Then he slides down his jeans, which leaves him in black boxer briefs that strain against another erection.Don’t stare and make this weird, Paige.I look away as he climbs into the hot tub.
The sun is starting to set, and I let myself get lost in the brilliance of the sky. “In high school, I couldn’t wait to get out of Wild Heart, but now that I’m taking the time to appreciate how beautiful it is here, I’m starting to regret being away for so long.”
“I’m sorry shit was so tough for you back then. I had no idea that people found out about our discussion, or that Irma was such a bitch about the whole thing.”
I shrug. “It’s my own fault for butting in. I had no business doing what I did. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
My heart races as I carefully choose my words. “I know I was young, and I’m sure to you I was just Danny’s kid sister, but I considered you one of my best friends. I cared about you, and I didn’t want to see you get hurt.”
When he doesn’t say anything, I look over and find him studying me. “It took a lot of guts to do what you did, wildflower. If I’d had more sense at the time, I would’ve taken it more seriously. You were right about Amber all along, and I hate the idea that you’ve changed because of what happened back then. You’re perfect. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
My throat gets tight, and I nod. “Thank you.” If I’m so perfect, why is it so hard to find a good boyfriend? One who actually cares enough about me to introduce me to his family?
“And since you know all my dirty laundry, you gonna tell me what happened between you and that ex of yours? How long did you date?”
It’s eerie how he nearly read my mind. “Ten months I’ll never get back, though he did let me live with him after a tree destroyed my house.”
“What happened?”
I pull my hair out of a ponytail and twist it into a messy bun. “We had a crazy storm that uprooted a tree, which slammed into the house I was renting. It actually pinned my roommate down.”
“Holy shit.”
“Abby was fine, but it scared the hell out of both of us. We couldn’t stay in the house any longer, and Marcus invited me to stay with him. I had nowhere else to go, so I took him up on his offer. But he and I were a mistake.”
His face goes hard. “Did he not treat you right?”
“He was always preoccupied. I always felt like an afterthought.” I look down. “And then…”
“Then?”
I sigh. “I overheard him talking with his friends, and one asked if he was bringing me to his parents’ anniversary dinner, and he said, ‘Fuck, no. My parents won’t like her. She doesn’t have any real goals. They won’t think she’s marriage material.’”
“Are you serious? What an asshole.”
“It would’ve been fine if he hadn’t strung me along. If he’d just been honest that he was only into me for sex.”
Rhett rubs a hand over his face. “Not sure I wanna hear this.”
“Don’t be so parochial. I lost my virginity when I was sixteen in Adam Olsen’s backseat.” I don’t mention that I did it solely to get over Rhett. “Had a couple of boyfriends in college. Nothing noteworthy, though. What about you? Have you met any special ladies since you and Amber called it quits?”
“Nobody special.”
“Just a few friends with benefits?”
“Justonefriend, but we weren’t serious.”
“So she won’t care that you tied the knot? Or…” I pause. “Do you still plan to hook up with her over the next few months? I just want to know what to expect.”
He scowls. “Fuck, no. I’m not hooking up with anyone.” He holds up his left hand. “I’m married, in case you didn’t notice.”
I glance away. “It’s okay if you do. Six months is a long time to ask you to go without sex. I won’t mind.” A little piece of my soul dies when I utter those words. “Just don’t tell me what you do or with whom. I don’t want to know.” This isn’t a real marriage. I can’t make any demands.
That gets me a growl, and the next thing I know, I’m in Rhett’s lap. “Paige, listen closely. I’m not gonna fuck around behind your back. I hate cheaters, so I would never do that to you.”
I stare up at his handsome face, at the scruff I want to rub against. “Okay.”
