“Ten.” I traced circles on her arm. “You still tired? We didn’t sleep long.”
“Hmmm.” She turned her head and kissed my arm. “I could wake up. For the right incentive.”
I grinned. “I might be able to provide that.” I threaded my fingers through her hair, sweeping it back from her face. “What’s on your agenda for today?”
She lifted one shoulder, her eyes still closed. “Regular stuff. Nothing pressing. Nothing that can’t be dealt with tomorrow. What about you?”
“Actually, I’m supposed to drive up to St. Augustine and pick up a dresser. Jude found it up there, and she wants it for the Hawthorne House. I’m going to restore it, so I told her I’d bring it down.” I kissed Emmy’s temple. “Come with me.”
I half-expected her to refuse, but surprising me seemed to be this woman’s gift. “To St. Augustine? Oh, I’d love to.” She turned in my arms, her face inches from mine. “It’s one of my favorite places, and I never have time to go anymore.”
I slid my hands between us, palming her breast and teasing one nipple with my thumb. “Sounds like a good plan then.” I found her lips, kissing her slowly, with lazy sensuous touches. Her hands came up to frame my face, so soft and tender that I swore I melted into her.
We didn’t speak as I raised myself over her and sank inch by slow inch into her body. When I was fully inside her, we were still, savoring the sensation of being connected. I could feel her breathing, the rise and fall of her lungs. I pressed against her, and she skimmed her fingers over my back. I moved once, lifting and then sliding back with deliberation. Emmy sucked in a breath, her breasts tantalizing my chest. I slipped one hand between us and found her, wet, slick and waiting. Still deep inside her, I stroked her clit with small, teasing touches until she gasped and arched, coming with silent intensity that pushed me into my own strong orgasm.
I fell onto her, my face buried in her neck while her hands soothed me and her lips rained small kisses on my hair.
This was peace, I realized. I felt . . . right. Content. If I died right there, in Emmy’s arms, it would be with a smile on my face and my only regret that I didn’t have one more moment with her.
“So where are we picking up this dresser?” Emmy propped her feet on the dashboard of my Jeep and glanced at me over the top of her sunglasses. I couldn’t answer her right away, because I was pretty sure my heart had stopped. Sitting there in my passenger seat, her long legs on display and those gorgeous eyes looking at me . . . yeah, this chick had me. She was breathtaking. Insanely beautiful, in denim shorts (we’d stopped at her house for a change of clothes, since I’d ripped her other ones), a green T-shirt and flip -flops, with her hair down and curling over her shoulders.
“Uh . . .” I tried to remember her question. “Oh, yeah. The dresser. It’s at an antique store on King Street. The guy’s expecting me.”
“Cool.” She looked out at the ocean, her chest rising as she took a deep breath. “This is the prettiest drive, going up A1A. The weather’s perfect, I’m riding in a Jeep . . .” She slid me a saucy look. “ . . . with an okay-looking guy—”
“Okay-looking?” I poked her in the ribs, feigning insult. “Pretty sure that’s not what you were saying around three this morning, when you were sucking chocolate off my—”
“Fine, fine, fine.” Emmy reached one finger to trace my jaw. “Riding in a Jeep with a super-hot, handsome, sexy dude who did me ten ways to Sunday last night.”
I laughed, trying to hide how her words affected me. Especially one particular part of me. “Much better.”
“The only thing missing is music.” She reached for the radio, pushing the power button and twirling the tuning knob until she found a station. “Here we go.”
The music that floated out of my speakers was undoubtedly country. It wasn’t horrible, but I recognized the twangy voice and banjo.
“Uh-uh. Oh, no. Country music is not allowed in my Jeep.” I reached to change the station.
Emmy pushed to sit up straight in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest and pushing out her bottom lip in an adorable pout. “What’s wrong with country music?”
I flicked her cute little nose with the tip of my index finger. “You know I don’t like country. You told me last weekend that you knew it.”
“Well, yeah, but that was live at the restaurant. This is riding in the Jeep, alongside the beach, on a beautiful day with the sun shining and the wind blowing over us . . .” She trailed off and sighed, seeing that I wasn’t going to give in. “Fine. What kind of music do you want?”
I hit a pre-tuned button on the radio. “Eighties music. Rock. You know, like Bon Jovi and Van Halen and Def Leppard.” Drums filled the air as Jon Bon Jovi sang about being wanted.
Emmy wrinkled her nose. “Seriously? This is what you like?” She shook her head.
“Hey, you grew up in the same era. Don’t knock it.”
“Nuh uh, I’m four years younger than you. Our music was much better. Plus I always liked country.”
I rolled my eyes. “How can you not like this? I thought all girls were hot for Jon Bon Jovi.”
“Not this one. And Van Halen? All that hair?”
“Hey, hey. Don’t knock Van Halen. A very important milestone in my life took place with them playing in the background.”
Emmy turned to curl in her seat, tucking her legs under her as she smiled at me. “Oh, do tell. A very important . . . oh, my God. You lost your virginity to Van Halen?”
“That sounds wrong. No, I lost my virginity to Sheri Halwyn, while Van Halen was playing on the radio.” I grinned, remembering. “It was Panama. That songs still makes me hard.”
“Gross. And Sheri Halwyn was a total slut.” She shook her head, but I saw her lips twitching.
“She really was.” I sighed, nostalgic. “But she liked Van Halen, too.”
“Sheri liked everyone, as long they were male. The fact that she liked that music doesn’t help your case.”
“Oh, yeah? And what was playing when you gave it up, baby?”
Her smile faded. “Well, it wasn’t country. Eddy hated it, too. It was Sweet Love by Anita Baker. Playing on a clock radio in dingy little motel room up in Daytona. I didn’t want my first time to be in a pickup truck, so we drove up there, and . . . yeah.”
It was irrational and stupid, but my blood boiled at the thought of Eddy Carter taking her to a no-tell motel for her first time. I didn’t even want to picture them together; it made me sick to my stomach, which I realized was completely stupid, since they’d been married and had three children. I didn’t even know Emmy then. But I wanted to make up for it all now. I wanted to make every time we made love perfect and special, so she’d realize . . .
I pulled up my thoughts fast. What the hell? Where had all that come from? I didn’t own Emmy, and I didn’t owe her anything. We were . . . well, I wasn’t sure what we were, but today we were together, riding along next to each other through this perfect day. I wasn’t going to ruin it by overthinking everything. I was going to enjoy it, and to hell with consequences.
I reached across the console and snagged her hand, twining our fingers together. I felt her surprise before she relaxed, tightening her grip.
For today, at least, she was mine, and I didn’t need anything else.
“I don’t think I can eat one more bite.” Emmy leaned back, closing her eyes. “This was so good.”
We were sitting on the patio at Harry’s. Since it was after lunch and well before dinner, we were the only two customers still there. We’d already had our leftovers packed up and I’d paid the check.
I groaned. “I know. Me, neither. We’ll have to come back another time to try their dessert. I’ve heard they make a mean bread pudding.”
“I’m definitely up for that.” Emmy pulled out her phone and glanced at the time. “We should probably start heading back. I need to go home and change before I go to the Tide.”
“Yeah, I know.” I stood up, stretching. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you
home from the ball on time, Cinderella.”
We walked back to the Jeep through the charm of Old Town, Emmy’s hand secure in mine. We’d wandered here most of the day, window shopping and talking. I’d realized anew how much I enjoyed simply being with Emmy. She was easy, fun and interesting. I loved watching her face as she took in the old buildings and history.
The dresser was roped in, secured and ready for the ride to my workshop. When we reached the Jeep, I opened Emmy’s door before jogging around to the driver’s side.
We drove out of town, and Emmy sighed. I glanced over at her, noticing the little smile playing over her lips.
I lifted our joined hands to my mouth and kissed her fingers. “Did you have a good time today?”
“The best. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a day more.” Her smile grew to involve her whole face. “Thank you, Cooper.”
“Hey, it was fun for me, too. Thanks for coming with me.” I waited a minute before asking her the question burning on my lips. “Can I come over tonight?”
She didn’t reply right away, and my gut twisted. “I want you to. And I should just leave it at that. But I have to ask you, Coop. What’re we doing?”
It was the same thing I’d been trying not to think about all day. “Does it matter, Em? Can’t we just . . . be? Do we have to label it?”
Emmy twisted in her seat. “Maybe not. Maybe I’m just being a girl. What I said to you last week still holds. I’m not cut out for a sex-only deal. But clearly I like the sex. So I guess I’m just a hypocrite.”
“Hey, I like your hypocrisy.” I smirked, but when Emmy didn’t respond, I got serious again. “I want more than just sex, too, Em. I wouldn’t have asked you to spend today with me if I only wanted to sleep with you. I like you. I like spending time with you. But I still think I’m incapable of sustaining a real relationship. So can you give me a little time? Let’s take things slow and see how they develop. Does that work for you?”
She nodded. “I guess so. I’m not asking for forever, Coop, and I don’t expect perfection. But I need more than I have now. I can’t go back to just working and sleeping. I’ve had a taste of what we could be together, and I want it.”
I thought about the day we’d just spent together, how easy everything was with Emmy. I thought about waking with her next to me, her head on my pillow. I didn’t want to go back to life without her, either. But I knew myself. I knew that I was capable of screwing up the best things in my life, and I couldn’t do that to Emmy.
So I only held her hand a little tighter and drove on through the fading light.
“EMMY, THANKS SO MUCH FOR coming in early.” Jude met me at the entrance to the bar. She wore a pretty green skirt with a sleeveless blouse, and her hair, almost always up in a high ponytail, was down around her shoulders. I was so used to seeing her in shorts or jeans that seeing her dressed up took me by surprise.
“No problem at all. Mom’s picking up the kids from school and taking them right home with her. A few extra hours don’t hurt anyone.” I went behind the bar and pulled on an apron.
“I appreciate it anyway. All this wedding stuff is getting intense. I found out about this meeting just this morning, and of course, Brenna’s got a cold, so Lindsay has to stay home with her, and Joseph’s got finals this week.” Jude rolled her eyes. “You know, when Meggie said she wanted a simple beach wedding, very low-key, I figured I’d gotten off easy. I thought we’d throw some burgers on the grill here at the Tide, and all of us would just stand around in shorts while she and Sam got married. Ha!” She picked up her purse and dug around in it. “Now we’ve got a wedding planner, and musicians, and a tent . . . and we had to find a hotel to put up all the guests from Georgia.” She sighed. “I wish we had the Riverside up and running. Just think how easy that would be.”
“Is that a done deal?” I leaned on the bar, watching as Jude fussed with her lipstick. Cooper had told me about Jude and Logan’ plans for the old hotel. I’d seen it, and while I’d seen my friends work miracles before, I had my doubts about the future of that ramshackle place.
“Yup. Closing’s next week, and we’re pushing through all the permits and variances. It’ll be a while before it opens, of course, but I’m excited.”
“So what wedding fun is on the agenda for today?”
“We’re meeting with the wedding planner to go over the final schedule, the list of photographs, the music for the service . . . all the fun stuff. Meghan’s joining us on video chat.” Jude shook her finger at me. “Here’s a word of wisdom for you. When it’s time for Izzy and Dee to get married, make sure they don’t expect you to do all the legwork while they’re three hours away.”
I laughed. “Jude Hawthorne Holt, you’re so full of it. You love this. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Jude snorted and then laughed, too. “Okay, you’re right. I am loving it. I do wish Meggie were a little closer, though. I keep remembering how much fun my mom and I had planning my wedding, and I feel like most of my conversations with Meghan are over text or video chat. I miss her.”
I thought of the pretty young girl who I’d watched grow up. “I can imagine. But she seems awfully happy.”
“She really is. I never thought she’d end up a farmer’s wife, but she loves Burton, and she loves the farm. And most important, she loves Sam, and he loves her. He’s a wonderful guy.”
“I’ve liked him each time I’ve met him. His friend Alex is a hoot, too. I’m looking forward to seeing him again at the wedding.”
Jude smiled. “Me, too. Logan and I have been thinking . . . well, I better not say anything about it yet. We need to finalize a few things first.”
“You’re such a tease.” I stuck out my tongue at her. “Now get out of here before the wedding planner and Meghan cook up more things for you to do before the wedding. I’m fine here, and I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Be careful, have a good night. Make lots of money.”
The restaurant was quiet once Jude left. I wasn’t used to being there at that time of the day by myself. I’d covered daytime hours before now and then, but usually Sadie and Mack, the older couple who’d been working at the Tide since time eternal, were there with me. And of course, since Joseph and Lindsay moved home and took over part of the restaurant’s operations, one of them was usually on the premises.
I took advantage of the lull to check on our supplies for the night ahead. Carey and Aaron would be showing up soon to take over the cooking, but for now, if anyone came in to order food, it was on me. I scraped one of the grills, even though it really didn’t need it. Jude had cleaned up from the lunch run, and the kitchen was in good order. I decided to cut some fries, since it was a given that someone would come in and order those at some point in the next hour.
I’d just finished my third potato when I heard the bell over the door ring. “Be right with you! Have a seat anywhere.” I washed and dried my hands as I came out of the kitchen section to the bar.
At first, I didn’t see anyone in the dining room. And then I spotted her. Lexie Davis stood just inside the door, glancing around nervously. She was twisting her hands as she shifted from foot to foot.
“Hey, Lex. This is a surprise.”
At the sound of my voice, she jerked her head in my direction, and I realized her eyes were red and swollen. My heart dropped as the worst scenario possible flew through my head. Cooper. Something happened to Cooper.
It didn’t take me long to realize how stupid that was. If something had happened to Coop, Jude would’ve known. Plus, he’d sent me one of his rare texts that afternoon, just before I left home to drive to the Tide.
See you tonight. I’ll be at the bar until closing.
It was the closest Cooper came to making plans with me, but it made me smile, because I knew he hated sending texts. Things between us had been calm the last few weeks. I realized that was because I wasn’t pushing any issues, which relieved Cooper. I was letting him have his way
for now, taking things slowly. The only problem was that slowly seemed to be where we were doomed to stay. I had a mental image of us in rocking chairs, with Cooper telling me not to rush him into anything.
I gave myself a mental shake. Here was his daughter standing at the door, obviously in distress, and I was staring off into space, fantasizing about her father. Nice, Emmy.
“Lexie, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” I came out from the bar and met her halfway across the restaurant.
“Oh, Emmy. I’m glad it’s you here.” She launched herself at me, and I folded her into a hug. Her thin shoulders shook as she wept against me. “I—” She hiccoughed, trying to speak. “I love Aunt Jude, but you’ll understand more. I can talk to you.”
That was gratifying. Lexie and I had hit it off the last two summers when she’d worked at the Tide. I was glad she felt she could trust me. “What’s going on, Lex? Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “I’m such a loser, Emmy. And he said I was acting like a kid. And then he slept with Kaley, and she’s such a slut.” She covered her eyes with one hand, tears pouring over her fingers.
I steered Lexie to a chair and sat down across the table from her. “Okay, honey, I think you need to start from the beginning. First things first. Does your mom know you’re in the Cove? Or your dad?”
Lexie dropped her eyes to the floor. “Noooo. Not exactly. Mom and Alton had to go to a big dinner tonight in Jacksonville, so I was supposed to go right home and heat up leftovers. But then Bryan and I had a huge fight, and so I called a cab and came here. I wanted to see Daddy. But he wasn’t at home, and I didn’t want to call him and have him freak out. I thought he might be here.”
“He had a dentist appointment this afternoon. That’s probably where he was.” I spoke without thinking how odd it might seem to Lexie that I knew when her father was going to the dentist. And actually, I only knew it because he’d groused to me last weekend about how much he hated the dentist. Since his appointment was on a Friday afternoon, I’d promised him a very special treat if he behaved himself during his cleaning. Of course, that wasn’t something I could share with his daughter.
The Plan Page 14