“Axel didn’t refer to her that way. He just invited me to spend the weekend with his family. He didn’t specify who that entailed.”
I knew I couldn’t be mad at him. “Well, you’ll have a great time. My family is really nice—even my brother.” He didn’t have a family to spend the weekend with so how could I make him feel bad about that?
“Yaya is a very warm person. I see where you get it from.”
His compliment made me flinch. He didn’t know me well enough to make a statement like that.
“I’m sorry if I ruined your weekend.”
“You didn’t,” I said automatically.
The sound of running water made us both look up. My brother was probably getting ready for bed, which meant he might overhear us talking.
I set the book on the table then moved to the seat beside him. “You didn’t,” I repeated in a lower voice.
He looked into my face freely, and his bright blue eyes were breathtaking like always. He glanced at my lips like he wanted to kiss me, but then he quickly looked away like the thought hadn’t crossed his mind to begin with. “I don’t want this to be awkward for you.”
“It’s not. There’s no reason why we can’t be friends.” Even though I still wanted to be something more.
“You want to be my friend?” His voice was full of surprise.
“Why wouldn’t I want to?”
He pressed his lips tightly together as he considered it. “I know we have an unusual circumstance.”
Because you made it that way. “I’m willing to leave the past in the past if you are.”
He released a deep sigh like my words hurt him. “Then let’s move forward.”
This guy was an enigma. I still couldn’t figure him out. It was like our date had never happened. Did he forget about the passionate kisses in front of the door? Did he forget how good that felt? Or did he feel nothing on his part? I wanted to ask him, but I knew it would lead nowhere. “Well…I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah.” He continued to stare at me like he never wanted to stop.
The gaze made me sit still longer than I wanted to. I stayed in my seat for another minute, just returning his gaze. Then I finally pulled myself away and headed up the stairs. I tried to get to my room as quickly as possible, knowing my room was directly next to his.
I sat at the edge of the bed then looked out the bedroom window. The moon hung low in the sky, and it cast a bright light into the room. Shadows fell everywhere. I tried to clear my mind and think about the quiet beauty all around me.
But all I could think about was the man I couldn’t have.
CHAPTER FIVE
Francesca
I was the first one downstairs and ready to go. I already had breakfast and coffee, and my fishing pole was hooked to my backpack.
I should have known my brother wouldn’t be ready.
I headed to his bedroom door and knocked. “Get your ass up, Axel!”
I heard a mumble from inside.
“It’s past six,” I yelled. “If you aren’t ready in five minutes, we’re—” I stopped talking because the bathroom door opened and Hawke stepped out wearing only a towel around his waist. Steam emitted from the room around him, and his hair was still damp. “Uh…” I forgot what I was saying. His chest was chiseled and defined, and his stomach had eight grooves of muscle instead of six.
Oh my lord.
Hawke must have seen the expression on my face because he smiled. “Morning.”
“Morning…” I needed to stop staring at him. I just hoped my mouth was closed and my tongue wasn’t hanging out like a dog.
He ran his fingers through his hair then walked down the hallway to his bedroom.
I immediately turned and watched him go, noting the prominent muscles of his back. They were defined like someone chiseled it to perfection. He was the ideal model for the male body. Droplets of water were still on his skin and they streaked down his body.
I was vaguely aware of the fact I was still knocking on Axel’s door.
“Shit, I’m coming!” Axel called. The door flew open, and he gave me a venomous glare. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.”
I turned back to him. “What?” I hadn’t heard a word he said.
He rolled his eyes and slammed the door.
***
We hiked up the trail with our bags across our backs. Hiking at sunrise was my favorite part of fishing. The birds hummed from their branches, and the smell of the trees entered my nose. I took my time and hung in the back to appreciate the scenery—especially the view of Hawke’s ass.
It was nice.
“You doing okay back there?” Axel called from the front of the line.
I immediately tore my gaze away from Hawke’s behind. “I’m fine. Keep going.”
It took us nearly half an hour to get there because we had to hike uphill the entire time. My calves felt like they were on fire. I breathed hard, but the strenuous exercise felt good. I didn’t always have the time to work out during my normal schedule.
When we finally reached the lake, I stretched out my back. “Geez, that took forever.”
“Someone’s out of shape,” Axel said.
“At least I don’t sound like a girl,” I mumbled under my breath.