My curiosity about the house’s layout has peaked, but we don’t continue down the stairs. Aleck, still gripping my hand in his, walks to the door at the end of the hall and opens it, exploding light into the hallway.

When I enter the room behind Aleck, my eyes widen at the view. The entire wall of this bedroom is glass. The view mere feet from the ocean's surface. Drops of water and ocean mist spray across the bottom of the glass, letting me know just how close to the water we are.

The room is large. Larger than my room in the suite. There’s a king-size bed in the middle of the far wall, sleek nightstands boxing it in. Glass French-style sliding doors are open, showing the spacious en suite and double walk-in closets.

Aleck lets go of my hand, gesturing toward the window. I smile and step close, my feet stopping once I’ve reached the glass, and I look down. Rocks sit just below the house, disappearing and reappearing as the tide forces the waves forward, then pulls them back into its grasp. I take it in quickly, knowing I’m not here for a tour, but here for Aleck’s sake.

I turn around, a small smile quirking Aleck’s lips, but he’s tense. I take a deep breath and walk toward him.

“This is beautiful…”

He slides his hands in his pockets, his shoulders square, his eyes darkened to a deep blue. “This is my favorite of all my family’s properties. We’re so close to the water, it almost feels dangerous.” He looks past me, through the glass.

I step closer, grazing my hands up his arms, and lock them behind his neck. “He’s goading you, Aleck.”

“At your expense.” His eyes snap back to mine, digging in, and all I see is a ten-year-old boy who may have been excited to learn he’d have a new brother, only to learn the reality.

“I’m a big girl—”

“You’re my girl.” His hands leave his pockets and curl around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

I never thought I’d be impressed by a possessive man, but Aleck being so protective of me that he threatened to cut his own brother’s tongue from his mouth does something to me. It’s weird how meeting the right person can change your desires.

And Aleck Fox just called me his.

“In any case,” I continue. “I can handle myself.”

He scowls, looking at the ground between us.

“Aleck, he’s only doing this because he knows it will bother you. He knows you care about me.”

His head pops up and his eyes wrap around mine, pulling me in as realization hits. A nervous swarm suddenly cyclones in my gut.

“I just mean that…” I start to backpedal.

“No…” He nods, his words ghosting over my lips. “I do. I care about you and he knows it. He’s always known exactly how to push my buttons.”

“Aleck, I know this thing between you two goes far beyond what you’ve told me, but you’re grown men now. How have you not grown past this… this… feud? What happened between you two?”