Page 27

Chapter twenty-seven

Evie

“Last night was fun,” I say, my fingers drawing lazy circles on Rhett’s bare chest. I’m on my stomach beside him, my head and one arm propped up on his torso as his hand runs up and down my back.

We’re in bed, both of us barely clothed — Rhett in boxer briefs, me in one of his T-shirts and a pair of panties, but the subtle desperation I used to feel when we’d be in bed together is gone. There’s no longer a ticking clock over my head, reminding me that my time with him is limited, and I had best soak up every second of intimacy I can.

Now we’re free to relax and enjoy these moments of closeness.

Well, as free as we can be, given that we’re still a secret.

Rhett makes a rumbling noise of agreement, his hand moving up to rake through my hair. “It was. And seein’ you get a higher score than your brother was the highlight of my night.”

I giggle, dropping my face down to his chest, feeling his answering chuckle vibrate under me. “He really was not happy about that.”

“We men need to be put in our place by beautiful woman on a regular basis.”

I lift my head again, shifting upward to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Spoken like a true man.”

“Nah, spoken like a mama’s boy, raised by a strong woman and a father who taught me the most important thing in life is to respect everyone, no matter what.”

I breathe in slowly and hold it for a second before exhaling as I drop my head back down, laying my cheek on his warm chest. “We should talk about my brother. Telling him, I mean.”

Rhett’s hand stills for a moment before resuming the slow, methodical stroke of my hair. “Yes. I suppose we should. It doesn’t feel so good, keeping it from him. Especially now.”

I nod. “Yeah. Especially now.”

He shifts under me, and his other hand moves to tilt my chin up. “It’s not that I thought what we were doing before, when it was just sex, was anything to be ashamed of. I hope you know that, Evie.”

“I know.” I nod against his touch. “It was my decision not to tell him. I didn’t want to come between the two of you or make things weird with the team, not when it wasn’t anything serious.”

I see his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallows, his hands coming to cup both sides of my face.

“Even when we were pretending it was just sex, I didn’t think it ever really was. Not for me, if I’m being totally honest.”

“Oh.” His words feel like a warm blanket over my heart, everything settling into place.

His thumbs move back and forth once, twice, as his deep brown eyes sear into my own .

“I’ve been fightin’ my attraction to you for a lot longer than the last few weeks. It felt wrong to want you like that, like I was betraying Yami somehow. But I’ve realized how stupid that was. He’ll always be my best friend. That doesn’t give him any goddamn right to say who I get to care for.”

I want to cry. I want to jump up on the bed and scream with happiness. And I want to kiss Rhett, over and over again.

I’ve waited so long, dreaming of the day Rhett Darlington might return my feelings for him. And now that day has come, and he’s admitted he cares for me.

And fast on the heels of wanting to cry and smile and all the things comes the crushing fear that this beautiful man could still break my heart into pieces.

Because while he might finally be in a place to acknowledge there’s something between us, I’m already in the place where I think I’m falling in love with him. And his words that first time we ever slept together have never left me.

He said he wasn’t the guy I should be in a relationship with. That I deserved more.

I don’t want more. I just want him.

I muster a smile, covering his hands with mine. “And he’ll always be my brother, but he has no right to say who I get to be with, either.”

Rhett lifts his head, meeting me halfway for a long kiss, cementing those words.

“So we tell him. Soon,” I say when our lips break apart. Rhett nods.

“Soon.”

All of a sudden, I’m flipped onto my back, and now Rhett is hovering over my torso.

“But not right now.” Hands lift my shirt up and over my head, and then he’s kissing his way down my neck, all the way over to one breast. “Right now, I think there’s an inch or two of your gorgeous body I haven’t paid attention to in a day or so.”

I giggle as he wraps his lips around my nipple, that giggle turning into a gasp when his teeth graze it as he releases it with a pop.

“Well, we can’t have that,” I say, my voice coming out breathy and high.

Rhett gives me a devilish look, his eyes gleaming with desire. “We most definitely cannot.”

“Good thing you’ve got time to rectify the situation.”

“We’ve got all the time in the world, honey.”

Several hours and orgasms later, I’m in the kitchen wearing one of Rhett’s shirts when strong arms band around my waist, soft lips landing on my neck. “This is why I love All-Star break.”

“Grilled cheese sandwiches?” I giggle as he tickles my side.

“No, uninterrupted access to you. We’ve got four days left and I want to spend as much of that time naked as we possibly can.” Rhett swats my ass, and I yelp and dance away.

“Rhett, I’m cooking!”

“Mm-hmm, and I’m hungry for more than just a sandwich, honey.” He hops up on the counter and leans back on his hands. All that muscled, tanned skin on display, ripples of abs, and a very prominent outline underneath his shorts .

I drag my gaze away as he chuckles, fully catching me gawking.

“Food first. You just” — I wave the spatula around in the air, blushing — “ate…not that long ago.”

“Let’s get somethin’ straight. I will never not be hungry for you, honey.”

“That’s…you’re…”

Rhett slides off the counter and smacks a kiss to my lips along with a grope of my ass. “Addicted to you? Guilty.”

A couple of minutes later, we’re eating our sandwiches on the couch. Well, I’m still eating. Rhett polished his off in a few bites. He leans forward and picks up the book I’m currently reading. I fight not to blush. It’s a very steamy paranormal romance about bear shifters.

“This looks…interesting,” he says. “Tell me. Do they fuck as bears or as men?”

I almost choke on my bite of grilled cheese.

“Men, Rhett. Oh my God.” I go to snatch the book away from him, but he holds it out of reach.

“Now, now, I want to know what my competition is when it comes to turning you on. What’s your favourite part?”

It just so happens I’ve read this book a few times already. “Chapter sixteen. Take a look.”

His cheeks darken and he goes to set the book down, but I reach over and stop him. “Read to me?”

“Evie,” he cautions, but I push. Just a little.

“I’m willing to bet you know more than you think you do. Your brain has created coping skills and strategies to handle situations when you have to read. Don’t sell yourself short. And if you mess up, oh well, it’s just me here and I won’t judge. Trust me?”

He inhales deeply, then blows it out just as slowly. “You know I do, honey. Okay, sixteen, you said?”

I hide my exhilaration as he flips the pages. But before he’s read even a single word, we’re interrupted by my cell ringing on the table in front of us.

“Saved by the bell,” he says, stretching to pick up my phone. “It’s your mom.”

I pout but quickly follow it with a peck to his cheek. “This isn’t over, Rhett Darlington. I want to hear you read some shifter romance. Got it?”

All I get in response is a wan smile as I answer the phone.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Evie? Hi honey, is Kai with you?”

Dread settles into me, both at her somber tone, and at her question. “No, he’s not here right now.” Not a lie…

“Okay. I’ll have to try him again later. Sweetie, I’ve got some bad news.” Mom pauses, and my hand comes up to twist the hem of Rhett’s shirt. My mind starts racing with all the things that it could possibly be. My sisters? Dad? Grandma?

“Oba-chan is in the hospital. They think it’s pneumonia.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper. I hadn’t even noticed Ruthie in front of me until I hear her whine and feel her press her cold nose into my knee. My hand drifts down to pet her head. “Is she going to be okay?”

“I don’t know.” Mom sounds broken. A far cry from the strong, positive woman she normally is. “Your dad thinks you and Kai should come home, though. Your sisters are heading to the hospital to see her today. Dad has been there since he took her in last night.”

A warm hand lands on my thigh. I turn to Rhett, my eyes filling with tears. He squeezes my leg softly, his face wreathed in concern.

“Okay, I’ll look for a flight.”

Rhett’s eyebrows raise at my whisper.

“I’m so sorry, Evie. I hope we’re being overly cautious, but the doctors warned us that with people her age, it can go downhill quickly.” Her voice catches on the last word, and a tear escapes my eye, trailing down my cheek. Rhett’s thumb lifts and he strokes it away. I let myself lean into his side, seeking comfort.

“I understand,” I whisper. “I’ll find Kai and tell him.”

“Would you? I came home to get a few things for Oba-chan and to call you two, but I really want to get back to the hospital.”

I hear sounds of her moving around in the background and nod before realizing she can’t see me. “Yeah, Mom. I’m sure he’ll be home soon. I can tell him.”

“Thank you, sweetie. If he has any questions, tell him to call me, not your dad. And let me know your flight info when you get it booked. We can help pay for it if needed. The important thing is that you get here.”

“I know. I love you, Mom. Can you tell Dad and Oba-chan that for me?” I’m openly crying now, my stomach in knots with worry for my grandmother.

“Of course. I love you, too.”

The call ends, and my phone falls from my hands. Rhett catches it, those baseball reflexes coming out. I’m numb, staring forward, trying to breathe.

“Evie, please honey, tell me what’s wrong,” Rhett says, drawing me into his embrace.

My tears fall onto his chest as my mind begins playing a reel of memories, moments with my grandmother over my entire life.

“My grandmother is in the hospital. Pneumonia. Mom said it’s not looking good, and Kai and I should go home.”

“Oh shit, honey.” Rhett holds me tighter. “I’m sorry. We’ll get you on a plane as soon as possible.”

I nod, and then the words start pouring out of me. “She’s the most amazing woman.” I hiccup, drawing in a ragged breath. “When my grandfather died, she moved out to Canada to be with my parents. Turns out, she’d always wanted to travel the world, but my grandfather was more traditional and didn’t see the point. He hated that my dad moved to Canada to be with my mom, but she always supported them.” My eyes close, a small smile crossing my face as I remember sitting with her in the living room of my parents’ house, doing my homework as she practiced her English. “She’s the reason I learned Japanese. So I could talk to her. But she wanted to learn English as well, so we taught each other.”

“I remember when I first met her, I tried to greet her in Japanese and she scolded me.” Rhett chuckles, his hand rubbing my back in comforting circles. “Then she said, ‘In Canada, we speak English, Rhett.’”

I giggle, even as I sniff back another tear. “Sounds like something she’d say.”

“Okay. So. We need to get you and Kai on a plane to Ontario, today. ”

I swipe away the remaining tears, and move to sit up, but Rhett doesn’t let me, holding me against him tightly. It takes only a second for me to give in to the comfort he’s offering.

“Just let me hold you, honey.”

I nod against his chest, snaking my arms around him so I can hold him right back.

But I have to talk to my brother, and book a flight, and pack. So a few minutes later, I pull away again. This time, he lets me.

“Okay. How can I help?” he asks, his hand returning to rub my back. I take a slow, deep breath.

“Could you try to get a hold of Kai? I’m going to search for flights.”

“You got it.”

He turns to his phone, and I pick mine back up. A few minutes later, he hands his to me. “It’s your brother.”

I take it, and he moves to stand up but I grab his arm to stop him. “Stay?” I whisper, and with a soft kiss to the top my head, he sinks back down beside me. I give him a grateful smile before turning to the phone.

“Kai? I have to tell you something.”