Redeeming Her SEAL (ASSIGNMENT Caribbean Nights #9) - Kat Cantrell Page 0,30
Hannah turned their glares toward Audra, and Hannah said, “Thanks for nothing. Why didn’t you stay in the room?”
“Because I like the beach,” she commented mildly. “And I also like you. Find some boys your own age to hang out with. They’re probably all at the pool.”
That’s where Isaac had spent the majority of his time when she’d brought him here two years ago. And with Charlie by her side while she wore a bikini and a sarong, it was starting to feel so much like déjà vu, why not continue the trend?
The girls thankfully took her advice and flounced off in the opposite direction of Jace, though she wouldn’t put it past them to circle back around and seek him out. Hopefully, Charlie would scare them off if they started panting after Jace again behind her back.
“Thanks,” she told Charlie who hadn’t moved and was watching her. She could feel his ice-blue eyes on her despite the sunglasses covering them. “How did you know they were underage? They both do their best to look twenty-five, and I’m sure they’re disappointed you clued in so fast.”
Asking how he’d known they were her sisters would be ridiculous when they all had red hair and similar features.
“I can do math,” he said, his voice much flatter than it had been when speaking to Jace. “Isaac was fifteen two years ago, and it’s not a stretch to assume that triplets have the same birthday.”
The fact that he remembered such details about her life sat on her nerves. And Isaac was a subject better left unexplored, especially when she felt so off-balance all at once. “I’m not stalking you, I swear. The girls came down for spring break, and Jared’s other resort was booked.”
Charlie’s jaw flexed. “You’re staying at the resort then? For how long?”
“Until Sunday.”
Look at that. They could have a civil conversation when they ran into each other. They could smile politely, and no one would guess that her insides were doing somersaults as she waited for the next volley in the game she and Charlie were playing that had no rules and no clear prize.
He nodded, cool as a cucumber. “If your sisters want to go parasailing, I’ll have one of the other guys take them. It’ll be my treat.”
“That’s nice of you.”
Parasailing was how they’d met, and instantly she recalled the easy smile he’d worn all the time back then. She missed it. Missed the way they’d been and guilt rose in her throat.
She liked it better when she’d been ignorant to the fact that Charlie still cared enough to be hurt by her relationship with Jared. What was she supposed to do, apologize? It wouldn’t change anything.
Her chest on fire with anguish and regret and a burning need to fall into his arms, she let that internal battle play out as she stared at him. He’d dumped her without explanation, stayed away from her for a year. But his sincerity yesterday in her office, the emotions bleeding from him as he’d kissed her so intimately—she couldn’t erase that from her mind. Nor could she forget the devastation in his gaze when he’d relayed to her the conversation with Jared where Charlie had learned about their relationship.
Nothing felt right about this situation. Except when Charlie was holding her. That part had surprised her, and she wanted to crawl into him with a fierceness that nearly brought tears to her eyes.
Could anything change this horrible dynamic between them?
Not if they kept doing what they had been doing, that was for sure. But what if they could both forget about their grievances for a little while and find something a whole lot better between them than civility and awkwardness? Was that even possible? She’d never know if she didn’t try, and she wanted to find a way through this quagmire with an intensity that scared her.
“What if I want to go parasailing?” she asked impulsively. “With you?”
He froze. “Are you asking me on a date, Audra?”
“Maybe.” The first real smile she could remember in a long time bloomed. “But only if you say yes. So don’t say no.”
Once, they’d both been thrill seekers who naturally drove each other higher and faster until it culminated in a physical clash of bodies that pushed the experience into another realm. She’d lost the ability to indulge in uncomplicated pleasures without all the emotional angst somewhere along the way.
She wanted that free-spirited woman back, and she wanted Charlie in equal measure.