by Nina Lindsey
“Well, bring out the Tourism Board.” Juliette lifted her eyebrows. “Sounds like you should write their brochure.”
“It’s a nice town.” Hunter rolled out the blueprint of Oceanview Plaza. “Isn’t that the reason Imperial wants to establish a presence here? Allocating space for a tourism office in Oceanview isn’t a bad idea.”
“No, it’s not.” Juliette came to stand beside him, tapping her manicured fingernail on the blueprint. “I like the way the architect created a direct path to the beach between the buildings. We’ll need to ensure private access for the condo owners as well.”
Hunter studied the plan, pinpointing the spot where Meow and Then was right now. After Oceanview was built, a row of retail shops would take its place. The surrounding trees would give way to a multilevel parking structure, and Destiny’s Moonbeams would become part of the open space plaza, where vertical programmable water jets would shoot out of the concrete-and-brick pavement.
Though the design was precise and well thought-out, the computerized fountains would be nothing compared to what visitors could see if they just drove a couple of miles along the coastal road parallel to Bliss Cove.
Ocean waves rolling and crashing against the rocky outcroppings—maybe even polishing bits of glass under their depths. Birds soaring over the coarse sand beaches, otters swimming on their backs, sea lions lazing about on huge stones.
He took a breath to ease the sudden tightness in his chest. Juliette’s arm brushed against his.
He stepped away and rolled up the blueprints. “We should take these out to the foyer. More room there.”
“Hunter.”
Wary, he turned to face her. She stood with her hands on her hips, her shoulders back and lips slightly pursed.
“I won’t prevaricate,” she said. “Have you given any thought to my offer?”
He pulled a hand through his hair. Her offer could have led to the completion of another piece of his puzzle. Everything would have been neat and tidy, all parts fitting into place like a smooth-running engine.
Exactly what he’d wanted for his future. No surprises. No failures. Just hard work, acclaim, and enough success that he would never run the risk of sliding back to where he’d once been.
“I appreciate the offer.” He met her gaze again. “But you and I getting involved personally could create professional complications that neither one of us will want to deal with.”
A cool expression came down over her face. “I’ll take that as a no, thanks.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“You don’t like to mix business and pleasure, hmm?” She reached out to straighten the collar of his button-down khaki shirt. She swept her gaze to his faded jeans and back up again. “This must be your Bliss Cove suit. You look great, but I prefer the Armani.”
He took hold of her wrist and gently set her hand away from him. “Juliette, I couldn’t have asked for a better colleague all these years. You’re right…we could have had a great partnership, if things were different. But I still have to decline your offer.”
Her mouth tightened. “It’s that girl, isn’t it? The one from the cat café.”
Christ. He was that transparent?
“I was wondering why you’ve been going soft on her.” She dropped her hand away from him with an abrupt laugh. “The Hunter Armstrong I know would have had that little girl’s contract signed, sealed, and delivered in less than a day.”
Tension ran through his shoulders. “She has nothing to do with this. I’m not interested, Juliette. I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.”
“Fine.” She held up her hands and backed away, an invisible shield coming down over her. “But if you’re losing your edge because she’s batting her eyelashes at you and pouting about her poor abandoned cats, then you need to get your shit together fast. Have you forgotten that your promotion and quite possibly the CEO position is hinging on you locking down the Mariposa deal?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten. How I handle this is none of your business.”
Her eyes flashed. “It is my business if the Oceanview project goes to hell because you’ve got the hots for a small-town girl who was stupid enough to open a café in the worst district of Bliss Cove.”
“Enough.” He pointed to the door, his jaw clenching. “You need to leave. This is my project. I’ll handle it my way.”
“Your way better work.” She spun on her heel and grabbed her briefcase. As she started toward the door, she swept her gaze over the room. She stopped at the chair in the corner, where Aria’s torn dress and pink flowered bra and underwear were still folded. His insides clenched.
Juliette gingerly lifted the bra between her thumb and forefinger. “She has nothing to do with this, huh?”
“You need to go.”
“Watch out, Hunter.” Dropping the bra, Juliette drew her shoulders back and eyed him coldly. “That girl may look all sweet and innocent, but she’ll play you like a grand piano if you’re not careful.”
“Leave now, Juliette.”
With a toss of her hair, she strode out, slamming the door behind her.
Hunter dragged his hands over his face. Though he regretted hurting her, he wouldn’t apologize for kicking her out.
He sank onto the edge of the bed and rested his head in his hands. His stay here was supposed to be straightforward. Simple. Get the lay of the land. Convince the Mariposa owners that signing the contract was in their best interest. Make sure the residents knew Imperial Properties was on their side. We’re all in this together, folks.
But now? His thoughts—his stupid feelings—were increasingly knotted. He couldn’t give Aria what she wanted—and she knew it—but he liked her more with every second he spent with her, every little thing he learned about her.
She had both fire and steel, two qualities he hadn’t even known he liked in a woman. He’d always sought out women who were sedate and sophisticated—the ones who would potentially fit into his vision of the future.
Aria never would. It would be more than just “round peg, square hole.” She was like a piece of glass tumbled by the sea, all multifaceted colors and smooth, soft edges. Even if she were cut to fit into his world, she’d lose all her natural appeal.
He stood abruptly and strode to the window. Why was he even linking her and his future in the same thought? His brain seemed to fire on the wrong synapses when it came to her. This was just a comparison, a reminder that his lifelong plan was still very much in place.
You’re still a fucking idiot, Armstrong.
Grabbing his keys, he picked up Aria’s clothes and headed out to his car.
Chapter 19
A knock came at the closed door of the café. Aria set the broom aside. Nerves tensed her belly as she went to let Hunter in. His hair was a disheveled mess, his jaw coated with stubble, and his features lined with tension.
Her heart constricted. She hadn’t seen this Hunter before—not angry or charming or commanding or even grudgingly helpful. This Hunter was upset.
“Here.” He set some clothing on the counter and jabbed his finger at it. “You left those in my room, and I forgot to give them to you the other night.”
“I’d forgotten about them, too. Thanks.” She waved toward the interior door. “Go into the lounge. I’ll bring you some tea.”
“I don’t want any tea.” He pulled a hand through his hair, his shoulders tightening. “I want to see you. I want to talk to you. I want...”
With a muttered curse, he closed the distance between them. Clamping a hand around her waist, he hauled her against him. His breath brushed her lips. His dark eyes seared into hers. A flame of hunger flickered in their brown depths.
“I want you.” He brought his mouth down on hers.
Aria stiffened for half a second before pleasure sparked through her. She curled her hands into the front of his shirt, aching to fall into his kiss. She wished their desire could banish all their conflicts and cross-purpose
s, ease the sharp edge of reality, and assure her that somehow, they could stay friends, become lovers, even—
She broke away and stumbled backward, her breath sticking in her throat. He lifted his head. His features tensed.
“We can’t do this.” She forced the words out. “I like you so much…and I want you so much, which is so completely crazy because even if we didn’t have this contract sitting like a wall between us, I—”
“Forget the fucking contract.” He strode toward her, his face darkening with frustration. “You’re voting no. We’ll discuss it at the meeting and deal with whatever happens. But it’s not a goddamned wall between us. I don’t want…” He paused, and his throat worked with a swallow. “I don’t want there to be anything between us.”
Aria pressed a hand to her racing heart. Tears stung her eyes suddenly.
“But how can there not be? Regardless of what happens, you’re leaving Bliss Cove after the meeting, so…what? We have an affair for the next couple of weeks? Then you go back to New York, and I stay here, and we don’t friend and follow each other on our nonexistent social media accounts? And maybe we exchange a few emails and phone calls…but then what?”
He cursed again and stalked back and forth from the Cat Lounge. “When I go back to New York, I’ll be promoted to the vice-president of Imperial’s West Coast operations. I’ll be in control of all the company’s properties from California to the Rockies. I’ll relocate and work out of our Los Angeles office.”
Aria wiped at a stray tear. Her insides were as tight as pulled yarn. She didn’t dare ask about his future involvement with the Oceanview project. She still intended to fight and would go into the debate with all she had, but if Juliette was telling the truth and Imperial had eight votes already…
Ominous music filtered through the uplifting movie trailer in her head.
Aria had learned a thing or twenty during her relationship with Steve, not the least of which was that sometimes she had to face the hard facts. And the facts were still that Imperial Properties would always be more powerful, and that many Mariposa owners were happy about their contract.
The fact was that she might lose.
The debate.
The vote.
Her building.
Her café.
The cats.
Hunter.
With every fiber of her being, she didn’t want to lose any of those things. She especially didn’t want to lose Hunter.
“I will not let the contract or anything else come between us.” He stopped in front of her, determination suddenly blazing from him. “I won’t let it stop me from telling you that I’m falling for you. Hard. A goddamned freefall.”
Aria’s pulse cartwheeled wildly. “You…you are?”
“Yes.” His features softening, he reached out to run his hand through her hair, combing the long strands back from her forehead. “This was in no way part of the plan, but it’s the truth. The second I opened that window and saw you, I was done. I just didn’t know it yet.”
“Oh.” A bubble of happiness formed beneath her heart, easing the painful ache of misgivings and insurmountable problems. “It was the same for me.”
He stilled, his hand tightening in her hair. “It was?”
“You were bad-tempered and unpleasant, and totally captivating standing there with your sleeves rolled up and your hair all messy.” A smile twitched the corners of her mouth. “In fact, you had me at glower.”
“If I had you then…” He pulled her closer, tenderness flaring in the depths of his eyes. “There is no way I’m letting you go now.”
He kissed her. Sparks flared in her veins. She wound her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers into his hair. All thought slipped away with the certain knowledge that she wanted this. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
She lifted her head. Her breathing increased. Anticipation coiled through her along with a touch of nervousness. Twining her fingers with his, she led him up the narrow staircase to her room.
He cast a glance around at the plaster walls that she’d decorated with nature prints and photos, the old wooden bookshelf stuffed with books, the large bed covered with an Indian-print comforter.
“I saw you when I was out for a jog one morning.” He indicated the window in the kitchen alcove. “Just the sight of you and my heart almost pounded out of my chest.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Like it’s doing right now.”
She smiled and slipped her arms around his waist, settling their lower bodies together. He cupped his hand under her chin, tilting her face up to his before kissing her gently.
A thousand songs broke open inside Aria because whatever happened in the future, she would always cherish the moment she stood in the strong circle of Hunter’s arms and returned his kiss without reservation. She parted her lips under his, every nerve ending awakening as he swept his tongue into her mouth in a claim of possession.
Slowly he slid his hands down her sides to grasp her hips. She stepped backward toward the bed, keeping their lips locked together. When her legs hit the mattress, she grabbed his shirtfront and fell backward onto the bed, taking him with her.
Hunter caught himself and planted both hands on either side of her head as he gazed down at her. His breath brushed her lips. His eyes blazed.
“You’re sure,” he said.
“I’m sure.” Yanking him closer, she pulled him down on top of her. “Are you sure?”
A hoarse laugh rumbled from his chest. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“Kiss me.”
He did. Desire flooded her. Winding her arms around his shoulders, she opened her mouth and wrapped one leg around his thighs. He muttered her name, pressing his lips across her cheek, down to her neck. Electric sparks shot to her core. With a few quick twists, he unfastened the buttons lining the front of her dress and parted the folds to reveal her blue bra and panties. Aria shifted to take off her bra, her heart racing.
“You’re incredible.” Hunter’s breath escaped in a hard rush. He kissed the curves of her breasts and slid his hand down into her underwear.
Aria squirmed and gasped as he brought her to orgasm with an expert touch. Still quivering, she tugged at the front of his shirt. “Your turn.”
He moved away to take off his shirt and jeans. Aria’s mouth went dry at the sight of his sculpted abdomen with a trail of hair leading straight down to the impressive bulge in his boxer briefs. He hooked his fingers into his briefs and shoved them off before rejoining her on the bed and covering her.
Then there was nothing between them, not even air, as their bodies pressed and rubbed together. He kissed her everywhere, trailing his lips over her breasts, her belly, her thighs. She explored his body with both fascination and delight, stroking his chest and tracing all the slopes of his muscles.
A delicious spool of arousal coiled around her. Thought and time dissolved under the onslaught of pleasure. He eased away from her only long enough to put on a condom, and the brief separation felt like an eternity. When he edged between her legs, a hot, melting sensation spread through Aria’s blood. Slowly he pushed inside her, his jaw set with self-restraint. She dug her fingers into his shoulders and hooked her legs around his thighs.
His easy, slick immersion into her was the sweetest torture, intensifying her urgency like silk pulled on a spindle. She let him set the pace of their union before she began arching up to meet his every thrust. Her whole body flexed and tensed. Their rhythm became harder and faster, driving them both toward the pinnacle.
A cry tore from her throat when bliss exploded over her nerves. She quivered and shook, tightening her hold on him. He lowered his mouth to hers and swept his tongue between her lips. Only when she calmed did he surge inside her with a rough groan, his own body shuddering with release.
Hunter collapsed on top of her, his chest heaving against her breasts. Aria wrapped her arms around him and pulled in a breath. Her blood hummed with lingering arousal.
Her heart constricted. She shifted to reach for her robe when he clamped his arm around her shoulders and hauled her against him.
God. Even in repose, his body flexed with strength and power.
His grip on her tightened. She rested her head on his shoulder and slipped her arm around his waist. He made a deep, contented noise low in his chest. The sound vibrated through Aria and settled inside her. She closed her eyes, soothed into sleep by his tiger rumble.
Aria woke still pressed to his strong body. Warmth flowed through her. She listened to the sound of his heartbeat for a few minutes before lifting her head to find him watching her. His dark eyes gleamed in the light of the old streetlamps, the golden glow spilling through the windows.
“I can hear the ocean.” He threaded his hand through her hair. “Must be nice to fall asleep and wake up to that sound every day.”
“It is. I didn’t think of it when I converted this place into an apartment.” She ran her hand over his chest. “Then my first night here, I was so nervous and scared. I’d only been back in Bliss Cove for a few weeks, and I’d dropped all my money into an old building with the hopes of starting a business, even though I’d never been able to see one through before, and I was suddenly panicking and second-guessing every decision. Then I heard the waves, and I remembered walking along Mariposa Street with my father, and I felt like he’d sent the waves to comfort me. So I opened all the windows and stayed awake all night listening to them.”
He was quiet for a moment. “What brought you back to Bliss Cove?”
“I needed to come home.” Aria shifted to glance at the clock. “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” He pushed to one elbow.
“The cats. I always feed them after closing, and I totally forgot.” She reached for a pair of pajama pants near the bed and tugged them on, shooting him a mild glare. “I was a little distracted.”