Page 29 of Summer of Love (Costas Sisters 2)
But she should have known she couldn’t escape a celebration. In her family, every birthday was a big event. Turning thirty was a milestone, more for Zoe than for Ari because Ari was thirty and married. Zoe was the proverbial old maid—something her relatives reminded her with every kiss on the forehead and every loving slap on the cheek, each accompanied by a birthday wish for a handsome young man.
Meddling and all, Zoe loved these people. She hugged the last of her cousins, Daphne who’d stood last in line.
“Happy big one, Zoe.”
She squeezed her cousin tight. “Thanks, Daph,” she said, then glanced around, looking for her twin. No way would the family throw a party for just one of them.
“Where’s Ari?” Zoe asked.
“Right here waiting for my hug.” Ari grinned.
Zoe turned, happy to see her twin and share the party with her. Gone were the days when a little voice in her head wished that just once she could be the center of attention without splitting it with her sister. Those had been her teenage years, but once Ari had left for Vermont, Zoe had come to realize just how much she hated having that particular wish come true.
It wasn’t a birthday if she didn’t celebrate with her twin, Zoe realized now and met her sister’s gaze. “So they ambushed you first?” Zoe asked.
Ari nodded. “Five minutes before you. They wanted to try and manage the surprise at the same time, but Quinn got me here early, just in time to share your surprise. I’m so glad I’m home to celebrate this birthday with you.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Zoe’s heart filled as she looked at her twin. If not for Zoe’s fake death last year, Ari might not have come home and healed old wounds at all, Ari might not have met Quinn, Quinn wouldn’t have introduced them to Sam….
Apparently, Zoe’s troublemaking had led to many positive things, she thought with amusement. “None of our birthdays were the same while you were gone.”
“Mine were so lonely,” Ari said softly, then shook her head as if ridding her mind of the past. “But no longer.” She stepped back and grinned. “I’ve got my family, I’ve got you, and I’ve got Quinn. And you’ve got the hottie social worker who isn’t a social worker,” she said, lowering her voice. “Be careful, Zoe.”
She nodded, appreciating her twin’s concern. Despite their time apart, Ari still knew Zoe well, and she obviously sensed the truth—that her attraction to Ryan was potent and overwhelming, even though the fact of his presence alone could have a negative effect on the family.
Zoe drew her tongue over her lower lip. “I’ll watch myself. I have to.” She only hoped she’d heed her words when faced with temptation, she thought, glancing at the man himself.
He waited off to one side, standing by himself, a man alone in a crowd of people. Not an easy feat in her family. Just watching his solitary presence caused her heart to skip a beat. She wanted to help ease his discomfort and assimilation into the clan. The attraction was strong, but so was the emotional pull.
Unable to explain it and unable to ignore him and leave him suffering alone, Zoe told Ari she’d catch up with her later and headed to join Ryan.
“Hi there,” she said, coming up beside him.
“Hi.” He shoved his hands into his pants pocket.
Sexy khakis that, although neatly pressed and probably expensive, still gave him a more casual look than usual and she couldn’t help but admire the fit. Wondering if his thighs were as strong as she thought or how they would feel pressed hard against her own.
At her thoughts, she didn’t just swallow hard, she gulped. “I guess some thanks are in order,” she said, opting for the safe subject of his role in bringing her to the party.
Though aware all prying eyes of her family were on them, she stepped closer, anyway. His musky scent enveloped her, reminding her of the sensual dreams he’d inspired lately.
He grinned. “If you want to say a proper thanks, I can’t say I’d stop you,” he said, his voice husky and deep.
Zoe was so far gone with thoughts of being alone with Ryan that she immediately took his words as sexually charged innuendo and her body responded. Heat spread through her belly, and dampness pooled between her thighs.
“You’re cute, Baldwin, but I’m not dumb enough to make out with you in front of the whole clan.”
“Not even a quick peck on the cheek?” he asked.
“How about later?” She spoke quickly before she could think it through or change her mind.
“Be sure,” he warned her, sounding like a man on the edge.
“I am.” The man might be trouble of the deepest kind. He might represent a heartbreak to her family. Yet Zoe was so drawn to him, so mentally involved already, she couldn’t control what she now believed was inevitable.
