Effie huddled on the hanging bed in the dark bedroom, staring at the moon. She hadn’t eaten, and her stomach growled. Zander hadn’t come back yet. She glanced at her mobile phone for the thousandth time. Midnight. Earlier, she’d wanted to send out a search party for him…call 911…something…anything. What if he’s injured somewhere? What if he ran back to the water and drowned himself? What if, what if, what if?
“He’s an adventurer,” Kent had reassured her. “He’s slept in tiny hammocks on the side of mountains. Base jumped. Parachuted. He’ll be okay. He just needs to cool his jets. If he doesn’t return in the next few hours, I promise to head out in the dune buggy and search for him. But, in the meantime, sit tight. He’ll be back.”
As Effie gently rocked on the bed, she decided despite Kent’s words, she didn’t really like him. He and Zander had something huge going on—it wasn’t merely a work issue—and she wanted to know what it was. And, from what she’d overheard, even Kent had noticed Zander acting all weird lately. She was right about that. But, in her mind, Haley kept reminding her not to pry or get involved. We’re playthings, nothing more. She sighed. I’m in over my head.
A noise outside the window caught her attention. She stood up and crept to the window.
Outside, in the moonlight, a tall figure emerged from the woods. The moonlight glinted on his high-tech hand. Zander. He’s back. Relief flooded through her.
He stood with his hands on his hips, looking up at their darkened bedroom.
Effie tensed. Can he see me? Should I race down and see if he’s okay?
Finally, he turned and strode toward one of the hammocks she’d discovered out back earlier. Her heart sunk as he sat on the hammock, rolled back, and stretched out.
He doesn’t want to be with me. Tears stung her eyes as she slunk back toward the bed and lay down. She hunched in the bed, quietly crying.
Downstairs, the moans of Kent’s and Charlie’s coupling blared, sending jagged pain into Effie’s heart.
Her sobs continued. Her thoughts veered toward the end of her and Zander—the end of her education—everything she hoped for crashing and burning.
Finally, she drifted off into a restless, on-again, off-again slumber.
Several hours later, the sun stabbed her awake. She groaned and rolled to her side. After running her tongue around her dry mouth, she swung her legs off the bed and strode toward the window. Zander was nowhere in sight, but men’s voices drifted into the window from the woods. Zander and Kent. They didn’t sound like they were arguing, but they were involved in an intense discussion of some sort.
She grabbed her robe off the chair next to the wall, and shrugged into it. After washing her face and combing her unruly hair, she shuffled downstairs.
At the kitchen island, Charlie sat at one of the stools, scanning her tablet. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the counter within reach. She glanced up when Effie stepped off the last stair.
“Hey,” she said, appearing refreshed and happy, wearing shorts and a black and gold t-shirt. Her skin looked perfectly tanned like she’d been airbrushed.
“Hi,” Effie said, feeling like a puffy-eyed frog.
“What time did Zander get back?” Charlie said. She set her tablet down.
“Oh, around midnight,” Effie said. She didn’t want to reveal that he hadn’t slept with her.
“You two kiss and make up?” Charlie added, smiling blandly, in a “too much milk in the coffee” kind of way.
“Sort of,” Effie said.
“There’s coffee and water for tea over there.” Charlie waved her hand toward the counter. “And some delicious coffee cake Antonio found at some nearby bakery. Help yourself.”
“Thank you.” Effie shuffled toward the kitchen.
She searched the cupboards for a mug and found an array of fancy-looking tea. She chose Earl Gray, needing the caffeine boost. After pouring hot water into her cup, she sliced a piece of the coffee cake, placed it on a dish, and carried everything back to the island. She nibbled on the cake, standing. It should have tasted wonderful but, as bleary and heartsick as she felt, it tasted like mushy cardboard.
Charlie resumed scanning her tablet.
“So,” Effie said, a few minutes later.
Charlie lifted her gaze from her device and smiled. The curve of her lips sort of drifted into position, like watercolors spreading along the paper.
“Do you know what Zander and Kent argued about yesterday while we were climbing that boulder outcropping?” Effie removed her tea bag, pulled a napkin out of a silverware holder, and placed the wet bag on the napkin.
“Didn’t Zander tell you?” Charlie said.
Effie shook her head. “We’ve only been dating a few weeks. I’m letting him have the lead when it comes to sharing.” Because I’m a paid companion. Trying to look all cool and knowing, she tossed her head. She only succeeded in forcing her long bangs to fall in her face. She pushed them out of the way with her hand.
“I understand. These billionaire boyfriends can be a challenge. I don’t know how long I’ll want to date Kent. I mean, it’s fun and all, but I want something more…” Her gaze drifted toward the ceiling for a second. “Something…meaningful.” She reached for her coffee and sipped. “Kent didn’t tell me much, either. He said something about Zander not wanting to rock climb since he lost his forearm. Yesterday Kent encouraged him to climb, but he refused.”
“Yes, he gets prickly when the topic comes up.” Effie sipped her tea. More like sub-zero. “Did Kent say anything else?”
Charlie frowned and shook her head. “That’s about it. There was something about how he was traumatized after the accident, and he’s been acting weird at work, but then we got to other things.” Her cheeks turned pink. She laughed. “You know how it goes.”
“Oh, sure.” Effie waved her hand and forced a smile but inside, her mind whirled. What the heck happened to Zander? And what’s causing him to act so weird even his workmate calls him out? It’s got to be me, right?
While Charlie got back to reading, Effie finished her cake and tea, then rose to place her dishes in the sink.
The tromp of approaching footsteps sent her shoulders up around her ears. She whirled around, wanting to run upstairs and hide. She looked a fright, with her puffy eyes. But, the front door swung open and in walked Kent and Zander, leaving no room for escape.
She eyed them.
Zander appeared grim. He didn’t look in her direction.
Kent clapped his hand on Zander’s back. “Good talk.”
“Right,” Zander said, but he still seemed distanced from his friend. His gaze landed on Effie, then zipped away, like the hummingbirds outside their bedroom window. He strode to the counter and poured himself a cup of java.
Kent pulled Charlie into an embrace, coldly eying Effie while he squeezed his girlfriend. “Go get ready for fishing. We’re going to catch supper.”
Charlie laughed.
Kent pinched her ass. He leaned in close and whispered something in her ear.
Charlie blushed and giggled.
Then, they sauntered away, with Kent still groping Charlie’s behind.
Effie stood like stone, unsure what to do or say to the handsome, moody man who busied himself with his beverage, a yard away, completely ignoring her. She cleared her throat. “Did you get everything sorted?”
“More or less,” he said, staring at his now-filled mug. “I’m sorry about last night.” He kept his attention on his mug. “I behaved like an ass.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Nope,” he said.
Effie’s eyes rolled upward, and she shook her head.
“I’m getting tired of being shut out,” she said.
Zander frowned. “It can’t be avoided. I told you, there are some topics I refuse to discuss.”
She took a step toward him. Fatigue dragged at her common sense, and she couldn’t keep her anger at bay. “And that makes it a little challenging to be a good little paid companion to you.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“I’m sure you have words in there somewhere,” she said.
His mouth slackened, and his eyebrows pulled together.
“Forget about it,” she said. “I’m tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I hope you slept brilliantly in your hammock.”
His scowl deepened. “How do you know where I slept?”
“Well,” she said, sarcasm dripping from every word, “I couldn’t sleep worrying about you, then I heard you outside. I went to the window and checked.”
His hands coiled into fists, then released. “I barely managed an hour. I kept trying to figure out how to apologize to you this morning. I’m not proud of running off like I did. But, I couldn’t think of anything else to do at that moment. I was angry. I’m sorry.”
His apology mollified her temper somewhat. Then, she considered what was at stake—her education. More like my everything. She pictured Haley’s stern face telling her to behave, mind her business, don’t pry, and all that. Briefly, she closed her eyes and took a long deep breath. When she opened them, she met Zander’s wounded gaze.
She forced a smile. “I’m sorry. I won’t let that happen again. My fatigue got the best of me.”
His tongue slid to the corner of his mouth. He withdrew it and chewed on his lower lip. “Don’t apologize. You have every right to be upset with me. I’m the one behaving like a fool. The sugar in this daddy ain’t so sweet.”
His mouth lifted slightly into a smile.
She blew out her breath. “If you ever wish to share with me, I’ll listen,” she said. The sentiment came out sounding stilted, like something the hired help would say.
Isn’t that what I am?
“Effie, I…” He paused, seeming uncertain of his next words.
He stepped toward her.
She stiffened, not wanting her attraction to get the best of her. Otherwise they’d land back in bed. And that’s the problem isn’t it? We always land in bed. Her breath lodged high in her throat as she stood there, waiting for his next move.
His gaze bore into her, potent and intense. He seemed caught in some web of his own making. His high-tech hand lifted, moving in her direction. Then, his attention tracked toward it. A look of lip-curled disgust washed over his face.
“I don’t deserve you,” he said quietly, as if to himself. “What could you possibly see in me?”
She swallowed, unsure if he wanted an answer. Focusing on the bug bites on his biceps, she opened her mouth, then closed it.
Heat rolled from his body, warming her. She longed to bury herself in his warmth, disappearing in a wave of passion. She wanted to forget about his hurtful retreats and icy outbursts. Finally, she decided to speak.
“I see a lot in you, Zander,” she said quietly. “I think I see more in you than you can see. You seem to have blinders on to your strength…your kindness…your generosity…your capacity for change. And, I can’t make you see. You’re right, it’s not my business to pry. You owe me nothing. But you seem like a caged animal. Like, inside your skin, you’re pacing and prowling, desperate to get free. It breaks my heart to watch you struggle with this…this…” She swept her arm in his direction, careful not to touch him. “Whatever this is that’s torturing you.”
His mouth worked around and around. His eyes grew moist. Eventually, he took a long, deep breath and blew it out through pursed lips.
“Come here,” he said, reaching for her.
Willingly, she stepped into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his strong back, savoring his powerful body.
He held her tightly, rocking her back and forth.
When footsteps sounded, coming from the back bedroom, he stiffened and stepped away from her.
Kent and Charlie strode into view, appearing flushed, goofy expressions on their faces like they’d just screwed.
“So, you two heading to the river with us?” A broad smile crossed Kent’s face.
Effie glanced at Zander, waiting for the answer. She didn’t really want to have anything to do with Kent, and his lukewarm date.
“I’d rather do something else,” he said, directing a hard gaze at Kent.
Effie relaxed.
“Yeah? What do you have in mind?” Kent said.
“I thought I’d take Effie zip-lining.” He kept his pointed glare directed at Kent.
She sucked in a breath. Zip-lining? As in dangling from a line and shooting to the bottom of a canyon, stopping myself against a tree?
“Cool,” Kent said. “Sounds fun. You want to do that, Charlie?”
Please say no, please say no. Effie worried the ends of her bathrobe belt.
Charlie wrinkled up her nose. “No, thanks. I’d rather my feet were on the ground, and I wasn’t moving at the speed of light today.”
Kent flashed her an annoyed-looking glare, then pasted his slimy smile on his face. “We can do whatever you want, girl.”
“Thanks,” she said, cuddling up to him.
Effie shook her head but kept herself from an eye roll. She turned to Zander.
“So, you up for soaring through the trees?” He grinned.
“I really don’t think I’ll be any good at that,” she said. Her knees threatened to buckle. “I’m terrified of heights.”
Zander scoffed. “Says the woman who climbed thirty feet in the air yesterday.”
“Okay, I’m terrified of zipping down the line to destination unknown, all while being hung out on a clothesline. I guarantee you it won’t be pretty when I wet myself.” She clutched the edge of the counter.
He chuckled. “You’ve amazed me with everything you’ve done with me so far. Have I ever led you astray?”
His dark eyes glistened.
“No, but…”
“No buts. Let’s see how you do.” He slung his arm around her and strode toward the stairs. “Let’s get changed and head out.”
Effie couldn’t help but notice the simmering glower Kent flashed Zander when he placed his arm along her shoulders. She hoped she could get the truth out of Zander before their contract ended. But what if it ends too soon? What if I stumbled into something bigger than Zander and me? Could that be the thing they’re arguing about?