Page 36 of Tangled Desires

Isla climbs out, adjusting her sunglasses. “Couldn’t have picked a better spot.”

Imogen steps out, brushing sand off her jeans. “I’m not sunbaking if there’re crocs around.”

Xavier laughs. “No crocs, princess. Just sun, sand, and maybe a few seagulls.” I toss a water bottle to Imogen.

“You’re fine. No crocs. Looks like we’ve got the place to ourselves.” Imogen rolls her eyes, but a small smirk tugs at her lips.

She takes a sip. “Goody.”

Xavier wraps an arm around Isla and gives me a nod. “You ready to hit the riverbank?”

I grin, looking at Imogen. “We won’t be long. You two good?”

Isla waves me off. “We’ll be fine. Go enjoy your boy time.”

Imogen shrugs. “Just don’t roll the ute.”

“Now, where’s the fun in that?” I shoot her a wink before climbing back in the ute, Xavier following suit.

About an hour later, Xavier and I push the Hilux further up the riverbank, hitting the rough stuff. The ute bucks over rocks, the river roaring alongside us. I shift gears, scanning the path ahead.

“This next bit’s tricky,” I warn, eyeing a steep incline with jagged rocks. Each bump makes me grin. This is it—the reason I love off-roading. The dangerous ground that keeps me on my toes. Xavier leans forward, squinting.

“Stick left, avoid those rocks. You’ll be fine.”

I gun it over the rough patch, feeling the tyres grip. “I think this track’s tougher than last time?”

He laughs. “Or maybe you’ve gone soft.”

“Soft? Nah, mate. Never.”

We ride in silence for a minute, the roar of the river and the hum of the Hilux filling the space, until Xavier clears his throat. “So, how’s things with Imogen?” he asks, voice softer. “I don’t know much, apart from what Isla’s told me. But how’s it going, mate?”

I keep my eyes locked on the path, my hands firm on the wheel. “It’s... different, you know? I mean, fuck, I’ve been obsessed with her for so long, and now we’re here, and it justfeels... weird. Like, I want this. I want her, but I don’t know. It’s a lot.” I pause, searching for the words that make sense. “It’s a fresh start. Deep down, I’m fucking glad it’s with her. If there’s anyone I could see myself settling down with, it’s her.”

I slow the ute down, letting out a short laugh. “Fuck, maybe I’m the one going all soft.”

Xavier smirks. “Mate, if obsessing over a woman makes you soft, you’ve got company. Welcome to the club.”

I chew on that for a second, “I just... I don’t want to fuck this up. I’m worried she’ll push me away once the baby’s born. I don’t know how to handle that, you know?”

Xavier nods, his eyes narrowing like he’s weighing his words. “Mate, I get it. You’ve been through a lot, and yeah, it’s a big shift. Don’t worry about her pushing you away. Imogen’s tough, but that doesn’t mean she’ll shut you out. You just gotta be there, you know? Be steady, even when things get messy.”

I take in his words, but they don’t settle right. Xavier might be talking about toughness, but I’ve been through it—grew up tough, had my life handed to me in ways no kid should. Tough’s something I know.

This? This doesn’t feel like that. Not even close. “Yeah, right,” I mutter, trying to push the thoughts down. “Just don’t wanna fuck it all up.”

Xavier slaps me on the back. “You won’t. You’ve got this, mate. Just stay in it. Trust me, when that baby gets here, it’ll be different—but in a good way. Tough, but good.”

I snort. “You reckon she’ll ever move in? She’d rather run barefoot over broken glass than admit she’s even thinking about it.”

Xavier grins. “If she does, it’ll be on her terms. And forget about picking the baby’s name—that’s all hers.”

“Yeah, no shit.” I laugh, the thought lingering. “But I’d want nothing more.”

“She’ll come around. And if you need tips on pregnancy mood swings, just ask. Been there, mate.”

I grin back, but his words stick with me as we hit the next bump. We head back to where the girls are sprawled on their towels. As we get closer, I catch sight of Imogen—blonde curls spread on the towel, her body as fucking phenomenal as ever. That killer rack, those curves... She doesn’t even try, and still, she wrecks me every time. Xavier’s already on Isla’s towel, scattering sand everywhere.