by Demi Alex
Neither had Paul, before the connection had been made. “There’s more to it. The man is a dick and will trample anyone that gets in his way. Trust me when I say the likes of him aren’t right for Vaso’s Dream.”
“Bethany’s demeanor and work ethic are. She’s the one representing Luxury Homes. She’s right. I doubt her father will have much to do with it personally.”
“I’m going to strongly, very strongly, recommend Theo doesn’t accept his offer.”
“You sure this isn’t about you and not Luxury Homes?” Christo asked. “You don’t want the resort sold. Could that be your problem with Michaels?”
“No.” Paul shook his head, taking a deep breath as heat filled his head. “The dick tried to buy Justin.”
Christo’s laughter didn’t surprise him. They both knew no one could buy Justin.
“When Justin told him to go fuck himself, Michaels crushed his own daughter to put an end to things. Things between Justin and Bethany were left unsaid, and both of them were devastated. You never saw the Justin I first met. He wasn’t pretty. It took him a long time to get himself together and get over her.”
“But he never really got over her,” Christo said, not one to stand on political correctness and sugarcoat the situation for Paul’s benefit. “You’re worried he wants to go back to her? Worried you’re not enough for him anymore?”
“No. Not like that and not in the traditional sense. Justin and I are solid. We don’t take each other for granted and what we have is the real thing.”
Paul trusted what he and Justin had, and they both knew never to take it for granted. What he didn’t trust was his own sense of belonging with Bethany. There was an undeniable pull between them, but he wasn’t used to falling for anyone so quickly. And he was falling for Bethany. Or maybe, if he considered his need to keep claiming her, he had already fallen. What did that say about him?
“The woman is beyond beautiful, super smart, and honestly sweet, but considering the time frame, only a physical draw makes any sense,” Paul spoke aloud.
“I see,” Christo said, sipping more coffee. “So while your relationship with Justin is not threatened by her, her resurfacing throws a wrench into your neatly made plans.”
“Yes. I think that’s why initially Justin came up with the friends crap,” Paul said.
Christo laughed again.
“I know. I fucking know. I said it was crap,” Paul admitted. “Even a blind man could see the sparks. Thankfully, she’s more realistic about the situation than he is, and brave little Bethany called it like it was. Either we stayed away and gave her a chance to acclimate to the friends’ relationship, or we stepped up and made good at dealing with the physical fire.”
“She did call it,” Christo said, respect evident in his voice. “Wow.”
“Yes, wow. Bethany all but suggested being friends with benefits was better than ignoring the sexual tension.”
“And that’s why she’s with Justin in your bed at this moment?”
“Even if it would have been better for her, we couldn’t step away.”
“Then everything has worked out,” Christo said, patting Paul’s shoulder. “And since this friends with benefits thing never lasts, I suggest you get your ass back in that bed and enjoy it before she finds a benefits man that offers her more than friendship.”
Paul didn’t like that, but he wasn’t taking the bait. He let the dig roll off his shoulders in order to bring up the real reason for his visit.
“That’s partly why I’m here. I’m not sure where this is going, but I don’t want to undermine it before it starts,” Paul admitted.
“I’m not getting how I have anything to do with your sex life—”
“I don’t need your help in my sex life. Thank you very much,” Paul said, sinking his fingers into his hair in frustration. “I want your help with the business dilemma.”
To his credit, Christo didn’t crack another joke. He waited for Paul to continue.
“Kosta has offered you the resort. Won’t you reconsider?” Paul asked.
“I won’t,” Christo said, sadness crossing his face. “I get where you’re going with this, and I wish I could help you out, but I can’t. I need to move forward and piece my own life back together. I may have messed up in the past, but I’m lucky enough to have the chance to fix things. I’ll continue to help with the resort for the season, but come September, I’m out. I won’t have the time.”
“Not what I wanted to hear, but I understand.” Nodding, Paul searched his mind for options. The resort couldn’t fall into the hands of a shady conglomerate, no matter how perfect its representative was. “It’s a family-built operation. A large corporation would ruin it.”
“He’s offered it to you, too,” Christo pointed out. “If you decide to take it, you know you can count on me if you need me. I can’t assume all responsibility, but I can help. We’re family. We stand together.”
“Thank you. But, it’s impossible. We have City Wings to consider. And taking on such a big endeavor is guaranteed to change our lives. Justin isn’t really into white picket fences and a peaceful seaside. He thrives on the city life and the challenge of building things from the ground up. We’re not ready to settle down yet.”
“Doesn’t Bethany change that though?”
“I don’t think so,” Paul said, finishing his coffee. “When Theo requested we come and help with the sale, I broached the subject with Justin and suggested long-distance management, with being hands on for the season. He made it clear he didn’t want to be tied to the island every summer. He said City Wings still needs us and we can’t change our life like that.”
“I’m not convinced he would say the same thing if you asked him today,” Christo noted. “What ever happened to that exit strategy you two had to avoid burnout?”
“We’re not there yet,” Paul insisted.
They let the conversation drop, and the two men who could have been twins born at different times, looked out at the sea and the resort below them. Such close family bonds were difficult to find, and Paul knew that having family like Christo at his side was a bonus few men ever knew.
“You’ll do great with the vineyard. You’ll get things back on track.”
“It means a lot to hear you say that,” Christo said, clearing his throat as he leaned his elbows on his knees and looked straight into Paul’s eyes. “Pavlaki”—he used the version of his name that he’d used when they were children—“you know that above anything else in the world, we’re cousins—brothers, in fact. Even if Luxury Homes buys the resort, you always have a place on the island. My home is your home.”
He knew. He didn’t doubt it for a minute. He placed a hand on Christo’s shoulder and smiled. “Thank you.”
“No thanks needed between us.”
“I have a lot of work to do before her father arrives. I’m not sure how, but I need to make Kosta see the benefit of keeping this place. I’ll approach Justin again on our options.”
Paul was back to thinking about managing from afar and giving his uncle the free time he wanted, but with Christo stepping back, it would be even more difficult.
He was even more concerned about crushing Bethany’s spirit. She didn’t deserve to be lumped into the same category as her father. And while he’d been honest with her about his feelings on the sale, he didn’t want her to think he was undermining her efforts.
Distance. Space.
He was the one in need of it when it came to dealing with Luxury Homes.
“Will you step in for me with Bethany?”
“I tried, but you shoved me out of the way last night,” Christo teased.
“Funny,” Paul said.
“And then there’s Justin. Don’t think I’d be any good in that department.”
“Shut it,” Paul said, rubbing his chin for patience. “Get serious.”
“Fine. I’m here.”
“Will you work with Bethany an
d take care of being the resort liaison while I do my homework on Michaels and try to figure out an alternative to the sale?” Paul asked.
“Consider it done,” Christo replied.
“Thank you.” Confident with Christo at his side, he stood. “I’m taking them into Chora for lunch. Want to join us?”
“Maybe you should order room service while they’re still speaking to you.”
And with that jab, Paul arranged for Christo to review any remaining items with the Luxury Homes representative on the following day, leaving him one day to just enjoy being with Justin and Bethany.
He made his exit.
Bethany and Justin were speaking to him. He wasn’t staying away. First, he was going back to Justin to see if last night had changed his point of view on the resort.
* * *
Paul knocked, strode into their makeshift office, and stared in shock.
Rather than the desk being littered with legal pads and empty coffee cups, it was spit-polish clean. No yellow papers, no empty glasses, only a single folder and a dark laptop in the corner. Justin’s backpack was stuffed with files and on the chair.
“What the fuck, Justin? Why you packing?”
“I’m cleaning up. Preparing for the City Wings teleconference,” Justin replied, handing him the leather bound presentation folder. “You have everything Kosta requested for Michaels. I’m done. I’m out of this.”
“You need to review it with him,” Paul said, trying to ignore the obvious compulsive actions that pointed to Justin’s mind working on overdrive. And fuck him, but it definitely looked like he’d been packing.
“You can do it just fine. There’s nothing out of the ordinary in there. Everything’s good.”
“No,” Paul insisted. “We’ll do it together after we get back from lunch.”
“Think I’m going to pass on lunch.”
Paul tossed the folder on the spotless surface, then rounded the table and drew Justin into his arms. He touched his mouth to Justin’s pulsing temple and sucked in a long breath of air for strength.
Before him stood a flashback image of freshman Justin—a troubled man. Paul didn’t get it. Didn’t know why Justin was so wound up and distressed after the spectacular night they’d shared.
“Come on, babe. What’s up?” He drew back and searched Justin’s face for a hint of what was going on, but the hollow look in his eyes gave nothing away. Dull and devoid of any emotion, Justin held back. Frustrated, Paul squeezed his arms.
He really couldn’t understand why.
“Talk to me, Justin. Don’t shut me out. I know something is bothering you, and it’s giving me a bad feeling. You’re not angry with me, are you?”
“No. I’m not angry with you.” Even with the reassurance, Justin remained indifferent to Paul’s concern. The stoic man didn’t offer any explanation.
Paul had to try. He had to find a way to reach him.
Justin rarely pulled away.
Something big had happened to do this. It wasn’t about City Wings or being absent from work. The staff was more than capable of dealing with the everyday stuff.
“You tired, babe?” Paul asked, curling his fingers around the side of Justin’s neck and stroking his thumb over the dark stubble on his jaw.
Justin shook his head. “I’m good. I have work to do.” He gave Paul a weak smile, then shoved out of his arms. “You see Christo?”
“Yeah. He’s onboard. Even though everything has been covered, he’s agreed to finish up with her tomorrow.”
“She’s not going to take it well. She has her heart set on this place, and she won’t appreciate you looking into her father’s past business dealings.”
“It’s not about her,” he said, opening the folder and skimming the report. It was about her asshole father. He wasn’t getting the resort. “Like you said, it’s business. She’s an effective businessperson, so she’ll get that. Our place doesn’t fit the Luxury Homes profile, and they’ll inevitably alter it to do so. I’m not willing to let that happen. Vaso’s Dream won’t be changed for the worse. It won’t lose its charm and appeal.”
Justin gazed at him, and the atmosphere around them grew heavy as his eyes went dark and completely shut him out. Not only did Paul not know how to deal with it, but the concern was mixing with anger.
Anger toward Edward Michaels.
And anger toward Justin for pushing him away.
The distancing was something he thought was behind them, way behind them.
“I won’t let him hurt you again.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about Michaels,” Justin said. “She wants the resort. You don’t want to give it to her. And I have work to do. It’s not all resort shit, you know. We have a business to run.”
“This attitude has nothing to do with business and it has nothing to do with the resort. It’s definitely not about Bethany and I wanting different things for it, either,” Paul said, not willing to let it go. He leaned on the table and crossed his arms over his chest. “Talk to me, Justin. What’s going on?”
Justin flipped up his laptop cover and pressed the on button. “Nothing. City Wings is coasting on pure momentum and it’s going to crash if no one is there to see to all the bullshit. I don’t have time to deal with fucking drama.”
“Vaso’s Dream is fucking drama? Dickhead Michaels is fucking drama?” Anger roiled in his gut and Paul stared at his typically level-headed partner. “You’re looking for a fight. What the hell has gotten into you?”
“Nothing. I said I have work to do,” Justin said, turning away and looking at the screen. “You find a way to deal with it.”
“And Bethany? What about her? You going to turn away from her, too?”
“No.” Justin gave a slight shake of his head. “We said two more nights. I’ll see it through; after all, I’m not an asshole that thinks being with the two of you is a hardship. Don’t put words in my mouth, Paul. Give me space. I have work to do.”
Fuck. Space. What was it with everyone demanding space?
“Fine. I’m taking her to lunch in town. You coming?”
“No,” Justin said, not bothering to look up. “I’ll catch up with you after the teleconference.”
“Fine,” he repeated. “Suit yourself. I’m going to show her the island, and enjoy every minute she’ll spend with me. You can stay by yourself and sulk over whatever has crawled up your ass and died.”
Having had enough of the attitude, Paul grabbed the report folder and walked away. If Justin wanted to act like a dick over nothing in specific, then he’d let him. Today was about more than the two of them. Today involved Bethany, and he would make it an amazing day for the woman. He wasn’t giving her a reason to regret what they’d shared. And neither would Justin.
“Get your head straight before you go anywhere near her. I’m not going to let you fuck with her because you have a stick up your ass.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Paul walked over the grounds, forced morning hellos to staff and guests, and longed for the solitude of their room. He had to step back and get a better perspective on the situation. He needed to figure out how to deal with the undertow of emotions Justin was caught in, and he needed to find a way to appease the yearning he had to see Bethany.
He ached to hold her and make sure she was okay. Ached to see her bright smile.
Actually, Paul ached to be held by her.
He unlocked the door, tossed the key on the table, and released a breath at the scene before him.
Bethany was in bed. Still sleeping.
Well she’d been sleeping before he’d woken her by loudly cursing when he stepped into the room.
“What’s wrong?” She sat up and pulled the sheet up her chest. “What happened?”
He swiped his palm over his face and looked away from her full pink lips, which spoke of all they’d shared in the night. She should look wonderfully fucked, not worried. He couldn’t stand the a
ngst in her eyes.
“Sorry I woke you. It’s nothing. Work stuff.” He repeated Justin’s excuse, feeling like a total fool for doing so.
She deserved better than that lame explanation.
But hell if the woman didn’t strip him of all his defenses.
He turned his back to her and opened the refrigerator door, searching for anything so he wouldn’t have to meet her gaze and let her read his own concerns.
Warm, comforting arms snaked around him, and her head lowered on to his shoulder. Fuck. He needed her. Wanted her to make him good. He wanted her comfort.
“Whatever it is, you’ll make it okay. Don’t let it ruin our day.”
Our day…he had to admit he liked that. He returned the bottle of juice to the shelf and turned to wrap her in his embrace. He cupped the back of her head, held her against his chest, and rested his cheek against her hair.
“You’re right, baby. Nothing is worth wasting our day together.” With his finger beneath her chin, he tilted her face up to his, calm washing over him as she looked up. “And you’re the one making it okay. Thanks.”
She flashed him a brilliant smile, and he wanted to come clean. He wanted to just be with her.
“Here’s a quick summary so we can move on. Justin is pissed with me. You’re going to be pissed with me soon. And I can’t blame either one of you.”
“It’s okay. We’ll make it okay.” Caressing his back, she placed a series of soft kisses on his chest. “What is going to make me pissed?”
“The resort sale. We’re on different ends.”
“I already know that. It’s not news,” she said, kissing up his neck. “So, next.” She flicked her hand. “Justin? Why is he pissed?”
“I’m not sure. Pissed is the wrong word. He’s upset,” Paul admitted, realizing she could probably figure out Justin just as well as he could. He lifted her and positioned her so she stood on his feet, close, real close, as he wanted her. He slid his hands to the small of her back and steadied her, feeling her warmth pressed against him. “He claims it has to do with City Wings being on its own, but I don’t think so. When he’s anxious, he throws himself into work and doesn’t come up for air.”