Chase the Blues Away (Summer Lake Seasons Book 4)

by SJ McCoy

  Abbie didn’t know what to say. “I am happy. I’m happy being back here with you, and I’ll be happy to stay here with you, maybe get married and live just down the road and have babies so that you’ll have grandkids to play with.”

  Her mom shook her head firmly. “You’d only ever be happy with that if it’s what happens for you and the man who makes you happy. You can’t try to find someone who you think fits that mold. It won’t work.”

  Abbie shrugged. She didn’t want to be having this conversation at all, let alone in the middle of the grocery store. “Well, I’m not going to figure out what to do with myself standing here. Shall we finish shopping?”

  Her mom looked as though she wanted to say more, but she just nodded.

  When they were almost done, her mom swiped a box of Christmas decorations from the end cap near the checkout. “Do you think we should get a tree?”

  Abbie closed her eyes. She’d always loved decorating the tree. But it was something they’d done as a family—the three of them. She shook her head slowly. “I know you hate the artificial ones.”

  “Oh, I do. I didn’t mean one of those. I meant, should we get a real one? I heard that Jim is going to be setting up his lot in the square next weekend.”

  “We could. I suppose. A small one, maybe.”

  “No! We need at least a six-footer.”

  “We can’t mom. I have no idea how I’d get it home and set up.”

  “We could manage it between us.”

  “I don’t think so. But we don’t have to decide right now. Let’s get out of here and go home. I’ll give Jim a call in the week and see if he can do anything about getting it delivered.”

  “Okay. You’re right. We should get going. I need to get this roast made so that you can eat before your date tonight.”

  “It’s not a date.”

  Her mom just smiled.

  Chapter Five

  Ivan brought the car to a stop in front of Abbie’s house at five minutes before seven. He’d spent years of his life making sure that Seymour arrived ten minutes early to all his appointments. The habit was deeply ingrained. He’d tried hard to make sure that he arrived here on time, but five minutes early was better than ten.

  He cut the ignition and rubbed his sweaty palms together. He was nervous. This was a crazy move. He’d had to push himself to go and talk to them in the grocery store this morning. If Abbie’s mom hadn’t been so encouraging, he would likely have chickened out. But here he was. He knew Abbie would probably be mad at him—and not afraid to tell him so, once her mom wasn’t around, but still. This was the opportunity he needed. Now to see whether he could make something of it, or whether he’d blow it.

  He got out and walked up the path to the front door. He raised his hand to knock, but the door opened before he could.

  “Ivan! Come on in. She’s almost ready.” Abbie’s mom greeted him with a smile.

  “Thanks.”

  He stepped into the hallway, and she smiled up at him. “Are you all ready for Christmas?”

  That caught him by surprise. He hadn’t given any thought to what he’d do for Christmas. “Not yet,” he answered. “Are you?”

  She smiled. “Not quite, no. We are going to have a tree this year, though.”

  Ivan smiled back, not sure what to say to that.

  Luckily, Abbie appeared at the top of the stairs. “Oh! You’re here already. I didn’t hear the door.”

  “That’s okay,” said her mom. “I was just telling Ivan about the tree. Maybe he can help us get it here from the lot.”

  Abbie scowled at her. “The lot doesn’t even open till next weekend, Mom.”

  Ivan had to hide a smile at the wink her mom gave him when she looked up at him. “So, maybe next weekend, you can help us with the tree?”

  “Of course. I’d be happy to help.” From what Abbie had told him about her mom and about her situation, he’d expected someone quite formal and intimidating—a woman who had high standards for her daughter. Instead, she was a sweet lady who seemed to very much approve of him.

  Abbie frowned at him but didn’t say anything.

  “Great. Thank you so much,” said her mom. “Anyway. You two get going, don’t let me hold you up.”

  Ivan looked at Abbie, and she nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  When they reached his car, Ivan held the door open for her, and she raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re driving?”

  “It’s so cold. I didn’t want you to freeze on the way home.”

  “Thanks.” She got in, and he closed the door. “Where are we going?” she asked when he got into the driver’s seat.

  “I figured we’d just go to the Boathouse. You said just a drink. But we can eat if you haven’t.”

  She made a face. “My mom said a drink, not me. And I have eaten.”

  He pursed his lips. She sounded pissed, and to be fair, he could understand why. As much as he wanted a shot to show her who he was—and as much as he hoped she’d realize that he was the kind of guy she wanted to go out with, he didn’t want to force her into it.

  He turned to look at her. “I know your mom kind of set you up with this. We don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “We do. We have to go somewhere because I am not spending the evening sitting there listening to that damned sewing machine and her country music. She’s all set to enjoy herself—and that’s not my idea of fun.”

  He chuckled. “Okay. The Boathouse, then?”

  She made a face.

  “No?”

  “I don’t know if you noticed, but last night, I was in there talking to another guy.”

  Ivan’s smile disappeared. “I noticed.”

  She didn’t pick up on the change in his tone. “Yeah, well, if you did, don’t you think everyone else did?”

  “I guess.”

  “So, I don’t want to be that chick who’s seen in there with a different guy every night.”

  He almost asked why it would be a problem—if she only saw him as a friend. But he managed to keep his mouth shut. Instead, he waited.

  “So, I guess that means your place. The Boathouse is a no go, and Giuseppe’s would be even worse.”

  His heart raced. When they’d talked about where to go for a drink last week, he’d almost suggested that they should go to his place. He hadn’t, but only because he had the feeling that once they were behind closed doors, things might move a little too fast.

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “Or not?”

  He slid the key in and turned the ignition. “My place it is.”

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” she asked when he stopped in front of the gate and pressed the remote. She watched wide-eyed as it swung back, and he pulled forward.

  “About what?” For the first time, it occurred to him that the house might impress her. Instead of being happy that he had that on his side, it made him frown. Now, if she was more open to him, he’d wonder if it was because she liked him or because she saw him as a more viable option. She wanted to settle down and build a respectable little life. Would she see this place as more respectable—more desirable? And if she did, would he still respect her?

  He pulled the car into the garage and looked over at her. “The house comes with the job. It’s not mine.”

  She gave him a puzzled look. “What do you—oh! Asshole!”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You think I’m going to change my mind about you—set my sights on you because you live in a big fancy house?”

  “No!”

  She shook her head and blew out a sigh. “What are we even doing? You don’t seem to think very much of me. Maybe I should just walk over to the Boathouse, by myself.”

  “No! Abbie. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing here, other than screwing this up, but please, stay? Have a drink with me? Hang out?”

  Her expression softened.

  “Please?”

  She nodded and smiled. �
�You’re as hopeless as I am when it comes to this stuff, aren’t you?”

  A wave of relief washed through him. “Yeah. Probably worse.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Abbie pulled up a seat at the island in the kitchen while Ivan went to the fridge. He came back and popped the top off a beer before setting it down in front of her.

  “Thanks.” She took a big gulp and looked up at him, wondering what he was thinking.

  He gave her a rueful smile. “If you’re going to ask me what I’m doing—what I’m playing at—I can’t tell you, because I don’t know.”

  She watched him take a drink. His long fingers curled around the bottle, the muscles under his shirt flexing as he lifted his arm. Her stomach tightened. Damn. He had that effect on her every time she looked at him. She wished he didn’t. It was hard not to compare him to Neil. Neil didn’t have the same effect. He …

  “What are you thinking?”

  She pursed her lips. She could hardly tell him. “I don’t know what to think. I told you last week that this, you and me? It’s not a good idea.”

  “I know, but I don’t understand why. I thought I kind of understood. I thought that I was someone your mom wouldn’t approve of—but now we both know that’s not true.”

  Abbie couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. She’s taken quite a shine to you.”

  “But you haven’t?”

  She froze as he reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips grazed her neck and sent waves of excitement rushing through her. “Don’t!”

  He pulled his hand back as if he’d been scalded. “Sorry.”

  “So am I! I’m not going to deny that I find you attractive.”

  The corners of his lips turned up, and his gaze locked with hers. His blue eyes were dark, like a stormy ocean—and that’s what she felt she’d be drowning in if she allowed herself to get close to him. He was sexy-as-sin. She had no doubt that he’d be a whole lot of fun—both in bed and out of it. But he wasn’t the kind of guy who was looking to settle down. She didn’t need another boyfriend, didn’t need to waste any more of her life with a guy who was only looking for the good times. She needed someone who was ready for the kind of life that she needed at this point.

  “In case you didn’t know, I find you attractive, too, Abbie. Very attractive.” He dropped his gaze, and the way his eyes lingered on her lips felt as though he was commanding them to kiss him.

  She wanted to. She could feel herself start to lean toward him, but with a massive effort of will, she managed to stop. “I did know.” She got down from the stool and paced away from him, needing to put some distance between them and break the spell it felt like he was casting over her. “I knew it was there, between us, the first time we met. Then, last week in the gym, it was obvious.” She shook her head. “It was obvious to me that I should stay the hell away from you.”

  “Why?” He’d followed her and now stood facing her. Her back was to the cabinets, and he stood between her and the doorway.

  She closed her eyes. “Because …” She took a step toward him and looked up into his eyes. “Because you bring out the worst in me.”

  He stepped forward, closing the gap between them and resting his hands on the counter on either side of her hips. He was caging her in, but she didn’t want to escape. She put her hands on his chest, and he closed his arms around her waist and drew her against him. Her heart hammered in her chest as she slid her arms up around his neck and he held her closer, pressing his hard body against hers and making her forget why she wasn’t supposed to be doing this.

  “Maybe I could bring out the best in you?” He raised an eyebrow.

  She had a feeling that he might. The way her body was humming with desire for him told her that good things were about to happen. Her head was fighting a losing battle, and the little voice of reason gave up as he cupped her cheek in one hand and lowered his lips to hers.

  At first, he was tentative, as if he still wanted to give her the option to stop. She should, some little part of her knew that. But her fingers didn’t want to listen as they sank into his hair and pulled his head down. The moment his tongue slid into her mouth, the battle was lost. She kissed him back hungrily, her hands roving over his back and shoulders. She moaned when his hands closed around her ass and pulled her closer against him. His hard-on pressed into her belly, igniting a desire inside her that she already knew could only be satisfied one way. She rocked her hips against his letting him know that she wanted the same thing he did.

  He kissed her more deeply but didn’t make any attempt to take things further. She rocked her hips more urgently, hoping he’d take the hint, but when he didn’t, she made the move herself, reaching for his zipper.

  He lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. He looked cautious, but not so much that he stopped her from sliding her hand inside his shorts and closing her fingers around him. He was rock hard, thick, and hot. She moved her hand up and down his length, loving the way his eyes glazed with lust.

  “This wasn’t what I planned,” he breathed.

  She chuckled. “I know, it’s what we were both trying to avoid. But here we are.”

  He opened his eyes and pulled her skirt up around her waist. “Here we are,” he echoed. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  She tightened her fingers around him. “Absolutely sure. So, do you want to keep talking about it or—” She didn’t get a chance to finish the question as he lifted her up and sat her on the edge of the counter.

  She wriggled out of her panties and watched as he pushed his jeans and boxers down.

  He held her gaze as he trailed his fingers over her entrance, then slid them inside her. She was soaking wet for him, and it felt so good that she moaned. But it wasn’t his fingers she wanted.

  She held her arms open to him, and he stepped between her legs. She bit down on his neck as he thrust hard and filled her. God! He felt so good!

  They began to move together, cautiously at first, then lust took over, and they thrust frantically. She closed her legs around his back, drawing him deeper. His hand closed around her breast, and she screamed as he squeezed her nipple tight at the same time he thrust deep and hard.

  “Come for me, Abbie,” he breathed.

  She nodded and moved faster; she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to in this position, but he slid a hand between them and rested his thumb against her clit. That was all it took to push her over the edge. “Oh, oh, Ivan!”

  “Yes!” His hips thrust harder and faster, driving her over the edge until her orgasm tore through her.

  She let herself go, surrendering to the waves of pleasure that crashed through her. When she thought she couldn’t go any higher, he found his release deep inside her, and he took her with him, spiraling them both higher and higher as she clung to him.

  When they finally stilled, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. She wanted the feeling, the closeness, the intimacy to last. But reality returned all too soon. She closed her eyes. She’d just blown what could have been a friendship. He’d been amazing, but was it worth it? She half smiled—maybe; he might have been her best ever.

  He shrugged his shoulder, making her lift her head. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Disappointed?”

  She shook her head rapidly. “I doubt you’ve ever disappointed a girl that way. Just disappointed in myself.”

  He frowned.

  “Because I blew it.”

  “How?”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I should go.” She slid down from the counter, but when her feet hit the floor, he closed his arms around her.

  “Please stay—for a while at least?”

  “What for?”

  He gave her a rueful smile. “To avoid the sewing machine and country music, if nothing else.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Where’s the powder room?”

  He pointed to the hallway.

  “I should
clean up.”

  He watched her step inside, wondering if that meant she was getting herself ready to leave. He didn’t wonder too long. He ran upstairs, hoping he’d be faster than she was. He was in such a hurry he almost caught himself in his zipper. He blew out a sigh and gave himself a stern look in the mirror. Idiot! What had he done? His hope for this evening had been to win her over—to prove to her that he was someone worth dating. Instead, he’d gone and proved her right. She’d told him he brought out the worst in her—and he’d done just that. He’d screwed her right there in the kitchen before she’d even finished her drink.

  He caught himself smiling. It had been a dumb move, but he couldn’t exactly regret it. He wanted more. She was amazing. He wanted to do it again, he wanted to get to know her body, get her naked, explore her. He shook his head. He needed to get back downstairs before she came out of the powder room and left. If he couldn’t persuade her to stay and talk to him, he might never get the chance to explore their friendship—let alone her body.

  He hurried back down the stairs and met her just as she was coming back into the hallway. He couldn’t read her expression, but he knew it didn’t bode well. He knew he had to say something, but he didn’t know what. Instead, he went to her and slid his arms around her waist.

  “Is it weird to say I’m sorry?”

  She tensed, and for a moment, he thought she was going to push him away, but she relaxed and looked up into his eyes. “It’s not weird at all. You’re not as sorry as I am, though.”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why, though, Abbs? What’s so wrong with it?”

  She pursed her lips. “I wasn’t planning to stay and talk about it. I screwed up—I screwed you. That’s not who I am anymore. I should go home. Go be the person I’m supposed to be now.”

  Even though she said she should go, she didn’t make any attempt to move away from him. “You are the person you’re supposed to be. You can’t just change who you are.”

  “I guess. But I can make better choices.”