Page 53 of Just Like That

And different was a real problem.

I pressed the heel of my hand into the center of my chest and paused—discovering it was that unfamiliar ache of happiness.

I dropped my fork. “What do you two think about a beach day?”

Teddy’s soft eyes lifted, and a huge grin spread on his face. Hazel’s caramel browns narrowed slightly as she sucked the bacon from her tooth.

“What about work?” she asked.

“It’s supposed to be one of our last warm days.” I frowned and shrugged. “Work can wait. I haven’t been to the beach in years.”

A peal of laughter erupted from Teddy. “Years? But youlivehere.”

Hazel finished the last scoop of scrambled eggs and stood, clearing her plate. “I think it might be fun. What do you think, Teddy? Do you want to walk down to the beach for a little bit?”

Teddy was emphatically agreeing when I stopped her. “I was thinking about going to North Beach.”

She raised a skeptical brow. She’d gotten to know me well enough to realize that a day off work was unusual, but a day off work paired with the very crowded, very public beach was downright unheard of.

“I’ll get the sunscreen!” Teddy was gone before Hazel could ask him to clear his breakfast plate.

I stood and shooed her away. “I’ll take care of it. Go.”

Hazel planted a hand on her hip. “I hate when you’re so bossy.”

A flash of desire crossed my face as I recalled just how much shehadn’tminded my bossiness last night. I looked down at her pretty features. “Are you sure about that?”

She sucked her lower lip into her mouth and tried not to smile. She bumped me with her hip. “I’ll go change.”

I nodded. “Good. Make sure you’re well covered up, though. The late-summer sun can be surprisingly harsh.”

“Mm-hmm.” She nodded, definitely not believing my bullshit. Hazel tossed the towel onto the table and disappeared up the stairs while I finished cleaning up.

Within minutes, Teddy was dressed in swim trunks, a rash guard, and goggles perched on the top of his head. I laughed and patted his shoulder. “You know, for someone who thought the beach was too sandy, you’re awfully excited.”

He grinned. “Some things can grow on you.”

I looked at him and my heart rolled. “I know what you mean, kid.”

EIGHTEEN

HAZEL

I staredat JP from behind the safety of my mirrored sunglasses. While he may have thought I was soaking up the sun and watching the waves, I was studying his every move.

Best twelve-dollar sunglasses I’ve ever purchased.

I was still reeling after we’d crossedseverallines in his kitchen. I’d nearly clawed his clothes off and begged for his cock. Oh, yes ... I’d looked at that line and tap-danced right over it.

What the hell is wrong with me? That’s my sister’sex ... whatever they were.

Shame coursed through me, but I couldn’t stop the tiny, incessant thoughts that kept poking at my brain. His dick felt big—likebig, big. In the candlelit room, he was still as powerful and commanding as he was in everyday life, but there was an attentiveness to him that surprised me. A softness. It was tempting to peel back the layers and see the man he worked so hard to keep hidden.

I looked around at the people who were laughing and playing at the beach. I wondered whether anyone really knew him. All around us, nosy people still whispered and pointed, but I came to realize JP was right—they were staring and whispering athim.

Summer was dwindling. You could feel it in the way it took longer for the air to warm in the mornings and how the breeze was just a tiny bit cooler than it had been the day before. I stretched my legs across the beach blanket and burrowed my toes into the warm sand. In front of me, Teddy and JP were in a debate about the merits of a castle with turrets versus isolated towers as a defense strategy.

“What about a moat?” I offered.

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