When Rivals Fall (Bayshore Rivals 1)

Reaching the bed Sullivan sits me down on the edge of it, and I sink deep into the memory foam mattress. It feels like heaven. I consider rolling over in the towel and letting the mattress swallow me whole when he walks over to his dresser and pulls out a shirt and pair of shorts. My eyes feel heavy and my muscles ache. It’s starting to feel more like I fell down a flight of stairs and less like I was shoved off the side of a boat.

“You’ll stay here tonight,” he says, returning to the bed and placing the clothes beside me.

“I know, we discussed this already,” I say mid-yawn. Our eyes meet and there is a warmness within his gaze that I’ve never seen there before.

“No, I mean here. You’ll stay here, in my bed tonight. Tomorrow you’ll stay with Banks and then Oliver. We’ll switch off and on.”

“Wait, what?” I tighten my hold on the towel, needing something to hold me to this reality because what he just said makes zero sense to me.

“Your dreams are coming true, Princess, you’ll get to sleep with each of the Bishop Brothers,” Banks teases from the doorway and I give him a disgruntled look.

Pfft, this is not my dream. Totally not my dream. I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“No. There has to be like three extra rooms in this house. I’ll just take one of those. I don’t need to be babysat while I’m sleeping.”

Sullivan shakes his head, his features hardening as he leans forward and into my face. I should shrink back, get up, run for the door, leave this house but I can’t, not only that, but I don’t really want to.

His big hand reaches out and cups my cheek and I bite my lip needing something to focus on so I don’t nuzzle my face into his hand like an unwanted dog needing pets.

“Don’t fight us, please, because you won’t win. There are three of us and one of you. One way or another we’ll get what we want. So let us do this for you. Let us take care of you. It’s the least we can do.”

The compassion in his voice tugs at my heartstrings. I must be having a mental break down because I’m on the verge of tears.

“Don’t lie to me, we’re enemies, rivals, you don’t want me here,” I whimper, my emotions breaking through the surface.

Sullivan smiles, really smiles and when he speaks, I swear my entire body breaks out into a shiver, “Rivals or not, I’ve always wanted you here.” He pulls back, his hand dropping from my cheek, the moment ending all too soon. “Now, let’s get you to bed. We can figure stuff out tomorrow.”

Nodding my head I try to understand the feelings coursing through me. They should hate me, and they do, but there’s something else there. The feeling is like a snake bite, the wound festering, the venom spreading through my veins. I look up from the floor and find all three of them staring at me. I’ve never felt so confused and complete all at once.

This makes zero sense but I’m too exhausted to try and figure it out right now. Maybe I’m so tired that I’m making this all up in my head. I should just go to sleep and reevaluate this whole day tomorrow.

And that’s exactly what I do. I quickly slip into the clothes Sullivan laid out for me with the guys turning around like the gentlemen they are. I cuddle up on the king size bed, Sullivan stripping down to his boxers and crawling into bed next to me.

I gulp down the nervous anxiety of having him so close to me while being damn near naked. Banks and Oliver say their goodnights and leave the room. Exhaustion starts to tug at me and I’m only vaguely aware of the door closing and Sullivan leaning over to whisper in my ear.

“Sleep tight, Harlow,” his voice carrying me off into a dark slumber.

Chapter Eight

When I wake up it’s not yet light outside, the sky through the shades casts a dark shadow inside the room. Slowly I turn, lifting my head to find Sullivan still asleep. He looks so at peace. A Greek statue, with hard edges, and well-defined muscles that makes my mouth water.

I’m mostly laying on top of him my leg draped over his, my arm wrapped around his middle, those perfectly shaped abs pressing against my skin, with my head resting on his firm chest. I don’t remember falling asleep like this, but I’m not complaining about waking up in this position.

My cheek is hot where my skin is pressed up against his and when I try to move, I realize his arms are caging me in, holding me tightly to his side. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel secure, and protected in his arms. I’m content, so content that I almost forget that I nearly died last night. The unpleasant thought sends a shiver down my spine and I nestle even deeper, like I’m trying to embed myself into his skin.