Drawn to You: Volume 3 Read Free Page B

sunbathing on the deck of Nicholas’s luxury yacht. I’m going to need more sunblock if he keeps staring at me like that.
    Tristan hasn’t said anything to me since we left the beach house. The whole drive to the marina he kept up the small talk with Ceci and Nicholas, but he didn’t even bother trying to talk to me. His silence is a reminder of the hurt I felt the years he spent avoiding me. I look up from my glass of champagne to find him staring intently at something on the deck. As I turn, Tyler’s muscular form pops into view. Tristan’s glare extends to Tyler, but it never quite reaches me. I shouldn’t care. I’m fooling myself if I think Tristan could ever be serious about me. It was evident from his response in the kitchen. Wasn’t it?
    “No, I’m not seeing anyone.”
    His words taunt me. What was I expecting him to say? He never asked me to be his girlfriend. I was stupid to think we’d ride off into the sunset after last night. The past four years we’ve spent apart changed both of us. My ears strain to hear the private conversation that my brother shares with Tristan. His grin brightens his brooding look, but it quickly vanishes as Nicholas walks away. I’m starting to wonder if his feelings for me are as much a facade as the emotions he portrays.
    “Hey, Emily.”
    My eyes widen at the ripples of Tyler’s chest. I wasn’t expecting his body to be so lean underneath his t-shirt and board shorts. His grin widens as he catches me staring at the artwork on his skin. A sleeve of tattoos runs up his forearm wrapping around his chest, accentuating the outline of his muscles as his bronze skin is illuminated against the ocean backdrop.
    I’m not blind when it comes to men, so it’s not hard to figure out Tyler is definitely a guy who could date almost any woman he wanted. He’s easy on the eyes, and for some reason, he’s interested in me, despite ditching him the other night.
    “Wow, when your friend and you called me today, I wasn’t expecting to be spending the day on a yacht.”
    I smile, and I’m embarrassed at the awe in his voice. When I first met my roommate Augie, he was a bit star struck at my family’s wealth, too. It’s not something I’ve ever gotten used to. Most of the time, I’m too embarrassed to invite new friends out because they’re either caught up in making eyes at my brother or mesmerized by my family’s lavish living arrangements.
    “I’m glad you came.” I smile.
    “Are you?”
    A strange sensation fills my chest as Tyler leans into me. His gray eyes quietly assess me as I stare out at the ocean waves that break against the yacht. My gaze is distracted by the sight of Ceci walking up from the lower deck of the boat wearing a bright pink halter. The middle of it dips and hangs tightly over her breasts leaving little to the imagination. Her smile widens as she spots Tristan standing near Nicholas. My heart clenches as she sways her hips and flips her hair over her shoulder. Ceci turns more heads than I care to admit. It’s never been a problem until now.
    Tristan offers her a smile and the sight of it guts me. She’s trying too hard. Her laughter is vivacious and over the top as she pushes her chest up toward Tristan. Who wouldn’t be attracted to my best friend? She’s a lot more outgoing than I am. Maybe she’s the type of women Tristan likes.
    I’m so caught up in my own thoughts I barely hear Tyler trying to talk to me. It isn’t until I feel his hand grazing my shoulder that I turn. My cheeks flame as soon as I realize he’s called my name about two or three times. He steps forward closing the space between us, trapping me between him and the railing allowing him to lean forward and grab the necklace Tristan gave me between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes quietly assess it with interest. A slight jab hits me in the chest as I watch him. I’ve been wearing this necklace since Tristan gave it to me, a silent truth my heart is still claimed.
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