A million scenarios of Carina naked come to mind. Her state of dress is unimportant. It’s her eyes. The way her eyes scorch as she returns my gaze is the biggest turn-on. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll teach you all about willpower,” I groan.
After she nods, a promising response, Carina’s eyes land on the commotion in front of us. It forces a break in the tension boiling around our bodies. Never has a kiss ruined me in such a way. Even if I remembered my past, I’m confident that this is a fire that has never burned inside of me before.
Her voice draws me from my lust-hazed stupor. “I just wanted to drop by quickly and wish you a happy birthday,” Megan says. She strokes my nephew Will’s hair the way she always does when she sees him. He smiles up at her. The contents of my stomach turn to battery acid. Carina’s grip tightens, and for that small gesture, I’m glad. I’m able to be the person who protects her always. Even in this uncomfortable moment, I will do my best. Next, Megan’s eyes seek me out.
She won’t be rude, I don’t think. Megan approaches, her lithe gait swaying as she sizes us up—formulates the right thing to say. Now her phone call to my mothermakes sense. “I wanted to bring Will a gift. That’s all. I didn’t know you’d be here, Smith. I’m sorry about that,” Megan says. She stands closer than is comfortable, and I’m not sure why. “I was already on my way when I called your momma.”
The tension in my arm eases a touch. “Megan. Good to see you again,” Carina says.
“Loud, isn’t it?” Megan asks, making small talk. Will’s laughter rings out, followed by several more shrieks. “It looks like they’re having a blast.” Megan looks over her shoulder at the kids.
“They are,” I reply. “We were just getting out of here.”
Will runs up behind Megan and hugs her with one arm. “They were kissing by the tree, not hiding,” Will says, a toothless grin wide on his face.
Megan’s smile fades. “I see. Kissing behind trees was always Uncle Smith’s thing.”
Will wrinkles his nose and then he’s gone, pounding away from us toward his friends.
Carina laughs uncomfortably while shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Megan folds her arms across her chest, eyes sad and angry. “Can I talk to you quickly, Smith?” Her gaze fixes on Carina. “Alone, if you don’t mind?” she says to the scared woman clutching my arm. “It will just take a sec, darlin’.”
“Of course. I’ll go,” Carina says. I don’t let her pull away. I use my hand to keep her entwined with me. “Smith, really. It’s fine. I’ll head inside to grab my purse.”I understand avoiding conflict, but Carina’s backbone bends at the subtlest hint of an argument. It’s my job to make her feel secure in her place.
“No. You’re exactly where you should be,” I say, looking down at Carina.
She gives a small smile and bites her lower lip.
“You stay.”
She nods. It’s not an order. It’s a strong request—me letting her know how secure she is in her place next to me.
Megan scowls. I aim a pointed look right back. “If you have something to say, you can say it in front of Carina.” I take my free hand out of my pocket to send a wave in Fiona’s direction. She’s staring daggers at the three of us with bulged eyes and a mouth so wide it’s catching flies. She waves back, folding her hand in half briefly, and retreats into the house.
Carina tightens her grip on my forearm. I don’t have the heart to tell her she’s hurting my scars. Megan sees, and she smiles like she’s in on some inside joke. “I guess it’s easier this way anyway. I wanted to see if you’d be against Carina and me getting together to talk. I wanted to get to know her better. Moose has so many wonderful things to say, and I think it’s only fair if I get a small taste of what, or better yet, who is so utterly irresistible to the superhuman man who stole so many of my years,” Megan drawls. Her blue eyes dart down to my forearm once again. “And maybe I can give her a few pointers onthe care and keeping of Smith Eppington while I’m at it.”
Ambivalence is key in moments such as this. I’m also not in practice. “Pointers in keeping me, huh?” I ask, smiling.
“That was rude, Smith,” Carina whispers.
Megan clears her throat. “It’s an expression. The lady is right. You mind your manners, sir,” she says. “I mean no harm, Carina. I truly want to get to know you a little better. Call it curiosity. Nothing more and nothing less.”
“That would be fine, I think,” Carina says. Her voice is small, like that of a disobedient child. “If Smith is okay with it,” she corrects.
I lean down and kiss the top of her head. Even the briefest moment spent that close to her has me inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. “You don’t need my permission,” I reply.
“Good. It’s settled. Lunch and shopping next weekend? Fashion Valley?” Megan says.
Carina’s vise grip finally relents. The assault is almost over. To be continued next weekend. “That sounds great. I look forward to it,” Carina says.
The women exchange numbers while I watch, enrapt at this odd occurrence. I’m not sure if I can trust Megan, but I have to trust that Carina can hold her own. She mentioned talking to Megan on multiple occasions, so I know she’ll be prepared. If there’s one thing I know she’s good at, it’s spinning the conversation to make sure she’s not the one divulging too much information.
Megan’s voice breaks me from my worries. “You seem really happy. Really happy,” Megan says. Her eyes tilt down in the corners, and her mouth turns down as she lets her eyes wander over my face, neck, and arms. “I’m glad,” she finishes. She’s not. My god, she’s not glad. This is a show for Carina, and Megan knows I’m well aware of what she’s doing.
Carina thanks her, but Megan only has eyes for me. I try to be tactful yet biting. “It’s the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” I say.
Megan swallows audibly and bids us a hasty farewell. She ruffles Will’s hair one more time and heads back into the house. We don’t go back inside until I see her car driving away.
“Try as I might, I can’t blame her. If I were in her shoes, I’d be curious, too,” Carina says. She twists her dress in her free hand. “I come in like a ninja and take what’s always been hers.” A sigh escapes her pretty mouth.
