He’s not actually your boyfriend, Kagan.
“Hey sis,” Shane said to Sela, stopping to greet a small group standing near the poolside bar and breaking Kagan’s crazy symptoms of lust. Thank God. His hand slipped off her back as he hugged Sela in greeting.
Sela’s boyfriend and Shane’s best friend was next. “Luke, it’s good to see you.” They patted each other on the back. “How was Costa Rica?”
“Lonely,” Luke said, bringing Sela tight to his side. His job as a sports photographer took him all over the world, although he’d recently opened a studio in Cascade and cut back on his travels. Kagan sighed. The adoration and love between him and Sela was palpable.
“Kagan, you look amazing,” Sela said. “And Shane, you’re not so bad yourself.”
“Thanks,” they said in unison.
Kagan sensed her cheeks reddening at their simultaneous response. She toyed with the pearl bracelet on her wrist.
“Mom,” Shane said, kissing a petite woman on the cheek. “You look lovely this evening.” She grinned up at him, tiny wrinkles around her blue eyes adding to their warmth. “Dad.” He put his arm around a tall, good looking older man. “Looks like the Sullivan men scored tonight.”
Yep, cheeks reddening.
“Thanks for coming. This is Kagan.” Shane put his arm around her waist. “Kagan, my mom, Meg, and my dad, Henry.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Kagan said, taking a small step away from Shane’s embrace. His touch put inappropriate thoughts in her head and it freaked her out to be standing in front of his parents.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Meg said.
Finally meet me?
“Sela’s mentioned you several times,” she added. “Milt too.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he thinks you’re an angel. Swears it’s you who’s increased his business.”
Despite Meg’s near whisper, everyone heard what she said and smiled. Emotion, thick and heavy, choked Kagan as confusion felled her. Half of her wanted to run away and hide, but the other half wanted to stay and really get to know these kind people.
“That’s very sweet. Thank you for telling me.”
“Shane, darling,” said a beautiful woman in a slim black gown as she approached their group. She lit up a smile for Shane, then toned down the happy curve of her red lips and nodded to everyone else.
As Shane introduced his family to his boss, Kagan wondered what he’d say when he came to her.
“And this is Kagan Owens.”
She gave the bogus smile she’d perfected in New York. What had she expected Shane to say? My friend Kagan Owens? My date Kagan Owens?
“Hi,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, and congratulations. The Duchesss is beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’ve got to steal this young man for a little while. Hope you all don’t mind.”
Shane cast her a quick glance before he left. Her air space staled in his absence.
“How about a drink, Henry?” Luke said. “Ladies, can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Kagan said. Sela and Meg answered similarly and Luke kissed Sela before he and Henry stepped away.
“Did you hear about Vanessa?” Sela asked.
Vanessa was Sela’s best friend and Luke’s younger sister. Kagan hadn’t seen her since her wedding a couple of months ago. “No. Is everything all right?”
“She’s pregnant!” Sela bounced up and down. The silvery sequins on the bodice of her peach strapless dress shimmered. “They didn’t exactly plan for it to happen so soon, but it was obviously meant to be.”
Wistfulness flowed through Kagan. How exciting and thrilling. And scary. She wished the best for Vanessa and her husband, Hayden. They were an adorable couple and their wedding had been a huge event in Cascade. She’d been honored to be included on the guest list. And despite her best efforts to keep things on the surface, she’d grown to care about the people she’d met.
For Kagan, though, love was an illusion that never lasted. She’d had her heart broken and didn’t want it to happen again. She’d watched her mom die, her dad close himself off…
She fiddled with her bracelet again.
“That’s beautiful,” Meg said, lifting Kagan’s wrist. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
The gentleness of her grasp and the softness of her voice felt really nice. “Thank you. I made it.”
“You did?” Sela said, surprised. “Wow. You’re very talented.”
“Have you made others?” Meg asked.“I love the combination of leather, pearls, and silver beads.”
“A few. It’s sort of a hobby.” Now that she wasn’t working sixty-hour weeks for her father, she had time to explore her artistic side. She’d craved having a creative outlet for a long time.
“Is this an azalea?” Meg ran her thumb over the tiny silver flower that fastened the bracelet.
Kagan blinked half a dozen times in rapid fire. “Yes. They were my mom’s favorite flower.” She couldn’t believe she’d just shared that. She didn’t talk about her mom to anyone.
“Were?” Sela asked softly.
“She passed away when I was fifteen.”
“I’m so sorry.” Sela put her arm around Kagan and squeezed.
Meg’s eyes met hers. “I’m sorry too. This is a beautiful way to remember her.” Then she wrapped Kagan in a hug. No one, not even Charlotte’s mom, had embraced her in such a protective, caring way since her mom’s death.
Kagan’s arms involuntarily went around Meg and she held on tight, hoping to alleviate the familiar stab of pain. Meg must have sensed her need for this kind of closeness because she didn’t back away. She held on until Kagan released her hold.
“The pearls are because of my grandmother,” Kagan said without thought, pushing her shoulders back and wiping a finger under her eye. “She loved them.”
“Would you make one for me?” Sela asked. “I’ll pay you, of course.”
What?
“I’d love one too,” Meg said.
“Love one what?” an older woman dripping in diamonds asked, inserting herself between Meg and Sela.
“One of Kagan’s bracelets,” Meg said.
Pride. Meg’s voice held pride. Kagan’s knees wobbled and all of a sudden she felt warm. She took a slow, imperceptible breath and concentrated on the cool breeze wafting across the patio.
The woman glanced at Kagan’s wrist. “May I?” she asked, reaching a hand out.
Kagan lifted her arm. Meg made introductions as the woman examined her handmade jewelry. Another woman joined them. Then another and another. The mayor’s wife too. Discussion focused on her bracelets, how long she’d been making them, and if she had other styles.
“I stick to pearls, leather, and beads. I do use pink pearls too, and different styles of fasteners.” Her eyes drifted across the pool. Shane stood with a group of people, but he was watching her, his gaze hot. A shiver hurried down her back. How long had he been checking her out?
She couldn’t look away. He gave her a wide, real smile and her heart fluttered. She beamed back at him without a second thought.
Crap.
More than one of the women turned to see what had drawn her attention.
“I learned to make the bracelets when I was in Thailand,” she blurted out.
Sela’s eyes widened. Meg stared at her with genuine interest. Holy moly. She’d put on a fancy dress, worn a little makeup, and lost her mind. What was going to come out of her mouth next? Oh, and by the way, I’m Fred Donaldson’s daughter. I’ve been using my mom’s maiden name of Owens.
“I was fortunate enough to travel there a few summers ago. There’s a market famous for arts and crafts and one of the artisans was kind enough to show me how she made jewelry. My designs are very similar to hers.”
“I’d love for you to make me one,” the mayor’s wife said.
“Me too,” rang out from the group.
Kaga
n’s pulse raced at the response. She toyed with the pearls around her wrist and ran her finger over the azalea bead.
“I’ve got an idea for you,” Sela said. “I know it’s short notice, but Sunday is Cascade General’s Arts and Crafts Show. I happen to be the Chair since part of the proceeds are for the children’s wing. I could definitely squeeze another booth in and you could sell your bracelets.”
“I, uh, I’m not sure.” Yes was on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t think such a public display was a good idea. Or if partaking in a community event might make her feel a part of something she really wasn’t. In a few weeks she’d return to New York. It was home, where memories of her mom were strongest.
Meg took her hand. “You should do it,” she suggested. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Kagan gulped back tears. If her own mother had been standing there, might she have said the same thing? Moms gave that little confident nudge no one else did, didn’t they?
“You’ve got six sales right here,” one of the women said.
“Okay. I’ll do it.” She might not get any sleep until then in preparation, but seeing the satisfied smile on Sela’s face was worth the lack of z’s.
Besides, less sleep meant less time dreaming about the sexy man walking toward her.
…
Hands down, Kagan won the award for Most Beautiful. Shane had almost swallowed his tongue when he first laid eyes on her. Her white halter dress hugged every shapely inch of her above the waist and then fell like a slip to the floor. The slit up the side that practically reached the top of her golden thigh had almost given him a heart attack.
Her blond hair was pulled up in a loose style that was both messy and sexy and he wondered how she’d feel about him undoing it and running his fingers through the silky strands while he laid her beneath him.
For the past hour, he and Belinda had talked to the right people, including Mrs. Huston and her daughter, but Shane had always kept one eye on Kagan. He couldn’t help himself. It was like she was tied to his breathing.
Right now he wished like hell he could take her hand and duck somewhere private to show her how much she excited him. He’d start small. A light kiss pressed to her shoulder. A finger caressing her palm. His breath in her ear where he’d whisper the ways he could make her feel good. He wanted one night. One night to lose himself in her.
“Ladies,” Shane said, his thoughts clearing with one look at his mom and sister.
“Did you know Kagan made bracelets?” Sela said.
“No.”
Sela lifted Kagan’s arm. Shane had been too busy ogling the dress to notice anything on Kagan’s wrist. Now that he did, though, he wondered how she’d respond if he delicately kissed the pulse point there.
“Wow. It’s really nice,” he said, taking the opportunity to grab her hand. “I’ve got to steal her away. Excuse us.” Not the most amiable getaway, but he’d had enough schmoozing for a while and wanted Kagan all to himself. After tonight, he might not get another chance if she had her way.
“Shane? It seems you’re on a mission, but can we detour to that guy over there with the beef kabobs? I’m starving.”
“No problem.” He’d take any route she wanted as long as her hand remained in his. Too bad once they reached their destination she needed it back so she could grab two kabobs.
The waiter smiled and noticeably checked out Kagan. She paid no attention, biting into her food, but Shane’s gut clenched. He glared at the guy and he quickly moved on. A tray of miniature crab cakes on the arm of another waiter passed by.
“Oh,” Kagan said, covering her full mouth with her hand. “Can you grab me one of those?”
Shane obliged and grabbed two.
“Thanks.” She plucked one off his napkin and took a bite. “Oh my God, this is good. I could live on finger foods.”
He could live on watching her eat. She chewed slowly, like she wanted to savor the flavor and texture. Lifting the other half of the crab cake to her mouth, her fingers brushed her lips. She closed her eyes for a moment. He fought the urge to step close and brush his mouth against hers to capture her flavor. Christ, he craved to find out what she tasted like.
“You going to eat yours?”
His attention snapped back to her equally disarming green eyes. “Not if you want it.”
She looked somewhere over his shoulder. “Actually, I think I see shrimp cocktail making its way over so I’ll wait for that.”
“How about we go halvsies?” He took a bite and then because he had to feel her lips somehow, pressed the rest to her mouth.
Her eyes narrowed, but she accepted. He let the pad of his finger linger an extra second before he brought it to his mouth and licked the tip.
A very visible gulp made its way down her slender throat.
Yes. He wasn’t the only one affected by the vibe between them—a vibe that sparked like firecrackers every time they were together. In fact, they’d been this close to locking lips a few months back during the Fourth of July fireworks display, but something had pulled her back.
The memory reminded him to cool it. She’d made it crystal clear she didn’t want anything physical happening between them and here he was wishing her dress would somehow fall off so he could see her naked.
“Oyster?” said a feminine voice to his left.
He and Kagan turned their heads at the same time. A waitress offered a pleasant smile and nodded to the tray of oysters in her hand.
Hell yes, he wanted an oyster. Or more precisely he wanted Kagan to suck, slurp, and eat one out of his hand. Shit.
She must have seen the gluttony on his face and decided the aphrodisiac amusing, because she burst out laughing. Her infectious, music-to-his-ears laughter surrounded him and he caught a few guests taking notice as he joined her. Smiles spread across the patio like the wave at a baseball game.
The waitress frowned.
“I’m sorry. It’s not you,” Kagan said through giggles. She put her hand on the waitress’s shoulder. “I think we’d better pass on the oysters.”
“Scared?” Shane challenged. He couldn’t help himself.
“Of you? No.” Yet she avoided eye contact, her gaze falling to the ceramic tiled ground.
“I am.”
Under outrageously long eyelashes, she peeked at him.
“Just looking at you sets off alarms.” He flexed his hands and shifted his weight from side to side. If he’d worn a tie, he’d be loosening it. What the hell was he doing falling off this very dangerous ledge?
“I’m allergic.” She lifted her chin and the faintest twitch of her lips drew his attention to their lush form.
“To me?”
A wide, smart-alecky smile spread across her beautiful face. “To oysters.” The smile stayed as she placed her skewer sticks and a bunched-up napkin on a passing platter. “But give it some time and I could be allergic to you too.”
“Okay,” he said.
“Okay?”
He stepped close enough to graze her neck with his breath. “I’ll spend more time with you. Not really what I had in mind, since you made it clear I shouldn’t think beyond this evening. But I guess my charm got to you.”
She chuckled. “You wish.”
A camera flash went off, prompting them to jerk away from each other. A reporter from the Cascade Gazette flashed a credential around her neck and then weaved back into the crowd.
Kagan gave a long, troubled sigh. The playfulness in her pink cheeks vanished.
“Something wrong?”
“I’m, uh, not fond of the press.”
“Because?”
“Back home…” She shook her head and looked away. “She just caught me by surprise is all.”
Shane wanted to ask what happened. But because of her pursed lips, he let it drop. “If you want I can chase after her and demand she hand over the camera chip.” He flashed one of his nothing-I-can’t-do smiles.
“It’s okay.” Kagan squared her very bare, very se
xy shoulders. “So back to where we were before I needed food. I think we were headed somewhere?”
Shane ran a hand through his hair and tried not to stare at the way her dress molded to her full breasts. “Yeah. I wanted to show you the best view in the house.”
“Lead the way.”
As they wove around the pool, they stopped to say hello to all the guests who wanted a word with him. Kagan impressed the hell out of him, like attending a black tie event was second nature. She chatted up the women and joked with the men. Her intelligence and wit shone and she made Shane look good. No, she made him look great.
What was probably an hour later, they made it to the wrought iron balcony and the view Shane wanted Kagan to see. She leaned against the railing, wrapped her long fingers around the bannister, and sighed. In profile, she was so damn pretty, and when the corner of her mouth lifted, he knew she liked the view.
“Wow,” she said.
“I know, right?”
Lights from beachfront properties and businesses glowed along the coastline to the right, but to the left it was inky and peaceful, the beach stretching into the distance. Straight ahead rested the ocean, its current calm under a full moon. Stars winked in the sky, an unearthly blue-white glow sat on the horizon. The silhouette of trees along the beach stood tall and swayed slightly with the breeze.
Shane’s gaze moved back to Kagan. She took a deep breath through her nose and let it out slowly through her mouth. Her chest rose and fell, and the curve of her breast moved in the most mouth watering way.
Breathtaking. The view and his date.
“This is why I stopped here,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“When I left New York, I wasn’t sure where I was going to end up. I just drove. There was a quaint town in Wyoming that I really liked, but I couldn’t imagine not seeing the ocean.”
It sounded like she’d escaped from something and he fisted his hands. She’s from New York. Questions raced through his mind, but this was the most she’d ever shared with him, and he didn’t want to say anything to stop her from telling him more.
Her Accidental Boyfriend: A Secret Wishes Novel (Entangled Bliss) Page 3