His impressive cock caught her attention and she mentally groaned. What she would give for one more time… Then again, it was probably better this way. No commitment—no expectations. She would be leaving soon and probably would never see Devon unless she came to visit Leo.
When Devon disappeared into the bathroom, she found some Kleenex and quickly cleaned up before she located her clothes and got dressed. She was putting on her lightweight jacket when she heard the door open.
Sahara turned and her heart skipped a beat. The bandanna was again wrapped around his forehead. His yellow muscle shirt emphasized his finely cut muscles, and those jeans… She sighed. All she could say is the way they hung low on his hips made him so appealing all she wanted to do was take him back to bed.
His brows pulled together. “Sahara?”
“Uh. Yes. Let’s go.”
Without a word, they strolled through the house. As she stepped outside, the clean fresh scent of pine touched her nose. She scanned the area, loving the serenity surrounding her. High above her a bird sang a song. It was peaceful and beautiful. No wonder Devon liked it here.
“Does Whispering Cove have a beach area that blends into the woods?” The combination would be a fantastic place for a resort.
He opened the truck door. She slid in and he followed her. “There’s one piece that has both, but it’s owned by the great-great grandchildren of the sea merchant who founded Whispering Cove.” He started the engine and shifted into drive. “Several of us have inquired about purchasing a small piece, but the owners aren’t interested in parceling the land.”
She smiled. Maybe there would be a chance they’d sell the whole thing—for the right price, of course.
“What?” he asked, steering the vehicle onto the road.
“Nothing. I’d love to see it.” Excitement flittered through her. This would be perfect for what she had planned.
“Sure.” He glanced at her before focusing back on the street. “Did you want to join me for breakfast?”
“No, thank you.” She had a number of things she had to do. “Tell me where to meet you and when.”
“How about the corner diner in about an hour and a half?” he suggested.
“Great.”
In no time they were back at the beach, but there was no party going on, only an elderly man with a metal detector. When he saw them he waved and Devon waved back.
“What’s he doing?” she asked.
“Trying to locate the crackers and forks we left behind last night.”
“That’s Mr. McDougal?”
Devon glanced at her. “Yeah. How’d you know?”
She winked, leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek before she scooted toward the door and let herself out. Without looking back, she headed toward her car. When she opened the door, her cell phone was ringing. As she climbed in, she reached for the console, popped it open to retrieve her telephone and propped it against her shoulder as she started the car.
“Hello.”
“Sahara?”
“Valerie.” She’d forgotten she’d asked Valerie to call her today. “Did you present Nick with my proposal?”
“Yes. And, Sahara…” Her assistant paused, before her voice squealed, “He loved it.”
Sahara couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. She knew her boss would go for a resort in Whispering Cove. It was a perfect place for overworked CEOs who needed to unwind. There was no doubt in her mind there was money to be made in this project. The sleepy coastal town was perfect. Now that she’d located the right piece of land, maybe everything would fall into place. Hell, maybe she might even make partner soon.
“What does your brother think of your idea?” Valerie asked.
“I haven’t said anything to him. I want to make sure it’s a go before I surprise him.” Sahara pulled onto the main street and headed to Sleepy Cove. She glanced at the clock on the radio. It was already ten o’clock. “Valerie, you should see this place. It has antique charm about it. The people are warm and friendly. It’s perfect.” Leo would be proud of her and maybe she could bring some culture to the town. And, since this would be her brainchild, maybe she could get back several times a year. But it wasn’t Leo who was on her mind when she pulled in front of the inn and stopped.
Valerie laughed. “You’re making me jealous.”
She’d be envious if she knew how Sahara had spent her night and morning. The thought put a smile on her face.
“I’m hoping to find the perfect location today. If I do, I’ll call and leave you a message with the details. You can dig into it and discover the particulars tomorrow. Valerie?”
“Yes?”
“This can wait until tomorrow.”
Again, her assistant chuckled. “You’re one to talk. Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation and enjoying yourself?”
“I’m enjoying myself.” Thoughts of Devon rose, the way he’d cherished her lips, her body, this morning. Goose bumps rose across her arms.
“You got some last night!” When Sahara didn’t respond, Valerie continued. “Who is he? Is he gorgeous? I want details.”
Now it was Sahara’s turn to giggle. She was shocked by the girlish sound she made. “He’s amazing.”
“Tell me more,” Valerie encouraged. “What’s his name?”
“Devon Taylor.”
“Handsome?”
“He leaves me speechless.” And that was putting it mildly.
“I don’t have to worry about you?”
She turned off the car. “Not in the least.” Opening the door, she exited and hurried toward the door. “Gotta go. Love ya. Chat later.” She disconnected the telephone as she entered the inn and raced up the stairs to her room.
Chapter Four
Devon’s head was spinning with the activity of the last couple of days. He grabbed the handle of his suitcase and heaved it out of the back of his truck. A frantic call midday Sunday had him cutting his date short with Sahara, driving to Bar Harbor and jumping a plane to South Carolina where a small crew completed the finishing touches on a business complex. Since everything had looked to be under control, he and Reece had left the jobsite early to attend the beach party last Saturday. Murphy had raised his ugly head and a water leak had caused some unexpected damage.
He slipped his key into the front door of his house and let himself in. To make matters worse, Monday Tabby had been rushed to the hospital with contractions. Reece had been a basket case when he had called Devon. Thank God it had been Braxton Hicks—false labor. And then there was Sahara.
The darn woman had thrown a monkey wrench into his neatly planned life. It was Thursday, June 6, and she had haunted his dreams every night. Even during the day, Devon had problems getting her off his mind. He strolled into the kitchen, noting the silence all around him. It might have been foolish, but he’d intentionally not called her in his absence to prove to himself he wasn’t pussy-whipped. Four fucking days since he’d been with her and he was dying to see her—touch her. He set his bag on the floor, and pushed his fingers through his hair. She was like a drug in his veins he couldn’t get enough of. It was ridiculous.
Tossing his keys onto the kitchen table, he headed to the refrigerator. When he opened the door, a rush of cold air smacked him in the face. Just what he thought—nothing to eat, but at least he had a beer. He popped the top and pressed the rim to his lips. The bitter amber was exactly what he needed to quench his dry throat. As he closed the door, his stomach growled. Maybe he’d head into town for a little lunch. Instead of finishing the beer, he set it on the table and retrieved his keys. Retracing his steps, he headed back to town.
The Seafarer was busy when he stepped inside. Harold, Errol and Byron were sitting at a table and they waved him over.
“How’s Tabby?” Errol asked.
As Devon pulled a chair out, the legs scraped across the wooden floor. “Talked to her on the way back from Bar Harbor.” Taking a seat, he waved a waitress down. “Said she’s doin
g well, but tired. I’m more concerned for Reece. He’s as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
The men erupted into laughter.
“Same for his brother, when Andy was ready to pop. Harder on the menfolk than the ladies.” Harold crossed his arms over his barreled belly.
A tall slender teenager sauntered over to the table, pad and pen in her hand. “Hey, Devon. What’ll it be?”
“Hi, Tish. Shrimp basket and a beer.”
The young brunette pinned Devon with a questioning look.
“What you waiting for, lassie?” Harold asked.
“You don’t think he’s through, do you? I’m waiting until he completes his order before I leave.”
Again the table burst into chuckles.
Heat rolled up Devon’s neck. Now that she mentioned it, maybe he did always add to his order. A side of crabcakes did sound good. “Crabcakes,” he said quietly. She raised a brow. “And maybe a piece of Katy’s apple pie. With ice cream,” Devon added, gaining more laughter from the men around the table.
Tish smirked, giving them an I-told-you-so expression before she turned and walked away.
Byron raised a glass of iced tea to his mouth. “I think the ladies have you pegged. You’ll need to marry someone like Katy.”
“Marry? Me? Naw.” Devon glanced out the large picture window when Sky and Sahara appeared before it. They slowed and stopped as they chatted.
“Looks as if Sky and her soon-to-be sister-in-law are out taking care of wedding business,” Errol said.
“Sahara be a pretty thing, isn’t she?” Harold asked.
She turned at that moment and locked gazes with Devon. His heart fluttered and his damn breath caught. Pretty wasn’t the right word. Sahara was gorgeous and sexy as hell. The jean material across Devon’s lap grew taut.
“They look to have a lot of packages. Be a good lad and see if you can help them,” Harold suggested.
“I… Uhm… Well.” The last thing Devon wanted was to act too anxious to see Sahara.
“Get, boy,” Errol barked.
Devon pushed to his feet and made a beeline for the door. As he exited, Sky greeted him. Sahara remained quiet.
“Need some help?” He stumbled over the words when what he wanted to do was take Sahara into his arms and feel those soft lips on his.
“No. I’m quite capable, but thank you anyway.” There was almost a chill to her voice, or maybe it was his imagination.
“Sky?”
“No. I’m good, but thank you.” There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Sky cleared her throat. “Uh. We’re late for a dress appointment.”
“Of course.” But he couldn’t get his feet to work. “You ladies have a good day.”
“You too,” Sky said, before she linked her arm through Sahara’s and they continued down the sidewalk.
Devon couldn’t take his eyes off Sahara’s shapely backside. When had he let her get beneath his skin? He pinched the bridge of his nose, gathered his wits and went back into the restaurant.
Sahara could have kicked herself for her offish demeanor. The man didn’t owe her anything, but a telephone call would have been nice. Of course, she was now thinking like a girl, instead of the independent woman she was. The truth was she had missed Devon. His stupid crooked smile and his dreamy blue eyes that looked at her with such hunger.
The damn man had been on her mind more than she would have liked to admit. But she hadn’t let his absence deter her from what she had come here for. She wanted to spend time with Leo’s fiancée, learn if this was a good match. Finding the right plot of land was an extra bonus. When she shared her thoughts with her boss, he approved for Valerie to locate the owner and make an offer.
As she waited for Sky to try on her wedding dress, Sahara found her mind wandering back to Devon and how he had made love to her that Sunday morning before he left for South Carolina. The sigh she released was cut short when Sky exited the dressing room.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful,” Sahara breathed.
Sky stood on a pedestal, displaying the essence of vintage chic in a Vienna crepe back satin slip gown with a v-neckline.
“Turn around.”
When Sky complied, Sahara placed a palm against her chest in awe. The back of the gorgeous dress plunged dramatically and was trimmed in sequin-embellished lace. No other adornments were needed. It was perfect.
Standing before Sahara wasn’t the strung-up teenager she had seen dragged to one social event after another. No. This woman appeared calm, untroubled, a look of serenity their type of people hardly ever wore.
Looking over her shoulder, Sky asked, “Do you think Leo will like it?”
“He’ll love it, Sky.” Tears misted Sahara’s eyes. “You love him, don’t you?”
Sky pivoted, the flowing train following. “Yes, I do.”
“And what does your father think about this union?” Sahara asked, even though she suspected Wellington’s plan was to get a Supreme Court Justice in his back pocket.
Sadness spread across Sky’s pretty face as her shoulders drooped. “I’m afraid he’ll try to use your father.”
A knowing smile touched Sahara’s mouth. “Don’t worry about Dad. He’s played these games for a long time. He won’t do anything he feels isn’t in the best interest of his constituents.” Her father was a man of principles. Sky’s father was just the opposite.
Sahara stood and adjusted the train of the gown. “Are you going to wear a veil?”
Sky smiled as she admired herself in the full-length mirror. “No. I have a hairpiece Tabby said she’d bring. I wonder if everything is okay?”
Tabby had been having Braxton Hicks for the last couple of days. The whole town seemed concerned, which was odd to Sahara. She’d never seen a town so involved with each other.
“Sky, what do you know about Devon?”
Sky hesitated, seemingly lost in thought. “What you see—isn’t what you get. I mean—his bad-boy persona isn’t who he really is.”
And who would know better than Skylar Wellington.
For six years the young woman had masqueraded as Tempest Sky, a gothic chick, hiding from her father, building a life of her own as a glass blower. It was only by chance she’d stumbled into Whispering Cove and into Leo’s arms.
“Don’t get me wrong. The man is a diehard bachelor, but he’s also a family man. No one messes with his mother or his sisters.”
The bells hanging from the door tinkled as Tabby waddled in, appearing tired and drawn. It was amazing how much the Taylors all looked alike, from their coal-black hair to their olive skin.
Sky lowered her voice. “He’s attentive to his mother and sisters. I can’t help but think if he gave a woman a second look he’d make a wonderful husband and father.” Sky stopped talking as soon as Tabby was within hearing distance.
As Sky and Tabby chatted about the gown and headpiece, Sahara thought of Devon again. A committed relationship or a husband wasn’t what she was looking for. She had a promising career and hopefully soon-to-be partnership. A summer fling with the diehard bachelor was the only possibility. Besides, she wouldn’t mind discovering what else he might have in his bondage repertoire.
When the room grew silent Sahara looked up to see both women staring at her.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked.
“I asked your opinion about the headpiece. Judging by the smile on your face, your thoughts weren’t on my wedding dress.”
Tabby smirked. “Thinking of someone, Sahara?”
“Ha. Ha.” Sahara didn’t feel it appropriate to share with Devon’s sister exactly where her mind had been. “What’s next?”
The rest of the day was a blur of activity. There were flowers to approve. Cake tasting, which gave Sahara a sugar high and a headache. Perhaps lunch before dessert would have been a better plan. Oh that’s right. They had skipped lunch, deciding to meet at the Seafarer for dinner.
When they arrived at the rustic restaurant, Leo and Reece were waiting for them at a table. The glow in her brother’s eyes when he saw Sky sent chills across Sahara’s arms. Clearly, he loved the woman. As Sahara watched Leo take Sky into his arms, she wondered if the two might start a trend. Marrying for love instead of status, power or money. What a novel idea.
When everyone took a seat, Reece slung his arm around Tabby. “Babe, you look beat.”
“My feet hurt too.”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Do you want me to rub them tonight?” The gleam in his eyes took on a whole new meaning. Tabby giggled and murmured something in return Sahara didn’t catch, but she got the feeling it had nothing to do with Tabby’s feet.
Feeling like an intruder, Sahara turned to her brother, only to find him nose to nose with Sky. Quietly she got to her feet. When no one seemed to notice, she headed for the door. It sucked to be single and surrounded by so much intimacy. But she had to remember it was her choice. As she walked down the cobble streets of Whispering Cove, a cool breeze tossed her hair about. She folded her arms across her chest. Maybe she’d head back to the inn and see what was for dinner there, or maybe she would stop by the hamburger joint down the street if it was still open.
“Hey you.” Someone yelled from across the way.
When she looked across the street, she saw Devon standing in front of the local tavern, holding several sacks and a large metal pail. After looking both ways, he made a beeline toward her. Immediately her pulse began to race. Her body warmed and she had to restrain the girlish grin that wanted to surface.
Devon shuffled the paper bags in his arm. “Where you headed?” Something splashed in his bucket, but she couldn’t make it out in the dark.
“I thought I’d grab something to eat and take it back to the inn.”
“Hmmm. Have you tried DT’s Kitchen?”
As they strolled beneath a coach light, there was another splash. When a large red claw with a blue rubber band surfaced above the rim of the bucket, she let out a squeal.
Devon chuckled. “Nothing to be scared of. Just a couple of lobsters.”
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