Betting on Love

by Mary Beesley

  Heat flared behind Tempest’s eyes. She nearly broke down and told Jo everything. She was in freaking love with her new brother. And he wouldn’t even look at her. But in the end, she just gave Jo another hug, taking strength from her sister’s attention.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.” She walked to her room and closed the door. She sat on the chair. She perched on the bed. She paced in circles, then stared out the window at darkness. The clouds moved, and a million stars twinkled into existence. A hysterical laugh cackled up her throat as she made her decision.

  —I’m going all in.— Shooting off the text to Blair, she tossed her phone on her bag.

  She brushed her teeth, refreshed her eye makeup, and added a layer of deodorant. Dad’s words keep ringing through her mind. Courage. Her heart fluttered and spun. She cracked the door open. Dad’s room was quiet. Jo and Benji were in the bathroom, brushing Hunter’s teeth and convincing Hannah to just go pee one more time. Tempest closed her bedroom door and tiptoed out the front. On the street between the homes, she stopped. She panted as if she’d sprinted half a mile.

  What was she doing? She should turn right back around and watch that movie with Jo. But she didn’t want to do that. She wanted to talk to Leo. She wanted to do more than talk. She wanted to take a risk. She wanted to chase this feeling in her belly. She wanted the reward.

  The lights were on in every window of the Allred’s house that she could see. How long were they going to stay up? It was already ten. She was kidding herself if she thought they were the kind of people to go to sleep right now. Penelope had been quite energetic on the golf-cart ride back to the houses. Tempest was not interested in any more conversations with her. Or any of the females.

  The best two bedrooms were in the back, with ocean views. Would Leo have one of those? He was the older brother. Penelope was sleeping with her sister, Silvia, for one last night. Tempest skirted the house to the left, careful of the sharp succulents. She peered in the side window. Zena and Jake mixed drinks in the kitchen. Leo sat on the couch, looking at his laptop. Ugh. Tempest had no plan, but it already wasn’t a good one. Silvia came out of a bedroom wearing a silk robe. Tempest could cross that bedroom off the list. Penelope cheered at her sister and held out a glass. Tempest slunk around the back side of the house. She paused by the patio door. Leo was still on the couch engrossed in the blue screen.

  Go home, Tempest.

  She imagined walking back to her lonely room, getting into pajamas, lying in bed, and staring at the ceiling. The zing in her nerves refused to follow that path. Keeping to the shadows, she darted across the patio. The curtains were drawn in the next windows. She skirted the air conditioning unit, stopping at the next glass pane. The room was dark. This was a terrible idea. She was going to have to knock on the front door. What would her excuse be for doing that? Nothing excusable came to mind. Nope. The front door approach wasn’t going to happen. She wasn’t that brave. She’d had her adventure. She’d tried to see him. It wasn’t going to work. Better to get over it right now.

  She kept up the internal pep talk as she moved around a little wall, expecting to come to the front of the house. Instead, she happened upon an outdoor shower. Feeling like a complete creeper, she walked through the shower and stopped at the door. Through the glass she could see the bathroom counter, but the room was too dark for her to tell whose stuff was laid out. Probably Zena’s room.

  The light flicked on. She flinched against the sudden brightness. Standing in the doorway to the bathroom, Leo turned away from the switch. He jumped when his gaze landed on the glass door. He yelped and reared back, his hand coming to his chest.

  Tempest grinned.

  He blinked at her.

  She waved.

  His brow furrowed as he walked forward and unlocked the door, pulling it open. He was breathing fast. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “I’m glad that’s not literal.”

  He chuckled before seeming to remember himself and then scowled. “What are you doing here?” He looked behind her at the empty outdoor shower. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Well, mostly. I just felt like you were ignoring me.”

  “I mostly was.”

  “Well, I didn’t like it, so I decided to be the bigger person and come over and say hi.” She cringed inwardly. Going on the offensive had not been her game plan.

  “By creeping around my bathroom door.”

  “I didn’t want to have drinks with the bridal party.”

  “I can’t blame you there.” He folded his arms. He wore a cream linen shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, and gray shorts. His hair was no longer combed and styled but sticking up in all directions. Standing by his toiletries arranged in a neat row, he studied her.

  She went still under his gaze. After a stretch of humiliating silence, she asked, “Are you going to invite me in?”

  He hesitated.

  Her pulse soared. Fear trickled through her veins. He was going to turn her away. This was why she hated risk. Reward was great and all, but she could not handle the loss. The dark churn of anxiety and failure welled in her belly. She should not have come.

  She took a step back at the same time he unfolded his arms and said, “I hope I don’t regret this.” He motioned her in.

  She could barely breathe. Run away or walk forward? Looking at his pale eyes, she knew she’d already jumped. She could do nothing now but fall and see where she landed.

  She took off her sandals, now muddy from her adventure, and left them outside. As she stepped on a plush mat, he moved close to shut and lock the door. His chest was inches from hers. She almost wrapped her arms around him and proclaimed her love right there in the bathroom. She bit her tongue and slipped away, padding into his bedroom.

  “I came in here to pee. Which I still need to do.” He shut the bathroom door so hard she jumped.

  The door to the main room was cracked open, high voices ringing through. Tempest glided over and closed the door all the way. Her heart pounded. The king bed dominated the space. He’d taken off the quilt and dropped it on the floor. The sheets were pulled back on one side, and the pillow crumpled where he must have rested his head earlier. Desire rose though her body. She turned on a dim lamp, sat on the little couch, and crossed her legs, letting her dress ride up on her thigh a bit extra.

  The sink turned off, and Leo strode out. He eyed her, glimpsing her exposed leg, before taking up the seat across the tea table from the couch. Close enough to talk quietly, but they would not be touching. Disappointment sank through her bones.

  They sat in silence. She picked at a loose thread on the hem of her dress. He stared at the diamond shapes on the rug. This was too hard. Love wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t supposed to be like this. She’d taken a risk by coming over here so at least she could go home proud of herself and knowing it was never meant to be. Even as she thought the words, a heaviness spread over her chest. She stood. She took a step toward the bathroom. He stood.

  She turned to him, surprised to see distress on his face. “Thanks for having me over.”

  “Um.”

  “I’m sorry I bothered you tonight.”

  “You didn’t. I’m glad you came over. I’m sorry I’ve been standoffish. It’s just…” His voice faded.

  She smiled at his nervousness. So he wasn’t unfeeling.

  He looked down at her mouth and frowned. “Okay. So we’ll talk like normal step-people.”

  Her lips drooped.

  “How’s Blair?”

  “Great. She’s still catering and dreaming of owning her own pastry shop. How’s Dean?”

  “Worse for having met Blair.”

  Tempest chuckled, a tiny thing that wouldn’t escape the walls of the room.

  “Are you seeing anyone?” Leo looked down at his hands.

  Her pulse rose. “No. You?” She braced for the answer.

  “No.”

  Hope broke through the gloom like the first rays of dawn.


  He lifted his gray eyes. “Did you find a job?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “No.”

  His face crumpled as if stricken with a blow. Silence pulsed. He looked down at the tea table. “Seems like the parents are really happy.”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s pretty lucky they got to find love like that.” He looked right at her, his gaze piercing.

  Her pulse was a foghorn in her ears. Do it. Don’t think about what you have to lose. Think about the beautiful man before you. She sucked in a breath and stepped closer. “I’ve been thinking about how my dad said he didn’t want to live with the regret of not taking a risk on Silvia.”

  Leo’s breath hitched as she put a hand on his shirt, on the buttons under the open collar.

  “Living safe hasn’t done me any favors.” She swallowed, heat racing over her face. Her nerves buzzed. “So I’m just going to say it.”

  His irises dilated.

  “I’m in love with you.”

  His lips parted.

  “I want to be with you.”

  He wasn’t breathing, but his heart raced beneath her fingertips.

  She tilted her face, bringing their mouths within inches. “What do you think? Am I worth the risk?”

  His hands found her waist and slid over her lower back. He drew her against his body. “You’re worth everything.”

  She moaned as his mouth closed over hers. He started slow, his lips soft, his hands sliding up her sides, over her ribs. He tasted of heat and cinnamon. Her blood warmed as it had that night at the party, but now no costumes or other people got in the way. Instead of a beard, his face felt like smooth marble. She opened her eyes just wide enough to find the buttons on his shirt, her deft fingers making quick work of them. She slid his shirt off, his shoulders and chest hot beneath her hands. He shuddered, and his tiny nipples went hard.

  He cupped her neck, guiding her focus back to his dark eyes, his flushed lips. “I love you.”

  Her whole body seemed to melt into a smile.

  This time when he drew her chin up, his hungry mouth crushed against hers. He kissed her as if he were a drowning man and she were air. His teeth chewed at her lower lip. Her knees weakened. His breathing turned heavy. Her hands wrapped the muscles of his arms as she tilted her head back, exposing tender skin. He kissed along her jaw, at the base of her ear. As his tongue trailed down her neck, a dam burst, and fire flooded her body. Everywhere he touched, her nerves ignited. His palm found her thigh and slid up, over her hip, her ribs, her bra. She lifted her arms, and he tugged the dress over her head. As his gaze drank her up, he uttered a string of curses that had her flushing from her toes to her nose. Hands on her waist, he drew her against him, their skin meeting in a soft whisper. He kissed her slowly. So slowly her fingers dug into his back muscles to keep from exploding. His exploring hands left smoldering fires along her skin. As one they shuffled toward the bed until her legs bumped the mattress, and together they fell.

  ****

  A shrill voice cut through the pleasant haze weighing down his limbs.

  “She’s gone!”

  Who was that screaming? Leo opened his eyes and couldn’t stop his smile at seeing Tempest curled at his side. He slid closer, put his arm around her waist, and kissed her bare shoulder.

  “And this is Mexico.” The upset woman seemed to be getting closer to his bedroom door. “Do you think a human trafficker stole her in the night?”

  Jo. That was Jo. Oh, shit.

  “No.” Mom’s quiet voice was muffled by the wall. “I’m sure she’s fine. Maybe she went for a run.”

  “She hates running.” Jo’s tone turned sharp.

  Tempest woke with a start, huge blue eyes turning to him.

  “She didn’t sleep in her bed last night. Her phone is in her bag. She left everything. It’s like she was abducted by aliens. Or the cartel.” Jo sounded like she was about to burst into tears. “Is she a sex slave now?” She sobbed. “She must have been taken last night. Hours ago.”

  Tempest pulled the sheet up to her nose. Naked. They were both naked. Her eyes turned panicky as she blinked up at Leo.

  What time was it? Sunlight seared through the narrow slits in the drapes. He’d slept so well with her, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Once they’d gone to sleep that was—they had stayed up very late.

  The sheet was thin, no blanket over top. Leo could see the swells of her body and the sudden pop of her nipples when his gaze raked down her. The worried female voices drew closer to the door. He considered rolling on top of her to hide her body, but that might not be the best idea right now.

  “Leo?” Mom’s voice penetrated the closed door.

  He sat partially up, keeping his chest covered, and held his pillow over the thin sheet not hiding his pitched tent. He grabbed another pillow and rested it on top of Tempest’s torso. She stayed lying down, her eyes brimming with a mixture of horror and threatening laughter as she turned her focus toward the rotating doorknob.

  Mom didn’t wait for his response before she swung the bedroom door open. He probably should have checked that it was locked last night. His mind had been on other, more pressing matters.

  Dressed for the wedding, in gowns and makeup, Mom, Zena, and Jo stepped into his room. They froze as their gazes soaked up the scene, each face shifting into different emotions. Mom, shock and horror. Zena, amusement. Jo moved quickly from relief to confusion.

  “She’s here.” Leo said it as if he were the hero who’d rescued the princess. He grinned. “And there was no slavery involved.” He couldn’t help the edge of arrogance that laced his voice.

  Tempest grunted out a laugh. Only the top half of her head was visible peeking out of the sheet.

  Wearing a simple white dress, Mom stumbled in and plopped down on a chair. “My children are fornicating.”

  Jo was still as stone, staring at her sister.

  Zena, looking unruffled and highly entertained, picked up a magazine and starting fanning Mom with it. “They are not related.”

  “No, you’re right,” Mom said, her gaze unfocused as she thought. “They aren’t related yet. We won’t get married, and then it will be okay.”

  Before Leo could object, Christopher walked into the room. His gaze went to his bride first, and his wholesome face turned down with worry at her stricken figure. He glanced up, saw Leo and Tempest in the bed, and reeled back, his jaw slack and his eyes popping.

  “But you’re gay,” Jo finally said, her voice breaking free of the freeze.

  Everyone in the room turned to Jo and looked at her as if she were an imbecile.

  “Nope.” Zena’s voice was dry, but her lips turned up in delight. “Just incestuous.”

  “Get out of my room!” Leo felt the disadvantage of being naked in bed but had had enough of the judgment. He sat up all the way, and the sheet fell down to his waist. He regretted the move when everyone’s attention went to his bare chest.

  “How long has this been happening?” Mom asked.

  “Just once, last night,” Leo said. “Well, three times.” He glanced at Tempest. She pulled the sheet higher over her reddening face.

  Christopher put a hand on his belly. “I think I might vomit.”

  “It’s just wedding nerves,” Jo said.

  “This is not what I had it mind when I said I wanted you to get along with Christopher’s daughters,” Mom said.

  “What are we going to do?” Christopher looked at Leo’s mom, his face conflicted.

  “You’re all going to get out,” Leo said, glad for the commanding ring of his voice. “We will be ready for the wedding in thirty minutes. And you two are getting married. Tempest and I are dating, and y’all can get on board or not. But we are not blood related, and we will not be calling each other brother and sister. Ever. Now get out.”

  Each person had to look over the couple cowering in bed once more before shuffling out. Zena winked at him before clo
sing the door.

  Leo turned to Tempest.

  She sent him a wicked smile. “Looked like the shower is big enough for both of us.”

  They weren’t ready in thirty minutes as promised, but they smiled all through the wedding.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Bakery

  Tempest perched on the counter stool in her kitchen. She stood. She walked around the house, straightening the books on the shelf, refolding the bathroom towels. Blair still hadn’t come home from work. Tempest’s heart tried to jump out of her rib cage. She’d been riding on adrenaline since she gave her two-week notice at work this morning. She, Tempest Grace Swan, had quit. In truth, she’d been flying high since she snuck into Leo’s room in Mexico a glorious nine days ago. They’d spent every available moment together since. She’d had no idea what real love could do to a person. She couldn’t believe she was capable of such happiness.

  If she’d learned anything from it, besides how much she craved Leo, it was that she had to take the risk. She had to venture out into darkness to see the stars. And she wanted stars.

  Footsteps sounded outside. She squeaked and returned to her seat at the kitchen counter. She picked up her lukewarm tea and took a sip as Blair walked in.

  “Hey, Stormie.”

  “What’s up, Big Stick?” Tempest rolled her smile between her teeth and willed her face to appear nonchalant. “How was work?”

  “I’m so over it.”

  Tempest suffered another jolt of excitement.

  “Some asshole flipped my tray of shrimp cocktail over when I was walking past.”

  So that explained the red sauce splattering her clothes. “Sorry, babe.”

  Blair dropped her purse and shoes on the floor by the door and tiptoed to the kitchen.

  Tempest motioned with her chin. “The kettle is still hot if you want a cup.”

  Blair grabbed a mug and poured the steamy liquid. She leaned against the counter with a tired sigh. “I didn’t expect to see you. I thought you’d already be over at Leo’s by now.” Blair glanced at the oven clock, which read 8:11 p.m.