Her Way

by Jessica Jarman

  “I didn’t bring her for approval.” He lifted a brow.

  “Oh, I know that.” She nudged him with her elbow. “You have it, though, in case you’re wondering. She’s awfully sweet, and puts up with the chaos nicely.” She nodded toward where Emma and the kids ran around. Some of Will’s siblings had joined in and it looked like an impromptu game of football was in full swing.

  “And,” she continued, “I can’t help but like a girl who obviously makes you so happy.”

  He cringed at her tone—he knew that tone, had heard it enough when his sisters had brought their soon-to-be husbands home. “Ma…”

  She held a hand up. “I’m not reading anything into your relationship, I promise. Though I see the way you look at her and—”

  He burst out laughing. “Not reading anything, huh? And just how do I look at her?”

  His mom pressed her lips together and shook her head.

  “You might as well spill whatever you think you’re seeing.” He drained the rest of the coffee and set the mug on the railing. “You’ll let it slip eventually.”

  “There’s love there,” she said with a small smile. “And it’s a joy to see.”

  “Ma…” He rolled his eyes, though that particular word had been popping into his head with regularity, connected to Emma. “We haven’t been together that long.”

  She scoffed. “Please, I knew after two days I was in love with your father. And, he’d say the same thing. The length of time doesn’t matter. What you feel does.”

  “Uncle Will!” His ten-year-old nephew, David, waved wildly at him. “Come play. Emma’s cheating!”

  Emma let out a large gasp and planted her hands on her hips. “Am not!”

  “You carried Kiera to get a touchdown. That’s not allowed. She has to do it herself!” David countered.

  “She’s littler than you, with shorter legs. It wasn’t a fair match.” She pointed a finger at him. “I’m on to you. I’ve got brothers, so I know how you think. You put all the little ones on the same team so you could beat them. I was just evening things up.”

  “See?” David looked back at Will. “She’s cheating!”

  “I guess I’d better come and make sure the rules are followed,” he called out, then gave his mom a peck on the cheek before heading down the stairs of the deck.

  “Oh please,” Emma said with an exasperated look, though Will saw her lips twitch as she struggled not to smile.

  “Yes!” David gave a little fist pump. “You’re on our team. Ha!” He smirked at Emma.

  “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, then pinned Will with a narrow look when he jogged over to stand beside his brother Justin and David. “Sure, you go on and join your brothers and the big kids, ‘cause that’s fair.”

  When he only grinned in response, she stalked up to him and jabbed him in the chest with a finger. “Prepare to lose,” she drawled, then dropping her voice into a whisper, she added, “We’re so going to kick your ass.” She spun around and headed back to the little ones that comprised her team.

  He chuckled as they got in positions. When he caught the ball, he took off at a jog, grinning as he saw Emma running toward him. He didn’t dodge her, intending on taking the touch, just to make things a bit more evenly matched. His breath whooshed out as she hit him smack in the chest, and unprepared for an actual hit, he fell backwards. She landed fully atop him.

  “Hey,” he protested weakly as she lifted her head to meet his gaze. “This is touch football.”

  “Oooooh,” she drawled out and pressed her knee lightly against his crotch. “Whoopsie.” She patted his cheek, then jumped up. After grabbing the ball he’d dropped, she sashayed over to where the kids were giggling. Glancing over her shoulder, she grinned. “Our ball.”

  Justin walked over and held a hand out. Will grasped it and rose to his feet.

  “I like her,” his brother said brightly.

  “Yeah.” Will watched as she knelt down amidst all the kids, discussing their next play, no doubt. She lifted her gaze, then blew him a kiss. “So do I.”

  * * * *

  “You let us win,” Emma murmured, exhaustion pressing down on her.

  Will glanced at her quickly before turning his attention back to the road. “Nah.”

  “Bull.” She laughed. “But you made the kids happy.”

  “Well, I figured I’d better make you happy, otherwise you’d take me down again.” He reached over and squeezed above her knee.

  “Poor David really thought he had it when you joined in. Little did he know that you’d throw a game to make the woman you’re canoodling happy.”

  “Canoodling?” He laughed. “Seriously?”

  “What? It’s a word,” she protested. “I bet it’s in the dictionary and everything.” As he turned, she straightened. “Hey, where we headed?”

  “I want to show you something.” He smiled.

  When he said nothing more, she tilted her head. What was he up to? “Gonna elaborate?”

  “Nope.” He patted her leg.

  He continued to drive in silence towards the edge of town. When he pulled into a driveway, Emma gasped as she looked up at an old mansion. The place was huge…and absolutely stunning. A grand porch spanned the front and wrapped around one side of the home. She could almost picture people milling around or sitting on rockers sipping cool drinks in the heat. The building and grounds had certainly seen better days and needed some tender loving care. As he parked, she noticed the “For Sale” sign near the road.

  “What’s this?” she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

  He winked at her and got out. Her mind raced as he walked around the front of the truck to come and open her door. She unhooked her seatbelt and met his gaze as he helped her down.

  “This,” he said, gesturing widely, “is, for lack of a better word, my dream.”

  Emma didn’t say anything as she took in the scene before her. The old house, the overgrown grounds surrounding it.

  “I don’t plan on working at the restaurant forever. Don’t get me wrong,” he rushed to say. “I enjoy what I do and helping the family out is a plus, but I want to buy this place and open a bed and breakfast.”

  “Really? That’s awesome.” She grasped his hand and squeezed. “Have you put an offer on it?”

  “No.” He sighed, then started pulling her toward the house. “If I offered what the bank has approved for me and what I have in savings, I’d be laughed out of there. I’m putting money away. I’m lucky enough not have a rent payment every month—it’s one of the perks of living above the family business—so the bulk of my paycheck gets funneled into savings. I’m hoping either the price comes down into my price range or it’s still on the market when I save enough.” He shot her a grin. “Until then, I keep dreaming.”

  “It’s an amazing house,” she said as they walked around the building.

  “There were extensive gardens in back. They’re all overgrown and a mess now, but it’s easy to see what used to be. The carriage house has been converted into living quarters. The current owners sank a lot of money into renovating that and the ground floor of the main house. It has a state of the art kitchen, restored flooring throughout. The second and third stories need a lot of work, meaning a lot of money,” he said dryly.

  She gasped as they rounded the rear of the house. He hadn’t been kidding. Even in its current state, the large patio area and surrounding garden were breathtaking. She released his hand and walked quickly to a large stone fountain. She brushed some dead leaves aside and peered inside.

  “Wonder if this still works,” she murmured, then glanced around. “Can you imagine what this was like, what it could be like? It’s a perfect place for an evening party or even a wedding reception. There’s room for several tables and a small dance area out here. More than enough room, actually. Fairy lights strung around…” She turned in a circle, gesturing with her hands. “And the photo opportunities once the grounds were cleaned up and cared for—a br
ide would kill for such a beautiful setting for her wedding pictures.” She stopped abruptly when she saw the grin on his face. Her cheeks heated. “Sorry.”

  “For what?” He came over and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “I don’t know. Getting carried away.” She pressed a kiss to his jaw and laid her head on his shoulder. “This is a magical place, Will. Definitely a good dream.”

  “Don’t be sorry.” He chuckled. “I’m glad someone else can see it. That you can see it. The whole thing is more than a bed and breakfast, really. To be able to put on events—like weddings—is a big part of my plans. If I manage to get this place.” He released her and, stepping back, grasped her arm. “It’s getting dark, we should head home.”

  “I’d love to see inside some time,” she said as they returned to the car.

  “Maybe we can set up something with the realtor,” he said absently, opening her door.

  Before climbing in, she wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. When their lips met, she moaned. His tongue dipped inside her mouth, danced with hers. Will ran his hands down her sides to her hips and tugged her close.

  After a moment, he lifted his head. “Home,” he said harshly.

  She smiled, then slid her hand around to trace his mouth with her index finger. “Thanks for sharing your dream with me, Will.”

  He caught her finger gently between his teeth then curved his tongue around it. Emma’s pussy clenched and her clit twitched at the wet caress.

  After a quick suck, he released the digit and stared at her. “Who else would I share it with, my sweet Emma?”

  Chapter Ten

  Emma wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand and glanced at the clock. She cursed softly and kept walking.

  “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. You’re the one who dragged my ass here to work out,” Ana accused from the treadmill beside her.

  Emma laughed. “Your ass will thank me when it continues to fit into the outfits you love so much.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Ana huffed. “Whatev. So how are things going?”

  “What things?” As if Emma didn’t know. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Everything’s great, though we’ll see how poor Will feels after dinner with my family tonight.”

  “Couldn’t avoid it any longer?” Ana asked.

  “Well, Matt let it slip around Dad that I’d gone to Will’s parents for dinner a couple of weeks ago.” She gave a weak shrug. “So, of course, Dad decided it was time to meet ‘the young man in my life’. I pointed out that he’d already met him at the housewarming, but that made no difference.”

  It wasn’t that she was dreading it, exactly. She just hoped Will wasn’t expecting the kind of family gathering he was used to, because dinner with the Lawrences was a bit more…stale than that with the Calonens. And that was the understatement of the year.

  “Will’s a big boy,” Ana quipped. “I think he can handle dinner at Chez Lawrence. He really likes you, Em. Anyone can see that. I don’t think your dad or your annoying brothers are going to change that. If they do, he’s so not worth it.”

  Emma didn’t respond to that one. She hit a button on the machine before her. “Time to kick it up a bit, hon. Sprint time. At least a six,” she said with a stern look.

  Ana pushed the button and increased her pace. “Bitch.”

  “Again, you’ll thank me later.”

  “Yeah, but you’ll still be a bitch.”

  “And you love me,” Emma panted. “Now shut up before you pass out.”

  The women continued their workout in silence. An hour later, showered and thighs still quivering, Emma pulled into her driveway. Grabbing her gym bag, she got out of the car and headed into the house. A glance at her watch told her she had about an hour before they headed to dinner. God, she was almost more nervous about this than meeting his family. It wasn’t as though she were expecting anyone to do anything horrible. She just didn’t put it past her older brothers to be completely rude. There was a reason she didn’t bring guys “home”. Okay, there was more than one reason—not getting serious enough with previous men in her life was the big one. It’d never been worth it to deal with the headache before.

  She dropped her bag on the floor in the foyer and walked through the house. She found Will at the kitchen table, photos and papers spread out in front of him. Emma leaned against the door jamb and just took in the sight of him—the hair falling across forehead, his intent gaze, the firm set of his mouth. Warmth filled her. Not just the twinge of lust, though that was definitely there, but an overwhelming sense of rightness. Yeah, it hadn’t been worth it before, but it was now. He was worth it.

  He chose that moment to glance up. His lips curved up immediately.

  “Hey, sweetheart.” He stood and crossed the room to drop a kiss on her mouth. “Good workout?”

  “Yep. Ana officially hates me,” she joked, then stepped around him to peek at what he’d been so focused on. “Oh, are these pictures of the dream house?”

  He came up beside her and skimmed a hand down her back to rest just above her ass. “Yeah.”

  Emma picked a few up and looked at each in turn. Damn, the inside was just as impressive as the out, and she was certain seeing it in person would be even more stunning. “Beautiful,” she murmured and held up one. “A ballroom? Oh, that has a lot of potential.”

  He hummed low in his throat and slid his arms around her waist, propping his chin on the top of her head. “I think so.”

  Emma bit her lip then, before she could second-guess herself, asked, “Have you ever considered looking for an investor? Someone who could help with the initial costs? Either buying the property and renting it to you until you can buy, or owning a percentage of the business?”

  “I’ve considered it, and,” he pulled her against him tightly, “my parents have offered, but I don’t want them to feel obligated. It’s my project, my dream. And frankly, I don’t know who else I’d trust enough to get into bed with when it comes to something this big.”

  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “What about me?”

  “What?” He turned her in his arms and she lifted her eyelids to meet his gaze full on.

  “Me. I could help.” Reaching behind her, she set the photos on the table then lifted her arms to encircle his neck.

  “That’s really sweet, Em, but no.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. “Appreciate the offer, though. Really sweet,” he repeated.

  She tilted her head away before he could kiss her. “Wait. I’m not trying to be sweet,” she protested. “I’m aware of how much the property is, but I can see the potential. It’s a good investment, and I have the money to invest.”

  He shook his head as he released her and stepped back. “Even if you do have that kind of money, I’m not having my girlfriend foot the bill on my business. No way.”

  Frustration bubbled up, a bitter taste in her throat. “It wouldn’t be like that. Would you at least take some time and consider it?”

  “I need to get ready for dinner.” He turned and walked out of the room.

  Emma closed her eyes and counted to ten, pushing past the annoyance that filled her. Damn it. Well, she’d have to work on a way to make him see she was serious and that it was a wise choice. He was about to learn just how persistent and convincing she could be, she thought with a smile as she followed him up the stairs. For now, though, it was time to focus on getting through tonight.

  * * * *

  Emma glanced at Will from the corner of her eye as he pulled through the gate and started up the drive to her family’s home. His hands gripped the wheel and he stared straight ahead. She wondered what he was thinking. While she didn’t exactly hide her family’s wealthy situation, she certainly didn’t announce it or even talk about it. She’d learned the hard way, years ago, that some guys looked at her with dollar signs in their eyes, and as a result, kept that part of her life to herself. While she certainly
didn’t see that as an issue with Will, the tension in the vehicle rose tangibly the closer they got to her father’s home. At first, she thought he was simply nervous about meeting her family—God knew she had been meeting his—but now she wondered what was going on his head.

  Nerves buzzing, she fiddled with the hem of her skirt and searched her mind for something to say.

  “We don’t have to stay long,” she said, then winced as the words came out louder than she intended. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “We can leave any time you want.”

  When he didn’t responded, she pointed to where the drive curved to meet the steps to the large house. “Um, you can just pull up and park there. Makes it easier for a quick getaway later,” she joked.

  He threw her a tight smile and parked the truck. Killing the engine, he leaned forward, gazing through the windshield at the imposing building. “Well, I guess I can see why you thought nothing of offering to buy a run-down, old mansion.” He whistled softly, shaking his head.

  “Will,” she said slowly, unsure how to interpret his tone. Her stomach churned, a riot of emotions threatening to make her ill. “Look, we don’t have to stay. We can just go home. I’ll call Dad and tell him something came up.”

  Will turned toward her, a frown turning the corners of his mouth down. “What are you talking about? We’re already here.”

  “And you don’t seem too thrilled about that.” She shrugged. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or feel forced into anything.”

  He sighed and reached over to grasp her hand. “I’m sorry, okay? I knew your family was…well off. I just didn’t really know how well off.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled.

  “Is that a problem?” she asked stiffly.

  “No, of course not.” His warm fingers flexed around hers and he leaned over to press his lips to hers. After a quick, hard kiss, he rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed. “Remember how you were nervous meeting my family?”

  She lifted her free hand to cup his cheek. “Mm hmmm.”

  “I’m feeling the nerves now, so the unexpected is throwing me for a loop. It has nothing to do with you, sweetheart. Promise,” he said and straightened.