by LuAnn McLane
She was.
Easton smiled.
This was surreal, exciting, and scary as shit all wrapped into one wheel-gripping package.
Easton turned his blinker on to alert Carrie Ann that they’d reached the one-lane gravel road leading up to his cabin. The steep climb through the woods was tough in the snow, but the view up on the ridge overlooking the river was one hundred percent worth it. He’d paved a circular driveway that led into a three-car garage full of man toys.
Avery had spent many a day up here with his friends, playing with paint guns, four-wheeling, and shooting hoops. But lately the basketball hoop stood there silently wishing for players and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken anyone out on the four-wheelers.
Easton hopped out of his truck and hurried over to open Carrie Ann’s door. He offered his hand as she unfolded her long legs from her sexy sports car. “Welcome,” he said as she looked around.
“Mercy, Easton, but I think you’re living on the highest point in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.”
“Could be.”
“I bet it’s a real pretty view in the daylight.”
“It is. Kind of out of the way but I love it up here.” It was on the tip of his tongue to say that he could arrange for that view in the morning, but he didn’t want to push too quickly or have her think he’d brought her up here simply for a roll in the hay. Though, he wasn’t sure how long he could hold off before going in for a kiss, but he was sure as hell going to try for a few minutes.
“That’s one big garage.”
“Full of all my adult toys . . . Wait, that didn’t sound right.”
Carrie Ann laughed. “I’m guessing you’re referring to WaveRunners and four-wheelers.”
“I am. And a bass boat . . . and a dirt bike.”
“Is there actually a car in there?”
“Nope, but I’ve been thinking I might want a convertible.” He pointed to her Mustang. “You ever put your top down?”
“Only for special people.”
Easton laughed. “We’re still talkin’ about your ragtop, right?”
“Yeah.”
Easton laughed again. “Well, I hope I’m one of the special people.” He realized he was still holding her hand and led her over to the wraparound porch. “The view from the back deck is really spectacular no matter what time of day.”
“I bet it is,” she said as they ascended the steps. After opening the front door he flipped on the lights and then stepped back for her to enter. She gasped. “Mercy.” She turned to look at Easton in surprise.
“I’m guessing you were expecting a sparse bachelor pad?”
“I suppose so . . .” She looked up at the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that dominated the great room. “Well, I’d heard that you have a nice place, but nice doesn’t begin to describe your home, Easton. Your cabin is spectacular.”
Easton felt a measure of pride. “It’s taken me a few years to get it just the way I wanted.” He grinned. “When I had to close the hardware store in town I decided that I wanted to move up here. I’m pretty handy with a hammer.”
Carrie Ann gave a low whistle as she walked slowly around the room. “I’ll say.”
“Thanks.” He walked over and helped her out of her coat. The light floral scent of her perfume filled his head and he took longer than needed to do the simple task. He wanted to brush her hair to the side, put his mouth on the graceful nape of her neck and taste her skin, but he walked over to the closet and hung her coat next to his instead. He wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to breathe but he told himself to take it slow. “Would you like the fifty-cent tour?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
“How about a drink first? I have beer, wine, or bourbon. Maybe some rum. Sweet tea? Or water.”
“I’ll take a water.”
“Really?” He was picturing cocktails by the fireplace and mood music. Bottled water ruined that image.
“No . . .” Her laughter seemed to light up the room. “This place is so pretty I think I need to walk around with a long-stemmed wineglass.”
“Red or white?” He pointed to a wine rack to the left of a bar in the far corner of the room.
“You continue to surprise me. I usually drink Merlot because red wine is better for you. But I’m in the mood for Chardonnay, if you have it.”
“I have a bottle chilling in the fridge.”
“Do you drink wine?” she asked casually, but he had to wonder if she speculated that the wine was for female visitors.
“I enjoy a glass of Merlot now and then when I’m grilling steaks. My sister Carla likes Chardonnay, and so does Zoe, so I keep it on hand.”
“It’s nice that you’re all close.”
“Family is important. How’s your mama doin’?”
“Mama loves the warm weather in Naples, Florida. She’s got a whole slew of friends. I talk to her most every day. Her social life is way fuller than mine, let me tell you.”
“Good, good. Haven’t seen your sisters, Ava or Ella, in a while. How they doin’? Still in Lexington?”
“Both still happily married and really busy bein’ soccer moms. I go up to watch the kids play but I don’t get all of the rules. The offsides thing still has me baffled.” She smiled but then a shadow passed over her features making Easton want to pull her in for a hug closely followed by a kiss. She must miss all of them dearly. “And I’m the crazy aunt that every niece and nephew needs. The one who brings a puppy for Christmas.”
“You did that?”
“Naw.” Carrie Ann laughed. “Just gerbils, but you would have thought I brought man-eating monsters into the house. I was banned from giving pets for presents.”
Easton tossed his head back and laughed.
“Yeah, party poopers! Just little old gerbils, I mean come on. But I really miss them. I should go for a visit soon,” she said. Easton sensed that there was more to it than she was letting on.
“We tend to hibernate in the winter. I’m sure you’ll get to see them before too long. Or better yet, head south to see your mom. Put your toes in the sand.” He understood. His parents finally split up for good right after Carla graduated from high school, but he still understood the value of family. He had close friends. He was financially secure. But something seemed missing lately.
“Oh, I bet Carla is having fun planning Zoe’s wedding,” she said a little bit too brightly.
“Yeah, she is,” Easton answered, making a note to ask Carrie Ann to go with him. But he had to lead up to that one so he smiled. “Come on, wait until you see my kitchen.” When he held out his hand she took it. He led her through an arched doorway and flipped on the recessed lighting to a state-of-the-art kitchen. He stepped away from her so he could get her full reaction. “Well? What do you think?”
Does this kitchen make you want to kiss me?
“Oh . . . wow.” She stepped forward and ran her fingers over the shiny black granite center island. The warm cherry cabinets offset the sleek stainless steel appliances but his pride and joy was a six-burner gas stove that he’d recently installed. “Are you going to have the nerve to tell me that you’re a good cook?”
Easton nodded slowly. “Let’s just say I can do way more than scramble eggs and flip burgers.”
“Where have you been all my life?” Carrie Ann asked with a grin.
“Maybe I’m the best-kept secret in Cricket Creek,” he boasted, and then laughed.
“Well, maybe we should keep it that way.” Carrie Ann stepped closer and gave him a playful tap on the chest.
Easton smiled, but then caught her hand before she could pull it away. “Ah, Carrie Ann?” He gave the back of her hand a light kiss. She looked at him expectantly but he just shook his head unable to put his feelings into words.
“I know,” Carrie Ann said for him. “I feel i
t too.”
“Yeah . . .” While the banter was light and flirty, Easton could feel something more bouncing around in the room. Admitting his attraction and asking her out on a date was one thing . . . well, two things, but bringing Carrie Ann to his home wasn’t something he took lightly. But they both knew that this evening was about to alter their longtime friendship. He could see it in her eyes.
“Are you having second thoughts about bringing me up here?” When she frowned ever so slightly, he pulled her closer.
“Hell no,” Easton said and meant it. Unable to wait any longer he dipped his head and kissed her.
When his lips captured hers, Easton felt a hot jolt of passion that felt like putting a match to kindling wood. He pulled her lush body flush against his and tipped her head back so he could kiss her deeply, fully. God, he loved how she tasted, sweet, sensual, and so damned sexy. When he lifted her up and placed her onto the island she wrapped her long legs around him and in that moment he knew that the days of them just being friends were one hundred percent over.
And it was about damned time.
Easton’s heart thudded harder when she threaded her fingers through his hair. When he finally pulled his mouth from hers, he started a trail of kisses down her neck pausing to lick the rapid beat of her pulse. When he cupped her breast, he heard her breath catch and he got as hard as the damned granite counter.
“Easton Fisher, you are driving me wild.”
“Mmmm, wild thing.” He ran his thumb over her nipple.
“Now that song is playing in my head,” she said with a low sexy laugh. “‘You make my heart sing . . .’” she sang, but then gasped when he sucked her earlobe into his mouth and nibbled. “Mercy . . .” She arched her back offering him more and he gladly accepted. Easton wanted her . . . no he needed her in his arms, in his bed, and in his life. But he didn’t want her to think he’d brought her up here just to get her in bed and so he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“Carrie Ann, I didn’t bring you up here to have my way with you,” he said.
“Well, that’s disappointing.” She ran her fingertip over his bottom lip. “Because you make everything groovy . . .” she sang.
Easton chuckled but said, “It’s important to me that you know that.”
“No worries.” Carrie Ann put her palms to his cheeks. “Pour me that glass of wine and let’s see where the rest of the night takes us.”
“I like that plan,” he said, and then leaned in and kissed her. But when he started to pull away Carrie Ann held him captive with her legs. His heart thudded.
“Easton?”
“Yeah,” he asked softly.
“Why don’t we skip the glass of wine part,” she suggested in his ear, sending a hot flash of desire due south. “We’ve been dancing around this heat for way too long.”
“You’re right, and I have to say that I like this plan even better,” Easton admitted, and then helped her from the kitchen island. “As always, I was hoping to run into you tonight. I think it’s high time we stop pretending we’re just friends.”
Carrie Ann smiled. “I’ll just admit it. The slow dance and having you singing in my ear made me weak in the knees, Easton.”
Easton cupped her chin and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Well, when Sam hit on you, I saw red. That kind of jealousy isn’t something I’d feel about a mere friend. The thought of you in the arms of another man isn’t something I could handle.”
“No need to worry because it’s your arms I want around me.”
“That’s what I want to hear. Come with me.” Taking her hand he led her to his bedroom.
“Oh my,” Carrie Ann said when they entered the large room made even more dramatic by slanted cathedral ceilings.
Easton dimmed the lights on the antler chandelier suspended from the ceiling. “You like it?”
“I am completely blown away.” She nodded her head as she looked around. A rustic Aspen log canopy bed was the centerpiece of the room. To the left was a sliding glass door leading out onto the back deck overlooking the woods. But she could see that later. Right now he wanted her naked and in his bed.
“I’ll show you the rest of the house in the morning,” he said and pulled her into his arms. Clothes, shed with lightning speed, were tossed everywhere while they laughed and kissed, finally tumbling onto the bed. Easton slid his body up and over hers loving the silky feel of her skin. She was lush, curvy, and gorgeous with her red hair fanned out in contrast to the dark blue comforter.
“It’s been a really long time for me,” she admitted a bit shyly.
“I do believe it’s like riding a bike.”
“Well, that’s good because I was really excellent at riding my bike. I could go for miles and miles. . . .”
“Ah, good to know.” Easton chuckled deep in his throat. “I hope you like riding me even more.” He explored her body with his hands and his tongue, loving her scent, her taste. When she wrapped those endless legs around him, he eased into her wet heat, thrusting deeply. She slid her hands up and down his back and then lightly raked his skin with her fingernails sending endless tingles down his spine. His heart hammered in his chest as he went faster.
Carrie Ann moved with him, clung to him, and when he dipped his head and captured a nipple in his mouth she became quite vocal with her moans and sighs of pleasure.
When she cupped his ass and pushed him even deeper, Easton felt his release coming. When she cried out, he let go, feeling the heady rush of an intense orgasm that left him shaking. He stayed buried to the hilt, loving the way she pulsed and throbbed and stayed wrapped around him like kudzu. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly wanting to stay buried inside her sweet body forever.
And in the morning he’d bring her breakfast in bed.
But for now they had the rest of the night, and Easton intended to savor each and every moment.
6
Highway to the Danger Zone
Eager to get out of the cold, Sophia tugged open the door to River Row Pizza. The tantalizing scent of garlic, yeast, and marinara sauce nearly made her groan. Seriously, was there any cuisine in the world that smelled more enticing? But groaning would be embarrassing so she inhaled another delicious breath thinking that someone should create a River Row Pizza–scented candle. But then again the candle would make her crave pizza and pasta more that she already did, which was, well, a lot. And unlike her sister, Grace, Sophia failed to get the long legs and high metabolism gene from her mother.
Having White Lace and Promises located just around the corner was going to make the hand-tossed crust a tough temptation to resist. Not only did they serve amazing Italian dishes, but the owner, Reese Marino, made mouthwatering desserts including Italian wedding cake, which was hands down her all-time favorite. Mercy . . .
On tiptoe, Sophia glanced around for Avery but the packed dining room made it difficult to spot him. Although she’d been told that the restaurant had been there for only a few years, checkered cloth tablecloths and flickering candles gave the decor a cozy old-world atmosphere. If she didn’t know better she could be somewhere in Italy instead of Cricket Creek and the food here rivaled any Italian dishes she’d ever eaten, including in New York City’s Little Italy.
After a week of nonstop paperwork, Sophia and Carrie Ann Spencer were the proud co-owners of White Lace and Promises so Sophia was in the mood to finally kick back and celebrate. Carrie Ann had been right. She’d stayed in Cricket Creek longer than she’d intended because she really didn’t want to leave, but didn’t have a challenging career choice until now. While all of this business moved a bit faster than she would have liked and she still had some jitters, the nerves were also a good feeling. So when Avery called and invited her to dinner she eagerly accepted. She was about to send him a text, since it looked as if the wait at the hostess stand was several patrons deep, but after another quick look aro
und, Sophia spotted Avery’s dark curly head at a booth near the back of the cozy restaurant.
Sophia felt a familiar warm tug of desire that made her want to fan her face despite having just come in from the cold, breezy weather. She stood there for a moment while gathering her composure. Now that she knew she was staying in Cricket Creek, Sophia was beginning to wonder if she should let Avery know that if he wanted to, they could go beyond friendship instead of just having her pretend to be into him. Although her spontaneous kisses on the patio at Sully’s had been fueled by a bit too much Love Potion Ale, she couldn’t stop thinking about kissing him again.
But Sophia was still concerned that Avery wasn’t one hundred percent over his ex-fiancée, so maybe she shouldn’t go after another, much wanted kiss. On the other hand, maybe it was high time that Avery moved on for good—and another hot kiss might send him in that much needed direction. Well, a direction she needed, anyway.
Sophia’s feet finally started moving and she made her way past the closely placed tables. Silverware clinked against dishes; patrons chatted and laughed while mood music softly played in the background. A beautiful wooden bar ran the length of the room to the left. Sophia noticed a few women with martini glasses and decided she could use one. Or two. This atmosphere actually reminded her of being in a pizza parlor in Brooklyn and then she remembered that owners Tony and Reese Marino had actually lived in Brooklyn before they came to Cricket Creek.
Because he was frowning at his cell phone, Avery failed to see her approach. “Hey there,” Sophia said as she slid into the booth. When he looked up and saw her, Avery’s frown turned into a quick smile but she had to wonder what was bothering him.
“Sophia!” He pushed the cell phone away and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Congratulations! Are you excited?”
“Yes!” Sophia nodded. “And of course Mom, Grace, and Garret are over the moon that I’m moving here for good. Grace is already starting to come up with a marketing plan. But it’s all happened so fast that my head is still spinning.” She made circling motions around her ears. “I’m usually much slower to make this kind of big decision.”