But then Reeve said, “I’m getting out, actually,” and the knot in my stomach loosened ever so slightly.
I couldn’t help but stare as he climbed out of the pool, distracted by the sight of his firm body, nearly completely exposed in his black swim trunks. I didn’t have to look at Amber to know she was as focused on him as I was.
Reeve grabbed a towel from the shelves and began to dry himself off, his back turned to both Amber and me.
She peeked over her shoulder to ask, “Have you heard from Micha?”
“I hate it when you call him that.”
“Sorry. Michelis.”
He was slow in answering. “Nothing recent.”
Had he already told her about the e-mail that had arrived that morning? Or had he chosen not to tell her about it altogether?
She uncrossed her leg and twisted her body in his direction. “You’ll feel better when you decide how you’re going to handle this.” When he didn’t say anything she went on. “You know what I think you should do.”
Reeve’s shoulders fell as he let out a sigh. “You know as well as I do that there would be serious repercussions.” His tone was even despite the irritation in his words. “Every member of my family would be affected. It’s a last resort, not a choice I’m going to make lightly.”
So she wanted Reeve to meet with Michelis. I hadn’t talked to her about it, and, for some reason, it surprised me that this was her position. She knew what her last lover was capable of better than anyone. Why would she want to ask anyone to have to face him?
As though in answer to my question, she said softly, “He’s not going to let me go as long as I’m alive.”
Reeve spun toward her, his head cocked. “But why is that? You told me he wasn’t really invested in your relationship. Petros told me the same thing. Michelis has broken up with other girlfriends without harassing them. Why is he so desperate to hold on to you?”
“He doesn’t want you to have me,” she said, confidently. “You know how he is.”
“Then the solution is to distance myself from you.”
“No. That’s not…” She trailed off.
“It’s not?” Reeve left the question open and crossed to the liquor cart to pour himself a drink.
Amber ran her hand absentmindedly across the base of her neck. “He’ll still come after me, Reeve. He’s afraid I’ll tell people what he did with my father. He’ll silence me the way he silenced that friend of Missy’s.”
“Every one of his ex-girlfriends could testify to his criminal involvement. He’s hung up on you for some reason.” He sank into a chair and slipped his feet into his sandals.
Amber rose and moved over to him. “Bourbon?” she asked, eyeing his drink. “You really must be stressed. We won’t talk about it anymore. Let me help you relax.” She circled around behind his chair and began kneading his shoulders.
The scene that had been beautiful before she’d arrived had turned dismal. I’d been breathless watching Reeve in the water, so taken with his presence, but now the tight feeling in my lungs felt more like suffocation. I willed myself to close my eyes, but I wasn’t that strong.
“Oh, God, you’re tense,” Amber said, her words turning my chest into cement. “You should lie down and let me rub you all over. You need a real massage.”
He scrubbed his face. “I need sleep.” The mere mention of sleep made me want to sob. “I should get to my room.”
And then the desire to cry evaporated, and my ears pricked up. My room, he’d said. But his room was her room too. Wasn’t it?
I sat completely still, anxious, afraid to even think. Afraid I’d miss something if I stirred even that much.
She ran her hands over the taut muscles in his neck. “You should stay,” she purred. “I feel bad for taking your bed. It’s the best one in the house.”
Taking your bed.
“All the beds are the same.”
“When they’re empty they are. We could make it the best bed. Together.” She leaned forward and stretched her fingers down his damp chest.
“Amber,” he warned as he clamped his hand around her wrist, stopping her from moving her touch lower.
“What?”
He glowered at her, and she drew her hand back with a huff.
I clasped my hand over my mouth, stunned. Relieved. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. They weren’t sleeping together. How was that possible? Amber was most definitely staying in the master bedroom. Where the hell was Reeve staying? Had I misread the situation somehow?
Amber crossed back to her chair and moved it to face him before sitting in it. “I know what you said,” she said quietly. “You think things are over between us.”
“Things are over between us.” He was insistent but kind. He’d said he still loved her, and it was apparent in his tone that he did, but it was nonetheless a rejection.
She nodded, accepting. “Yes. I get it. That’s my fault. I left. I ended us.” She scooted to the edge of her seat. “But – just hear me out before you say anything. Yes, things are over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again. We both made mistakes before.” Her voice grew stern. “Both of us, Reeve.”
“I’ve already apologized —”
She cut him off with a raise of her hand. “I’m not asking for another apology. I’m saying we could both do better. And this could be a great opportunity to clean the slate. Try again.” There was nothing manipulative in her declaration. Just a gentle plea, and I understood in that moment exactly how much she’d really loved him too.