She’d turned to look at him, and he’d responded by staring back. One thing led to another, and they’d made out right in the center of her flower shop.
Just as they were about to head up the stairs to make the mistake even worse, a customer had walked in. Taylor had practically run out the door.
After that, they’d avoided each other.
So mature.
“Are you going to knock or just stand there?”
Allison screamed and the dogs that accompanied Taylor broke out barking. He’d walked up and she’d not heard him. Too busy musing.
So, while the dogs circled them, wagging tails and jumping, both she and Taylor did their best to look anywhere but at each other.
“Luke and Tobias have been trying to reach you all day.” She finally met his hazel gaze. “They need to talk to you before making a decision about something. You haven’t been answering your cell.”
His right hand went to his back pocket and then to his front jeans pocket. “Damn. Where did I leave that thing?”
She looked past him to his truck. “Truck?”
“Right. Hold up.” He signaled for her to wait and went to the silver truck. While he rummaged through the vehicle, she crossed her arms and waited.
Finally he came back to the porch. “Not in there. Can’t imagine leaving it anywhere else.”
She followed him into the house and was astounded by how pristine it was. From the entryway, there was what looked to be an office to the right and a dining room on the left. The furnishings were obviously high end, and she surmised had been left from when Taylor’s aunt and uncle lived there.
They continued into a spacious living room and kitchen combination. Even there, everything was in its place. There were comfortable leather couches with plush throws over one arm. Two recliners flanked on one side with tall tables perfect for holding a laptop and cup of coffee were centered facing the fireplace.
“Your house is incredible.” She couldn’t help walking into the center of the room to take in the décor. “That’s amazing,” she said, pointing to a metal modern art fixture above the fireplace.
Taylor looked to the piece. “My aunt decorated the place. We have a weekly cleaning service, so you can’t give us credit for it staying like this.”
“With two bachelors living here, I expected open pizza boxes and dirty underwear on the floor.”
His handsome face scrunched into a look of disgust. “That would be gross.”
“Pizza or the underwear?” Allison enjoyed teasing him.
“I only allow myself that luxury once or twice a month at the most. I am pretty much a chicken and vegetable guy. Dirty underwear is okay.”
“Really, that’s all you eat?” She scanned his sleek muscular body. “You competing for some sort of body building thing?”
He met her gaze for a long beat until she had to look away. “My stomach is messed up from when I got shot. Had to have my spleen and gall bladder removed and other stuff got rearranged. So I can’t eat a lot of the stuff I really like.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” Allison shrugged not wanting to focus on his body any longer. “You need to find your phone. Or, you can use mine to call the guys.”
Taylor walked to the kitchen, looked around and then disappeared down a hall to where she imagined was his bedroom. To keep busy, she went to the recliners and felt around the sides. Coming up empty, she did the same with the couch.
When he returned, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. At the doorway, his height was emphasized. He was well toned, with muscular arms and a broad chest. It had to be a Hamilton trait how well they filled out their jeans. He wore a simple dark t-shirt and unbuttoned plaid short-sleeved shirt over it.
“Shit. I must have dropped it somewhere.” He scratched his head. “I’ve been out on the four-wheeler two days straight. Don’t remember the last time I used it.”
“I’ll go get mine so you can call Tobias,” Allison said and headed outside. She took her entire tote bag out of the car and went back inside. Taylor was in the kitchen fiddling with a coffee maker. His gaze moved to hers and quickly away.
They were going to have the conversation he was obviously trying very hard to avoid. It didn’t matter what the reason was, Allison needed to know why he high-tailed it every time they ran into each other. So, maybe he’d say because of the ex-wife and his feelings for her or whatever.
It was probably a bad idea to go down that road. But damn it, there was a connection between them. And if she’d gone so far as to move to Laurel Creek to explore what could happen, Allison wasn’t about to give up that easily.
For the first time in her life, she was going to take control and stop being the “go with the flow” girl. This time her sights were set on Taylor Hamilton, and she was bound and determined to pull the trigger.
If she’d missed all the signs and it didn’t work out, then so be it. At least she’d tried.
“Here ya go. Luke’s number is in the recent calls list.” She held out the cell phone and leaned back against the counter. “I’ll have a cup of coffee while you’re at it.”
His lips curved and damn if that wasn’t a total turn on. Allison cleared her throat. “I’ll make coffee,” she repeated.
He took the phone and traded places, standing with his hip against the counter opposite where she stood.
Allison waited for the first cup to fill, keeping her back to him and listening to his end of the conversation.
“I don’t know what I did with it.”
“When are you seeing the guy again?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll go get another phone in the morning.”
“What?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t wait on me to call. I trust your judgment.”
“All right. Yeah, the guys have that covered.”
“Bye.”
He placed the cell on the counter and looked to the coffee maker.
Allison moved closer until they were but a few inches apart. “You’ve been avoiding me. Why?”
Chapter 4
The lost cell phone was just another of the stupid things he’d done lately. He could blame some of it on the medication. Nothing made sense lately, much less how or why he’d been avoiding the beautiful woman in front of him.
No, that was a lie. Taylor knew exactly why he avoided her. She was too much to take at the moment. Everything about her was perfection. From the locks of soft waves that tumbled past her shoulders, the plump lips that he pictured doing things better left unthought-of at the moment, and her eyes. Like something he’d never seen before. They were like pools of sapphire he could dive into and never come up for air.
Only a fool would walk away from the brink of making love to Allison Brennan. And, he was that fool.
She was the type of woman a man only dreamed of and given the chance would take it. The last two years of high school, he’d watched her every move, often doing crazy stuff just to impress her.
But of course, she was dating some jock, and although friendly, she never gave him a chance.
And now, during the worst time of his life, when he was losing control did he get the opportunity to finally get to know her, be with her. Damn his luck.
“That day...it was not my best. I should have...” Hell what he saying? It was hard to think straight when her fragrance, something soft and citrus like, tickled his nose. “Shit. I don’t know what to tell you.”
She arched a brow and placed a hand on her hip. “How about the truth. There is obviously something here.” She motioned between them with her right hand.
“If you’re not interested, then I get it. But the other day, it was you who initiated things.”
If she didn’t step back, he was going to lose control again. So Taylor walked around her and went for the coffee.
Allison rolled her eyes. “Look, forget it. Do you need to use the phone again? If not, I gotta go.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
; He first dialed his own number and nothing happened. It rang a few times in his ear and then went to voicemail. He punched in the key code and listened to several messages. There was three from Tobias and one from the pain management center regarding his missed appointment.
He then called the phone provider and after six hundred computer prompts finally spoke to a human.
While he got the details on a new phone and that they’d deliver it the following day via express mail, Allison stood by the front window peering out.
The dogs were automatically beside her. She looked back to him and he nodded to let her know she could let them out. It wasn’t as if they’d go far. It was their dinnertime.
Finally the call ended and he went to where she stood. He did owe her an explanation. But how did he tell her the only way he’d pursue any relationship was once he got his shit straight?
He’d already come close to ruining his friendship with Felicia. His head was messed up with all the pain and pills he’d been forced to take. Everything was going to hell in a hand basket at the moment.
Things with Felicia could be repaired. They would go back to being ex-partners and friends.
With Allison, it was more complicated.
Hell, he didn’t even know what his problem was. Between the latest bouts with pain, which seemed worse by the day, and taking so many painkillers that fuzzed the fuck out of his brain, it was a toss up.
“Thank you.” He held out the phone, but when she reached for it, he couldn’t let it go.
Wide eyes met his and with a sharp intake of breath, she released the hold on the phone. “What?”
He cupped her jaw with the other hand. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I still can’t believe I walked away. I didn’t want to. Not sure why I did.”
Although her brows came together, she didn’t say anything.
“I don’t have anything to give Allison. There’s so much shit in my life right now. It would be unfair to push it on you.”
An electrical charge traveled through him when her hand covered his.
“Okay.” The word was soft and yet there was so much that didn’t have to be said. Disappointment, curiosity, and acceptance came through loud and clear.
The pull became too strong. He yanked her against him and covered her mouth with his. Desperate to take as much as he could, Taylor wrapped his arm around her waist and held her while ravaging her mouth.
Although stiff at first, Allison finally softened and she responded to his kiss, her lips parting to allow his tongue into her mouth. She suckled at it. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, victory sang out in his head.
Unlike the time before, there was no excuse this time, nothing to interrupt them.
Sliding his hands down every delectable inch of her curves, he cupped her butt and pulled her closer. Allison moaned when he trailed his tongue down from the corner of her mouth to her neck.
His dick was rock hard and although he wouldn’t push things that far, damn if he didn’t want Allison on her back with her legs wrapped around his hips.
Instead he took her mouth again and holding her hips, pushed himself into her, the signal clear of what he wanted. It had to be her decision. He’d not push her. Damn, at this point, he was out of control. She had to call it. Had to stop it.
Although every part of his body screamed to be buried deep in Allison, it would be a huge mistake. He’d only ruin things and lose any chance of a future relationship.
Thankfully, she had more sense than he did. Hands flat on his chest, she pushed away. Cheeks flushed and lips without lipstick now, she was even more beautiful, if that was possible.
“I better go.” Breathless, she raked her fingers through her hair. “I should go,” she repeated.
Taylor nodded and looked around. What had he done with her cell?
“I took it.” Her lips curved into a sweet smile that made his chest tighten. “You were distracted. And, sending totally mixed signals as usual.”
“I know. I know.” He moved backward, his calf hitting an ottoman. “Sorry about that.”
“About what Taylor?” She looked up at the ceiling as if to calm her temper. In actuality, he wanted to see her lose it with him. Not only would it be sexy as all get out, but also maybe she’d keep her distance from then on. It had to be her because damn if he could keep from touching her whenever she was anywhere close.
When he didn’t reply, she shook her head. “Just forget it.”
Once again, his body reacted without his brain engaging and he reached for her. Allison side-stepped and opened the front door. “Good luck with your phone issue.” Her eyes scanned over his face searching for some sort of clue. Good luck there, he had no idea what was going on with him at the moment either.
“You and I will talk.” With that statement hanging in the air, she walked out.
The dogs bounded in, tails wagging and their happy faces excited about nothing in particular. He envied them at the moment.
Taylor rushed out to the porch just as Allison was getting into her car. “I’ll pick you up for dinner tomorrow. Six.”
She frowned and after a few moments nodded.
There was little choice in where to go out to eat and so when he asked Allison to dinner it became obvious that no matter where they went, someone would take notice.
He’d caught up with her before she’d left the day before and on pure impulse asked her to dinner. She’d agreed reluctantly, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Probably thought he was joking. Doing the mixed signal thing again.
It was not a joke. It could be another misstep in a long string of mistakes he was making lately. Now as he walked with her to Victoria’s, the small pizzeria owned by Tobias’ ex girlfriend, he wondered if perhaps they should have gone to Ed’s Barbeque or Shooters instead.
Then again, Shooters was not an option. Not only was it loud, but also there was the distinct possibility he wasn’t welcome back yet. The last time he was there, he and Luke had gotten into a brawl with some good ol’ boys.
Allison was a vision in a green off the shoulder blouse, tight jeans and heels. Immediately his mind went into thoughts wanting those heels to stay on if she ever slept with him.
“I’m starving. It smells so good,” Allison said sniffing the air. “Mmmm.”
She kept her distance from him as they walked down the sidewalk and when he touched her lower back to guide her into the pizzeria, she stiffened.
“Hey,” Tori, the owner and Tobias’ ex, met them, her gaze moving from him to Allison. She smiled brightly at Allison. “Hey girl. Long time no see.” Some sort of secret message passed between the women and Taylor decided it was best to ignore it.
They settled into a booth at the back wall of the restaurant. Annoying as all get out because as Allison walked past, hips swaying, more than one man took notice. Even when he glared at a couple of the guys, they promptly ignored him and took a second look. Idiots.
“A glass of Merlot please,” Allison told the young girl who came to take their order. Taylor ordered a beer while Allison perused the menu.
He pretty much knew it by heart since pizza or pasta was a weekly occurrence at his house. Her gaze lifted over the menu to meet his. “Want to share a large pizza?”
“I eat it with sauce and vegetables only. No cheese.”
“We’re not sharing then.” Brows pinched she continued looking at the menu.
Taylor studied her for a moment. “Why did you move back here?” Most people move from Laurel Creek to Billings, not the other way around. Unless running from something or planning to retire, there really wasn’t much in Laurel Creek.
“It’s beautiful here. My best friend is here and besides, I can live here mortgage free in my grandmother’s house.”
The girl returned and they ordered a medium pizza each, his with vegetables only. Allison ordered a supreme with extra spinach and cheese.
“Why did you ask me out to eat tonight?”
He wasn’
t sure how to respond. The true reason for them being there was because he owed her some sort of explanation, which by the way he’d not figured out yet.
The only good news so far was that he’d gotten his phone and his prescription refill was safely in his nightstand.
He met her gaze. “Allison, I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. Need you to understand that right now I can’t promise more than friendship.”
“Okay.” Without expression, she scanned the room not seeming to notice a guy who sat across from them. The idiot kept turning to look at her.
“So you returned to get a fresh start then?” Taylor asked, attempting at a neutral subject.
Sipping from her wine, she watched him over the rim. “I recently ended a long-term relationship, so the timing was good to move. What about you? What’s going on in your life at the moment?”
Shit, his current situation was not the best. Nothing could be done about the daily pain and taking too many painkillers. It wasn’t like they could amputate a hip.
“Day to day same thing.”
“I was told you go to Billings often. Are you dating someone there? Is it serious?”
So that was the message between Allison and Tori. Tori knew about Felicia, they’d been there for dinner once. After drinking a bit too much wine, they’d gotten a bit demonstrative. Shit. He’d not thought about that.
“I was seeing someone. Not in a relationship currently.”
“Breakup must have been recent.”
Fuck. The conversation was going from uncomfortable to unbearable. He didn’t like talking about his personal life or the shitstorm that it was. “It was a casual thing. Nothing serious.”
She emptied her wineglass and gestured for a refill. “Just so we’re clear. This is just dinner between friends. Nothing more.” She leaned back and let out a breath, her gaze moving past him. He didn’t have to wonder who’d caught her attention.
“Its just dinner. Not a date.” He gritted the words out. In all honesty, he wanted it to be more. Hell, maybe he was sending mixed signals even to himself at this point. Why did he even ask her out?
Once again, her gaze moved past him and she smiled. “So, are you more of a casual relationship type?”
Broken: Taylor Page 3