by Lily Santana
“I think sometimes adults need to be reminded too,” she said. Her heart squeezed with a burning desire to wrap her arms around Mitch.
Why doesn’t he see how wonderful he is and how much he’s accomplished at such a young age? His parents should be very proud.
She stood abruptly and faced the sea. The churn in Mitch’s expression matched the terrifying fear she had in her heart that David would stand in the way of his success. Sometime during this last week she’d realized she’d been fighting Mitch for all the wrong reasons. Reasons that had everything to do with her fear of change and nothing at all to do with what was good for Bella Del Mar and her neighbors. And Mitch.
“David doesn’t want your project approved. He plans on arguing against it on Thursday.” She turned back to him, grateful for the darkness so he wouldn’t see her emotions reflected in her eyes. The last thing she wanted was for Mitch to know she was in love with him. “I couldn’t change his mind.”
He nodded. “I don’t care about Bruin. He’s got his own agenda. I care about you. What are you going to do on Thursday?”
She swallowed hard. Was she willing to put herself out there for Mitch? Did she believe in him, or was David right and Mitch was just using her?
“You don’t have to answer. I can see David made quite an impression on you tonight.” Mitch’s voice sounded rough and she could sense the defeat in the tone.
What am I going to do?
* * *
Mitch sat on his couch and tried to watch the game recap on ESPN, but his mind kept drifting back to Emma wearing his jacket around her shoulders earlier this evening. A surge of possessiveness shot through his system. She was so goddamn beautiful and sexy without even trying. But what really got to him earlier had been the emotion he’d seen so evident in her eyes. She’d looked at him like he was Superman. Like he could leap tall buildings and still have dinner ready by six. She saw something in him no one ever had before, other than maybe his brother, and even that was questionable at times. Mitch was sure Emma had no idea she’d been so transparent. She just couldn’t help it. It was in her makeup to believe in miracles.
Jesus. When her eyes had welled up upon hearing his childhood story, he’d wanted to rip her clothes off and make love to her right on the fucking beach until they were both convinced he could be the man she wished he could be.
He drew in a long breath and looked at the project plans spread out on the couch, and then he picked up the folder labeled plan B.
Shane had reiterated during their phone conversation earlier this evening about the unlikeliness of getting another investor in time to replace Lansford, if Thursday’s meeting went south. That would royally suck for Emma, Bella Del Mar and for any chances Mitch had of proving she’d been right to trust him.
Chapter Fifteen
Emma scanned the crowded community center filled with concerned faces, many of whom she’d known most of her life. She looked toward the door. No sign of Mitch. Even though she hadn’t seen him since they’d walked on the beach two nights ago, she fully expected him to make an appearance—especially since he understood firsthand how critical tonight’s outcome would be to his future in Bella Del Mar. She knew now that regardless of whether or not he came through on his deal, she would support him. He wasn’t buying her approval; she would give it to him of her own free will. Now if only she could convince her neighbors.
Emma tapped her finger a few times on the podium microphone to quiet the room. “Next agenda item, Coastal Development’s revised plans. We’re here to approve or deny the motion to recommend Coastal Development’s plan for the six-unit condominium and upscale retail complex.” She heard the quiver in her voice but prayed none of her neighbors did.
“This should be a quick vote, I imagine. We’d all agreed to reject it.” The comment came from Randall Holmes, a local attorney who owned several rental properties in Bella near the 101 Freeway. Mitch had outbid him for Mrs. Madsen’s property. The man would probably build a motel on the property if he’d had the chance.
Emma nodded. “Yes, well, before we vote, I have an announcement that may impact the vote. I’d like to go over the details of the revised plan again with you, if I may.”
Mr. Holmes stood up in agitation. “Why are we going over this again? I thought we’d already decided we’d recommend against it.”
“There have been significant updates since last time,” she said.
“Why were we not informed earlier? Isn’t it a bit late now that it’s time to vote on the approval?” he bluntly asked her.
Emma sighed. “The issue is not with Mitch McKenna’s plans for the site. It has to do with me. I have made a decision to support the revised plans Mitch submitted this week. I think his plans for Bella Del Mar makes economic sense. It would increase our foot traffic, and that would benefit all of our businesses. Plus, the price point of the condos has the potential to elevate our depressed housing market.”
“This is quite a reversal,” someone shouted from the back of the room.
Emma’s stomach clenched. “Yes, I agree. It is. But you see, I realize now that I wasn’t being fair to the community. My previous issue with the project was personal.” The room quieted.
“What do you mean, personal?” Mrs. Johnson asked.
Emma shrugged. “I was afraid of the changes that it would bring for me. And because of it, I dragged you all through a long, ugly battle these last six months.”
An elderly woman from the back stood up. “What’s happened? Is McKenna intimidating you?”
Emma frowned. “No, not at all. It’s me. I realize that I can’t stop progress just because I’m fearful of what it would mean to me. An upscale retail complex and an influx of new neighbors wouldn’t be so bad for us. We could use the money it would generate. I was being selfish by wanting things to remain...the same.”
“What does David think about this?” Mr. Holmes asked.
Emma’s gaze roamed the group. She hadn’t yet seen David tonight. She was hoping he’d decided to stay away. She’d been mulling over what she would say to him about her feelings for Mitch, but every time she played the scene in her head, it turned ugly. “David’s role is to position our recommendation with the Planning Council and the mayor next Monday. He can agree or disagree with our recommendation. I’m hoping if there are enough of us behind this project, he’ll back us up.”
Lorraine stood next to Emma and spoke into the microphone. “Why should we be against something that would provide much-needed foot traffic to our commercial area? I think everyone would agree that Bella’s been hit hard by the economy.”
“What about pollution and traffic?”
“Where would people park?”
“Isn’t McKenna a criminal?” The provocative question came from Jim, the reporter from Coastal News.
The questions were firing from every corner of the large room, and Emma felt the noose tightening around her neck, suffocating her air supply.
She leaned into the microphone. “Mitch McKenna assured me that his plans include sufficient parking to accommodate the other stores downtown. As far as pollution, we can certainly recommend sufficient trash and recycle bins. And no, Mitch is not a criminal. The very notion is ridiculous.”
“What about the dog park?” Mrs. Johnson asked, Black Jack sitting on her lap.
Emma drew in a short breath. “Mitch promises he’ll keep the dog park.”
“Where it is?”
“Yes.”
“I heard he was bulldozing over the grass for the parking structure,” someone yelled from the back.
Emma shook her head. “No, Mitch promises to keep the dog park where it is.”
“Why should we trust him?” Mr. Holmes challenged.
The room quieted and all eyes seemed to be glued to her. Sweat trickled down between her breasts. �
��Mitch McKenna is an honest and decent citizen and has proven that he keeps his word. Many of you know in the last few days I’ve been spending some time with him because I wanted to get to know him better. I’ve learned that Mitch cares deeply about Bella Del Mar. This place holds a special place in his heart and, like us, he wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize what we all love about our community.”
Jim stood up and placed his hands on his hips. “Are you and Mitch McKenna dating?”
The question caught her off guard and she felt her face flare up. “No, of course not,” she replied.
“But do you trust him enough to date him, Emma?” Mrs. Johnson asked.
Emma expelled a long breath. “I trust him completely. He is selfless and generous. He’s just like us—he wants to belong to a community where people care about each other. He may not have had the same vision we did early on, but he’s won me over. I’d trust him with my life.”
All of a sudden the room erupted with everyone talking at once. Lorraine whistled like a sailor, successfully shutting up the chatter. “Are we ready for a vote? Cause I, for one, am starving and want to get over to Surf.”
Emma’s heart knocked against her ribs. She held on to the microphone with trembling hands. “In the matter of recommending a yes vote to the Planning Council for the Coastal Development project plan, all in favor, please raise your hand.”
More than half of the room raised their hand. Emma’s eyes welled with tears. Her friends came through; she would be able to save her home and her business. Mitch would get his project approved. Relief soared in her heart.
A hushed silence filled the room. Emma turned around, following the direction of everyone’s attention. Mitch stood by the entrance, his arms casually folded in front of his chest.
How long has he been standing there?
Her heart squeezed at how handsome he looked in a white long-sleeved shirt tucked into blue jeans. His hair, newly trimmed, shone brilliant black.
“The motion to recommend is passed. Thank you, everyone,” Emma said, her voice heavy with emotion.
Clapping exploded. Folks disbursed into smaller groups, while Mitch shook hands with some neighbors who noticed him standing by the doorway.
Emma gathered her things but looked up when Mitch drew near. The intensity of his look sucked the air from her lungs.
His lips held a hint of a smile. “I didn’t see your car. Did you walk over?”
“I hitched a ride with Lorraine,” she said, hoping he didn’t detect the sentiment in her voice.
“Come on then, I’ll give you a ride home.”
Her stomach churned. He’d just heard her publicly pledged her trust and support to him. Did he think she only did it so he’d give her the money she needed?
He must know how hard it was for her to admit what she did in front of her friends and neighbors. No amount of money would have made her do this unless she truly believed in his word.
She lifted her gaze to meet his, and the understanding she saw reflected in his eyes melted her heart. “It’s the least you can do,” she teased, handing him the paper box filled with pamphlets and supplies.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She smiled when she heard him chuckle behind her.
Chapter Sixteen
They drove in silence with only the rhythmic swish swish swish of the windshield wipers against the window. Emma glanced at Mitch from beneath her lashes, but his eyes were focused on the road. He hadn’t said much during the short ride home.
He pulled into her driveway but kept the motor running. She couldn’t read his expression—his eyes were hooded.
She turned to him. “Do you want to come in?” Her voice sounded abnormally pitchy to her own ears.
An overwhelming desire to run her fingers through his hair made her grip her purse for dear life. She was acutely aware of him as a man and the suspicion that he somehow knew how she felt evoked terror in her heart.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve never had anyone defend me like that before.” His voice was hoarse and tinged with sadness.
She glanced out the window, knowing if he were to read her expression, he’d see right through her flimsy attempt at indifference. “There’s a first time for everything.”
He expelled a long, steady breath. “Did you mean it?”
She turned to him. His gaze focused intently on the movement of the windshield wipers. She knew in her heart her answer would determine her future. Two divergent paths. She could choose to remain safe or she could choose love. And risk everything.
She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his hand, which was still clutching the steering wheel. His gaze followed her movement. “I meant every word. Cross my heart,” she pledged, her fingers now making the childish gesture across her chest.
He turned his head a fraction to face her, and she drew back from the scorching heat of his gaze. The dark irises of his eyes traveled from her lips to where her fingers still hung in midair above her breast. Her skin tingled from the intensity of his scrutiny.
His skin was flushed and his expression tortured. He seemed to be wrangling with something in his mind. “Thank you for tonight.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I should probably head out.”
She swallowed her disappointment. “What happens now?”
He expelled another long breath and looked directly at her. “What do you want to happen?”
“You saw. You’ve won over the neighbors. David would have to recommend your plan to the Planning Council.”
He nodded. “You would think.”
She frowned. “You don’t think he will?”
He shrugged. “He could have his own reasons on why he wouldn’t want me to stay in Bella Del Mar.”
A knot formed in Emma’s stomach. David wouldn’t dare use his influence to exert his own personal agenda, would he? Was he capable of being that ruthless? Was that why Mitch had been keeping his distance from her?
Her heart compressed and weighed heavy against her chest. “Is that the reason why you don’t want to come in?”
He stopped breathing, it seemed. His pupils dilated and the vein on his neck pulsed angrily. “This isn’t going to end the way you want.”
“How’s it going to end?” she whispered.
He shut his eyes and shook his head. “I’m not the cure to what’s hurting you.”
She moved toward him. “You are tonight.” As soon as the words left her mouth, all the air gushed out of her lungs, making it impossible to breathe.
For a second she feared he would pull back, put the truck in gear and drive out of her life. But instead, he expelled the breath he’d been keeping in. “Emma, Emma, Emma,” he groaned at the same time he shifted his body to close the gap between them. He buried his hands in her hair, keeping her head in place before running his thumb across her bottom lip. “Why me?”
She kissed his thumb, her tongue moistening the pad. “Why not you?”
He growled and devoured her mouth like a man possessed. His lips were demanding and hard. He didn’t bother with gentleness or orchestrated movements—he kissed her like a man driving himself into oblivion. She met his ferocity with her own need to fill her mouth with his taste.
Breathing hard, he dragged her up onto his lap. Her wool skirt bunched around her waist, her thighs rubbing against the grainy fabric of his jeans. He nestled her deeper, his hands positioning her hips until she cradled him between her legs. Lava-like heat blistered her skin. She licked her swollen lips, his gaze following her movement.
His look was forceful, his eyes predatory and dangerous. His hands—working man’s hands—kept her head still. “Don’t move.” His tongue slid in and out of her mouth in long, powerful strokes. “I’m going to fuck you just like this,” he breathed.
Pure heat spread thro
ugh her stomach. In the distance, she heard a dog barking and the realization they were parked in her driveway for anyone to notice brought a fresh surge of heat to her cheeks.
“Mitch,” she moaned when his lips kissed her neck.
He stilled. Seconds ticked, the only sound their ragged breathing. And then, motion.
The front door was barely shut when their bodies fused, slamming forcefully against the heavy oak door. She heard him growl before he sent his tongue deep in her mouth, claiming his stake. His kiss was savage, and she responded with a passion she didn’t know she possessed. His hands held her head in place as if she were a well of water and he a drowning man.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach and heat radiated off their bodies. She loved his taste, his touch, his breath on her face.
When he lifted his head, his expression was fierce, his breathing heavy. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she whispered. Her lips trailed light kisses on his nose, his lids and back to his mouth again for another penetrating kiss.
With feral strength he lifted her, like she weighed no more than a feather, and wrapped her legs around his waist. He cupped her ass, keeping the pressure intense against his cock and melting away any of her inhibitions.
As one, they fell onto the hard wooden planks of the staircase. With his gaze locked with hers, his hand reached under her skirt, slipped beneath her lace panties and slid deep inside her wetness.
Her breath hitched in her throat and she might have cried out his name. She wasn’t sure. Bells were ringing in her ears.
With his finger sliding in and out of her, his lips were bruising but she opened up, digging her fingers in his hair and begging for more. Uncaring that he’d think her wanton, she wiggled off his lap and while on her knees, lowered herself until she cupped his rigid erection with her mouth and blew a hot breath. He moaned as if in pain but held her head in place.