“What do you want?” she asked. “To be on the payroll?”
“I think you know what I want,” he said, refusing to look away from her.
“I’m not sleeping with you,” she said. “I don’t do no-strings-attached relationships.”
Chet cocked his head. “I don’t want that.” Did she really think so little of him? “You know what, Olympia? I think maybe you just need…maybe I need to find somewhere else to stay.”
Her eyebrows creased. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you think all I want is sex and that I might be lying to you to get it.”
She flinched, and Chet was actually glad.
“I don’t think that,” she said quietly.
“That’s exactly what you just said.” He folded his arms, the thought of eating ice cream beyond him now. “And you know what? Just because my girlfriend broke up with me five weeks ago doesn’t mean I’m on the rebound.” He set his spoon on the table with a couple of clicks. “You’ve made so many assumptions about me, and none of them are true.”
His heart hammered in his chest, because he did like this woman, and sure, he’d imagined kissing her. A man would have to be dead not to think about that. She had a great smile, and beautiful curves, and that hair. Oh, that hair.
“You know what?” she asked. “You’re right.”
Chet’s brain tried to catch up to what she’d said. “I am?”
“Yes,” she said simply. “I assume the worst about men since I found out about Hunter. You know, the married boyfriend I had?”
“I remember.” Chet should’ve realized how warped that had made her. “How long ago did you find out?” Maybe it had only been a few weeks, like him.
“It’s been three years now,” she said, putting the lid back on the pint of ice cream. She got up and put it back in the freezer. “I know I should be over him. I am over him. I’m just not…I don’t know how to trust a man.”
Chet twisted and looked up at her. “You can trust me,” he said. “I’m not here spying on you. I’m just here to relax. Figure out what to do next with my life.”
“You’re bored,” she said with a small smile.
“Of course I’m bored,” he said. “I used to work as much as you do, which by the way, isn’t healthy.”
“Oh, I hear it enough from my mother,” Olympia said. “I don’t need a lecture from you too.”
He held up his hands in acquiescence. “I don’t want to argue with you.” He wanted her to come sit back down. Talk to him. Tell him more about herself so he could share his life with someone too.
Olympia seemed to be able to read his mind, because she returned to the table and said, “There’s a bonfire down the beach a ways,” she said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with Heartwood. Would you like to go with me?”
“Tonight?” he asked.
“Tomorrow,” she said. “I’ll take off early, and we’ll go.”
He looked at her, indecision raging through him. He slowly reached across the table and took her hand in his. “Can I do this tomorrow at the bonfire?”
A flirtatious grin appeared on her lips. “I suppose so.”
Running his thumb across her fingers, he said, “Great, I’m in.”
“Great,” she echoed. “Now, how do you feel about card games?”
“Card games?”
“I’m feeling like we should play a card game tonight. I’d like to see how you handle losing.”
“Oh, ho,” Chet chortled. “I see how you are.” But he didn’t really. She was still a mystery to him—a good mystery. One he wanted to dive into and not come back up until he’d solved it. Problem was, Chet knew more about losing than he cared to admit.
They both stood up, and Chet took her into his arms. It was an effortless movement, and she willingly came, surprising him slightly. “I’m sorry about the popcorn,” he whispered, pushing her hair behind her ear and over her shoulder.
“Things happen,” she said. “I know that. I’ve tried so many things that have failed.”
“I’d love to hear all about them,” he said. “While I beat you at this card game you’re talking about.”
Chapter Nine
Olympia bustled around her penthouse, trying to remember everything she’d need for a romantic stroll along the beach with Chet. She was very careful not to call him her boyfriend. She wasn’t ready for one of those, and while they’d survived their first real argument, she’d decided to try to keep things light between them.
After all, she did have to live across the hall from the man. Share an elevator with him. Implement some of the things he’d suggested for the surfing competition, which began in just ten days.
She exhaled, the pressure of running the inn at its peak tonight. “Let it go,” she murmured to herself as she went into the bathroom to pull her hair up. People always had good things to say about Carter’s Cove, but if there was one complaint Olympia saw all the time, it was about the wind.
It was July, so she didn’t need a sweater, and she decided her white blouse with the pink sailboats on it could stay, but she’d replace her slacks with a pair of navy cotton shorts. A pair of flip flops later, and she was ready to hit the beach.
The bonfire was an annual event put on by the local restaurants and bars, and it featured cocktails, appetizers, and a live band. The goal was to raise awareness of locally owned business, and Olympia supported that cause whole-heartedly.
The last thing she needed was another big hotel chain coming in, trying to squeeze out the little guys. She’d just warded off another offer for the Heartwood property that morning, and she knew the line would just be getting longer.
Thankfully, the high-rise that had been going up had been stalled by the vandalism investigation. She needed to talk to Alissa and see if Shawn knew anything more about that. It would be great if that building didn’t come to fruition, as it would block the northwest view for the patrons at the inn.
Someone knocked on her door, and it could only be Chet. She hurried to open it and found him standing there in a pair of black shorts and a pale blue shirt that hung open at the collar.
He lifted his sunglasses and said, “Wow, you look great.” His eyes moved down her body and back to her face. “I guess I don’t need these, do I?” He fell back a couple of steps, never looking away from her, and opened his door. He tossed the shades inside, and returned to her, drawing her right into his arms.
She laughed as she hugged him. “It’s been a terrible day,” she said, going for honesty tonight. “So yes. I’m ready for some fun and relaxation.”
“Why such a terrible day?” He stepped back, and Olympia grabbed her cell phone and her credit card from the table beside the door.
“Oh, another big company wants to come in and buy everything my family has built over the past hundred and twenty years.” She sighed and tucked her hand into his as they walked toward the elevator. “You know. Business as usual.”
“You do own a lot of property on this island,” he said. “Some of it undeveloped.”
She’d told him about the family beach cottages, the sand dunes that swelled between them, last night while they played cards. “Yeah, I know. It’s just exhausting, dealing with land sharks. They don’t seem to understand the word ‘no’.”
Chet chuckled, and they stepped onto the elevator. “Well, I toured a lighthouse today, and it was fascinating.”
“Oh, the Harbor Bay one?”
“Yep,” he said. “There’s a lot to do on this island. I can’t believe my family never came here.”
“Well, you probably went to Whistlestop Shores. That’s where all the rich people vacation. I’ve heard there are more vacation homes there than normal houses. People live there part-time.”
“Hmm,” he said, and she knew she’d hit the nail right on the head.
She giggled and pressed her palm against his chest. “You do that whenever I’m right,” she teased. “You did it last night during the game too. Tha
t’s how I beat you so many times.”
“We were almost tied,” he said, his left eyebrow quirking.
“Hmm.” She imitated him, laughing when he shook his head.
“We did go to Whistlestop Shores,” Chet admitted as they got off the elevator and headed for the front doors.
“Of course you did. What else did you do as a child?” He’d told her a little bit about the plantation, and a few sentences about his family.
“I learned to fence,” he said. “That was very important to my grandfather.”
“Fencing,” she said. “Fascinating.”
“It was rather dull,” he said. “I learned to ride horses. Competed in that for a few years. Let’s see.”
They stepped outside, and the glorious pink and gold rays from the sunset seemed to render him speechless. Olympia drew in a deep breath too, more content tonight than she’d been since she’d learned Hunter had been married during the months they’d dated. Not only that, but she wasn’t his only girlfriend.
Thankfully, no one knew about their relationship, and she’d been able to avoid any mention of her in the newspapers and articles that had come out when his other mistress came to light.
“This place is stunning,” he said. “Maybe I should move here permanently.”
Olympia’s heart squeezed tight, tighter. “Maybe you should. I know my sister’s boyfriend just rented a house on the north tip of the island. I’m sure there are places.”
“I’m restless,” he said, his voice taking on a vulnerable quality that made Olympia’s compassion roar to life. “I need something to do here.”
“What? You can’t take tours of the lighthouse every day?” She nudged him forward, and they merged onto the walking path that went past the tennis courts on Heartwood property and down the beach toward the boardwalk, where the bonfire would be.
“Maybe I could work at the grocery store,” he said. “They’re always busy.”
“You have a degree in hospitality management,” she said. “Get a job at a hotel. Bed and breakfast…inn.” The thought of having him at the inn full-time made her heart prance and shrink at the same time.
The only way she could tolerate that was if they had a long future together. And she knew what that meant. She’d have to call him her boyfriend, and then her fiancé, and then her husband.
Fear thumped through her with every beat of her heart. Was she ready for that?
“You went quiet,” he said gently.
“Did I?”
“I asked you how far we had to walk, and you didn’t answer.”
“Oh, it’s about three-quarters of a mile. We can get a ride back if we don’t feel like walking. Tons of bicycle cabs and such line up at the bonfire.”
Chet’s hand in hers squeezed. “What were you thinking about?”
“Honestly?” Olympia didn’t want to be anything but honest with him, and that scared her too.
“I’d like that,” he said.
“Us,” she admitted. “I mean, what we’re doing.” She lifted their joined hands slightly. “I’m…I’m over Hunter. I am. I’m just…this would be the first relationship since that.”
“I understand,” he said. “You’re no-strings, and you’re wondering if this will last longer than two months.”
“Right.”
Chet gazed down the path, which they shared with several other people walking toward the boardwalk beach beyond the Heartwood property. “I sure do like you, Olympia.”
“Let’s talk more about you working for the inn next week during the surfing competition.” Maybe that could be a trial of how they’d work together. No, the popcorn idea hadn’t panned out, but that could’ve been because of the Thresher triplets. Didn’t mean it was a bad idea. She just needed to try again.
Try again.
The words revolved through her head, but she wasn’t thinking about anything to do with the inn. No, she was trying to convince her heart they could try again. That Chet wasn’t Hunter, and maybe—just maybe—things between her and Chet would work out.
An hour later, full dark had settled over the island, but the night blazed with bright orange fire. She stood back a bit from the flames, as it certainly wasn’t cold enough to stand too close.
Chet had brought her a frozen raspberry virgin cocktail when she’d said she didn’t drink, and he nursed a seltzer water as they listened to the bluegrass band and took appetizers from trays as they went by.
The atmosphere at the bonfire was casual, light, and sophisticated at the same time. The fire caught on plenty of sequins and glasses of champagne as the crowd swelled. But Olympia felt like she and Chet existed within their own little bubble, where his steady body heat behind her made her feel beautiful in a way she hadn’t in so long.
“O?”
She turned toward the sound of her sister’s voice. “Alissa.” She inched away from Chet as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. “Shawn.” Her sister held her boyfriend’s hand, and they both looked utterly happy.
A pinch of jealousy hit Olympia in the back of her throat, and she cleared it away loudly. “How are you guys?” She hugged them both. “I haven’t seen you in a few days.”
“Good,” Alissa said with a smile, her eyes moving to Chet.
“Oh, this is Chet,” Olympia said. “He’s staying in the other penthouse right now. Chet, my sister Alissa, and her boyfriend, Shawn.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said, snaking his arm past her to shake Alissa’s hand. He did the same for Shawn and settled behind Olympia again, that hand coming to rest on her hip.
Her sister saw it. Saw it all, and when her eyes met Olympia’s again, they held a joyful, dancing fire of their own. A slow smile stretched her face, and she said, “I’ll come see you tomorrow after the catch, okay? We need to talk about the surfing competition and what kind of seafood you need for your new beach-side menu.”
She linked her arm through Shawn’s and tugged him away. Olympia swallowed, sure she and Alissa would be talking about much more than the seafood needed for their new menu.
The band finished their set and the lead singer said, “We’ll have three more songs in about fifteen minutes. Be sure to come up to the table and register with your local small businesses to win great prizes.”
Olympia turned to Chet. “Do you want to stay?”
“Yeah,” he said. “This place has a cool vibe.” He smiled, the firelight making his face shine in shadows and light.
Olympia’s breath stuck in her throat at the beauty of him, his gentle spirit, the easy way he seemed to be able to do everything from play cards with her, to talk about his past, to meet her sister.
She felt mesmerized by him, and she became aware that she was tipping up on her toes as if she’d kiss him right there on the sand, in front of everyone.
The spell between them broke, and he said, “I’m going to go find out about buying this band’s music. You want to come?”
She fixed her hand in his, ready to go with him when she caught sight of another of her sisters. “Oh, my word,” she said, staring at Sheryl, who never came to things like this. Not that Olympia really knew, as she usually didn’t either, though she had been frequenting the bonfire since its inception eleven years ago.
“That’s my sister, Sheryl,” she said, pointing through the crowd. Chet looked, and Olympia added, “Does it look like she’s holding that man’s hand?”
Chet moved left a little to see better. “I don’t know.” The moving flames cast shadows in different places constantly, and she couldn’t tell.
“Can you handle meeting another sister?”
“Of course.”
She led him across the distance between Sheryl and her mystery man. He was tall and wore a white dress shirt that contrasted nicely with his darker skin and hair. He turned toward them, and he had a well-trimmed beard that would have Sheryl’s pulse in a tizzy every time she looked at him. Olympia knew her sister, and her whole face glowed in the light from
the bonfire.
“Sheryl?” she said when she was close enough for her sister to recognize.
She startled, and sure enough, she stepped away from the man half a step behind her. “Olympia.”
“This is Chet,” she said, indicating the handsome man she was with.
“Gage,” she said, and Olympia shook the man’s hand. He had dark eyes that shone like oil in the dim light.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, her next question right on the tip of her tongue. “What are you guys doing here?”
“It’s the bonfire,” Sheryl said. “I wanted to get out of the house tonight.” Her eyes said so much more, and Olympia suddenly knew who Gage was. The security detail she’d asked to take her home at night. Maybe the guy who’d been giving her trouble was parked outside again, so she and Gage had come to the bonfire.
Olympia put pieces together quickly, and she smiled at her sister. “It’s great, isn’t it?”
“I really like the band,” Sheryl said. “Did you know the banjo player is Mat Lindstrom, from high school?”
“Really?” Olympia asked. “I didn’t recognize him.”
Chet leaned closer to her, and she turned her head so he could whisper in her ear. “I’ll be back in a minute, okay?”
She nodded, and he eased away from her, moving across the sand with grace and power to the table where the band stood.
“What’s with you two?” Sheryl asked. “You’ve never said you’re seeing someone new.”
“I’m still trying to figure out what we are.” She cut a look at Gage and lowered her voice. “I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Sheryl just blinked. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Olympia watched Gage edge closer to her sister, and she just smiled and said, “Hmm.”
Chapter Ten
Chet enjoyed the salty night air, the weight of Olympia’s hand in his, the silence between them. Other people had quiet conversations on the way back to the inn, but she’d finished telling him about her sister several minutes ago.
“Let’s meet tomorrow about your paperwork,” she said as they entered the lobby. “If you still want to work for the inn for that week of the surfing competition.”
Accidental Sweetheart Page 6