Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(44)

“What about it?” Camryn hits me with a steely glare.

“You were kissing him before we left. You both looked sad.”

“I doubt he’s that sad. There will be someone around to comfort him.”

“And you don’t care?” I ask.

“No, I don’t.”

“So, some woman is going to screw him while you’re hard at work back in New York, and you’re not going to care less?” It’s human nature to care, even if it’s the tiniest bit. I know I’d be devastated if Alex hooks up on the island, but I also know that he owes me nothing. There were no promises.

“No, I’m not.”

“Urgh ... you’re so annoying,” I say, slamming the interior design magazine shut that I’m reading. “You like Nate. You just won’t admit it.” I know Harris hurt my sister, but I don’t want her to turn out like me. I want her to find all the happiness in the world because she deserves it.

“Oh, I’ll admit it, Ivy. I like him. I like him a lot. The man is hot. He knows how to fuck. He has the best dick I’ve had. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

The lady doth protest too much. I smirk to myself. “So, you do like him?”

“Why don’t you believe me?” My sister huffs, now more than a little annoyed with me.

“Because the way you look at him is different.” Camryn’s eyes narrow on me. “The way you both look at each other ... there’s something there.”

“There is something there between Nate and me, and we both don’t deny that. But we also both agreed that we aren’t looking for anything more.”

She’s so stubborn, it’s annoying. I don’t know why this conversation is getting me all worked up, probably because I’m projecting.

“Urgh, you’re so irritating,” she says, exasperated with me. “Fine! Nate and I agreed we would see each other outside of sex if he’s in town.” I clap my hands with excitement, I knew it. “Don’t get too excited. We will both happily see other people, but we still want to see each other with or without sex.”

“Sounds like you guys are in an open relationship.”

My sister frowns, contemplating my words. “Maybe ... but it’s not really a romantic relationship. It’s more than friends but less than partners, if that makes any damn sense?”

I’m still somewhat traditional when it comes to relationships, I like mine monogamous. “Nope, not at all. But, if you’re happy with the arrangement, then I guess it doesn’t matter what I think, right?”

“You’re my sister. Of course, I want to know what you think.”

“I worry that you’re going to get hurt. That’s all,” I tell her honestly.

“Nate and I have played with other people in front of each other a couple of times now, and it was fun,” my sister explains to me.

“And you weren’t jealous?” I ask because I know I would be if I had to watch some woman fawning all over Alex.

“I thought I would be, but not really. Like there’s the tiniest bit at the beginning when you first see them with someone else, but then everything fades away because it soon becomes so damn hot.”

“I wonder if it’s different if you’re dating someone? Or like married to someone?” I muse.

“Maybe that does change things. But Nate and I aren’t, so there are no feelings involved,” my sister says, shrugging her shoulders.

“Just be careful,” I warn her.

“I promise.” My sister gives me a reassuring smile.

“I’m only being difficult because I love you, that’s all,” I add.

“Babe, I know, and I love you too. What happened between Harris and I as horrific and heartbreaking as it was, I realize now that wasn’t love. He never loved me, not truly. He cared for me, I guess in some sort of weird way, but he was more seduced by power and influence than me in sexy lingerie.” Camryn sighs.

“Is Nate really that different?”

My sister smiles. “Yeah, he is. He doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone. He’s made it on his own, unlike Harris, who’s under the thumb of his father. I like that he decided to carve his own path away from his family.”

“You think Alex is like Harris, then?”

“No way in the world. He seems to have his head screwed on, especially if he’s anything like Nate. He doesn’t seem like too much of a player,” she adds.

“Maybe.”

“Ivy, now it’s my turn to worry about you. What Steve did to you is unforgivable, but you have locked yourself away for too long. Two years you have lost because of that asshole. Take your own advice … you deserve more,” Camryn says, raising a brow.

“I know, I know … I’m starting to see I’ve cocooned myself away from the world maybe longer than I should have,” I agree with my sister.

“You took the time you needed to heal. But don’t let the world pass you by any longer,” Camryn says, and I nod in agreement. “And when Alex calls—”

“If he calls,” I say, interrupting her.

Camryn smiles and shakes her head. “No, when Alex calls, date him. He doesn’t have to be the love of your life. Enjoy the ride, but you have to get on to enjoy it,” she says, giving me a wink.