A Picture's Worth
Copyright© 2026 by Evie Olivia Niven
Chapter 14: Wolfe Family Vacation
There was something about that emotional plunge, going from being extremely happy to hitting rock bottom. Bea had hit rock bottom and nearly kept on going. She had thought she’d be able to handle being left behind, but now she wasn’t so sure. They haven’t even left yet, she thought, staring at the clock on her night table, and I’m acting like someone died. With a sigh, Bea rolled off of her bed and padded into the kitchen. Aside from being miserable, she was also way too hot.
As she was pouring a glass of ice water, someone began knocking on her door. Who the hell is it at this hour? she wondered, frowning. Bea took a quick swig of her water, set the glass down, and went to answer the door. She was surprised—to say the least—to find Gabriel waiting for her outside her door. He gave her an impatient look, and she backpedaled quickly.
“Why aren’t you ready?” Gabriel demanded. He ran his fingers back through his hair and let out a harried sigh.
“R-Ready?” Bea stammered, her eyes wide.
“We have to be at the airport in forty-five minutes,” Gabriel said. “At least tell me you’re packed.”
Bea stared at him. He can’t mean ... she thought. How could he? No one had said anything to her about being invited. Unless ... unless they’d just assumed she knew she was invited. She stared up at Gabriel and noticed a twinkle of amusement in his dark eyes. Bea looked down at her toes, digging them into the boring gray carpet beneath her feet. He makes me feel like a little girl, she thought, biting her lip. I’m so self-assured around everyone but him.
“I ... I thought it was family only,” Bea said quietly.
Gabriel blinked at her. “Yes. So you’d better get your butt down to the van in fifteen minutes, or I’m coming back up here and carrying you out myself.”
Tempting, she thought, watching him leave, very tempting. Hero-worship was undoubtedly a hard thing to shake. But over the past months, especially Gabriel had become more and more like a father to her. I should have realized, Bea thought, as she headed over to the suitcases she kept her clothes in. I should have seen it, but I guess I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself lately. She had just begun searching through her clothes for things to take with her when the apartment door burst open, and Alanna dashed in, breathless and grinning.
“I can’t believe you thought we’d leave you behind,” Alanna said, as they worked together to get her things packed. “Ethan thought so too. You know he got on Dad’s case this morning?”
Bea’s eyes widened. “He did not!” she exclaimed. “... Did he?”
“Oh, he did,” Alanna assured her, grinning. “What’s going on between you two, anyway?”
Bea went silent, not sure what to say. She didn’t know how much she wanted to tell Alanna just yet. It’s just so ... new, she thought, staring down at her fingers, which worked at folding her clothing without much thought. And so precious. It’s silly, but I’m so afraid that even speaking about it could make it fall apart. She looked up as Alanna rested a hand on hers. Bea could tell by the look in her friend’s eyes that she understood.
“Just tell me one thing,” Alanna said, her pale blue eyes lit with a kitten-like curiosity Bea was very familiar with. “Was it good?”
Bea couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips. “I don’t have the words,” she said quietly, “to tell you how wonderful it was.”
Alanna let out a squeal of delight and tackled her, hugging her tight enough to take the breath from her. Laughing, she peeled her friend off of her, and they got back to work. They were just leaving the apartment—Bea in the camisole and shorts she wore as PJs—when Gabriel appeared at the top of the steps. He flashed them a wry, somewhat exasperated smile, but he took Bea’s bags from her and sent them both down the stairs ahead of him. I love this family, she thought, smiling to herself. I’m happy so long as I know I have a place among them.
If there was one thing Ethan hadn’t been expecting on this trip, it was to share a room with Bea. It did explain the look his cousin had given him when he’d demanded to know why Bea wasn’t invited, too. He watched from the doorway of the bathroom as she stretched out on the bed like a very happy cat. She was still wearing what she’d had on this morning when they’d picked her up. Ethan found himself staring at the way the thin cotton clung to her breasts. Great, not here five minutes and already I’m thinking like a pervert, he thought, rolling his eyes.
“This hotel is supposed to have a pool,” Bea said, rolling over onto her stomach to look at him. “Want to go swimming?”
“We’re right on the beach,” Ethan reminded her, raising his eyebrows.
Bea shrugged. “Well, yeah, and the ocean is very pretty ... as long as I’m not in it!”
Ethan chuckled softly. He could understand that sentiment well enough; if he couldn’t see what was swimming in it, he didn’t want to be swimming in it himself. Unable to keep himself from watching the way she rolled around on the bed, he approached slowly. Bea smiled up at him and reached out, stretching her hand towards him. Ethan caught her hand in his as he knelt beside the bed. Maybe it was corny, but he brushed his lips against her knuckles. Whether it was corny or not, it still made her smile and sigh. He climbed up onto the bed next to her and started idly rubbing her back.
“A room all to ourselves,” Bea said quietly, propping her head up on her arms. “Hmm ... did you remember to pack protection?”
Ethan almost blushed at the teasing quality of her voice. “I uh ... no. I didn’t know you were coming,” he said. “Listen, um ... about that ... I didn’t mean to seem like such an ass about it...”
“You weren’t,” Bea said, turning her head to look at him. Her eyebrows were slightly raised. “I understand, Ethan. In your position, I’d probably be overly cautious too. It’s all right.”
Smiling, Ethan reached over and brushed a strand of hair back from her face. She doesn’t have any idea how hard it is to be cautious around her, he thought, continuing to rub her back. She’s so hard to resist ... Bea stretched out, resting her head on her arms and closing her eyes. She made soft little noises as he rubbed her back. I wish she wouldn’t make those noises, Ethan thought, shifting on the bed so he could get both hands on her. On second thought...
Bea moaned softly as he rubbed her shoulders, kneading gently. Catching the thin cotton with his fingertips, he pulled it up, then ran his hands down her bare back. She shivered as he traced her spine with his index finger. “All right,” Ethan thought, grasping her hips and turning her over. Bea gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. She let out a soft, startled squeak as he bent and pressed his lips to her belly. He looked up at her and grinned at the expression on her face.
“Now you’re in trouble,” Ethan murmured against her skin. His hands traveled to the waistband of her shorts and began to slowly pull them down.
Those soft green eyes were watching him intently. His mouth trailed down her belly, over her hip, and down to her thigh as he tugged her shorts and her panties off. Ethan nipped the inside of her thigh, and she made that sound he liked so much. He lifted her with ease, pulling her hips into his lap. Bea actually blushed as he pushed her thighs apart, and he chuckled softly. Her eyelashes flickered as his fingertips brushed lightly over her, and she let out a soft, pleased sigh.
He wasn’t exactly sure what got into him when it came to her. Ethan loved to touch her. He loved the feeling of her skin, as fine as silk, beneath his fingertips; he loved the way she moved against him as he touched her; he loved the little sounds she made as he slid his finger inside her. More than anything, though, Ethan loved the way she looked at him. Watching gold flecks come to life in those lovely jade eyes, he suddenly forgot there was a world beyond her.
“Ethan...” Bea murmured, reaching up to him.
There was no hesitation in him as he bent to kiss her. He shifted his position so that it was easier for her to reach him. Ethan was so absorbed in kissing her, and in her hands, pulling open his jeans, that he didn’t hear the knocking at first. When he felt Bea go still beneath him, that was when he finally heard it. Groaning, he let himself sink down on top of her. There was a wild urge in him to simply ignore the knocking and continue what they were doing, but somehow he doubted either of them really wanted to deal with the subsequent teasing.
“Yes?” Ethan called.
“We’re going to get something to eat.” The voice was Alanna’s. “Do you want to come?”
“That’s what we were trying to do,” Bea muttered, rolling her eyes.
Ethan chuckled. He kissed her quickly, a small kiss, to quiet her, then answered, “Sure. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Bea grumbled about it, but she did get dressed. She had to rifle through her suitcase for something to wear. Ethan found himself watching from the corner of his eye; not really the best idea, as he was already rather ... excited. That’s cruel, he thought, watching as she pulled on a bikini. The halter-style top at least looked somewhat like clothes, and she did pull shorts on over the bottom. Bea caught him looking and grinned, her eyes lighting up wickedly.
“I’ll teach you to act on your impulses yet,” she teased, winking at him.
This is going to be the longest meal of my life, Ethan realized. He followed Bea out of their hotel room and into the hallway. “We” turned out to be only Drake and Alanna, for once. Even his siblings had decided to sit this one out, it seemed. Fine by me, he thought, we’ll have enough trouble from just these two. Actually, really only Alanna; Drake was very quiet. Still, Ethan could put up with it. He was quite convinced he could put up with anything, so long as he could be with Bea.
It was amazing how one little statement could turn a lovely evening sour. Bea had been enjoying herself very much. Surprisingly, Ethan had held his own under Alanna’s teasing, for the most part. She’d even thought he’d let the comment slide, or maybe he hadn’t heard it, until he’d turned to look at her. Those dark eyes that she was coming to adore had been cold. Bea had seen Alanna’s look of apology—and she didn’t really blame her friend, either—but right then it didn’t do much good.
“Bea seems to have a taste for Wolfes,” Alanna had joked.
That was why she and Ethan were outside, strolling around the wooden deck that surrounded the restaurant right next to the hotel. Bea couldn’t even remember what exactly they’d been talking about when Alanna had made the unfortunate comment. It had been mostly aimless chatter, so pleasant in its simplicity. It’s not Lonnie’s fault, Bea thought, pausing and leaning up against the railing. She probably figured he’d loosened up. I most certainly did. Hell, Ethan had damn near pounced on her in the bedroom. But this was different, those dark eyes insisted.
“All three of them,” Ethan said quietly, not looking at her. “Wow ... that’s uh...”
“Ethan...” Bea began. She could feel a major headache coming on.
“So will you jump to Bailey or Chase next?” Ethan demanded, finally turning to look at her.
It was like being slapped. “That ... that’s not fair!” Bea protested. “You don’t understand!”
“I understand that you’ve slept with Alanna,” Ethan said, “and both of her brothers!”
He’s never going to listen to me, Bea realized, taking a step back. No matter what I do, it isn’t going to make a difference. She hadn’t cried since she was ... well, she couldn’t even remember. But she wasn’t going to start now. Instead, she turned on her heel and fled. The beach was mere feet away from the front of the restaurant. Bea was careful not to step on anyone as she ran down the length of the beach. Even though it was evening and slowly beginning to get dark, there were people still out enjoying the ocean.
She didn’t really know where she was going, aside from away. For a while, she could find nothing but occupied space, and what she wanted was to be alone. When Bea did finally come across a stretch of beach that seemed uninhabited, she flung herself down on the sand near the shore. Water came up, lapping over her toes, but she just ignored it. “It’s not fair!” she thought, dragging her fingers through her hair in frustration. “It’s just not fair!”
What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t change who she was or what she’d done; nor would she. But Ethan was the best thing to come into her life in a long time. How can he be? Bea demanded of herself. How can he really be when he keeps doing things like this? She’d thought that things were settled between them now. The other night had been so perfect. “I should have realized,” she thought, “nothing is ever really perfect.”
She sat there, alone, for quite a while, thinking. Bea didn’t know what she should do, but there was a part of her, deep down, that wondered if maybe they wouldn’t be able to make this work. “I would be able to,” she thought, “if he would only cooperate.” Oh, she didn’t expect perfection from him, really. “I just ... it would be nice if he’d apologize,” Bea thought, sighing. “I understand that it bothers him, I guess. I just wish he wouldn’t be so ... mean about it.”
“Bea?”
Of all the people she would have expected to come looking for her, Gabriel was not one of them. She looked up in surprise as he took a seat next to her. If it weren’t for the strands of silver in his dark hair and the smile lines around his mouth, he wouldn’t have looked any older than she did. His face is gentler than Ethan’s, Bea thought, watching him from the corner of her eyes. It’s softer, somehow. More ... peaceful. There had always been something about Gabriel that struck her as serene, ever since she’d first met him. That was a day she would never forget.
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