Seaside Embrace (Love in Bloom

by Melissa Foster

  Running had never done it for him, but he’d hoped this time might be different. If nothing else, at least it woke him up after a lousy night’s sleep.

  He went into the shop early. Just the sight of their warehouse and shop brought a modicum of relief. He and Grayson had bought the property a few years earlier at auction. The purchase had also included a building that was right off of Route 6, the main highway through the lower Cape. They’d planned to make that building into a showroom, but they were so busy from the moment they got started that they sold their work as quickly as they could make it. With the help of Pete and their good friend Blue Ryder, both skilled craftsmen, they’d renovated the barn into an office and workshop. They’d replaced the old wooden floors with concrete, built a brick forge, installed proper ventilation systems, and brought in power. The custom shelving and machinery hubs brought a sense of organization to their creative chaos. The showroom idea had gone by the wayside, and the building remained empty.

  Hunter didn’t trust himself to work with the forge until he had his mind and body under control. The forge was the hearth used for heating metal. Safety had to come first, and in his line of work, that meant being in total control at all times. He definitely did not feel in control of his emotions. He’d been trying to figure out why Jana wouldn’t admit she wanted him when she so obviously did. It shouldn’t matter one way or the other, but she was sending him mixed signals, and it was pissing him off.

  He was still coming up with a theme for the sculpture for the community beautification competition and was trying not to stress as days were passing by without a firm direction. He laid out the pieces he’d fabricated the other day and decided it wasn’t so bad, even if he wasn’t feeling bonded to it yet. Maybe if he worked on it for one more day, it’d speak to him. He hadn’t been blocked creatively in so long that on top of everything else, it annoyed the hell out of him.

  He decided to fabricate curls of wrought iron that could be used to accentuate just about any design. The scroll bender machine allowed him to focus on the task at hand without the danger of burning himself or anything else around him. He laid out the pieces of iron he intended to curl and set out the sections, the parts of the machine he’d drop into place to allow for a larger curl around the first. Once the parts were laid out he began curling the iron. Whether he was heating metal, hammering it into place, installing rivets, twisting, curling, or designing on paper made no difference to Hunter. It all made his adrenaline rush. He loved taking an idea and bringing it to life. Life was a palpable element in all of Hunter’s designs.

  Every piece of art he created, whether architectural or for show, got the same attention to detail. He preferred to bring textures and naturalistic elements into all of his creations. His favorites were elements that symbolized growth and stability, or fluidity and change.

  “I’m here,” Clark called to him when he arrived.

  “Gray’s going to be late,” Hunter hollered back, remembering his brother mentioning it last night.

  He knew Clark had planned to meet one of their buddies for dinner last night, and when Hunter had arrived home, Clark was on the phone in the guest bedroom. He assumed—hoped—he’d been talking to Nina.

  Clark brought a to-go cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee back to Hunter.

  “Thanks, man.”

  “You were gone when I got up this morning. I thought you’d need it. Have fun at the bonfire?” Clark’s eyes still appeared tired, but if he was tired from talking to his wife all night, maybe that was a good thing.

  “Yeah. It’s always good to catch up with everyone. And it was great to see Bea. She’s really cute.” After holding Bea last night, seeing her sweet face, and smelling her baby scent, he’d thought about how innocent babies were. How they relied on the adults around them to love them and keep them safe. As he looked at his friend now, he couldn’t fathom how Clark could leave his son. If Hunter had a child, he couldn’t imagine leaving it while he went to work, much less moving out.

  “I heard you on the phone when I got in last night. Things better with Nina?” Hope filled his chest as a smile spread across Clark’s face. And, he noticed, Clark had shaved today. That had to be a good sign. Shit, he’d never noticed stuff like that before. Jana must really be getting to him.

  “Nah. Robert and I hit the Beachcomber last night. Met this hot blonde and—”

  Hunter ground his teeth together. “Tell me you didn’t mess with her.”

  “No, I didn’t mess with her. We talked, man. That’s it.” Clark shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, his shit-eating grin still in place, which further angered Hunter.

  Everything pissed him off lately, but after hanging out with his friends last night, feeling the love of each couple, seeing the evidence of their love in the babies’ faces, he was even more upset over Clark’s separation.

  “At one o’clock in the morning?” It came out as an accusation, and Hunter didn’t try to soften the message.

  Clark’s smile went flat. His brows drew into an angry slash. “Yeah, what’s it to you? We talked. We didn’t fool around. I never touched her. We talked about shit.”

  “What kind of shit?” Hunter crossed his arms, unwilling to ease up.

  “I don’t know. Billy. Marriage. Life.” Clark paced, and Hunter knew he’d gotten to him.

  “With some chick you met at a bar? You shared the details of your marriage with her? Clark—”

  “What?” The venom in his voice rivaled the disgust moving through Hunter.

  Hunter knew he was on the verge of saying things he would regret. He took a step back, trying to regain control.

  “Don’t you think you should be putting your time into your relationship with Nina? The mother of your child?” As he said the words, he pictured Clark out at a bar, sidling up to a random pretty woman, while Nina sat at home with Billy, probably crying her eyes out over their separation.

  “Christ, Hunt,” Clark said. “I thought you were on my side in this.”

  “I am on your side. But I gotta be honest, Clark. I’m on Billy’s side, too. Have you thought about what Nina’s doing while you’re out drinking and picking up women?”

  “I didn’t pick her up.” Clark began pacing again. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Nina won’t talk to me. She said I need to grow up. Grow up!” He scoffed, shook his head. “I work my ass off to keep her and Billy in a nice house, to put food on the table…”

  “Listen, Clark, I don’t claim to know much about relationships, but maybe Nina needs to feel like a woman as much as you need to feel like a man.”

  Clark stopped pacing.

  “Think about it.” Hunter leaned against the workbench. “I know it’s been forever since you guys have had sex, but take that further. When’s the last time you had wild, crazy, uninhibited sex with your wife?”

  Clark shrugged. “I don’t know. Before Billy, maybe?”

  “Well, maybe you don’t need to flirt with other women. Maybe you need to flirt with your wife. When was the last time you told her how beautiful she was? Hell, when was the last time you looked at her like you couldn’t keep your hands off her?”

  “She doesn’t talk to me, Hunter. I’m sure I look at her like I’m trying to decide if I need to walk on eggshells or not.”

  “That’s an even better reason to put forth more effort, man. You married a woman who used to make you hard when you heard her voice. Remember? You told me that she owned you. Owned you, Clark. She’s the same woman, only now she’s also the mother of your child.”

  “She’s even more beautiful than the day I met her, but—”

  “No. Stop. No ‘buts.’” As he said it he knew just what Clark needed to do, and it surprised the hell out of him that he was the one who realized it first.

  “Let me babysit Billy tonight while you go out with your wife. Call her up and ask her out on a date. Show her you want to try to remember the couple you once were. Flirt with her. Let her know you think she’s beautifu
l.” The more he thought about it, the more he wanted this to work. “I’ll even do you one better. Take her to a B&B for the night. I’ll stay overnight with Billy.”

  Clark scoffed again. “You? Babysit overnight? I can ask my mom or something. You don’t need to do that.”

  “Do you want your mom knowing you’re having trouble in your marriage?” Hunter knew he wouldn’t want that. Clark’s mother was a primo meddler. “Let me do this for you. Go make plans to fuck your wife until she can’t remember why she was mad at you in the first place. You’ll both feel better.”

  “Really?”

  Hunter nodded.

  “Who knew that you had marriage advice in you?” Clark slapped him on the back and headed toward the front office. He stopped halfway to the door and turned back. “When you talk about me and my wife, it’s not fucking. It’s making love. There’s a huge difference. When it comes to Nina it’s all about love, man, nothing less. Thanks for reminding me.”

  Hunter smiled to himself, and he realized that he was no longer pissed. He zipped off a quick text to Jana, then set aside the rods he’d been working with and started up the forge.

  ***

  AFTER TEACHING HER classes and organizing her thoughts for the next day’s classes, Jana filled in at Undercover, finally arriving at the little cottage she rented at a few minutes after eight. She was tired from being out so late again last night, and as she retrieved her mail, her arm muscles burned, a gentle reminder of what she and Hunter had spent their time doing before the bonfire.

  She rifled through the mail on her way across the seashell walk that led to the front door. She loved the cozy cottage. It wasn’t in walking distance to any beaches or tourist attractions, and she liked living tucked away at the end of a dirt road. The cottage had only one bedroom, with a kitchen barely big enough for one, a living room–dining room combination, and one full bath, which was perfect for her. As much as Jana loved being with people, hanging out and listening to music, when she was home, she wanted privacy.

  The owners of the house had a landscaper who maintained the yard, and she loved having her first cup of coffee sitting at the kitchen bar while the sun crept over the backyard. That first morning light gave the yard a magical feeling as it shined down on rosebushes, rhododendrons bursting with large blooms, and tall pitch pine trees surrounding the lush green lawn.

  As she stepped onto the front porch, she thought of Hunter again, standing in her doorway with his helmet under one arm, looking like sex personified. She smiled, then quickly wiped the grin from her face as she remembered his earlier text. Ready to admit it yet?

  No, she wasn’t ready to admit anything to him. Why did he even want her to?

  She shook her head as she unlocked the door, stopping cold when the memory of his cologne hit her. She couldn’t remember him ever wearing cologne before, and it dawned on her that maybe he’d worn it for her.

  No way.

  She thought of his freshly shaved cheeks.

  Maybe…

  She realized she hadn’t heard from him since that text early this morning, which confirmed in her mind what she’d been thinking all day. Last night when she’d seen him with Bea, she’d seen him through girly goggles, those invisible lenses that make men appear like something they weren’t simply because of the presence of a baby, or puppy, or kitten.

  She set her things by the front door and sank down on the couch with a sigh, glad to be off her feet. She toed off her shoes and tucked her feet beside her, still thinking about last night. She’d let Hunter bind her wrists, and she’d loved knowing he was in complete control of her pleasure and her safety. Why had it been so easy to trust him? She should probably feel embarrassed by what they’d done, or worry that he might tell someone like Grayson or Sawyer, when he was out with the guys. Oh, she hated that idea, but she couldn’t hold on to the worry, and she realized that she had a strong sense of trust when it came to Hunter. She tried to dissect where that trust came from. Was it a false sense of security that she needed to let go of? She hadn’t trusted a man in years—if ever—other than her brothers and father, but that was a different type of trust.

  She tried to slough off the worry. Of course she trusted Hunter. He was Hunter, the guy who always tried to make sure his family and friends were happy. The guy who had dropped everything for Sky too many times to count. The guy who made beautiful art and looked at her like he wanted to devour her.

  Ugh. That was what was wrong with the equation. He was Hunter: The guy who looked at lots of women like he wanted to devour them—and made good on that desire.

  As she leaned back and closed her eyes, she wondered why that should matter. Hadn’t she done the same thing with men? Well, maybe not lately, since she and Hunter began hooking up more regularly, but she was definitely the girl who didn’t go home alone if she didn’t feel like going home alone.

  Why was she thinking about what he did with other women anyway? It wasn’t like she was looking for a boyfriend. If she were, she would walk away from him in a hot second, because he was not boyfriend material. But she was only looking to have fun, so…She didn’t see a need to walk away just yet. Not when everything he did when they were alone made her feel more alive than any man ever had. Not when every kiss set off a five-alarm fire inside her and every touch made her crave the next. And especially not after the way he’d carried her into the bedroom and held her until she’d stopped trembling last night.

  She’d been trying not to think about those tender moments, because she didn’t believe they meant anything, but every few hours the feel of his arms around her crept back in. The look of compassion that had washed through his eyes returned.

  She had to stop thinking about those seconds—and that’s really what they were. Seconds. Flashes of something she’d probably imagined.

  She fixed herself a salad and ate it while flipping through a gossip magazine. She was looking forward to taking a long hot bath to soothe her aching muscles and relax her into what would hopefully be a long night’s sleep. She was having breakfast with Sky and their friends at Seaside, and she was excited to have some girl time. Sometimes her days flew by so quickly she barely had time to think.

  At nine she filled a glass with wine and ran a hot bubble bath. She stripped out of her clothes, then thought better of the one glass of wine, wrapped a towel around herself, and grabbed the bottle, bringing it with her into the bathroom. She slid into the divine warmth and closed her eyes.

  The ache in her shoulders was just beginning to diminish when her cell phone vibrated from within her jeans on the floor by the tub. She ignored it, determined to relax. A few minutes later it vibrated again. She gulped down her wine, and when her phone vibrated a third time, she gave up and reached for it.

  Despite herself, a smile tugged at her lips when she saw DO NOT RESPOND! on the screen. She wondered what Mr. You Know You Want Me would say if he saw that. She read the first text. What are you doing? Then the second. Missing me? And finally, the third. Guess what I’m doing?

  She wiped her hands on the towel, wondering why he was suddenly texting her, and sent off a quick reply. You’re texting me.

  She set the phone down and closed her eyes again, hoping that was a bland enough response to warrant a little peace. When her phone began vibrating like it was on speed, she couldn’t help but satisfy her curiosity.

  She opened the first message, and while she was trying to figure out whose adorable little boy was in the selfie with Hunter, several more pictures came through. She scrolled through pictures of Hunter and the green-eyed cutie. He sent a picture of the little boy sitting on his lap with an open book, and she tried to picture Hunter reading to the child. The next picture was of them both eating curly pasta. Next was a picture of the little boy in cute pajamas with bears on them, and finally, a picture of the little boy fast asleep, snuggled beside what was probably his favorite blanket.

  Jana heard her voice saying, “Aw,” before she realized she’d said it aloud. Ano
ther text came through.

  I’m babysitting Clark’s son so he can go out with his wife.

  As good of a guy as he was, she couldn’t imagine him giving up a few hours to babysit. But that was just like Hunter, doing something that made her think he could be more than a hookup if he ever wanted to be.

  She responded honestly. That’s so sweet of you.

  Hunter’s response came seconds later. It’s fun, actually. The little guy is great.

  Jana typed back, How late are you babysitting?

  His response came quickly. All night. Clark and Nina needed time to reconnect. Billy’s down for the count.

  Jana tried to process Hunter giving up an entire night to babysit, and before she could respond, he texted again. It was my idea.

  Jana stared at the text for a minute. His idea? Wow. Her phone rang, and she nearly dropped it in the tub. She answered his call, and true to Hunter’s form, he spoke before she had a chance to even say hello.

  “Now it’s your turn,” he said. “What are you doing?”

  Her eyes dropped to the bubbles in the tub. “Taking a bath.” Oh God, why did I tell you that? She closed her eyes, expecting a snappy comment in return.

  “Sore from last night?” he asked with an empathetic tone.

  Surprised, she said “No” too quickly, then softer, “Maybe a little. In a good way.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He sounded like he meant it, which made her stomach flutter.

  “You didn’t. I’m not complaining.” Her bravado felt funny while she was in the bath, naked.

  “Is the bath helping?”

  “Yes. The wine helps, too. Hold on.” She set the phone down and refilled her glass. When she picked it up again, she said, “Sorry, I’m back.”

  He was silent.

  “Hunter?”

  “Yeah. I’m here.” He let out a loud breath. “Just trying not to think about you in the bath. Naked.”

  “Funny. I’d think you’d be all over that thought.”

  “Maybe if I were in a position to come see you, yeah. I’m trying to delete the image of you naked from my mind right now. Don’t talk for a second. Your voice gets me every time.”