Tangling with the CEO: A Half Moon Bay Novel (Entangled Bliss)

by Annie Seaton

  He’d known Ana was kind—and generous. She’d put her own responsibilities on hold for a couple of days to help him out with the kids, but he hadn’t realized this was how she lived her life. All of the philosophies she’d espoused at college were here in front of him, in flesh and blood, in real life, and he didn’t know what to make of it. It was way out of the realm of any experience he’d had in the corporate world.

  She was important to these two women and, by the sound of things, there were many more old folks who relied on her. This town seemed to be all about building relationships and giving back. And Ana was at the center of it. It was alien to anything he’d ever experienced before. Jeannie had never called for his help before last weekend, and really if he thought about it, he wasn’t needed by anyone. An emptiness sat uncomfortably in his stomach and it had nothing to do with the food he’d eaten.

  “Ssh, he’s having a little nap.” Blake’s eyes flew open as the three of them came in, laughing, from the kitchen, and he caught Ana’s gaze fixed on him. A pleasurable shiver snaked down his spine as he caught a fleeting glimpse of hunger in her eyes.

  He stood and turned to the two elderly women. “Thank you for showing me your cottage. It’s delightful.”

  Blake followed Ana to the car as they waved them off. He was looking forward to getting home and thinking this through. The feeling that Mike was making a huge mistake was growing and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be a part of it anymore.

  …

  The sight of Ana striding along the tiled floor toward the front door of that magnificent house stayed with Blake all week. Her cute little behind outlined by her snug-fitting jeans came into his head at the strangest times. And the feel of her lips beneath his. He shook his head to clear this thoughts—he had to focus on the Skype meeting.

  Mike was talking about profit margins and standardized stores, and all he could think about was how well Ana filled out her jeans.

  “Blake? What do you think about that?” Mike’s voice interrupted his musing.”

  “Sorry.” Blake turned his attention back to his boss, whose ruddy face filled his screen. “About what?”

  “What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me I’ve made a mistake sending you out there.”

  Blake balled his hands into fists at his side, biting down on the angry response that sprang to his lips. “No, Mike. You didn’t send me. I chose to move back here. Remember?”

  Blake could see Mike’s eyes narrow on his screen. He was Skyping Mike from a hotel in Half Moon Bay, where he’d decided to stay for a couple of nights before the takeover meeting at the Nebbiton store on Friday.

  “You been spending time with Jack?”

  “No. He’s gone back to New York. Why?”

  “Thought it might explain why you weren’t focused. Thought you might have been out partying.”

  Although he was loyal to the company, his boss’s attitude was starting to piss him off big-time.

  Blake injected coldness into his voice and his words came out like steel pellets as anger burned through his chest. “I have been doing some research into this takeover. And I think we might be making a mistake down here.”

  “Why?”

  “Mike, have you even been to Nebbiton?”

  “No need, the team sussed it all out. It’s a prime site for future growth. I know it’s not going to be a big store for a while, but Half Moon Bay is growing. In a few years, Nebbiton will be a suburb like any other and we’ll already be established there, waiting for all the new homeowners to come and spend their money.”

  And what a shame that would be.

  Blake swallowed. He couldn’t believe the direction his thoughts were taking.

  “Son, don’t you worry about it. The figures have been run hundreds of times. There’s enough business already to make the wait worthwhile. Once the area develops, it will take off. You just have to go in there and get going. It won’t be pretty, but that’s the way we make money.”

  Blake lifted his head and stared at the screen. Mike’s jowls were sagging and his neck was pinched where the sides of his shirt struggled to meet beneath his chin. The veins on his cheeks were broken and contributed to the ruddiness of his complexion.

  “There’s just one more thing I want to run by you before we sign off.” Blake kept his voice firm. “Have you thought any more about the restoration department? I’ve had a good look around the area and it’s a huge business down here. Spark and Burns Realty has the market sewn up, and the hardware store does most of the work on the restorations.”

  “No.” Mike shook his head emphatically. “A standard store setup, remember? You go and sort out the human resources and the refit team will arrive in a couple of weeks. Oh, and I meant to tell you: the contract’s changed since I last spoke to you. I don’t need you down there till after the weekend, so you’ll have a bit more time to work out some projections.”

  One weekend. And then a couple of dozen people would be out of a job, and Ana would be taken away from the work she loved. Now that he’d seen her with the two old ladies, he had a much better idea of what she did. Blake dropped his head into his hands. How the hell was he going to do this and not hurt Ana—and her business—and the community?

  Chapter Twelve

  Ana sat back in her chair and lifted her arms above her head, stretching her neck from side to side, trying to ignore the beautiful day outside. The midmorning sun was streaming through the kitchen window, heralding the onset of summer; the gulls were screeching at the top of the cliff; and Mutt sat at her feet, his big brown eyes telling her he would love a walk along the beach.

  “Last box and then we’ll go for a walk,” she promised. His tail thumped on the floor and she reached down to rub his head. “But there’ll be a lot more time spent doing the books from now on, boy.”

  She wasn’t sleeping well. She and the girls had had a long conversation after her meeting with Blake, and now she was worried about the huge step she and Sienna were considering taking. From now on, they might be on their own, and excitement warred with common sense in Ana’s thoughts. She had a horrible feeling their plans to leave the store were being made in haste, and if it hadn’t been for Blake’s comments about the need for profit, they would have waited to see what ensued in the meeting with him at the store.

  He just doesn’t understand.

  Ana fought back the thought that maybe—just maybe—what they’d been doing for the past few years hadn’t been good business. But when she looked at Thelma and Mitzi, and the other locals they’d helped out, they’d done a damn good job and made a lot of people happy.

  They would never have been able to afford to do the work for the community without Joe’s generosity and their hard work. Could they fund it all on their own? Perhaps not right away, but eventually? She reached for the final box and lifted out a handful of papers. Mutt jumped to his feet and ran to the door, and for a moment, she thought he’d given up waiting and was asking to go out.

  And then she heard the purr of a motor. The sound of the same car that had driven up her driveway a couple of days ago.

  Prickly heat ran up and down her body as she looked at her pajamas. Standing up quickly, the antique Hitchcock chair crashed to the floor behind her and she shut the front door before scurrying back to pick the chair up.

  Oh God, he’d think she was slamming the door in his face. Ana opened the door again, peering around the side.

  What on earth is he doing here?

  Blake walked around the back of the car and opened the passenger door. Ana watched with fascination as he held his hand out and Maddy emerged from the backseat, the ever-present book tucked beneath her arm.

  Ana turned and ran up the stairs to her bedroom, pulling off her pajama top along the way. By the time she was in her room and searching desperately for a clean T-shirt and a pair of jeans, a knock sounded at the front door.

  “Be down in a minute,” she called out.

  Low voices drifted up to her as she quickly
washed her face and pulled a brush through her hair. Finally, a dab of oil on her wrist, and she slipped on a pair of flat shoes and walked slowly down the stairs, to catch her breath and compose herself.

  When she stepped out onto the porch, Blake was sitting in one of the rocking chairs with Sooky on his lap. Maddy was crouched in front of him, stroking the cat’s long, silky fur.

  “Well, hello, Maddy.” Ana threw a guarded glance toward Blake. “This is a lovely surprise.”

  “Hello, Ana.” Maddy stood and clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “Uncle Blake and I are going on a picnic. Will you come with us? Please?” Before she could answer, the little girl rushed on. “We didn’t have one when Billy was naughty in the park when Mommy was helping Daddy in ’laska and Mommy said we could have another one today and Billy could stay home and Benny and Roddy are at soccer and—”

  Blake placed his hand on Maddy’s shoulder and interrupted his niece. “And Uncle Blake thought it would be a really good way to show Ana how friends can have a good time together.” He lifted his sunglasses and met Ana’s gaze. “Even if they disagree sometimes.”

  “Well…” Ana eyed Blake for a moment and goose bumps rose on her arms as he held her gaze steadily.

  “It’s me, Ana. I’m Blake. I’m not the CEO all the time. That’s work.” His head was tipped to the side and he raised his eyebrows. “Be friends with me?” More often than not he’d been the one to initiate the peace between them in the past, and it looked as though he was trying to make amends now. The laugh lines around his eyes deepened as he smiled. He was still the Blake she’d held close in her thoughts, and the ice around her heart cracked a little more.

  She looked away from him reluctantly and down into Maddy’s earnest little face. “I guess we are friends.”

  Maddy gave a whoop of delight and turned her attention back to the cat.

  A tentative smile tipped the corners of Blake’s mouth up. “Maddy was really excited to see you again. You made a big impression last weekend.”

  Blake glanced at his niece and then he walked along the porch to Ana. “I wanted to see you too, but I wasn’t sure what sort of reception I would get.” He kept his voice low and Ana inclined her head for him to follow her into the house.

  She stepped inside and waited as he closed the screen door behind him.

  “Blake—”

  “Ana—”

  They both spoke at the same time and Ana smiled.

  “Me first,” she said. Blake leaned on the doorframe and waited for her to speak.

  Blake smiled at her and she tried to ignore the trembling that shot down her legs. It was only because she’d run up and down the stairs in about twenty seconds.

  That’s all.

  “It’s lovely to see you again. Have you read the proposal yet?” He’d made the first move and she was happy to give a little, but she still couldn’t resist asking. The direction that she and Sienna were considering depended on his answer.

  Blake held up his hands. “No work talk. Let’s call a truce for the day. There’s a little girl out there who’s had a bit of a tough week.”

  “Oh, no. What happened?”

  Blake took a step back and looked out to check on Maddy. “It’s been a big week for the whole family, with Rod’s accident. And on top of everything, some kids at school gave Maddy a hard time. Jeannie thought a change of scenery would do her good.” He held his hands out and said simply, “So here we both are. Two needy souls.”

  Ana burst out laughing at the plaintive look on Blake’s face. “That’s the last thing I’d call you. You’re the most self-sufficient person I know.”

  Blake stepped closer to her and the fresh smell of soap filled her senses as she dropped her gaze. His denim jeans were faded and his T-shirt hung loosely over his hips. He reached over and tipped a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up gently.

  For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her again and she was disappointed when he spoke instead.

  “We still need to talk about work, but not today, I promise. Today is for having some fun.” The crinkles around Blake’s eyes deepened as he smiled at her. “And catching up on that picnic Maddy missed out on.”

  “Sounds good to me. Where are we going?”

  “Pigeon Point Lighthouse and the beach.”

  Ana looked down at her clothes. The heat rose in her neck as she realized her T-shirt was on inside out and her jeans were crumpled from being on the bedroom floor all week.

  “Just give me a minute?”

  …

  As they traveled down the highway, Maddy showed off her excellent reading skills. Blake glanced back affectionately as her little voice confidently read the words about the littlest lighthouse keeper. A soft marshmallow feeling lodged in his chest as he glanced across at Ana. She was quiet, and she looked out at the ocean as he steered the car toward Pescadero. When she’d come back downstairs, his breath had caught in his throat. She’d changed into some sort of loose, floaty dress and her silvery-blond hair was down around her shoulders. It was just as though they’d gone back ten years and the hippie college student had come back.

  “I thought we’d go to the beach first and have our picnic before we go to the lighthouse.” He turned the car to park behind the low cliff at Pescadero State Beach. “Okay with you girls?”

  “That’s fine with me. I’m just tagging along as a guest.” Ana smiled at him and stretched her head back to look at Maddy, who had finished reading the story. “This is a great beach, Maddy. Have you been here before?”

  The little girl shook her head. “We don’t go to the beach because none of the boys can swim and Mommy says you need too many eyes.” Maddy counted on her fingers. “You would need six pairs of eyes to watch us.” She was quiet for a moment as she kept counting on her fingers and then looked at Ana with wide eyes. “Wow, that is twelve eyes plus ours. That makes twenty-two eyes all together. So that would be all of us kids and Mommy and Daddy and you and Uncle Blake and we would still need two more grown-ups to get enough eyes.”

  Blake glanced across at Ana and grinned. Her eyes were almost as wide as Maddy’s.

  “Do you know why you need so many eyes, Ana?” He laughed when she shook her head. “One pair for each child and a spare—just in case.”

  Ana opened the door and waited by the car as Blake helped Maddy out, before he opened the trunk and lifted out a huge picnic basket and a blanket.

  He passed the blanket to Ana. “Maddy, you hold Ana’s hand. I need both hands to carry this basket. I think Mommy thought that all the eyes would be coming when she packed our lunch.”

  As Ana turned to his niece and held out her hand, the light wind lifted her hair. The neckline of her dress was scooped and a tantalizing glimpse of the soft swell of her breast peeked out. Blake forced himself to look away and hefted the basket up.

  “Come on, girls. Time to go exploring.” His voice was gruff, and when he glanced back, he caught Ana’s eye. For a moment nothing more was said. Clear blue eyes looked back at him, calmly assessing. Perhaps seeing more than he’d wanted her to see until they’d sorted out what was happening between them—without the complication of the store takeover making things difficult.

  That damned perfume she wore wafted around him when she moved, and it reminded him of that night they’d had together. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her silken skin beneath his fingers. It had been such a long time ago.

  Too long.

  “Uncle Blake, why are your eyes shut?”

  “Ah, I was just having a rest.” He turned to Maddy. “Come on, there’s lots of starfish, urchins, and hermit crabs for us to look for.”

  When he and Jeannie had been small, their parents had brought them here on many weekends, and it was fun to be doing it again with Ana and Maddy. He had a wonderful memory of swimming to his dad unaided for the first time as a six-year-old, calling triumphantly to his mother and Jeannie, who watched from the shore. That was what he wanted
from life.

  Those moments of love and sharing of happiness.

  The restlessness of his corporate life didn’t compare to moments like that. For years he’d kidded himself that Jeannie and Rod and their kids were enough family for him. But when Ana’s clear assessing gaze locked with his, the certainty of the future he’d mapped out for himself faded.

  Ever since he’d kissed her the other morning, his world had shifted and he was going to do his damnedest to convince her he wasn’t the greedy businessman she seemed to think he was.

  Slow and steady. All he had to do was convince her of that.

  They climbed down the wooden stairs on the bluff to the velvety sand, and Maddy shrieked with delight as the sand squeaked between her toes. Blake found a sunny spot sheltered from the wind, tucked the picnic basket beneath an overhanging rock, and covered it with the blanket. The morning fog had burned off, and the sun was warm on his back as he followed Maddy and Ana down to the rock pools. Ana’s dress blew against her slender figure and he watched her, wondering if there was a possibility of a future together. The meeting with the staff next week loomed ahead, and he had to get that over before he could think about anything else. He stood back and looked north as Maddy led Ana from one tide pool to another and the little girl’s excited squeals carried across to him. Now that the fog had cleared, the day was bright and sunny—clear enough to see all the way back to Half Moon Bay.

  Blake dropped to a crouch and waited for them to come back to him with their bounty. He looked curiously at the crustaceans Maddy held in her cupped hands, before looking up at Ana. Her fair cheeks were flushed, and contentment filled her face.

  “Ready to eat?”

  She nodded and walked back to the picnic spot while he took Maddy back to the water to carefully place all the creatures back in the pools. By the time they got back to the sheltered spot beneath the bluff, Ana had spread out the picnic blanket and was peeking in the basket.