The Best Friend Bargain (Kisses in the Sand)

by Robin Bielman

  “You weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow. I thought you were staying in L.A. so you didn’t have to drive back in the dark.”

  “Changed my mind.”

  “Danny.”

  “It was fine.” L.A. was only an hour away.

  She wanted to argue, he could tell, but he sat before her safe and sound—except for the face thing—so she sighed instead. “Hold this.” She brought his hand up to keep the bag in place.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Sweeping up the mess you made.”

  “Not in your bare—”

  The rest of his sentence got caught in his throat as she bent down, giving him a glimpse at the swell of her breasts when she slipped his shoes off his feet and slid her size eights inside with plenty of room to spare. “There.” She rose with a satisfied smile on her face that took all his pain away.

  A better man would get up to help, but it had been a long day, his eye hurt, and watching the way she moved while she cleaned up the broken plate provided him with more sexy images for his daydreams.

  “How’d it go today?” she asked while sweeping, her back to him.

  “Great. The client was really happy, Jennifer was happy, and the shoot went well.” A photographer friend of Danny’s had taken pictures of the pieces he’d delivered so Danny could start a website for Ellis Design.

  Liv looked over her shoulder. “Jennifer is the interior designer?”

  “Yeah. And get this. She’s set to head up a hotel remodel and wants my pieces in the lobby.”

  “That’s huge.”

  “I know.” It’s exactly what he wanted. To work, keep busy, and leave something of himself behind before his blindness took away his ability to build with his hands.

  “I’m so proud of you.” She bent to sweep the porcelain pieces into a dustpan. Her shirt stretched across her backside and he couldn’t look away. He knew he should. Told himself to stare somewhere else, but he was stuck.

  Stuck on so much more than just her beautiful body.

  “So you broke a couple of rules.” He lowered the ice pack from his face and put it on the counter.

  “What?” Clean up done, his awesome best friend pulled out the fixings for another sandwich, kicking his shoes off her feet as she did so.

  “The sink, Maybug.” He nodded to the pink panties teasing him. “And it smells like something died in here.”

  “Oh, come on. The rules don’t count when you’re not here. Everyone knows that.”

  “I’m here now and seeing and smelling things that break our agreement.”

  She tilted her head and scowled at him. “If you’d been a courteous fiancé and called or texted me that you were coming home, we would not be having this conversation. So, really, this is your fault and gives me a free pass.”

  “Everything from here on out will be my fault, won’t it?” he asked with a smile. He’d watched Zane and Sophie’s interactions, watched his friend surrender to his wife on most everything. What was that saying? A happy wife makes for a happy life?

  Liv shrugged. “You said it, not me.” She walked around the counter to hand him his turkey with cheese and brushed her finger over his eyebrow with her free hand. “I’m afraid you’re going to have a black eye.”

  “Not my first.” Her gentle touch and closeness messed with his breathing.

  “I know.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth.

  Kiss her, his mind whispered.

  Hers obviously whispered, step away. “Now eat while I rinse the sink of contents that shall not be named and remove them from sight.”

  “Got a quick acting air freshener, too?”

  She rolled her eyes. He’d debated on retaliation, but that sealed the deal. He was going to break a rule or two himself now.

  “So, besides the killer candle, what else did you buy today?” He took a bite of his sandwich.

  Her entire face lit up as she eyed the bags on the floor. “Baby stuff. I couldn’t resist. Let me run this upstairs and then I’ll show you.” She took off with the lingerie in her hands.

  He had time for three more bites of his sandwich and she was back, digging into the largest of the bags. Danny’s stomach knotted at the pure joy and excitement in her movements and in her expression.

  Impending motherhood did her body and soul good. And maybe it was helping her get over her heartbreak, too. She hadn’t brought up Will, which both pleased and bothered Danny. Normally, they talked about everything so her silence meant she either wasn’t over him or she didn’t trust Danny enough to share her feelings. Both killed him.

  Selfishly, not hearing about Will eased his conscience over his growing desire for his best friend. It was a dick move to kiss a girl whose heart belonged to someone else. It was okay if she’d moved on. His not knowing allowed him to justify his thoughts.

  “Close your eyes,” she said, looking up at him with her hands inside the bag. He obliged. “Okay, open them.”

  He had no clue what to expect as far as baby stuff went, but he couldn’t have imagined a better comforter than one with Winnie the Pooh on it. “It’s perfect.”

  “I know! Right? I love it.” She squeezed it to her chest. “I bought the whole bedding set.” Tucking the quilt under her arm, she moved to the other two bags and showed him the things she’d bought: a couple of blankets, several footed pajamas, a stuffed “peekaboo” bear, and a diaper bag. He paid close attention to her words, his heart swelling and his head…his head telling him how cool it would be to be a dad.

  How had Will given this up? If the Brit were standing in this kitchen right now, would he be so quick to dismiss Liv and what they could have together? She was glowing. Beautiful beyond compare. Plus she was smart, kind, funny, and when she cared about someone, there was nothing she wouldn’t do.

  The guy was a complete asshat for letting her go.

  Danny gripped the edge of the counter. What if Will realized he’d made a mistake and got in touch with Liv?

  The future flashed before Danny. He’d already started soaking up as much of Liv as he could so he’d remember every detail when he lost the ability to see her. But Will had the advantage of seeing her for the next fifty years. Of seeing not only his child grow up, but grandchildren, too. And if not Will, Liv could always fall in love with someone else who would be able to provide in the ways Danny couldn’t. Lots of couples have open marriages. We’ll talk about that down the road.

  “Hey, where did you just go?” she asked, breaking into his contemplations.

  “Nowhere. Just tired. I’m going to bed.”

  She picked up the bag of ice and handed it to him. “Put this on your eye for a few more minutes before you fall asleep.”

  “Will do. Good night.”

  “Night. And again, I’m really sorry for attacking you.”

  “It’ll make for a great story to tell our baby one day.” He had no idea why he said that, given the commentary that had just run through his head, but the smile on Liv’s face made it worth it. He got to his room, stripped, and climbed into bed to check his email on his laptop. Jennifer had said she’d send her design ideas for the hotel.

  He had several messages in his inbox, including one from Sophie inviting him and Liv to a barbeque next weekend. A new email popped up before he could respond.

  Olivia Lincoln

  Re: Can’t sleep

  November 4, 9:55 PM

  You still awake?

  Danny debated on whether to respond, which tied a knot in his chest. Since when didn’t he want to talk to Liv? Since all he could think about was getting her naked, that’s when. All their emails worsened his desire.

  Danny Ellis

  Re: Yep

  November 4, 9:56 PM

  What’s up? You usually hit the pillow and you’re out.

  Olivia Lincoln

  Re: Feel terrible

  November 4, 9:56 PM

  The candle is taunting me. I think I have to gift it to someone now.

  Danny El
lis

  Re: Forget about it

  November 4, 9:57 PM

  Do not feel bad. You were pretty impressive with your self-defense skills. Keep the candle as a reminder of how badass you can be. Besides, my eye is only swollen shut and a nice plum color now.

  Olivia Lincoln

  Re: WHAT?

  November 4, 9:57 PM

  Tell me you’re kidding.

  Danny Ellis

  Re: I’m kidding

  November 4, 9:58 PM

  It’s going to be fine thanks to your bag of ice.

  Olivia Lincoln

  Re: Frozen Face

  November 4, 9:58 PM

  Are you icing right now? Typing one handed? Please let me make it up to you. If I have to look at your face marred by my foolishness for the next few days I need to do something to make up for it.

  Danny Ellis

  Re: Not necessary

  November 4, 9:59 PM

  But let’s just say for arguments sake, I was to say okay. What did you have in mind?

  Danny Ellis

  Re: Liv?

  November 4, 10:03 PM

  You fall asleep on me?

  Oliva Lincoln

  Re: Still here

  November 4, 10:04 PM

  I was thinking I could start with a few kisses to make you feel better.

  Danny Ellis

  Re: Playing with fire

  November 4, 10:04 PM

  What exactly are you saying?

  Oliva Lincoln

  Re: Maybe we should

  November 4, 10:05 PM

  I don’t know what I’m saying. I just know I don’t think I want to stop at one kiss with you. Do you?

  Danny’s head fell back against his headboard. Hell no, he didn’t want to stop, but he didn’t know if that made it right. Or smart. A half hour ago he’d been wondering if he should find a way to get in touch with Will. Tell him to get his ass on a plane and come see what he was missing. Give the guy a chance to come to his senses. Give Liv a chance to see if she still loved him.

  Danny Ellis

  Re: Best friends

  November 4, 10:06 PM

  You’re feeling guilty at the moment. Let’s sleep on it.

  Olivia Lincoln

  Re: Good idea

  November 4, 10:06 PM

  See you in the morning.

  Her easy acquiescence and brief reply told him she wished she could take back what she said. But she had said it. Still, he needed to be sure she was 100 percent behind this. It wasn’t just the two of them taking a chance. If things went sideways, a child’s life would also be affected. Was adding physical intimacy to their relationship worth changing something that was already pretty damn perfect without it?

  He wished he knew.

  …

  Liv avoided Danny on Friday and texted Will. There’s someone else, she told him. He’d responded he’d met someone, too.

  Her heart had caved at the words. So simply stated. So quick to be texted back, like the six months they’d been together had meant nothing to him. In her head she saw hearts and smiley faces next to his words. He was happy. Without her.

  Deep down, she was fine without him, too. Thinking back on their time together, there was never that moment when she’d completely let him in, dropped all of her defenses, and loved him like she wanted to love that one special person. The person meant only for her.

  No, what stung in his easy dismissal and made her chest ache was that she worried she’d never be enough for someone. Her whole life she’d fallen short, and here it was happening again. Her mom’s words, “Can’t you do anything right?” echoed in the back of her mind and she couldn’t make them stop.

  So she had no idea what to say to Danny on Saturday morning.

  Lucky for her when she found him working in the garage, she didn’t have to speak right away. She just enjoyed the view.

  He had on worn denim jeans that hung low on his narrow hips, a tool belt, and nothing to cover his tanned, gorgeous torso. His shoulders were broad, his waist trim. The muscles in his back flexed as he worked. Nothing short of a buffalo stampede would get her to look away.

  Tiny beads of sweat made his skin glisten and the hair at the back of his neck damp. He brushed his arm across his forehead. His biceps muscle bulged, and she imagined his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She inhaled, breathing in the scent of man and wood and the faint remnants of soap.

  Her fingers itched to touch his skin, to roam over his smooth, hard muscles. Her belly coiled, her nipples tightened. She squeezed her legs together and bit her lip to keep from sighing with pleasure out loud.

  He turned. Oops. She hadn’t been as quiet as she’d hoped.

  And uh-oh. From the front he looked even sexier. Light dusting of hair on his muscled chest, ridges in his abs she wanted to lick, and a happy trail she wanted to follow into his pants.

  “See something you like?” he teased.

  Crap. She’d been caught. Her gaze jumped up to his face where their eyes connected. They’d looked at each other thousands of times, but this time was different. This time it felt like a live wire pulsed between them. A current flowed through Liv’s veins that had never been there before.

  “Maybug?”

  “Sorry.” She blinked fast to break the crazy energy between them. “I came out to see if you wanted anything from the Beach Café. I thought I’d go grab some fritters.” Way to think fast you chicken.

  “I never say no to fritters.” He looked her up and down with appreciation. Tingles settled at the base of her spine.

  “Okay. Good. Great.”

  “Is there anything else?” he asked when she continued standing there staring at him like a lunatic. A pale bruise spoiled the smooth skin underneath his eye, and she was grateful for only the slight reminder of her actions.

  She looked around his well-built shoulder. “What are you making?” It didn’t look like any of his usual designs.

  “A crib.”

  Her legs, already weak from the mere sight of him, almost gave out. She put a hand on the doorframe to keep herself steady. A reply got stuck in the back of her throat. He was making her baby a place to sleep.

  “We need to put all that Winnie the Pooh bedding somewhere, right?”

  That he said “we” almost made her burst into tears. “Danny,” she breathed out. “I don’t know what to say.” She wanted to take a closer look, but if she got within touching distance of him, she’d want to do more than just touch and, with her emotions so raw, that probably wasn’t the best idea at the moment.

  “I did some research online to make sure it meets all the safety requirements. It should only take me a few Saturdays to complete.”

  “What about all your other orders? We’ve got plenty of time, you know.”

  His eyes darted to the floor. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “I was thinking it would make a nice wedding present.”

  Oh, lordy. She was about to melt. Right here in front of him. His thoughtfulness was just so…just so…

  She leaned against the wall, depending on it to keep her upright. The best thing she’d ever been was Danny’s friend and those words and that gesture made her want to continue to be. He was made of the kind of stuff a girl didn’t get in abundance, or even in scarcity.

  And that was why she had to stay his friend and nothing more. Sex between them would change things. She’d love him more, surrender her heart completely, and could she risk being hurt if he didn’t return those deep-rooted feelings? They’d agreed to marry as friends, not lovers. Every one of her romantic relationships had ended with her heart bruised, so what made her think this time would be any different? And none of those guys, not even Will, meant as much to her as Danny. No, an open marriage was the way to go if they wanted to keep their friendship undamaged. Their unique situation could even be more fulfilling than plenty of other marriages. Right?

  “Thank you. That’s really sweet.”

  Danny rol
led his eyes, more at himself than at her, she thought. “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

  “Why do men dislike being called sweet so much?”

  “It’s not very manly.” A bead of sweat slid down his collarbone, around his pec, and down the center of his chest. No woman could say he wasn’t manly.

  “I should probably go get those fritters now.” She turned to go, but looked over her shoulder to add, “Thanks, Danny. For being the best friend a girl could ask for.”

  He pressed his lips together in a resigned smile. Her little extra emphasis on “friend” hadn’t gone unnoticed. He understood. She told herself it wasn’t disappointment she saw flash in his eyes and hurried away.

  The delicious smell of cinnamon, bread, and pumpkin spice greeted her when she walked into the café a few minutes later. Miraculously, there were only two other people in line. A good thing since her stomach grumbled loud enough for the man in front of her to turn.

  Dr. Flynn.

  She put her hand on her stomach and smiled up at him. “Sorry you had to hear that.”

  He smiled back. “No worries. The same thing happens to me when I walk in here. And”—he lowered his voice—“I already had breakfast this morning.”

  “You’ve got me there.”

  “It’s Olivia, right?” She nodded. “Parker Flynn. It’s nice to meet you. Mrs. Landry speaks very highly of you.”

  Liv shook his hand. “Nice meeting you, too. And thanks, but I’m pretty sure she talks about everybody in this town.”

  “True. But her face lights up when you’re the topic. Congratulations, by the way.” He took a backward step toward the counter, now next in line.

  “Thank you.” She assumed he meant the baby and the engagement since Mrs. L. had made sure everyone knew that Danny had bought her house for his new family.

  A young woman walked by, brushing Parker’s arm as she passed. “Hi, Dr. Flynn,” she said in a flirtatious voice.

  He gave her a closed-mouth, friendly smile in return. “Morning.”

  Not two seconds later, another woman, this one older, did the same thing. Poor Parker Flynn. With his good looks and occupation, Liv guessed the single women of White Strand had set their sights on him big time.