Sand & Snow (Sand & Clay #1.5) Read Free Page B

going to be paying rent. That’s it.”
    Jackie glanced at Aralia with a confused look on her face, Aralia just nodded to confirm that she was telling the truth. She was smiling though, indicating how funny she found the whole situation.
    “Did you miss the part where I said you’re dating a millionaire rockstar?” Jackie grabbed her drink and took a sip.
    “I know, but I want to pay my own share. I don’t want him taking care of me.”
    “Uhm, can he take care of me then? Sugar Daddy position is open and looking for willing candidates.” Jackie grinned.
    “Yeah right, you’re dating mystery man now.” Aralia hopped in and Jackie shrugged.
    “Never know who I would be dating, for a few million dollars that is.” All the girls burst out laughing, Caroline shook her head at her friends.
    She knew that they understood and were just teasing her. The two cousins both had had their own identity crises over the years, maybe sometimes they still were. Coming from similarly wealthy backgrounds growing up, they knew what it was like to feel like they wanted to earn something on their own.
     
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          “Hi Mom,” Caroline propped the phone up on her shoulder as she sat on the couch the next day with one foot on the edge of the glass coffee table as she painted her toes a deep blue color.
    “Hey sweetie, it’s good to hear from you.” Her mother, Elizabeth Sanders, answered the phone.
    “I was just calling to see how you were doing and to see if Dad has cooled off any. Is he still upset with me?”
    “We’re doing fine, dear. I went to a luncheon earlier for the Hampton Shorefront Preservation Society.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Oh I don’t really know, just another charity to give a check to. They seemed a lot more interested in socializing then talking about the cause, so I doubt I will go to another one of theirs.”
    “Did Dad go?”
    “Your father has been very busy lately, sweetheart.”
    “Is he busy now? Can I talk to him?”
    There was a pause on the other end of the line. Caroline felt as if she could see her mother biting her lip and frowning, trying to figure out how to tell her the bad news she knew was coming.
    “Caroline, he’s just very busy.” She finally stumbled to find a few words to put together. 
    Logan walked into the room from the bedroom, freshly showered after getting home from a dinner with his new business manager. Walking up behind the couch where Caroline was painting her toes, he placed both hands on her arms and kissed the top of her head.
    “I get it, Mom.”
    “Caroline, don’t sound so hostile. It’s just not a good time.”
    “I’m not being hostile. I’m going to spend the holidays with Logan’s family.”
    “Okay, well that’s your choice. Hope you two have a lovely time. Love you, sweetheart.” With that, her mother hung up.
    Caroline dropped the phone onto the couch next to her and let out an angry sigh. Turning back to her toes, she finished the last few to complete her impromptu manicure and pedicure.
    “What was all that about?” Logan asked, dropping one leg over the back of the couch, quickly followed by the other on the opposite side of her.
    He slid behind her so that her back was to his front and he could wrap his arms around her. She sighed and leaned back into his firm, large chest.
    “She acted like I was the one choosing not to come home for the holidays. Dad still won’t speak to me, but of course Mom won’t just come out and say that. Instead, he is just so damn busy.” She groaned, complaining but also feeling tears begin to well in her eyes.
    “Well, you know who isn’t too busy for you?” Logan said, his voice dropped lower as his lips grazed from her shoulder up to her neck.
    She shivered as she tilted her head to the side to give him more access and he quickly placed soft kisses against her skin. He nipped lightly at her ear lobe and she felt a tingling shoot down to her toes and back up, pushing