Page 48 of Storm Warning
Wait, what?
She met his gaze, her mind racing, her skin tingling. “You have a fireplace on your private porch too? How many do you have? I think I’ve seen at least five!”
Nick peered up at the ceiling, pretending to count, and it made her smile despite the delicious tension thrumming between them. “Let me see. Including your suite, I think there are six.” He shrugged, his casual demeanor making her relax even as something deeper pulled tighter. “We like fire.”
“Well, your home is beautiful. It’s huge, of course,but it exudes a sense of home. It’s a mansion on the outside, but a cozy home on the inside.”
At last, he led her outside, and across a broad lanai looking out over the water. The evening air, silky against her skin, carried the scent of jasmine and salt. Flames danced over sparkling glass in the sunken fire pit, casting a golden light that flickered and swayed.
David and Zach lounged on one side on a plush sofa while Marguerite curled up on an armchair. Bottles and glasses cluttered a side table.
David grinned up at them. “Hey, there you are. Welcome to our cold winter gathering.”
Kate laughed. “Oh no, I forgot my parka. I hope the fire doesn’t go out.”
“Don’t worry,” David said. “It’s gas—almost eternal.”
“I’ll keep you warm anytime,” Nick murmured in her ear, his breath ghosting across her neck, sending a tingling rush down her spine before pooling in her belly.
Kate sank into the cushions, a smile spreading across her face despite—or maybe because of—the delicious awareness coursing through her. “And good evening to all of you! Thank you for letting me join you. This is a perfect way to wind down after a long day.”
She sighed as Nick settled beside her, his arm sliding around her shoulders and pulling her to his side. The solid warmth of him pressed against her, and she fought the urge to burrow closer.
“Mémé,” she called, her voice bright. “It’s good to see you again! Have your babies been behaving?”
Marguerite giggled like a little girl, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Never.” She mock-sighed, her voice light. “What am I going to do with them? I am happy you are here. Please talk some sense into them.”
Kate chuckled, mirth bubbling in her chest. “Oh, no, don’t you put that on me! They are your babies!” The laughter following felt comfortable, right.
As Nick poured her more wine, his fingers brushing hers as he handed back the glass, she watched the three brothers interact.
David waved his arms, telling a story about a logistical disaster in Bali, hands carving the air. Zach listened with one eyebrow raised, occasionally cutting in with a deadpan comment which made Marguerite giggle. Nick leaned back with a relaxed grin, every so often looking over at Kate as though to ensure she hadn't disappeared. Each time their eyes met, heat flickered between them.
A pang of envy squeezed her ribs; not at the camaraderie displayed, but rather the unspoken understanding between them, the trust. The obvious love.
When David finished his story to a round of laughter, Zach shot Kate a direct look. “And how was your day? We haven’t been scaring you off, I hope.”
“Not at all.” She smiled, the warmth of the fire in her cheeks—or maybe it was from Nick’s thumb drawing lazy circles on her shoulder. “I’m enjoying seeing all of you together. It’s… nice.”
Marguerite reached over to pat her hand. “They look intimidating, do they not? But they are harmless.”
“Mostly,” David muttered, smirking at Zach.
Zach huffed out a laugh. “Speak for yourself.” He turned his attention back to Kate, his tone shifting—still warm, but more focused. “Have you noticed anything else? Anything off, even if it didn’t seem like a big deal?”
Kate blinked, caught off guard by the question. “You mean… beyond the tsunami alert and the allergy incident?”
Zach gave a slow nod. “Yeah. Anything strange with the staff, the tech, anything that didn’t sit right?”
Nick’s hand, resting on her shoulder, stilled. He didn’t say anything, but the muscles beneath her palm tautened.
She considered. “I went to the main pool this afternoon to work. There was a guest incident at the bar there. A guy tried to scam a server—made a scene about wrong drinks, but the staff handled it. Walter showed him security footage to shut it down.”
Zach pinned his gaze on Nick. “You didn’t mention that one.”
Nick frowned. “Because I haven’t seen a report yet. But if someone’s staging guest confrontations now…”
“Or testing reactions,” Zach murmured.