Page 20 of Shades of You

So stupid.

When we’d discussed diving last night, the glimmers of an idea had formed in my head. How I could spend time with him and pay him back for his help at the same time—by submerging in a shared passion. But diving with Hunter was a complicated subject. Even though it was an activity we had loved doing back in the day, Hunter had terrible memories involved with diving. Evan’s accident had precipitated him leaving Calypso Key in the first place. And I didn’t want to know what his dives in the Marines had involved. But I couldn’t shake the idea that going diving with him could be the perfect way to ease some of those shadows from his eyes and help him remember how magical the watery world could be. After ensuring I could borrow dive equipment sometime to use with a friend I was careful not to name, Eli and I chitchatted until the dive boat’s motor indicated its return and he had to go help.

Leaving the dive shack, I allowed myself a moment on the pier. The sea stretching out before me was a reminder of the vast reaches beneath the surface, waiting to be rediscovered. Maybe diving was exactly what I needed to clear my own head. But for now, the intricacies of life above water called me back.

As I weaved through the resort to my car, I was reminded that although Siesta Sunset was home, it wasn’t my home. My home was a two-story structure on MainStreet. Except now I was denied even that. With a sigh, I headed back to Main Street. And Hunter.

The distant glint of a vehicle trailed behind me as I left the resort, and I glanced in the rearview mirror. The SUV was nondescript and blended in with the other tourist-packed vehicles—a testament to Garrett’s subtlety. Hunter’s friend had promised to be a shadow, and he’d lived up to that. If he’d been around while I was at the resort, I never saw him.

After parking next to Hunter’s sleek black SUV, I tapped on my phone screen, pulling up the security code he’d sent. The keypad beeped in compliance, then I entered to find the open office area empty and closed up for the evening. I ascended the stairs to his apartment with a flutter in my chest, but I couldn’t tell if it was anticipation or anxiety.

Hunter stood in the kitchen, the setting sun streaming through the window outlining his silhouette. He updated me on Knox, keeping his voice even, though I caught a hint of frustration as he discussed his search. Finally, he threw a hand up in apology. “I spent the whole day chasing down leads. Nothing yet.”

“Maybe he’s checked out and left the area.” My gaze fell upon the sizzling pan on the stove. The sight of Hunter cooking chicken breasts—just for me—coaxed a smile onto my lips, along with a warmth that had nothing to do with the heat from the burners.

“Figured I’d try to do better than pizza tonight.” He flashed a half-smile, his eyes softening before he turned back to the stove. “I went shopping this afternoon and stocked up. Hungry?”

“Starving, actually.” I accepted the glass of white wine he offered. The cool glass was a contrast to theheat that seemed to simmer every time I came near him. I perched on a stool, swinging one leg languidly.

“Do anything interesting today?” Hunter asked, his back to me as he tended to our meal.

“Just went home.” I hesitated. Home used to mean something simple and comforting. Now it was woven with complications. I took a sip of wine to help gather my thoughts. “The resort’s struggling a bit. Harper is doing her best, but… Everything is so complicated.”

“You didn’t tell your family you’re here with me?”

“No.” I traced the rim of the glass with my finger. “They wouldn’t understand. Not with everything that’s happened between our families.”

He snorted as he poured a bag of salad into a bowl. “More than that. They’d probably expect the worst from me.”

I didn’t bother to deny that. Many of the unsettling rumors about Hunter I’d heard over the years had been from the mouths of my brothers, especially Ben. Weren’t rumors supposed to be grounded in truth? I studied Hunter as he stepped around his small kitchen. He moved with incredible grace for a man his size, his actions economical and precise. He paused, utensils in hand, and turned to face me. Our gazes locked, and the air between us thickened, becoming charged.

“I’m not sure I could convince them that nothing’s going on between us.” My voice was firm, but the lie was brittle, crumbling under the intensity of his gaze.

“Nothing at all.” The corner of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to smirk or scowl—I couldn’t tell which.

The room seemed to shrink, bringing us closer even though we hadn’t moved an inch. My heart thrummed and a strong roll of desire unfurled within me, making it difficultto focus on anything other than the man standing across from me. Under the counter, I clenched my hand, trying to fight off the image of what his dark beard might feel like under my fingertips. And those muscles… tattoos…

“Let’s eat,” he said finally, breaking the spell as he plated our food.

After we sat at the table, I forked a bite of grilled chicken, the perfect sear flaking away under the tines. “You know, I’ve been thinking about this ridiculous feud between our families.”

Hunter’s dark eyes met mine from across the kitchen table, his hands still as he listened. They were large, capable hands that had probably seen more than their fair share of hard work. What other things had they done? What things could they do to me?

That hot roll came back, and I swallowed over a thick throat, getting back to the subject at hand. “It’s a century-old grudge holding us all back. I want it to end.”

He leaned back in his chair, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “I agree. It’s stupid, but not easily forgotten.”

“Maybe not.” I moved some pieces of lettuce around on my plate, then sighed. “I couldn’t even discuss what’s going on right now with my brother today. And that makes me sad.”

“I’m sorry. Hopefully, I’ll find Knox tomorrow. When I do, I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you anymore.”

I snapped my head up at that. Hunter answered with a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything illegal. But that asshole needs to understand that he’s not going to lay a finger on you ever again.”

The air hung heavy with implications and unasked questions. His presence was like a magnet, pulling me in despite every logical reason I should resist. It wasn’t just hislooks—though those could stop traffic—it was the aura that clung to him like a second skin.

With effort, I focused back on my plate. We ate in silence for a few minutes before I dared to sneak another glance at him. The way his black shirt stretched over his broad shoulders, how he’d roll his lips inward thoughtfully. The sheer maleness of him captivated me. What would it feel like to have those strong hands cup my face, to taste those full lips in a stolen kiss? The air around me warmed.

As the meal wound down, our connection seemed to solidify with each shared smile and lingering look. Yet the unresolved tension of our family legacies draped over us like a net.

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