Page 12 of Javier

“If you don’t try it, you’ll regret it, Memphis.” Sexual heat lit his eyes. The innuendo was deliberate.

Digging into a second eclair and taking in the scenery, Daphne missed the nuance. The diminutive woman sure could put away some food.

Memphis took a small bite of hers. Flavor and texture exploded in her mouth. A moan escaped her before she could stop it.Shit, shit, shit.She looked up, right into Javier’s eyes. The heat in them burned brighter and the corner of his mouth hitched up. He read her correctly. She was in trouble.

“I should leave you two.” Daphne’s focus moved from Javier to her. “After all, honey, Memphis has been waiting to see you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll catch Javier later.” Memphis watched his brows shoot up.

“If you say so, Memphis. I’m overdue for a ride on that bike of yours, Javi.”

“Mom, you’re not dressed for riding.”

“Son, when will you learn to not underestimate me? My gear’s in the Jeep. I’m going to go get it and change.”

Memphis and Javier sat in silence, watching each other. She broke eye contact first, stood, and walked to the railing. “It’s amazing here. I find it difficult to believe it’s yours.”

“Because?”

“It’s peaceful. Serene. You strike me as rough and broody.”

He chuckled derisively. “You think you know me. You have no idea who I am. Why are you here, Memphis?”

Footsteps sounded down the front steps. Daphne had left the bifold open when she had carried the tray outside.

“Mom used her key. She doesn't do that very often. Must feel that we need a few minutes alone, so let’s make it count.”

“I came to Torch River at my father’s request, just before he passed. I was famished when I arrived and stopped at the diner. I spoke with a lovely woman. Rose.” She paused as understanding surfaced. “Your sister from what I understand. So, also my father’s sister. More family ... Daphne mentioned that this morning. You're one of them too, aren't you? My father's brother.”

“I claim Rose as a sister. Your fatherwasa brother. It’s water under the bridge.”

So, it was as her father indicated—an estrangement. “Whywas?”

“Leave it, Memphis.

“I don’t want to leave it. And I’m going to bet that me showing up here has that water rising and you thinking about whatever happened to separate my father from his family.”

“Uh-uh. You tell me why you’re here. Your reservation is through the following weekend. That’s a long stay in the Narrows. Most people stay in the Cliffs if they’re here for any length of time.”

“How do you know about my reservation?”

“We’re a tight community, Memphis.”

“Pops wanted me to get help. As soon as possible. It was the first time he mentioned having a family, which shocked me. He did say he had fallen out of contact with them and to start with the gray wolf. I guess that’s you, but you’re more silver-haired, than gray. Why didn’t he just say Javier?”

“Javier is a common enough name in the Narrows. And only my kin knew the alias.”

“Okay, that makes sense. What’re the Cliffs?”

“He extended his arm and pointed in an eastern direction. Across the river.”

“Oh, I didn’t see a sign with ‘the Cliffs’ on it, like the one over here for the Narrows. I ate at the Overlook yesterday. I’m going to head to the Cliffs later and check out the shops. There’s a lot more commerce on that side of the river.”

“Yup.” He smirked and lounged deeper into the chair.

She stared at the flexing muscles as he stretched his legs, then realized what she was doing and looked up—right into brown eyes that were so dark, they were unreadable. But she felt it—the sexual tension sizzling between them, the dampness between her thighs, the pebbling of her nipples, and the rising of her pulse.Change the subject. “I need you come back with me.”

“To the inn? I don’t think Cissy would appreciate that.” He drawled, an amused glint flashing in his eyes. “We had a thing.”

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