Sweet, Sexy Heart – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  He ate a bite of the strawberry cheesecake they were sharing for dessert, listening to her rave about The Greatest Showman. How was it possible that her favorite musical was his, too?

  “I watch it at least three times a month. Have you seen it?” She ate another forkful of cheesecake.

  He was glad she wasn’t one of those women who survived on kale and energy drinks. “Yeah. Hugh Jackman is always incredible, but—” Her tongue slicked across her lower lip, and she closed her eyes, making an “Mm” sound, sending his mind down a dark alley. She was a sensual eater; it had been inescapable during dinner. Pleasure had risen in her eyes with nearly every bite, and she’d made those sexy noises, offering him tastes and coaxing him with You’ve never tasted anything this good. The trouble was, the only thing he wanted to taste was the beauty whose innocent eyes were locked on him.

  “But what?” She tilted her head, looking at him with an innocent curiosity, completely unaware of the effect she had on him.

  He cleared his throat to try to clear his thoughts. “But I can take or leave Zac Efron.”

  “Why? Because he’s got a bigger fan base than you?” she challenged.

  He chuckled. She’d challenged him several times tonight, and he loved her feistiness. “I don’t give a damn about fan bases. He’s just not a great singer.”

  “Are you kidding? He’s got an amazing voice,” she said vehemently. “When he sang ‘Rewrite the Stars,’ I would have given anything to be the one he was singing to. It was so romantic. You know what that song’s about, don’t you?”

  He did, but he loved her enthusiasm and egged her on. “Not really.”

  “Seriously? It’s about how she thinks they’re not meant for each other, that their love isn’t in the cards. And he believes they are meant for each other. He says he’ll rewrite the stars for her. I think you’re just jealous.”

  “Hardly, and you wouldn’t say that if you’d ever heard me sing in the shower.”

  “Oh, I get it.” She lifted a forkful of cheesecake, with a tease in her eyes. “This is when I’m supposed to jump at the chance to hear you sing in the shower. Sorry, my dashing friend, but that’s not happening.”

  “You wouldn’t say that, either, if you’d ever seen me in the shower.”

  “Nice try. Did you like the movie or not?”

  “It took me a minute to get used to all the singing, but yeah, I really liked it.”

  “To get used to the singing? That’s the best part. Every song tells a story and brings the characters to life.”

  “I agree with you about that. It was the first musical I’d ever seen, and I just had to get used to it. It’s a powerful movie, and the songs definitely drive the messages home.”

  Her whole face lit up. “So, you did like it!”

  “I’ll never admit this in front of my buddies, but I’ve watched it about a half dozen times.”

  She let out a little squeal, leaning closer. “It’s so much bigger than a romance, isn’t it? It’s a love story about a man and his outrageous vision, and how that vision impacted the lives of everyone around him. That’s why it’s my absolute favorite movie.”

  Her passion made him want to be one of her favorite things, too. “That’s what I like most about it, too. It makes you think.” Like you. You’re sweet and good, and you make me think about what I really want and what’s missing in my life.

  “Exactly,” she said breathily. “It celebrates being different and inspires people not to give up on their dreams.”

  It took everything he had to keep from sliding his hand to the nape of her neck and pulling her into the kiss he so desperately wanted. But he’d told her he was cool with being friends, and he didn’t want to screw this up by taking away her control, so he held still and let those feelings come out in words. “You inspire me, Amber, and I’m not giving up on the dream that one day you’ll go out with me.”

  Her lips parted on a sigh, heat and emotions swelling between them. Her breathing shallowed, and her eyes said, Kiss me. It was torture not to lean in and take that kiss. A minute passed, three, maybe more, and neither said a word. Desire pulsed like thunder between them. He knew she needed control, but he also knew she might be too shy to close the tiny gap between them and take the kiss they both wanted. Just as he was about to lean closer, she sat back and her eyes darted anxiously around them, briefly meeting his. “It’s late. I should get home.”

  Still stuck on the heat crackling around them, it took him a moment to react. “Okay. I’d like to follow you back and make sure you get home safely.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she said softly.

  “I’m not looking for anything in return, or expecting you to invite me in, but I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you on the way home and I wasn’t there to help.”

  She let out a small, relieved sigh. “Okay.”

  He paid the bill and followed her back to her place. Never in his life had he been so aware of the emotions coursing through him. Dash climbed from his car, taking in Amber’s simple yellow cottage with a peaked roof over a postage-stamp-size front porch and the white picket fence that bordered the front yard. A stone walkway cut through pretty gardens, flower boxes graced every window, and a cozy side porch with a hanging wooden bench swing was tucked between the house and the carport where Amber parked. It was the smallest house on the street, but it had the same unique charm as Amber, making it stand out from all the rest.

  Amber climbed out of her car, gorgeous in a suede jacket over her short clingy sweaterdress, which showed off her curves, and those thigh-high boots that had been taunting him all night, telling him his secret sexy reader probably had more sexy secrets. He couldn’t wait to discover them.

  “Go potty,” she said to Reno, and he trotted around to the back of the house.

  “I don’t have to go right now, but if you insist.” Dash pretended to reach for his fly.

  She laughed. “You’re not very well trained, are you?”

  “I think the NFL might say otherwise. You must love your commute to work. What is it? Five minutes?”

  “About that. I prefer to walk when I can.”

  “Is that safe?” He put a hand on her back as they made their way to the front door.

  “Yes, very. And I have Reno to protect me.”

  “He’s not much of an attack dog, but he could probably lick someone to death.” He looked up at the house. “This is a cute place.”

  “Thanks. It was poet Jandolyn Meyer’s house.”

  “I’ve never heard of her.”

  “Nobody has. She wrote poems for the Oak Falls newspaper in the early 1900s. I wrote a paper on her when I was in high school. I fell in love with her words long before I was ready to buy a house, and luckily, when it went on the market, it was in really bad shape. Nobody wanted it because it was so small and the lot is half the size of the others on the street. When I finally had the means to buy it, I didn’t care how much work it needed. I knew it was meant to be.”

  As they stepped onto the porch, he said, “You’re loyal. I like that.”

  “Loyal to a house?”

  “To yourself, and the things that make you happy.” At least most of them.

  Reno came around the side of the house and sat in the grass.

  “Doesn’t everyone do that?” She gazed up at him, desire revealing itself again in the shimmering heat in her eyes, her shallow breathing, and the way she leaned in just a little.

  If he wasn’t looking for her tells, he might have missed that last one. “That depends on the person and the part of themselves they’re being loyal to. Sometimes people hold back from the things that would make them happy because they’re afraid to feel something or of getting hurt or hurting others. Seeing you makes me happy, so I show up like I did tonight, and I had a great time.”

  “I did, too,” she said breathily.

  “But kissing you would also make me happy, and I’m afraid it might scare you off.”
She breathed harder, her eyes never leaving his, giving him hope that he was getting through to her. “What are you afraid of, Amber?”

  “Getting hurt.”

  Her vulnerability made him want to take her in his arms and protect her from the world. He took her hand in his. “I will never hurt you. Give us a try, and I’ll show you what type of man I am.”

  She seemed to think about that for a moment. “Our lives are worlds apart, and you’re only here visiting.”

  “Then give me a reason to come back.”

  Seconds passed in slow motion as she went up on her toes, closing her eyes as her soft lips touched his, sweet and tender, like a whisper saying, Please come back. As their lips parted, her eyes fluttered open, the green light in them as clear as the heat thrumming between them. His arm circled her, drawing her closer as their mouths came together, slow at first, giving her time to pull away. But she grabbed hold of his sides, kissing him harder, and he was right there with her. Their kisses were urgent and lustful, like ravenous animals who had been starved for too long. Their tongues searched and delved, and she made noises similar to the sexy noises she’d made over dinner, but they were sinfully different, full of longing and pleasure. Her mouth was sweet and hot, and her kisses were so damn perfect, he wondered how he’d go a minute without one. She grabbed hold of his shirt with both hands, stretching higher on her toes, kissing him harder.

  Oh yeah, baby. I knew we’d be perfect together.

  He backed her up against the door, his hands moving down her hips, around to her ass. She arched into him, moaning, grabbing at his back and arms, kissing him feverishly. He devoured her, groping her ass, lost in the lusciousness that was Amber Montgomery. Their bodies took over, obliterating all sense of time and space as their bodies gyrated, mouths feasted. She fisted her hands in his hair, keeping him from pulling away. She needn’t have worried. He’d never experienced anything as exquisite as kissing her, and he never wanted to stop. He heard a sound in the distance, but she guided his mouth to her neck, and everything else failed to exist.

  “Feels so good,” she panted out. “I need to kiss you more.”

  She yanked his hair, reclaiming his mouth, and holy hell, he’d found his wild thing. He deepened the kiss, but slowed them down, wanting to savor the taste of her, the feel of her body vibrating with need. He framed her face with his hands, threading his fingers into her hair, and tilted her face up, kissing her softer, more sensually, earning more of the moans that made his cock ache to get into the game. The sounds of car doors closing rang out, and their eyes flew open as Reno barked. Red-and-white lights flashed against the house, and a look of horror rose on Amber’s face.

  Dash spun around and found an ambulance and another car in front of the house, Amber’s parents rushing toward them with an EMT and a paramedic, and Reno barking up a storm. What the…?

  “Honey, are you okay?” Marilynn asked. Then she put out her hand, focusing on Reno. “Reno, settle.” The dog plopped to his butt and stopped barking.

  Cade stopped in the middle of the yard, a look of relief accompanying a “Thank God.”

  “We got a distress call that Amber was having a seizure.” The burly paramedic peered around Dash. “You okay, Amber?”

  Dash looked at Amber, trying to figure out what was going on, but she was nervously patting down her tousled hair with one hand and tugging the hem of her dress with the other. His eyes caught on her necklace, and he realized they must have accidentally pushed the button. Fuck.

  “Yes. I’m fine. Sorry.” Amber’s voice was shaky, her cheeks beet red, and her lips swollen from the force of their kisses.

  Aw shit. “Amber, I am so sorry.”

  She gave him a troubled smile.

  “Must have been a hell of a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” the paramedic said.

  “Boyd!” Amber snapped, looking like she wanted to climb into a hole.

  Dash put his arm around her, locking eyes with Boyd. “We must have pushed her alert button by accident. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  “Oh dear. A kissing emergency. I guess Pepper needs to get back to work on making that necklace Dash proof.” Marilynn covered her mouth as laughter bubbled out.

  “Mom!” Amber glowered at her.

  Dash tried his best to stifle his laughter.

  “We’re just so relieved that it was a make-out emergency and not a seizure.” Cade barely got the words out before he started laughing.

  “Dad!” Amber exclaimed, and an incredulous laugh tumbled out.

  “I’m sorry, honey. You’re right. It’s not a laughing matter.” Her father tried to school his expression.

  “It’s a kissing matter,” Boyd said jovially, and her parents burst into laughter again.

  Amber glared at Boyd, but she was smiling. “Watch yourself, Boyd Hudson, or I’ll tell Janie you’re giving me a hard time.”

  Boyd held up his hands in surrender. “You know I’m only teasing. No need to call my wife.”

  Dash tightened his hold around Amber. “A’right, that’s enough,” he said firmly. “The show’s over.”

  “Hey, Amber,” the EMT called out as they headed back to the ambulance. “The good news is that you’ll be the envy of every woman within a fifty-mile radius tomorrow.”

  Dash gritted out a curse as Amber’s parents hurried toward them with Reno, and Dash and Amber stepped off the porch. Her parents embraced her, apologizing again and reassuring her that the laughter was just their relief coming out. Marilynn pulled Amber aside, talking in a hushed tone, and Cade gave Dash a serious papa-bear gaze. “I guess you won my princess over after all.”

  “Yes, sir, and I’m sorry about this incident.”

  He crossed his arms, nodding. “Tread lightly, son. You just opened up a whole can of worms that she’s spent a lifetime avoiding.”

  “I know that, sir. I assure you it won’t happen again.”

  “Good, because I’m getting a little old for doling out beatings.”

  Dash chuckled, but Cade gave him another stern look, which wiped the smile right off his face. Marilynn said she’d see him in the morning at the park, and as her parents headed for their car, Dash turned his attention to Amber, who looked like she’d been put through the wringer.

  He gazed into her eyes and went for humor, hoping he hadn’t just ruined his chances with her. “How’s that for an unforgettable first kiss?” Her half-hearted smile crushed him. “What can I do to make this go away?”

  “Nothing. It’ll be fine. I’m going to take a hot bath and pretend that whole fiasco never happened.”

  “How about you remember the good parts?”

  “They’d be hard to forget.” Her eyes glittered again, but her underlying unease was unmistakable.

  “Who knew you were such a little wild thing.” He gave her one last kiss and headed down the porch steps, taking a second to love up Reno. “I’d better figure out how to save my reputation before everyone in town thinks I’m easy. Before you know it, my name will be all over bathroom walls. For a good time call…”

  She laughed as she unlocked the door, and Reno trotted up the steps to her.

  “It’s all your fault, wild thing,” he called out from the driveway. “I don’t know how you’ll sleep with that on your shoulders.”

  “I think I’ll manage.” She waved and disappeared into the house with Reno.

  Yeah, but how will I?

  Chapter Six

  AMBER WAS A mess, and she had half a mind to call Sable and give her grief for it.

  The ideas Sable had planted in her head had seemed really good in the moment, and Amber had let herself get carried away with Dash. Not that she regretted those toe-curling kisses, but she’d never in her entire life gotten so lost in a man that he’d blurred out the rest of the world. When they were making out, she’d been vaguely aware of flashing lights but had stupidly thought they were the fireworks Brindle and Morgyn swore Trace and Graham caused when they kissed. Amber had lived un
der the radar for so long, she’d forgotten how awful it felt knowing that people might be whispering about her. She was not cut out for a fiasco-riddled life. She’d spent a fitful night vacillating between preparing for an onslaught of gossip and reliving Dash’s incredible kisses. She’d walked to work to try to rid herself of her nervous energy and had even come up with a number of retorts to shut down the grapevine.

  But it hadn’t helped.

  She’d been on the same emotional roller coaster all day, anxious one minute and excited about Dash the next, which was a problem in and of itself. She hadn’t heard a peep from him since he left. If the situation were reversed, she would have called, or at least texted, to make sure he was all right, especially since he knew how much she hated being gossiped about. But as morning turned to afternoon and hours passed without a word from him, she became convinced that last night’s debacle had scared him off. She should have known better. It was one thing to go out with a woman who had epilepsy and claimed to have things under control, but being with a woman who sets off alarms that bring paramedics and parents rushing to her side was a whole other ball game.

  She was stupid to have thought that after everything he’d told her, he was different. A dull ache took root in her chest, making today that much worse.

  Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it out and saw Brindle’s name on the text message. Steeling herself for an onslaught of teasing about her seizure alarm going off, she read the message. I heard you had dinner with a certain hot jock in Wishing Creek. I want details. She added an eggplant emoji. Amber stared at the message, wondering why Brindle hadn’t said anything about the aftermath of that wonderful dinner. But she didn’t want to think about it, much less talk about it, and she tried to play it off casually, thumbing out, I was there to see Phoenix, and he happened to be there. It was dinner between friends, nothing more. I’m swamped, can’t text. She sent the text and shoved her phone into her pocket.