Page 51 of The Love In Sunsets

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, she was right. Kiel was torn. He wanted to spend his time with Eloise, but also with his mother.

“You can always come over tonight if you want.”

Those words changed everything.

“Yeah?”

She nodded and put the key in the ignition. “I’d like you to.”

This time, he leaned forward, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her. “I’m definitely coming over after dinner.”

Kiel drove them to the house where he and his family stayed. He pulled along the curb, steadied the motorbike until Eloise had control and slid off. “Today was pretty cool,” he said as his hand swayed. Each time it came near Eloise, he wanted to reach out and touch her. “I really want to kiss you right now, but—” He glanced over his shoulder and sighed. “My sisters would never let me live it down.”

“Save it for tonight.”

“That I can do.”

“Text me if you change your mind.”

“There’s no way in hell I’m changing my mind. See you later.”

“Later.”

Kiel waited for her to pull away and get halfway down the street before he ventured into the house. He was unprepared for the questions he faced from the other women in his life. As soon as he walked in through the back door, his mom and sisters were waiting. Ciara hid her snicker behind her hand.

“What?” he asked, trying to play things off.

“Don’t what us,” his mom said. He tried desperately to keep the smile off his face but failed. “Tell us everything about her.”

Kiel ran his hand through his hair and groaned. So much for privacy, he thought, as his sisters shuffled him into the living room. He sat in the ornate wing-backed chair that had been suspiciously moved to the center of the room.

“Am I on trial?”

“Yes, spill,” Skyla said as she crossed her arms.

“Or don’t. We can speculate,” Ciara added for good measure.

Kiel leveled his gaze at her. She was his favorite, and she knew it. He’d make her pay later for not taking his side.

“Her name’s Eloise. I met her on our first day here.” Kiel told them about the encounters he and Eloise had and left out the night they spent together. What he and Eloise did in private was their business.

“She’s the one always painting at the beach?” Skyla asked.

“Yeah. She’s building her portfolio. Her aunt owns the gallery in town and has this big event at the end of the summer. Eloise will have a painting on display.”

“What does it look like?” Leona asked.

Kiel shrugged. “I think it’s something her aunt decides.”

“Is she talented?” Skyla asked.

“Tremendously. I don’t know shit about art, but when I look at her paintings, I feel something here.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I can’t explain it.”

“It’s called love, you noob. You’re in love,” Skyla said with a sigh. “Why you?” She huffed. “I want a summer romance with some local hottie.”

Ciara and Kiel rolled their eyes.

“There are plenty of lifeguards at the beach,” Ciara pointed out.

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