Page 74 of Tangled Up

I take my wine and follow at a distance, watching her with pride as she looks up at the dome in the entrance. Standing in the rainbow light, she’s like a beautiful dream. Her tanned skin is smooth and dewy, and her long, dark hair hangs in sexy waves around her shoulders.

“I remember the last time I was here—” Her amber eyes meet mine, glowing like the sunset.

“I remember that, too.” A tease is in my voice, and she gives me a little wink.

“I mean before that, before I left for college. Remember that night?”

“I do.” The cheerfulness leaves my tone, and I don’t particularly want to remember that night.

We’d gone to dinner with my parents. My dad had chosen to join us here for a rare visit. We’d met here first, but I’d taken her home after dinner—after my dad had drunk too much as usual, and I was afraid he’d say something offensive to her.

I follow her deeper into the house, into the enormous library stretching up both walls to the domed ceiling. She walks along the rows of books, sliding her fingers along the wooden shelves and touching the leather spines.

“Your mother was so kind to me.” She looks back over her shoulder.

“Was she?” My father’s words are heavy in my memory, and I want to shield her from them.

“She showed me her favorite books. She told me the conservatory was her favorite place to read. She told me about the domes. It was almost like she wanted me to love this place as much as she did.”

I’m confused by her version of that night. “I don’t remember any of that.”

Carly nods, sipping her wine again. “She made me feel so welcome. She told me she’d been friends with my mom when they were young.”

“I never knew that.” My brow tightens, and anger simmers in my throat.

Realization burns in my chest.He lied to me.

“I didn’t either.” Her voice grows softer, and she returns to where I’m standing. “It broke my heart when I found out she’d died. I mean, I knew she was weak, but I had no idea. You must have been devastated.”

I look down at this beautiful girl who’s always owned my heart, and tamp down the anger blazing in my chest. “I wish I’d known you shared that with her.”

She smiles and waves her hand. “You were off with your dad.”

My father. After listening to her words, I’m ready to storm into Tampa and grab him by the neck.

Catching her slim wrist, I stop her, sliding my hand down to thread our fingers. “I need to go to Tampa.” My voice is low. “Will you come with me?”

She’s confused by my tone, and her brow furrows. “Are you angry?”

“No…” I don’t saynot at you, but I sure as hell think it. I’m fucking furious, but she doesn’t need to know. “Come with me to Tampa. I need to speak to my father, and I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“Alone?” she laughs. “I’m here with Aunt Vivian, Henry, Jessica…”

But I’m serious. “It’ll only be for a day, and I don’t want you here unprotected.”

Her eyes narrow. “I don’t need protection, Beck. I’m fine. I text with Ronnie every day, and like I said, Alize is not—”

“Dangerous. I know you keep saying she’s not, but I’d rest easier if you were with me.”

Closing the space between us, she places her hand on my cheek, running her thumb down my lips. “If you need to see your dad, you should go. I’ll be fine here. I’ll be with my aunt or with Jessica, and I promise to be safe. Okay?”

Setting my wine on the end table, I reach for her. She puts her wine aside and steps into my embrace. She feels so good in my arms, and I never want to be without her.

“I couldn’t take it if I ever lost you again, Carls.” I’m surprised by the sudden pain in my chest.

Her arms tighten around my waist, and she lifts her chin to kiss the base of my neck. “You won’t. You’ve made me happier than I’ve been in a long, long time.”

“I could say the same for you.”

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