He tore his mouth from hers, her eyes half lidded and hazy. He loved that he could do that to her.
“Bubblegum. Every time,” he said gruffly, and her eyes flared at his words. “I'd love to make out with you all day, but I told your brother we'd meet him downstairs in a bit for lunch.”
“Shit. We can't make Harrison wait for food or he'll dissolve.” Greta gave him a playful smirk.
Shane studied her for a second. Her eyes were clear, her mouth soft. “We good?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she responded in her quiet voice. The one she used when they were alone together. The voice that soothed him inside.
“Don't pull away next time. We'll talk, sort it out.”
“Okay,” she agreed easily.
Shane gave her one more squeeze and a light kiss before letting her go.
She gathered her jacket and shoes and he led her out into the hall. Then he tucked her to his side and went to find her brother.
***
“Clarke, I have some bad news.” Brady decided to be straight with her. She deserved at least that.
Her caramel hair swung down her shoulder as she jerked her head up at his announcement. He probably shouldn't ambush her at work, but he wanted to be the one to tell her, and Steve and Bo could not be trusted to do it nicely.
He walked across the floor of Soaring Bird where she was busy working on a display with the new girl... Lia?
“I really don't have time right now, Brady.” Clarke shook her head but waited for him to finish what he'd started.
He stopped in front of her and slid his hands into the pockets of his shorts. “That house we had lined up for us to move into, well, it kinda sorta fell through.”
“What do you mean by 'kinda sorta'?” Clarke asked, her mouth displeased.
“I mean Steve hit on the neighbor lady and her husband hit him in the face.”
“Seriously?!” Clarke snapped.
“And the house belonged to his brother, so...” Brady let his words trail off thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be the one to tell her. He should have let Steve get in trouble for it.
“I have a place you can stay.”
Brady's eyes flicked over to Lia, who had been watching in undisguised curiosity.
“No, Lia, you don't want them to move in with you. They're like stray animals, feed them once and they never leave,” Clarke warned her.
“No, really. I have a huge house on the beach with seven bedrooms and I live all by myself. I could use the company.”
Brady's eyebrows raised at her offer. “You barely know us.”
She shrugged her tiny shoulders. “So we'll get to know each other better. You need a place to live and I need roommates. This is far better than putting an ad on Craigslist.”
She had a point there.
“You're sure? 'Cause I'm not gonna pass it up if you're serious. You really want to live with four dudes?”
“Four?!” Clarke exclaimed, and Brady slid his eyes to her.
“Yeah, Kip forgot to renew his lease.”
Clarke rolled her eyes. “Why does that not surprise me?”
Brady looked back to Lia, who had slipped her phone out of her back pocket. “Give me your number and I'll text you the address.”
Brady rattled off his number and his phone buzzed with the new text message. Lia went to the employee break room and returned with a key.
“The place is pretty empty so feel free to put your stuff wherever. My room is upstairs, the rest are available.”
Brady said his thanks before exiting.
Well, this was a new development that really couldn't have had more perfect timing.
He wanted to get out of Clarke and Greta's place for sure now that Greta was with Shane. Officially. It was just too hard to see them together. He'd get over it eventually, but it would be easier if he lived elsewhere. Besides, he got the feeling that Shane didn't want him sleeping under the same roof as his woman. Especially after Brady had made his interest clear.
Brady had the worst luck when it came to women. Or maybe he just acted too slowly.
He hadn't planned on developing feelings for Greta, it just sort of happened. She was a likable person.
One thing was sure, she was the kind of girl that if Shane screwed it up, Brady would have not one problem breaking the bro code and swooping in to steal her. Only he didn't plan on giving her back.
Yeah, moving in with Lia was the best option. It definitely beat out moving back home.
From the address Lia had sent him, it looked like the guys wouldn't protest. It was right on the beach. He didn't know anything about Lia except that she worked for Shane. And now he knew that she must have some serious cash on hand because the location of her house was super swank.
She seemed chill enough, with her obscure British band t-shirts and quiet demeanor. She wasn't Steve's type, so that wouldn't be an issue, and Bo had mentioned he thought she was cool. Kip liked everyone as long as they liked him.
Brady tried not to let it bug him that Lia was young, wealthy, and living alone in a house on the beach with seven bedrooms. It wasn't safe, and he wondered how long it had been that way. She wasn't wrong; she needed roommates. Brady's protective instinct kicked in and he decided to get the guys moved over as soon as possible.
***
Kip looked around the bedroom he'd chosen as his own. Brady had shown up at his place that morning with a rental truck and had practically moved Kip's entire condo on his back. Now his furniture was stacked against the walls in the bedroom, and some was downstairs in the other living spaces.
He'd never moved in a day. Shit, in a matter of hours.
Not that he had a lot to move. His possessions were relatively simple and he kept it that way.
Steve and Bo were at their storage unit getting the rest of their things that they hadn't taken over to Clarke's.
The beach house was large, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. There was a large rec room downstairs and a pool and hot tub out back. Kip had no idea how much his share of the rent was going to be, but Brady assured him that it wasn't that big of a deal. Splitting it five ways, he was probably right.
Kip ran his hand through his thinning hair and then stretched his tight muscles. He wasn't built like a beast like Brady, Bo and Steve. He opted to keep in shape by surfing and eating organically. This gave him a lean, tight physique that was highly decorated with tattoos. But he didn't have the bulging muscles of his friends, which was fine with him. He enjoyed his life and they enjoyed theirs. He liked to skateboard, surf and run. Not cage himself into a gym.
He heard the front door open and waited for Bo or Brady to call to him to come and help unload the truck. But it was silent.
Kip listened to footfalls on the steps and then a girl stepped into view in his doorway. He turned more fully to face her.
“You must be Lia,” he said, sticking out his hand. She grasped it softly and nodded. “I'm Kip.” He released her hand. “Do you like sushi?”
He stepped past her into the hallway.
“Uh, what?” Lia asked, and he looked at her over his shoulder.
“I was gonna go grab some food, you wanna come with? We can get better acquainted.”
She looked at him carefully, probably trying to determine his meaning and intentions, not knowing him well enough yet to know that he was as easygoing and forthright as they come. He waited patiently for her to come to her conclusion, not caring if she judged him incorrectly or not. They were living in the same house now, she'd get him eventually.
“Sure,” she finally answered.
“Right on.” Kip loped down the stairs, heading to the front door. The keys to his Volkswagen were jingling in his fingers as he tugged them out of his back pocket.
Fortunately for him, he had a vintage VW Bus that was still running on a wing and prayer. Not that he couldn't afford something new or flashy or far more reliable. He just really liked his Bus. He had even named it. Rosie.
P
ulling the front door open, he stopped and narrowed his eyes at the driveway.
“Is there a reason Harmony Jeffords is here?” he asked as Lia came up beside him. Her shoulders stiffened with his question and she peered outside as well.
“I've only met the woman once. She was very rude. Greta told her to stay away from Shane and all of you guys,” she supplied generously.
Kip pursed his lips. “Great.”
He opened the door further and went out onto the porch and down the steps, intercepting Harmony right as she slammed her car door.
“Harmony, you're not supposed to be here,” he reminded the overly made-up blonde patiently.
“Kip! Sweetie! I haven't seen you in ages!” Harmony lifted her arms as if to hug him in greeting, but Kip crossed his arms over his chest. They had never hugged. Not when she was with Shane, or Steve or Adam. He had a Do-Not-Hug-A-Bitch policy that he stuck to. That's how they sunk in their talons. Like vultures.
Harmony looked over his shoulder at Lia, who was standing quietly on the porch, then back to Kip. “I'm looking for Steve, is he here?” Kip didn't answer and Harmony looked at Lia again. “Is that your girl?”
Kip remained silent, hoping Harmony would get the hint and get back in her tiny car and drive away. Forever.
Instead, she skirted around him and approached Lia who had moved down the steps now and was advancing on them.
“Hi! I'm Harmony! You must be Lia—”
“I know who you are,” Lia cut her off, her voice suddenly deep and threatening. Harmony was stupid, but even she couldn't mistake Lia's tone; she stopped and actually moved back a step. “I have no desire and no patience to be polite with you. Your ostentatious display of ill-mannered upbringing at my employer's place of business showed me exactly what kind of person you are. Someone who can't be bothered to treat people with even a smidgen of respect should be avoided. This is my home that you're intruding upon and my friends that you are stalking. I suggest you leave before I report you for trespassing.”
Kip felt a smirk tug on his mouth. The little flower had a sting. He kind of liked it.
Harmony did not.
“Wow, bitch much?” Harmony snapped, her fake smile twisted into a much more realistic look of jealousy and bitterness.
“Exhibit A,” Lia replied dryly.
“Time to go, Harmony,” Kip reminded her of his presence. She looked at him and then back to Lia. Finally giving up, she turned on her heel and stomped to her car.
Kip and Lia stood side by side as they watched Harmony peel out of the driveway and down the street. He looked down at the tiny girl and smiled outright.
“So... sushi?”
Chapter 12
Passenger
Greta pushed her hair out of her face as she looked up at the beautiful Christmas decorations adorning the lobby of the Village Inn. It reminded her that Christmas was two weeks away and she still hadn't asked Shane if he wanted to come home with her. Her mother and sister had even threatened to invite him themselves; she knew she was holding them off by sheer willpower alone. Eventually, they'd blow past her and take charge. She had to make a decision and soon.
It's not that she didn't want him to join her for the holiday.
She did.
Very much.
But she was scared he might think it was too soon.
And wasn't it? He'd been her boyfriend officially for nine days. Inviting him to family gatherings seemed more of something to do at the fifty-ninth day. But what did she know?
They had had lunch with Harrison, then Shane got her out on the mountain as soon as possible. Within the first twelve hours of her arrival, he'd managed to make her a near professional on the snowboard.
She liked to think it was because she had a natural talent and was a fantastic student; Shane propelled this belief by say that exact thing to her over and over again. But she knew it was because he was a careful and thorough teacher. She would have been a lost cause out there without his patient instruction.
But as soon as she got the basics, he let her loose. They spent the day goofing off and enjoying the rush of flying down the mountainside. Their fatigue from the life they had left back in Huntington Beach was a shadow of a memory. They were light, free.
Shane was more animated, more powerful, more in control of this world than she had ever witnessed. She was so glad she had agreed to join him. Seeing him in this place, doing something he wasn't just good at but amazing at, made him even hotter. His face constantly split in a handsome smile, and his laugh came easier and easier.
Greta wished they could stay forever.
That night, when they'd returned to the hotel, Luke and Lenny invited them all to dinner. It hadn't been as awkward as Greta was afraid it was going to be.
Greta fell right back into her comfortable friendship with Lucy that had started at Miranda's wedding, bringing Lenny right along with them. Shane maintained his cool guy persona, joking around with the guys like they'd all known each other for years. He didn't talk to Lucy at all and Greta wondered at that. Was it because he was trying to make Greta more comfortable... or Lucy?
That brought them to now, as they all began to part ways in the hotel lobby to turn in for the night. Greta was tucked into Shane's side, and she vaguely noted that Lucy and Lenny were in similar holds with their own men.
Harrison was the odd man out and didn't seem to mind.
“You wanna hit the slopes with a real badass tomorrow, Greta?” Lenny asked with a twinkle in her sapphire eyes.
“Sounds fun,” Greta craned her neck to look up at Shane. “What's the plan for tomorrow?”
“I was hoping to sleep in for the first time in three months. If you wanna hit the mountain early with Bird tomorrow, I won't mind.”
“You sure you don't want me to wait for you?”
“Just save enough energy for me to join you guys later,” he answered with a smile. “Shouldn't be a problem for you, though.” He faced the rest of the circle. “I have no proof, but I'm pretty sure pure espresso runs through her veins. I've never seen her slow down.”
Greta rolled her eyes, but knew she must have been beaming at him because he got that dreamy look on his face that sometimes happened right before he kisseed her good and long. She looked away at their crowd of onlookers and noticed the men were wearing knowing smirks and the ladies were smiling brightly.
“What about you, doll?” Greta nodded at Lucy. “You wanna make it a girls' day out event?”
“I'll have to think about it. I'm not very coordinated, so I'm a little scared.” Lucy's ears turned red and Blake gave her a little squeeze with his arm.
“I can teach you!” Lenny cried enthusiastically.
“I don't know. I don't want to slow y'all down,” Lucy replied with uncertainty.
“Don't be crazy, meet us in the lobby at six. If you get out there and hate it, you can come right back and we promise not to hold it against you.”
“Girls are so much nicer than guys,” Luke remarked to Harrison, who nodded in agreement.
Blake looked down at Lucy and said softly, “Give it a shot, Lucky. You might really dig it.”
Greta loved watching them interact, totally adorable. Blake had been around for as long as she could remember but he'd never been so at peace, so incredibly in love. She was happy he had that. And she was happy that Lucy had that too.
“Fine, but if I break my neck, I'm haunting you first,” Lucy acquiesced, and Blake grinned before kissing the side of her neck.
Shane began to tug Greta toward the hallway where their rooms were located.
“See you guys tomorrow, then.”
Goodnights were called out as they left the group and Greta waved over her shoulder, seeing as Shane didn't stop moving. They arrived at her door and he slid his hand into her back pocket to get the key and unlock the door.
“How are you feeling now?” he asked when the door had closed and Greta had divested of her shoes and socks.
“About wh
at?” she asked, eyebrows up, shoving her hands in her front pockets.
Shane smirked and shook his head as he observed her. “Too adorable for your own good,” he muttered as he came towards her, slipping his hands around her waist and pulling her tight to his front.
His eyes softened on her, one of his hands came up to gently brush her hair out of her eyes. “With the Lucy thing... how are you feeling about all of that?”
“Oh,” Greta whispered, now recognizing his soft look as concern for where her thoughts were. It was very sweet. “Just keep looking at me the way that you do, and I shouldn't have a problem ever again.”
His face broke into a smile. “I can do that.”
***
Shane woke the next morning gradually. He rolled to his stomach and stretched his arm out to the other side of the bed, knowing it was empty.
He didn't open his eyes yet, still coaxing the last few moments of slumber from his eyelids.
He'd left Greta's room late last night. Way later than he should have, knowing she had an early wake-up call. But he couldn't pry himself away. And she didn't push. So he stayed until she had fallen asleep snuggled next to him while they watched a cheesy 80's action movie on TV.
He tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and still didn't leave. He sat on the edge of the bed watching her sleep for a few minutes, wondering how in the world he had gotten so wrapped up in this girl, and why it didn't freak him out.
He'd fallen for Lucy too fast and too deep. But even then, he hadn't shared with Lucy the things he'd shared with Greta. He'd always acted like the future was the most important thing, don't look at the past, don't talk about the past. Keep moving forward. But Lucy's past was more important than most people's. She'd ended up marrying it, after all.
With Greta, Shane found himself divulging secrets, memories, personal thoughts. Old, long-forgotten images had started to visit him periodically throughout the day. The way his dad had talked to his mom in a soft voice when he knew she was having a bad day. His mom holding his dad's hand no matter where they were or who was around. The way his mom would laugh and how his dad would stare at her with a look of complete bliss, knowing he was the one who'd made that happen.
Tectonic (Double Blind Study Book 3) Page 19
