Page 54 of The Lightkeeper

I inhaled slowly and let my gaze drift to her. Aurora. She had on a long, loose skirt, the shade of rusty autumn leaves, a cream blouse that hugged her chest in a way that made me want to rip it off of her, and a bright blue bow tied like a headband. She was deceptively captivating. The kind of woman who thought she didn’t draw any attention but captured the whole room the moment she walked into it.

Lou pulled her in for a hug, the two of them bouncing as they embraced as though they’d known each other for a lifetime rather than a couple of weeks. Maybe that was how my family was, but it was also Aurora. She was just so damn warm and inviting and honest… it was impossible to not want to get close.

Ahand clapped me on the shoulder, and my head turned so fast I was surprised my neck didn’t snap. Adrenaline pounded my heart.Panic.

“Hey, Kit.” Nox grinned at me, and I swallowed down the bile in my throat, willing my heart to steady.Dammit.

And in that split second, her words swept through my mind like a stroke of fresh paint.Even the brave were once afraid.Bright white brilliance to cover up the inky dark shades of fear.

“Hey,” I rasped.

“So good to see you, man. Really.”

I managed a grunt in agreement. Nox Hamilton was our cousin on Mom’s side. He was thirty, his older brother, Max, was a year older than him, and Harper, their younger sister, was only twenty-four. Nox worked with his dad, our uncle George, and Mom at Stonebar Farms. Max owned MaineStems, a flower delivery service, up in Stonebar Harbor, and Harper… was still figuring out her passion in life.

If I thought the zing of adrenaline was startling when he’d come over, it felt like nothing compared to the electric burn that pumped through me when Nox turned his attention to Aurora.

“Hey, I’m Nox, Lou and Kit’s cousin.” He introduced himself before anyone else had the chance and extended his hand.

“Aurora Cross.” She slid her fingers into his, and my world started to narrow.

His smile widened. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You were in the truck with Kit the other day.” He pointed a finger at her, recognition dawning.

Aurora’s cheeks stained red.My very own warning.“Y-yeah.” Her head bobbed, her curls shifting around the bow in her hair. “He was giving me a ride to the hardware store. I needed another container for my samples.”

“Frankie was just telling me that you’re researching at the lighthouse for a semester? That’s pretty cool.”

Her eyes lit. “Oh, you have no idea. The ecosystem in the Gulf of Maine, especially along the coastline is so unique, I could spend years cataloging all the details.” Without hesitation,she delved into her studies of coastal marine life, the excitement on her face drawing everyone in.

On any given day, I’d wager with decent certainty that Nox Hamilton didn’t care about waved whelks, purple sun stars, or green sea urchins, but like the rest of my family—and me—it was impossible not to be interested when Aurora spoke about them. Her energy was contagious. Warm, bright, and infectious. Like the sun, it was impossible to not crave her glow.

Nox’s easy smile canted higher on one side. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so interested in biology before. Or urchins.”Or her,I could practically hear as he folded his arms,stared at Aurora, and then turned to me, the look on his face making the hair on my arm stand on end. “So, are you two a thing?” he asked nonchalantly.

Goddammit.

“No,” I growled, just as Aurora looked to me for an answer.

“No,” she echoed, but there was no mistaking the slightquiver in her voice.

“Nox!” Lou swatted his arm.

“What?” He flinched and laughed. “A man’s got to know if he can offer the lady another drink.” I’d never wanted to punch my cousin more than when he extended his arm toward the kitchen, inviting Aurora to lead the way.

She looked at me first, waiting to see if I’d say or do anything to stop her, but I didn’t because I couldn’t. It would send the wrong message to her and my family. It was bad enough we’d rode over from the lighthouse together—something I justified because we’d both been working all afternoon.

“Keep an eye on him. He pours heavy,” was all I could manage.

Aurora’s eyes fluttered like they could sweep away the flash of pain in her eyes, and I pretended like they did.

“Not me. That’s Max.” He looked at Aurora and explained, “My older brother. He’s in the kitchen, so I’ll introduce you.”

They walked off together, each of Aurora’s steps feeling like a swift kick to the gut.

It didn’t matter, I told myself, repeating the words like a chant in my head. It didn’t matter that I’d left my mark over her lush curves earlier this morning when I’d painted her breasts with my cum. It didn’t matter that I’d had her ride my face until she’d drenched my beard and screamed my name. We were just experimenting, and in a few weeks, that research would be over.

She would be gone. Things would be normal again. Dark and lonely and normal. And that was why it didn’t matter if she went off with my cousin right now. The more reminders I had that she wasn’t mine, the better.

“You shouldn’t have let him do that,” Lou chided softly once they were out of earshot.

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