Page 14 of When We Breathe
This conversation definitely isn’t over. But we can table it for now.
“There’s a great coffee place in Silver Springs that we always hit up on our way to the lake,” I reply. “Buzz is great. You’ll like it.”
Ten minutes later, we park in front of the coffee shop, and as we’re walking to the door,Alex between us, a man with a tiny miniature poodle comes out of the door, and Alex immediately shifts behind me, skirting around so I’m always between her and the dog.
Her face doesn’t change. She doesn’t make a sound, and she doesn’t tense up.
But she wants nothing to do with that animal.
Fascinating.
I sling my arm around her shoulders and pull her against me. She melts right into me as if she were made for me.
Because maybe she was.
Chapter Six
ALEX
Iwillnotbe a Debbie Downer today.
I’m not going to talk about the shithole I grew up in, or the reason I’m terrified of animals, or anything else that will make these two men look at me with anything other than affection and lust.
I won’t tolerate pity. I’ve worked too hard with my therapist to pull myself up, to heal from severe trauma and abuse, and I’m doing well. I can enjoy a day out with these sexy men without having a meltdown.
“Silver Springs is a cute little town,” I comment as we drive through. “I haven’t spent any time here in years.”
“It’s grown,” Gabe agrees, and we settle into a comfortable silence. Adam’s holding my hand, his thumb making circles on my knuckles, and it feels like heaven as I sip my iced coffee.
This is going to be a great day.
It alreadyisa great day. Breakfast with the guys was so fun. I wasn’t kidding about Adam’s pancakes. I could eat them every morning.
And the way Gabe danced me around the kitchen? It was sexy and silly and fun.
When Adam turns onto the road that leads to the resort, my stomach knots up a bit. I’ve heard things about this resort on Seymour Lake. It’s where the wealthy play when they aren’t up on the ski resort.
I have no business being here.
But if these two gorgeous men want to hang out on the lake with me today, I won’t say no. Unlike my sister Dani, who hates the water, Iloveit. I can swim like a fish, and a day on the lake sounds like the perfect way to spend a Sunday.
But Iamgoing home tonight. As tempting as it is to want to stay with them for as long as they’ll let me, I don’t want to get used to it.
I love my independence.
Adam pulls up at the valet, and my door is opened for me. The guys pull our things out of the back of the Porsche, and Adam takes my hand again, leading me into the building.
“We’ll make a stop upstairs before we head outside,” Gabe says as he walks on the other side of me and brushes his hand over the back of my neck, sending a little thrill down my spine.
Ilovebeing sandwiched between these two giant men. I’m tiny next to them, and it makes me feel …safe.
“Upstairs?” I ask, and Adam’s lips twitch as he looks down at me.
“Trust us,” he says.
He’s been quiet today. Maybe it’s just who he is as a person. After all, I don’t know these men well, soperhaps Adam is reserved. A little broody. But a part of my brain is wondering if I did something wrong, or if he really wants me here, despite his actions showing me the opposite. He’s held my hand and even told me to pack for the night. But he’s holding himself back from me. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
Should I just ask him about it?
