She resisted the urge to lick her upper lip like an ingenue in a bad movie. Her heart beat faster as he lowered his head. His mouth hovered just over hers. She held her breath as her heart raced. Would he kiss her? Please, please kiss me, she begged silently.
“Soph, you’re killing me here.” He still hovered over her mouth, close enough she could smell his minty breath. “How can you love me when I’m such an idiot?”
“I’ll always love you,” she whispered. “Nothing will ever change that. Even if you don’t want me, I’ll still love you.”
“You’re driving me crazy.” He turned them so she was against the car and pressed against her. “Absolutely insane. Do you remember what you proposed last night while all loopy?”
“I remember.”
“The sight of you in my bed is all I can think about. No man should be tested this way.”
“I know the feeling.” Boldly, remembering that seduction was key, she slipped her fingers under the waistline of his pants and pulled him closer. “The offer still holds. We can start tonight.”
He groaned and spoke into her hair. “You were on drugs. You didn’t mean it.”
“Hell yes, I meant it.” She moved her mouth closer to his ear. Seduction. What would tempt him to take this further? Judi had said to follow her instincts. Suddenly she knew. She nipped at his earlobe with just her lips and spoke softly. “What do you want to do to me?”
He made a sound between a groan and a growl. “Every damn thing. Again and again.”
She pressed her mouth against the muscle of his neck and licked him. He tasted of salt. She wanted more. She wanted to taste every inch of him.
He lifted her chin with one finger and stared into her eyes. “What are you doing, Soph?”
“I’m taking what belongs to me.”
He closed his eyes as if he were in pain and murmured, “I tried. I really tried to stay away from you.” His hands moved from around her waist to her hair. “I want to feel this hair all over me when I’m inside you.” Then he lowered his mouth and kissed her. She kissed him right back. They kissed hard, tongues clashing. Her entire body was on fire. She craved more and more of him. This was what it was like to be with a man she loved—this mixture of pleasure and need for release.
He moved from her mouth to drop his face into her shoulder. “Why do you have to feel so good? So right?”
“You know why.”
Nico stumbled backward as if she’d kicked him in the shins and covered his face with his hands. “I’m in so much trouble here.” He looked over at her, his eyes blazing. “What have you done to me?”
“You can run, but this thing between us isn’t going away.”
He simply nodded and turned and walked away. She leaned against the side of her car for support. With her arms folded around her waist, she watched him walk across the parking lot. Even his gait was etched into her consciousness. From behind, she would know it was him in a lineup of ten men of the exact same height and build by his long, loose-limbed stride. Yes, everything in her life was in turmoil, but she was alive. She’d survived. He’d survived. They could light up the night in a whole different way.
Sophie spent several hours running errands. She bought a new cell phone, stopped in one of two clothing stores to purchase a few pairs of shorts, tank tops, sandals, and a few other essentials. Before she left the store, she changed out of Autumn’s clothes and into one of the new outfits. Wearing clothes that fit cheered her up considerably. The local drugstore had makeup and other toiletries. After she had all she needed for now, she drove up to Zane and Honor’s.
As she exited her SUV, seven-year-old Jubie came running out of the front door and threw herself into her arms. “Aunt Sophie, is it true? Is The Oar all burned up?”
She lifted Jubie off the ground and held her tightly for a moment, breathing in the child’s sweet-smelling hair and gathering strength from her warm body. “I’m afraid so.” She set her niece back on her feet.
“Were you scared?” Jubie’s forehead crinkled as she looked up at her.
“Very much.”
“I’m scared just thinking about it,” Jubie said. “But Dad said it won’t happen here at our house because we don’t have french-frying things.”
“That’s right. There’s nothing to worry over,” Sophie said as they started toward the door.
“We made cookies to cheer you up.”
They held hands as they crossed the driveway and went into the house, which smelled of cinnamon and butter. “Snickerdoodles?”
“Your favorite, right?” Jubie asked.
“For sure.”
The front room of the house perched on the side of the hill and looked out to the ocean. Honor had it decorated in the modern farmhouse style with cozy furniture and soft blues and creams.
They found both Zane and Honor in the kitchen. Zane was on his phone, pacing between the picture window and the table.
Honor was hunched over her phone typing furiously under a curtain of long blond hair. “Mama, Aunt Sophie’s here,” Jubie said.
Honor dropped her phone on the countertop and pulled Sophie into a quick embrace. “I’m so sorry.” Their height difference always made hugs awkward as Honor inevitably landed right at Sophie’s breasts. Her sister-in-law was just over five feet tall with a curvy hourglass figure, which she showed off today in a short cotton skirt and peasant blouse.
Honor’s eyes were glassy. “When I think what could’ve happened…”
“I know. But it didn’t.”
From the corner of the kitchen, Sebastian bounced in his activity center where he was safely trapped with his fat legs dangling from the seat. He yelled out when he spotted Sophie. She went over to him and lifted him out of his bouncy seat and kissed him on his pink cheek. “How’s my nephew today?”
He grinned and shouted, “Hi.” His aquamarine eyes stared into hers.
“Hello, love.” Sophie kissed the top of his head. His white-blond hair curled around his delicious ears. Honor hadn’t yet given him a haircut, not wanting to cut off his curls.
“He’s on with the insurance people.” Honor gestured toward Zane, who had stopped pacing and was simply listening to whomever was on the other line. “Let’s talk in the living room.”
Still holding Sebastian, Sophie followed Jubie into the other room. Sebastian wriggled when he saw one of the three cats napping in a sunny spot. “Cat,” he shouted, and pointed a chubby finger.
“Sebbie, remember, be gentle with the kitty,” Honor said.
“Cat,” he shouted again.
Sophie set him down and he toddled toward the cat, falling down twice before he reached his destination. The moment he got there, the orange-and-white cat woke and made a hasty retreat after protesting with a grouchy meow.
“Cat,” Sebastian said, no longer shouting with glee. His bottom lip trembled. “Cat.”
“Come on, Sebbie,” Jubie said in an obvious ploy to keep him from crying. “Let’s play with your trucks.”
“Tuck.” All memory of the cat appeared to vanish as he beamed up at his sister. Jubie shot Sophie a pious, long-suffering look as she led her baby brother over to the corner where Honor kept some of his toys in a basket.
The two women looked at each other and settled onto the couch. “How are you holding up?” Honor asked.
“I’m all right.”
“Zane told me about your talk this morning,” Honor said.
“Were you surprised he wanted to sell the lot?”
“I was. Shocked is more like it.” Honor spoke softly, obviously aware her husband was in the other room. “He’s not thinking straight.”
“Right?”
“Losing it is like losing Hugh all over again,” Honor said.
“We can rebuild.” How many times would she say that in the months to come?
“Yes, we can. If that’s what you want.” Honor gazed at her with those big brown eyes that had transfixed her brother’s heart. Given the kindness and int
elligence that shone from them, no one would guess that Honor had been abandoned by her mother and in and out of foster homes most of her life. Yet here she was, a wonderful mother, a loving wife, and a friend to so many, not to mention an incredibly successful businesswoman. She was the embodiment of second chances and rebuilding. If Honor could come through all that, surely they could restore The Oar.
“Zane just needs a little time. This was such a shock and blow to him.” Honor lowered her voice. “It’s bringing back so many feelings about his dad.”
“I understand,” Sophie said.
“I guarantee you by the time we’re ready to rebuild, he will be too.”
“I hope so. One of the reasons I’ve loved my job is working with Zane. It’s a family business.”
“He’ll change his mind,” Honor said.
“I’m just a little sick of men telling me what they think is best for me.”
Honor shook her head and laughed. “Yeah, he’s really all over this big brother thing, isn’t he?”
“It’s sweet. But annoying.”
“Zane may see him in a whole new light now that he risked his life to save you from a burning building,” Honor said.
“I’m not sure it matters. Nico’s the only one who can decide if he wants to be with me.”
Honor patted her knee. “Don’t give up. You know I had a giant crush on Zane for years before he noticed me. Sometimes men just take a while to get a clue.”
The doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” Honor asked as she rose up from the couch.
Sophie stood, watching as Honor opened the door to a man dressed in a blue suit. He flashed his badge. “I’m Detective Solomon. I’m working on the arson case. I’d like a word with your husband.”
“Come in,” Honor said, stepping back from the doorway. “My husband’s on the phone with the insurance people, but I believe he’s wrapping up. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you. I won’t be staying long,” Solomon said.
Sophie introduced herself to the detective and led him over to one of the armchairs adjacent to the couch. “I’m Zane’s sister and business partner.”
“Excellent.” Solomon was a slight man with small, keen eyes. His suit was wrinkled, and he looked like he could use a good shave and a long nap. “I was hoping to talk to you both at the same time.”
“Zane wasn’t there, and I was upstairs,” she said. “I don’t know how much help we can be.”
“I understand. It’s more that I’ve information to share with you. The questions I have for your brother won’t be about the fire but about his connections with the…” Solomon took a small pad from the breast of his jacket and flipped through the pages. “What is it they call themselves? The Dogs?”
“His group of friends, yes.”
Before she could ask a follow-up question, Zane and Honor came into the room. After introductions, Zane sat next to Sophie on the couch while Honor picked up a suddenly fussy Sebastian and settled into a chair.
Solomon glanced at Jubie, who’d come to stand by her mother. “Probably not a discussion for young ears,” he said to Zane.
“Sweetie, can you go upstairs to your room for a minute?” Zane asked Jubie.
She looked as if she wanted to argue but knew better. Without a word, she trudged across the room to the stairway that led upstairs.
The sound of her footsteps up the stairs seemed to reassure the detective it was safe to begin. “I’ll cut to the chase. The type of pipe bomb used in this fire was similar to the one that started a fire in an apartment complex in Stoweaway last month. We’re not sure what the connection is or if the arson targeted these specifically. Most likely, they’re random, but I’m looking for anything that could tie them together.”
Zane leaned forward and covered both knees with his hands. “Did you say apartment complex?”
“I did. Why?” Solomon asked.
“We know someone who had an apartment in a complex that burned,” Zane said. “In Stoweaway. Is it the same building?”
“There’s only been one,” Solomon said. “What’s the name of the person you know?”
“Valerie Hickman,” Zane said.
Solomon flipped through his notebook. “Yep, there she is. Apartment 2B. How do you know her?”
“Her son Kyle is one of my best friends,” Zane said.
The detective’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Tell me more.”
“We’ve known each other since college,” Zane said. “We’re close with three other guys, too. We call ourselves the Dogs. Our lives are very intertwined.”
Sophie’s pulse sped as she pressed her damp palms together. Was this a repeat of the crazed man who’d tried to harm Autumn, Violet, and Pepper because of a vendetta toward Kyle? “Detective, is it possible the arsonist was targeting relatives of the Dogs? Kyle’s mother? Me?”
“But why?” Solomon asked. “Is there a common enemy among you?”
“There was,” Zane said. “But he was killed last month.”
“This has happened to us before,” Honor said casually, as if it were a completely normal explanation.
“And by ‘us’ you mean these Dogs?” Solomon drew out the sentence by putting space between each word. God only knew what he must think of them right now.
“And the Wolves,” Sophie had to add, for accuracy. “The friend groups are kind of connected now. What with Trey decorating everyone’s house and Rafael having protected the Mullens for so long and me having Zane and Honor’s baby.”
“Everything kind of merged,” Honor said. “Like they do sometimes.”
“Um, okay now.” Solomon’s eyebrows rose, bringing the skin of his forehead to the smooth pink of his balding scalp. “You two have lost me.”
“Should I explain it to him or you?” Honor asked Zane.
Zane nodded. “I probably should. I’ve been here since the beginning of the Dogs.”
“Agreed,” Honor said.
“The whole thing started with a mentally disturbed nanny,” Zane said. “And ended with her father’s death after he kidnapped Violet, Autumn, and Pepper.”
“Rafael’s a sharpshooter,” Sophie said. “Thank goodness.”
“You better start at the beginning,” Solomon said. “And I will take that cup of coffee.”
After hugging the kids and Honor one more time, she headed out to the car. The skinny road down the hill toward town was quiet on a Sunday. In just a few minutes she was in front of the fire site again. If she could drive with her eyes closed, she would. She gritted her teeth and headed out of town.
As she drove up the country road to Maggie’s house, she thought about Honor’s advice. Perhaps she was correct. There was nothing keeping her here. She could easily change her ticket for Paris. Staying here, hoping Nico would change his mind, was futile. The destruction would be hauled away by the time she got back. She would only see it in her dreams from then on.
When she pulled up to Maggie’s house, her half sister came running out to hug her. Despite Maggie’s baby bump coming between them, her grip was so tight Sophie had trouble breathing. For such a slight person, her sister was strong from years of dancing. When she withdrew, Maggie continued to stare at her and shake her head back and forth as if she couldn’t believe Sophie was standing there. “Thank the good Lord for Nico Bentley,” Maggie said finally.
“True enough.” Sophie smiled and tugged on a clump of Maggie’s copper-colored hair. “Now stop that. I’m fine. How are you feeling?”
Maggie patted her slightly rounded stomach. “Much better. Now that I’m in the second trimester the nausea is gone and I’m not as tired.”
“I can’t wait to meet him or her,” she said.
Maggie smiled. “The good doctor is hoping for a boy. Not that he’d admit it.”
“A boy would be nice,” Sophie said.
“Do you want to stay with us?” Maggie asked as they entered the house. “Until you figure out a new place to rent?”
&nb
sp; It was a logical place to stay. They had room, but having only recently gotten rid of houseguests, Sophie had a feeling Maggie and Jackson were looking forward to being alone with Lily and nesting before the new baby came.
“No, thanks, though,” she said in response to Maggie’s offer. “Mrs. Coventry’s offered up one of her guest rooms.”
Maggie led her down the hallway to the kitchen. The doors to the patio were open, bringing the scent of roses from the garden. Lily was down for her nap, so they headed outside to the pool to sit under the shade of an umbrella. Maggie never sat directly in the sun. She was fair with about a million freckles. The temperature hovered in the middle seventies with a slight breeze that ruffled the fabric of the umbrella. Maggie’s guitar and sheet music were spread over her patio table.
“Were you working?” Sophie asked.
“I had an idea for a new song and wanted to jot down a few things while Lily’s napping.”
Growing up, seeing a guitar had been a normal occurrence in Sophie’s home. All through her childhood, musicians were in and out of the house. Often, in the middle of the night she’d wake to the sound of music from below.
When her father had heard Maggie sing at The Oar one night, he’d offered her a recording deal. The Oar. So many relationships in this town started with an encounter at The Oar. “Dad first heard you sing at The Oar. It’s so hard to believe it’s gone.”
“It’s true,” Maggie said. “As long as I’ve been alive, The Oar has been the center of everything.”
“I’m so proud and honored to run the place. Zane was so generous to offer it to me.”
“How is he?” Maggie asked. “Jackson left him a message this morning, but we haven’t heard from him.”
“Not good. He suggested we sell the lot.”
“What?” Maggie stared at her as if she hadn’t heard her correctly. “Sell the lot? As in, not reopen?”
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