“Answers what?”
“The question I had.”
He lowered his hands and shifted his jeans so they didn’t press against his engorged cock quite so much. “That’s pretty mysterious.”
“Sorry. You’re right. I just…I have to think about this.”
“Think about what? The fact that we just kissed in the reception area of the Jupiter Point Hotshots? By the way, I have twenty cots back there just waiting to get broken in.”
That brought a smile to her kiss-swollen lips. “That’s very romantic.”
“That’s me. One hundred percent romance. What brought you here, Evie?”
She blinked at him. “I wanted to kiss you.”
“That’s it? Mission accomplished?”
“Well, there’s…there might be something more.” She laced her fingers together. “I came here for a reason, you’re right, and…I did want to…um, propose something. Suggest something. But we should probably talk more first.”
Hot color flooded her face. God, she was adorable. He wanted to scoop her up and lick her all over, turn her boneless and happy and blissed-out.
“Okay,” he agreed. “You busy tonight?”
Her face fell, all that lovely sparkle evaporating. “I can’t tonight. I have a dinner meeting. It’s not something I want to do, but I said I would.”
Her frowned. That sounded ominous. “Who’s your meeting with?”
“I have to have dinner with Brad.”
“What?” He gripped her upper arms. “No way. You can’t do that.”
“Of course I can.” She tugged against his grasp. “I have to. It’s all arranged. I’m the current head of the business coalition and this is part of my job.”
“Then I’m going too.”
“No. That’s not a good idea.”
Even though Chief Becker had told him the exact same thing earlier in the day, Sean didn’t care.
“Please, Evie. I know what he is. You can’t trust him. I won’t get in the middle of anything. He won’t know I’m there. Just tell me where you’re going to be and I’ll sit in a car outside.”
“With binoculars and a fake mustache?”
Great, now she was making a joke out of it. His jaw tightened and he drew her a little closer. If only he could kiss some sense into her. “Whatever it takes. I saw his face when you refused to endorse him. He’s furious. You shouldn’t be alone with him.”
“He’s not violent, Sean. We live in the same town, our families are close. His father grew up with mine.”
“Weren’t all those same things true when you were fourteen? Don’t tell me he was just a kid then. He was my age, and he knew exactly what he was doing.”
She bit her lip and looked down at the floor. He felt bad, being this forceful, but in his opinion, she wasn’t taking this seriously enough.
“Fine,” she finally said, looking up. “But don’t let him see you. That might piss him off even more.”
“I won’t. I promise. Hand me your phone, I’ll put my number in. Keep it pulled up, ready to dial. I’ll be less than a minute away.”
After she drove off, Sean thought again about Chief Becker’s request. He wanted Sean to avoid Brad and Evie. Now he was going to be in the same place as both of them. At the same time.
Well, he’d always had trouble doing as he was told.
* * *
Even though Evie thought Sean was being an alarmist, it helped knowing he was nearby. That fact made the prospect of dinner with Brad less excruciating. Not un-excruciating. Just less so.
Or maybe it was the fact that kissing Sean had lit something inside her. Warmth and happiness still radiated through her being, like a secret she held close to her heart. It almost felt like a shield, as if Sean had woven a net of protection around her that not even Brad could penetrate.
He didn’t even try, at first. She met him at one of Jupiter Point’s most popular spots, the Seaview Inn. It was situated halfway up the second-highest hill in the area, the first being Jupiter Point, where the observatory was located. It boasted a stunning view of the ocean and the observatory. It was always crowded, which was both good and bad. Good because Brad wouldn’t do anything inappropriate surrounded by so many people. Bad because before the night was out, everyone in town would know they’d had dinner.
They ordered appetizers and drinks—lager for Brad and seltzer for Evie. She wasn’t going to chance alcohol tonight; she had to keep her cool.
At first, Brad was nothing but charm. He’d been perfecting his public persona ever since he’d become the face of the family bank, White Savings and Loan, after college. Every time the bank gave money to a charitable cause, Brad appeared to represent the family. She’d seen his act from afar—speeches, handshakes, the trademark boyish grin—but this was her first up-close experience with Brad White, political candidate.
He asked about her family. He talked about running for office and what it was like being on TV and having strangers recognize him in other cities in their district. He mentioned some of his plans if he won the election, and what the latest polls were saying. So far, the race was neck and neck.
All that chitchat got them through the main course. Evie was just starting to relax when he got to the point.
“I think you’re going to be very grateful to me, Evie.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve created an embarrassing situation for yourself, and I’m offering a solution.”
She darted a glance around the room, with its white leather banquettes and orchid arrangements. The novelty of seeing Evie and Brad all cozy by the fireplace must have worn off, because no one was paying any attention to them. “Are you sure it’s not more embarrassing for you?”
His hand tightened around his glass of lager. “I’m not going to lie. You did embarrass me, which I assume was your purpose. So that’s done now. We can move on. I’m giving you an out, little Evie. I’m willing to play your game.”
She stared at him, that “little Evie” still echoing in her ears. He’d used that nickname because he was four years her senior. It didn’t sound endearing anymore.
“Come up with something that you want,” he continued. “Something the business coalition can get behind. I’ll announce that I’m including whatever it is in my campaign platform. And you’ll come out smelling like roses.”
Jack Drummond had suggested exactly the same thing. “Is that how it works?”
“That’s how it works. You’ve successfully played the game—if you accept this offer. If you don’t accept…” He paused.
“What?”
“Well, you’ll come off as the town kook. It’s not like you have a legitimate reason for withholding your endorsement. The other business owners are going to want to know why.”
An impulse surged within her, something volcanic, something she had no control over. “You know why,” she said in a low voice.
Her nerves jumped as soon as the words hit the air. Never, not once, never had she referred to that night around Brad or to Brad. She’d kept her silence absolute, like a nun who’d made a vow. Those three words hung between them like little grenades.
Except to Brad, apparently they weren’t grenades. They were more like jelly beans. He gave her a smile that was more like a pat on the head.
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
She got the feeling that she was a step behind in this conversation. “You seriously want me to be more specific?”
He tore off a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth. His casual manner seemed designed to tell her how little she frightened him.
“Let’s just say that I’m calling your bluff. I know you, Evie. You won’t ever say anything. You never have and you never will, because that’s not who you are. You’re the classic peacemaker. You don’t like to make waves or upset anyone.”
He made her sound like a complete wimp. She felt all her confidence drain away, same as it always did around him.
“It’s a nice
quality, and I know your family appreciates it. So does the community. You’re the sweetheart of Jupiter Point. Everyone loves you. But no one likes a troublemaker, do they? Right now, you’re making trouble by withholding your endorsement.”
Evie’s blackened trout suddenly looked disgusting to her. She pushed her plate away.
“See? Even this conversation is making you uncomfortable, isn’t it?”
Of course it was. He wanted it to be uncomfortable. That was why he’d arranged this entire thing. He wanted her to be so uncomfortable that she would crawl back into her gallery, curl up in a ball and never bother him again.
She swallowed hard over the lump in her throat. Everything in her screamed to get away from this man.
He scanned her face intently, but she kept her expression blank. Until she made a public announcement of some sort, let him sweat. “Do we have an understanding?”
No. She’d never understand someone like him. Someone who pushed people around just so he could get what he wanted.
He leaned over the table. She caught a whiff of his aftershave. Nausea threatened, but she clenched her fists tight and refused to back away.
“You know, Evie, I’d be a pretty good congressman, did you ever think of that? I have everything it takes. I have the funding, I have the charisma. I know the issues. I can do good things for Jupiter Point. I can introduce a bill to add a lane to Route 78. That would bring more traffic to town. There’s no end to how much I can help you. We can make a deal right now that will be very, very good for you and the business coalition. How about new downtown Christmas decorations? That rec center you’ve been talking about? A community garden that Brianna can run? My press guy can write something up and we can announce it first thing in the morning. Better yet, call your friend Merry and we’ll give her an exclusive.”
He sat back and pushed up the sleeves of his shirt. A man of action, ready to dig in and get to work. She stared at his newly exposed forearms, at his golden hair and a scattering of freckles, the thick wristband of his platinum-rimmed watch. Then she made herself look at his hands. Felt them pushing her down against the mangy sheepskin cloth that covered his passenger seat. Felt it physically, as if it was happening right that moment instead of thirteen years ago.
She jumped to her feet. “I’ll…” She cleared her throat. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
Surprise flashed across his square-cut face. That was some satisfaction, anyway. Obviously he thought she’d follow the script he’d provided.
“Don’t wait too long, little Evie. I have a few other ways I can go.”
Turning on her heel, she walked out of the inn with as much dignity as she could manage. As soon as she reached the lobby, she ran.
10
Outside, she filled her lungs with crisp night air. Sean was somewhere in the parking lot waiting for her to come out, but she couldn’t face him yet. She felt too humiliated, too small. Instead, she headed down the wide steps that led to a terrace with a view of the ocean. Even though a brisk wind came off the ocean, a few hardy guests sat drinking their after-dinner coffee at the ironwork tables behind the balustrades.
Too many people.
Evie had spent a few days helping Brianna landscape the Seaview’s grounds, so she knew all its secret spots. She veered toward the little-used back road that wound up the hill. It was the quickest way to town, and she’d driven up it with truckloads of mulch for Brianna. There was a spot she remembered…yes, there it was. A path that meandered out to a breathtaking overlook. Brianna had created a bed of moss there and installed a little loveseat shaped like a toadstool—a fairy tale touch for the honeymoon crowd.
And right now, for the disgusted single crowd.
Evie slipped off her shoes and dug her feet into the soft, spongy padding of moss, which felt cool and slightly moist. She needed to feel something real. She wanted to feast her eyes on beauty, on the moon lighting a path across the ocean. If she could dive off this spot, into that dark water, and surface as a moonlit mermaid, that would be perfect. She’d never have to face Brad again, or the business coalition. People could say what they wanted about her, and since she’d be gone, it wouldn’t matter.
She buried her face in her hands and let out a long, shaky whoosh of air. Her entire body felt slimy. Brad hadn’t touched her once, but still she felt his scent on her, his gaze, his presence. The way you might feel if you walked through cobwebs and got them stuck in your hair. She wriggled her entire body, hoping to get rid of the sensation. It actually helped, so she worked her shoulders, jumped from one foot to the other, then pogo-sticked up and down.
On the last jump, she landed a little askew and realized someone was standing about three feet away, someone tall and broad-shouldered. She let out a surprised yelp.
“It’s just me,” the man said quickly.
Sean. Of course. Now that her eyes were adjusting to the shadows in the overlook, she could make out his solid, powerful frame. And of course she’d recognize his deep molasses-gravel voice anywhere. “Hi.”
“I saw you come out of the restaurant. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Then you came here and started performing some kind of weird moonlight ritual dance.”
She laughed. “It’s called the get-that-man-out-of-my-hair dance.”
He stepped closer, frowning. Moonlight slid across his wide shoulders. “Did he do something? Do I need to get my left jab warmed up again?”
“God no. Please, that’s all I need. Do you promise not to go caveman on me?”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a rueful smile. “I’m not seventeen anymore. I can control myself.”
Those words, in his sexy voice, inspired all kinds of flutters inside her. Which was amazing, considering how queasy she’d been just a few moments ago. Sean really…just really did something to her, she realized with a sense of wonder. He made her feel safe and strong and sexy. Three things she wasn’t used to feeling at all.
“Brad said he’s calling my bluff,” she blurted. “He thinks I’ll never say anything about that night. I never have, not to anyone. I didn’t tell my parents, I didn’t tell my friends. I kept thinking, it wasn’t so bad. He didn’t…rape me or anything. Not exactly.” She lowered her voice for that last part. It felt so shocking to even say the word aloud. Not even Sean knew the entire story.
“I know he traumatized you,” Sean said gently. “I can vouch for that. You were shaking so hard you could barely walk or talk. I had to help you inside.”
He’d been so kind to her that night. Rough, intimidating, notorious Sean Marcus had gently lifted her from the Chevy and set her on her feet. She could still remember how she’d dug her nails into the muscles of his forearm as they moved down the sidewalk. That must have hurt so much, but he hadn’t even winced.
“I let you down, Sean. I should have told the police why you punched Brad. I should have stood up for you. You stopped him from doing something worse, and then I just let you take the rap for the whole thing. I’m so sorry.” She looked at the moss under her feet, feeling overwhelmed with shame. “I kept thinking how upset everyone was going to be, and how my mother would cry and my father would be so disappointed in me. McGraws don’t get into situations like that. They just don’t.” She attempted a smile. “When I first saw you at the council meeting, I thought you might hate me. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
He took another step closer. She caught the scent of wood smoke that always seemed to follow him. So different from Brad’s pricy aftershave. “Are you picking up a ‘hate’ vibe from me?”
Excitement welled within her, as it always did around him. “Not really, no.”
“That’s good. You were a fourteen-year-old kid and you’d just gone through something shocking. I didn’t blame you for any of it. I blame the asshole who was in the car with you. And at dinner with you. That guy. I do blame him.”
He was so solid and sure, so fearless, his feet braced on the path as if Brianna had planted him along with the hydran
geas and rosebushes. His strength shone from every pore of his body. Being with him filled her with courage.
“You know something? I should have ditched Brad and had dinner with you instead.”
“Of course you should have. As it happens, I still haven’t eaten. I was on a stakeout tonight. Without the steak.”
She laughed. “I would have brought you a doggy bag but I barely even remembered my purse.”
“Want to go grab something in town?”
The thought of walking into another of Jupiter Point’s gossipy restaurants made her heart sink. She could imagine what everyone would be saying the next day. Is Evie McGraw double-booking dates now? Did you hear, first Brad White, then Sean Marcus?
But the thought of spending more time with Sean, yes, that part she definitely liked. “I have a better idea. I remember you used to love my mom’s mac and cheese.”
Even in the moonlight, she caught the flash of his grin. “Your mom’s mac and cheese was incredible. It was the best thing I ever tasted in my life. I’ve actually told stories about it during campouts. She had a secret recipe that she never told anyone.”
“Yeah, well, I’m her daughter. Who else is she going to tell? I have it written down in three places and stored on my computer. Not only that, but I happen to have some already made, just sitting in my fridge.”
“Then what are we doing here with all this moonlight and flowers and shit? Mac and cheese, now you’re talking. Let’s go, lady. Don’t you know firemen are always hungry?”
A well of laughter bubbled inside her. Sean had a way of making her smile no matter what the situation. He made her feel light and safe and ready to take on the world.
It wasn’t until she was driving down the hill that it really sank in. He was going to be inside her house. With her. Being all sexy and irresistible.
11
Sean followed Evie’s little white Jetta down the hill to a Craftsman-style bungalow not far from the McGraw home. Evie had him tied up in knots. First that out-of-left-field kiss had blown him away. Then her moonlight apology had just about ripped his heart out. And now she’d invited him into her home.
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