Page 62 of Stick Work

My head snaps toward Sahara and there’s a pink tinge on her cheeks. “Do I want to know?”

Sahara chuckles. “Probably not.”

Victoria arches her brow, and Sahara sighs before explaining. “Kalen thought it would be a good, quiet spot for us.” She clears her throat. “You know, for when we have teenagers and need privacy.”

Laughter bursts from my chest. “You’re right, I don’t want to know.” Amused and rather impressed with my brother, I step away from the secret room, and move toward a plush reading chair. “This looks comfy.”

“Have a seat,” Sahara urges.

I drop into it, sinking into the softness, and Victoria moves toward the window beside me, rocking little Carter in her arms. The fresh scent of baby powder drifts toward me. I inhale and tease, “Do all babies smell that good?” But once again, I feel that unfamiliar pull.

Victoria clearly notices as she shifts Carter. “Do you want to hold him for a second.”

“I’m not really great with babies,” I say quickly, even though there is a small part of me that wants to say yes.

She smiles knowingly. “You’ll be fine.”

Before I can overthink it, she gently sets Carter in my arms. I adjust him, awkwardly at first, cradling him gently and being careful to support his head. Once he’s settled, I tug the blanket away from his forehead. “Hi there, little one.” He makes a sound, and the moment my gaze lands on his perfect little face, something inside me tightens.

Instant love.

I swallow. Hard. “Oh my God,” I whisper, my heart aching for…I don’t know what. “He’s so sweet, Victoria.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. Stupid emotions. It’s just stress. Exams. Exhaustion.

Elias.

“You’re a natural,” Victoria murmurs, smiling.

A noise at the door catches my attention. I glance up to see Elias watching me. The air shifts between us as his gaze flickers from Carter to me, and something raw and unspoken passes over his features. Warmth. Longing. A pure aching need.

I completely and utterly forget how to breathe.

18

Elias

Our suitcases were unpacked for us while we enjoyed a drink at the bar downstairs, and now here we are, alone in our room, the noise of the lobby no longer echoing in my ears. I perch on the edge of the hotel bed, grinning like a fool as Taylor flings open the mini-fridge and gasps dramatically. “Oh my God, it’s fully stocked with all the good stuff.”

I undo the top button of my shirt. “What do you think?” I ask, already knowing she’s in heaven.

She spins, her arms flailing, eyes wide with delight. A little squeal escapes her lips. “I think I’ve died and gone to luxury paradise. That’s what they should call this hotel. Luxury Paradise. Hart Grand doesn’t really do it justice.”

“That’s Easton’s last name.”

Her arms fall to her sides, and her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes as she glances at me. “This weekend, Elias. You and me. Nothing else—especially reality.”

If she wants to live in a fantasy world this weekend, then I’m game, because really, I’m not loving reality right now. “Yeah, babe. I can get behind that.”

“Wait.” Her eyes widen. “Does this hotel have a pool?”

Laughing at her antics, I push from the bed, and step up to her. “You and your pools, and the answer is yes. Indoor and outdoor.”

“I happen to like swimming.” She crinkles her nose. “Shoot, I didn’t think to pack a suit...” She groans. “…again."

“First, I’m happy you like swimming, because I like seeing you in a bathing suit. And second, they have a gift shop.” I pull her close, my gaze raking over her smiling face. “Here you thought it was going to be an Elvis impersonator wedding.”

“I was so wrong.” She pokes my chest playfully. “A girl could get very used to this kind of luxury, especially tomorrow night when we’re ringing in the New Year at Easton’s wedding. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate it, or better company to do it with. I’m so glad I’m your pretend girlfriend.” She winks. “With benefits.”

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