Page 2 of A Crush in the Storm
“Have you had enough of vows and speeches and revolting love crap yet?” He points to the beach behind me. “Want to escape?”
It’s almost midnight, and taking a walk with Kai on a moonlit beach away from the crowd is a bad idea.
“Sure,” I say with a shrug, as if I’m unaware I’m playing with fire.
I know what’s likely to happen. I’m lonely, and Kai’s Kai. He’ll kiss me, I’ll let him. Then he’ll leave, and I’ll be left pining again for a guy I can’t have.
I’m pathetic.
But after seeing him intermittently over the last decade, and avoiding him more often than not, I’m done. I’m twenty-seven, haven’t had sex in three years let alone kissed a guy, and I’m floundering. Dad is retiring, so maybe my life will change too, and not knowing what the future holds is making me rash for the first time in my sheltered life.
If Kai Spade wants to kiss me at midnight, it’s game on.
3
KAI
With Sadie walking beside me as we stroll towards the beach, it takes every ounce of willpower not to reach for her hand.
I’m far from romantic, but seeing West and Emery unable to tear their eyes off each other, and Linc and Vera unable to stop touching each other, makes me oddly sad. Even Walker has a bridesmaid lined up, and while I’m not using Sadie out of some warped loneliness, I can’t help but feel left out.
It’s a feeling I know well, considering it has plagued me my entire life.
Dad considered Weston the golden boy, Lincoln too, and with Walker being the youngest, everyone doted on him, leaving me… forgotten.
My brothers never made me feel that way, but Dad and Granddad did. Not that they were mean, they just didn’t pay me as much attention as my brothers. I pretended it didn’t matter, but I resented them for it, so when they died, guilt got added to the mix and I couldn’t face staying on this island one moment longer.
I hoped Sadie would come with me, but with her being a year younger, I knew she couldn’t. But I asked her regardless, not surprised when she refused, but blaming her a tad for not caring enough. Selfish and irrational? Hell yeah, but thankfully, she hasn’t held it against me. In the odd times I’ve seen her over the years, she’s civil, but distant, so her agreeing to take a walk with me is surprising.
Not that I’m complaining. With her big brown eyes, waist-length blonde hair, and soft smile, Sadie still slays me all these years later, and for the umpteenth time I wish things could be different for us.
We reach the water’s edge, and she turns to me, her eyes luminous in the moonlight. “You’re awfully quiet.”
“Caught up in memories,” I say with a shrug. “Being back on the island makes me maudlin sometimes.”
“Must be nice to have all your brothers together though. It’s rare.”
“Yeah, those dickheads kind of grow on you.”
She laughs. “It’s been great catching up with them.”
“I always thought you and Walker might end up together,” I blurt out, unable to stave off the stab of jealousy at the thought.“You’re the same age and were the only young ones left after I took off.”
“We’re mates.”
“So you’ve never gone there?” I keep pushing, sounding like a fool, but unable to stop.
She shakes her head. “I’ve only ever kissed one Spade brother, and I happen to be looking at him.”
Relief fills me, and as the wedding guests start the countdown to midnight, her gaze focuses on my mouth.
“And considering you asked me to take a walk just before twelve, I’m assuming you want a repeat?”
“Is that so bad?” I ask, unable to decipher her expression.
She doesn’t respond, but as a chorus of “Happy New Year” rings out, she steps closer, frames my face in her hands, and kisses me.
4
