“I needed to do the final walk-through before I signed the papers next week on the warehouse.”
“I see.”
“And I missed you.”
Sammi whistled. “My uncle’s got some lines.”
I shot her a horrified expression and she just laughed. “Are we going to get a burger or what?”
“Definitely.” I nodded and wrapped my arms around Sammi’s shoulders.
“And maybe Shane will even buy you a milk shake,” Sammi suggested.
“But the question remains as to whether or not she’d take it from me.”
Chapter Eleven
“Then it’s been decided,” Sammi looked satisfied as she took another sip of her shake. “We’ll be headed to your ranch the day after the last day of school. That’s only two weeks from now.”
“It hasn’t exactly been decided,” I pointed out. “You still need to ask your father for permission.”
My gut said Charles would eagerly say yes just to have Sammi a couple of states away from Trey to start the summer, but I certainly wasn’t going to let on.
“Perfect.” Shane’s eyes gleamed with delight, and my entire world went in the complete opposite direction I’d been hoping.
“How many bedrooms does your home have?” I asked.
“The lodge has eight bedrooms and the guest house has three.”
Sammi’s brows shot up. “Guest quarters?”
Shane smiled and nodded. “The guest house was originally on the property when I bought it.”
“Oh, I see.” Sammi nodded. “And you wanted bigger and better.”
“Not bigger and better. Just different.”
“Are you serious that we can fly in on your jet?”
I didn’t have the heart to tell either of them that it took a Xanax for me to get on a commercial flight and the thought of getting on a small plane—private jet or not—was beyond terrifying.
“Wait until everyone next year asks how I spent my summer.” Sammi sat back in the booth and her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smiled.
“A text from Mr. Wonderful?” I asked and Shane laughed, wrapping his arm over my shoulders.
And that was all it took to feel like I was his. We’d kissed. I’d fantasized, but this simple gesture claimed me more than anything else ever would, and I relished every single second.
Sammi’s eyes connected with mine, and her smile deepened. I must have looked as dopey as she did when describing Trey.
“You know, I’m getting kind of tired,” Sammi said, stretching toward the ceiling.
“It’s only eight o’clock.” I pointed out and Sammi feigned innocence.
“I had a rough week full of finals, studying for more finals next week, and finishing up all my school projects. I’m beat.”
“Then we’ll get you home and Shane can—”
“Shane doesn’t have to go anywhere. You two can watch a movie or something, and I’ll just sleep in your bedroom.”
Or whatever. This kid may play innocent, but she was growing up so fast.
“That sounds nice to me,” Shane agreed. “But why don’t we rent something you’d like to watch too, Sammi. After all, you came to Fireweed to visit Dakota. I’m the one intruding.”
“You’re not intruding.” Sammi shook her head and popped off the plastic lid from the milk shake container to swallow down the elusive whipped cream. “I’d like it. Wouldn’t you, Dakota?”
Shane’s arm brought me in a little closer and for the first time since meeting Shane, I didn’t fight anything. I didn’t fight the butterflies roaring to life in my belly. I didn’t fight the jitters from saying the wrong thing. I didn’t fight the beginning of this relationship, just like I wouldn’t fight the end of this relationship because there would inevitably be an end.
There always was.
But for the first time since meeting Shane Parker I was okay with the beginning, middle, and end of a relationship with him.
I reached my hand up to his as it dangled over my shoulder and squeezed it. “I would love it.”
“Really?” he asked, almost surprised.
“Absolutely.”
He let out a deep sigh and shook his head. “I never thought I’d hear that.”
“I told you I could wrap her around my pinky finger.” Sammi flashed a devious grin and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“So this is you?” I wagged my finger at Sammi, and she only laughed harder.
“Don’t tell me you aren’t a teensy bit happy.” Sammi stood up from the booth and emptied her tray into the garbage.
“She’s too wise for her years,” Shane whispered, and the way his breath skated across my bare neck made every single part of me crave to be touched by him.
There were no more pretenses or games I thought that needed to be played. Whatever happened would be meant to be, and that was what I needed to remember. Not everyone was meant to have a fifty-year marriage, but I didn’t need to isolate myself from the opposite sex. And I was sure Cynthia and Charles would forgive me when the time came when I walked away.
“Hey, what are you thinking about?” he whispered, still close.
“About how difficult I made it on you.”
“You weren’t difficult.” His voice still low as he moved his arm off my shoulders. “Merely cautious and I respect that.”
I let out a pensive sigh and rested my head on his shoulder.
“But Dakota?”
“Yeah?” I spotted Sammi by the exit.
“What are you afraid of?” I let out a slow, steady breath and closed my eyes.
“Of hurting you.” I bit my bottom lip. “And the end.”
“The end of what?” His gaze locked on mine.
“Us.”
“That’s the spirit,” he growled, pulling me into him.
“What can I say? I think history is a good indicator of how things will turn out.”
His expression turned serious. “I really hope that’s not the case.”
“Me too,” I whispered as his hand slid into mine and he helped me up from the booth.
The ride home was nice and light. Sammi chatted endlessly about a history teacher that she was sure had it in for her and Shane took the moment to slide his hand over to my knee, which sent all kinds of crazy thoughts through my head like how we would fit together when we made love or how his hands would feel running along my skin. I turned to look out the window and clenched my eyes shut, praying that I’d somehow find a way to enjoy whatever time I gave myself with Shane.
Shane pulled in front of my house and parked his SUV alongside the road in front of my car.
“So what have we decided on for a movie?” Shane asked, unbuckling his belt.
“Zombies,” Sammi said emphatically, and I chuckled.
She’d been obsessed with zombies since she was ten, and I always thought she’d outgrow the obsession, but it only grew stronger.
“Zombies works for me.”
“And I even have popcorn.” I shut the car door and glanced over my shoulder to see Shane and Sammi walking behind me.
Shane was surprisingly taking on the role of uncle quite well. He wasn’t being pushy or over the top, which I think Sammi appreciated.
I opened the door, and the smell of cabbage hit me like a flyswatter to the cheek.
“Ooh.” I chuckled. “I’m not sure how popcorn is going to blend with the lovely cabbage smell.”
“It can only get better from here,” Shane teased as Sammi groaned.
“Let me just put away the leftovers since we barely touched it.”
“Point me in the direction of the kernels, and I’ll make the popcorn while Sammi finds a zombie flick. Sound like a deal?”
Sammi nodded. “Works for me.”
She stayed in the living room, turned on the television, and began scrolling through the endless movies on demand. I told Shane where he could find everything in the closet.
As I was putting away the cabbage and sau
sage into containers, Shane set the popcorn maker on the counter and shook the kernels into the maker.
I clipped the lid on the storage container and slid it into the fridge.
“So you and Cynthia haven’t always been close?” I asked.
Shane froze as the kernels were pouring out of the tub, and his eyes connected with mine. “No.”
“Well, I can tell you that I was surprised that she had a brother. She never mentioned you.” Here I was right when the relationship was about to get wings, bringing up an obviously sore spot, but it was like I couldn’t help myself. “And you seem like a great guy to me.”
He laughed and put the cap back on the jar with the kernels. “I’m probably a better boyfriend than brother.”
“Let’s hope.” I crossed my fingers and he chuckled. “In all seriousness, I can’t imagine what could possibly keep you away from Cynthia or vice versa. You both seem so stable.”
“Stability has never been the problem.” He pressed his lips together and motioned for me to come over as he plugged in the popper.
“Then what was?” I asked softly.
“I’d say it all boils down to my stubbornness.”
“You? Stubborn?”
His brows furrowed. “I haven’t been stubborn around you.”
“We can call it persistent.”
“Well, that might be true.”
“Might be?” I laughed. “You wore me down. And should I bring up all the stalking?”
“You know that could go either way.”
“Except that I was at the places before you were.”
The corn started popping and cracking in an almost musical way.
He grinned and kissed the top of my head when Sammi yelled from the other room.
“Got one. Bring on the corn.”
“Between half a sausage, some cabbage, a burger, shake, and fries, and now popcorn, you’re going to have to roll me to bed.”
“I don’t care what I have to do to you to get you in bed. I’ll happily do it.”
“I totally fell into that trap.”
“Hook, line, and sinker.” He winked and shook the popcorn bowl and unplugged the popper.
I heated some butter quickly in the microwave and drizzled it over the popcorn while Shane found three bowls.
It was nice to be hanging out with Shane Parker even though I never in a million years expected to be spending my Friday night with Sammi and him.
I spotted Sammi in the rocking chair and stopped. “Don’t you want to sit on the couch?”
She shook her head. “I’m good here. I don’t want to get in the way of you two lovebirds.”
“Whatever,” I laughed as Shane filled up her popcorn bowl and handed it to her. “So I’m sure you’re going to report everything when you go back home on Sunday.”
“You haven’t given me anything too dirty to report back yet.”
“And we won’t,” Shane assured her and I chuckled, sitting next to him on the couch.
Within seconds, the screen was full of raiding zombies and Sammi was already completely immersed in the gore.
Shane slid his hand over mine, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
It was hard to fathom that I was really here in my living room with Shane Parker on a Friday night doing nothing more than eating popcorn and watching movies. I glanced at Sammi who seemed perfectly content, and I knew this encounter wasn’t completely accidental.
When the movie was almost finished, Sammi’s phone buzzed and it was as if everything on the screen no longer mattered.
It had to have been Trey.
“Is it okay if I turn in?” Sammi asked, her eyes hopeful.
“Totally, but don’t you want to finish the movie?” Shane asked.
“Nah. I’ve seen it like ten times.”
I laughed and nodded. “Of course you have.”
Sammi came over to the couch and gave me a hug and patted Shane on the shoulder. “Be good to her.”
“Yeah. You heard the girl,” I teased as Sammi grabbed her bag and headed to my bedroom. She closed the door quietly and within seconds, I heard her happily talking to her boyfriend on the phone.
“Remember that age?” I asked. “Every single interaction was special.”
Shane turned slightly on the couch. “I feel like that now with you.”
I swallowed my surprise and took another handful of popcorn. “I guess I do too, if I’m being honest.”
“Honest is the only way to be,” he teased.
“True.” I nodded and tucked a leg under me.
“I’ve been wanting to ask, but I didn’t want to in front of Sammi.”
“You want me to make mad, passionate love to you tonight, and you didn’t know how to bring it up?” His eyes sparkled in the most glorious way, and it took everything I had not to crawl right on him.
“Actually, no. It was work-related.”
His lip curled slightly. “Okay, shoot.”
“Do you have a spare key for the church? I’d like to be able to go in and make measurements, and hang out there for a little bit for inspiration.”
“No problem.” He nodded and the last of the zombies screeched on the screen as the credits started rolling. “What next? Another zombie show?”
“Maybe something romantic?”
“You mean like a romantic comedy?”
“I know. I know. Is that like pulling out all your teeth without anesthesia?”
He laughed. “Believe it or not, I’m a romantic at heart. Once you’ve stolen mine, it’s hard for me to function.”
“And have I stolen it?” I asked, feeling my heart skip a beat.
“You stole it the moment you started stalking me at my sister’s wedding.”
“I wasn’t stalking you.” I smacked him playfully. “You were stalking me. In fact, you even lied to me and pretended to be an ex-fiancé. How twisted is that?”
“I can’t help myself. When I’m given a role, I have to get fully into character. I never expected to fall for you.”
“You fell for me?”
“Instantly.” His eyes darkened as he cupped my hands in his. “I thought that was kind of obvious.”
I raised my chin and smiled. “I told you, I’m kind of dense.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.” He drew a breath .”I see you as a lot of things, but dense isn’t one of them.”
“Like what? What do you see me as?” I scooted closer to Shane and he surprised me by pulling me on his lap.
I curled my arm around his shoulders and our eyes stayed locked. It was like the rest of the world didn’t even exist. It was only Shane and I sharing a Friday night where nothing but us mattered.
“I see you as a hardworking woman who cares tremendously about the people in your life. You’re loyal to a fault. You’re selfless. You’re absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous. You don’t let people walk all over you, for the most part. And you don’t fall for my one-liners.”
“That’s not all completely accurate.”
His brows raised in surprise. “Really?”
“I’ve been falling for your one-liners from the moment I met you.”
“I couldn’t tell.” He squeezed me closer, and my body pressed into his hardness making it nearly impossible to resist him as a continual force of need pounded through me. “You really made me work for this.”
I traced my finger against his jaw and he let out a heavy breath. “And it looks like you just might need to work a little harder with my guest in the other room.”
Shane’s smile only widened as he ran his fingers along the hem of my sweater until he found an entrance. His strong hands slid along my bare skin as I took in a deep breath and shuddered from his touch. It was commanding, yet gentle and had me spinning in six different directions.
“Your skin is so soft,” he whispered and I sank into him. “I can’t wait to run my lips over your belly.” His hands ran along my stomach. “And taste you all over.”
My
body trembled with a desire I’d never experienced before. I turned on his lap and straddled him, feeling him beneath me and his size took my breath away.
“Speechless?” His voice lowered.
I closed my eyes as his hands ran under my sweater and cupped my breasts as I imagined what might be in store for me. A quiet little moan escaped my lips, and he quickly removed his hands, his body shuddering from trying to keep his laughter low.
I opened my eyes, and his gaze settled on my mouth as if he were studying the shape of my lips and imagining how they tasted.
His hands rested on my lower back, and I looked deeply into his gaze as my lips found his, and I let my worries completely slip away. With the gentle swooping of his tongue, my body ignited with an intense craving for more.
And with every stroke of his tongue, his kisses became hotter and more demanding with need. My fingers ran through his hair as his mouth slowly moved from my mouth down to my throat and down to my shoulder, leaving a chill where his lips last left. I tried to stay upright, but the desire swirling through me left me limp for more.
It wasn’t until his lips broke from mine that I blinked my eyes open.
“If I go any farther, I won’t be able to stop myself.” His breathing was heavy and his voice was raspy with need.
“Same,” I breathed, trying to catch my breath. “I just don’t know why I stayed away for so long.”
A smile touched his gaze, and I melted into him before rolling off. He caught my hand in his, and I wished I could stay right where I was.
“I’ve asked myself that every single day.” He smiled, resting his head against the couch. Seeing the kindness resting behind his gaze twirled me into another atmosphere.
“You know every time I saw you I always imagined the things I should have said to you or wanted to say but was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” Shane asked softly.
“Of falling for you.”
“I think it’s too late for that, don’t you?” His voice lowered as I stared into his warm and sexy eyes.
“I—” I had to keep things on track or he’d take control, and I’d wind up without this job and another pointless sexcapade. No. Things had to cool, at least slightly. For now.
Accidental Love on Meadow Cove Lane (Island County Series Book 10) Page 9