Page 22 of Hidden Harbor (Evergreen Rescue #1)

W earing the pajamas Lucy gave me in our gift exchange was an inspired choice, even if it mostly inspired Drew’s laughter.

Being with him kept me distracted from the conversation with Owen.

I’d danced around the details, but I couldn’t do that forever.

Owen made that clear. He wasn’t above outing me to my friends if I didn’t take the reins and outmaneuver him.

While he wouldn’t let me hide, I wouldn’t let him manipulate me into working for the family again. Not now that I knew the truth.

My friends needed to know about Owen before he approached them so they could be on guard. I’d never forgive myself if he threatened or harmed one of them to get to me.

“Which side of the bed would you like?”

Drew still wore his jeans and flannel. A suspicious dark spot on his shoulder reminded me of my crying jag, and I frowned. “You don’t want to change first?”

“I’d hate to undo all your hard work.” He gestured toward my pajamas, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“I snotted all over your shirt. I don’t have anything else in your size, but surely you prefer not to sleep in it if it’s still damp?”

“There you go again, trying to seduce me.”

“If I were seducing you, believe me, you’d know,” I promised wryly.

Slowly, he reached for the button at his waist, flicking it open.

My mouth went dry. He moved to the next button.

I held my breath. Nimble fingers worked that button free, revealing a few inches of soft gray tee beneath his flannel.

It wasn’t even skin, and I was panting like I’d spotted a cool lake in the desert.

He peeled the green flannel away from his shoulders, leaving him in just the tight tee shirt. My tears had soaked the fabric. He arched one brow, daring me to stop him, before reaching for his hem and rucking up the soft cotton, exposing firm abs. The air crackled with tension. He was daring me.

I’d spouted big words earlier about restraint. Turns out I had none. I dug my nails into my palms to keep from reaching for him.

He folded his discarded clothing neatly, setting it atop my dresser before turning back to me with an arched brow. “Jeans too?”

I swallowed. Acres of smooth tanned skin were already on display. Could I really handle more? I licked my lips, trying to restore moisture to my parched mouth.

“Maybe keep the jeans.”

My voice came out rustier than I intended. Drew pressed his teeth into his bottom lip, fighting back the grin threatening to break free.

I was admitting defeat, but I didn’t care. Pouncing on him after he’d already turned me down wouldn’t be a good look, even if he was teasing me now.

“Now which side of the bed do you prefer, honey?”

“It’s been so long since I shared that I’m used to the entire thing.”

His slow grin, growing to take up his entire face, lit a fresh fire in my belly.

“Good.”

“Me being a bed hog is good?”

His lip twitched. “If it means I get you all to myself, then yes.”

I slid into bed, tugging the covers tight around me.

Drew flipped the light switch, and the bed dipped as he joined me.

We lay there, letting the quiet take over.

Slowly, my breathing became easier. I snaked one hand across the comforter, seeking Drew out.

He shifted, gathering me into his arms until my head tucked beneath his chin.

As I settled, Owen’s threats kept circling. He wanted a connection on the island. To expand the family business. I’d done everything I could to shed my past. But it kept haunting me. How did I break free?

“I can hear you thinking. How can I help you sleep?” His soft question startled me, and I burrowed closer.

“Just tell me everything’s gonna be okay, even if it it’s a lie.”

He wrapped me more tightly in his arms. “Sunny Girl, I’m going to protect you. Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to go through me first. And not to brag, but I’m hella strong. My family is also connected as shit on this island.”

I let out a watery chuckle. “And so modest, too.”

“I’ve got you, honey. You’re safe with me. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”

He kept murmuring, repeating the words almost like a mantra as I faded into sleep.

A sliver of sun filtered through the gap in my shades, tickling at my closed lids.

Judging from the angle of the sun, I’d overslept, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Drew was still wrapped around me protectively, his hand at my hip.

His fingertips spread across my abdomen, sending trickles of heat radiating.

His silent show of possession turned me on more than it ought to, all things considered.

His breath puffed softly at my ear, steady and reassuring.

He grumbled softly, tugging me closer when I squirmed.

“Drew. You awake?”

“Mmph.”

“I’ve got to get to the studio soon,” I said regretfully.

As much as I wanted to play hooky, I couldn’t afford to flake on my students.

He hugged me closer. “Mmph.”

The hand on my hip slowly slid down my quad, and I stilled, holding my breath.

Would he snake that hand between my legs?

Slip beneath the drawstring on my pajama bottoms?

I clenched my thighs. It did nothing to fill the aching void there.

His palm traced back up my thigh to my waist, the leisurely move leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

“ Drew .”

Maybe it was the urgency in my tone he responded to. “Baby… what’s wrong?” He sounded drowsy and still half-asleep.

“I need… to get ready for work.”

Drew released me, rolling onto his back and extending his arms overhead in one big stretch. The move showcased every dip and valley from his waist to his impressive shoulders. Never had I wished more that I only had to play a responsible adult on TV, instead of paying my very real bills.

“Morning, honey.”

Two endearments before breakfast? Be still my heart.

“Good morning.”

He blinked sleepily at me, dark eyes drawing me in.

They swirled with a tenderness that made my heart stop, pausing like a frightened doe before bounding ahead.

He yawned, the kind accompanied by a full-body stretch that seemed to go on forever.

Not moving, I stared at him like I’d never seen another human being before.

He covered another yawn with one muscled forearm.

“Didn’t you say you have class?”

I sprang from bed, cursing softly. A glance at my smart watch reassured me that I still had time to make my first session, but it’d be tight.

“Sorry you have to rush off. I like waking up with you.”

His sweet smile made me want to crawl right back into bed. Damn adult responsibilities .

I gathered a fresh set of clothes from my drawers. I owed him way more than easy sex. He’d been kind enough not to pry last night, but he deserved answers.

Drew met me in the kitchen after I’d dressed, extending a mug. “Your coffee. I thought you could drink it while I walk you down the hill.”

“Thanks.” I inhaled deeply, the smell enough to get a few more brain synapses firing. “The neighbors are going to talk if you walk me to work in last night’s clothes.”

“Let ‘em. You’re not going alone.”

The brisk morning wind stung my face as we walked toward the studio, and I huddled into my jacket, glad of the mug to warm my hands. Drew ambled beside me, seeming impervious to the cold morning in just his flannel from last night.

“What time are you done for the day?” he asked.

“Four.”

He slouched against the wall beside me as I unlocked the studio, giving me a charming grin. “I’ll be back to walk you home then.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protested, flustered. I hadn’t meant to make him feel responsible for me. It reeked of emotional manipulation, and I’d had more than enough of that from my family. “You have your own work and things to do. I’ll be fine.”

“But I won’t be.”

Any thoughts of reasserting my independence faded. His dark gaze drilled into me, the sincerity plain on his face.

“Tonight, then.”

He leaned in, looming close until our mouths barely brushed. Our kiss was over before the full weight settled, and I tilted forward, chasing more.

“Tonight,” he murmured.

The promise in his eyes sent a whole-body shiver rippling from my neck to my toes, leaving an aching yearning in its place.

It was foolish to level up things with Drew when Owen lurked in the shadows like a bad imitation of a vampire, sucking the joy out of my new life.

Banishing the ghosts of relationships past meant devising a plan.

I’d tried running. Tried hiding. Those strategies were wise when I was alone.

But now? The same things I feared losing were my greatest strengths.

My family would realize I had resources.

Friends. Drew. I wasn’t easy pickings anymore.

I’d grown stronger since I cut ties with my family. Striking out on my own, I’d become surer of myself, my worth. Choosing independence and making a new life were hard, but I’d done it.

I had my studio. A life I was proud of. There was no going back under my family’s thumb.

I wouldn’t jeopardize my future for my past. But part of truly being Anya Rose meant owning Anne-Marie, at least to those closest to me.

Bolstered by my decision, I dashed off a text message to Vi before my first class.

Anya: I’d like to host a dinner party tomorrow. That okay with you?

Maybe it was an odd choice, but spending one last night laughing with my friends before laying my past bare would give me a memory to hold on to if my lies were too much for them to forgive.