Page 40 of Shielding Lexi (Temptation)

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my tone matching hers.

“Well. Sara met some guys a few days ago and she’s managed herself into a reality TV show!” She laughs. “It’s some reality TV show thing being filmed on another island near here. The prize money is a million bucks! You can imagine, right?”

I sigh, running my hand through my damp, messed up hair. “What about you? How are you feeling about heading home? I mean, this vacay was your last time away with girlfriends before the wedding. How are you feeling about everything?”

“It’s all fine. Don’t worry about me,” Margo says in a tone that’s too bright and bubbly to be true. I know she’s apprehensive. Her parents have had this marriage arranged for years, but Margo hasn’t even met the guy yet.

“How’s that boyfriend of yours,” she asks, changing the subject. “And where did you go anyway? Are you head over heels in love? Is that why we haven’t seen you?” I twirl a strand of hair around my index finger, thinking over how to best answer her question.

“I am in love babe, but it’s complicated. I’m going away for a while, but I’ll get in touch when I’m settled.”

“Everything okay, Lex?” she asks, picking up on the subtle anxiety in my tone.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll call again when I can. Love you both.” I hang up the phone and leave it sat on my lap as I think over all that’s happened since I left the resort. I’m not even sure I’m the same person anymore.

I contemplate calling my mom as well, but they don’t let her take personal calls in her ward this time of night. I’ll have to try her in the morning.

“You coming up, Lexi?” Hawk asks, peeking downstairs, his sweet smile like the freshest breath of air.

I nod, and stand from the bed, throwing on one of Reaper’s t-shirts with every intention of going upstairs, but my body is heavy, and my eyes are sore so I sit back on the bed, telling myself I’ll just rest for a minute. Then my head begins to pound, so I lay down on the pillow for just a second.

“She’s falling asleep,” Hawk calls out. I hear him talking, but I can’t seem to open my eyes. He crawls over me and slides beneath the covers next to me, his big warm body holding me close and safe.

“I love you, Lexi,” he whispers.

I think I whisper back, but darkness takes over and I’m fast asleep in his arms.

21

Reaper

We’re sailing or at least ten hours before Lexi wakes up. It’s good, she needs the rest. Hawk stays down below with her, and I’m glad he’s there. She needs someone to watch her. Though, the few times I went down to use the bathroom, my stomach clenched tight seeing them together and I’m not sure why. She’s happy, content, safe, and that’s what I wanted. At least that’s what I thought. But some kind of weird pain in my chest is telling me different. It’s gnawing, aching, yearning to hold her again.

I roll my eyes and study the horizon, disgusted with myself for falling for her like the rest of these idiots.

“Mornin’ Reap,” Hawk says, bouncing up the stairs. He sounds happy as fuck and the pang of jealousy returns again. “Where’d Kane go?”

I nod toward the bench near the back of the boat. “He passed out sometime around two a.m.”

“I’m not asleep,” he says, rolling up like a homeless man on a bench to join Hawk and I. “Just resting my eyes.”

I laugh and take a sip of the coffee I’ve been nursing all morning.

“Hey guys,” Lexi says, from behind me.

I spin toward her, my heart racing when I see her. Fuck she looks good swallowed up in my t-shirt.

“Can we all talk?” Lexi asks, gripping my arm tight as she sits on the bench near the captain’s chair. She’s still scraped up something awful, but her face is bright and happy.

I look toward Hawk and Kane, then back at Lexi. “Sure… is everything okay?” I’m expecting the worst. Maybe she realized after talking to her friends last night that she wants to take her risks and go back to San Francisco. I’m not sure I can let her leave.

We all stay quiet, letting her speak.

“I love you,” she says with a pause. She’s gripping the bottom of my t-shirt, looking down when she says it as though she isn’t sure how we’ll react. But I’m not sure if she’s saying it generally to all of us, or if she’s talking to Hawk and Kane, or—

“We love you too, Lex,” Hawk says casually as though he’s told her a hundred times.

She looks up, her eyes focused on mine. “I know I’ve told Kane and Hawk I love them, but I love you too, Reaper.” She pauses, brushing her long blond hair through her fingers as she thinks over her words. “I’m in love with all of you.”

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