Tangled Love on Pelican Point (Island County Series Book 3) Read Free Page B

said.
    Natalie and Cole were grinning, and I knew I wasn’t going to win this battle.
    “You’re persistent,” I said, unable to gauge his intent. Feeling the first raindrops from above, I sighed.
    “And we’re going to get very soggy if we don’t start soon.” Anthony looked at his brother, who shrugged. I blew a sigh of defeat.
    A dry ride home would be nice.
    “Okay, but don’t get any ideas.” I glanced at him, secretly hoping his head was full of ideas.
    “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he assured me as we followed Natalie and Cole back into the house just in time.
    As we closed the doors, lightning flickered over the water, bringing even more excitement to the room. There was something about witnessing storms brewing off the coast that always made islanders stop everything to enjoy the view. We all turned to look over the ocean as the sky sizzled with an electrical display, and within seconds, thunder clapped and rumbled through the air. The first autumn storm had officially hit Fireweed.
    All around us, guests eagerly talked about their storm preparations, and I chuckled, glancing at Anthony.
    “Probably pretty different from the life you’ve built off the island?” I ventured, pointing toward the closet to get my things. “No matter how many storms we get, we all act like it’s the storm to end all storms.”
    Anthony laughed. “It’s a little different pace here than Los Angeles.”
    “A little.”
    As I reached for the closet door, the hall lights flickered and everyone in the family room gasped.
    “Here we go. Things are about to get really lively,” I warned.
    “I can’t even imagine.” Anthony held open the closet door as I went inside. The closet was deep and wound under the stairs, which was where I stowed my purse and coat so everyone else could hang theirs.
    A loud crack sounded, and what dim light I’d had entering the closet immediately extinguished.
    “Power’s out,” Anthony said, coming in behind me.
    “I kind of figured,” I said, stumbling around under the stairs.
    “Need help?” he asked, narrowing the distance between us.
    The small space made me keenly aware of what his presence did to me. I took in a deep breath and shoved the ridiculousness away. He was nothing more than Anthony Hill, a kid who grew up on the island.
    And looked insanely good doing so.
    “It should be right over here,” I said, running my hands over all kinds of unrecognizable objects, trying to stay focused on anything but the feelings washing over me.
    He gently placed his hand on my back, and I about lost my mind. That punch was to blame. It had to be the root cause of all these blustery emotions.
    If all it took was a swipe of a hand to get me wound up, I definitely needed to get out more.
    “This might help.” He clicked the flashlight on his phone and pointed it under the stairs.
    “Thanks.” I took two steps forward, and his hand fell from my back as I snatched my items and blinded myself by turning around into his light.
    “Sorry.” He turned it off quickly, and I was left seeing stars and spots while my eyes attempted to adjust to the darkness.
    I expected him to move out of the way, but he didn’t. Instead, he placed both hands on my shoulders and squeezed slightly.
    “We’re not walking. It’s too dangerous.” His voice turned gruff, and my head automatically nodded.
    It was like being in a trance around him, and I didn’t understand how someone could do that to me.
    Lust.
    Lust for a rock star is how that happened. I straightened up and took a deep breath in. That was a trap I wouldn’t fall into. I wasn’t going to be a groupie or one of those women who’d fall at the feet of a successful male musician just because he was in a band. I had more important things to worry about—like how to pay my rent, take care of my dad, and try to start my business—so maybe one day, I wouldn’t have to work three jobs and get excited over a man merely placing his hand on my