Luck Be Delanie

by Shelli Stevens

  “This looks amazing.” She picked up her fork and speared a chunk of salmon, lifting it to her mouth. “Mmm.” She chewed the bite and swallowed. “Wow. That is so much better than crackers.”

  He wasn’t eating. When she lifted her gaze, she found him watching her, a pensive look on his face.

  “What did I do to you?” he asked softly, shaking his head. “To make you get up in the morning, walk out of my house, and then basically disappear off the face of the planet?”

  Her hunger diminished with the sudden question, and she set her fork down, considering her response.

  “Besides call me Janie?” she asked, with the only defense she had. And it was rather paltry.

  “We met in a bar. It was loud when you introduced yourself to me. So I got the first letter wrong.” He reached across the table and pulled her hand into his. The contact radiated warmth up her arm and throughout her body.

  “I know it must have made you feel terrible. But I have a hard time believing you would throw away that night we had together over my small fuck-up.”

  It had hurt. And fortunately that hurt had been the spark to ignite her into action. Meeting him that night in the bar all those years ago had never been an accidental occasion. It had been the first step in a hastily laid plan.

  She’d been on a mission that night. A mission spontaneously suggested by her sorority sister. What was her name…Bridget?

  Liking him was an inconvenience she couldn’t have predicted. God knows what would have happened if he hadn’t called her the wrong name. She might have stayed in bed all day and confessed her real reason for being there.

  “Delanie.” His thumb traced circles over her palm, and her breath hitched. “Did that night really mean so little to you?”

  Her pulse pounded, her chest twisting tight as it grew hard to swallow.

  If he only knew. That night had meant everything to her. It was why she wore the damn coin she’d stolen from him on a chain around her neck. It reminded her of the deepest connection she’d ever had with a man. The same man who’d had no qualms about breaking Bridget’s heart.

  She jerked her hand back from his, almost afraid he could read her thoughts. She had no illusions about what she’d done that morning. When she’d stolen his coin, she’d flat out committed a crime. A small one, but a crime nonetheless.

  Being here, on this island with Grant, put everything at risk. Her status as a respected woman in her community. But even more so, her heart.

  “Why did you bring me here, Grant?” She shook her head, her mouth pulled tight. “Because I’ll be real honest, I’m close to catching the first ferry off this island in the morning.”

  He stared at her for a moment, his gaze intense on her face. “All right. You want to know why I brought you here? I’ll tell you. I want it back.”

  The blood drained from her face. Not even trying to convince herself she didn’t know what he meant, she picked up her wine glass with hands she forced to remain steady.

  She might know exactly what he wanted back, but she didn’t have to let him know she knew.

  “I’m sorry? You want what back?”

  “The coin.”

  Confessing she took it was way too dicey. Not to mention she’d grown awfully attached to the necklace.

  She set her glass back down on the table and lifted her gaze to his. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  His nostrils flared. “The hell you don’t, Lanie.”

  The first bit of unease settled in her gut at his unwavering accusation.

  “Why would I take your coin?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.” His jaw hardened and he shook his head. “The only thing I do know is that I’ve had the worst goddamn luck since my coin disappeared.”

  She blinked. “Bad luck? You think that because you lost your coin you’ve had bad luck?”

  “I did not lose my coin.”

  She dropped her gaze, unable to handle the intensity of his stare. It was clear that he knew she took it. He just had no proof.

  Thank God she’d had the sense to take off the necklace before dinner. She made a mental note to hide the thing in her luggage until she got home.

  “Delanie—”

  She pushed back her chair and stood up from the table. “Look, if this is any indication of how this week is going to go, I’d rather not deal with it.”

  “Wait.” He stood, his mouth tightening. “Please, sit. I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is have Second Chances suffer because we’re having issues.”

  “There is no we.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She stared at him for a few seconds, the blood pounding through her veins.

  “I didn’t take it.” It was really amazing how easily the lie fell from her lips.

  At first he didn’t answer, then he just gave a terse jerk of his head towards the chair. “Okay. If you say you didn’t take it, I won’t force the issue.”

  Still she hesitated, torn between the burning guilt of her blatant lie and the unwillingness to sit through what was sure to be an awkward dinner.

  “Please. Roberta probably spent half the day in the kitchen prepping for this dinner.”

  With a brisk nod, she sank back into the chair and picked up her fork. “It’s good. She’s a wonderful cook.”

  But the food, which had looked so appetizing just moments ago, now might as well have been wood chips.

  One thing he said still rang in her mind, puzzling her.

  “So this bad luck,” she began, lifting the shrimp skewer and pulling off a piece. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with the coin.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to talk about it.”

  She bit into the shrimp and chewed it slowly. After swallowing the seasoned bite, she licked her lips. “Okay, well certain points I’d rather not. But you’ve piqued my curiosity. I mean, bad luck for six years? I’m sure it’s just a coincidence—”

  “My cat died the day after the coin disappeared.”

  “Okay.” She grabbed another piece of shrimp, still not convinced. “Was it old? Did it get hit by a car?”

  “No. She ran across the room and jumped into a glass door.”

  Sounded like the result of a stupid cat to her, but she bit her tongue. “I’m sorry.”

  “Then my ice cream truck got stolen while I ran inside a convenience store for some nachos.”

  Delanie tried not to giggle, but it came out anyway. She picked up her wine. “You drove an ice cream truck?”

  “It was a summer job.”

  “Ah. I thought it might have been your chick mobile.”

  “And that’s another thing.” He scowled and picked up his own skewer of shrimp.

  “What is?”

  “Women. I haven’t had a relationship that lasted longer than two weeks since…” He held her gaze, his irritation obvious. “Since the coin disappeared.”

  “You can’t expect me to believe that you haven’t had sex in six years.”

  His gaze jerked back to hers, blue eyes alight with amusement. “I never said anything about sex.”

  “Of course.” She rolled her eyes and turned back to the salmon. “Men never seem to have a problem with that.”

  “And you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I’m assuming you haven’t exactly been abstinent since that night.”

  The salmon in her mouth grew heavy against her tongue. She swallowed quickly and grabbed the wine.

  No, not abstinent. But damn close. The few occasions she’d taken a lover had left her so bitterly disappointed, she’d pretty much given up trying.

  Franklin had been pressuring her to become intimate for months. And, truth be told, she’d been getting close to caving. As it was, she’d just hit the two-year mark without sex.

  “Delanie?”

  Her name sounded husky on his lips. It sent heat through her body, finally coming to rest heavily between her legs.

 
She closed her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself that every man who touched her ended up being compared to the man across the table.

  “I’ve had lovers,” she finally admitted.

  When he didn’t respond, she lifted her gaze. Surprise rippled through her. His jaw had hardened, even as his eyes burned a path over her face.

  He couldn’t possibly be jealous, could he? That would be…ridiculous. They’d only had one night together.

  She lowered her gaze, pushing her plate away. Although, when he’d casually stated that he’d had lovers, something had clenched deep in her gut.

  She sighed and glanced out over the view. The sun had only half set, casting a reddish-orange glow over the trees and water.

  As if seeing Grant after six years weren’t enough, now she was sitting across from him at a dinner that, for all intents and purposes, should be considered romantic.

  It brought out all kinds of emotions inside her. Made her want to do stupid things and reflect on the stupider things she’d done in her past. Get out of here before you start a repeat performance.

  “Thank you for the dinner, Grant.” She set her napkin down and pushed back her chair. “Today’s travel has caught up with me and I’m a little tired.”

  “Of course.” He stood up. “Let me walk you back to your room.”

  “Really, there’s no need,” she protested. “I can find my way back.”

  “I’m sure. But I’d rather see you there myself.” He gave a slight smile. “I was raised with good manners.”

  Walking back to her room she had to agree with him. Even with just that one night together, it was the first thing she’d picked up on. He’d held doors, paid for her bill at the bar…made sure she’d come five times before screwing her silly.

  She bit back a groan and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them again, they had arrived outside her room.

  On impulse, she turned around to face him. He was so close, the top of her head almost brushed his chin.

  Her gaze latched onto the few curls that peeked out from the neckline of his buttoned-up shirt. She breathed in deeply and could smell the mix of soap and spicy cologne.

  Six years and it still seemed so fresh in her head. The way his big hands had moved over her body so knowingly. How his thumbs had strummed her nipples until she’d begged him to suck on them. The weight of his body on top of hers as he’d settled himself between her thighs. And finally, that one incredible moment when he’d thrust inside her.

  Heat stirred low in her belly and her breasts ached under her dress. She wanted him to touch her again. The thought should have alarmed her more, and yet it didn’t.

  It was almost a relief to admit it to herself. She needed to feel his mouth on hers. It had been much too long.

  She lifted her head, her tongue running over her lips.

  His gaze darkened and his jaw went rigid. “Delanie…”

  Without giving herself the time to reconsider, she reached up and slid her hand around his neck. Spearing her fingers upward into his soft hair, she tugged his head downward.

  Chapter 3

  Needing no further encouragement, his lips came down hard on hers. All the years apart melted away as his tongue pressed deep into her mouth. She was back in the bar, the taste of beer still fresh when he’d pressed his lips to hers in a first kiss.

  As sweet as that kiss had been, this was sweeter. And far less innocent.

  Fire raced through her blood, setting every nerve aflame as moisture gathered heavily between her legs.

  He backed her hard against the door, his hands grasping her hips and squeezing her flesh. He angled his mouth and his tongue stroked deeper. His body pressed harder against her and his cock ground into her lower belly.

  One of his hands moved up her hip, over her waist, and then stopped as it came alongside her breast.

  A tremble wracked her body and she tightened her hand in his hair, her taut nipples brushed against his chest.

  His thumb stroked the swell from the side, but didn’t move inward. Each brush across her flesh sent a stabbing ache straight between her legs.

  His mouth slid off hers, grazing her cheek before he caught the lobe of her ear between his teeth. A gasp ripped from her throat and her panties grew damper.

  “What if someone sees us?” she whispered raggedly.

  “No guests are allowed in this building. I prefer to keep some areas private. I made an exception for you.” His words rode on a hot breath into her ear and she squirmed between him and the wall.

  The hand at the side of her breast finally slid inward. He slipped his palm into the neckline of her dress, cupped her fully and caught the nipple between two fingers.

  “Oh.” She arched her back, pushing her breast harder against his palm.

  His tongue flicked over her ear and then he kissed a slow trail down to the fluttering pulse in her neck. He continued to roll her nipple between skilled fingers while thrusting his hips against hers.

  His cock, which had grown considerably since the kiss had started, pressed harder into her belly.

  “Maybe we should take this into my room.” The words barely left her mouth before she froze in shock.

  She hadn’t just said that. Oh please God, don’t let me have just said that. What on earth was she thinking?

  Grant lifted his head, his expression unreadable as he looked down at her. His fingers tightened around her nipple.

  “We have an early morning,” he murmured eventually and released her breast. He pulled his hand free from the dress and tugged the fabric back up to cover her again. “We should probably call it a night.”

  Humiliation and relief combined to send a flush through her body.

  “Oh…of course,” she stammered.

  Yes, she’d regretted inviting him in the minute she’d made the offer, but the fact that he’d turned her down still kind of sucked.

  This is a good thing. The last thing she wanted to do was go to bed with Grant again. Her mouth tightened. Why make the same mistake twice?

  “Tomorrow we can discuss the money for the shelter when I give you a tour around the resort and island. You may even want to consider that job offer still.”

  The hot desire in her blood rapidly subsided at his blatant rejection. He’d become all business while she’d gone strolling down memory lane, otherwise known as Orgasm Boulevard.

  “Okay.” Her head bobbed up and down. That would still be a no to the job offer. She just wanted this conversation to end and for him to leave. “That sounds good.”

  “Can you be ready by nine?”

  “Sure.” She nodded again, starting to get a surreal feeling about this whole night.

  “Great. Dress comfortably.” He seemed to hesitate, but then spun on his heel and walked back the way they’d come.

  Delanie leaned against the door and closed her eyes with a groan. How the hell was she going to survive a week of this?

  *

  Grant shut the door to his room and lay his forehead against the wooden frame.

  Was he a complete idiot? Why the hell had he turned down her invitation to continue things in her room? Especially when she’d glanced up at him with that look in her eyes.

  The look that meant she would have allowed him to do just about anything he wanted to her at that moment. And yet he hadn’t. His hand had been filled with her soft breast—the tight little nipple grazing his palm—and he’d turned her down.

  “You’re a fucking idiot.” He tapped his forehead against the doorframe. “You could have been balls-deep into her right now.”

  Sending her to bed alone had seemed like a good idea at the time. He’d made the split-second decision not to go there with her just yet. But why?

  Even though he’d told himself he hadn’t brought her to Lopez Island with the intention of fucking her again, he could now acknowledge the fact he’d been delusional.

  He’d originally had three purposes for bringing her out—getting the coin back, making t
he offer to donate to the shelter, and offering her the job as the resort’s marketing director. Though the last one had been more of the dangling carrot to ensure she actually flew out. He’d known the minute she saw him she’d reject the job.

  And now it appeared there would be a fourth purpose. He would have Lanie back in his bed again. But, unfortunately, not tonight.

  Sleeping with her the first day she arrived at Athena’s Oasis would have just been stupid. Pretty fucking amazing, but still, stupid as all hell.

  He straightened from the door and unfastened the buttons on his shirt. Pulling it off, he dropped it on the floor then stripped down to his boxers and went to brush his teeth.

  Unscrewing the lid from the toothpaste, he stilled.

  What the hell was that noise?

  He set down the toothpaste and stepped closer to the sink, where, on the other side of the wall, was Delanie’s bathroom. The walls were paper thin—one of the reasons he never let guests stay in here.

  The sound of water sloshing in the tub came again, followed by a long and high-pitched whimper.

  Jesus.

  Grant gripped the edge of the sink as his cock went rock hard. Again. It didn’t take much imagination to realize Delanie was doing more than bathing in there.

  Another long, female moan sounded and he hardened his jaw to avoid the answering groan building up in his chest.

  He reached blindly for his cock, pulling it through the slit in his boxers and stroking the thick length from base to tip.

  There was no way he was going to last until morning without some release. Especially after knowing Delanie was on the other side of the wall, getting herself off.

  Closing his eyes, he listened to the sexy little sounds she made and pumped his erection. Envisioning her breasts covered with water as she lay in the tub touching herself. So sexy. God, what he wouldn’t give to see her right now.

  She’d been so hot when he’d taken her that night in college. So tight. How wet was she now? Was that pretty pink pussy of hers still bare?

  God, he could have spent hours going down on her. She’d been so sweet. Her cries of pleasure had rid him of the ability to think. Just to give her that pleasure, watching her face and listening to her sexy little moans.