Page 61 of Stone
“Does that mean I can go swimming?” I used the voice he used to call my pleading-for-chocolate tone, which had been the truth.
“No. Not yet.”
“Party pooper.” I threw him a look over my shoulder and longed to have him wrap his arms around me.
“Uh-huh. Someone needs to keep you in line. Can I see what you’ve been working on?” Hearing the gruffness in his voice sent a wave of electricity shooting down my spine.
My reaction was to immediately shift directly in front of the canvas. “It’s not finished yet.”
“I don’t mind. I’d love to see what you’re working on. You’ve been out here for hours.”
Out on his deck, the only safe location outside the four walls and roof. He was trying to be lighter than normal, his personality having taken a dark turn over the last few days.
This was day four of being in Hawaii and while I hadn’t wanted to say it, I’d felt very much like a prisoner. Even if it was one with a picturesque view of paradise, I was still locked inside my mind.
Stone’s mandate to stay close to the house had caught me off guard. He hadn’t tried to pass it off as protecting my injuredleg, but that my safety was at risk. I don’t know why I’d been surprised, especially after seeing his vast collection of weapons and having him explain his security system. State of the art and then some.
I’d heard the concern in his voice and seen the increased anxiety every time he allowed his gaze to shift in my direction. Which hadn’t been often. Yes, we’d agreed that the passion we’d shared shouldn’t happen again, but I hadn’t understood that also meant losing him as a friend.
Maybe we never were friends.
Maybe we had nothing in common.
His admittance of the horrors of his job had been the icing on the cake, snapping the tenuous hold we’d had on our emotions.
“I don’t like anyone to see my work before it’s finished.”
“Oh, come on. Just one peek.” He moved closer, which forced me to drive my palms against his chest. The touch was stirring and we both seemed shocked at the current.
I instantly curled my fingers, tipping my head down to the deck since I knew he could see the canvas.
The very blank canvas.
He sucked in his breath but said nothing.
“Don’t criticize me. I haven’t found the inspiration, at least not yet. I just… I don’t know why. It’s gorgeous here.” My voice faded into the breeze. I was doing nothing more than making excuses.
Scratching his head, he seemed taken aback. “I thought you liked the ocean.”
“I love the ocean. Don’t you remember when we went to Virginia Beach, all I wanted to do was spend time in the water? You had to drag me out the one afternoon when the thunderstorm was rolling in.”
“Yeah,” he said, laughing. “You refused even though lightning crashed against the water only a mile or so out. I had to toss you over my shoulder to keep you from electrocuting yourself.”
The memory was bittersweet. How many awkward moments had we experienced over the last few days? Too many to keep track of. “Do you remember you went and got pizza and a six-pack of Coke and we sat on the balcony during the storm?”
“I remember that. Later, you fell asleep in my arms with the doors still open.”
“One of the best nights of sleep I’ve ever had.”
The time had been stolen, another lie I’d told my father. I’d said I’d gone to the beach with girlfriends, which was true. What I hadn’t told him was that I’d gone specifically to spend time with Stone.
He backed away, heading to the door.
“Where are you going?” I don’t know why I bothered asking. He didn’t need to keep track of his whereabouts with me.
“Gotta tour I need to guide. Only a couple hours and I’ll be back.”
“Oh.”I wish you wouldn’t go.
