Page 115 of Save Me
I knew Cody had it out for me, but I didn’t think he’d bethatmotivated. If I felt any shed of sympathy after Bailey skewered his ego, it’s gone. “Okay, so …” What do I say next except “I’m sorry, and I’ll understand if you want to quit.”
“If you ask me, you did us a favor.” Ron shrugs. “I talked to Dave, and it doesn’t sound like he likes it over there. Too stuffy, too many rules. Plus, he misses livin’ here.”
The little olive branch he holds out is worth more than he knows. “How can he not?”
“Speakin’ of, when’s Bailey showin’ up?” Will grins.
“Settle down, you don’t have a shot in hell at that,” Jeremy tosses back as he returns to the grill. According to his version of events, Will was tripping over his tongue when the tikis sailed back to the harbor and he got his first look at the new captain. Or, should I say, admiral.
I chuckle. “Soon, actually.”
The group disbands toward the water in a flurry of laughter, taking some of the weight from my chest with them. Even Frank, never much of a joiner, trudges after.
“Feeling better?” The steps creak as Ronan takes them down. He must have witnessed that whole spectacle from the back porch.
“Bless me, Father, it has been—” I mock squint in thought. “—six hourssince my last confession?”
“You’re not fully absolved yet. That thing we did earlier is considered a sin in some cultures.”
“Dude.” Jeremy holds his hands out in awhat the fuckmanner before returning to his burgers.
Ronan’s lips twitch, the only sign of his amusement.
“Settled in all right?” I emptied a few drawers to make room for his clothes.
“All good.” He sidles up behind me, curling his arms around my shoulders. “The new pit looks professional.”
“Yeah, they did a great job. I wish they didn’t have to do it in the first place.” I pause. “You sure you’re okay?” I could be projecting, but his mood has been ominous since he returned with Connor and his duffel bag of belongings. Is he already having doubts? Regrets?
His hand grips my chin, angling my head back to meet his intense gaze, just like he did in my bedroom thisafternoon, when he took me from behind. “You and me are perfect.”
How does he read me so well?
Leaning forward, his lips meet mine in a tender kiss that makes my chest swell and my heart race. Even though my entire world feels like it’s crumbling around me, somehow, Ronan gives me the strength I need to face it head-on.
A car door slams.
I force myself to peel away. “That must be Bailey.”
We walk hand in hand toward the parking lot, my attention veering toward the trees and the golf course beyond. “Do you think they’re stillout there taking pictures?” Rebel said she spied several sets of legs near the fence line this afternoon while she was in the garden. She couldn’t say if they were curious golfers or media people, or maybe Wolf staff.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s out there.”
“How long before lawyers show up in my driveway?”
“Let them. Can’t wait to hear what they have to say.” He says it with such confidence.
Bailey stands in the middle of the parking lot doing a slow, circular turn as she takes in the trailers, the cluster of cars, and Ralph.
“You’re gonna have to put a leash on Connor,” Ronan murmurs as we approach.
“I’m not worried. She can handle her own.” Tight black workout shorts and crop top show off a honed body, layered in hard muscle. Envy swells inside me as I call out, “Welcome to the Sea Witch commune!”
“When can I move in?”
“You haven’t even seen your trailer yet.”
“I don’t need to.” She slides off her sunglasses, revealing an eager twinkle. “This feels like home.”
