His Kind of Wonderful (Sugar Bay #2)

by Kinsley Gibb

  Lisa was a crazy bitch while George was an awesome guy. Why he hooked up with Lisa was beyond Joe. Maybe he stayed with her because of Collin, Joe didn’t know. But what he did know was that he didn’t want to be a part of hurting George at all. The man had been a father figure when he didn’t have to be.

  Joe would do anything for George.

  If it meant he had to walk this tight rope between helping Derek and helping Dani when the two objectives inherently clashed, he would do it.

  If it would result in Lisa finally taking the hint and stopping her foolish chase of him, he would. He didn’t want the old gossip coming back to life. Gossip, whether true or false, often took on a life of its own—especially in a small town.

  Although the town accepted him now, he knew there were some that hadn’t quite forgotten, who’d looked at him and wondered if he were like his father—weak, partial to alcohol and the company of married women. Sure, he liked women and they liked him but unlike his father, he sure as hell steered clear of married women.

  It would bother him if George believed the worst of him. He couldn’t let him down the way he’d let his aunt down. His stomach churned—a familiar feeling he’d associated with his guilt.

  She’d loved him too and he’d broken her heart.

  Chapter Seven

  “Hand me the ratchet wrench, will you?”

  Dani put the tool in his palm and he went back to work on Thelma’s air conditioning unit while she made another note in her notebook.

  “I’ve come up with a few topics I’d like to cover during our research.”

  A loaded silence came from under the Thelma’s hood and Dani sighed. Joe had come over for dinner and had brought parts to fix Thelma. Since Dylan and the girls were present, there had been no awkwardness between them.

  Now they were alone. Dylan and the girls were in the backyard playing on the play set. He’d yet to string ten words to her beyond tool requests.

  “I can ask someone else if it bothers you so much.”

  “No.” Joe’s bark was quick. “I said I would help.”

  “Don’t sound so excited about it then,” Dani muttered under her breath.

  Joe lifted his head from under the hood and hit her with a look so hot so was surprised she didn’t burn. “Dani, trust me when I tell you, if I were any more excited, you couldn’t handle it. As it is, you’d better brace yourself.”

  This time he let her see the hunger she’d long assumed had been a figment of her imagination. His gaze roamed the length of her body. Like a physical touch, his gaze stroked her from head to toe.

  She gulped, feeling hot and bothered. If he could make her feel this way with only his eyes, what could he do with his hands, or his mouth, or his tongue?

  She put that down in her notes. He went back under the hood.

  “I’m afraid to ask but what’s on that list of yours?”

  She exhaled. “Topics I feel we need to cover so I can’ properly understand the stages of sex. So far, I have sensual massage, finger fucking, oral sex—“

  Joe banged his head under the hood. “Shit.”

  “You okay?”

  “Never better. What else?”

  “Where was I?” She cleared her throat. “Okay. I think we should try a variety of positions for intercourse—“

  “Absolutely not.”

  “But—“

  “Dani. I will help you. I will give you orgasms upon orgasms for this crazy ass research of yours, but I will not have sex with you. That’s my line in the sand. All this is bad enough but I can’t—”

  “You can’t?”

  He looked pained and shook his head. “No, I can. But I shouldn’t, so I won’t. I don’t know how to face Derek as it is. I’m trying to do the right thing here.”

  “It all seems so one sided, that’s all.”

  “I’ll live.” He went back under the hood and she heard him mutter, “I hope.”

  Dani grinned. She didn’t understand why he’d put limits on the research. She was all right if it comes to its natural conclusion. She didn’t see the harm in that. True, she needed his cooperation for her research but he was only human. She knew he’d need release and she’d wanted him for the longest time. It seemed appropriate that they both get something out of it. Once she’d calmed down from his reaction to her request, she’d understood his point of view a little more. He wanted her but he didn’t want to want her. Because she was Derek’s little sister, he felt she was off limits.

  Dani was tired of Derek having so much control over her life. What was the harm? If Joe wanted her and she wanted him, why not let nature take its course.

  Maybe it was time for a seduction? Maybe she could woo him to her state of mind. She would need to research how to go about seducing someone though and see if she could bring him to his knees.

  For the sake of research, of course.

  ***

  “Have you seen the teasers the Sugar Bay Ladies League posted about their bachelors?” Dylan had her laptop open.

  “Not yet.” Dani hadn’t checked her social media all day.

  “What did they say?” Joe asked. “Time out girls.” He called to Alex and Esme as he took a break from their game of tag.

  Dylan sent Joe a teasing look and grinned. “Joe, I had no idea.”

  “What are you talking about?” He shot her a puzzled look.

  “Says here that Joseph James, our very own resident hero firefighter, is a sensitive soul who enjoys baking, photography and moonlit walks on the beach. His favorite color is blue and his favorite city is New Orleans.”

  “Good God.” Joe groaned and threw himself in the chair next to Dani.

  “Yep. It also says the one thing we don’t know about Joe is his secret passion for crochet.”

  Dani and Dylan looked at each other and giggled.

  “Who makes up this stuff?”

  “I have a good idea.”

  “I’m going to sue somebody. They made me sound like a sensitive pansy.”

  “Poor baby. Does that bother you?”

  He glowered at her and she chuckled.

  “Joe, will you teach me how to crochet?” Alex sat on his lap.

  “No. He can’t. You’re too clumsy and you might poke your eye out.” Janie, Dylan’s oldest daughter answered before Joe could open his mouth.

  “Since you’re dating Aunt Dani now, can we call you Uncle Joe?” Esme climbed onto his other knee.

  “No, sweetie. That would happen through marriage only,” Dani said feeling a little desperate.

  Esme whispered something in Joe’s ear that Dani couldn’t hear. Whatever it was made him look at Dani with serious eyes.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He avoided her eyes by closing his and relaxing back on the lounge chair.

  Esme put her head on his shoulder and patted him over the heart. “Be nice, Aunt Dani. Joe has a sensitive heart.”

  Joe leaned his head on Esme’s and rubbed his stubble against the golden brown strands. The sight brought a lump to her throat. It would be too easy to imagine him as their uncle. He was a natural. But he wasn’t the staying kind. He was the exciting new adventure kind. She didn’t want to be like her father, falling in love only to be left behind. She needed to separate her head from her heart.

  She was doing this for her readers, but she needed to protect her heart.

  ***

  The following days left their relationship in a holding pattern. They were no longer on the verge of killing one another. Instead they discussed things like grown ups and found they shared a mutual admiration of all things vintage. One day they went to an auction two hours away and found a collection of retro toys, bookplates and an old printer’s press. Dani became Joe’s assistant while he tried to get the old machinery to work and surprisingly, they found they worked well together.

  Unfortunately her research had stalled. Each time she brought up the topic, Joe woul
d shush her. “All in due time, Dani,” he would say like he was Mr. Miyagi and she was his Karate Kid.

  It was annoying but she didn’t press because she had her own strategy to put in place—Operation Seduction. At the bookstore, she’d bought a recent issue of Cosmo magazine, which guaranteed ten different ways to blow his mind. The reading had been fascinating, so she bought a year’s worth of older issues off of Ebay and was anxiously awaiting its arrival.

  Mentally she rubbed her hands. It was all coming together. He could shush her and make her wait, but she was patient and she would have her way. Now that she knew he didn’t find her unappealing and his reserve had nothing to do with her specifically, she planned to fulfill as many fantasies as she could. Who knew if she would ever get the opportunity to be with someone with his experience level?

  “Come on slow poke.” Joe paddled back to her. His movements looked strong and sure while she was pretty sure she looked pathetic.

  “Who you calling slow?” She puffed and lifted the paddle to the other side, trying to imitate him.

  “I grew old waiting for you to get to me.”

  “Look. I’m a runner so my legs are going to be stronger than my upper body.”

  “You’re lucky the water is relatively flat today. If the water were the least bit choppy, it makes it more difficult.”

  “Thank God for small favors.”

  He grinned at her. “How are you feeling?”

  “Never better.” She bared her teeth. ‘Never say die’ was a motto she’d learned from Derek. So any stubbornness she had could be attested to him.

  He watched her struggle for a few minutes more. She probably looked like an uncoordinated infant, but she didn’t complain. Minutes later—although it felt more like hours—they reached the shore.

  She dragged her butt out of the water and collapsed on the sand. “Awesome workout.” She sent him a thumb’s up signal from her prone position. “So glad you showed me how to paddle board.”

  He stood tall and lean over her, his body blocking the sun. “Come on. I’ve got a treat for you.”

  “No. That’s okay. I’m good. Just leave me to die in peace.”

  He chuckled. “Come on.” He smacked her bottom. She squealed and rolled away. “Two words—hot oil.”

  “I’m up. I’m up.” Although she wasn’t really but eventually she was able to hobble towards Joe’s cottage.

  ***

  “Oh, God. That feels good.”

  He pressed harder, giving her everything he had, and tried to make it good for her.

  “Don’t stop, Joe. Don’t ever stop.”

  The fact that Dani’s moans made him hard was pathetic. Add that to the fact she was topless and on his sofa, he was surprised his brain still functioned since all his blood flow had redirected south.

  He couldn’t see her front because she was on her stomach but what would happen when she touched him or when he touched her with more purpose other than to knead her sore muscles? She let out another heartfelt groan. He hovered over her back but paused and adjusted himself. He wished the damn thing would go down instead of poke out eager for attention. He squeezed more lavender chamomile oil in his hands and started on her back.

  It had taken time to mentally prepare for Dani’s research, which he’d deemed cruel and unusual punishment. But now, he was ready to go forward. The need to mentally strategize on how best to give her what she wanted without destroying his friendship with Derek was important because she wanted to experience incredible sex and he took that to mean, she wanted foreplay and plenty of orgasms.

  He assumed the losers she’d been with before had dropped the ball in that department. Although Joe wanted to give her incredible sex the old-fashioned way, he had to remain strong. He’d never be able to look Derek in the eyes if he took things any further. His body was a stiff mass of want but all the mental preparations had been necessary so he could help her without falling on her like a ravening beast.

  “Here’s the deal, Dani.”

  She gave a soft moan so he doubled his efforts on her shoulder. “Okay, what is it?”

  “Just so we’re clear—I am fully prepared to assist you in your research.”

  “Excellent news that I was already aware of.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve been dragging my feet on the start date because I had to think through some things.” He moved further down her back.

  “Like?” Her voice was muffled behind the mass of hair that fell over her face.

  “The fact that touching, kissing and all the other things you need me to do aren’t on the approved list of ‘how to treat your best friend’s little sister’.”

  “Uh huh,” she murmured.

  “I’m walking a tight rope here.” Next up was her ass but he decided to skip that for now and moved on to her hamstrings.

  “Tight rope, yep.”

  Glad she understood his position, he pressed forward.

  “You’re brilliant and I barely finished my bachelors degree.” Having no patience for the classroom and preferring action to theory, he’d had to finish it through an online program while he worked.

  “You have a loving family and I’ve got no one. Your family is my extended family and I don’t want to fuck it up.”

  He massaged her calves, but his eyes were on her ass. From his point of view Dani’s ass was a perfect heart-shaped mound of femininity—high, tight and round. A perfect handful for when he—scratch that. He couldn’t afford to think about that—too dangerous.

  He took a deep breath. “You’re incredibly hot, Dani. I know I wasn’t supposed to notice, but there it is—out in the open.” He moved to her feet. She didn’t kick out at him and he took it as a sign she wasn’t ticklish. “But I’m not good enough for you. Derek knows this and I know this.” Personally he didn’t think anyone was. He’d watched her date a string of guys and most of them made him shake his head. If she’d found someone worthy, he’d have supported her decision, wished her well, and steered clear. But she hadn’t found anyone worthy—that was the problem. He’d had to remain nearby so he could help Derek watch out for her. So the tortures in being near her without having her had continued and now this.

  “So I want to make sure you know this before we begin. I’m a fucking heart breaker so whatever happens, don’t let me break your heart.” He pulled back. “Okay, Dani?”

  She didn’t move.

  “Dani?”

  She responded with a snore.

  Well, shit.

  ***

  Dani stood at the counter of the Decadent Den and waited for Charlie to bring out Janie’s birthday cake. It would be the piece de resistance for the surprise dinner tonight.

  The back of the house door swung open and Charlie backed out carefully.

  “Tada!” The two-tiered cake was an explosion of pink and white sugary sparkles. The layers were purposely lopsided, like a tilt a whirl. The composition was held together by magic. It reminded Dani of Janie, who balanced precariously in the land between woman and child—one day child-like and innocent and the next worldly and so grown up.

  “What? You don’t like it?” Charlie cocked her head to the side, a frown between her eyebrows. “Too much? Damn, I thought you’d like the additional detailing I painted gold.”

  “No. I love it! She’s going to love it.” Dani squealed and did a happy dance.

  “Now, that’s the kind of reaction I like from my customers.”

  “I can’t wait until she sees it. It’s gorgeous, Charlie. Dylan and Janie are going to love it.”

  “Dani, have you been on Facebook today?”

  “No, Mrs. MacKinnon, I’ve been running errands for Dylan this morning and haven’t had the chance.”

  “Well you need to check it out, girl. Your boyfriend’s photo is going viral.”

  “What? Let me see that.” Rather than check her phone’s tiny screen, she walked over to where Mrs. MacKinnon sat. When Charlie’s
mom turned the laptop towards her, Dani gasped.

  “Damn, that boy is fine,” Charlie said over Dani’s shoulder.

  “Uh huh.” True. Joe was beautiful. The photographer had produced hot and sexy images despite his initial frustration. There was no constipated zombie staring back at her—only a very hot and extremely yummy alpha male.

  “That’s a pretty blasé reaction to that very hot photo. Tired of him already?”

  “Of course not.” That she’d been the one to put that look on his face was surreal. Just thinking about that inspirational session locked up in his study made her warm.

  “Look at that blush. That girl hasn’t had her fill yet. Not by a long shot.”

  Dani felt her cheeks burn at Mrs. MacKinnon’s words. At this rate, she never would get her fill. She’d barely had a sip. That she’d fallen asleep on his couch the other day after his massage was highly embarrassing. After he’d confirmed his cooperation, she’d dropped off into the land of nod and he’d let her enjoy her catnap before he’d woken her and given her a ride home. Despite her protests he hadn’t allowed her to drive—said he didn’t trust her not to fall asleep at the wheel.

  She’d been too embarrassed and let him have his domineering way. Dani shook her head, so much for her big seduction routine. One minute she’d been awake and listening to his concerns, and the next, nothing. In her defense, she’d used muscles she hadn’t been accustomed to using and had received a relaxing massage with hot oil. Put it all together, she was lucky she hadn’t passed out until the next day.

  “So are the rumors about him true?” Charlie wagged her eyebrows. “I’ve heard he can make a girl scream for hours on end. He’s like a younger brother to me and I try to ignore the gossip but damn, the things people tell me...” she trailed off, shaking her head.

  “Hush, Charlie. Leave the girl alone.” Mrs. MacKinnon admonished her only daughter. She leaned close to Dani. “He’s always been a sweet boy. He just needed to find the right girl.” She patted Dani’s hand with a conspiratorial smile.