by LuAnn McLane
Knowing it was pointless to argue and not really sure that she wanted to anyway, Addison put her spare key in Mia’s palm.
“Great, I’ll see you in the morning. Nice to meet you, Reid,” Mia said as she scrambled from her seat. “Take good care of my cuz, okay?” She hurried toward the door without looking back.
“Did you just get railroaded into this?” Reid asked with a slight grin.
“No … I … well, kinda,” she admitted, but gestured toward a stool. “But since you’re so good at trivia, have a seat.”
“I might have embellished that statement a little,” he admitted as he sat down.
“That’s okay. I probably have enough useless knowledge for the both of us.”
“I doubt that there’s anything useless about you … I mean, your knowledge,” he added, and then raised the bottle to his lips. Addison tried not to be a bit fascinated at the strong column of his throat as he swallowed, or the fact that the first three buttons of his blue shirt were undone, giving Addison an enticing view of tanned skin and a peek at dark chest hair. Most California men shaved their chest and Addison found the masculine sight sexy as hell.
“So what should our team name be?” Addison asked, and picked up the pencil. “We have to turn our answers in with a team name.”
“How about City Girl and Country Boy?” Reid suggested with a grin that caused a cute dimple to dent his left cheek. When he leaned back a little his shirt gaped open wider, making Addison wonder what he looked like shirtless. She remembered how his tea-stained T-shirt had clung to his chest and decided he would look pretty amazing. “Don’t like the idea?” he asked when she failed to respond—well, at least not in a verbal way.
“Oh, um, no, it’s a good name.” Feeling her cheeks grow warm she dipped her head and wrote the name down and tried to cool off with the last sip of her drink.
“Oh, I forgot to order you a refill. What are you drinking?”
“A Redneck Sunset.”
Reid laughed, and just like his voice, his laughter was deep and smooth, and Addison decided that she liked the sound. “I’ll go up to the main bar and get you another one. It’s too busy to wait for a server.”
“Thanks,” Addison said. She pushed the glass his way just as he reached for it. Their fingers briefly brushed together in an accidental way, but Addison felt a warm awareness. What was it about Reid that made her feel like a lovestruck teenager? She watched him walk across the room, drawing female attention, and when a woman walked over and embraced him Addison felt a flash of jealousy. She wanted to slap her hand off Reid’s forearm, and suddenly felt foolish. She decided that she was suffering from some sort of postengagement-breakup syndrome that was making her react this way. And then she remembered what Mia had said in answer to how you knew when love was the real deal.
The kiss.
What would it be like to kiss Reid?
Would it feel different from when she kissed Garret? Garret had been a good kisser. She’d always enjoyed kissing him. Really, could a mere kiss be anything mind-blowing?
Addison decided that for the sake of curiosity she needed to find out.
A text message from Mia said that she was in the process of moving Addison’s suitcases into condo 129 and the keys would be in her car. Addison smiled at the message. There was no way she was going to intrude on Mia’s night with Cam. The dreamy look on Mia’s sweet face told the story. Her cousin was deeply in love and it showed. Addison wondered if her moment of realization that she was truly, deeply, madly in love would ever come.
“From This Moment!” she said with a snap of her fingers.
“From this moment … what … my little city girl?” Reid asked as he leaned in close and placed another Redneck Sunset in front of her. Deep in thought, Addison turned in surprise as he straightened. Their lips came just shy of brushing together. The moment was brief, but her heated response lingered.
Feeling a little bit rattled, Addison waved a hand through the air, nearly knocking over her martini. “Oh, I’m just thinking of names for my shop. I kind of like From This Moment,” she said a bit shyly.
“Like the Shania Twain song?”
Addison frowned. “I’m not sure … Wait. I think I know the song you’re talking about.”
“Not a country music fan?”
“No, you’re wrong. I love all kinds of music, country included. But that’s from a while ago, right? Still, I bet I know it. Can you hum a little bit?”
“I’d sing it, but all of that talent went to my brother Jeff. I think they have it on the jukebox. Pete Sully is a big Shania fan.”
“Oh, will you play it?”
“If you dance with me.”
“Oh …” Addison opened her mouth to decline dancing, but yes came tumbling out.
“Great, I’ll go select it now. It might be a while before they play it.”
Addison nodded mutely and then took a sip of her Redneck Sunset. As she watched Reid walk over and put coins into the jukebox she reminded herself that she was taking a break from men. But the devil on her shoulder whispered that this was just one night.
One dance.
One kiss.
Addison was simply having fun. What was the harm? She’d give herself tonight to kick back and forget about her mistakes. Tonight she’d simply go with the flow. No big deal. End of story. And Mia had a big imagination where kissing was concerned. Seriously, a kiss was just a kiss… .
Right?
9
This Kiss, This Kiss
WHILE REID PUNCHED IN THE NUMBERS FOR SHANIA Twain’s “From This Moment On,” he wondered what in the hell had gotten into him. Seriously, what in the world had compelled him to ask Addison to dance, of all things? He’d Googled her name after meeting her, and she was indeed Melinda Monroe’s daughter. That was intimidating enough, but he’d also read that Addison had been engaged to movie star Aiden Anderson and most recently to the son of rock star Rick Ruleman. He was sure there was more, but he’d read enough to make him back off, no matter how much he was attracted to her.
The city girl–country boy team name suddenly took on even more meaning. Not to mention that Addison must take a flippant attitude toward engagement and marriage. Not surprising, given her LA roots. He and Addison Monroe were worlds apart. He needed to remember that little detail and back it the hell down instead of spending the evening with her. Now that he wasn’t standing right next to her, looking into her incredible eyes, some of his good sense returned. What the hell had he been thinking?
As a matter of fact, if he hadn’t already promised to get her home safely he would already be trying to think up an excuse to leave. But he was a man of his word. His only problem was that as soon as he got around her, his good sense seemed to take a giant leap out the window. Just like when he walked in the door of Sully’s. He’d spotted Addison right away and told himself to stay away from her. But damned if his feet didn’t walk him right over to her table, not even knowing what he was going to say. Reid sighed. While the leap felt pretty damned good in an exciting kind of way, he had a feeling that the landing was going to hurt like hell. Addison Monroe was not the kind of girl he should be flirting with, plain and simple.
As Reid walked back toward the table, he told himself to just play the trivia game that was about to begin and keep his cool. Hopefully, the song would be preempted by the start of the game and his offer to dance would go unnoticed. He would walk her home as promised and then go about his business. He might even nix hiring her as a consultant and try to talk some sense into Sara on his own.
But when Pete Sully picked up the mic and the questions started, Reid scooted his stool closer to Addison so that they could put their heads together as they answered. As promised, Addison easily blew through the first three questions. Reid was impressed, especially since the category was one-hit wonders.
“Oh, I know this… . Let me think.”
“How in the world do you know who sang ‘Afternoon Delight’?”
“Shh … it’s on the tip of my tongue.”
Reid almost groaned when he listened to another snippet of the song. Afternoon delight? The tip of her tongue? Why did everything suddenly have sexual overtones? She put her hand over his and squeezed. “You know? For real?”
“Starland Vocal Band,” Addison whispered as she wrote the answer on their sheet.
“Unbelievable.”
“Not really. My dad’s art gallery is called Beauty and the Beat. I picked up his love of art and music a long time ago. I love everything from classic rock to classical, and for some reason my brain hangs on to trivia. But Dad and I both enjoy obscure bands or songs. He’s always looking for new talent.” Addison grinned. “He’s kind of an old hippie with long hair pulled back in a ponytail, totally the opposite of my mother. But they somehow make it work.”
“My mom and dad are a little bit the same way. They butt heads all the time but still have a strong marriage.” Reid decided not to mention that he was well aware of who her mother was, since she didn’t mention it herself. He guessed she was trying to distance herself from the recent gossip.
“Hard to find that kind of commitment these days,” Addison said, and he wondered if she was talking about her broken engagements.
“Who sang ‘Gonna Fly Now’?” Pete asked the crowed and played a few bars. “I’ll accept two different answers.”
“The theme from Rocky,” Reid said, and looked at Addison. “Yo, Addison, do you know the answer?”
She giggled at his really bad Rocky impression and then frowned, tapping the pencil to her bottom lip, making Reid wish he were the pencil. She had a great mouth, nice shape with a full bottom lip. “Oh … um it won an Academy Award, I think.”
“You know that?”
“Yeah, but it’s not the answer to the question. Wait… .” She closed her eyes and tilted her head back in thought. Damned if seeing her like that didn’t do funny things to Reid’s gut. She seemed so sweet, so pretty, it was getting difficult to remember that she had a famous mom and ran in circles that Reid would never feel comfortable in. He wondered how long she’d stay in Cricket Creek before getting bored and returning to LA and her jet-set lifestyle. Probably not long. “Oh …” She opened her eyes and put her hand on Reid’s forearm. “Bill somebody. Bill … Bill Conti! I think. I’m not certain but I’ll write it down.”
“Here’s the last question in this category. Listen closely,” Pete said and played a few bars. “Name the song.”
“‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,’” Reid whispered.
“What?” Her eyes widened. “I … um … I don’t know.”
“No, I’m sure of this one.”
She arched one eyebrow. “Really? You’re that confident, huh?”
“Yeah, trust me,” Reid said, and then had to hold back a chuckle when he suddenly realized she didn’t know that was the title to the song. “Absolutely positive.”
“Well, aren’t you just so sure of yourself?”
“Not usually, but this time I am. Write it down,” he whispered in her ear.
“Oh, it’s the title to the song,” she sputtered, and quickly wrote it down. She gave his shoulder a playful shove, and he laughed.
“Want another Redneck Sunset?”
“If I have another I might be howling at the moon.”
“Then I’ll be right back with one while we’re in between categories. We just might win this thing.”
Reid returned with another beer and Addison’s martini in time for the next round. He was pretty good at sports trivia and held his own. Addison killed it in the romantic-comedy movie category, and they laughed through the random-question speed round, spitting out answers at each other left and right. They were laughing and breathless at the lightning-fast questions, but he felt as if they did well. Reid couldn’t remember when he’d had this much fun.
“Time to bring me your answers,” Pete boomed into the mic. “We’ll play some music while we tally the scores. But don’t leave, because tonight’s winner will get dinner for two at Wine and Diner and two tickets to a Cricket Creek Cougars baseball game.”
“Nice prize,” Addison commented, just before Shania Twain started crooning “From This Moment On.” “Oh, that song … I do think I’ve found my name.”
“Well, then, we should dance,” Reid offered, in spite of his earlier misgivings at getting involved with her. Suddenly everything ceased to matter except for having her in his arms.
“That would be nice.” She smiled shyly at Reid and he found his hand reaching out to hers. He led her to the dance floor in front of the stage where live bands played on the weekends. Other couples were heading to the dance floor too. He pulled her close, holding one small delicate hand in his and swayed to the music.
Addison was of average height and in heels fit just right for a slow dance. He inhaled her sweet floral scent laced with something sensual just beneath the surface. When her hair brushed against his cheek it felt as soft as he’d imagined. Reid couldn’t remember the last time he’d danced with a woman, most likely at a wedding, and he’d forgotten how intimate and sexy it felt, especially with someone he was already attracted to. The palm of his hand rested against her back. He could feel the warmth of her skin beneath the soft, stretchy fabric, and when he pulled her slightly closer she didn’t resist. A delicate, feminine quality about her brought out a protective instinct that came out of nowhere. And yet he sensed strength, determination, and so when the song ended and he suddenly felt her breath hitch, he was confused. Pulling back he looked into her brown eyes and noticed the sheen of unshed tears.
“Are you okay?”
She pressed her lips together and gave him a jerky nod. “I think I need a breath of fresh air.”
Reid nodded and led her toward the back door that opened to a deck overlooking the river. It was popular during the summer, but the cool nights kept people inside and tonight was no exception. “Is something wrong, Addison? Did I do something to upset you?”
She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “No, the song … just … got to me.”
“Somebody from your past?” he asked, trying to ignore the disappointment that she might still care for someone.
Addison lifted one shoulder slightly and stared out over the river. “In a way, yes.” She frowned and then shook her head. “I’m sorry, Reid. I was having a wonderful time. We should go back in there. I just had a little pity party. Stupid. I blame it on the three Redneck Sunsets.” She tried to smile but it wobbled at the corners. “It’s so pretty out here. Just look at the moon …” she said, and Reid knew it was an attempt to change the subject.
Reid wasn’t having it. He stepped closer. “I’m so sorry. I would never have played that song if I’d known it was going to upset you.”
She put a hand on his chest and then pulled it back as if she’d touched something too hot. “No, it’s not your fault. I guess I just wonder … No, never mind.” She looked down at the ground.
Reid tilted her chin up. “Wonder what?”
She hesitated. “If my moment will ever come,” she answered so softly that he barely heard her. Then, without really thinking, he dipped his head and kissed her.
The gentle touch of his mouth on hers was meant to soothe, but instead of pulling back like he’d intended, Reid pulled her closer. When her lips parted he deepened the kiss, threading his fingers in her amazing hair. She clung to his shoulders and kissed him back. Her lips were soft, compliant, and the gentle tangle of their tongues was sultry, a slowly building heat that promised so much more.
And he wanted it. Wanted her.
Reid licked her full bottom lip, nibbled at it, and then captured her mouth for more. The cool breeze blew her hair forward around their faces, as if hiding their intimate kiss from the world. He felt her relax, melt against him, as if giving in to something she didn’t want but couldn’t resist. Reid knew the feeling.
But the sound of voices, music, finally filtered into his brain. They were in
public. He needed to pull back … and he did, but with reluctance. “Wow,” he said, inhaling a deep breath. He looked down at her to see if the reaction was only on his end, but she tilted her head to the side and frowned slightly, as if thinking. She licked her bottom lip but remained silent. Reid wasn’t sure how to take it, but Addison suddenly smiled slowly.
“Yeah … wow.”
Reid felt relief followed by a crazy sense of joy. He chuckled softly and was wondering if he could steal another kiss when he heard “City Girl and Country Boy” announced over the speakers. “I think we just won,” he said.
“Woo-hoo!” she said, and laughed when he took her hand. He tugged her toward the door but then stopped before entering.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, better. Thank you for kissing some sense into me.”
“Anytime,” Reid offered, and then pushed open the door before stepping back for her to enter before him. They hurried over to Pete and claimed the prize, bowing to the applause before heading back to their table. “Can I get you anything else? A drink, something to eat, maybe?”
“Actually, it’s getting a bit late and I should get the keys and get settled in the condo.”
Reid felt a flicker of disappointment. “Okay, sure. But do you want some food to go? Have you eaten since lunch?”
Addison winced. “No …”
Reid nodded. “Hey, I’ll go up to the bar and settle the tab. I’m going to order a couple of club sandwiches to go. They’re pretty good. That way you’ll have something for later. I know I’m sure getting hungry.”
“Let me pay for mine.”
Reid shook his head firmly. “This is Cricket Creek. We do things the old-fashioned way. Now, mayo or mustard?”
She smiled. “A little of both, and hold the onion, please.”
“You got it.” He tapped the table with his hand. “I’ll be right back.” Reid placed the order and paid the tab, thinking that this night had gone differently than he expected. When Braden had softball practice and couldn’t join him Reid had almost stayed back at his cabin with a six-pack and a baseball game. But he’d felt restless and decided a night out was just what he needed. A slow dance and a hot kiss hadn’t been on the agenda, and he wondered if his intense attraction to Addison wasn’t from the mere fact that it had been such a long time since he held a woman in his arms. Yeah, that had to be it.