Free A Secret Between Friends: A New Zealand Sexy Beach Romance (Treats to Tempt You Book 6) by Serenity Woods

pain.
    *
    When Beck came in around two in the morning, Genie awoke to discover that Niall had left. It was warm in the house, but he’d removed her shoes and placed a sheet over her. His thoughtfulness made her smile.
    “Come on, sleepy.” Beck led her through to the room she always stayed in when she returned home, kissed her forehead, and went out, closing the door behind him. Genie stripped, leaving just her knickers on, and climbed beneath the cool sheets. She turned onto her side, noting with surprise that for once there was no twinge in her knee, and looked out at the stars.
    Now she was alone, she let her thoughts drift to the kiss. Deep down, she was certain it had been an affectionate gesture, born out of sadness and a need to comfort one another. And yet… The way he’d brushed across her bottom lip with his thumb, and the light in his eyes when she’d looked up at him, every cell in her body longing for him to kiss her… She could have sworn it was more than a consolatory act. It had been so innocent—not a hint of tongue, and while his hand had cupped her cheek, the other hand had stayed very properly on her hip without straying. And yet it had felt incredibly erotic, so intensely intimate. Was it all in her imagination, or had he felt it too? Was he lying awake now thinking about it, or had he put it from his mind the moment he walked out of the room? There was no way to be sure.
    But as sleep overcame her once again, the memory of that tender, chaste embrace blew a soft breath across the embers of the feelings that had never completely died.
    *
    The next day, Genie was having breakfast out on the deck—two poached eggs, toast, and coffee—when her mobile jangled to indicate a new text. It was from Niall.
    You around at one-ish?
    Her heart rate increased as she read the words. “For God’s sake,” she scolded herself out loud. She’d dreamed about him all night, too, or at least it had felt like it—every time she floated near to waking, it had been with the memory of his lips on hers, the scent of him wrapping around her, fresh and summery and clean.
    “What’s up?” Beck came onto the deck carrying a bowl so full of muesli it was nearly overflowing.
    She ignored the question. “Got enough cereal there, dude?”
    “I’m hungry.”
    “Clearly.”
    Undaunted, he grinned, sat opposite her, and dug his spoon into the oats. “How are you feeling?”
    Yawning, she pushed her plate away, leaned back, and stretched. “Better. I slept well.” Apart from the erotic dreams. She didn’t add the last bit.
    “Good. You looked tired last night. You didn’t even make it to the bedroom.”
    “I dozed off. Niall put the sheet over me.”
    “Ah, right. You and he okay?”
    She picked up a piece of crust and concentrated on mopping up the last of the egg yolk. “I think so. He apologized for not calling me in the hospital, and he said he was glad I’m home, so that’s something.”
    Beck nodded, chewing his muesli. “I’m sorry about Sinead. I thought that was uncalled for.”
    Genie shrugged. “Me too, but there was no point in making a fuss about it. I can understand why the Brennans want to blame someone for Ciara’s death. It just hurts that they’ve chosen me.”
    “It’ll pass. Give it time.”
    “Yeah.” Genie wasn’t so sure, but there was no point in discussing it.
    “So what are you up to today?”
    She looked at the text again. “Niall wants to see me.”
    “What for?”
    “Dunno. Probably something to do with cooking lessons.” Beck’s eyebrows rose in query, so she told him about Ciara’s bucket list and what she and Niall had decided to do.
    He laughed. “Great idea.”
    “I thought it might be a nice thing to do.”
    “It is. Sinead might be pleased when she finds out.”
    “I have to admit, that has crossed my mind.” She had to find a way to convince Sinead that she was as devastated as the rest of them that Ciara had died. Maybe then Sinead would accept Genie