Page 133 of Stolen Summer

“When was the last time you watched the sun come up?” he asked.

Little drops of dew clung to the grass, dampening my shoes. “On my way home from work, I’m sure.”

“Then you’re overdue.”

I glanced sideways at him. He always seemed more at home with the shadows, more gorgeous if possible. A glimmer of something shone in his eyes, and I narrowed my gaze. “What are you up to? You’re acting weird.”

“Just keep moving. We’re almost there.”

“And where is here?” I moaned, suppressing a yawn.

“That would spoil the surprise,” he insisted with an expression that said he was enjoying this.

We hiked to the outskirts of campus, and my calves protested with each step, but I kept going because this seemed important to Crew for reasons that escaped me. “You know how I feel about surprises.”

“Pretty much how you feel about everything,” the smartass replied.

I elbowed him in the side. “Not you.”

He snaked an arm around my waist, hauling me against his side. “No, but damn did you make me work for it.”

I snuggled my head into his shoulder, wondering if I should ask him to carry me the rest of the way.

“Just up this hill.”

My head snapped up. “You never mentioned anything about a hill.”

“You think the best view of the sunrise can be seen on flat land?”

I groaned. “I think the best view is in my bed.”

He stopped, turning slightly as he offered me his back, crouching down. “Come on, hop on.”

“Gladly,” I sighed, all but tossing myself onto his back. The muscles underneath me flexed as he adjusted my weight and straightened. I secured my arms around his neck.

We reached the top much faster than if I would have walked. Lifting my head, I took in the view stretched out below us of the valley. Outside of campus, towering pines and cypresses climbed to the clouds.

Setting me on my feet, Crew sat on the ground, pulling me down in front of him between his legs. I rested my back on his chest. We had a few minutes before the sun started to make its ascent.

I took a deep inhale of the earthy, clean air. As the semester drew to an end, there was one thing weighing heavily on Crew’s mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was one of the reasons we were out here, for him to reflect or find a moment of peace.

“Are you thinking about your brother?” I quietly asked.

“I wasn’t, but I am now.”

I twisted in his arms to see his face. “Do you think he is going to marry her?”

Sadness entered his features. “He seems like he’s accepted it.”

Meaning Cole wasn’t himself. I hated to agree with Crew, but the twinkle of mischief always in Cole’s eyes had been snuffed out. He wasn’t the same guy.

“We can’t let him marry someone he doesn’t love.”

“We can’t stop him either, Killer.”

“Like hell.”

He smirked at the tenacity and passion in my voice. Taking no for an answer wasn’t in my DNA.