Riptide Love ( by Melissa Lopez Page A

Nathan. I call him Nate.” She kissed the back of her son’s head from where he sat in her lap. “Nate, say g’day to your uncle Miller.”
    “G’day.” Nate hid behind a storybook he held and peeked out from behind it.
    “You hungry, M?” Their mum pushed up from her chair she’d been sitting in.
    “Nope. I’ll eat something at Auntie’s. I figure they can use my room.” Replacing his hat, he tipped the brim. “I’ve got to grab a few things, then it’s all yours.”
    “Thank you, Miller.” De hugged Nate to her and watched him leave the room.
    His mum patted Ethan on the arm as she passed, heading to the kitchen.
    His throat worked. His shoulders had never been so heavy. He regarded the hallway his brother had walked down. If it hadn’t been for him. If he hadn’t screwed things up so completely…maybe just maybe everyone would be happy. Everyone but him.
    It felt as if someone had died. Never had he thought this breach between him and Miller would come to pass. What he wouldn’t give for one of their old man’s lickings instead.
    Swallowing, he looked over at where De sat with Nate. His son. There’d be no trade off. He hadn’t gained one relative to lose another. M had to forgive him. Mates remained mates.
     
     
    De lifted her head again to see the time. She groaned. The minutes crept by.
    Stay in bed. Do the smart thing and stay in bed.
    She couldn’t though. The evening had been spent agonizing over Ethan and his brother. God, Miller hadn’t even bothered to look Ethan’s way, while Ethan’s gaze had pleaded for forgiveness.
    Guilt had to be eating a hole in Ethan. She should know. The emotion had played havoc on her nerves for so, so long. There was no denying she’d played a role in the distance between the brothers. But at day’s end, she’d been relieved Nate’s identity was out. More importantly, Maree had appeared to be genuinely happy to have Nate around. Knowing he’d have one grandmother who’d take joy in him made her happy.
    Quietly, she eased out of the bed to leave Nate sleeping. After a quick check of the covers, she slipped out of the room.
    The house was silent as she tiptoed to the living room. There’d been no chance to speak to Ethan alone, and she wanted to check on him. Needed to was more like it. Disappointment had nagged her when neither Cohen nor any of his cousins dropped by.
    Ethan sat slumped on the couch with the telly on low. She hesitated. Maybe he didn’t want company. Didn’t need anyone to talk to. Maybe he wanted to be alone with his emotions.
    In the darkened room, light from the screen lit the blond in his hair. Her fingers twitched to play in the strands. To soothe away his hurt.
    Yes, she wanted to touch him once more. Caress his skin. Soothe away his pain.
    The memories they’d created had kept her going for so long. Now to have him back in her life. There was no possible way to understand how sometimes life just happened. She’d missed him so badly. The night he’d kissed her it’d taken everything in her not to tell him so.
    A quiver shook her knees. They’d have winded up on the floor if she had. She’d ached so badly to recapture the magic she’d felt with him.
    And the sex that they’d shared before had been so good.
    As if sensing her, he turned his head and straightened up. “He asleep?”
    “Conked out about an hour ago.”
    His arm slid along the top of the couch. “Couldn’t sleep?”
    “Not really.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “Is the show any good?”
    His sigh traveled through her. “I hadn’t noticed.”
    She thought as much. Before she gave it too much consideration, she sat on the couch. Immediately, his fingers toyed in her hair. Pure desire quivered through her to settle in her breasts and lower stomach. “You okay?”
    “I am.”
    “I’m sorry, about…about everything.” As she remembered, his touch had a powerful effect. Helplessly, she leaned into his hand, seeking out his warmth, his