Sweet Alibi (6 page)

“Do you need to sit?” Tristan placed his hand on my shoulder, prepared to catch me if I stumbled. Didn’t he know he was making it worse? His touch was the reason my head was spinning like a tilt-a-whirl.

“No, we’re almost there. I'm fine.” I forced a small grin.

“Okay, but if you need to stop, tell me, okay?” He ducked his head and his eyes blazed into mine. My breathing was short and erratic, but I still couldn't break his gaze. I slammed my eyes shut for a moment to shake the cobwebs from my brain.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” We walked the remainder of the way back to the house with our shoulders lightly brushing. It was the most innocent and erotic touch of my life.

Seven

Georgia

THE NEXT MORNING I woke early, still foggy from the wine and the walk Tristan and I had taken. We'd returned to a quiet house and I feigned exhaustion, sending us our separate ways. I’d heard Silas murmuring on the phone to one of his boy toys back home, and soon after, intimate moans and grunts echoing down the hall from Drew and Gavin's room. Those two were going to kill me. Popping in my ear buds, I fell asleep to the acoustic vocals of my favorite band.

I stretched, facing the morning light filtering in through the window. The house was silent, but I could hear the rolling waves pounding the shore through open windows. The soothing sound of water meeting sand was becoming the soundtrack to my life. It would be sad when summer ended and I’d have to head back to the horns and sirens of the city.

I padded to the kitchen barefoot in the oversized Duke t-shirt I’d slept in. It was old and worn, but soft against my skin
―
a favorite to wear to bed. I bee-lined for the coffee pot and found fresh hot coffee waiting for me.

Who on earth would be up at this hour? I knew it wasn't Silas
―
it was a miracle if he was up before eleven. Drew wasn't an early morning person either. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was just after eight. Pouring a mug of coffee, I made my way to the French doors and found them already opened, the breeze causing the lightweight curtains to dance and twist seductively.

Tristan relaxed in a chair, his ankle resting on the opposite knee. He looked out at the water, a cup of coffee in his hand. Gorgeous, an early riser, and a coffee drinker
―
could he be more irritatingly perfect?

He faced me and a grin spread across his face.

“Hey.” His eyes glinted in the sunlight. Oh yeah, that grin. And that delicious bed-head hair. He could be more irritatingly perfect.

“Hey.” I cursed myself for taking my coffee out here. His hair was still shower damp with a few stray locks across his forehead. He was barefoot in a pair of worn jeans and a white t-shirt. He looked utterly edible.

I heaved a sigh and prayed for strength to get me through the summer in the same house with this guy.

“Morning person?” I sat and took a sip of the hot liquid.

“Yeah, I run most mornings: run, shower, coffee, work. It’s my routine. Sleep well?” he asked.

“Very well. Did you? Was the room okay?”

“The room was great. The soundtrack courtesy of Gavin and Drew, not so much.”

I chuckled. “God, I know, they’re awful. Are they like this all the time?”

“So far, yes.”

“Great.” I griped and he laughed back at me.

“But waking up to waves is amazing. I love living on the water,” he said thoughtfully, returning his gaze to the horizon.

“Me too. Have you always lived on the water?” I took a sip of coffee; the warmth caused a shiver to run down my body.

“Yeah, I’ve had the boat a few years now and spend many nights on it during the summer.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“It is. Have you ever?”

“Slept on a boat, no. But I can imagine the gentle rocking lulling you to sleep.” I closed my eyes and soaked up the morning sun.

“The rocking is good for many things,” he crooked a sideways grin, “including sleep.”

I shook my head with a wry grin. “Funny man, huh?”

He only shrugged. “You should let me take you sometime. On the boat, I mean.” He bit his bottom lip mischievously. I balked at all the sexual innuendo rolling off him.

“Sounds like a good time.” My voice had an uncharacteristic lilt. Lightning jolted through my bones as my heart thundered erratically. 

“I promise you it will be.”

A tremor pulsed across my skin. God, this man was going to be the death of me. I cleared my throat and took another sip of coffee.

Focus, Georgia. Kyle. Remember Kyle.

“Are you docked in Wrightsville?” I queried, trying to steer the conversation back on a safer course.

“Just outside of town. Down the road, actually. We could go today if you'd like,” he said.

“You’re not sick of being on the boat?” 

“Doesn’t really happen. It’s my home, more than any house on dry ground could ever be.” He took a sip from his cup.

“Hmm.” I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth. Was he asking me out? Or was he just being friendly? Probably friendly. I’d told him last night I was with someone. “Maybe we can ask the others.”

“Well, I guarantee you’re not going to get Gavin on a boat. The one time I took him out he bitched and moaned the whole trip. Thought about throwing him overboard more than a few times.”

“And we'll never separate Drew from Gavin,” I frowned.

“I think she mentioned something about rolling around in bed with Gavin all day today, anyway.” He flinched. “But ask Silas. It's a great day for sailing.” He lifted his head as puffy white clouds passed over.

“He won't be up for a while yet. Did you want to go soon?” I watched his profile. I’d never used the word “beautiful” to describe a guy before, but there was no other word to describe him. He obviously hadn't shaved since yesterday as stubble whispered along his jawline. A small moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I closed my eyes as heat crept up my cheeks. 

“Okay? Coffee too hot?” He was gazing at me with a knowing smile. I swear he knew more than he let on. A mischievous glint flickered in his deep green eyes that had my heart galloping in my chest.

“I'm going to get in the shower. Thanks for the coffee.” I tipped my cup to him as I stood.

His eyes widened for a moment before an easy grin tugged at his lips. More than a little flustered, I left him alone on the porch.

There was a text message on my phone when I returned to my room.

Miss you.
From Kyle. I decided to call him instead of replying to the text.

“Hey.” I sensed a grin on his face when he answered the phone.

“I miss you, too,” I sighed and settled cross-legged on the bed with my coffee.

“Were you up?” he asked.

“Yeah, I just got coffee. What are you up to?”

“I'm just taking a break. Going into the office later.”

“You’re working already?” I frowned. I could visualize him at the dining room table with his laptop and legal textbooks spread out. Those textbooks had become another design element in our small apartment. Stacks littered just about every room in our home.

“Always more to be done,” he replied absentmindedly. “So how’s the beach?”

“Great. I love it. I can't wait for you to see it.” A smile brightened my face at the thought of Kyle here. Waking up with him Sunday mornings. Coffee on the deck watching the sunrise.

“I can't wait either. I have to get back to work. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. I'm glad you’re having a good time.”

I frowned. The way he said it made it sound like I was on spring break. “Yeah, we’re getting a lot of work done.”

“Great. I'll talk to you later, babe. Love you.”

“Love you, too,” I said before hanging up. That was Kyle, always brief and concise, a trait he'd picked up in law school. An asset as a lawyer but not so much with your significant other.

I finished my coffee, made my way to the bathroom, and stripped before stepping into the shower. I stood beneath the spray, letting the water relax my muscles and my mind. No nightmares last night
―
the first time since I’d been here. From the time we were teenagers Kyle had been soothing away the heartache left in the wake of my nightmares, but this time I was alone. 

Shower finished, I wrapped the towel around my head, threw on my oversized tee, and stepped into my room.

“Silas,” I shrieked and pulled the shirt further down my thighs. Except for my worn college tee, I was naked.

A deep chuckle echoed from the doorway and I spun to find Tristan resting against the doorjamb with a sexy grin on his face. I lost my breath for a minute as I stared at him and something down low in my belly clenched.

“Out
―
both of you.” The haze cleared from my brain and I shot a glare at Silas who was perched on my bed.

“Don't play modest, Georgia,” Silas admonished. I stared daggers back at him before pulling out a pair of panties.

“Turn around.” I whirled my finger to mimic the motion of turning as I cast a stern glare at Silas.

“Nothing I haven't seen before, love.”

“Well, you
―
you need to turn.” I glared at Tristan and repeated the motion. He arched a mischievous eyebrow before his full lips turned down in a pout. God, that pout. It caused my nerves to crackle and spark.

“Turn,” I repeated. He smiled briefly then turned around dutifully. Jesus, maybe this was worse. My eyes zeroed in on his ass covered in the light blue denim. They hung off his hips in a way that hinted at the delicious body underneath. I bit my lip and stared before Silas, clearing his throat, interrupted my inner monologue.

I turned back to Silas and widened my eyes. His eyebrows rose to heights I wouldn't have thought possible. I stuck my tongue out at him before pulling panties and then shorts up my legs. “Okay.”

Tristan turned back around and his eyes flicked down my denim-covered thighs to bare legs. I rolled my eyes at him before another chuckle escaped his throat.

“I asked Silas if he wanted to go sailing with us
―
”

“And I said no way in hell are you getting me on a boat.”

“Silas,” I pouted.

“Seasick, love. I’ll be ruined the rest of the day.” He shrugged and started typing on his phone. I huffed an exasperated sigh and willed him to look up at me so I could shoot silent daggers at him. He couldn't leave me alone with Tristan. I couldn't be trusted with the Greek god standing casually in my doorway.

Wait, did I just say that?

I meant
he
can't be trusted. Obviously he was a flirt. I hated the way he had my stomach doing cartwheels with one glance. 

“Sorry, love.” Silas mumbled without looking up. “Have fun, though.” He continued to text.

“Are you still up for it or are you chickening out?” Tristan arched a playful eyebrow from the doorway.

“Chickening out? Never.” I narrowed my eyes. I had a problem with turning down a challenge
―
I didn’t. Ever.

“Great, I’ll be waiting.” And with that he sauntered out of sight. My eyes hovered on the spot he'd just occupied. Did that really just happen? Did I really just sign up to go sailing
alone
with Tristan?

“Thanks a lot, ass.” I kicked Silas' leg to get his attention.

“What?” He looked up at me, confused.

“I didn't want to go alone with him,” I whispered so Tristan wouldn't overhear us.

“Why not? He's delicious.” He grinned at me.

“Exactly,” I mumbled.

“Oh, Georgia’s got a crush,” he taunted.

“Do not.” I unwrapped the towel from my head and threw it at him.

Oh. My. God.

I’d had a towel on my head while Tristan was in here. So embarrassing.

Wait, why do I care?

I needed to not care.

“So you just want to get in his pants then? Even better. I would hit that too.” He sighed and his eyes flitted to the door where Tristan had been.

“You're a whore.” A snort escaped my throat before I turned and shuffled through the closet for a shirt to wear.

Apparently I was going sailing with Tristan.

* * *

TRISTAN HAD SAILED to Wilmington from Jacksonville and was without a car so we took mine to the marina. He introduced me to his boat,
Sweet
Alibi
.

“What’s with the name?” I asked.

“Umm…” He crinkled his nose in the most adorable way before raising his head to look up at the sails, as if searching for the right words. “I guess you could say the boat’s been my alibi on more than a few occasions.” He lowered his gaze to me and a small smile appeared on his lips.

“Oh.” My eyes widened in shock. Apparently Tristan was more than just a ladies’ man, he’d been in some trouble with the law too.

“No, nothing like that,” he laughed. “Just… I’ve had a few… overzealous
friends
, I guess you could call them. The boat’s a good place to lay low if I don’t want to be found,” he finished with a flirtatious tilt of his lips