Page 27 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

“That’s why Holloway hired us, I suppose.”

After we finish up at the restaurant, we spend the afternoon exploring more of the resort. Elliot and Oliver head to the spa, probably because they know the last thing I want is a massage from a stranger. Wren and I check out the rest of the grounds, mostly just walking around to get familiar with the place.

“We should probably walk the beach by the condos,” I say, glancing at my watch. “I’d leave it for Ell and O, but it’s getting late. We have to figure out dinner still, and I definitely want to shower before drinks.”

Wren chews on her bottom lip as her gaze travels toward the water. Just as I’m about to suggest that she can hang out in the penthouse while I check it out, she nods.

We take our time, following a paved pathway for as long as we can before stepping onto the beach. Wren takes her sandals off, but then she immediately puts them back on because the sand is burning hot.

As we walk along the beach, Wren keeps glancing toward the water. Her grip on my hand has gotten progressively tighter as the strip of sand narrows, forcing us closer to the waves.

“Why don’t you stand on the other side of me,” I say, tugging her so I’m the one closer to the water.

She resists. “No, please. There’s plenty of distance between us and the ocean, and this is…

it’s good. If I start struggling to control my thoughts, then we can switch.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. If I put it off, the thought of being around water will get scarier and scarier until I never face my fears. I know you guys think I’m pushing myself too hard, but I have to.”

She doesn’t, but obviously she disagrees with me. As we walk, I divert some of my attention from our surroundings to her. It’s too easy to get lost in horrifying thoughts without realizing it. I want her to be able to pull herself out if she goes too far, but I’ll be watching in case she can’t.

She purposefully looks away from the water. “The condos look really nice.” There’s a row of them, all with their own slice of beach.

“I believe Ludo booked that one,” I say, pointing to one of them. It has its own pool and hot tub, along with a small yard, an outdoor bar, and a large fire pit. “He mentioned getting an end one.”

“Wow,” she breathes, staring at it. “These are all sonice.”

“Not terribly private, but yeah.”

“Is that why we’re in a penthouse? For privacy?”

I nod. It’s also because the thought of staying so close to Ludo would’ve driven me up a wall. Both of us living in the same city is already hard enough as it is.

As we walk, I take in as much as I can. I already got a decent look at the beach due to the aerial photos on the resort’s website, but I wanted to check it out in person anyway. You notice different things from different angles.

“Rhett?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Can we go up to the water?”

“Sure.”

The water is mostly calm. After taking off our shoes, Wren hesitates right at the point that the waves wash up to. She digs her toes into the sand. Then, carefully, she steps forward. The waves lap lazily up the shore, covering her toes. She doesn’t jump, doesn’t back away, just takes a long, shuddering breath.

After a minute of watching the water, she turns to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You wouldn’t let me drown, would you?”

I’d be offended that she thinks she even has to ask, but that’s not what’s going on here. Oliver asks things like that often. It’s less him questioning my character and love for him, and more him asking for reassurance to help get past his anxiety. I’m unsurprised that Wren is doing something similar.

“Absolutely not.”

She sighs, resting her head against my chest. It’s too hot to stay like this for long, especially with the sun beating down on us, but I let her lean against me for a minute before easing some space in between us. Her arms are still looped around my neck, but we’re not touching anywhere else.

“It’s really pretty out here,” she murmurs. “I’ve only seen the ocean once. I think I’m glad we’re staying farther from the water, though.”

“Same here.”