The gentle teasing of lips and the silky glide of fingers were well and good, but she was a woman with some pent-up frustration—it had been a really long time since her last boyfriend—and gentle and teasing was not what she wanted, certainly not from a man who looked and felt like Riley Walsh.
Taking the initiative, Grace nipped at his bottom lip, and when his mouth opened ever so slightly, she licked at where she had just bitten and then touched her tongue to his. She was feeling rather proud of herself—and rather aroused—when Riley took the reins. Gone were the gentle kisses of a minute ago, and in their place was an all-consuming kiss that was more sexual than anything Grace had ever experienced before. While he made love to her mouth, his hands began to wander and caress and squeeze, and all she wanted to do was to wrap her legs around him and hold on for dear life.
She let out a cry of dismay when Riley’s lips left hers. But she was instantly soothed when she felt him press more firmly against her as his wicked mouth lingered on her cheek before finding the rapid pulse in her neck and running his tongue over it. Reaching up, Riley moved her glorious mane of hair aside so he could taste more of her. He heard her purr of delight, and it was the most erotic sound he’d ever heard.
This was simply madness. He didn’t know this woman, which wasn’t something that had ever bothered him before. But for some reason, he didn’t want to treat Grace like any other woman he had ever known. Beside the fact that she worked for his mother and he would be forced to see her for as long as he was staying there, he didn’t think sex up against the wall within the first six hours of meeting her was something she deserved.
Reluctantly, he pulled back, forced his mouth from her soft skin, and growled with frustration. He straightened and looked at her. Grace’s lips were swollen and her eyes were closed and her breathing was harsh. Before he could question his motives, he went back in for another kiss and felt nothing but pleasure when she instantly opened her mouth to his, her tongue dueling with his until he thought he’d lose his mind. Grace’s hand raked through his short hair, and he felt her growl of frustration at having nothing to hold on to.
Reaching down, he lifted her, and her gasp of surprise made him smile. Instantly, she wrapped her legs around him, and that seemed to make up for his buzz cut. Riley slanted his mouth over hers again and again, unable to get enough. Grace’s fingers dug into his shoulders, her body pulsing against his as he ground his arousal against the very core of her.
“Riley,” she whispered as she pulled her mouth from his to catch her breath. He leaned his forehead against hers and waited to see if she’d say anything else. The only sound was their breathing, and Riley wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse.
His hands gently kneaded her bottom as he got his breathing under control, and Grace didn’t seem in any rush to be back on her feet. He saw her swallow before she looked up and let her gaze meet his. “That was…intense,” she finally said.
He smiled. A genuine smile. “That’s an understatement,” he countered.
“I don’t normally…do…this sort of thing.” A blush crept up her cheeks at her admission, but she continued to hold his steady gaze.
“You don’t normally kiss like someone who enjoys being kissed?” he teased.
She chuckled. “No, I don’t normally maul the guests.”
“Well, to be fair, I’m not really a guest,” he said, trying to lighten the mood but still unwilling to let her go.
Grace looked at where their bodies were molded together and groaned. “This shouldn’t have happened. It’s not a very good idea.”
Unable to help himself, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Tell me why.”
At that moment, she really had no idea why, so she decided to just rest her cheek against his until her brain started functioning again. “You’re trying to ruin Corinne’s life,” she finally said and then regretted her words when Riley lowered her to her feet.
He took a step back. “I’m not trying to ruin her life, Grace,” he said quietly, patiently. “I’ve watched her work herself harder than she needs to. I would love to know that someone is taking care of her, that she’s not cleaning up after people all day, every day. When is it going to be her turn?”
Grace looked up at him sadly. “You really don’t know your mother at all,” she said simply. “She takes pride in what she does, and she loves interacting with her guests. This house means the world to her. She’s never looked at this place as a job, Riley. It’s who she is.”
She was right; he didn’t really know his mother. In all his years growing up here, he’d seen this place as a prison, but that was his own perspective. No family vacations, no privacy, always having to be on his best behavior for the sake of the guests. It was hell. He’d never bothered to look at it from his mother’s position though. While he always heard the way Corinne talked about the inn, he’d never really listened.
“I can’t help the way I feel, Grace,” he finally said. “I always hoped that Mom would meet someone, get married, and have him take care of her since I wasn’t here. That’s never going to happen if she never leaves this place.”
Grace let out a small laugh. “You really need to stick around for a couple of days and then remember you said that.”
“What? Why?”
She waved him off and found the strength to step away from him. “It’s not my place to say. Just…stick around for a few days, and don’t think about the inn. Don’t think about responsibilities. Just…observe.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Grace,” he said with a hint of frustration.
“Trust me, Riley. Spend some time with your mom when the subject of inn ownership doesn’t come up. I think you’ll be surprised at what you learn.” And with that, Grace did manage the exit she had hoped for earlier in the day. With a sassy swing to her hips, she walked away from Riley Walsh.
And missed the smile he couldn’t hide.
* * *
Ben and Corrine got back from shopping minutes before Grace was ready to put dinner on the table. She had been more than a little worried that she and Riley were going to be the only ones there, and she wasn’t ready for more one-on-one time with him.
Once she had walked away from him and made her way to her apartment, Grace had to wonder what in the world had gotten into her. She’d never thrown herself at a man the way she had with Riley, and of all of the men to do that with, why him? He was the enemy! He was Cute Angry Guy! He was the reason she was going to lose her bed-and-breakfast dream. Why did he have to be such a damn good kisser? All Grace knew was that she had to make sure they weren’t alone together—ever—while he was here visiting Corrine. She simply didn’t trust herself.
When it was time to start dinner, Grace had tiptoed up the stairs and held her breath while she waited and listened for any indications that Riley was in the house. Once she was certain he wasn’t, she’d gone to the kitchen and started to cook.
Tonight’s meal was going to be braised beef short ribs with four-cheese mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and zucchini cornbread on the side. Grace loved putting together a dinner menu that was different from what diners could find in just about any other restaurant without going over the top.
“Something smells delicious,” Ben said as he walked into the kitchen with a big smile on his face. He placed the packages he was carrying on the floor away from Grace’s work area. “I hope that whatever it is that smells so good is tonight’s dinner.”
Grace walked over and hugged him. “You are so good for my ego, Ben,” she teased. “And yes, that is tonight’s dinner, so I’m glad the two of you are back because it is just about ready.”
“Perfect timing,” Corrine said as she walked into the room with more packages. “I think I bought out the entire cookware department, but I was able to find everything on your list.”
Grace did a little happy dance, and altho
ugh she couldn’t wait to play with all of her new toys, she had a dinner to put out. “I thought we’d eat in the dining room tonight,” she said and led both Corrine and Ben to where she had set a beautiful table for four.
“Is Riley around?” Corrine asked, looking and sounding hopeful.
“I…um…I haven’t seen him since you left. I just assumed he’d be joining us for dinner. And since it’s his first one back home, I thought we’d make it special by eating in here.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet,” Corrine said as she came over and hugged her. “Thank you. I know he didn’t make the best first impression, but I think he’s going to need a little time to get used to civilian life again.”
Grace didn’t want to argue, so she simply smiled and asked Ben to pour the wine while she filled the plates. Corrine went in search of her son, and as soon as she left the room, Ben followed Grace. “How was he after we left?” Making a noncommittal sound, Grace focused on serving the meal. “Grace?”
She put the serving spoon down and braced both of her hands on the butcher block. “He was just as arrogant as he was before you left. I confronted him on his behavior, and he didn’t seem inclined to change his mind. I tried to just keep my mouth shut, Ben, I really did, but he just sat there taunting me until I snapped.”
And then I wrapped my legs around him and kissed him until I practically passed out. No need to go there right now. Or ever.
“I’m sorry, Grace. I hate that you’re in the middle of this.”
“So are you,” she reminded him and went back to filling their plates.
Ben shrugged. “I think you and I both know where I am in all of this, Grace. I don’t need this job. When I sold my business, I invested wisely, and I’m living very comfortably. The only reason I’m here is for Corrine.”
Grace shot him a sly smile over her shoulder. “I knew it!” she said with a sense of giddiness.
“The only one who doesn’t seem to know is Corrine.”
Unfortunately, Grace knew Ben was right. “You know she loves you in her own way, right?”
He nodded. “I do. But sometimes I just want to shake her and force her to see me as a man. I love being her friend, and I love that she knows she can rely on me and depend on me, but it’s frustrating as hell to sit here and have her be blind to the rest of it.”
“Then maybe it’s time to take off the kid gloves,” Grace suggested.
“I don’t want to scare her off, Grace. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”
She smiled sympathetically at him. “You’ll never lose her, Ben. Maybe now Riley is out of the service, she’ll be able to relax a little bit. If we can just get him to let go of this idea of selling the inn, maybe she’ll have some peace and finally see what’s right in front of her.”
“I hope you’re right. Sometimes I just wish…” He stopped when he heard footsteps.
“Can you believe Riley was going back into town for dinner? He didn’t think we were going to eat together. Honestly, what were you thinking?” Corrine asked Riley as he came into the room behind her.
“He’d miss out on one spectacular meal, I’ll tell you that,” Ben said as he walked over and patted Riley on the back. “Your mother’s a great cook, but Gracie? She’s in a league of her own.” He walked back to the dining room to pour their wine, and Corrine followed with two plates. Before Grace could get her apron off and take the other two plates, Ben came back and grabbed them—effectively leaving her and Riley alone in the kitchen.
“Is there a reason you seem hell-bent on not eating my cooking?” she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in irritation.
“Nothing personal, Grace,” Riley said. “I was just trying to maintain the peace around here.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re not going to observe anything if you keep running out of here every ten minutes. Spend some time with your mother, keep your mouth shut about the inn, and just…watch!”
He stepped in close to her and liked the fact she didn’t back away. “You know, I’ve spent a dozen years being forced to take orders. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t like it now.”
“Then stop being so difficult,” she said simply and then stepped around him and walked toward the dining room.
And once again Riley smiled at the sassy sway of her hips.
Well, she’d told him to observe…
* * *
As much as Riley hated to admit it, dinner was exactly as Ben had described it. Spectacular. If this was the type of food they were going to serve guests, it would only be a matter of time before the place was filled with reservations and waiting lists. Why did Grace Brodie have to show up here now? How was he going to convince his mother to sell this place if it was suddenly more successful than it had ever been?
Maybe the better question was why was he pushing so hard for her to sell it. Clearly she had come to grips—sort of—with the fact he was never going to take over. So if he was off the hook for taking over the business, what was his gripe? Looking at his mother, he saw her smiling as she listened to Ben talk about a recent mishap with some mulch. She looked younger than her fifty-five years, and Riley had a feeling Ben had a lot to do with that.
Then he looked over at Ben. His smile seemed to match Corrine’s. It was as if they were the only ones in the room. Was that what Grace had been referring to? Slyly, he glanced in Grace’s direction. She caught his gaze and smirked as if to say, See? Are you seeing this? Were his mother and Ben an item? Were they dating? Would they get married?
His head began to swim with all of the possibilities, but he knew better than to just blurt out the question. He’d have to wait until later and talk to his mother alone. Or maybe he should talk to Grace first so he didn’t put his foot in his mouth and upset his mother again—something he was getting pretty damn good at around here.
The sound of laughter broke him out of his reverie, and it wasn’t long before dinner was done and plates were being cleared. “I made an apple pie for dessert if anyone’s interested,” Grace said as she scooped up her place setting.
“Gracie, you’re going to make me too fat to work,” Ben said with a laugh.
“Not possible,” she said as she glided past him into the kitchen. “You do hard labor all day around here. You work it all off, so I think your girlish figure is safe.”
“Girlish!” he bellowed. “Now that’s a first!” He walked over, wrapped Grace in a bear hug, and lifted her off her feet until she cried uncle.
“All I’m saying is that you have nothing to worry about,” she laughed as he put her back on her feet. Corrine bustled around them, laughing along with them as she loaded the dishwasher.
Riley stood in the doorway and frowned. This was his family home, the place where he had grown up, and yet right now he was the outsider, the stranger. He didn’t like that at all. There was an easy camaraderie among the three of them, and he had no idea what his place was here anymore. Maybe you couldn’t go home again, as the saying went. Maybe he’d been stupid to believe he could walk away from his years in the service and blend back into a normal life. Maybe he was too damaged for that.
“How about you, Riley?” Corrine asked. “Do you have room for dessert?”
He shook his head. “Thanks, but no. I haven’t eaten such a big meal in a long time. Thank you, Grace. Everything was delicious.”
She blushed at his compliment and was about to thank him, but Riley had left the room. Corrine excused herself and went after him.
“Riley? Are you all right?”
He smiled at his mother. She hadn’t aged much since he’d been gone, and right now, standing in the hallway with her, he felt like a kid again. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s not easy getting used to civilian life. My body clock hasn’t adjusted yet, and I think I’m just a little worn-out.”
“Oh, okay,” she said, reli
ef flooding her. “It was so nice having you at the table tonight. I know you want to visit your friends and you’re not planning to stay here long, but I just… Well… I hope you aren’t going to leave right away. It’s almost Thanksgiving, and then Christmas is right around the corner. I really would love it if you were here for the holidays with me. It’s been so long since I’ve had that opportunity.” Her voice cracked with emotion she couldn’t hide.
Riley knew he wouldn’t deny her this one request. He’d probably leave for a few days to see his friends in Virginia, but he’d make sure he was here for the holidays with his mother. She was right. It had been a long time, and maybe that wouldn’t be a bad way to ease into his new life.
“I promise to be here for the holidays, Mom,” he said softly and watched as the tears she was trying to hold back fell. He walked toward her and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, Mom,” he said as he hugged her and held on for just a little longer than he had in a long time.
“Welcome home, Riley,” she finally said, her voice thick with emotion.
Chapter 5
For the next five days, Riley did exactly as Grace had suggested and simply observed the way things were around the inn. Unfortunately, he often found himself observing Grace and nothing else. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Riley couldn’t seem to help himself. There had been no repeat of their steamy kiss, which made him completely miserable. It had been a long time since he had been with a woman, and although that was reason enough for him to be watching Grace, he was smart enough to know it wasn’t the only reason.
He liked her; he was attracted to her. Grace Brodie was a beautiful woman, and the way she had kissed him? Well, she had been starring in his nightly fantasies since. The problem was that she was impossible to get alone. During the day, they were all working together on refreshing the cabins. When she left to make lunch, his mother went with her. They all ate like a damn family for every meal, and on the weekends, their guests kept her busy.
Mistletoe Between Friends / The Snowflake Inn Page 17