Nights were always particularly difficult for Alex. All the darkness and silence gave him too much time to think. He’d gotten into the habit of wearing his ear buds to bed. That way he could drift to sleep with his mind occupied by a symphony of colors. He set a timer so the music stopped sometime in the night and he awoke refreshed after having tricked his mind into sleeping.
But last night, Alex had trouble quieting his mind. No matter how loud he played his music, it couldn’t drown out his thoughts of Olivia.
Olivia’s voice.
Olivia’s smile.
Olivia’s touch.
He needed to get a grip. She was Cassidy’s granddaughter for Christ’s sake. That made her strictly off limits. Not to mention that Olivia was entirely out of Alex’s league. Yet, somehow, that made him want her even more. But Alex knew better. Life had taught him that girls like Olivia didn’t date guys like him. She grew up among music royalty. He grew up on the street. She was beautiful and refined. He was . . . well, . . . not. A little rough around the edges was the polite way of describing him.
Alex knew all of this, but the problem he kept circling back to was that he’d never met anyone like Olivia. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. That wasn’t like him. He didn’t get distracted by girls. He preferred to be on his own. He was good at it. Life was less complicated that way. But ever since he saw the photo of Olivia he knew there was something about her. Something that he couldn’t shake. And that worried him. Because Alex hated not being in control. And that’s exactly how Olivia made him feel—reckless.
So when he awoke to the strange sounds of sighing he thought maybe he was actually going mad. But as he followed the sound to the attic door he felt tension building in his chest. He paused at the landing, listening to the eerily beautiful whine slipping through the door. He knew he was on the precipice of something. He had a decision to make. He could turn back, go to his room, lock himself inside and throw himself into his work, pretending Olivia wasn’t even here. Or he could go in and find out why everything about her held such allure.
Go back!
He knew that was the safe bet. But he couldn’t stop himself. His hand was twisting the knob before he knew he’d made the decision.
What Alex saw floored him. Olivia sat on a black wooden chair facing the window. Her back was to him as she swayed, moving with the bow she dragged expertly across a large string instrument—a cello.
Her dark hair was swept up in a messy bun and she was wearing a thin white tank top. One of the straps slipped down her arm, giving Alex an endless view of Olivia’s flawless skin from her lithe neck to her sculpted shoulder. And as she moved her arm across the cello, he caught glimpses of the side of her perfect breast.
In the glow of morning light she looked like an angel. Alex could have watched her play forever. But he’d unconsciously taken another step into the room and the creak of the old floorboards alerted Olivia to his presence. She jerked to a halt and the music stopped, releasing Alex from the spell he’d been under.
“What the hell?” Olivia screeched leaping to her feet and whirling toward Alex.
“Shit! I’m sorry. I-I didn’t know you played.”
“And I didn’t know you stalked! Get out!” she yelled.
“Right,” Alex mumbled retreating to the attic door.
He felt his cheeks flush as the door slammed shut behind him.
Great! Now she thinks you’re some sort of creepy perv.
Way to go, Alex!
He stood outside the door for a moment wondering what to do. He hadn’t meant to spy on her. He hadn’t even realized he was standing in the middle of the room gazing at her. No wonder she’d freaked out. He’d absolutely looked like a creeper. But her music, it had drawn him in. And even now he worried he’d do it again if she started to play.
Alex was suddenly desperate to make things right. “I’m sorry,” he said to the door. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I heard you playing and . . . well, you play beautifully.”
He was met with silence.
“Anyway, I’m sorry.”
The door opened and Olivia stood in front of him. She was wearing black leggings and she’d thrown a thin gray sweater over her lacy tank top. It was too large for her small frame and her shoulder stuck out the oversized neck in the most appealing way.
“Thanks. But next time try knocking, okay?” she muttered, crossing her arms.
“Yes, I definitely will. I’m sorry. You really are incredible though. What was the song you were playing?”
She pushed past him and started down the steps. “Something I wrote.”
“Are you serious? You wrote that?” Alex asked following her down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Yep.”
Alex wanted to kick himself for yapping along after Olivia like a hopeful puppy.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He wasn’t that guy.
But apparently today he was. He couldn’t seem to stop himself from turning into a bumbling idiot around Olivia.
Alex watched her move about the kitchen. She got a pot of coffee brewing and poked her head into the refrigerator. “Is everything in here yours?” she asked without looking at Alex.
“Uh, yeah. But you’re welcome to it.”
Olivia pulled a small container of Greek yogurt out and held it up looking at Alex questioningly.
“Please, help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 13
Olivia
Olivia found a spoon and hopped up on the kitchen counter to wait for the coffee to finish brewing. “You sure have a lot of food,” she said between spoonfuls of yogurt. “How long do you plan on being here anyway?”
“Just a few more weeks.”
She raised her eyebrows. “That’s enough food for a few months! I didn’t know a fridge could hold that much. But I guess I wouldn’t since I only know how to cook grilled cheese and ramen noodles,” she mused.
Alex shrugged. “I eat a lot.”
“Work up a big appetite spying on people?” she joked.
“No! I—”
“Calm down. I’m just messing with you. For real though that is a ton of food.”
Alex’s shoulders seemed to relax a bit. “I run. It burns a lot of calories.”
That explained his incredible body.
“Well I’m heading into town as soon as this ancient coffeemaker finishes, so I’ll replace this,” she said holding up the yogurt cup. “And let me know if I can get you anything else.”
“Are you sure you want to head into town now? It’s pouring.”
Olivia glanced out the window. “It’s just a little rain.”
“Honestly, I don’t mind sharing food with you if you want to wait for a break in the weather.”
“Well, unless you want to share your clothes too, I sorta need to do some shopping. I didn’t really pack for an extended stay.”
“How long are you staying?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully only the rest of the week.”
The coffeemaker beeped and Olivia hopped off the counter to grab a mug. “Want some?” she asked Alex.
“Sure.”
Olivia poured two cups of the steaming black coffee and handed one cup to Alex. She fixed hers in a travel mug, mixing in cream and sugar before taking a long sip. The first sip was always the best. She savored the way the warmth spread through her chest.
“Any requests from town?” she asked as she twisted on the lid to the travel mug.
“Wait, I’ll come with you.”
“Don’t you have art to work on?”
Alex held up his gauze wrapped hand. “I should probably take today off.”
“Right,” Olivia replied feeling instantly guilty. His injury was partially her fault. “Fine, you can come.”
A smile lit Alex’s gorgeous face. “Great!”
Olivia watched as he disappeared into his room and had a strange feeling she’d just invited trouble into her life. Before she had a
chance to reconsider, Alex was back, wearing running shoes and a rain jacket.
“Ready,” he proclaimed, that easy smile twisting his face in the most irresistible way.
Yep, definitely trouble.
Anyone who could make your insides melt with a smile was not to be trusted.
“Don’t you have a jacket?” Alex asked as Olivia led the way to the garage.
“No. I flew in from LA. It’s never really jacket weather there so I forgot to pack one.”
“I have a sweatshirt you can borrow,” he offered.
“I’ll be fine. I can pick something up in town.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s cold and raining. I’ll go grab my sweatshirt.”
He turned to go back toward his room but Olivia grabbed his arm. “I’m a big girl, Alex. I don’t need your sweatshirt.”
“Fine,” he muttered.
The drive was tense and silent. Olivia chewed her lip. She hadn’t meant to be so bitchy. She just wasn’t used to anyone trying to take care of her. She’d been in charge of her life since she could tie her own shoes. Gran was the only person she let dote on her. Olivia’s thoughts drifted to her grandmother, and a mixture of sadness and anger washed over her.
Was this really what Gran thought Olivia needed?
A drive in a rainstorm with a stranger?
Olivia took a deep breath and blinked back her tears. It was useless being angry with her grandmother. Besides, Gran was usually right about these things. She was right about Olivia feeling lost. Olivia had been craving a break from LA for a while. Though a week with a handsome stranger hadn’t been what she had in mind.
Was Olivia crazy to be driving through the woods with a guy she’d just met?
One who she’d caught in her room moments ago?
Suddenly the scenario sounded like the beginning of a horror movie. Olivia probably shouldn’t even be considering staying in the house with Alex.
Leave it to Gran to bring more drama into Olivia’s already messed up life.
Olivia decided to call Bex. The silence in the car was eating her alive and she wanted at least one reliable person to know where she was in case her overactive paranoia was valid for once.
“Do you mind if I make a phone call?” Olivia asked. “I want to check on my grandmother.”
Alex shrugged.
Olivia dialed her cousin and after a few rings Bex’s voice boomed through the car speakers. “Liv! Where the hell are you?”
“Bex? What’s wrong?”
“Seriously? Gran is in the hospital. Carter’s being an ass to Grand and you’re M-I-A!”
“My dad’s there?”
“That’s all you got out of that statement?”
“I was worried he wouldn’t show up,” Olivia admitted.
“I know, but he always does eventually. Late is better than never. But what I don’t get is where you disappeared to. What’s going on? Gran said she sent you on some secret mission.”
“Yeah. It’s a long story.”
“Where the hell are you? And am I on speaker phone? You sound all gravely.”
“Yes. And I’m at the lake house.”
“What? Why are you at Carter Ridge at a time like this? Liv, you picked a really shitty time to act like your father. Gran could die any minute! We need you here.”
“Bex! That’s not fair!”
“Your grandmother’s dying?” Alex interrupted.
“Who are you with?” Bex squawked.
Olivia glared at Alex but then sighed deeply gesturing for him to answer her cousin.
“Um, I’m Alex.”
“Who?” Bex asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine. I got to the house last night and surprise, Alex was here. I guess Gran forgot to mention she invited him to work on his art in the family cottage,” Olivia muttered. “Maybe someone can check on that for me. His name is Alex Tine.”
Hurt lanced Alex’s face. “I’m a friend of Cassidy’s,” he said loudly. “I had no idea she was ill. I’m so sorry.”
“Take me off speaker phone,” Bex demanded.
“I can’t, Bex. I’m driving the switchbacks. Besides I’m almost to the dead zone. I just wanted to call and check on Gran and let you know where I am. Give everyone my love. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Liv!”
“Love you, Bex.”
And right on cue the call cut out. It seemed the cell phone towers couldn’t compete with the mountains of Carter Ridge. There was a good ten miles of switchbacks where she could never get a signal. Once the road leveled out in town away from the sheer rock faces, her phone would work again. And Olivia was already anticipating about a dozen missed calls from her cousin by then.
But at least now someone knew where Olivia was, and more importantly, who she was with.
Chapter 14
Alex
Alex tried not to watch Olivia struggle after the phone call. But her bottom lip was quivering and he longed to reach over and rub her back, telling her everything would be all right. But from the little he knew of Olivia, he didn’t think the gesture would be welcomed. Besides, he’d already overstepped this morning by going into her room while she was playing her cello.
“So, what’s wrong with your grandmother?” Alex asked.
“Her cancer’s back. I’m surprised you didn’t know, since you’re such good friends and all.”
“Olivia . . .” Alex started. “If she’s that sick, maybe you should go back to New York.”
“I don’t need you judging me,” she hissed.
“I’m not judging you. I’m just wondering why you’re here instead of with your grandmother if she’s ill?”
Olivia laughed. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. But that’s just how my family is. We don’t do normal. There’s always drama if the Crains are involved.”
Alex shook his head.
“What?”
“I knew this was too good to be true. No one offers something for nothing.”
“What did my grandmother offer you?”
“She offered to sponsor my work and she told me to come paint at the cottage. I’m supposed to be doing works inspired by the musicians who’ve recorded there.”
“Well, I hope you paint fast because when my grandmother dies you’re most likely going to get kicked out. Like I told you, we don’t invite artists or musicians to the cottage anymore.”
Panic raced through Alex. He was screwed if he didn’t deliver the paintings he promised the gallery. And Celine was already contacting the musicians to invite them to the opening.
“Look, I’m really sorry for what your family is going through. But I promise I’m not lying to you. I haven’t known your grandmother for that long, but we really connected and she believes in my work. I’m not trying to get in your way, but I can’t leave until I finish my work. I have a lot of people counting on me. And I cleared this all with Cassidy. You can call and ask her if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you.”
“Are you sure, because it didn’t really sound like it on the phone.”
Olivia glared at him.
“Maybe someone can check on that for me. His name is Alex Tine,” Alex said mimicking her feminine voice. “What was that all about?”
“Oh, I’m sorry for worrying about being alone with a random stranger who I found spying on me this morning. I mean how silly for me to want to protect myself.”
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Alex said incredulously.
“Said-every-serial-killer-ever,” Olivia shot back.
“I’m not a serial killer.”
“Have you ever seen a horror movie? That’s what the killer says right before he murders you.”
Alex threw his hands up. This conversation was going nowhere fast. He took a deep breath and tried to regroup before responding. Maybe Olivia was just upset about her grandmother and taking it out on him. People needed an outlet when stressed, he knew that first hand. He was used to being a punch
ing bag. He glanced over at Olivia again. She was gripping the steering wheel so hard her arms were starting to shake.
God, she was frustratingly beautiful.
Alex found himself willing to take any form of abuse from Olivia if it meant he could spend more time with her. He was busy trying to think of something kind to say when he heard Olivia swear. Alex looked up as she slowed the car to a stop.
“Great! This is just perfect,” she muttered pounding the steering wheel.
Alex peered out the foggy windshield. The road they were traveling had plateaued along a valley of gushing brown water. He could barely make out the rails of a bridge in the distance. It was completely submerged in the murky river that had flooded its banks.
“Whoa! Looks like we’re not crossing here. Is there another way into town?”
“How long has it been raining like this?” Olivia asked.
“I think it’s rained every day I’ve been here. Maybe eight days. Is the weather always like this?”
“No. But this is the rainy season and if this bridge is out then we’d better get back up to the house while we still can.”
“What do you mean?”
“When it rains like this, the run-off has a tendency to flood and wash out the roads. We’ll be okay at the house, but we don’t want to get stuck on the roads.”
Olivia turned the Range Rover around and headed back the way they’d come, winding up the switchbacks into the thick canopy of trees. The dense tree cover quieted the pounding of the rain a bit and Olivia sighed after the awkward silence between them dragged on.
“Can we start over?” she asked.
Alex was caught off-guard by her sudden change in mood but he wasn’t about to waste it. “Sure.”
“I’m not usually such a bitch. The past few days have just been really stressful.”
“I can imagine,” Alex replied. “Water under the bridge?”
Olivia burst out laughing. “Too soon,” she said after her laughter died down.
“Okay, what do you want to talk about?”
“How about your art?”
“What about it?”
“I don’t know. Tell me about it. You said you’re doing paintings inspired by musicians that played at Carter Ridge? Why?”
Retreat Again (The Retreat Series Book 2) Page 5