Стейси Кестуик - Wet

I sat there in silence, watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. Something about Grady seemed to get to Rue. And I’d never seen a guy get to Rue before. She had her jaw clenched and was avoiding eye contact. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you inside in a few minutes then.”

I was passing by the bar again to tell Theo we were heading out, when a hand grabbed my elbow. Turning, I found West looking down at me, brow furrowed. “Yes?” I asked.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “You headed to Grady’s with everyone?”

“I’d planned on it. Although, I still haven’t actually met the guy.”

“Grady’s a good guy. Just…” He paused. “Just be careful there. Sometimes his parties get a little wild.”

I lifted the corner of my mouth, offering him a faint smile. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

He looked at me, his gaze dragging over my face and dropping down to my legs. “Then why do I have to keep rescuing you?”

Raising my eyebrows, I looked at him in disbelief. He lifted his in return, challenging me. Nodding, I licked my lips. “Tell you what, West. If I need rescuing later, you’ll be the first one I call.” I patted his arm and started to move past him.

“Is that your not-so-subtle way of asking for my number?”

I paused, straightened my shoulders, then continued on without looking back.

His deep laughter followed me, taunting me.

When we got to Grady’s, Rue left me with Theo and disappeared to the makeshift bar set up in the kitchen. I started to go after her, but Theo caught my arm and steered me in the other direction. “C’mon,” he urged. “I’ll introduce you to Grady.”

I tried not to gawk as he led me through the foyer and into the living room. Grady lived in a show-off house. An impressive show-off house. As we entered the main living space, I couldn’t help but look up. The ceiling had to be at least three stories high in this room. It was ridiculous. Huge windows showcased the Intracoastal Waterway, where a few boats still zipped around. Sunrises and sunsets would look amazing from here.

This house was more Rue’s lifestyle than mine. Her parents’ house was a lot like this — echoing rooms, custom drapes, polished floors, clutter-free, dust-free, personality-free. The Hawthorne’s rental properties had more character and charm than their actual house, thank God. My upbringing was decidedly more middle class. My parents were sound engineers in Nashville and made a decent living. They didn’t work with the big names on a regular basis, but they’d worked with some of them when they were just starting out. My brother was part of the family business, too. I’d broken the Mullins music legacy, and I think they were all disappointed, but not mad per se.

I’d been raised to be independent, since my parents’ work hours were so varied, and they weren’t entirely surprised I wanted to strike out on my own. Home for me had been an average-sized ranch in a sidewalk neighborhood, where each lot had a matching oak tree in the front yard, the mailboxes were all painted the same shade of off-white, and custom was something you did to your truck, not your house.

Theo stopped moving, and I walked right into him, letting out a grunt and snapping my head down. We were standing in front of the guy with the buzz cut from the bar, and perched on sky high heels behind him was a girl who really did resemble an anime pixie. Her short black hair was so glossy it was almost reflective, and her boobs looked like they had special antigravity properties. I tried not to stare and instead focused on Grady.

Well, shit . No wonder Rue acted weird around him. The man was gorgeous. And his eyes, my God. He had the prettiest eyes I’d ever seen on a man, with lashes long enough to make any woman jealous and a clear green gaze that seemed to burn through you. He was mesmerizing. Even just wearing a button-down shirt with the top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up, he oozed raw masculinity. He was probably deadly in a suit.

“Theo, my man, you finally hooked one?” he teased, holding out a hand to me. “I’m Grady Tomlin. And you’re the Sadie he’s been telling me about?”

I flushed, not sure what Theo had told him. Surely he hadn’t mentioned the incident with West in the ocean? “Nice to meet you,” I said, taking his hand. He had a firm grip and looked me right in the eye. I got the feeling he was a man who was always in control.

“Theo tells me you’re quite the photographer and that we might be able to utilize your skills at the Edge. I’d love to set up a time to talk to you about it next week. I’d say let’s talk now, but I’d rather not mix business and pleasure, and tonight is definitely not about work.” He winked, and it was charming, not creepy.

“Of course. Whenever it’s convenient for you. Just let me know.” I withdrew my hand. Damn, the man was smooth. I was going to have to corner Rue later. “You have a stunning home.”

He shrugged. “It’s nice. I bought it for the view mostly. Wait ’til we’re outside later. Then you’ll understand.” He tugged on the pixie, and she moved forward. “This is Marissa. Marissa, you’ve met Theo, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of Sadie this summer. You’re staying with Rue now, correct?”

Marissa smiled at me, all perfect gleaming teeth and big lips. I nodded at him, distracted, and smiled back at Marissa. I wondered if she could talk or if she was just for show.

Grady started to move away, dragging Marissa with him. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to get a drink and then head out to the dock. You guys should join us out there soon. It’s a beautiful night.”

I watched him go. He had a magnetic quality that made it hard to look away. Theo squinted at me out of one eye and then groaned. “Oh, no! Not you too! Please tell me you’re not going to turn into a weird girly little puddle every time he comes near. And he wonders why we don’t like to invite him to go places with us.”

I shook my head to clear it. “I’m good. I’m good. I just wasn’t expecting all that. He should come with a warning or something.”

“We need more alcohol. Let’s find Rue,” Theo said, grumbling.

Suddenly, the full impact of Grady’s words registered. I squealed and latched onto Theo’s arm. “He wants to talk to me about my photography! That would be amazing!”

Theo just smiled and shook his head. “That’s what friends are for, doofus.”

Trailing behind Grady into the kitchen, we found Rue flirting outrageously with a Latin-looking guy, giggling and rubbing his arm. “Sadie!” she yelped. “Come meet Hendrix.”

I said hi, and Hendrix took my hand, raising it to his lips for a kiss before turning back to Rue and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, dragging her to his side.

Rue giggled again and melted against him while Theo and I stood there in awkward silence and fixed ourselves a drink. Hendrix had pulled Rue against him and was whispering in her ear. She put a hand against his chest, her eyes closed and biting her lip, and nodded to whatever it was he was suggesting.

I squinted at Theo, silently begging him to save us. I did not want to stand here and watch this. Theo tipped his head toward the deck, and I turned, letting him lead the way. We leaned against the steel cables encircling the deck and looked out at the night sky. Now I saw what Grady meant. The view was breathtaking. The stars covered the sky like sprinkles on a cupcake, and below us the waves crashed into the seawall, the sound a soothing soundtrack to the evening. A small pathway to the left led to a dock that stretched out over the water, ending with a tin roof canopy. A few tiki torches lined the path and the end of the dock, and to the right, a bonfire was burning, circled by stone benches where a few couples were snuggled up roasting marshmallows.