Ever. Just let it rest.”

His heavy sigh flutters the hair on my nape. I idly consider chopping it shorter than its current shoulder-length. Maybe a smooth shave. At least then I’d never have to feel his breath in my hair.

I listen for his departure. His shoe creaks on the deck. I melt with relief, then stiffen as his hands come down on the railing to either side of me. I’m encased, enveloped by his heat and scent. Vulnerable and small. Defenseless.

His head drops beside mine, lips in line with my ear. “I’m not giving up,” he whispers.

A step forward brings his body against mine. Hard against soft. I feel him, thick and virile through his pants, and can’t stop the small noise that squeaks from my throat. Only one man has ever been able to strip me of all power.

Then I remember that I’m not the same, stupid girl I was at twenty. And Sebastian needs to learn what happens when you play with fire.

I arch my back a little, providing friction that makes his breath catch. “Is this what you want, Bast?”

“Yes. No. I want to take you on a date.”

“No dates, Sebastian. Let’s not fool ourselves. There’s only one thing we’re good at. Besides fighting, that is.”

“Candace—”

“You know where I live,” I cut him off. “I’ll leave the front door unlocked. Bring condoms. I ran out yesterday.”

He makes a strangled sound between a laugh and a groan. “Vicious woman,” he whispers.

You made me this way.

“Take it or leave it.”

Alex’s confused voice shatters the moment. “What’s going on out here?”

Sebastian steps back as I turn with a smile for my brother. “Just admiring the sunset.”

He frowns, clearly unconvinced. “Well, get your asses inside. Dinner’s ready.” With a final, searing glance, he disappears into the house.

I take a sip of wine and watch a muscle tick in Sebastian’s jaw. He’s irritated and aroused, a thrilling combination.

We definitely aren’t children anymore.

“So?” I question lightly.

“If we weren’t standing on your brother’s deck, I’d bend you over right here.”

Glad to be leaning on the railing, I merely lift a brow. “Is that a yes?”

His eyes scan my face, burning a path to my mouth. “God help me, yes.” He glances at his watch and takes a step toward me. His body vibrates with suppressed need, so much that I quiver. “One o'clock. I want you naked in bed, wet and ready for me. The first round is going to be hard and fast.”

He spins on his heel and stalks into the house.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, squeezing my thighs to relieve the sudden pulsing between them.

What did I just do?