Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1)

by Karice Bolton

  “We redid the kitchen over the winter.”

  “I love it. The whole place is so welcoming. I can only imagine what it’s like with snow on the ground.”

  “It’s pretty great, but it would be even better if you were here to see it,” Mason said, dipping his mouth next to my ear, sending a pure wave of shivers down my spine. “Ready to see the second floor?”

  I nodded and followed Mason up the stairs to find a large hallway with built-in cabinets. It really paid to know a contractor.

  “I assumed you’d probably want your own room with everything…” his voice trailed off.

  “Doesn’t it get cold around here?”

  His brow arched at my response.

  “Freezing.”

  “Maybe I should have someone to heat up the bed.”

  “So that’s all I’m good for? A bed heater?”

  “There are some other things I could add to that list. So whose tents are those out front?”

  “Jason and Gabby have one and Lily and Ayden have the other. My parents haven’t set theirs up yet.”

  “Why aren’t they staying inside the cabin? It’s plenty big enough.”

  “They like roughing it, and my parents love camping the old-fashioned way so they’ll be setting up a tent.”

  I narrowed my eyes at Mason. I didn’t believe him.

  “So that leaves you and me in a cabin that could hold us all.”

  Mason brought me to a bedroom that had a white pine four-poster bed and two matching nightstands. Opposite the bed there was a dresser with a huge bouquet of red roses. My gaze flashed to Mason’s before I rushed to the flowers. I bent over and took a deep breath in. The rose scent was intoxicating. There had to be at least three-dozen roses. I took in another deep breath of the heavenly scent.

  Mason had come up behind me and I turned around slowly.

  “These are beautiful.”

  “You deserve an entire room full, but my brother’s car could only hold this arrangement with all of their luggage. I tried to get one of them to stay home, but they wouldn’t hear of it.”

  I giggled and felt my entire body warm next to his.

  “I don’t deserve anything… but thank you for thinking otherwise. What’s the real reason everyone is camping outside?” I asked.

  “Believe it or not, it wasn’t me. I told them their idea would actually make you feel uncomfortable since we’re supposed to be “only friends”.” He motioned with his fingers.

  “If you gestured with your fingers that probably didn’t help the credibility.” I flashed a wry grin. “But seriously I feel horrible that your parents are outside while I’m inside this cozy cabin.”

  “Actually, they probably would’ve been in the tent anyway. They think Ayden and I are too rowdy, and they can never get to sleep when they stay inside the cabin.”

  “Are you just saying that?”

  Mason shook his head. “Promise. I don’t think they’ve slept in the cabin for years, unless they come up by themselves.”

  “Why don’t you tell her why that is?” I heard a voice almost identical to Mason’s near the door. I brought my gaze to meet the person behind the sound and was shocked. I knew they were identical twins, but I didn’t expect them to be this identical. Even the kindness in their eyes was duplicated.

  “Ayden, this is my friend, Tori.”

  Ayden took a few steps into the room and gave me a bear hug.

  “I was so relieved those roses made it up here. Lily had an incident with them, and I thought they were goners.” Ayden grinned.

  “What kind of incident?” Mason asked.

  “She fell asleep in the backseat and when she woke up, the vase was on its side and the roses were pressed into the window.”

  I laughed and nodded. “Then that makes them extra special. They’ve been through a lot to get up here.”

  “I told Mason roses were overkill for a friend, but he didn’t take my advice.” Ayden’s lip curled slightly and I laughed.

  “It was smart of Mason to trust his gut.”

  Ayden tapped the doorframe and grinned. “Well, just wanted to let you know that the bratwursts are on the grill. They should be ready in about fifteen minutes. Might be enough time—”

  “Okay, and that is why they are staying outside,” Mason laughed, pretending to shove his brother out the door. Seeing two Masons struggle was quite a sight and I loved every second of it.

  “It was nice to meet you,” Ayden hollered over his shoulder as he walked into the hallway.

  “You too,” I yelled back, sniffing the roses once again.

  Mason closed the door and charged over to me. My pulse raced when I looked into his eyes. They were pleading as he wrapped his arms around me and slowly moved me to the bed. Lifting me onto the high mattress, he shoved my shirt up and began kissing my stomach. His touch became more tender with every kiss and caress, and my fantasies for the weekend began.

  He led his tongue slowly up my stomach, making my body tremble with every lick and kiss in his journey. I propped myself on my elbows as he worked his way up my body. Our eyes locked and my heart filled with nothing more than love for this man. I felt him release the clip in my hair and the strands tumbled around my shoulders.

  “Imagine what I could do with whipped cream and chocolate syrup,” he murmured, his hands skating across my stomach and my body ached for more.

  I giggled and my head fell back. “I think I’ll do that this very second.”

  His lips tickled my throat as he hovered over me.

  “I’m done playing by your rules, Tori Aickens. You aren’t casual to me. I see a future with you, and I want you to see that too. I want you to imagine us together.”

  I lifted my head back up and his gaze connected with mine. Seeing the desire in his eyes filled my body with an uncontrollable yearning to be his, not only now, but forever. I bit my lip and his eyes quickly fell to my mouth before bringing them back to meet mine.

  “In fact, I think you already do.” The heat behind his gaze made my worries seem small and insignificant. It would be a crime to turn my back on this kind of passion so I did what any normal human being would do.

  I gave in.

  I tilted my head and ran my tongue along my lips, smiling as his mouth connected with mine, his tongue teasing and provoking a response from my body that was anything but controlled. He tasted so good. I wanted—needed—more of him. I let out a quiet request in the form of a moan, and his tongue stirred against mine in a slow and deliberate kiss. His hand slid along the waist of my jeans, quickly unbuttoning them as his touch sent my body soaring. Mason’s fingers slid down my panties, and he propped his weight on his other elbow as his mouth slowly released from mine. Mason studied me, teasing me into a world built on something I didn’t think I needed. His beautiful eyes centered on mine, my heart pounding in my chest, as he claimed me with slow and deliberate flicks of his fingers.

  His movements were calculated and his stare intense as his strokes quickened, demanding a response from me that I refused to give. I didn’t want this to end. But his gaze was scorching as his mouth cupped the tip of my breast, his tongue working to break down my barriers and within seconds, I’d succumbed to everything Mason had asked of me. His other hand cradled my neck as my body arched in ecstasy, my breathing ragged with satisfaction and the desire for more, overwhelming my world.

  I opened my eyes to see him watching me, studying me, as my body succumbed to his touch.

  “What about you?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

  He shook his head. “That was for me.”

  It was Saturday morning and I woke up in Mason’s embrace. I didn’t want to move a muscle for fear I’d wake him and he’d let go. So instead, I stayed quietly nestled in his arms for how long I didn’t even know. I loved how my body fit perfectly into his. I felt the strength in his arms as he held me tightly. I listened to his steady breaths and felt the rhythm of his heart as he slept. It wasn’t until his finger started
gently caressing my arm that I realized he was awake.

  I nuzzled deeper into his embrace. “How long have you been up?”

  “Probably an hour,” he whispered, his mouth next to my ear.

  I giggled. “You’re kidding.”

  “No. Why?”

  “I thought you were sleeping. I’ve been up for that long too.”

  “Nope. I wasn’t sleeping… just enjoying waking up with my redhead.”

  “Your redhead, huh?” I teased. “Feeling a little confident, are we?”

  “Hopeful more than anything,” he confessed, his arm bringing me in even tighter.

  His sweet words ran through me as I thought back to the night before. We’d spent the evening eating a late-night meal consisting of bratwursts, potato salad, and corn chips. Dinner was followed up with all of us sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, and a few feeble attempts were made by the brothers to throw one another into the lake. But the true highlight of the evening was when Mason and I crawled into bed. My body still felt as if I’d been carried away by the clouds, and I knew there was no way to undo the feelings that were growing for Mason, but I was sure that was all part of his plan.

  “Should we get up and start checking off that bucket list of yours?” he murmured.

  I shook my head and dove under the covers. “I’d like to revise the bucket list with only items that have to do with this bed and you.”

  “Now that is what I’ve been waiting to hear,” he growled, diving to find me under the covers, but it was quickly interrupted with a loud thump on the door.

  “Rope swing’s all set up and secure,” Ayden yelled through the door. “Just like you asked.”

  Mason popped his head out of the covers and shouted. “Great. Perfect timing. So glad you came up to let us know personally.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle as I threw off the covers and bounded out of bed.

  “It’s what I do,” Ayden replied. His footsteps headed back down the stairs.

  “Heaven help us if we spend a whole day in bed while we’re supposed to be at a family barbeque. That would be wrong on so many levels.”

  “Yet so right.” Mason climbed out of bed and my eyes darted along his lean and muscular body. His broad shoulders and small waist made it impossible to care about the lake rope swing bucket list thing. “I’m gonna go for a quick jog around the lake. Why don’t you grab some breakfast and I’ll meet you outside later?”

  “So that’s how…” I stopped myself.

  “What?” he asked bemused.

  “Nothing. I just thought it had to do with construction.”

  “What had to do with construction?” he asked, walking over and sliding his arms over my shoulders.

  “You’re relentless,” I whispered, feeling his body against mine.

  He swept a tender kiss along the back of my ear and let go. Grabbing a pair of sweats from the drawer right next to me, he smiled and shook his head and slid them on. He walked to the door and pulled it open.

  “You’re not going to put a shirt on?” I asked, wishing I could go along for the ride.

  “It’d get too hot.” He gave a slight wave and walked into the hall, and I secretly wished I’d taken up running a long time ago.

  Instead, I pulled out my swimsuit and walked to the bathroom for my morning shower. It didn’t take long for the water to warm up and I hopped in. In between washing my face and hair, my mind wandered to how much fun I’d been having with not only Mason but his entire family. Sitting around the fire chatting with people who were fast becoming friends made me wonder why in the world I’d leave Washington. There was so little I had to go back to, and really, whatever was back there that I thought I needed could be thrown into ten boxes or less and only a weekend of time

  I turned off the water and quickly dried off as I let my mind fantasize about another life. Would it be possible to start over here and would I even be considering it if it weren’t for Mason?

  I let out a sigh and grabbed my sunblock off the counter. Rubbing on gobs of lotion was only the beginning of my sun ritual. I pulled my hair up and tied it in a tiny knot on top of my head. It might have resembled “Cindy Lou Who’s” hair from the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but it worked well so I could keep my ears completely coated in the good stuff. No accidentally missing a spot of sunblock for this girl. I’d experienced one too many sunburns in the most awkward of places because of hair or clothing somehow wiping it off. Not this weekend!

  I pulled up the swimsuit and found a pair of shorts and an oversized gauze shirt. I smelled something delicious coming from the kitchen and my stomach growled. I glanced in the mirror and decided on no makeup today. It would only wash off anyway in the lake, and either I’d scare him off now or he was in it for the long haul. I shut the door and walked down the stairs where Mason’s mom was whisking eggs in a bowl while Gabby was tending to something in the oven.

  “Good morning, honey.” Mason’s mom greeted me with a huge smile as she whisked away, and I immediately felt at ease walking into the kitchen.

  “Good morning.” I looked around the kitchen at all the little stations. “Something smells amazing. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “You’re the guest of honor,” she replied. “I wouldn’t hear of it. Go have a seat.”

  “That’s nice of you to say, but I really can’t sit still. Can I set the table or…”

  Mason’s mom gave me a kind smile and nodded. “You can count the stack of paper plates and plastic silverware for us. We’ll probably sit outside on the porch.”

  “Perfect and I wanted to tell you thanks again for looking up all the information about my aunt. I still can’t believe it. I sent the letter like you suggested, along with the copy of the will. I hope that’s the last I hear from her.”

  She pressed her lips together and nodded. “You can never predict who will appear after someone passes. I’ve seen all kinds of things when a death occurs, and it can make me question the state of mankind.”

  “I can understand that one.”

  His mom gave me a quick squeeze. “If you need anything else, anything at all, give me a call, day or night.” She handed me a card. “That has all my numbers on it.”

  “Thanks. Hopefully, I won’t have any other long, lost-relatives show up at the door.”

  “Well, if you do, hopefully Mason will be there to answer it.” She gave me a wink and I continued counting napkins, forks, and plates when Mason came jogging through the door, his chest glistening from his run. Not exactly the sight I wanted to see while I stood next to his mother.

  “Honestly, Mason. Do you never put on a shirt?” his mom chuckled.

  “Yeah. Do you ever?” I teased.

  “Maybe this was a bad idea, bringing you two together,” Mason laughed. “Gabby can you help me out on this?”

  “I don’t choose sides. I just bake.”

  “Where’s the food?” Ayden hollered over Mason’s shoulder. “Why are you hanging out shirtless in the doorway?”

  I giggled and Mason’s mom smiled, her eyes connecting with mine.

  “Do I have time for a shower?” Mason asked.

  “Make it quick and you might,” Gabby answered.

  “But if you don’t, we’ll start without you so it doesn’t really matter,” Ayden assured him. “It smells delicious. I don’t know how Jason stays in such good shape with you as a fiancée.”

  “Well, he does work out twice as much as he used to. Plus running after Katie makes us both find muscles we never knew we had. I love her to death, but she can wear me out. It’s nice that she has a grandma who enjoys running after her as much as the rest of us.”

  “Is that where she is now?” I asked. Katie was Jason’s niece. I didn’t know much beyond that they were taking care of her.

  “Yep. She’s at Carla’s. It’s nice for her since my dad’s always traveling for business.”

  Lily walked up behind Ayden and slid between the two brothers, lettin
g herself inside.

  “Oh, it’s true,” Mason’s mom said. “I’d love a little grandchild, boy or girl, doesn’t matter to me. I’d love to spoil it to death, but my kids are too busy with careers and…”

  “Whoa. Hold it now,” Mason laughed. “Let’s not scare off the guests. I’m gonna go shower and I’ll be back in a few.”

  I caught an intimate trade of glances between Lily and Ayden and a private smile that made my heart melt. I dropped my gaze to the floor as Mason walked by and whispered an invite to the shower. My gaze scanned the room, and I knew there was no way I could slip away and not be noticed. I wasn’t that brazen.

  “Nice try,” I whispered. “But I’m needed here.”

  “You’re needed upstairs more.” He grinned.

  My smile widened, and I shook my head as he turned and climbed up the stairs, two at a time.

  “We’ve got a new product launching in the fall,” Ayden announced, going back out to the porch. He brought back in a case of something in silver cans. “It’s carbonated tea with a burst of antioxidants and Vitamin B. I think it’ll be the next big one.”

  “Your company is full of big ones,” his mom said.

  “Just lucky. That’s all.” He opened the can and poured it in a glass, handing it to his mom. He waited so intently for her response. I could tell he truly cared what she thought. My heart ached slightly and I got annoyed at myself. It was the most random things that would make me miss my parents.

  “This is another hit,” she said, nodding. “Delicious. Light and refreshing. Who’s your consumer on this one?”

  “The one market that I still really want to tap into. Females twenty-one to thirty-six.”

  “Hey, you need more than just me?” Lily teased. “Am I chopped liver?”

  Ayden shook his head and handed me a glass of the bubbly drink.

  “Not on your worst day and if you’d buy all the cases across the country, I wouldn’t have to target those consumers.”

  “Well, I guess I better get on it,” Lily laughed. “I had the marketing plans set for the thirty to thirty-five year old male.”

  “Seriously?” Ayden asked, setting the rest of the cans on the counter.