Page 32 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

ADRIAN

A fter breakfast, I turn to Fiona. “The water is pretty warm,” I tell her. “Do you want to take the canoe out and paddle around the lake?”

Her face brightens. “There’s a canoe? Brilliant.”

“You say that now,” Brody grumbles. “But Adrian built this canoe. It’s stupidly heavy and tippy, but he’s attached to it and won’t get rid of it.”

She laughs. “I grew up in a fishing village in Maine,” she says. “I’ve spent more time in the water than on land. I’ll be fine.”

The water’s surface is as calm as glass, and there’s not a single powerboat in sight. It’s a great day to be outside.

Admit it, Lockhart. It’s not just the weather. It’s the girl.

I push that thought away. It’s a beautiful summer day, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. I don’t want to relive the past, and I don’t want to contemplate the future. I just want to enjoy the present.

We paddle for a couple of hours. We’re a good distance from the cabin when I hear the faint sound of a car engine.

A pair of cars is making their way up my driveway.

“Hey, that’s my car,” Fiona says as she catches sight of them.

“Good for Xavier. I’m still annoyed with him for not warning me about Raymond, but I’ve got to say, he thinks of everything. ”

The driver parks Fiona’s car next to mine before driving away in the other car. “How far away from the club are we?” she asks curiously.

“Forty-five minutes,” I answer absently, my thoughts elsewhere. I should tell her that we knew about Raymond too. She has a right to know that Xavier asked us to protect her.

She’s going to think that’s the reason you’re spending time with her. Because of Xavier.

Fuck. We might have backed ourselves into a corner here.

It’s almost lunch, and we’re thinking of heading back when it starts to drizzle. “Oh come on,” I grouse. “Seriously?”

I look up at the sky, which has, in the space of minutes, filled with ominous-looking rain clouds. The drizzle is the start of a much bigger storm. “We should head back,” Fiona says, though the reluctance in her voice is clear. “I’ve been caught in a downpour before. It’s not fun.”

“I agree.” Brody starts to paddle in the direction of the dock. Fiona reaches for an oar, and I take it from her.

“Seriously?” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe you won’t let me paddle. I’m from Maine, remember? I’ve kayaked in the sea. Compared to that, this lake is child’s play.”

“Yes, Fiona.” Brody’s tone is amused. “We both know that. Tomorrow, we’ll put you in a kayak, and you can play all you want.”

We pull up to the dock, and Fiona jumps out and helps us pull the boat out of the water. By now, the drizzle has intensified. Fat, cold raindrops are dripping down my neck, a distinctly unpleasant sensation. “Go in,” Brody urges Fiona.

She frowns at us. Stubborn woman. “I want to help.”

The sky opens up right then, and the three of us abandon the canoe and set off in a run toward the cabin. “What about the boat?” Fiona pants once we’d reached the porch.

“With any luck, that monstrosity will get swept into the lake,” Brody quips.

I flip Brody the bird, and Fiona bursts into laughter. I take off my sodden t-shirt as I watch the rain. Fiona shivers, the amused look suddenly leaving her eyes. My cock stirs in my shorts at her reaction. “Like what you see?”

“Yes.” She takes a half-step toward me.

Brody clears his throat, and that snaps me out of my daze. As attracted as I am to Fiona, I’ve got to take things slow. I turn to push open the front door and almost fall over the medium-sized box that’s propped up next to the doorway. “What’s this?”

Brody picks it up. “It’s addressed to you, Fiona.” We go inside, and he sets the box down on the coffee table. “Since the only people that have been here were the employees from Club M, I think it’s safe to say that this is from Xavier.”

“More wine?” she asks dryly. “How much does he think I drink?” There’s an envelope taped to the box. She opens it and reads aloud. “’ Just in case.’ Just in case of what?”

I have a very good idea what it contains. Sure enough, when Fiona opens the box, it’s filled with sex toys.

Xavier Leforte is a busybody who seems intent on matchmaking.