Cherry Grove (The Cove Series Book 1)

by Leaona Luxx

  “How else can a girl meet new men?" I giggle as he grunts again. What's with that? I ponder that question as I grab both of us a towel.

  Grabbing my towel, I throw it over my head and start drying my hair as I make my way to the living room and toss a towel to him. As I pull it off my head, my breath catches as I really see him for the first time. He’s Adonis himself. Chris Hemsworth has nothing on this man. Tanned, muscular— and not from the gym, this is from physical work— and gorgeous. His calluses and slight farmer’s tan tells me he’s probably a blue-collar worker. And his eyes…the color of the deep ocean, swirling below the surface – meridian blue. They stand out even more with his dark hair falling over his brow and hooding his eyes. But what really got me, his full sleeve tattoos that continued over his shoulders and met in the middle of his upper back.

  So distracted by his body, I almost miss the anger marring his face, flashing in his eyes. Why?

  "You didn’t answer me," he growled.

  My eyebrows hit my hairline in surprise and irritation. How dare he? "Answer what?” I snap back.

  “Do you often leave your doors open? Invite strangers in?" he demands.

  Heat rises in my cheeks with my indignation. "I'm sorry. I didn’t realize it was of your concern."

  Schooling his features, he sneers, "Just watching out for my new neighbor. I would hate for something bad to happen to you."

  "We wouldn’t want anything to happen. Fine. I’ll try to keep them locked from now on, and next time I meet a stranger, he can stay out in the rain. Now if you will excuse me, it's getting late and I've had a long day. Thanks for walking me home. Good night."

  Walking over to the door, I open it wide and almost delight in seeing his stunned expression as he stalks toward me. Before he exits, though, he forces a smile and extends his hand. “No problem. It was nice meeting you…?”

  His look is hopeful, and I take a deep breath and release it. “Lea," I mumble.

  "Nice meeting you, Lea, I'm One."

  Wait. What? "Did you say One?"

  His ever-present cocky grin appears on his face once again. “Yes, I'm One."

  As he takes my hand, a charge races up my body. The deep ache returns in my stomach. Static electricity? Must be the storm. Pulling my hand from his, he finally leaves.

  One

  Another restless night leads me to the beach for a run.

  A storm in the distance is working the surf up onto the beach, twisting and churning the waters of the once blue ocean. The darkened skies and lightning creep closer with every passing wave, bolstering the storm further inland. How could nature come so closely to mirroring my soul?

  My dark thoughts mirror the weather swirling around me, but I still hear it. The faintest of noise. It sounds as if it’s calling out to me. Wanting me. Needing me. At first, I think the salty air is messing with my mind, only I hear it again. The most heart-aching sob I’ve ever heard.

  I search the darkness when the beach lights up with another shocking bolt. There she sits on the edge of a dune. Her sobs are relentless. She’s broken, and my chest aches with pain for her.

  As if propelled by an unseen force, I’m carried forward until I stand before her. Looking down at the crying woman, I’m stunned into silence by her breathtaking beauty. With her soft curls cascading into waves falling around her like a curtain, the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts— she entices me. When the sky lights up again, my heart breaks further seeing her face drenched in tears. Say something, anything, I tell myself. I need to see those eyes looking up at me. Willing her gaze to meet mine, I ask, “Excuse me, ma’am. Are you ok?” Still no response but at least now she’s looking at me. Wow! Those eyes have the power to see through to my soul, and I waiver.

  I keep trying to get her to talk to me, to something, but I don’t have much luck. It isn’t until she’s starting to walk away from me that I find my chance. Stopping her once again to talk, the heavens open up around us and I reach down to grab her hand and pull her along. With a single touch, I feel a current or spark, jump between us. What the hell is that? I don’t know, but we don’t have time to think about it right now with the rain beating down on us. I jerk her toward the path and together we run.

  Soaked and out of breath, we make it to her home and she opens her door, which to my astonishment is unlocked. “Do you often leave your door unlocked or invite strange men into your home late at night?"

  She looks offended by my comment, and yet, forced a giggle, “How else can a girl meet new men?"

  Not the answer I was looking for, and to hide my shock, I try to make small talk with her, but she keeps quiet as we both dry ourselves off using the towels she grabbed for us. I desperately need her name. As she stands by the door to kick me out, I say, “It was nice meeting you…?” My words taper off with my silent request, unsure of her name.

  Her eyes stare at my outstretched hand a beat before she finally places her own in mine and says, “Lea.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lea. I’m One,” I grin. She’s flabbergasted by my name, but that only prolongs my time with her for a minute, no… more.

  Once I reach the path again, I turn to watch her. She stands in the doorway looking around the room as if confused before finally shutting and locking the door. Thank God she listened.

  Thing is, I don’t know why I feel so relieved. She’s not mine to take care of because if she were, she would never have been alone on a beach at night in the middle of a storm in the first place.

  No, a woman like that would have been in a hot tub with me behind her running my hands over her breasts and those hips. Damn, was she perfect or what? She has curves in all the right places, breasts perfect for my hands, hips that would be killer to grind my cock against all night as I hold them tight.

  And her smile.

  She’s perfect.

  What the fuck am I thinking? I watch her through the window while the rain pounds me, lost. Lost to her completely and I don’t even know her last name. Shit!

  CHAPTER TWO

  Lea

  The restaurant is crowded for a Thursday; I don’t do crowds, but it was Lath’s suggestion we come. I can never tell him no. After eating, we make our way toward the door, and I’m lost in my thoughts.

  Thoughts of him, of One. I can’t get him out of my head. The way he looks at me. The way he talks to me. As if he wants to possess me and own me. He haunts me day and night. Especially at night in the dark recesses of my mind.

  So lost am I that suddenly I hit a brick wall. “Ow!!!” My purse goes flying as I brace myself against the solid barrier in front of me.

  “Excuse me. Are you all right?” His vibrating deep voice sends a shot of electricity to my core.

  Shit! I’m such an idiot. I’ve run into someone while lost in lustful thoughts. “I’m so sorry. I should have paid attention to where I was going.” I finish just in time to lock eyes with the most perfect face I’ve ever seen: One. His arms tighten around my waist, and his breath is warm with sensual temptation. I am fucking dying inside. My body buzzes with heat as a knot forms in my lower belly.

  “Hey, it’s you. Beach girl,” he states as snarky as possible. Asshole.

  Great. I’m a few letters away from bitch girl. I shake my head, twisting out of his grasp then straightening my dress when I’m free. I don’t want to meet his eyes right now and instead search the ground for my belongings in an effort to avoid him, even if only momentarily.

  “Hey. Yeah, I think I remember you. Yeah, I do. How have you been?” Spotting my purse, I try to retrieve it, but he beat me to it.

  “Here you go. I’m good. I haven’t seen you around lately. You doing okay?”

  I roll my eyes at his indifference. Why did I ever think this could be anything? The jolt I feel whenever he touches me has never been anything on his part. I knew better, but I still hoped. “Good. Been busy,” I respond sounding just as indifferent to him.

  “You, on a date?”

  My ey
es dart up to his in question, but I see he’s looking behind me instead of at me. I realize then that Lath is behind me and One has begun to size him up. Nothing like a little penis swinging to get the night rolling! “Uh, yeah. He’s my date.” Jerking my thumb in Lath’s direction, I answer him. “You?” Just as I get the question out, a very well built man joins him answering my query for me, but One is locked on a target and I think he is ignoring me until he leans in close. My heart flutters, and I believe he is going to whisper something into my ear, however, he moves just enough to place his left hand on my bicep and reach around me with his right. Holy shit. That yearning, pulsating energy runs straight through me the moment he touches me.

  “Hello. I’m One, Lea’s friend. You are?”

  I’m frozen. I can’t speak or move. Before I can stop a train wreck, their hands connect and introductions are made.

  “I’m Latham. Nice to meet you.”

  One keeps his hand on my upper arm but steps back slightly. “You look good. Is this a first date or one of many?”

  I step away from his touch and lay my hand on Lath’s forearm. “Not our first, nor our last.” Turning to Lath, I smile as he excuses himself.

  “I’ll just go take care of the bill and get the car.” He places a chaste kiss on my cheek as One watches intently.

  I guess his friend is tired of being ignored because he finally speaks up, “Hey, I’m Hardy, and you are? I mean since he’s just going to stand and gawk at you.” His hand extends toward me, so I take it, giving him my most impish grin. Well, I hope it is anyway.

  “Hi. I’m Lea. One and I met a few weeks back, on the beach,” I reply.

  The wheels are spinning, and I can tell the second he puts it all together. When he does, he elbows One in his midsection. “So, this is the infamous Lea. No wonder.”

  My gaze shifts from Hardy to One, my own wheels turning as it suddenly dawns on me that One has been talking about me. I snicker, “Well then, this just got interesting.”

  One addresses Hardy, “If you’ll excuse us.” Hardy’s face lights up, and he goes to get them a table without arguing, leaving his friend alone with me. With everyone else gone, he takes me by the elbow, guiding me over to the side of the alcove.

  “So, you’re dating? I mean, I take it he’s the asshole that hurt you.”

  Is he always so domineering? “No, not the one that hurt me. And it’s none of your business.”

  Instantly, all space between us disappears as he steps in so close that his body heat engulfs me. He tucks his index finger under my chin to raise it, allowing him to stare into my eyes. Warmth grows in my belly, and wetness pools in my panties, and I quiver from his touch. “I’m concerned. That’s all.”

  Whatever. I’m so not interested. Stepping away from his touch, I leave him; tossing over my shoulder, “I’m not your concern. I’m nothing to you.” I leave him behind and exit the restaurant thankful Lath is there with the car, but I chance a second glance at the door behind me where I find One watching me until we leave.

  “So, who was that and why have I never met him?” Lath asks as we come to a stop light.

  “Just a guy. He was running on the beach one evening when I had gone for a walk. Seems to be all right.”

  “I’m not so sure. The way he was looking at you like he owns you. Like he really knows you. I don’t like it.”

  Rolling my eyes, I put an end to any further conversation about One, saying, “No concern needed. I haven’t seen him since, so there’s nothing there. He’s just nosy.”

  I crawl into bed that night doing what I’ve done for weeks, dreaming of One.

  One

  Entering the restaurant, I was not in the mood for the same shit as every other day. My best friend, Hardy, has aggravated the hell out of me until I agreed to come. I might be single, but that did not mean I wanted anyone.

  Well, there was one, but who the hell knows if I can even attempt that. I still watch Lea every night. She seems so alone, so hurt. Everything about her makes Lea seem completely unattainable and shut off from everyone. If I ever got the chance, I would make it worth the effort.

  Suddenly, as I’m standing in the waiting area of the restaurant Hardy picked, I feel that same electricity crawl through me as someone bumps into me. Reaching out in order to help whomever it was, I see that the most perfect woman in existence stands there clinging to me. My arms wrap around her waist to hold her upright and all I can think is, I wish I could hold her this way all night. She searches my eyes, for what I’m not sure, but whatever she sees or doesn’t see has her cheeks turning pink. Is she embarrassed?

  Our moment doesn’t last because all too soon, she’s pulling away from me. Could it be the man standing right behind her? I had seen him and chose to pay him no mind until now. His expression tells me he’s really angry, but so the fuck what? What the fuck is she even doing with him? When he leaves to pay the bill, I try to speak with her but she shuts me down quickly.

  Joining Hardy at our table, I feel just as messed up as I had been when we first walked in - maybe more.

  “What gives, dude?” he begins his interrogation.

  Shaking my head, I don’t even know where to start.

  “Is she with him?”

  I shake my head again and reach for his drink, slamming it back. He sits there, quietly waiting. I don’t say a word because I don’t know what to say.

  “One. Seriously. Do you even know her enough to be this messed up about her? Damn man, you just downed my whiskey like it was water. You don’t drink, at least not like this. What the hell is up with you?”

  I simmer for a second, thinking, but I can’t come up with anything. “I don’t know, Hardy. I need to see her. Be with her. I can’t explain it. There’s just something about her.” I shake my head again trying to clear it, finally hanging it in confusion. Not only is my head messed up, but I also have a hard on that could tip this table over. What the fuck?!

  The need to know her almost consumes me. If I go into more detail, tell him what I’ve been doing, Hardy is going to think I am completely insane. I have no clue what the draw is to her. The pull. Magnetic in a sense. And when we touch, this electric shock crawls through me. A deep yearning fills the pit of my stomach, and I know I have to have her.

  Rubbing my hands over my face to help me clear my head, I realize her smell lingers on me, invading my senses.

  I’m a man with commitment and trust issues. I don’t do relationships. Women? That I can do. Lots of women. Shaking my thoughts that preoccupied me, I know Hardy is sitting there watching me, studying me, and I try to get his mind on other things. “So. What women are you talking about? I think that may be what the doctor ordered.”

  Hardy observes me briefly and then proclaims, “It’s no use. You’re too far gone, so you might as well go and find her.”

  Well, fuck me.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Lea

  Several weeks pass since meeting the ‘Beach Adonis.” If that wasn’t enough, seeing him at the restaurant on Thursday made things worse for me. Remembering his smell and the storm in his eyes made for easy masturbation lately.

  Nights were still long but at least I was no longer alone— at least in my mind. Thinking of One had me in knots. I’m positive being with him would be so much more than I or my vibrator could imagine or handle.

  I’m not sure about him and the night at the restaurant only served to confuse me more, but when he touched me, the voltage arced like lightning in the middle of the ocean.

  Ridding myself of all thoughts Adonis related, I redirect all energies to the list taped to my fridge. I’m on a mission today and I refuse to allow him to interrupt my plans.

  After my belongings arrived, I was going a little crazy trying to fit it all into my new home. Not everything found an immediate home. I still had one of my extra bedrooms filled to the top with boxes and furniture, however, after unpacking all day yesterday, I decided those could wait for now until I found a donation cente
r. I had too much and decided I wanted to keep things simple.

  So this morning I loaded as much as I can into my SUV and set out to find a Habitat for Humanity Store. No sense in dumping it when it could be reused. Once there with this load, I would arrange for a pick-up of the rest.

  Sitting at a light, a flurry of activity around a new home build catches my attention and I find myself whipping my car around when I can, and I pull into the driveway.

  This place being a small town and me being new, I’m really hoping for some direction and the petite woman ordering laborers around in regards to the landscape seems perfect. I’m in desperate need of some work to be done around my own house and don’t know who to call. "Hello. I apologize for being forward, but I'm new in town. I just bought a fixer upper in Cherry Grove and am in need of a landscaper and maybe a handyman. Is there any way you can tell me who owns the companies working here or who I can call?”

  "Me.” She smiles holding out her hand for me to shake. "I'm Thayer. I own and operate Living Designs. How about I give you a card, and we can set up a consultation."

  I return her smile. She's gorgeous, and I find myself with a girl crush on her. Dark hair piled high, the bluest eyes I've ever seen, with a rocking body accentuated by a retro look.

  "Sounds great, thanks. I'm Lea, by the way."

  "Great to meet you, Lea."

  "So the contractor for this job?" I press. I’m liking what I see and if I can get the same contractor, it would give me a small measure of relief.

  She turns toward the house, telling me to follow. "He’s tough to get; I'm not sure of his workload, but he’s well worth it. Hey, where's your boss?"

  A man that looks as if he should be in a magazine wearing work boots, cut-offs, a tool belt, and no shirt that's just calling for his ‘V’ to be looked at. Hold up, is that? No way.

  "I'll get him, hun," he says.

  "Don’t call me hun, I have a name! Use it!" she demands in a 'respect me' manner. "This crew is the best there is around here. I'm sure they'll get you situated."