"This is totally cool." A male voice possessing an odd combination of both high and low tones common to boys going through puberty pulled him from thoughts about his sister.
Cody turned to see a young man in dark-blue trunks admiring the view. Though his eyes were green, there was no mistaking whom he belonged to. "Michael, right?"
The young man turned and extended his hand. "Yes, sir, and you're Uncle Daniel's friend, Cody."
"Guilty as charged," he smiled.
Michael rolled his eyes and groaned. "You sound just like Mom. Are you a lawyer too?"
Cody laughed and shook his head. "I'm about as far away from being a lawyer as you can get. I've been in the army for the past several years. Before that, I freelanced as a graphic artist."
"Cool." The young man nodded his head as his eyes widened.
"Totally. So are your mom and little brother on their way down to the beach? I don't want to break up family time." He wasn't sure how Evelyn would react to his presence. As they said their good-byes after the reception, he'd told her he didn't think he'd join the rest of the wedding party on the combination vacation/extended honeymoon.
"Mom is unpacking and getting everything settled in. You know how she is."
No, he really didn't. Before the rehearsal and wedding, he'd spent about twelve hours with her. They hadn't talked much once he removed her clothes. Not unless you counted nonverbal communication. He'd made the most of his hands during their time together—that was for damn sure. Images of her body above him, blue eyes dark with unrestrained passion, resurfaced for the thousandth time since he'd seen her again, sending his arousal into overdrive. Not wanting the kid to notice…or Evelyn, he shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. I've only known her for a few days, but maybe we'll get to know each other some more this week. This water is too beautiful to resist. I'm going to go for a swim. See you around, and make sure you enjoy the beautiful beach." He smiled at the kid and then turned his attention to the water. His steps were slow, digging his toes into the sand. The contrast between the warm sand and cool water reminded him of Evelyn. She alternated hot and cold toward him. There was so much going on inside that beautiful head of hers.
As his thoughts moved to consider the rest of her sexy curves, he moved deeper into the water. The coolness eased the tightness in his trunks caused by thoughts of Evelyn and offered relief from the midday heat. Dunking his head, he dove under the surface again. Peaceful. Quiet. No enemy fire. No tearful faces saying good-bye. No women professing interest and then engaging radio silence. No one to share his life. Emptiness crashed into his heart like waves onto the shore. He surfaced just in time to see Evelyn and some other people from the wedding group laughing and talking. She ran a delicate hand through her youngest son's hair, earning her a big smile. Once again—on the outside looking in. Story of his life.
He started to swim toward shore. It was going to be a long week.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lydia moved in a slow circle, her eyes wide as she took in the surroundings. "Can you believe how beautiful this place is? I mean, I researched it in the library before we came, but the pictures simply don't do it justice."
Evelyn grinned. "Well, we're always telling Mel you librarians really need to get your nose out of a book every once in a while and see the world for yourself."
Bruce, Lydia's husband, chimed in. "You'd think I never whisked her away for a vacation before."
Lydia stuck her tongue out. "If you count an engineer's conference in Pittsburgh a vacation, you have some research to do yourself, mister."
Laughter rippled throughout the group.
Evelyn was glad she'd let the kids guilt her into coming. Thinking of her sons, she tousled Jason's hair. "Boys, would you like Natalia to take you for a swim before we meet Aunt Mel and Uncle Daniel for dinner?"
Jason jumped up and down. "That would be so cool! I wish Annie were here already. When is she getting here?"
Michael rolled his eyes and then fixed his gaze on Natalia. "You'll have to excuse my little brother. He gets a little hyper sometimes. If you want, I'll help you keep an eye on him."
Did she hear correctly? Her son offered to help with his little brother? There was a first time for everything.
Lydia whispered in her ear, "I think someone has the hots for the nanny."
After Lydia's comment, Evelyn ventured a closer look at her son. Sure enough, he sported an almost goofy grin and glazed-over eyes. At sixteen, Natalia was too old for his mere twelve, but her dark skin, chocolate eyes, and long black hair made her a captivating and beautiful young woman. Just like Monique. Maybe the Walters men couldn't resist dark-haired beauties. Her husband…ex-husband certainly couldn't.
"I'll be happy to take the boys swimming, Ms. Alexander. What time shall I bring them back to the room?"
"Dinner's at six. If you could bring them back by five, that should give them plenty of time to get ready. The beach bag is just inside the door of our room."
The children ran off, Natalia leading the way, to secure the necessary bag. "Smart idea bringing along a nanny." Lydia said. "Where did you find her?"
"Her mother works at the firm, and Natalia has helped out a few times over the summer. She was very professional and responsible in all the dealings I've had with her, so I thought it would be a good idea." She stopped short of adding that since Michael wasn't her biggest fan right now, the nanny would serve as a nice buffer between them. She hoped the space would make him happier. If he was happy, maybe she could build on that happiness to repair their relationship.
Lydia's gaze bore into hers as though searching for something. The truth, maybe. Thankfully, Bruce saved her. "Well, this isn't Pittsburgh, and I'm the only engineer within miles, but I'm thinking a walk along this beach is in order. Will you join me, my love?"
Lydia turned to her husband and smiled affectionately. "You're such a charmer. You'll be all right by yourself, Evelyn?"
"Of course. You two lovebirds run along. I'm going to enjoy the view for a few minutes and watch the boys play. Then I intend to find a nice chair by the pool and read one of the fifteen books on the ereader Melodie insisted I bring on the trip.
"All fairy tales and romance, no doubt." Lydia took her husband's hand and winked.
"No doubt." If you looked up hopeless romantic in the dictionary, Mel's picture would undoubtedly be included in the details.
When the couple cleared from in front of her, she focused again on the beautiful ocean. The azure hue of the water mesmerized her and, for a moment, soothed away the complicated mess of her life. Placid and peaceful, two attributes the water possessed, which she longed to claim as her own once again. Chaos and disorder presently ruled her day-to-day decisions. If she didn't escape madness and find control again soon…
The water rippled as a body emerged from its depths. Damn it all. Men were always the reason for the disturbance. In the water…in my life. The sun backlit his body, casting him in silhouette, but she knew instinctively whom that body belonged to. Broad, chiseled shoulders led to a muscled chest. His waist, though not as thin as when she first met him, still narrowed to hips that fit perfectly against her body. She wet her lips. An image of Cody using his tongue to lick beads of water from her skin drenched the memory with heated arousal. She imagined the taste of the salt water as she slowly licked each drop from his tanned chest.
Her internal temperature continued to rise with each step he took, bringing him closer to her. Her sunglasses camouflaged the intensity of her stare as she watched his approach. His body pushed every sensual button she owned, a picture of temptation wrapped in a mouth-watering package. Droplets of cool water hit her skin as Cody shook his head and grabbed his towel. A cold shower she needed at the moment. A quick check revealed her tongue had covertly reverted to the proper position in her mouth. Echoes of their time together whispered in her ear. She needed a distraction from her wayward thoughts. "I see you're late to the party again. Everyone has already come and gone." She did
n't need him realizing she still went weak in the knees at the sight of his body.
"You should go for a swim. The water's perfect." Cody continued to towel himself off, ignoring her reference to their time together.
Stop looking at him. Why couldn't she control herself? There were plenty of men crossing her path every day at work or on her jog that were far more handsome. Not even close. What was it about this man? "I'm sure it is. I'm going to go relax by the pool in a few minutes. I will still be able to see the ocean, and the shade will make it easier to read my book."
"Hmmm."
One syllable from him cooled her ardor and fired her temper. "What the hell does that mean?"
"Nothing." He flapped his towel in the breeze before laying it on the sand. With a dramatic stretch, he moved to a sitting position and looked out over the water.
Blood heated in her veins, and she moved to stand in front of him, blocking his vision. "It wasn't nothing. Now tell me what you meant."
His muscles rippled as he shrugged his shoulders and lay back. "Just trying to figure out why you'd sit by the pool when you have one of the most breathtaking beaches right under your feet. I know how much you love being at the beach. You can sit by the pool at home. You do own a pool, don't you?"
Her blood reached a boiling point, and months of repressed anger surged through her and erupted before she could stop it. "You son of a bitch. How can you say that to me? Unbelievable."
The walls around her heart crumbled a little. His innocent question unleashed a barrage of bullets that penetrated another layer of her control. Without another word, she stepped around him and began a fast pace up the beach. She fought the urge to run. Running would be undignified in her current attire. The last thing she wanted to do was draw unnecessary attention. She just needed to make it to her room. Once there, she'd have some time to herself before Natalia brought the boys back. Time to give in to the negative emotions she fought on a daily basis. Time to be human.
CHAPTER NINE
Cody flopped back on the towel. What the hell had he done? He'd only wanted her to change the location of her relaxation from the pool to beside him. The closer the better. She looked so damn hot in her turquoise suit. He'd had to stay underwater and imagine hiding from the enemy to calm his body enough to even step out and come within a few feet of her. He shook his head. This wasn't the time for sexual innuendo. Thankfully, she'd been wearing a one piece. If she revealed any more skin, there wouldn't be enough cold water in the ocean to do the trick.
His hands covered his eyes from the bright sun as he replayed the words in his mind. Nothing. He could think of nothing he'd said to earn the angered response she'd directed squarely at him. Women.
"Where is everyone? Did you run them off?" Daniel kicked some sand in his direction, adding to his foul mood.
He moved his hands to level his buddy with a glare when he noticed Melodie's smiling face. Great. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. He'd promised Daniel they'd play nice in the sandbox. Damn, what I'd like to do with Evelyn in this sandbox. "I think the kids are getting ready to get in the water with the nanny. The older couple…"
"Bruce and Lydia," Melodie supplied.
"Yeah, those two went for a walk on the beach, and I don't know where in the hell Evelyn is." Okay maybe that came out a bit harsher than he intended.
Melodie narrowed her emerald eyes, laser focused solely on him. "What's your problem with my sister? You two have been acting weird around each other since the first time you met at the rehearsal."
Cody battled the urge to sigh. Daniel had been telling the truth. He hadn't told Melodie about Cody's one-night stand with her sister. Of course, that put him in one hell of a position at the present moment. Thankfully, Daniel spoke up and saved him from a bad situation getting even worse.
"Mel, why don't you go check on your sister? I'll keep Cody company and try to sort this out."
She eyed them both warily but nodded. She kissed Daniel. "I love you. Please sort this out, or it's going to be a long week. You know how Ev can be."
Once Melodie headed toward the villa, Daniel sat next to him. "What really happened?"
Cody returned to his resting position on the towel, allowing the sun to warm his skin and the sound of the waves to calm his spirit. He covered his eyes. He'd need to remember sunglasses the next time he hit the beach. "I swear to God, man. I don't know. She told me she was going to relax by the pool, and I told her she could do that at home. Then I joked to confirm that she did, in fact, own a pool. She got pissed off and stormed away with no explanation."
A pain shot through his arm. What the hell? He sat up, his large form moving toward Daniel. "Did you just punch me?"
"You big oaf. After they divorced, her husband moved in with the pool girl."
The anger drained out of his limbs. "Oh, shit."
"Yep. If you ask me, I think he might've been dipping his float in the hot little number's pool before the divorce. Know what I'm sayin'?"
Not only did he know, but Evelyn had confirmed it the night at the reception dinner when she'd shared about the affair. "You could've mentioned that little detail." How he hadn't beat the crap out of his best friend over the past several years was anyone's guess.
Daniel plied him with his trademark smartass grin. "In case you haven't noticed, man, I've been a little busy making sure my blushing bride has everything her heart desires."
Suddenly, the ocean's beauty didn't hold any appeal. He stood and shook out his towel, making sure the sand landed on Daniel as much as possible. "Glad you found your happiness, man. The rest of us suckers are just trying to get through the friggin' day."
"Such language," Daniel teased.
"You're a pain in the ass, and if you weren't my best friend, I'd knock that shitty grin off your face."
He started walking to the villa. A hot shower, a cold beer…maybe two, and then he could possibly survive dinner. Remembering the blaze of anger in those crystal blue eyes, he rubbed his temples. Maybe he'd skip the beer and go straight for tequila. Women and he didn't mix. When would he learn?
Two hours later, his mood hadn't improved much. A couple drinks had removed the edge, but he still had no clue how to act around Evelyn. Life had screwed her over, and her actions were clearer now. Fight or flight. The divorce had taken the fight out of her, so now she was hiding. Not just from him…from life. He'd managed a shower and made himself presentable. Dinner was going to be served out on the veranda of the villa they were staying in. This place was nothing short of amazing. Five bedrooms, two full baths, a large eat-in kitchen, and a living room with enough seating for all. Of course, the inside paled in comparison to the outside. The veranda hosted enough room for a table to seat twelve comfortably along with a pool and fire pit. The view…well, he might have to capture it at sunset with his pencil and sketchpad. Dragging in a deep breath, he left the safety of his room and ventured outside to find an empty seat at the table.
"Cody."
Her voice filtered into his tequila-infused brain. A low, calm, almost sensual quality caressing him from the inside out.
He might not be from the south, but he had manners. Standing, he moved to pull her chair out, trying to keep from staring at her long legs in the royal blue skirt. "Ma'am."
Ma'am? What the hell is wrong with me? She's going to eat me for the appetizer. Biting his lower lip to keep from saying anything further, he braced himself for the outburst. He may not know a lot about Evelyn, but she'd been very clear almost from the first moment they met—she didn't like being called ma'am.
"Seriously?"
Did he detect a slight thawing in his ice queen? He shrugged and smiled. "Still angling for the southern gentleman thing. I hear the ladies, well, most ladies anyway, like that sort of thing."
For his attempt at charm, he received a smirk before she redirected her attention to her sons. "Jason, you promise to behave if I let you sit next to Annie?"
The little mop of brown hair nodded enthusiasticall
y before pulling the little girl into a big hug. "I've missed you, Princess. You're late. We've already played in the ocean with Nat…Natal…"
"Natalia, you moron." Michael growled at his little brother.
"Michael, that's enough. Sit down, and get ready for dinner." Evelyn's voice held an edge of frustration.
Cody's grin widened when Michael jumped up to assist Natalia with her chair. As he pushed Evelyn's chair in, he leaned forward and whispered. "Siblings like to harass each other, brothers especially. It's a rite of passage."
When she didn't reply, other than a long exhale of breath, he wasn't sure if that indicated happiness or disappointment. Something about the fire in her eyes, regardless of the emotion responsible for putting it there, stoked the fires deep in his soul. He could handle hot or cold, though he preferred hot. An unresponsive Evelyn worried him more than an angry one.
"Is this seat taken?" A distinguished, older man pointed to an open chair across the table from Samuel. Cody had been grateful his buddy and fellow groomsman had been able to join them on vacation. It gave him someone to talk to since he never knew if Evelyn was in the mood to talk and Daniel needed to tend to his new wife.
"No, sir, all yours."
"Who's that?" Lydia whispered into Cody's ear.
"Bartholomew Deveraux, patriarch of the Deveraux family and plantation in Mississippi. CEO of Deveraux Industries, one of the largest producers of cotton and soybeans."
Lydia grinned, "So, Annie's grandfather."
Cody chuckled. "Yes, that too."
About that time, Daniel stepped onto the patio where everyone was seated awaiting the arrival of the newlyweds. He moved over to Bartholomew and extended his hand. "Thank you for bringing Annie, sir."
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