Page 15 of Pirates in Calusa Cove (Everglades Overwatch #2)

CHAPTER 12

Keaton glanced at the screen on the computer as he raced by the living room.

Fucking Fenton had ruined his big moment. For the first time since he’d been twenty-five, he felt love. Honest to goodness love.

It was pure and genuine, making his heart pump blood through his veins like he was a teenage boy all over again. He was pretty sure she felt the same way.

Well, as sure as he could be, considering they were two fractured beings. They were wounded in very different ways, but they shared that bond. Of course, he could have read that situation wrong. He could certainly be coming on too strong.

It had been years since he’d uttered the words, and he certainly didn’t take saying them lightly.

Perhaps this was the universe telling him to slow down. He could wait a few days. A couple of weeks…a month. No. He had made that mistake once, and he wouldn’t make it again .

He curled his fingers around the doorknob and yanked it open. Jesus, he disliked this man.

“What are you doing here? It’s late.” Keaton stood in the center of the door and glared, painfully aware he was barefoot, shirtless, and he hadn’t bothered to button his jeans. Not that it mattered. This was his home—his domain—and this man had ruined his evening.

“I came to see Trinity.” Fenton lifted his chin. The idiot held flowers in one hand. He didn’t know Trinity. Not one single bit. Even if he didn’t understand why she didn’t like flowers, he should have at least been in tune with the concept that she didn’t want them, considering they’d dated for a couple of months. But he shouldn’t be showing up at his home with a bouquet.

“You’ve got some nerve to show up here unannounced and uninvited,” Keaton said. “She doesn’t want to see you.” He pointed. “And she sure as hell doesn’t want those.”

“No offense, but I won’t take your word for it.”

“You don’t have a choice. This is my house, and you’re not welcome.” He pointed to the man’s fancy vehicle. “Now, kindly leave before I make you.”

“Not until I speak with Trinity.” Fenton widened his stance.

Jesus, this man had a big set of balls.

“Keaton,” Trinity’s voice rang in his ears.

His heart did a flip in his chest, but he didn’t dare glance over his shoulder. He wasn’t about to take his eyes off this jerk. He didn’t trust Fenton as far as he could spit. “Yes? ”

“My dad’s on the phone. He’s stopping for food on the way home, and he wants to know if we want Chinese or Italian for dinner,” she said. “Oh, Fenton. I’m surprised to see you here.” Her fingers glided across Keaton’s shoulder and curled around his biceps. She leaned into his body.

Keaton glanced down and swallowed. She wore one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers, and she looked so damn sexy in them.

“I’ve been so worried about you,” Fenton said, taking a tiny step forward. “I brought you these. I know how much you love lilies.”

Keaton inched closer. No way would he let this man inside his home. Nor would he allow him to speak with Trinity. If that made him a dick, then he’d gladly wear the title.

“Hang on. I need to give my dad an answer.” She waved her cell.

“Italian sounds great,” Keaton said softly.

“Daddy, why don’t you order something from Mario’s?” She nodded. “Okay. See you soon. Love you.” She pulled the phone from her ear, glanced down, and tapped at her screen as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

Keaton furrowed his brow and leaned over her shoulder. She actually had been talking with her dad.

She glanced up. “I’m texting Audra. She wants to know if we want to come to the B&B for breakfast tomorrow. I’m making the executive decision that we’ll be there. It’ll be fun to hang out with them.” She managed the cell quite well with one arm in a sling .

“Sounds nice.” Keaton nodded, almost forgetting an intruder stood a foot away. He shifted his gaze. “I’m not going to ask you nicely again. Now, leave.”

Fenton didn’t look at him. He stared at Trinity—really stared at her—and it got on Keaton’s nerves.

“Trinity,” Fenton said softly. “I need to speak with you, it’s important. Can we go for a walk? It won’t take long. I promise.”

“No,” Keaton said. “She’s not going anywhere with the likes of you.”

“I wasn’t speaking to you.” Fenton’s face hardened. His nostrils flared like a bull. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let Trinity talk for herself.”

“We have nothing to say to each other, Fenton.” Trinity tucked her good arm through Keaton’s and leaned against his shoulder. “And keep the flowers. I don’t like lilies. They’re your favorite, not mine.”

Keaton puffed out his chest. He wasn’t normally the kind of man to do that. But damn, he was proud. It was an honor to have her on his arm.

“Please, Trinity. There are things I need to tell you.”

“Okay. Speak.” She glanced at her cell. “But we’ve only got a few minutes, so make it fast. Keaton and I need to get ready. We have friends coming over shortly for happy hour.”

This was news to Keaton. He figured she was lying, and it scared him how good she was at it.

“Not in front of him.” Fenton jerked his head.

“Well, if you can’t say it in front of my boyfriend, then I don’t want to hear it,” Trinity said with a strong, confident voice. “And seriously, don’t come to his house again without calling. Actually, don’t call me or him ever again. I’ve put up with this long enough. I broke up with you for a reason.”

“You’re not safe here,” Fenton blurted out. “I’ve heard things about him, and they aren’t rumors. I know people. You need to listen to me.”

Keaton wasn’t going to stand in his own house and listen to this shit. “Get?—”

“I don’t need to listen to anything you say.” Trinity squeezed Keaton’s arm. “You’re a liar, a cheater, and the only person you care about is yourself. I don’t know what game you’re playing now, but I never want to see you again. So, if you don’t leave, I will call the police chief.” She leaned a little closer. “I’ve got his personal number on speed dial, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

“Remember, I warned you about him.” Fenton shifted his gaze, as if to look past both of them and into Keaton’s personal sanctuary. Then he turned on his heel and marched off toward his vehicle.

Keaton watched him back out and pull onto the main road. Then he turned, cupped Trinity’s face, and kissed her hard. It was wet and sloppy. It wasn’t very romantic. He suspected he had bruised her lips as they stumbled backward into the wall. When he broke off the kiss, they were both breathless and gazing into each other’s eyes with wonderment.

“You…were…incredible just now. You handled him like a pro,” Keaton whispered.

“I’m so tired of him.” She pressed her hand on his chest and pushed a little.

He realized he was crushing her arm .

“Shit. I’m sorry. I hurt you.”

“That kiss was worth the throb in my shoulder.”

He chuckled.

“I don’t understand what Fenton’s obsession with me is. My dad’s not going to fire him. Not unless he screws up, and so far, he’s been a model employee. But you should know that I texted Dawson when I heard it was him standing outside.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you did that. Documenting how much he texts, calls, and shows up will build a potential harassment case.”

“Trust me, unfortunately, I know the drill. Only, Fenton hasn’t hit that number, and he’s never threatened me. He’s not like Charlie. Fenton’s just a cheater and after my dad’s money.”

“And therein lies his obsession with you.” He arched a brow. “I have to ask. I understand why you think a man bringing you flowers represents him asking for forgiveness for things he’s done wrong, but do you have a favorite flower?”

“Definitely not lilies.” She smiled and laughed. “When I used to appreciate them, I always enjoyed more of an arrangement of color. But seriously, why does it matter?”

“Because I was raised that flowers at random times are romantic. My dad always brought flowers home to my mom on weird days and for absolutely no reason. When she’d ask why, he’d say it’s Flower Friday. Or it’s the thirteenth of the month, so you needed thirteen roses.”

“That’s kind of sweet. However, I need to ask a dumb question.” She cocked her head. “Had they been fighting?”

“No, and I can say that with the utmost certainty because when my folks did argue, they pretty much always did it in front of us kids. My mom has always said the big fights, the ones about how to parent, were done in private, but when they were mad at each other, we all knew. They believed it important to get those feelings off their chests when they happened. Get it over with, forgive, and move on.” He shrugged. “It worked for them, but sometimes, I will admit, it made it awkward for us kids.”

“My dad tried never to fight in front of me with my mom, but she was a screamer, and she also demanded flowers and gifts after they fought. It was gross.”

“I can promise that I will never buy you a gift or flowers to make up for a fight.” Keaton kissed her temple, took her hand, and strolled to the kitchen. He needed to express his feelings. He’d given Dawson shit for holding out, and with this case looming over their heads, he refused to make the same mistake twice.

But he didn’t want to blurt it out. He did feel the need to make it somewhat special. He wanted both of them to remember the moment.

Unless, of course, he crashed and burned. That was always a possibility.

Keaton pulled down a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. He pushed one of the stools back to the breakfast bar and helped her hop on.

“Can I ask you a question?” She fiddled with her wineglass .

“Of course.”

“What do you think Fenton meant by he’d heard things about you?”

Keaton leaned against the sink and sipped his wine. He’d missed this stuff, and enjoying it wasn’t strange at all, especially with Trinity. It amazed him how comfortable he’d become having her in his space. He normally didn’t like having people in his home—outside of his buddies or his family.

This was his safe place. A space where he could be alone with his thoughts. Alone with his demons—those things he didn’t share with anyone. But he’d shared them with her.

“It could have been any number of things,” he admitted. “When we first came to town, people gossiped about how we’d all been there when Ken died. There are still a few rumors that float around about that, and Ken is a local hero.”

“I’ve heard all those,” she said softly. “But there are things about Ken that have come out that aren’t…well…so nice, either.”

Keaton had struggled with some of that and knew more was coming down the pipeline—he just didn’t know what. He and the guys had all talked about that. Ken was the one man on the team who was different. Far more different than Hayes. More private than any of them.

He’d had a wife and kids, so they’d all chalked it up to that.

But even when Keaton had been with Petra, he hadn’t been as close-lipped about his life. There had been times when Ken had spent an entire weekend not hanging out with the team. He’d been with Julie and her family. It wasn’t abnormal for a man to do that.

It just wasn’t normal—for them.

Keaton grimaced. “Ken made a mistake when he was young. He pivoted. He corrected the course of his life, and we really don’t know what he knew about Paul, Benson, and their operation.”

“But he knew something,” Trinity said. “And I’ve spoken to Audra about when Ken found her and how he spoke to her that night. It wasn’t kind. It wasn’t a man begging the woman he loved to come home. I didn’t live here for all the crap that Baily went through, but Ken did and said things that make me wonder what he did or didn’t know.”

Keaton had been wondering those same things. “Part of me wants to believe that Ken wanted Baily out because he knew and didn’t want her to get caught in the crossfire, but that makes him guilty of not doing anything. The other part of me—because I knew Ken well—believes he just wanted his sister to get out from under the shit their father left her with.”

“But that was Baily’s decision, not Ken’s.” Trinity arched a brow. “And now, we’ve drifted off topic.”

Keaton nodded. “I honestly don’t know what Fenton’s talking about now. The team and I have gained the town’s respect. He’s probably just still trying to win you back.” He set his glass down, and with his heart in his throat, he closed the gap. “You are an incredible woman. You’re sweet. Kind. Intelligent. And I’ve been an utter moron for the last year. I’m kicking myself because I couldn’t see past my own insecurities and fears.”

“You really know how to get all mushy.” Her smile melted his heart and mended the parts of him that were broken.

“I haven’t even warmed up.” He kissed her. Slowly. Softly. He pulled away, gazing into her captivating eyes. “And now, I might muck it all up and send you packing, but I won’t let another minute tick by without telling you how I feel.”

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” she said in more of a breath than words. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this—that we’re ready for this.”

“Is anyone ever really ready to fall head over heels in love?” He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “Because that’s what’s happening. I’m falling hard for you, Trinity. I can’t stop it. And truth be told, it’s been happening for a while. It didn’t just magically appear overnight. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you—dreaming about you—for months. I’ve been so afraid of being in love that all I’ve done is act like a jerk, so your only option was to dislike me.”

A tear trickled out of her eye and crash-landed on her cheek. She smiled. “Even when you were being an asshole—which for the record, was almost every day—I always liked you.”

And that was it. She liked him—not loved—liked.

Well, everyone had to start somewhere.

He cupped the back of her neck and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Like is good. I can live with that.”

She giggled. “I wasn’t finished. ”

“Oh,” he said.

“You can be a hard man to get to know, but you’re not necessarily complicated once you do. Over the last year, I’ve seen glimpses of who you really are, which is this sweet, gentle man who cares deeply. I couldn’t put my finger on why you were so much harder on me than everyone else. It wasn’t the same as with Silas, who I do get cares a great deal about me. But it was different with you. It was like this weird yin and yang. One minute, I thought we were friends, while I secretly wanted more. The next, I figured you hated me.”

“I never?—”

She pressed her finger over his lips.

“I’ve been falling for you, too. It wasn’t this thing that happened overnight. I didn’t wake up one morning and think, God, I love this man. It was gradual. Until it wasn’t, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.”

He couldn’t help it. He smiled. Wide. And his cheeks hurt.

“But honestly, Keaton. Loving you scares me.”

He frowned. “Why?”

She groaned, dropping her head to the center of his chest. “I’ve never felt real love before. Not anything like this. I’ve had boyfriends, but they never last. I’ve been told I’m too much of a princess, or I find out they’re only interested in Daddy’s money. And Charlie, well, I realized how much I didn’t love him when I got pregnant.”

He reached down and cupped her chin. “I get how terrifying love can be. I’ve only felt it twice, and both times, it made me want to jump up and down like a kid waiting to open presents on his birthday while at the same time wanting to run away as fast as I could.”

“You feel like that now?”

“A little bit.” He chuckled. “I closed myself off to love because of how painful the loss of it can be. At least, that’s why I thought I did. But now, I realize it wasn’t that at all. I closed up because I was afraid I wasn’t worth it.”

“I wish I could say that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, but my mother has made me feel as though I’m not worthy of love my entire life. I think I’ve chosen men who aren’t capable of love because of that.”

“Well, aren’t we a pair?” He kissed her temple. Her cheek. The soft spot under her earlobe. And then her lips. “I do love you, Trinity.”

“I love you, too.”

He covered her mouth with his in a passionate, meaningful kiss. He nestled between her legs, wrapped his arms around her body, and held her gently. Nothing about this moment would ever be forgotten. Every word would forever be etched into his brain. Every touch. Every kiss. Every swirl of her tongue in his mouth.

He’d never let it go. No matter what happened. He’d die for this woman.

Emotion poured through him, his heart bursting like a dam giving way. It was as if all the pieces of himself that he thought had been lost forever were suddenly found.

The sound of the door lock moving caught his attention .

He jumped, smacking her shoulder.

She groaned.

“Shit. I’m sorry.” He reached for his weapon.

But it was only her father.

Monty stepped through the front door carrying bags of food. “Looks like I interrupted…something.” He laughed. “Please, don’t mind me. Go back to whatever you were doing while I put the food out.”

Trinity blushed and buried her face in his bare chest.

His bare freaking chest. Not to mention, he’d never buttoned his pants, and she was wearing his clothes.

They both probably smelled of sex. Thank God Monty had brought garlic bread because now his house smelled like that.

“I should go put a shirt on,” he mumbled before kissing her again. It was going to be hard not to put his hands and mouth on her every chance he got now.

“Yeah, it’s rude to be at the dinner table like that,” Monty teased.

As awkward as he’d felt a few days ago, it had all disappeared. Monty was a ballbuster, and Keaton loved that about the man. He also respected him and enjoyed his company. The two men had gotten to know each other, and Keaton at least believed Monty thought Keaton was a decent choice for his daughter.

With that thought, Keaton strolled to his room feeling more alive than he had in years.