by LuAnn McLane
“Thank you for picking up the tab tonight,” Susan said when they stopped for a red light.
“My pleasure.”
“I should have offered to pay.” She shook her head. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“Well, I was sure thinking.” He gave her a slow smile.
“About what?”
“Kissing you.”
She looked down at her clasped hands. “Still … it wasn’t a date.”
“I wouldn’t have let you pay the tab no matter what. That might be the modern thing to do but I won’t ever allow it so don’t even try.”
Susan laughed. “That’s so old-fashioned.”
Danny shrugged. “I don’t care. I believe in what I believe in. Now don’t get me wrong, I think we’re all on equal ground but my mother brought me up to be a gentleman. I know you can open your own door and buy your own food but I want to do it for you when you’re with me. If that’s okay?” He reached over and took her hand.
“I might fight you on the always paying for everything part.” She smiled. “But I love it that you’re a gentleman. My father is too.”
He flashed her another smile. “Good.”
“You can drive down the alley and park on the apron in the back,” Susan said when they reached her building. “My car is in the detached garage.”
“Okay. Oh, and if you ever need to pick something up for the shop that won’t fit in your vehicle, let me know and I’ll go get it in my truck.”
“Thank you, Danny. That’s so sweet of you.”
“Another way to get to spend time with you,” he admitted and was rewarded with a smile. “Wait and I’ll come around to open your door.”
“Okay.”
Danny walked over to the side of the truck and opened the door. He put his hands around her waist and helped her out, even though she was tall enough for the big step down. “And please, no lifting stuff that you can’t handle,” he added with his hands still around her waist.
“Oh, I promise Betsy that all the time. The problem is that I overestimate my strength and usually the weight of whatever I’m lifting. And, well, I have a stubborn streak when it comes to doing things myself. It goes back to being an only child on a farm. I had to do lots of chores on my own so I had to find ways to get things done. But I’ll try to behave.”
“That’s my girl.” Danny smiled at her and couldn’t resist a lingering kiss even before they got inside her place. “Finally,” he said. “But well worth the wait.”
“I’ve wanted you to do that all night long,” Susan admitted with a laugh. “Oh look, we’re steaming up the backyard.” She pointed to the fog their breath was making in the cold air.
“We are!” Danny nodded his head and laughed with her. Then, grabbing Susan’s hand, he walked over to the back entrance to her loft. “Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.”
“Excellent idea.”
Once they were in her apartment, Danny felt a little bit nervous. He helped her out of her coat and this time he couldn’t resist brushing her hair to the side and giving the graceful nape of her neck a warm kiss. With a sigh, she tilted her head, giving him better access. “You smell so nice.”
“Mm … thank you.”
“And you taste as sweet as you smell.”
Susan turned around and unzipped his bomber jacket for him. “And you smell yummy too … leather and spice. It drove me bananas all night long.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” She gave him a shy but oh so sexy smile and then surprised him when she put her palms on his shirt then slid her hands around his neck.
“Good, we’re on the same page.” Danny dipped his head and captured her mouth in a long, deep, delicious kiss. She pressed her body closer and delved her fingers into his hair. He knew it was too early in their relationship to be intimate, but it didn’t feel early after all they’d talked about. Still, he knew he needed to keep his libido under control. His brain understood but his body sure as hell had different ideas.
Danny tried not to imagine what those long legs would feel like wrapped around him but his imagination had already run wild and never looked back. “Ah, Susan.”
“What?” She gave him a dreamy smile.
Danny rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’ve never forgotten the first kiss we shared.”
She lowered her gaze but then looked back at him. “Me neither. Danny, I owe you an apology for the way I avoided you for so long. I was simply embarrassed and …” She shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know what else to say.”
“Maybe we weren’t meant to be together way back then. I was a little on the wild side and took too many things for granted.”
“You were a typical teenager. I was not.”
“Hey, I know. I understand. You were shy … unsure, isolated, but we’re both different now.” Danny paused, wanting her to get better insight into his life. He gently tilted her head up. “While I was away at college and Mason was on tour fishing, my dad tried to hold the marina together and it nearly killed him.”
“Oh Danny …”
He nodded slowly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.
“So you put your own life on hold.”
“My family is my life, and I wanted to do anything I could to save our marina. Mason and Mattie did too.” He blew out a sigh. “But they’ve managed to move on, while I’m still trying to figure my life out.”
“You seem to have your act together to me,” Susan said but then frowned. She smoothed her hands over his shirt, as if trying to gather her thoughts. “Perhaps … you do so much for others that it leaves too little time for you? Tonight you offered to pretty much be at my beck and call if I need items picked up or moved. I get the impression you do that kind of thing a lot.”
Danny shrugged and then cupped her cheek, loving the petal softness of her skin. “The offer stands.”
“Thank you. I’ll remember that. But Danny, you run the marina, help out at the brewery and the bistro. That’s a lot for one person.”
“Because I’m needed.”
“But where’s the time for you?” She gazed at him with such caring and sincerity that his heart ached.
Danny took a step back and shoved his fingers through his hair. “My family appreciates what I do. They aren’t taking advantage of me if that’s what you think. I help out because I want to.”
“Oh I know that, Danny. Your mom and my mom are still good friends even though your parents moved to Florida. They’ve stayed in touch. So even though I managed to avoid you, your name came up and your mom spoke of you in glowing terms.”
“They had to leave for my dad’s health.”
“I know that too. Trust me, I’m not being critical.”
Danny nodded and cupped her chin. She was just hitting too close to the bone. “I know. I don’t think you have it in you to be critical or pass judgment.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Hey, I enjoy everything I do. I wasn’t complaining. I just find you easy to talk to and I’ve felt a little bit restless lately.”
Susan tilted her head to the side. “Because it’s all in the family but none of it is your passion … your creation.”
“It’s amazing how much you understand about me in such a short period of time.”
“Well, being quiet has made me quite the observer. I’ve spent my life watching and listening. You want something of your own but you don’t know how to tell your family.”
He swallowed hard. “I just can’t bail on them.”
“I get that,” she said gently and then seemed about to say more but paused. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“A water would be great.”
“Coming right up. Make yourself at home,” she said and a moment later joined him on the sofa. She handed him the cold bottle and then sat down and toed off her shoes.
He looked down. Damn, she had cute feet.
“Oh, sorry, the first thing I do when I get home is kick off my shoes. I’d go barefooted all
the time if I could.” Her cheeks turned a little bit pink. “The problem is that I’m continually breaking my baby toes.” She pointed to the left one, which was crooked. “I run into everything since I’m always moving things around. And I’m a light sleeper, so I get up in the dark and … Wow, I’m giving you way too much information. I never rattle on like this.”
“I like hearing you rattle on. Keep going. Tell me more about how you started your business.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” He enjoyed the soft, lilting timbre of her voice along with just a hint of the south.
After taking a swallow from her water bottle she rubbed her lips together and Danny had to concentrate on what she was saying and not on her mouth. “Telling my parents I wanted to leave the farm and live in town was super difficult. I helped out so much and they were so protective. But I’d tucked away money from selling refurbished and repurposed items from my Rhyme and Reason website and by taking my stuff to thrift stores that accepted items on consignment. By my mid-twenties I knew I had to get out on my own, and when a dear aunt of mine passed away, she left me a big chunk of money that gave me the freedom to buy this building.” She looked skyward. “Thank you, Aunt Martha.”
“Did your parents try to stop you?”
“Oh sure.” Susan nodded emphatically. “Especially at first. They wanted me to sock the money away and stay on the farm or build a house on the property and just do my website stuff but I wanted to do more. My mother said I could make enough money just ‘tinkering around,’ as she calls it.”
“You tinker very well.”
Susan chuckled. “I was so scared. But I took some business courses online and then just jumped right in. That was three years ago.” Closing her eyes, she sucked in a breath. “I struggled at first but the shop is finally thriving this past year.” She placed her hand on his knee but then quickly pulled it away. He wanted her to put her hand back. Damn, she was cute. “So, do you have something you’d like to do? You mentioned woodworking.”
Danny looked over at the rocking chair he built and his heart thumped. “Oh, that’s just a hobby,” he said casually. but wondered why he didn’t want to tell her more.
Susan nibbled on the inside of her lip. “Hobbies can grow into something bigger. Like Mason and his craft beer. Maybe you should think about it.”
Danny thought about how Mason had almost lost his entire investment, until Grace Gordon came to his rescue and bailed him out. “It can be risky but you already know that.” He scooted around to face her. “There’s a reason I brought all of this up.”
Susan looked at him with serious eyes. “Okay.”
“I don’t know that I’m where I want to be on a personal level and so I’ve avoided getting into a serious relationship.” He gave her a small smile. “But you changed that.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that ever since the day you fell into my arms I can’t stop thinking about you. I know I’m moving fast, but well, I want us to be exclusive. Walking into Wine and Diner and seeing you with another guy made me realize that I want you to be my girl.”
“I wasn’t with another guy. Cole was just talking to me.”
“I know, and I’ll understand if you think I’m being too pushy asking you this so soon. And I wanted you to know that I’m not exactly where I want to be and I sometimes … struggle with it a little bit.” He shrugged. “But I don’t want to wait around until I think the time is right and run the risk of losing you. The truth of the matter is that I want to give what we obviously already have a shot at something more. So what do you say?”
“Yes,” she answered softly. Susan swallowed hard and then gave him a sweet smile that trembled slightly at the corners. “I want to be your girlfriend, Danny.”
“Ah … Susan, you just made my day.” Danny pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. She parted her lips, offering him more, and so he deepened the kiss. When she slid her fingers into his hair, he gently lowered her onto the sofa. He loved the way her body felt pressed against his, the soft push of her breasts touching his chest and her long legs entwined with his. His mouth moved to her neck and he could feel the rapid beat of her pulse beneath his lips. With a sexy moan she snuggled closer, and he knew she could feel the evidence of how much he wanted her.
Needing to feel skin, Danny slid his hand beneath the hem of her lace dress. He inched his way up slowly, savoring the feel of her soft skin. He kissed her neck and then captured her mouth with a long, deep kiss. He pulled back and smiled. “You feel so amazing.”
Susan answered with a breathy little sigh. And when he reached her thigh, she trembled and parted her legs ever so slightly. Danny could feel her heat and he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her. His brain warned him to put on the brakes but when she started tugging his shirt from his pants, he simply had to experience having her hands on his body.
Danny hadn’t been with a woman in a fairly long time but damn, he couldn’t ever remember feeling this kind of hot-blooded desire, this kind of yearning. The feeling was a slow burn, a need that went beyond just sex. His mouth found her lips once more and he slowly ran the tip of his tongue over her bottom lip before sinking into the kiss. He wanted to explore every inch of her, taste her everywhere. And when his fingers brushed the silk of her panties she arched her hips, pressing against where he wanted her most. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“Danny …” she said in a low, sexy tone.
“Oh Susan …” Danny wanted her so much, but he inhaled a deep, shaky breath and placed his forehead against hers. “All I can say is … wow. My heart is pumping a million miles a minute and I want you more than I thought imaginable. And my imagination is pretty good. I’m not kidding.”
“I know … me too, but … it’s too soon.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Danny groaned. “I think I might whimper. Would that be weird?”
“Kinda.” Susan laughed. “But I’ll join you and we can be weird together,” she said and then brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. “Thank you.”
“For what, baby?”
“For knowing in the heat of the moment that this could have gone much further. Not every guy would have been okay with stopping.”
Danny leaned back against the cushions and cupped her cheek in his hand. “This all started with a kiss ten years ago. I’m enjoying getting to know everything about you. I’m willing to wait until the time is right.”
“Me too,” she said, but she gave him a rather coy smile. “Even though I have to admit that the time was feeling pretty right.”
Danny had to laugh. “You’re something else.”
“You mean that in a good way, right?”
“Absolutely, one hundred percent.” Danny suddenly thought he should tell her that he’d made the rocking chair but he was afraid she’d encourage him to make woodworking more than just a hobby and he wasn’t ready to make that leap just yet. “I know this is selfish but I’m glad that Aubrey came home early and gave us the opportunity to spend the evening together.”
“Honesty is never selfish,” she said. “And Betsy has been counting the days until her daughter came home, so it’s all good.”
Danny dipped his head and gave her a lingering kiss. “You’re right, Suzy Q. It’s all good and only going to get better.”
16
Aubrey
“Mom, why are you looking at me like that?” Aubrey asked Betsy.
“Oh, sweet pea.” Betsy reached across the kitchen table and put her hand over her daughter’s hand. “I’m sorry I’m staring. I just can’t believe you’re really here.” She tried not to get emotional but she felt her throat tighten. She took a drink of her sweet tea to hide her reaction to finally having her baby back home. She made a show of pinching herself. “Nope, I’m not dreaming.”
“Mom, since when did you become such a softie?” Aubrey asked, but her smile trembled just enough to let Betsy know her nineteen-year-old daughter was
more than a little glad to be home.
“Ever since you went away to college. And it doesn’t help matters that I’m pre-menopausal. I get hot flashes, night sweats, and I cry at the drop of a hat. And you know I’m not a crier. I’m a tough old broad.”
“Ha, you pretend to be a tough cookie. I know you better.”
“Speaking of cookies, I bought some of those butter cookies you love from Grammar’s Bakery. Oh and the deli next door to Rhyme and Reason had some amazing desserts.” She thought about the chocolate mousse and nearly groaned.
“No you didn’t!” Aubrey groaned. “I’m trying not to gain the freshman fifteen. You know all I have to do is smell cookies and I gain weight. I don’t have that raging high metabolism like you.”
“Are you kidding me? In my opinion, one of the sexiest, most beautiful women to ever live was the one and only Marilyn Monroe, and she had curves, just like we’re supposed to have.” Betsy leaned over the breakfast table and cupped Aubrey’s cheeks. “Could you possibly get any prettier?”
“Spoken like a true mother.”
“Well, I’ve sure missed that pretty face, that’s for sure.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mom. I’m sorry I can’t come home more often, but classes are hard and I have to keep my grade point average up to keep my scholarships.”
“Oh Aubrey, I know. And I’m so proud of you.”
“You’ve told me that a million times.”
“Well, I’m going to tell you a million more. My, my, I just bet you have to swat the boys away like flies on butter.” She made a shooing motion.
“Oh Mom …” Aubrey laughed but then shook her head. “I’m concentrating on my studies, just like in high school.”
Betsy nodded her approval but she had to wonder if Aubrey’s lack of interest in a serious relationship had anything to do with not having a father figure in her life. “Yeah, but you should at least date here and there. Have some fun too.”
“Having a boyfriend would just complicate my life right now.” She raised her eyebrows. “Not that there aren’t plenty of hot guys on campus.”
“I can only imagine.” Aubrey had always been oblivious to how pretty she was, and while Betsy liked that her daughter was modest rather than vain, she was a little bit afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle the male attention from college boys. Coming from a small town meant she was a little bit sheltered. With long, strawberry blond hair, striking hazel eyes, and delicate facial features, she’d been turning heads for a few years. To make matters worse, she was long legged and curvy. But she played her looks down, wearing minimal makeup and pretty much living in jeans and sweatshirts rather than catering to the latest fashion trends. “I know you study your tail off but go to some basketball games and do some, you know, college stuff.”