Page 51 of Beautiful Exile

“I won’t tell a soul.”

Arden looked at me for a long moment. “Maybe you will. Maybe you won’t. But I’m tired of hiding. Of guarding every word I say. It’s exhausting.”

I didn’t have her trust. Not yet. But I would. I brushed a strand of dark hair out of her face. The color seemed to have a golden edge in the sunlight. “I would give anything for you to be free of that.”

She searched my face as if looking for a lie. “I’m done waiting for it. I’m claiming it for myself. No more fear. It’s a choice. And I’m making it.”

God, she was brave. So damn strong. “Okay.”

“That’s it? No trying to tuck me away from the world?” she challenged.

“Not going to try to lock you up, Arden. It would suffocateyou. But I will ask you to be safe and cautious while you grab that freedom.”

Arden studied me for a long moment. “Deal.”

One corner of my mouth tugged up. “That easy acquiescence makes me think I should’ve pressed for more.”

Arden laughed, and the sound was light and easy, musical. It grabbed hold the same way her art did. “Did I outmaneuver the business tycoon?”

“Not surprised at all, Vicious.” My fingers slid deeper into her hair, soaking up the feeling of the silky strands as I moved closer. The heat of her body poured into mine, and I wanted more. I wanted to know what it would feel like to have all of her pressed against me. To sink into that scalding heat.

My fingers tightened in Arden’s hair, and I tipped her head back. And then my phone dinged. Once. Twice. A third time.

I muttered a curse and pulled it out of my pocket.

Ellie

Where are you?

Ellie

8 a.m., hmm? Gym? Already in a meeting?

Ellie

???

I frowned down at the screen and began typing.

Me

I’m at Cope’s. Are you okay?

Ellie

Where at Cope’s? Open the gate.

She sent a compass emoji that had me chuckling.

I sent her a pin to my location. Maybe she was having something delivered but they’d have to buzz the gate to get in. Staring down at my phone, I waited, but Ellie didn’t respond.

“Everything okay?” Arden asked.

“My sister,” I muttered. “I’m pretty sure she probably had some bagels airlifted from New York or something, and I didn’t answer the buzzer up at the house.”

Arden grinned. “Sounds like she’s trying to take care of you.”

Movement in the distance caught my eye. A vehicle. The SUVpicked up speed, spitting gravel, but slowed as it approached the guesthouse. The engine cut off and then a figure jumped out.

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