Drew picked up Walter’s quote. “We should do it. All of it. Both trailers and your retail space. I know it’s a big chunk of cash all at once, but the sooner we get the trailers making money, the better. The same for the storefront. Right now it’s just deadweight.”
The sudden knot in her stomach had nothing to do with how good-looking he was. “Are you insane? That’s a huge risk.” She reached for his spreadsheets and flipped through them until she found the one she wanted. “According to your numbers, that will take the twenty grand you’re throwing in and all my savings. There won’t be any reserves for emergencies. What if my truck gets totaled or we don’t get any bookings or there’s a tornado?”
“You have insurance for the truck.” He looked at her. “Silver, you’re turning down weddings every single week. We haven’t even started marketing the smaller trailer for parties, but I know at least a half dozen people who would be interested in renting it.”
“You say that now but interest is not the same as writing a check.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Do it all? I’m not sure I can breathe.”
She wanted to expand, but to take her savings down to zero? Drew would be fine. He had a regular job and this house and God knew how much in the bank. This was just an investment for him, but for her, it was her whole world.
He flipped through the printouts. “Did you see this one? We have Walter work the trailer projects consecutively instead of concurrently.” He reached for Walter’s quotes and found the one that mentioned doing the work that way.
He pointed to the page. “See how it takes longer because we won’t be his only job. He would get to work on the big trailer and the retail space immediately. Once the equipment is on hand, he can do the work in about two weeks. Then we’d have that trailer up and earning money. He’d start your place the second week of the big trailer work and follow up with the smaller trailer. It spreads the work out and means the second truck purchase can be put off a little and income will be coming in.” He pointed to the line for the truck purchase. “Let’s not pay cash for those. Get a vehicle loan. You can deduct the interest and use the money we save to pad your savings until you feel more in control. Then you can pay off the trucks early.”
The bands around her chest eased a little. She went over the numbers again and studied Walter’s bid. The cost of doing them all at the same time versus doing them one after the other was nearly identical but the latter bought them time and her peace of mind. With the initial shock fading, she felt her confidence return.
“I never thought about getting a loan to buy the trucks,” she said. “That’s a good idea and it solves a lot of problems. I wouldn’t decimate my savings for one.” She flashed him a grin. “Plus I’d finance through the dealer rather than at the bank.”
He didn’t return her smile. “Silver, you know I had nothing to do with what happened at the bank, right?”
“Of course. I don’t for a second think you got in the way of me getting a business loan. You have many flaws, but dishonesty isn’t one of them.”
His expression relaxed. “I can’t believe you said I have flaws.”
“Of course you do.”
“What about you?”
“Three. I have three flaws.”
He laughed. The sound made her want to lean into him. Drew was her greatest weakness. He always had been. For a long time she’d told herself she was cured, but apparently that was simply because she hadn’t been around him.
“I won’t ask you to name them,” he told her. “Why don’t you think about the options and we’ll talk in a couple of days?”
Silver thought about how much time they’d already waited to get all the information. The refrigerator they wanted for the larger trailer was in stock, but there was only one and once it sold, it would be at least six weeks to get another one. She looked at the drawings Walter had done of what the trailer would look like on the inside. She thought about the two weddings she’d been contacted about that conflicted with dates she already had on her calendar. But if the new trailers were ready...
“Let’s do it,” she said. “The bigger trailer and my space, then the smaller trailer. I’ll finance the trucks and that will give me a cushion.”
His dark gaze locked with hers. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. At some point I either have to move forward or accept what I have. Obviously I’m not willing to do the latter. I grew this business from nothing—I’m not willing to let it stagnate now. We have a good plan and I have two brides waiting to hear back from me on booking their weddings. Both of them would be using the second trailer. This is the right thing to do.”
He smiled. “I think so, too.”
They toasted each other with their glasses, then Drew rose. “Come on. It’s still nice out. Let’s go sit on the patio for a few minutes. Then I’ll finish dinner.”
She nodded and followed him out onto his large patio. There were several chairs set up to take advantage of the incredible view. The temperature was close to eighty, with a light breeze, and the sun was low in the sky.
He pulled two chairs close together. They sat down facing the sunset. She could see the lush grass of the golf course and the animal preserve beyond. This late in the day, the animals would have already headed back to their barns for the night, but come morning, they would be out and visible.
“You have a good life,” she said. “How many people get to see giraffes over their morning coffee?”
“There is that. Just think, once we’re a franchise, you can move up here and we’ll be neighbors.”
She chuckled. “We’re not going to be a franchise.”
“You say that now, but I’ll convince you.”
“You wish.”
“I remember you being more adventurous, back in the day. Remember that party we threw up at Honeymoon Falls?”
“That wasn’t adventurous, it was reckless.” She smiled at the memory. “But it was a great party.”
It had been the last weekend before Drew had left for college. They’d invited everyone they’d known and pooled their money to buy food. All their friends had brought plenty of liquor—completely illegal, considering how most of them had barely been eighteen. There’d been a live band, illegal fireworks and lots of couples sneaking off into the bushes. Silver was pretty sure that was the night she’d gotten pregnant with Autumn.
“There had to have been over a hundred people there,” he said.
“At least. I’m still surprised the police didn’t show up.”
“It was a magical night.” He glanced at her. “And a great summer.”
“It was,” she admitted, thinking about how amazed she’d been to find herself dating Drew. Of course she’d known who he was—everyone had known him—but she’d been surprised that he’d picked her.
She sipped her drink. “I don’t remember exactly how we started dating. Do you?”
“Yes. It was the Saturday before graduation. I was driving into town and I saw you walking along the sidewalk. You had on white shorts and a pink crop top. I took one look at you and I was lost.”
His words jogged her memory. “Oh yeah. You pulled over and wanted to buy me dinner.”
“You told me it was nine-fifteen in the morning and dinner wasn’t for hours. I said I’d wait.”
“You did.”
They looked at each other. She felt the heat between them, the connection, then told herself it was probably one-sided and not to read anything into it.
“You should probably add I was more than a piece of ass,” she murmured, mostly to distract herself.
“You know you were.”
“Because we’d gone to high school together for three years and you’d never noticed me.”
“I’d noticed. I just didn’t do anything.” One shoulder rose and lowered. “I noticed, but I knew when you and I got together, it woul
d be intense and high school was not the place for that.”
She had no idea if he was telling the truth but she hoped he was. That what they’d been together had been as important to him as it had been to her.
“I see it with Cade,” he admitted. “The intensity. The way he looks at Bethany, how he talks about her.”
“They’re getting married—aren’t they supposed to be in love?”
“Sure, but it’s a whole different level. Look at what he’s giving up to be with her.”
“What’s he giving up? She’s an actual princess.”
Drew looked at her. “The royal thing isn’t on any guy’s wish list. In-laws can be terrifying but his father-in-law is a king. I think they still behead people in El Bahar.”
She laughed. “They don’t and you know it. But you might have a point about the prince thing being tough duty. There will be a lot of expectations. Still, Cade’s a good guy. I want them to be happy together.”
“Me, too.”
The sun slipped below the horizon. The air had begun to cool, but it was still pleasant outside.
“You ever date Jasper?”
The question surprised her. She glanced at him. “No. Of course not. He’s with Wynn.”
“Now, but what about before?”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “No, I never dated Jasper. Why would you ask?”
“I thought he might be your type.”
“Because he’s dangerous?” Jasper had an edge about him, a darkness. She knew he had a military background but little else about him. Wynn didn’t talk about Jasper, and Silver had never had the chance to get to know him beyond saying hello.
“Because he’s wounded. Chicks dig a guy who’s wounded.”
“Chicks? You didn’t just say that. Men!” She glanced at him. “You’re really not in a position to be saying anything about any guy I dated. You were engaged to Ashley Lauren Grantham-Greene.”
He groaned. “No. Don’t remind me. That was a hideous mistake.”
“She tried to set your car on fire.”
“I know.”
“What were you thinking? The name alone should have been a tip-off. And she was so stuck-up and pretentious. What if you’d actually married her?”
He angled toward her. “It never would have happened.”
“Oh, I think it might have. Is this where I mention the engagement again?”
“No, it’s not. You think you’re so smart.”
“I am so smart.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. Let’s go inside. I’ll serve you a dinner so delicious, you’ll never mention Ashley Lauren Grantham-Greene again.”
She tried not to react to the heat from where his fingers had touched hers. “That’s got to be some dinner because I kind of like mentioning her.”
They went into the house. He set his empty glass on the table, took hers and put it down as well before turning to face her.
They were standing close. A little too close. She had to tilt her head to stare into his eyes, and every inch of her body was aware of every inch of his.
They had been so good together. The words were whispered by a traitorous part of her body that remembered Drew far too well. Telling herself this was a different place and time didn’t do much to quiet the need that flared inside of her. Telling herself she had to bring up Autumn, and soon, did a slightly better job but not enough to keep her from wishing he would... He would...
CHAPTER SEVEN
DREW’S EYES LOCKED with hers. Silver saw the exact moment he decided to make a move and told herself to get the hell out of there. To not under any circumstances give in to—
He closed the last couple of inches between them and kissed her. That was it—just one gentle, sensual brush of his lips against hers and she was completely and totally gone. Any chance of escape faded as her body surrendered to that single kiss.
What was it about lips on lips? Where did the magic live the rest of the time, and who was really to blame—her body, her head or her heart?
Involuntarily, she raised her arms and rested her hands on his shoulders. She was instantly aware that he was bigger and stronger than he had been before. At eighteen, he’d been as much a boy as a man. Now, more than a decade later, he’d filled out and matured and she couldn’t begin to resist that.
He pressed his mouth more firmly against hers. At the same time he settled his hands on her waist, his thumbs lightly tracing her bottom ribs.
He’d always done that, she thought hazily. Touched her like that, kissed her like that. Even as the thought formed, his tongue swept lazily across her lower lip. As if they had all the time in the world. As if there was no question about what was going to happen next.
At the first stroke of his tongue, need exploded. Heat followed, making her ache and whimper and shake. Powerful hunger took control, overwhelming common sense and self-preservation. She wanted him with a desperation that threatened her very being. This was Drew and she’d always been an eager participant in any game he wanted to play.
He eased back a little and nibbled his way along her jaw. “I’ve seen the dragon tat,” he murmured between nipping caresses. “Any other new ones I should know about?”
“There’s a heart on the right side of my back. You already know about the rose.”
“The dragon and the rose.” He shuddered. “You know you’re killing me, right?”
He wasn’t the only one dying here but she wasn’t going to say that. Instead she reached for the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it off in one easy move.
His gaze skimmed over her and he shook his head, then grabbed her hand. She followed him through the house, up the stairs and into the master bedroom. She had a brief impression of lots of space and a big bed, then Drew pulled back the comforter and sheets, opened a nightstand drawer and set out a handful of condoms before tearing off his own T-shirt.
They toed out of their shoes. Jeans and underwear followed. She paused to unfasten her bra and toss it on the pile of clothes.
They were both naked, but instead of reaching for her, he simply looked. She did the same, taking in the thick muscles of his chest, the narrow waist and hips and his very large, very thick erection. He was ready, she thought with satisfaction. She could see the rapid beating of his heart in a vein in his neck.
She saw his gaze roam over her breasts before settling on her shoulder. She turned slowly, letting him see the body of the dragon and how it curved over her shoulder. She kept turning so he could see the rose. He moved close then, pressing his chest to her back and resting his hands on her belly. Her eyes sank closed.
“Remember the first time,” he whispered as he shifted her hair out of the way and kissed along her neck. “I was so scared. I didn’t want to hurt you or disappoint you.”
She smiled and drew his hands to her breasts. His fingers immediately began to tease her tight, sensitive nipples. Heat spiraled down between her legs. She felt herself swelling in anticipation and need.
“Drew, we’d been pleasing each other for weeks,” she said, struggling to keep from gasping at the pleasure as he rubbed her breasts, then rolled her nipples between his fingers. “We could practically make each other come with a joke.”
“But it was different that night.” He let one hand slip down her belly.
She parted her legs to give him room to work. Her eyes opened and she realized they were facing the mirror over the dresser. She could see herself...and him. She watched his hand slip between her thighs, saw and felt the moment his fingers found her center.
“You’re wet.”
“You’re hard.”
He raised his head and met her gaze in the mirror. One corner of his mouth turned up. “Funny how it works out that way.”
“There is something to be said for elegant design.”
His gaze still locked with hers, he moved his fingers around and around. “I’m going to make you come just like this. We’re both going to watch it happen.”
She thought about protesting that she wasn’t comfortable being that vulnerable, only this was Drew and watching was the least of everything they’d ever done. They’d been young and in love, with plenty of time alone and lots of privacy. They’d tried every position, every game, everything they could think of with the goal of pleasing each other. He’d learned her body so well, he could have her wet and ready in less than thirty seconds and screaming out his name in forty-five. Wouldn’t it be interesting if that hadn’t changed?
She parted her legs just a touch more and raised one arm up and around the back of his neck for a little more support, then leaned into him. His erection was a hard ridge between them. He kept his right hand between her legs and used his left on her breasts.
His fingers circled her clit. “Fast or slow?”
“Fast.”
“Hard enough?”
“Uh-huh.”
He quickened the pace but kept the pressure steady on that one amazing spot. Tension and heat radiated out from her center to the very tips of her fingers. She wanted to close her eyes, but she forced herself to keep watching. Her naked body, his hands moving. Around and around, his fingers rubbing over and over in a rhythmic pace that took her closer and closer to the edge.
She felt her breathing coming faster and could also see the rise and fall of her rib cage. Then he pinched her nipples, sending jolts of electric pleasure through her. She watched her lips part as she moaned. Color stained her cheeks and the top of her chest. Her gaze softened.
He stopped moving. Before she could react, he gently pinched her clitoris and pressed down in a back-and-forth movement, as if trying to get to the very heart of the nerve-filled knot. Need grew exponentially, taking her to the very edge. Her strength left her and she nearly doubled over. Drew held her upright, made the movement again, then returned to the circling only going faster.
She was out of control. Silver didn’t know how it had happened, but suddenly she was so close, she couldn’t stop herself from crying out.
Not Quite Over You Page 10