Page 45 of His Red Carnation

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Thank fucking God. But when Sloane walked in wearing tight leggings and a crop top, I felt like I was going to have another heart attack. I could barely look at her.

“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Sloane asked, glancing between the two of us.

“No, honey. Come in,” Jake replied.

She took the chair next to me, and I felt my cheeks burn red hot.

“Where’s your mom?” Jake asked casually, clearly unaware of how I was freaking the fuck out.

“She’s working on her laptop. I wanted to see if Callan could take me on a hike while we’re there. There’s so many good spots, right?” She turned to Jake, resting her elbows on the conference table.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. You still climb, Callan?”

“Yeah, not so much anymore. When I can,” I answered.

“Callan could win Olympic medals, Sloane. He rock climbs, boxes…you still do Jiu-Jitsu?” Jake asked, his curiosity evident.

I nodded. “Mmhmm. All that stuff. Gotta stay in shape as an old man,” I joked, sneaking a glance at Sloane for just a moment.

She giggled, and my dick twitched.Fuck.

“You guys aren’t that old,” she argued, almost flirtatiously; I wasn’t sure if she realized it or not.

“We’ll have to get back in the ring sometime for a friendly match. But I’m afraid you’d still kick my ass,” Jake continued.

I chuckled softly. “Fuck yeah, I’d kick your ass, old man.”

Just then, the pilot announced we were descending, interrupting our conversation.

“Alright. Let’s get buckled up,” Jake said, standing up and prompting Sloane and me to do the same.

I let out a sigh of relief. Would it always be this hard to be in the same room with Sloane and Jake together? Jake tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a brotherly side hug.

“Thanks again for being here, Callan. It’s good to have you around again.”

19

Sloane

Poor Callan was so tense on the flight to Martha’s Vineyard. I tried my best to give him space, but I caved in the last ten minutes just to check in on him. Of course he was fine, but I think I just needed to be near him.

We had only been to the house in Martha’s Vineyard a few times, and I was always amazed at its beauty. We pulled up the long driveway to the six-bedroom, two-story house that overlooked Katama Bay. It was an extravagant home nestled atop a green hill. From almost every window, you could see the bay. I just hoped Callan had the room next to mine, far from my parents’ bedroom.

Callan brought my bag into the house, slowly taking in the views. I stopped beside him as he gazed out the dining room window at the endless blue sea.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked quietly, our arms brushing against each other.

He quickly glanced down at our arms and shifted away just an inch. I knew he was trying to be careful, but it still stung a little bit.

“Not as beautiful as you, baby,” he said quietly, glancing around to make sure we were alone.

I rolled my eyes, suppressing a giggle behind a smile.

“Stunning views, huh?” Mom appeared beside us. “Callan, your room will be next to Sloane’s. Why don’t you show him the way?”

She eyed us carefully before moving on into the kitchen, where Dad was speaking loudly with his two bodyguards, Leo and Julian, who were casually sitting at the kitchen island.

“Follow me,” I instructed Callan.

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