Page 60 of Whirlwind

“No. I feel sad for her. She was so thrilled to have a solid excuse to come here this weekend, so she could spend two whole days and a night with her secret love. Now I get why. When she first saw me in the club, I could tell she was anxious about what I thought. That made me even sadder. She knows me better than that, but that’s how deep her fear is about this. Now I’m worried about her juggling this with her family.”

I brushed her cheek with my lips. “They seem really tight.”

“They do. Talk about couple goals. The stress she must be under instead of enjoying this. Not being able to really have what she wants.” She breathed against the car window, and the glass fogged over.

I threaded my fingers with hers. “Come here.”

She turned and leaned her head against my shoulder, and I slid an arm around her, kissing her hair. I couldn’t stand seeing her sad. Worried. Somehow I got the feeling that Violet was feeling more than just empathy with her cousin.

Did she know what that was like, hiding, carrying that burden of the forbidden?

25

Beck

The elevator doorsopened to reveal the loft, and Violet strode out ahead of me, those boots clacking sharply on the wood floor. “I need a drink. How about—”

Darting out of the elevator, I grabbed her by the neck and twisted her around. Her body collided with mine, and she gasped as I took her mouth. Deep, hungry need.

My phone buzzed. “Shit.”

She pushed back from my chest. “I’ll pour the bourbon.”

“Whatever you do, do not take those boots off.”

“I promise,” her voice a rough giggle.

I pulled out my phone, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the rear view of Violet striding across the loft to the bar by the windows where she stripped off her shorts and vest leaving only her lingerie and boots on. “Ah fuck,” I groaned as my gaze hit my screen. A message from Dré.

Hey, Beck - Tara’s been trying to call Violet,

but she’s got her phone off.

She needs to talk to her, says it’s important.

Could you tell her to call Tara?

Great hanging with you two tonight.

“Hey, Violet, just got a message from Dré. Tara needs to talk to you, but you have your phone off?”

“Oh, do I? Crap. That silent mode button, I keep screwing it up without realizing. I’ll call her.” She put down the bottle of liquor, but she didn’t go to the tiny handbag she’d worn tonight for her phone. She darted to the bedroom, opened her small suitcase, and fished the phone out. She’d left it here all night on purpose?

My phone rang again. “Jesus. No rest for the wicked—speak of the devil.” I hit the green button. “Tag?”

“Brotherrrrrr! Yo!” his voice howled over the line. A voice I hadn’t heard for months and months. One of my best friends from high school.

“What’s up, man?”

“I’m good,” he said.

“You’re always good.”

“Truth. You been going through shit, huh?”

“I survived.”

“Where are you now?”

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