Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(24)

It felt pivotal. Romantic even.

I actually think Knox is a true romantic at heart, but his reinforced walls are firmly held in place. Trusting me will be a big part of tearing them down.

However, I’m not sure he would let me slide a brick out to allow me even the smallest of peeks. His wall is made of cement. Rock solid.

Tabitha is evidence. Three years and she’s never been here.

But you're here, Eva; he let you in.

Maybe he will let me see him, the real him. Another twenty-four hours and I might get a peek through his wall after all. I can live in hope because, on a visceral level, the desire to know everything about him runs deep, and I have so many questions. Most of all about his ex-wife and why he’s never remarried.

I’d be overstepping the line, though. I don’t want to push him away. The clock is ticking on our time together. I want to hold him close in the confinements of our bubble until I have to pick up my boys tomorrow.

He held me close in the shower, airbrushing kisses over every millimeter of my body. Then, after our shower, Knox made a quick trip out to stock up on condoms.

I have no problems with any of that at all.

More sex? Yes, please. More tender moments? Yup. That too. And the Greek words he whispers to me every time he orgasms. Hell yeah, I want all of that again. I don’t understand any of it, but it’s incredibly beautiful and makes me feel like he’s from another world, which he is. He’s a real-life walking, talking, breathing, fucking Greek sex God.

I let out a very unladylike snort at my sordid thoughts. Overnight, I’ve turned into a sex addict.

My phone chimes to life from the poolside, bringing me swiftly out of my dreamy thoughts.

Leisurely, I do the breaststroke over, heave myself out of the pool, and grab my phone off the sun lounger.

Ella.

I roll my eyes at the previewed text and swipe it open.

Ella: Where are you?

Me: Out.

Ella: Out with who?

Me: With Eden.

Ella: Lies, all lies.





Goddammit. I should have said I was out with Beth, my fiery red-headed friend who doesn’t work Saturdays.

As the CEO of The Scottish Golf Association, she dictates her own hours and Saturday is a day not worthy of her time. Saturdays are for shopping apparently. I hate the idea of spending all day shopping. Not my idea of fun at all.

“Shit,” I hiss as a group chat call comes through between me, my triplet sisters, Ella, Eden, and our lifelong school friends, Toni and Beth.

I pick up the call but decline the video request.

“Put your goddamn video on, Eva,” Ella’s bossy bitch voice instructs.

“Nope,” I answer.

“Why not?” Eden queries.

“Here’s a better question,” Ella purrs coyly.

“Oh God, what game are we playing today, girls?” Toni asks, then curses in Italian. She’s impatient. “My ice cream parlor queue is snaked all the way down the street and around the corner. Be quick.”

The lengths people will go to for even a mere tongue dip of Toni’s award-winning gelato never ceases to amaze me. And it’s November. What are they thinking? Well, I know what they’re thinking. It’s bloody delicious. I’m grateful we get to sneak through the back door on busy days. Now that’s what I call friends with benefits.

“Okay, picture this,” Ella starts.

Aw, crap, here we go. This can only mean one thing; she knows something already.

Ella continues. “Eva says she’s with Eden. When I know for a fact, Eden is with Hunter in Edinburgh today. I’m currently outside Eva’s house to drop off the dress I borrowed the other week. Both her car and green passion wagon are in the drive. Her boys are at Mom and Dad’s today. Hamish and Archie had a sleepover there last night and another one tonight. She doesn’t want to do video chat. If Eva is not with Eden and she’s not with me, is she with you, Toni?”

“Nope. I’m too busy for this shit. Hurry up,” my exasperating Italian friend replies.

“What about you, Beth? Is she with you?” Ella asks sweetly, knowing the answer already.

“Nope, I’m heading out to the shops. I need a new purse.” She laughs at her absurdity. She does not need another purse.

“Great, thanks, girls. So, Eva, I’ll ask you again. Where are you?”

“Eh, I’m out. Just out.” I sound flustered.

“With?” Eden inquires. God, I love to hate these girls.

“Myself.” It’s a partial lie by omission.

This doesn’t stop her pushing. “Liar. Here’s the thing. Fun fact, girls. Eva attended the charity auction last night and in what can only be called a fabulous twist of events where one man laid his cards on the table, Knox Black bid eighty thousand pounds for the private dance lessons we donated. With Eva. Oh, and at one point Lincoln bid twenty-five thousand pounds trying to counterbid his father.”

News travels fast. I hate this small town. That’s a white lie. I love it really, but sometimes, just sometimes, it would be nice if people learned to keep their mouths shut.

Loud gasps and shrieks whistle through the phone from all four girls.

“Ella!” Forgetting where I am, I scold her, and my voice echoes through the vast swimming pool room.

“Oh, echoes. Clues. All clues.” Ella never gives up. She’s like a shark with its prey in sight. “Tell us?”