myself. I lean my head against the cold steel door of the refrigerator absorbing his words. The six years I spent at Stanford were the best. Even though I studied business, I took computer classes. My master’s degree included a major in information systems. Computers are my passion, but Dad didn’t see it my way. He was shaping me to become him.
Why is it that I continue to work so hard for his approval? As I open my eyes, I see my brother enthralled by his work. Sterling had it right. If he treated his own blood like he didn’t matter, how would he have treated me if I didn’t do as he wished? I was just a kid he picked up from the streets.
And that fear prevails.
“Dad would be happy to see you with Abby,” Sterling says out of nowhere. “He wanted her to be an Ahern, and if he had a choice, of course, he’d have chosen you to be with her.”
“Are you telling me you have a crush on her?”
“No, of course not. I can’t emphasize enough that she’s like a little sister to me. We might not have grown up together, but I see her as part of the family. You never did. Ever since she arrived, you saw her as the girl you had to save.”
He goes quiet for several breaths; I assume that our conversation is over and march toward the stairs.
I stop when he asks, “Why is it that you feel the need to save her?”
“That’s not why I love her.”
“You didn’t answer my question, Weston.” His eyes narrow. “I like to observe, analyze, and study the human form as well as people’s behavior. She’s not yours to save, but she could be yours to love, Weston. Be careful.”
“Why the warning?”
“A hunch.” He shrugs and goes back to work. “Good night. Ask my girl to take Terry on her daily run, please. He’ll enjoy it.”
Abby
As the sun rises and the morning brings a new day, I want to go back in time because I don’t want the moment to end. I just hope that last night was the first magical night of many.
I stretch and listen carefully to the sounds of morning. The birds sing, and I smile when I hear the loud barks coming from downstairs. Wes’ side of the bed is empty but still warm. He spent the night with me. For the first time in weeks, the nightmares stayed away, and I didn’t wake up at all. I’ve missed this—feeling refreshed and ready to start my day.
I get out of bed, put on a pair of shorts, my sports bra, and fetch my wireless headphones that are inside my purse. It’s time for my morning run. When I arrive downstairs, I find Wes shirtless trying to catch Terry. I can’t help but laugh at the two of them. A six-foot-tall man chasing a tiny French Bulldog puppy. The little dude’s tongue is hanging out while he smiles happily because his new buddy is playing with him.
Wes stops, glaring at Terry with frustration.
Pup one, Wes zero.
He rubs his chest with one hand and then sets it on his waist as he catches his breath. A glimpse of his naked torso makes me want to run my fingers across the firm lines of his broad chest—trace the bear tattoo on the left side of his sculpted pecs. I lower my gaze toward his muscled stomach which is chiseled into a perfect eight pack. The ridges and lines continue downward, but I can’t see more because they are covered by a pair of basketball shorts.
“You like what you see, Abby girl?” His cocky voice breaks through the hazy lust.
“Do you need help?” I ask, composing myself.
Instead of waiting for him to agree, I lower myself and call Terry who wags his tail and comes running toward me.
“That’s cheating,” Wes complains, handing me the leash and walking away.
“Do you want to join us?”
He doesn’t answer.
“Good morning to you too, Ahern,” I say working on the leash and rubbing Terry’s tummy.
“How is that cheating?” I find Wes in the kitchen and walk to him. He’s preparing coffee, and I hope it’s for me.
“Hey,” I say, rising on my tiptoes and giving him a peck on the lips.
“Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?” He raps his knuckles along my jaw and hands me a mug. “You attracted him with your cuteness.”
“I can’t help it if I’m adorable. And surprisingly, I slept well,” I admit, drinking