just in case we don’t have time later. Our cousin isn’t thrilled that we’re leaving. He thought we’d be sticking around like everyone else.
“It was unplanned,” I say, apologetically. “I left Mozzy alone and there’s no one who can check on him.”
That is true. My family usually goes on vacations right after the New Year. Not to the same place, but everyone takes off the first day of the year. Our cousins are here.
“I have work to do,” Seth informs him.
“It’s cool,” Tucker says. “We can get together some other time.”
We say goodbye to everyone and leave. As we approach the Aldridge mansion, we spot Beacon walking toward us.
“Just the person I was looking for,” Beac says, then greets Seth. “Please, tell me they didn’t pull you out of a mission just to come and rescue me.”
“You owe me,” Seth responds.
“He doesn’t owe you anything. You volunteered to come,” I protest, look around, and ask, “Where are the guys?
“With my brothers in the game room. They’re staying for the rest of the week. I was coming to check on you.” He points toward me, looking at Seth. “If you don’t mind, I need to have a word with the lady. Why don’t you join the guys downstairs? It’s about time you meet my family.”
“Fine, but now you owe me,” Seth, who doesn’t like to deal with strangers, sighs and walks away.
“Where do you want to go?” Beacon asks. “My room or the studio?”
“If I say I want to go home?”
He shakes his head. “We’re talking first, Grace. You can’t throw something like your list, the request, and that kiss on my lap and then run away. I read your texts. You wanted to proposition me.”
“I didn’t phrase it like that.”
He pulls out his phone, slides his finger, taps it, and clears his throat. “I found a solution to my problems. Based on your suggestion, I have a proposition for you,” he reads one of the texts out loud. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you did use the word.”
“Not what I meant.”
He crosses his arms. “Grace, bedroom or studio?”
“Why those?”
“They are both soundproofed, and no one will hear our conversation.”
“Your room?” I’m not sure if that’s the right answer. Honestly, I don’t know if I want to be in a closed space with him. What if I just strip him down and jump him?
It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex. So long, I might need a few pointers before we do it. He takes my hand the way he usually does, but even though I’m wearing mittens, I can feel the heat of his skin. God, I made this all weird.
We enter the house. Blaire, Leyla, and Sophia are in the living room with Arden and Carter. I could use them as an excuse.
“Hi,” I greet them.
“See you later,” Beacon says, waving at them and pulling me toward the stairs. Okay, he’s not going to let me delay the conversation.
He shuts the door, locks it, and leans his hip against the handle while he looks at me. “Why did you run away?”
To anyone else, I can lie. I could argue that he’s wrong. He knows me too well to even try. I’d lose the argument.
“The kiss was too much,” I answer.
He gives me a satisfied grin. He met his goal. He wanted to fluster me.
“Do you understand what this can do to our friendship?” I ask, confused at his laid-back posture.
Beacon is truly relaxed. Nothing about this worries him, and here I am, almost chewing my nails down and trying to keep my breathing even.
“You can’t think it’s okay to kiss me like I’m your first meal in ages. Leaving me breathless,” I argue. “It’s too much, and for what? So you can send me packing after this experiment is over. Do you think it’ll be easy to search for someone else after you let me go?”
“Who told you I’m letting you go, G?”
His possessive voice makes my stomach flutter. I stare at him, dumbfounded.
“We…” I sigh. Is that a real question?
He’s kidding, right?
“There are many reasons why we couldn’t work out in the long run, Beacon. I don’t know about you, but I need you in my life.”
He rubs his hands, probably warming them up. It’s so cold outside, and he’s only wearing a sweater.
He watches me intently for several beats. I need to know what’s on his mind. Something is bugging him. Either he’s afraid to share it or—no, afraid isn’t the right word. God, I