Page 9 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

Chapter Eight

Cooper

Now that I had her in my space, I wasn't sure what I should do with her. I’d like for her to see my renovations but beyond that, what was the plan? I didn't want her to feel pressured into having sex. I didn't even want that to be the expectation.

I had a feeling Ivy didn't know how to react if sex wasn't on the table. She used physical intimacy to block out everything else.

"You want to sit on the deck? I can get us a drink."

I half expected her to make an excuse and leave. She'd seen what she wanted to. I didn't have anything else to keep her here. And as much as I wanted to test out the new shower heads, I wouldn't do that tonight. I wanted to keep her guessing.

"Sure."

My heart leaped at her easy agreement. We headed downstairs to the kitchen where I grabbed a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. Then we went outside to the deck where you could hear the crash of the waves.

She sat on the cushioned couch, and I sat next to her, placing the glasses on the coffee table.

"This is perfection."

"Can you imagine coming home to this every night?"

Something flashed in her eyes, and I wondered what she was thinking. She had to make great commissions with her record and have a nice stockpile of cash from her successes.

"I can."

I handed her a glass and took one for myself. Lifting it, I said, "To your beach house."

She clinked her glass with mine. "To my beach house."

I smiled before sipping the wine. I preferred beer, but she was my guest, and I wanted her to be comfortable. "Is it weird to be alone without our friends here?"

"I don't get much time for socializing. I hang out with the group occasionally and do other networking events."

"Do you spend a lot of time on Captiva?" I asked her.

"I wish. The properties there are massive."

I leaned back in the chair, pleased to see that she seemed relaxed. "You can't break into the market?"

"Those realtors have been around forever. The families come from old money, and they use the same realtors their parents did."

"You'll get there."

Ivy sighed. "Just one commission from one of those properties would let me start my dream of generational wealth."

That was impressive. "I didn't know that was your aspiration."

"I want to ensure that my family never has to worry about money again. Mom's doomed to repeat her patterns. If I gave her money, it would be gone, or she'd run off with one of her boyfriends, leaving behind my siblings. Then again, maybe that would be a good thing."

"You want custody of your brother and sister?"

Ivy sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything."

I waited for her to continue. I had a feeling this was something she wanted to get off her chest but didn't talk to many people about it.

"I've spoken to a lawyer, and I have all the documents written up for guardianship or custody, depending on the circumstances. I'm ready to move quickly if I must. But I don't anticipate anything changing. I'm trying to help as much as I can from my position as the big sister."

Ivy was a good person. She cared about her family. She wanted a better life, not only for herself but for her siblings. "Is that why you haven't bought a beach house? You want to be prepared in case you become their guardian?"

"Well, under that assumption I should have a bigger place for them to move into."

"Yeah." I hadn't even thought about that aspect.

"I should start looking more seriously. This place is divine."

It wasn't the same when I came home alone and crashed in the bed by myself. There was something infinitely more attractive about having Ivy here on my deck.

"You only wanted me to see your house and share a glass of wine?" Ivy asked.

I glanced over at her. "No expectations, remember?"

She raised a brow. "What if I have a few?"

"I'm a man of my word. I told you I wouldn't make a move on you tonight." I wouldn't make any promises about the future though.

She shifted on the cushion as if she was uncomfortable with the idea. "You're different from other guys."

"Maybe I'm just different than the guys you've allowed yourself to be involved with."

Her brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You date safe guys. Ones that couldn't possibly get too close."

Ivy scoffed. "That's ridiculous. I date men who know I don't want a commitment."

"How do you know that I'm the same?"

She pointed at me with an amused smile. "If you remember, you promised me one time."

"Does it make you uncomfortable that I changed my mind?" I waited with bated breath to see what her answer might be.

"If it becomes something I don't want, then I have no problems ending it." Her tone was stiff.

I wasn't sure that she believed what she was saying. Was it possible to get her to a point that she felt differently? It was a challenge I wanted to take. "You don't want to get married one day?"

Ivy frowned. "I haven't had the best example when it comes to relationships and parenting. I assumed it would be healthier for me to stay away from all that."

That was sad. She'd deny herself a life with someone and a family because of her mother's mistakes. "You don't think that you could be different from your mother?"

She frowned. "I am different."

"Then why don't you think you could have a better success rate?"

Ivy chuckled. "I don't know the first thing about relationships."

I frowned. "You never had the inclination to find out?"

Ivy shook her head. "I never met anyone that I'd take that chance for."

I was fairly sure she was already different with me. I had the advantage. I just needed to play my cards right.

"We both have successful businesses to run. You have your family to think about." Ivy set her glass on the table, and I knew my window was closed. At least for the night. "I don't mind enjoying ourselves physically. But there isn't room for anything else."

I forced myself to act nonchalant. "Let me walk you out."

Her brow raised in surprise, but she followed my lead, heading toward the door and inside.

"Thanks for stopping by." It was good to have her in my space.

"It's absolutely gorgeous. You should be proud."

"Thank you." I was, but this place was empty most of the time. There wasn't anyone to fill the space with love and laughter. It was just me after a long day at work. I showered, maybe drank a beer on the deck, and then fell into bed exhausted.

What would it be like to share the space with Ivy? I could imagine evenings on the deck, talking about our day, and fucking in the hot tub, the pool, and on every surface.

I walked her outside to her SUV. I waited for her to get into the driver's side seat, and then I leaned in. "Drive safely."

"Thanks, Cooper."

I liked hearing my name on her lips. I wished it was in the throes of passion. But I could bide my time with her. I wanted her to be a little off-center with me. I wanted this to be different for her.

"Night, Ivy." Then I forced myself to step away.

She closed her door and reversed down the driveway. I waited until her taillights disappeared and then went back inside. Our glasses were still on the table, and I didn't have the heart to clean them up.

I couldn't believe I'd gotten her to come here. To break a few of her rules and spend time with me in my space. It was a win. I just wasn't sure how much further I'd get with her. She'd keep me at arms' length.

At what point would I want more?

The senior center was holding an anniversary party. There would be dancing and food, and our family was expected to be there. Phyllis said it was because we'd worked on their flower beds.

I hoped Ivy would be there too.

There had been a few news articles about Kingston Construction giving money to the library, with some negativity surrounding the fact that Brady was engaged to the children's librarian and head of the afterschool program.

Dad wasn't happy about the negative press, especially so soon after the local magazine had run an article and online poll about the Kingston brothers being the most eligible bachelors on the island.

It had caused a rift between Brady and Hazel too, and Brady was desperate to heal it. I wasn't sure what Brady had planned for the evening, but I hoped he worked it out with her.

When I walked inside, the party was set up in the social room where bingo was usually held. The tables had been cleared away and a dance floor set up near the front of the room.

There was a little stage with a lecturn and an overhead projector with pictures of the work and events that had taken place over the years.

Hazel stepped up to the microphone. "I wanted to welcome you to the senior center. We're so happy to have you here tonight to celebrate—" She broke off because Brady walked in, and Ivy rushed to the projector. She held up a finger for Hazel to wait.

"There must be some difficulty with the projector,” Hazel said.

Ivy stepped back, and the pictures disappeared. In its place was a video of Brady and a man I'd never seen before. He introduced himself as Colin Waters, a reporter from an independent Florida newspaper.

The room was quiet as the video played of the man interviewing Brady. Brady explained how he’d met Hazel, the engagement, and the fake relationship.

Brady’s words continued to play over the speakers, how he loved Hazel and wanted a future together. He didn't want to let the love of his life go.

Brady crossed the room, holding Hazel’s hand. I couldn’t hear whatever they were saying to each other. But his words spurred me to talk to Ivy.

When I saw Elena standing with Hudson at the back of the room, I approached them. "Do you know where Ivy went?”

Concern flashed over Elena's face. "She wasn't feeling well. She went home."

"Was it something she ate or a virus?" Should I be showing this level of concern? We weren't supposed to be public about our relationship. But then again, it was just a fling according to her.

"Probably something she ate. I'm sure she'll be fine."