Page 25 of North

“Maybe,” she said, her blue eyes gleaming as she zipped up her suitcase. “But I don’t think so.”

I shook my head, trying to ignore the way her words wedged themselves into my thoughts. “You’re wrong.”

She didn’t argue, just shrugged and shot me a small, almost pitying smile. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”

The door opened before I could respond, and Victor strolled in like he owned the place, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips despite Summer’s strict no-smoking rule in her room. “Ready, princess?” he drawled, blowing a plume of smoke toward the ceiling.

Summer groaned, snatching the cigarette from his mouth and crushing it in her hand. “Seriously, Vic? I just washed my sheets.”

Victor smirked, unbothered, and leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes flicking to me. “You’re awfully quiet, Harley. Don’t tell me you’re going to miss us.”

“Not even a little,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

He chuckled, low and sharp, the sound grating against my nerves. “Sure you won’t. It’s going to be awfully lonely in this big house all by yourself.”

I stiffened, my focus dropping to the floor as heat crawled up my neck. I knew he wasn’t talking about the house—I could feel it in the way his eyes lingered, in the knowing smirk tugging at his lips. He knew. Somehow, he always knew.

Connor appeared a moment later, his broad frame filling the doorway as he leaned against Victor. “What are we talking about?” he asked, his green eyes flicking between us.

“Just wondering how Harley’s going to survive without us,” Victor said, his tone mocking.

Connor snorted, his lips curling into a smirk. “I’m sure North will keep her company.”

They shared a look that made my heart race, but I didn’t think about it too much.

The heat in my cheeks burned brighter, and I shot to my feet, ignoring the way Victor and Connor’s laughter followed me out the door. I didn’t care what they thought. I didn’t care that they knew—or at least, that’s what I told myself as I made my way back to my room.

Summer caught up with me before I could close the door, her suitcase rolling behind her. She gave me a long, considering look, her usual cheer dimmed slightly. “Don’t let them get to you,” she said softly. “They like to act like they’re untouchable, but they’re not. And neither is North.”

Her words hung in the air long after she left, their weight pressing against my chest as I stood by the window and watched them load their bags into Victor’s car. They didn’t say goodbye. None of them even looked up at the house as they climbed in, their laughter fading into the distance as the car disappeared down the long driveway.

For the first time since I’d arrived, the house felt impossibly still. The quiet pressed against my ears, amplifying every creak of the floorboards, every breath I took.

And then there was him.

I didn’t hear him approach, but I felt him. The subtle shift in the air, the faint warmth of his presence as he stopped just outside my door. I turned, my pulse quickening as I saw him standing there, his hands shoved into his pockets, his dark curls messier than usual. He looked at me the way he always did, like he was searching for something only he could find.

“Wanna go swimming?” he asked, his tone casual, almost lazy.

“Why?” The word came out sharper than I intended, my nerves frayed from the week of tension simmering between us.

His lips curved into a faint smile, and he shrugged. “Because I want to. And because you do too.”

I should’ve said no. I should’ve slammed the door and locked it behind me, shutting him out the way I should’ve done from the start. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. His words wrapped around me like a tether, pulling me toward him even as every instinct screamed at me to run.

“Fine,” I whispered, the word barely audible.

His grin widened just enough to make my stomach twist, and he stepped back, giving me space to follow.

Each step I took felt heavier than the last as I trailed behind him down the narrow path toward the lake.

The sun was almost gone now, the sky streaked with the last hues of orange and pink, and the water shimmered in the fading light. Outside smelled of damp earth and pine, crisp and cool, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I might be able to breathe.

But then North stopped at the edge of the dock, and my chest tightened all over again.

I watched as he reached for the hem of his shirt, his movements unhurried, deliberate, as if he knew I wouldn’t be able to look away. He peeled it off in one smooth motion, revealing the lean muscles of his back, the way his shoulders flexed as he tossed the shirt onto the dock. His jeans hung low on his hips, and I swallowed hard, heat crawling up my neck despite the coolness of the evening.

“Are you just gonna stand there, rabbit?” he asked, turning to face me. His voice was teasing, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes, something that made my pulse spike.

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