“I knew they would.”
The certainty in his voice, stoked her regret. “If only everything could work out so easy I-” Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “I know that’s not-that it’s different for us. Our situation is different.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Sef,” he squeezed her arm.
“Right,” she nodded as if remembering suddenly. “Well, it’s a hike back to the house, but we should have privacy anywhere around.”
Hill frowned, not caring for her demeanor. “What are you talkin’ about?”
She shrugged. “Don’t you want to be alone?”
“Well yeah I do, but not because I want to get you out of your clothes.”
“Oh?” Smugly, she smiled.
He winced in spite of himself. “I don’t only want you out of your clothes, Sef.”
“So...if we’re not going to talk, then what? Enjoy the view?”
“Who says we aren’t going to talk?’
“Hill?”
“Alright listen I um, I need you to know I’ll be leaving right after the wedding.”
Stunned, yet understanding his awkwardness, she sized him up in an agitated fashion. “I take it this isn’t another family visit with your folks?”
“Not with my folks, but yeah I’ll be seeing family.”
“Hill-”
“Sef, if we’re serious about cleaning all this up, then some of it’s got to start in our own backyard.”
“Well I get that, but not why you’re making it sound like you’ve got to leave on an extended-”
“Babe, to get a sense of what a few key people are up to, I’ll need to head out.”
“Head out where?”
“My family owns a place- uses it for getaways, yearly business meetings… I’ve had a seat at the table for years-it’s time I claimed it.”
Her starlight stare narrowed over his use of the word ‘I’. “Why does it sound like you’re going alone…? You’re crazy,” she snapped when he only looked at her.
He shrugged after a moment. “Agreed, but there isn’t another way. I can’t take anyone there, Sef. Not my brothers, my friends or anyone they’d be suspicious of.” He tugged a hand through his hair and walked a little ahead of her.
“It’s a business weekend...of sorts. A few executives show-some with their significant others, but it’s also a time for the fat cats in my family to get away with girlfriends-boyfriends...and indulge in whatever crap gets them off.”
“Well I could come with-”
His laughter interrupted. When the gesture faded, his expression was grim. “I wouldn’t put you within a foot of that shit, Sef.”
“Well you can’t go into it either. Not alone,” her heart raced with sudden fear for him.
“Sef I-I’ll be fine,” his heart raced as well in response to her clear concern, but he wouldn’t allow himself to be sidetracked by how good it felt. “I’ve done this before.”
“Not before you knew you had kids,” she slapped his chest with the back of her hand. “You’ve got to take care of yourself. Let me help-”
“No way.”
“So why’d you tell me, then?”
“Because I wanted you to know in case the girls need me.” In case you need me, he wanted to add, but kept the last silent. He could accept it then to himself, he needed her to need him. Unfortunately, the woman standing before him, standing up to him, was the definition of self-sufficient. Hadn’t she proved that many times over?
Hill shook himself free of encroaching dark thoughts. “I meant what I said about not being away from them again, but I want it to be good. If that means doing everything I can to shut this shit down once and for all- so be it. We’ve all got a part to play. This one’s mine.”
Persephone could only study him then, speechless- no hardship there. Still, she forced herself to look beyond the six feet eight inches of killer looks and superb physique to the man behind them. She could see that his determination mirrored her own. Besides, didn’t she have her own part to play in seeing this through to the end?
“I get it, Hill. I get it,” she tugged the hem of his jacket as she whispered the words.
He appeared relieved as his steps slowed. “Finally. Just in time too,” he gave a nod.
Persephone followed the line of his gaze to what had captured it.
Steam rose up from the bubbling waters of a hot tub in the distance. The space was partly shielded behind a fence of dense trees and vibrant flora.
Moonlight captured the rising steam and accentuated the muted golden lights dotting the base of the area. Hill was behind her then, his fingers skimming her back beneath the lightweight sweatshirt she wore with matching gym shorts. His mouth feathered her nape while he urged her closer to the tub.
Night air rushed her breasts when he suddenly yanked the shirt over her head and removed her bra with expert efficiency.
