Chapter 2

Elias

“How’s that for a promise?” Erin asks, arms folded over her chest in victory.

I sputter lake water from my lips and glare up at her. “Using my own flesh and blood against me, that’s cold even for you, you wench.”

She had Abel push my ass into the lake before I could toss her in for taking her sweet time getting ready. I should have seen it coming, my sister-in-law has a bit of a vicious streak, and she is not above cheating.

Erin gasps at the name-calling. “Take it back or I’m jumping in and tickling you,” she demands, taking a threatening step to the edge of the dock.

“Come and get me,” I challenge, holding my arms out wide.

I think she’s going to back down, knowing I can swim faster than her, but she doesn’t. Like a crazy person, she jumps… right at me. I have to scramble to catch her in a way that doesn’t hurt the both of us, but luckily, I’m able to figure it out. Still in my arms, she attacks, fingers digging into my sides.

“Ahhh,” I complain, thrusting her off of me and into the water to stand on her own. “You married a psycho,” I tell my brother, walking back to distance myself from the fucking tickle monster.

Abel ignores me, choosing to lovingly stare at his evil wife instead. Let me tell you, brotherly love is only strong until one of you says I do.

“Don’t be a baby,” Erin snarks, splashing me with a sizable wave of water.

“Where’s your wine?” I demand. “You’re nicer to me when you’re tipsy.”

She splashes me again. “I want a wine slushie, but you wanted me to hurry up.”

“Say less,” I scoff, pulling myself out of the water. “You fix your attitude and I’ll bring you a wine slushie, how about that?”

“Yes please,” she sing-songs sweetly.

I have to chuckle at her drastic change in tone. Snagging a towel from one of the lounge chairs, I shake my hair off on Abel before wiping my face.

“You’re a child,” he sighs, moving to get into the lake. No way will he let Erin get lonely in there, even if he’s more of a sunbathing kind of guy.

“I’m your older brother, if I’m a child, then you’re a baby,” I inform him, rolling my eyes.

Abel just turned thirty this year, and boy is it nice. He used to taunt me constantly about being in my thirties despite our small five-year age difference. Look who’s old right along with me now, huh?

“Great comeback,” he deadpans. “Grab me a beer while you’re going.”

Slipping on my sandals with wet feet, I start to head back to my place.

“Try not to pull a muscle while I’m gone,” I call out over my shoulder. “Erin won’t be able to pull your big-ass out of the water.” Abel has always been a bit stockier than me, even when we were kids.

We’re the same height, thankfully. I can’t imagine how much we’d tease each other if one of us were taller. But Abel is much more muscular than I am. Where I’m toned and lean with some solid mass, he’s broader and thicker. I like my body though, so I don’t find myself jealous in that regard.

Having a happy partner who fucking adores you like Erin does him? Yeah, I might be a bit jealous about that. Happy as hell for him, but secretly longing too.

“Fuck off,” he grunts just loud enough for me to hear.

I chuckle to myself, letting the hot southern sun dry me off as I continue to walk. The sunscreen I made sure to lather myself with before coming outside is tainting the air with its scent but not enough to bother me. I may love summers here, but I know that being in boardrooms all year leaves me a bit on the pastier side and I have to make sure I don’t burn. I do not look good in red.

Being half South African, Abel and I both tan up pretty good, and our natural olive tone is never truly gone, but we have to be careful with abrupt sun exposure after months without it. I take my skincare quite seriously, thank you. Besides, while our father has a deep brown tone to his complexion, our mother is as pale as it gets. Since she’s from Sweden, she turns pink after being in the sun for more than an hour, even now in her older years. Hence my sunscreen regime being ingrained in me.

As mom would say, “SPF is best.”

Despite how much time we spend away from home, Abel and I have a great relationship with our parents. We’d even invited them to come here for a week, but they politely declined as they always do. Having kids later in life, the two of them are both firmly in their sixties and much prefer playing cards with their friends to taking long trips in their retirement.

It’s fine by us, we’ll make a trip to visit them soon like we always do.

I’m about to step onto my rental’s porch when blond hair catches my eye. With waves that touch his shoulders, the shiny locks glow under the bright sun, some small strands sticking to his neck from sweat.

He turns slightly, giving me my first really good look at his face.

Caleb.

His cowboy hat is gone, but I’d recognize that frame from a mile away.

He catches me staring, thankfully with my tongue in my mouth.

“Just dropping off extra towels,” he says, holding up a wicker basket with the evidence of his claim, a clear country twang to his tone.

Dear lord, he sounds ridiculously hot. I guess that”s fitting since he is ridiculously hot.

Hazel eyes, a dusting of sun-kissed freckles on his nose and cheeks, a strong jawline that could cut glass, and pillowy pink lips I could kiss the hell out of.

Grunting to clear my throat before I make a fool out of myself, I extend a hand to greet him. “Elias Masondo, nice to meet you.”

He sets the basket on the rocking chair by the front door, likely where he was about to leave it, and reaches his hand out in return.

“Caleb,” he says, his strong hand wrapping around mine for a firm shake. “Burke.”

God I’d like to feel that grip around my—Shit, get your mind out of the filthy place, man.

“Don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” I tell him, retracting my hand before it gets awkward.

“Don’t usually work with guests,” he mutters, tone guarded and flat. He is definitely not a people person but fuck if I don’t want him to keep talking.

“But you work on the ranch?” I ask, trying so hard not to chew on my lip. “You look like you do.”

He arches a sculpted brow like he doesn’t know how to respond.

“Shit, I didn’t mean that in a weird way, I just mean… well, you’re fit as fuck.” Cringe. “God, I am not saying this right. You look like you can throw hay bales like they’re nothing is all.”

I swear his lips twitch, but he certainly doesn’t smile. God, he’s beautiful. Abel was right, he looks like he’s in his twenties and he’s definitely someone I would find myself hitting on.

Awkwardly, I ask, “So… do you?”

He dips his head in a nod. “Yes, I work on the ranch, my family owns it.”

“Oh! Burke, shit, I thought your last name sounded familiar.” I try not to frown at the fact that his family owns the place and yet this is the first time I’m seeing him.

“Yep,” he responds, offering nothing else.

“That’s cool,” I reply stupidly, scratching the back of my head. “You met my brother at check-in.”

He nods. “Abel.”

Okay, Caleb either really doesn’t want to talk to me or he’s not a fan of talking altogether. For my ego’s sake, I’m going to pretend it’s the latter.

“Right, well, I won’t keep you,” I say, forcing a smile. “See you around?”

He shrugs. “Sure.”

My smile instantly turns more genuine. If the possibility of seeing him again makes my stomach flutter, maybe Erin is right. Maybe I’m more than just attracted to this guy.

In love? Certainly not.

Infatuated though… yeah, I just might be.

Caleb maneuvers his big body around me and I’m too weak not to watch him walk away. My cock literally twitches with just one look, and I sigh, knowing I’m in deep trouble.

Once he’s gone, I let myself into my rental and let out a groan. That man is doing things to me without even trying.

I’m going to be jerking off like crazy if I don’t at least try and shoot my shot.

Something to consider.