Page 83 of Entangled

“Oh, thank God.” She sighs in relief. “I was beginning to think that town had finally gone and outlawed cell phones or something.”

“Nothing quite so extreme,” I joke, closing the door to the cabin behind me and walking toward the front of the boat. “It’s not actually that bad here, despite my first impression of the place.”

“Mmm. That’s because you didn’t grow up there wanting nothing more than to make it to the big city.”

“Well you did,” I remind her, looking out to the ocean and seeing the hues of evening coloring the sky.

“True. So how is it going there?”

“Interesting.”

I try to decide what to tell and what to wait on until I know more.

“Did you know Sheriff Reynolds back in the day?”

“Leah Reynolds?”

“I guess.”

“Yes. I remember her, she was right between Ca—” She stops, and I know it’s hard for her to say his name, even to this day. “Between your father’s class and mine. Why?”

“I met her the other day, that’s all. She’s the sheriff now, so I went to see if she knew anything. We didn’t exactly, uh, vibe, you could say.”

“That’s strange.” She pauses. “I remember her being nice, but I didn’t know her well, so I can’t tell you much more than that.”

“Yeah, it’s no big deal. Just thought I’d ask.” I brace my arms against the front railing of the boat.

“So do you plan on coming home anytime soon?” She sighs irritably. “Because if I have to deal with Kai staring at me with puppy-dog eyes, Stef looking like someone stole his favorite toy, and Mac trying to act like he doesn’t miss the shit out of you at one more Sunday dinner I didn’t plan on having, I’m going to ship them all down there to you myself.”

“Eventually.” I laugh. “I still have some things to… finish up here.”

“Well have you at least made any friends so that you’re not sitting alone every day?”

“Um.” I pause before deciding I should fess up, just a bit at least. “Yeah, actually.” I hear the door to the cabin open behind me and tilt my head back to see Jace peeking out at me, all shirtless perfection as he steps out in nothing but a pair of boxers. His hair half up in a messy bun at the back of his head. “I’ve been hanging out with Jace Dawson some. Apparently our moms were friends.”

She pauses and I can practically feel her curiosity through the phone. “Jack and Anna’s boy?”

“Mhmm.”

“I remember him. His family was at your parents’ house a few times when I visited.” She pauses again and I can tell she’s trying to figure out whether to push or not. “He was a cute little kid, a bit of a shit but cute, and his mama was a stunner.”

“Really?” I turn around with a smirk as Jace comes up, caging me in against the railing while dropping his mouth to my collarbone, kissing lightly and no doubt eavesdropping. “You don’t say.”

“So…” She trails off purposefully.

Jace begins to trail his fingers up the inside of my thigh and I can’t help the hitch of my breath as my pussy gives a throb of need.

“So…” I respond, trying to keep my breathing even as he makes it to the top and slides his fingers under my panties, running them along my wet slit.

“Is he still cute?”

Jace lifts his head from my neck at her question, eyes dancing with mischief as he looks down at me and thrusts his fingers up into me while bringing his thumb down on my clit. I have to bite down on my lip for a second to keep from making a sound before replying, making sure to answer for his benefit and not my aunt’s.

“Not at all.” I gasp, biting my lip again as he presses down hard on my clit in retribution before turning me around. He presses my front to the railing and brings his other hand up to grip my hip before grinding against my ass.

A long pause comes over the phone as Jace begins to circle my clit again tauntingly.

“I’m not sure I believe you.”

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