SARAH The sun is pure gold by the time we get to the beach. Not that weak, washed-out morning light I always get in Durmont either. This? This is full-on, magazine-cover, dripping-in-luxury sunlight, and I’m soaking up every second of it. It’s the kind that makes the sea sparkle like it’s wearing diamonds and turns everyone’s skin into a golden dream. The VIP section has been arranged for us. I smile when I see the huge cushioned daybeds, and umbrellas the size of a small aircraft. There are about three waiters present when we get there, and I have a feeling that’s Ronan’s doing. He loves his presence to command respect, and it always does. I stretch out between Malachi and Jaxon while Ronan lounges to my left looking like some Roman god reimagined in swim trunks. They’ve all taken off their clothes now, and so have I. The air is so clean, my nose and lungs feel so much fresher just breathing it in. Malachi’s arm is slung behind me like he owns the damn bed, and, by extension, me. His fingers keep brushing against my back with slow and possessive motions that make my toes curl. I do hope none of them notices. It wouldn’t be good for me if they get a whiff of what they do to me by simply… I don’t know. Maybe existing? Jaxon has my legs over his lap and keeps running his palm up my calf in slow, lazy strokes, sending sparks that threaten to light up my chest and every goddamn part of my body. Meanwhile, Ronan—because of course—is feeding me grapes. One at a time. I don’t know who I was before this week, but she definitely didn’t have three gorgeous billionaires worshipping the ground she walked on, so she can stay wherever the hell she is. Now that I think about it, why did I spend so long fighting them off? I mean, yes, I did it because I didn’t want to betray my brother. They are his best friends after all. But wouldn’t he feel better I’m with men that make me happy instead of whatever the fuck Aaron Connor turned out to be? The thought does send shivers down my spine. Every time I think about it, I cannot believe that I chose to spend the rest of my life with that man. I clearly didn’t know anything about him, and… “Earth to Sarah.” Malachi’s voice pulls me out of my reverie. I blink, startled, before forcing a small chuckle as I look up at him. “We’re right here, kitten. Stay with us.” He speaks softly, and I lean into his hold. “Thank you,” I mutter. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you guys.” “We told you Sarah,” Ronan reaches for my face and rubs my cheek. “You’ll never have to know.” And I know they mean every word. We’re laughing about some joke Jaxon cracked about Malachi’s obsessive skincare routine when I see HER. And oh. Oh. She’s a walking thirst trap in a red bikini, with olive-tanned skin that looks like she gets paid to glow, a belly button ring that twinkles in the hot sun. On her head are massive jet black, waist length curls that dance with the wind as she walks. Or maybe I’m just hallucinating because her waist-to-hip ratio defies everything I learned in high school biology. It’s insane. And I’m almost jealous. Yes. Almost. I’m not jealous. She heads straight for Jaxon with a bright smile on her face. It’s almost like she knows him from somewhere. I take one look at her, then turn to Jaxon. He still hasn’t seen her yet, but her eyes are fixed on him. Only him. “Jaxon?” she finally calls out in this flirty, sing-song voice that makes me want to roll my eyes so hard they orbit the damn sun. “Oh my god, is that really you?” Jaxon finally blinks when he looks up. His hazel eyes turn bright with what could pass as instant realization. My heart drops like a bomb down to my stomach. Yep. They definitely know each other, somehow, it’s in a way that no one else does. I know this because Malachi and Ronan don’t seem to have the same look in their eyes that Jaxon does. “Lena?” Of course she has a sexy name. Of course. “I thought it was you! You look… incredible.” Her voice drops half an octave, and she tilts her hip to the side in this I-want-you stance that makes her ass defy gravity. Okay. What’s wrong with me? Am I just describing everything about her in a crazy way, or is everything about her actually crazy? Am I…am I drunk? I mean, that is the only excuse I have for the fire that lights in my chest when he stands up to hug her and she opens her arms…and he puts his hands around her fucking waist. My jaw hardens. Great. “God, it’s been what? Two years?” “I think so.” He laughs. The sound is all smooth and polite, but I see it. The shift in his body, and the flicker of interest. Bitch. “Hello,” she says to everyone. When her eyes land on me, her lips narrow into a thin line. I force a smile, and stare back at her. If she thinks she’s going to intimidate me with her goddess body, she’s got another thing coming for her. She tears her gaze away from me before turning back to Jaxon. “I saw you from the spot I’m in with my friends, and I knew I had to come to you. Gosh. It’s been really long.” Jaxon chuckles. “You can say that again.” “You know, I’m actually throwing this party tonight,” she says, pulling—get this—a card out of her bikini. Not a beach bag. Her bikini. Like who just walks around with RSVP cards tucked between their boobs? “It’s at that address, 10PM. You should come. Bring your friends.” Friends? Well, seeing as they’re adopted, she might not see the resemblance because there almost isn’t any. I can’t fault her for that. She hands it to him, gives him another rather tight hug, and turns her back towards us. I watch as her ass jiggles hypnotically and while she walks away. She’s doing that on purpose, isn’t she? While hoping Jaxon is watching. Good thing he’s not. I stare after her, expression locked somewhere between I’m fine and I hope she steps on a Lego buried in the sand. “You okay?” Malachi murmurs beside me. “Totally,” I blurt out, looking up at him. “I love watching inflatable sex dolls flirt with the men I’m currently emotionally entangled with. It’s very grounding.” Malachi just grins. “Wanna take a walk down to the water?” “Great idea,” Ronan chimes in, standing and stretching. They’re trying to leave Jaxon and I alone together, aren’t they? Jaxon stays seated. “You guys go ahead,” he says, eyes still on me. “I wanna talk to Sarah for a second.” Malachi gives him a meaningful look. So does Ronan. There’s a beat of something unspoken between them before they nod and start heading toward the water. I don’t look at Jaxon. “Sarah,” he says softly, reaching for my hand. I snatch it away. “Don’t.” He heaves sigh. “You’re mad.” “Gee, what gave it away?” He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t try to explain. Instead, he drops to his knees right there in front of me, his hands on my thighs, spreading them apart with gentle insistence. My breath catches. “Jaxon—” “I don’t care about her,” he says. His voice is low. Raw. Just how I like it. “I care about you. And if I have to get on my knees every damn day to show you that, I will.” My heartbeat is a drum. I can barely think. He leans in, mouth brushing the inside of my thigh. “What are you doing?” My eyes follow his trails, and I know he’s not about to… “Let me apologize properly, baby.” My jaw all but drops to the floor. Here? Now? Is he crazy? And then—holy shit. He’s definitely crazy.