by Donna Alward
Brooklyn yawned. “Sleep.”
“Then in you go.” He pulled down the covers and she crawled inside, fully clothed. The mattress felt absolutely heavenly, the pillow cradled her head perfectly. Her whole body melted into the fine linens.
“You’re going to sleep too, right?” she asked, closing her eyes.
“You bet I am.”
“Okay. Good.” She was starting to drift off when she said, “Cole?”
“Yes, Brooklyn?”
“Thank you. So very much. I couldn’t bear to lose him.”
“I know. Sleep now.”
She thought she felt his fingers brush the hair off her face. And then she remembered nothing.
* * *
When she woke, it was to the sensation of something warm pressed up against her back. She blinked against the brightness of the room—they hadn’t bothered to shut the curtains—and remembered that she was in a gorgeous hotel suite with Cole. And that it was Cole who was spooning her right now, his breaths deep and even against her ear.
Brooklyn didn’t want to move, it felt so good.
A few short weeks ago he’d come to the island with all intentions of getting her to sell her house. Now he was snuggled up next to her, after they’d weathered a hurricane together and he’d singlehandedly saved her best friend.
Because if they hadn’t gotten Marvin prompt attention, the outcome might have been very different.
She’d had him pegged as an entitled, spoiled, rich jerk, but he hadn’t borne out that initial impression. Indeed, he was caring and funny and generous.
And, boy, did he know how to kiss.
He snuffled a bit behind her and shifted, and she let out a sigh. His hand moved over her arm, and she hummed a little at the soft, soothing touch. When was the last time someone had casually grazed her arm like that? Or held her? She hadn’t let anyone this close in years. Especially physically. It had only taken a few brief minutes on a spring afternoon to instill an aversion to having her space invaded. The attack had made it impossible for her to be intimate with anyone. But now she felt no panic. She hadn’t on the beach the other night, either. All she felt with Cole was safe and protected.
Well, perhaps more than that.
“Did you get some rest?”
His voice sent ripples of pleasure down her spine. “I did, thank you.”
“Good. You needed it.”
She rolled over to face him, and was suddenly aware of the room they occupied. She’d been too tired and overwrought earlier, but now she realized that the suite they were in was stunning. It was probably nothing next to Cole’s regular accommodations, but to her the huge space, luxurious bed linens and sweeping views were nothing short of amazing. She could never afford a night in a place like this on her own.
She definitely didn’t want him thinking she expected it or...worse, that she was taking advantage. “Cole, I want to pay my share of the room.” She didn’t mention the helicopter ride or the cabs, though. They were both aware of the differences in their lifestyles. She wished she could afford to split the cost straight down the middle, but her finances would never withstand it. Instead, she’d feel forever in his debt. She didn’t like that. Didn’t like feeling indebted to anyone.
He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “If you feel you must, but it’s not necessary, okay? I would have done the same for any friend.”
She believed him. And not just because it assuaged her guilt, but because Cole was turning out to be the kind of man who told the truth. “Any friend?” she asked. She seriously doubted Cole’s friends ever needed this sort of help.
He smiled at her, his eyes still a little soft from sleep. “To show you I mean it, I’ll share a funny story. I was traveling for work but found out that Jeremy was back in New York, licking his wounds because Tori had left him. I dropped everything, hopped on a plane and then Branson and I showed up at Jeremy’s office and staged a romantic intervention.”
She snorted a little. The picture of the two men offering relationship advice to Jeremy seemed utterly unreal. And yet... Jeremy and Tori were very happy. “I’m trying to imagine that.”
“It really happened. He was miserable and taking it out on everyone around him. Anyway, I told you so you can see that I mean it, Brooklyn. When people are important to me, it’s a pleasure to be able to help them.” His eyes darkened. “Sometimes I wonder what I can possibly do with all my money. Helping friends is a good start.”
Still, one thing stuck with her. “We’re friends?”
A slow smile crept up his cheek. She was beneath the covers and he was on top, but it felt intimate just the same. “Aren’t we?”
“I suppose we are,” she conceded. “It’s just unexpected.”
“For me, too. But I’m not sorry.”
She waited a few moments, trying to put her thoughts into words that wouldn’t offend him. Finally, she met his gaze. “You’re much nicer than I expected.”
“Thank you?” He phrased it as a question. “Glad you think I’m nice. Not sure I’m as glad you didn’t think so in the beginning.”
She laughed softly. How lovely was it that they were still facing each other, talking? Was this what her grandmother had used to call “sweet nothings?”
“I had this idea of who you were. Especially after some of the things you said at first, about working hard and playing hard, and offering to buy me out without batting an eye at the price. You’re in your mid-thirties, and not married. No girlfriend you’ve mentioned. I had this image in my head of a playboy, but that isn’t being borne out by your behavior.”
His smile widened. “Oh, I’m glad.” His hand was still on her arm and his thumb made little circles. She wasn’t even sure he knew he was doing it. “Here’s the thing, Brooklyn. I did work hard and play hard for a lot of years. But things changed after my heart scare. I’d been trying so hard to be like my dad in some ways and very unlike him in others. I wanted to follow in his footsteps at Abbott, but I was determined to stay away from marriage, since he and my mother barely spoke. In the end, he died a young man because he was a workaholic. That is not a path I’d like to follow.”
“Do you feel you’ve let him down somehow by slowing down, or adjusting your priorities?”
His eyes widened in acknowledgment. “Man, you hit the nail on the head. I do. Abbott Industries was everything to him. He was so damned good at it. I made a different choice, and on one level I know it was the right one. But I still haven’t quite moved past the idea that I’ve failed or something.”
“There’s nothing wrong with searching for some balance in life. Or...getting off the hamster wheel.”
“Intellectually I know that. I guess...” He halted, looked down and then lifted his gaze again. “I’ve always been looking for approval. My parents didn’t have a good marriage. Certainly not overtly loving, and I’m an only child. It always seemed Dad’s hopes were pinned on me. There was never any question of me not taking over the business. It was just a matter of when.”
“And you’re okay with that? Didn’t you ever want to do something else?”
He smiled a little. “I went through a stage where I wanted to be a football quarterback. And then one where I thought I should be in a rock band. But seriously...no. I love the company. I want to see it succeed. And yet...”
His voice trailed away, and Brooklyn reached out to touch his cheek. “What is it?”
“Dad was a workaholic in an unworkable marriage. I don’t want that for myself. So... I’ve never been much for relationships. I mean, that’s just setting myself up for failure, isn’t it? And I’m desperately trying to find the right balance so I can keep Abbott strong enough to withstand this economy, without putting myself in the hospital.”
“Good thing you don’t have high expectations of yourself, then,” she quipped and smiled. “That’s a lot of p
ressure on one person.”
“I have a lot of responsibilities.”
Brooklyn didn’t quite get that, because she had deliberately set up her own life to be simple. Perhaps too simple, really. She loved the island, but was it enough to keep her through all her days?
When Cole had arrived on the island, she’d wanted nothing more than to keep everything exactly the same. But was that reasonable? Staying exactly the same meant she’d never be married, or have children of her own. She’d live alone in her grandparents’ house and what, knit for the rest of her life?
“What is it?” Cole asked. “You suddenly looked very sad.”
“Nothing, really. Just realizing how life carries us along with it no matter what we plan.”
Before he could ask her what she meant, her phone buzzed. Grateful for the interruption, she rolled over and retrieved it from the table beside the bed. Dr. Thorpe had sent through a photo of Marvin, who was awake and apparently very groggy.
Power’s on for real and Marvin’s awake.
He’d punctuated it with a smiley face.
“Look,” she said, rolling back and showing him the screen. “Marvin’s loopy but conscious.” She felt so much relief she was lightheaded with it. “Again, thank you so much.”
“Turns out this has worked out okay for me,” he said softly, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
And yet his words about not wanting a relationship still echoed. Brooklyn struggled to define what was happening between them. They were neighbors. Friends. She wasn’t exactly poor, but she had a very modest existence next to his lavish one. He had a high-powered career and she made a small living out of what had been a hobby. Their lives intersected in one small way—being on the island at the same time. But that was it.
So what did she want from this moment, right now, in a hotel room? It wasn’t sex. Not that she didn’t think it would be spectacular, because after what had happened on the beach she was sure there would be fireworks. But it would also make her incredibly vulnerable, and she wasn’t ready for that. Not when there was no future in it.
“Cole...”
“Don’t say it. I can see it on your face, and it’s okay. Let’s just get up, order some food and figure out what’s next.”
He wasn’t going to push. She appreciated it and respected him for it. She was also a little disappointed in herself. Why was it so hard to reach out and take the opportunity before her?
Her throat tightened. The answer was simple, but certainly not easy to acknowledge. The truth was, one afternoon out of her lifetime had changed everything. It had made her seek guarantees, and in the absence of guarantees, she couldn’t bring herself to take chances. And that was okay, wasn’t it? Everyone made choices based on past experiences. After all, Cole had made several choices based on his upbringing and his father’s death. He’d just said so.
Moreover, the only guarantee she wanted from him was that he’d leave her property alone, and he’d essentially done that already.
So she smiled as Cole rolled off the bed and reached for the in-room dining menu. In a matter of hours she’d be taking Marvin back home and life would get back to normal, wouldn’t it? And despite her recent “is this all there is” thoughts, she was at least happy that she’d had the power to make those choices for herself.
Cole ordered up a feast of brunch foods: omelets, home fries, crisp bacon, a fruit platter with ripe berries, grapes and melon, pastries, and lots of coffee.
When their bellies were full, they ventured outside to the mile-long beach and listened to the pounding surf left over from the storm. The sun had come out, but there was a mess of driftwood and seaweed strewn behind on the normally pristine white sand. The crisp breeze was invigorating, and when they returned to the resort, they learned from the staff that power was slowly being restored across the province.
The island was sure to still be without, but she could manage with the generator—
The generator! In her haste last night, she’d forgotten to start it up at the house. Now it had been twenty-four hours and her fridge and freezer were sure to be thawed. Dammit! All her food would be wasted.
When she said as much to Cole, he frowned and fired off a text to Dan.
“It’s too late,” she lamented. “Dan can’t do anything, Cole. It should have been done first thing this morning at the latest. I was planning on returning home this morning and starting it up if the power wasn’t back on.”
But Cole merely smiled and handed over his phone.
Thought of it and went to the house this morning. Damage is minimal and the generator’s working fine. Will refuel it tonight.
She stared at the screen. “Dan did that?”
“Apparently. See? Nothing to worry about.”
It had been so long since she’d relied on anyone, or even had someone look after her welfare, that she wasn’t sure what to say.
“Have you checked your email or anything?”
She shook her head. “No. I’ve been trying to save battery.” Indeed, her phone was now down to 32 percent. “And my data.”
“I was going to check mine back in the room.” He looked down at her and took her hand. The wind was cool in the aftermath of the storm, the tropical humidity gone from the air and leaving a distinctive fall feeling behind. “I’m sure they’ll have charge cords at the desk. Unless you want to go home tonight. I can put Dave on standby.”
She hadn’t even thought of Dave. “Oh my gosh, is he still at the airstrip?”
Cole chuckled. “No. I sent him back to Halifax just after you went to sleep. Whenever we need him, he can be back here in a few hours. If you want to go home tonight...”
They could go back to the island. She could always return for Marvin with the boat tomorrow. It would be rough sailing, but the seas would be calmer than today. Or they could stay at the resort tonight and take Marvin home tomorrow if he was ready.
It would mean spending the night with Cole...
“I’ve got the room for the night anyway, Brooklyn, so it’s entirely up to you.”
There was only one bed. It was a giant one, but...
Cole sighed and looked out over the water. Brooklyn wasn’t sure what to make of the dejected sound. Was he frustrated with her? With the situation?
“It’s entirely up to you,” she offered. “You’ve been so kind already. I will work around whatever it is you want.”
He didn’t look at her. “What I want is you. I told you that once before. So keep that in mind when you decide if you want to go home tonight or if you want to stay.”
Then he turned his head to look at her. “I want you, Brooklyn. Even if it’s for one night only.”
That was it, then. He still wasn’t looking for a relationship or anything more than a fling. The only thing left to decide was if she was willing to accept one night in his bed, or if she would protect her heart and her body and do the safe and sensible thing.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
COLE SAW THE struggle on Brooklyn’s face and mentally prepared himself to call Dave and ask for a return flight to the island.
She liked him. He knew that for sure. But he also knew she was the kind of woman who played it safe. The walk on the dunes the other night had been an exception to the rule, but it had given him a taste of what she could be like when she dropped her guard and let her passion out to play.
He liked that woman a lot. He liked her anyway, but that night was branded on his memory with its sweetness and vulnerability and trust.
But when it was over, he’d sensed that it wasn’t something to be repeated. And he might have promised her that nothing would happen tonight if they stayed. Nothing would happen if she didn’t wish it. But he wasn’t going to pretend that he didn’t want it to. Because he did. He wanted to be with her, hear her say his name, feel her b
ody against his. He wanted to be held in her arms, hear her throaty laughter in the dark. The choice was hers.
She met his gaze, her blue eyes troubled. “I don’t know how to... I mean, I...” she stammered. “Cole, I don’t know how to be casual, or...damn. I don’t know how to say this without it sounding prudish or judgy or old-fashioned. It’s not about that, really. It’s more...”
She stopped again, and his heart softened. “Being vulnerable. Or...perhaps separating the physical from the emotional.” Her cheeks reddened. “That’s probably as good an explanation as any.”
“And because we both avoid the word love like the plague.”
She laughed a little, and he was glad. Facing this head-on was probably the right thing. Ignoring things unsaid would only lead to a mess.
“Well, that, too.” She bit her lip for a moment before speaking again. “We have very different lives. They’ve intersected while you’ve been on the island, but let’s not pretend that we actually exist in each other’s spheres, both geographically and socially. What’s between us...maybe it’s real or maybe it’s purely situational. But I... I’m not sure I can do sex in a situational way.”
He nodded, disappointed but knowing he’d get over it. “I’m more than walking hormones,” he replied. “I won’t deny that I’m very attracted to you. But nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen, if that’s what you’re worried about. You’re very much in control, here, Brooklyn. Heck, there’s a sofa. If you want, I’ll sleep there. Or another room might free up for tonight.” He put his hand along her cheek, the skin smooth and cool from the ocean breeze. “Whatever you want, that’s what you’ll have.”
“What I want isn’t fair.” Her hair whipped around her cheek and she raised her hand to tuck it away. “I want to kiss you right now, right after saying that we can’t be together. I’m a big mess of mixed signals, and I know it. But I think I’d like to stay, and we can take Marvin home tomorrow. If that’s okay.”