She hurried back to the path, ignoring Vicky and Abby's chatter as she mumbled a quick thanks to Stefan. She kept her head high as she walked away feeling his gaze burning into her back with every step she took.
Chapter Five
Stefan wiped the sweat from his brow as he grabbed a bottle of water and dumped it over his head. His gaze settled on Delia, Jess, Vicky, and Abby. They had set up lounge chairs and donned their bathing suits to absorb the sun. Suntan lotion, magazines, and a radio were set up around them, and melodious music drifted through the air.
They looked extremely relaxed as they flipped through the pages of magazines. He couldn't hear what they were saying, nor did he particularly care. He knew Jess's ability to communicate about anything other than fashion or hair was severely limited. He didn't know how someone who went to college could know so little of the world, but somehow, she was completely clueless.
He shook his head as he grimaced slightly. His gaze ran back over them as he wondered why Isabelle wasn't with them. From what he gathered, Isabelle was usually with one relative or another, so he'd assumed she would be with her sisters and the other girls.
He claimed another bottle of water, twisted the top off, and drank a long swallow of water to wet his parched throat. Ethan appeared beside him, his gaze settled on the quartet spread across the lawn. "I wish I could work on my tan," he grumbled as he grabbed a water bottle.
Stefan nodded his agreement as he took another swig of water. "Why isn't Isabelle with them?"
Ethan laughed. "Isabelle, work on her tan? That's a joke."
Stefan looked at him in surprise. "Why is that?"
"Isabelle is one of those people who is always on the move. Plus, she's a bit of a tomboy, lounging around in the sun is about as appealing to her as eating a box of ants," Jack answered as he appeared beside Ethan.
The last thing he would have pegged Isabelle as was a tomboy. She was too much of a temptation to ever be pegged as anything else. He pictured her spending hours brushing her hair to get it to shine like it did, painting her nails, and flipping through fashion magazines to keep up with the latest styles. The picture they painted of her didn't fit in with his image at all.
"Plus, she's cleaning the house," Ethan added.
"What?" Jack roared.
"I told her not to bother, but apparently, and I quote, 'We're all filthy slobs.'"
"I like being a slob!" Doug declared as he dropped his hammer and stormed over to Ethan. "Go over there right now and tell her to stop!"
Ethan laughed as he shook his head. "While I'm at it why don't I jump in front of a charging bull, wave my red flag, and hope he stops," he retorted. "Besides, what harm can it do?"
Jack and Doug’s scowls deepened. "She'll have us smelling like women!" Jack protested.
Stefan stifled a laugh as he turned away from them. "How much do you expect her to get done in one day?" Ethan retorted.
"Knowing Isabelle that house is already repainted with scented candles and potpourri everywhere!" Doug yelled.
"Why is she all by herself?" Stefan interrupted.
"Vicky and Abby had enough of work yesterday," Ethan answered.
Apparently, they were all used to Isabelle being on her own and not having help. He didn't know why, but for some reason, it didn't sit well with him. "And Jess?" he asked.
They all looked at him as if he were crazy.
"I don't think she wanted to help," Jack answered.
Stefan nodded but didn't say anything. Of course, Jess wouldn't want to help; the idea of getting her hands dirty was enough to make her squirm her way out of anything. He groaned inwardly, wondering for the thousandth time why he was still with the girl in the first place. He knew his answer almost immediately; she was good in bed. She was also whiny, clingy, and grating on his last nerve. The sex was quickly becoming not worth the trouble.
A flash of violet eyes unwittingly blazed through his mind, and to his amazement, he found himself hardening instantly. He could recall how Isabelle felt when he’d taken hold of her tiny waist, a waist so small his hands had nearly encircled it. Her skin had been warm, silky smooth, and utterly tempting.
She smelled of apples and fresh dirt, and her underlying natural scent had assaulted him and aroused his baser instincts. He hadn't wanted to release her, and since then, he hadn't been able to get the feel of her out of his head... or his cock, he thought ruefully.
He shifted uncomfortably as the force of his erection became almost unbearable. "Go stop her, Ethan," Jack ordered briskly.
Ethan ran a hand through his tangled hair. "Leave her be, Jack. It's not going to hurt us to have a clean house and clothes. Besides, Jess is staying there too, and Isabelle is the one who realized if there's no human food in the house, Jess will think it's odd. You know none of us would think about it. She sent David and dad shopping for groceries."
"That's fine and dandy, but—"
"Jack," Ian interrupted as he approached them. "Leave her be. You know how Isabelle is when she's upset about something; this is her way of working things out."
Jack's scowl faded as he nodded. "What is she upset about?" Doug demanded. "Oh, Julian."
"Yeah," Ethan said tiredly. "I had a long talk with the four of them last night."
"Did you tell your parents?" Doug demanded.
"I
