Suddenly, everything from the inn’s financial straits to her relationship with Cole seemed to be taking a turn for the better.
She picked up the hairpins, veering back toward her bedroom to change into more comfortable shoes. Despite the dimming light from the windows, she was determined to throw off the afternoon gloom.
Before she could do more than deposit the pins in the seashell-shaped dish on her bathroom vanity, the phone rang. She had only to think of her near-empty guest book to propel herself back into the den of her third-floor living quarters and snatch it up on the fifth ring.
The call lasted little more than three minutes. By the time she replaced the phone in the cradle, she felt as if the earth had shifted beneath her feet. As raindrops broke apart on the window above her, she stared at the phone’s receiver, lips parted in shock.
Then she heard the voice shouting from the floor below, the sound of her name. On her bare feet, she walked briskly to the door to the stairs and down to the second level.
As soon as she tore through the door to the hall of guest suites, she saw him standing opposite the door to his room on the landing. Relief waged against guilt for claim of his expression. She let the door creak to a close behind her as thunder rolled overhead and didn’t give him a chance to speak first. “Did you speak to my father?”
He frowned. Shifting his stance from one foot to the other, he considered her. “Speaking isn’t exactly how it went.”
“So it’s true,” she said, pulse picking up pace. “Everything he said you said...”
He nodded cautiously. “Yeah, I probably said it.” When she only continued to stare, he lifted his hands. “Look, maybe it was the heat. I don’t know. But I can’t apologize.”
“Don’t,” she blurted. At his stunned look, she followed the towering impulse tugging her down the hall toward him. Without another word, she flung her arms around him and pressed her mouth hotly to his.
His sound of surprise died in his throat as she delved into his mouth, tongue seeking his as heat and triumph and reckless waves of raw desire consumed her in a flash. She felt his hands on her, returning the blistering hold, cruising over her as freely as hers roamed his body. For a moment, she felt the bite of his doorknob at her back before he threw open the door and they stumbled into his room.
Faint, watery shadows fell over the bay-view suite from the wide, undraped pane. She walked backward toward the bed, trusting him to lead the way as her hands tore at his damp T-shirt. The sound of cotton ripping made her fumble. Their mouths parted and she panted, looking down at the tear she’d made in the material from his collar to his sternum.
As his dark eyes veered from the rip back to her face, she saw that the blaze in his eyes was unhindered and barked out a laugh. “I’m not sorry,” she said breathlessly and pushed him back against the bed. He toppled to the spread and she straddled him, holding him back by the shoulders and taking his mouth again.
He moaned, a virile noise like a growl that caught her breath as much as the play of his strong, molding hands down her sides to her hips and back farther over her rear. The heat clawed at her last barren shred of control, pushing her beyond the brink of desperation. She wanted him. God, did she want him.
She arched back, tugging the tails of her button-up blouse from the pleated skirt she’d worn to the meeting. Locking her gaze on the dark fathoms of his, enjoying the play of his thumbs over her navel underneath the hem of the blouse, she unbuttoned the pearl clasps one by one.
She wouldn’t have thought it possible but his gaze darkened, mouth dropping open. His breath spilled out. “Oh, hell,” he groaned, his hold tightening around her waist.
Smiling, she shrugged the shirt from her shoulders. God bless Roxie Honeycutt and her new line of lingerie. Judging by the look on Cole’s face, struggling into the wicked black-lace bustier this morning had been so worth it.
Before she could shift over him, he stopped her with, “Wait a minute, wait a minute.”
She halted. Rain trickled in rivulets down the glass over his head, chasing shadows across his reverent face as his eyes licked over her in heated strokes. His hand sought hers and he tugged it toward his chest until her palm blanketed his heart and he held it there, watching her face as she measured his pulse.
It was pounding. His heart was pounding, a hard, heavy artillery. The sweetness of it sang. She searched his face, feeling not just the burn of unbridled lust but the silken slide of tenderness. A million silent words passed between them as she held his stare then slowly lowered into his embrace, sighing blissfully as he rolled her beneath him.
Their lovemaking was fervid in its intensity. They left nothing unsaid with either hands or mouths, bodies leaving inhibition at the door. She thought she would break in two, emotions straining, sensation bowing her up to climax until she feared she’d never come down, never crash back to earth.
She didn’t. Instead, she slid, loose, limber, lost. Her head lolled back on her shoulders as she gloried in the gilded edge of satisfaction.
Lowering to the bed, he tucked her into him. The rain continued to patter gently against the window. The world remained dim, hazy and cloudy. She didn’t give a thought to their slick bodies or the disheveled state of her hair or the sheets. His lips brushed her temple, lingered, his breath falling hot on her skin.
She was naked, pressed to the brazen heat of him. She’d never felt so comfortable in her own skin. It was the middle of the day, there were a thousand things to do, rain or no rain...and she didn’t give a damn.
For the first time in her memory, she felt unburdened. Both by her lover and the purpose she had found that morning in the inn’s skirmish. Beaming wide, she snuggled farther into the heat of his solid frame. “We should have done this sooner.”
He chuckled, the mirthful noise wheezing a bit. He still hadn’t quite caught his breath. “It’s hard to argue with that.”
“I’ll buy you a new shirt.”
“Forget the shirt.” He traced her bottom lip with the rough pad of his thumb. “I’ll be damn sure to stand up for you more often.”
She hadn’t thought it was possible, but her grin widened. “I’m not going to apologize for jumping you...even if I did frighten you for a moment there in the beginning.”
“Don’t,” he murmured, the mirth in his eyes fading into sweet tenderness as he lowered his mouth fully to hers.
She pillowed her head on his shoulder and decided to indulge herself a little longer. “I’ve never slept in a guest bed before.” She sighed as sleep rushed up to meet her. “It’s nice.”
“Good.” His fingers sank into her hair and his head came to rest against hers. “’Cause we’re not going anywhere for a long while.”
* * *
OVER THE NEXT few days, workers congregated around the inn. Before she would allow any investors to tour Hanna’s, Briar wanted to make sure the building was in perfect shape.
Olivia found a way to convince a contractor friend of hers to give Briar a quote on the porch roof and railing. Since contractors were in high demand after the damage the Alabama coast had sustained from Brett, this was an impressive feat on Olivia’s part.
Soon the contractor had his team out at Hanna’s doing repairs. Briar also found someone to replace the broken window in her office and called the building inspector to ask if he could give Hanna’s a walk-through. A positive report on his part would certainly build investors’ confidence.
When Cole wasn’t helping the carpenters with the repairs or giving Briar a helping hand while she scrubbed the inn from top to bottom, she suspected he was out looking for an apartment or condo he could rent until he found something a little more permanent.
Everything was coming together, she thought, happily cleaning the sprawling windows of the sun porch. Despite the noise of power saws and hammering from outside, she could
n’t help but hum as she worked. Guests had been calling over the past few days to confirm that their suites would be available in the coming weeks and to make sure the inn and the shore hadn’t sustained enough damage to deter their stay in Fairhope. Briar had been all too happy to reassure them as well as book a few new names toward the end of the summer.
As she finished cleaning the windows and their sills, she glanced out and saw Adrian traipsing through the garden toward the screen door. She raised her hand in greeting before grabbing her cleaning supplies and stepladder to meet her friend in the kitchen. “Come in,” she said, opening the door and ushering Adrian in. “It’s hot enough to bake cookies out there.”
“July’s coming on quick,” Adrian said, mopping her bangs back from her brow. “Oh, you should know Olivia’s entertaining the construction crew. As she’s wearing little more than a sports bra and shorty-shorts, I’m not sure how much work they’re getting done.”
Briar shook her head. “I’m more worried about them than her. They’re harmless—we can’t say the same for Liv.”
“No, we can’t,” Adrian agreed, amused. “I’ve been in the greenhouse most of the morning, which is why I’m sweating like a pig. New shipment of ferns. I remember you saying a week ago that you’ll be ordering more for the entrance.”
“Oh, yes,” Briar remembered as she poured Adrian a glass of iced tea. She added a sprig of mint for the sake of the heat. “The storm ruined the ones I had hanging on the porch.”
“How many do you need?” Adrian asked as she took a load off in one of the chairs. “I’ll bring them over this afternoon.”
“Four. And thank you for thinking of me first. They’ll look lovely for the tours Byron Strong and I will be giving investors within the next week.”
“Oh, right, Byron.”
“You know him?” Briar asked.
“Family friend,” Adrian said with a wave of her hand. “He does the books for my parents’ nursery off and on. You know Mom—she doesn’t sit down long enough to do anything but write checks to suppliers. She used to ride Dad’s ass to do the books, although she knows full well he can’t add or subtract to save his life. Byron has saved their marriage on more than one occasion, which is no easy deed.” She rolled her eyes. “Mom even tried to hook us up, being that I’m so single and alone. We went out on a few dates, that’s it.”
“How was he?” Briar asked, knowing full well the question was probably more suited to Olivia but couldn’t curb her curiosity.
“Oh, he’s definitely hot,” Adrian recalled, eyes widening to reveal just how much. “Sexy without even breaking a sweat. And still single, I believe. Somebody should’ve snatched him up by now. He’s even nice, a miracle given my dating and marriage track record. I think he just lost interest in me. Not that I blame him. Single mother and sole business owner doesn’t exactly scream ‘Take me, man hunk, I’m yours.’” She glanced around. “Speaking of, is there anything else you need from the shop before then?”
“Not that I know of off the top of my head,” Briar said. “But I’ll let you know if I do think of something. The new arrangement in the entryway looks beautiful. You really outdid yourself.”
Adrian sat back, tipping her head to let the cool air from the vent above wash over her face. “Anything I can do? You’ve been busy.”
“It’s nothing I haven’t enjoyed,” Briar admitted, taking a seat across from Adrian. There were piles of silverware arranged on the table. She had started polishing them this morning before the team had arrived. “Cole does all the real labor. I’m thrilled that I have someone I can call on for plumbing now.”
Raising a brow, Adrian tilted her head. “Though I doubt you pay him—not with money, anyway.”
Briar couldn’t fight a grin. “No, I don’t pay him money.”
“Mmm-hmm. Just as I thought.”
“What?” she asked when Adrian continued to study her face.
“You look like morning sex.”
“I do not!” Briar shrieked, raking a telling hand through her hair. She flushed when Adrian only pursed her lips. “Is it really that obvious?”
Adrian chuckled. “It’s one hundred degrees and humid as all hell outside, and you’ve done nothing but smile since I got here. From what Olivia oh-so-proudly has been telling me, you and Cole are now sexually involved. There’s nothing wrong with my math skills.” She raised a finger. “The only thing I can’t figure out is why you could discuss it with Olivia and Roxie but you didn’t think you could tell me.”
For the first time since Adrian had arrived, Briar’s smile fell a bit. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure why.”
“Maybe because I haven’t been as supportive as the others?”
“It’s not that,” Briar said quickly and meant it. “I have no excuse, really. Your friendship means the world to me. I hope you know that.”
Adrian nodded, understanding. “And vice versa. I’m thrilled that everything’s working out for you and Cole and that he’s everything you thought he was.”
Briar smiled. “He is.” Sighing, she picked a small bit of lint off the place mat in front of her. “He’s talking about making things more permanent.”
“That’s wonderful,” Adrian replied. “So he’s staying?”
“Yes, but he wants to rent a place of his own in town,” she explained. “A part of me wishes he would just stay here. In my bed.”
“I don’t blame you, but I think his decision to rent elsewhere says a lot about him and the way he feels about you,” Adrian told her. “The way he respects you. And mutual respect is vital in any relationship.”
“You’re right,” she said, nodding. “Would you like another glass of tea?”
“No, thanks. I don’t have much time. I’ve got to finish the arrangements for the ceremony tomorrow morning.”
“Remind me about that one.”
“Catholic wedding,” Adrian explained. “Ten bridesmaids, ten groomsmen, a junior bridesmaid, a junior groomsman. And don’t get me started on the flowers for the church itself. The bride’s bouquet is the largest cascade I’ve ever made. It’s a masterpiece. I just hope she doesn’t trip on it.”
“I wish I could see it.”
“Come by when you get a moment and take a peek,” Adrian invited. “Most of the bridesmaids’ bouquets are done. It’s down to boutonnieres and corsages. When it’s all over tomorrow night, I’m going to put my feet up on the tavern terrace with a big margarita and toast myself on a job well done.”
The swinging door opened and Cole walked into the kitchen, fresh from his morning shower and dressed in riding clothes—boots, comfortable jeans and a T-shirt. He carried a helmet and his riding jacket and beamed at Briar on sight. “Adrian. How’re you doing?”
“Like hell till I had a sip of Briar’s sweet tea,” she said, lifting the ice-filled glass in toast. “It still tastes like it did when Hanna made it. I swear she used to put sunbeams in it.”
“That she did,” Briar acknowledged. She turned to Cole. “Join us for a glass?”
“I’d love to, but I’ve got an appointment with a Realtor. I’m looking at a small rental house a few blocks from here. Pretty close to where your cottage is, Adrian.”
“Oh, the old fruit and nut section, huh?” Adrian nodded. “Good neighborhood.”
“I hate to run,” Cole said. “I’m gonna pick up some new battery cables for Olivia’s truck, too.”
Briar rose. “Well, go on then, I won’t keep you.”
He grinned, pulling her in with little more than an arm around her waist. Her body fit to his and her arm hooked around his hips as his fingertips splayed over the small of her back. “You can keep me as long as you want.” His head bent to hers for a stirring kiss that made Briar forget momentarily that she had company at the table.
Lingering, he touched his no
se to hers. “I’ll miss you.”
“Me, too,” Briar managed in a thick voice.
“See you, Adrian,” he shot over his shoulder. Then he took off through the screen door.
A moment passed in his absence. Then Adrian blew out a surprised breath. “Wow.”
“You all right?” Briar asked, blinking away moonlight and magnolias to study her friend.
“If the man isn’t in love with you, I’ll eat that cascade bouquet, lilies and all.”
Briar blinked in surprise, heart lifting at the thought. “You...you think so?”
“Are you kidding me? If he dropped his pants right now, you’d see the heart-shaped bandage he rigged to cover the wound from the well-tuned arrow Cupid shot him in the ass with.”
“He hasn’t said anything yet,” Briar admitted.
“I may never have been on the receiving end of that level of deep, abiding affection, but I know it when I see it, and I swear that the guy that just walked out of here loves you.”
“Wow,” Briar said, dropping to her chair again. She clasped a hand over her heart and allowed the grin to spread. “Oh, wow.”
“Yeah,” Adrian concurred as she cupped her chin in her hand. “To hell with tea. Bring on the mimosas.”
Briar rose to sift through her liquor cabinet to see if she had any champagne left when the screen door opened again. Her pulse pattered for an instant because she thought it might be Cole coming back to give her one more goodbye kiss. She tried not to look too disappointed when she saw that it was Byron Strong, instead.
“Briar,” he greeted.
“Byron,” she said, stepping forward. “This is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting anyone until Monday.”
“That’s part of the reason why I’m here,” Byron told her. From all her meetings with him over that past week, she knew him to be a very amiable man as well as an amusing and compassionate one who never failed to make her feel comfortable.
A Place with Briar (Harlequin Superromance) Page 23