Page 12 of Make Me Unwind

“I need to go.” I step toward the door.

“You’re welcome here.” Piper grabs my hand and holds it.

“No….” I shake my head as the walls close in on me. “I need to go.”

Her eyes meet mine as she strokes her thumb over my hand. “It’s fine. You’re fine. Let’s go check on Roe and see how she’s weathering the storm, okay?”

I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. “Okay.” If she could make it through a full-blown panic attack, I can swallow my swelling anxiety.

One hour later, Roe hands me a teacup. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, My Lady.”

She giggles uncontrollably as Piper watches us.

“What?” I arch an eyebrow and tip the cup to my lips. “Haven’t you seen a man drink imaginary tea from a pink cup?”

“Not imaginary.” Roe smacks my arm and glares.

“My apologies, My Lady.” I grin despite myself as Piper’s eyes rove over me, and heat settles in my groin. I should have left. I definitely should have left fifteen minutes ago when the sun broke through the clouds, but I can’t get up.

“Here.” Roe takes a pink napkin and dabs at my lips. “You spilled some.”

“Right.” I laugh and shake my head at the craziness of the afternoon. I don’t remember the last time I laughed. Or had fun. Or played. My eyes return to Piper. Or wanted a woman with so much need that it’s suffocating me. But to what end?

“I should go.” My face is tight as I climb to my feet. “My brother will be looking for me.” She doesn’t belong here. Hell, I don’t belong here, but I have no idea what I will do with my future at this point. There’s no reason to lead her on.

Roe glances up with tears in her eyes. Fuck. I led them both on.

“It was my pleasure to drink tea with you, My Lady. Thank you for inviting me.” I bow at the waist, earning another giggle.

When I turn to Piper, her face is blank, devoid of all emotion. “Thank you.” She nods, spins on her heel, and disappears into the living room. “I’ll show you to the door.”

My hands flex. “I know how to find the door.”

“I realize that,” she says without glancing back. “But I want to make sure you get to it.”

I trail behind her. “Piper….” I don’t even know what I’d say if she asked me to explain.

“You need to go.” Weston glares from the kitchen threshold, dangling from one hand is a white dish towel. “If my sister is showing you to the door, there’s a reason.”

I nod as Piper snaps open the door and eyes me up and down. “Have a good life.”

“Are you leaving?” Panic hits my chest harder than the storm earlier did.

She tips her chin upward. “I’ll leave when I’m supposed to, but I won’t see you again. Goodbye, Asher.”

My feet stay glued to the floor as I try to swallow and catch my breath.

“Go.”

Fuck. The second I’m on the porch, the door snaps shut and locks behind me. Son of a bitch.

Chapter Seven

Asher

“Where have you been?” Levi marches toward me with cold steel in his eyes. The foyer of the resort is empty due to the storm. It might have blown over, but the guests haven’t returned.

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