Page 100 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
It didn’t seem to me like she was relaxed, but maybe that’s because I knew what happened in the restroom. I take the compliment anyway.
Me: Glad I could help.
Baywatch: I’m glad you’re spendingtime with her. Hopefully, that can help her get closer to me as well.
I feel awful about Lina and me sneaking around behind his back. But my guilt only lasts a second because when my gaze falls on her delicate face. This view makes everything worth the risk. I watch her tiny breaths as her lungs expand and contract while she sleeps.
One thing I don’t feel guilty about is how much I want to take care of her. Brian may choose to end our friendship over me sleeping with his daughter, but he’ll never have to worry about me taking advantage of her or treating her anything less than what she deserves—which is the fucking world.
Me: Don’t mention it. I’m sure you and Lina are moving in the right direction.
Baywatch: Cool.
Dropping my phone on the carpet beside the couch, my arm is now free again to wrap around her.
“Want to go to bed?” she purrs, nuzzling her nose into my chest. My heart jumps. Yes, I want to stay over with her. I only had when she was sick and when we were in the suite in Cabo. Other than that, she’s been cautious about it being too personal.
“You don’t ever have to ask me that,” I tell her, sliding my fingers through her hair. She smiles up at me with sleepy eyes. “Let’s go, baby.”
Chapter Thirty
Lina
The sun is out, giving this typically chilly winter morning a nice warm breeze. Avery and I caught an early Pilates class. The back of my legs burn as we walk the block and a half down the street to grab a coffee from a local cafe.
“What’s the update with you and Captain Hernandez?” She smirks.
My upper lip curls up at the mention of Carter. “Umm, everything is good.”
“Are you still sleeping with him?”
I think about how to answer her question because whenever I give one, there will definitely be a follow-up. I focus on the cars driving by as we pass the small shops on the street.
“Lina.”
“Yes.” I pause, sliding my aviators down to my eyes. “We’re still sleeping together.”
Avery stops walking just as her hand clutches the side of my arm. “And?”
I shrug. “And what?”
“How long are you going to keep doing it?” she presses. We both start walking again.
Rubbing my lips together, I feel pressure to put a name orlabel on Carter and me. I don’t have one. “I’m not really sure.”
She lifts her sunglasses. “What do you mean?”
“What’s with the twenty questions this morning?” I joke, opening the door to the coffee shop.
“Sorry.” Avery laughs. “I see the way you two look at each other.”
“And that is?” I smile at her as we approach the counter. We order our drinks, then step off to the side to wait for them.
“Before you two even hooked up, it was obvious you were into each other. Now that you have, it’s like a billboard written on your face that there’s way more than just simple sex.”
I flip my hair around, pretending to ignore her.
She grins, nodding her head. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
