Page 9 of Memphis

“Do what you gotta do.” His eyes grew fierce. “But as I said earlier, I see no point in wasting my time going after something I don’t want.”

“And what is it that you want?”

“You know exactly what I want.” His eyes raked over me. “It’s why you chose that swimsuit instead of one of those tiny bikinis you have stowed away in that dresser of yours.”

“How do you know about my bikinis?”

“So, I was right. You did wear it for me.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Well, did you or didn’t you?”

“I wore itbecause of you. Notforyou. I didn’t want you gawking at me.” I motioned my head towards the house. “Besides, there were guests to consider. I wore what I thought was more appropriate.”

“I see.” He ran his tongue across his bottom lip. “Well, just so you know, more appropriate or not—there ain’t a bikini out there that’s got anything on that getup you’re wearing.”

“Getup?” I hissed. “It’s a one piece. I’m completely covered.”

“Just saying.”

“I thought we weren’t going to do this.”

“What?” His smirk faded. “I’m just trying to ‘catch up’ and enjoy a little time in the pool.”

I wasn’t surprised by his coy response. I’d become accustomed to it over the past year. He was hot one minute and cold the next. I hated it.Not so much the hot, but the cold was rough. It hurt—really hurt. I wasn’t just attracted to Weston. I truly liked him, and the night we spent together in that hotel meant something to me. I thought it was the start of something big, and it was devasting to learn that he was about to become my new stepbrother.

I didn’t want to believe it. I even considered pretending that I didn’t care that our parents were getting married. I wanted to think that it didn’t matter, that we weren’t really doing anything wrong, but I knew, in the end, we would only be setting ourselves up for an even bigger fall.

Kay was a true southern belle and played the part to a fault. She would’ve lost her mind if she thought something was going on between us, and I didn’t want that for either of us. So, I kept my thoughts to myself, and like Weston, I pretended that I was unphased by our predicament.

I thought it was for the best, and until days like today, I thought he did, too. There was no point in responding to him, so I laid back in my chair and closed my eyes, pretending that I was soaking up the sun. After a few minutes, I heard a splash, and then a wave of warm water crashed over me. I jumped up like I’d been electrocuted and shouted, “What the hell?”

“You looked like you needed to cool off.”

I should’ve just dried off and let it go, but I couldn’t—not when he just stood there looking at me with that smug look on his face. I really thought I was doing something when I stepped over to the edge of the pool and used my toes to thrust water in his direction. Sadly, it barely sprinkled him, but it put me within his reach, enabling him to grab me and pull me in. I screeched, then landed flat on my back in the center of the pool.

The impact forced the air from my lungs, and even though I was a great swimmer, I immediately started to panic. I couldn’t get to the surface quick enough and started thrashing and gasping, trying my damnedest not to drown like an idiot. When I finally made it to the surface, Weston was there and scooped me into his arms.

As he carried me into the shallow end, he assured me, “Hey, easy. You’re okay.”

“Of course, I’m...” I coughed and hacked for several seconds, then snapped, “I can’t believe you did that.”

“Yeah, well...”

His words trailed off, and he looked at me in a way that made my heart break. I didn’t have to ask. I knew what he was thinking. I thought it every time we were close. It was knowingthat what you’d always wanted was right there in front of you, but you couldn’t have it. It was the ultimate slap in the face.

Without saying a word, he lowered my feet to the ground, then turned and started for the steps. He remained silent as he grabbed his towel and started inside. I started after him as I called out, “Wes, wait!”

“What did you think was going to happen here?” He turned to face me. “You come out here looking like a fucking wet dream, and I’m supposed to pretend that I don’t want to take you into that house and do things to you that would make the devil blush. Fuck. It’s ridiculous. I can’t keep playing this game. I’m over it.”

“Do you think I like this?” I snapped. “I finally found someone who makes mefeel something, like I’m not cold and dead inside. Someone that I’m not only attracted to but actually like and want to spend time with, and I’m supposed to be happy about the fact that he’s my stepbrother and I can’t be with him? Well, I’m not! I’m not happy about it at all.”

“Then, stop with the bullshit and do something about it.” He leaned in closer, his lips just inches from mine, then whispered, “Or are you too scared?”

His lips hovered there for a moment, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted to kiss me, and the feeling was completely mutual. But there was a window right next to us and behind it was a house full of people. I couldn’t take a chance on us being seen, so I stepped back and whispered, “Weston, don’t. They’ll see us.”

“Pfft. Coward.”

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