“It was nice meeting you.” The casual dismissal stung enough to pull him from his musings.
“See you around,” he answered, distracted by the unexpected tug of emotions.
She waved and walked out the door.
His gaze lingered, following the sway of her hips as she crossed the deck. Cole would make certain to see Ashleigh again. What was it about her he found so attractive? Well, aside from the obvious, that is.
He followed her out and, feeling like a stalker, he headed for the house instead.
“Hey, Boss.” Bob greeted Cole as he entered through the back door entry.
“We’re going out, Bob.” Cole grabbed a jacket from the closet.
Bob raised an eyebrow. “No, we’re not going anywhere.” At Cole’s glare, Bob continued. “With all due respect.”
“Yeah right, since when do you show any respect?”
Bob grinned and Cole shot him a dirty look, which made Bob laugh, a deep, contagious laugh that Cole joined.
“What happened, Boss? She blow you off?”
“Ha, ha. Just do whatever it is you have to do. Call whoever you need to call, because we are going out tonight.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you?”
Actually, Cole knew it was a really stupid idea, but he was going to do it anyway. He pinned his longtime friend, and bodyguard, with a scowl.
Bob backed off. “Fine, I’ll call in some extra help, but it will take a few hours to get them out here.”
“No problem, just plan on leaving around ten o’clock. We’ll be going to the Sandcastle.” He didn’t have to wait long for the expected explosion.
“A club! Are you out of your freakin’ mind?”
Bob was usually an easy going guy. It was very unusual for him to lose his temper, especially with Cole, but this time Cole knew he was pushing Bob too far. It would be next to impossible for Bob to keep Cole safe inside a crowded beach club, not to mention out on any of the many decks, or the beach itself. There was any number of dark shadowed areas large enough to conceal a sniper, and no way to shield him from a physical attack amidst the crowd of partygoers. Bob was right to be angry, but Cole had no doubt the man would do as he asked.
“You have until ten, Bob, and then I am going out. So, go do your magic and make sure I stay safe.”
“You know, sometimes I think you have a death wish.” Bob shook his head as he pulled a phone from his pocket. Cole listened only long enough to be sure Bob would do as Cole asked, and then turned his thoughts back to Ashleigh.
What was it about her he couldn’t resist? If only he knew, then he could break the spell she’d cast over him. He conjured a picture in his mind of her standing by the rail of the deck, gazing out to the ocean. Damn, he was in too deep.
Chapter Three
Ashleigh pulled into her driveway, slammed the shifter into park, jumped out of the car, and ran toward the front door. She would never make it. Why had she wasted so much time talking to Cole? What was wrong with her? Wasn’t it enough for her to have watched her sister be hurt by men like him over and over again? Melissa loved men, almost as much as she loved to have fun, but where had it gotten her?
“Mommy!” Savannah was in Ashleigh’s arms before she made it halfway through the door. “I missed you, Mommy.” She put a kiss right on Ashleigh’s cheek, which would have been perfect if Savannah’s face wasn’t covered in chocolate.
Ashleigh laughed. Her heart stuttered and filled with joy. What did it matter if she ended up covered in chocolate? The feel of Savannah’s little arms wrapped around her neck was worth it.
“Me and Granny made chocolate cake, and I licked the bowl. Do you want some?”
“I’m sorry, baby. I have to go back to work. I’ll have a piece tomorrow, I promise.”
Disappointment filled Savannah’s eyes, and Ashleigh’s heart broke for having put such sadness there. She loved spending time with Savannah and hated to disappoint her, but Ashleigh had to work as much as possible in the summer. Still, she couldn’t run out without giving Savannah something to look forward to.
“I’ll tell you what. How about we go to the beach tomorrow and have a picnic?”
“Yay!” Savannah ran down the short hallway toward the kitchen at the back of the house. “Granny, we’re going to have a picnic tomorrow.”
Satisfied that Savannah was happy, and hoping the excitement would be enough to chase away the nightmares for the night, Ashleigh ran upstairs to get dressed for work.
****
She walked into the club, only five minutes late, breathed a sigh of relief and took her place behind the bar. “Hi, Lindsay. Hey, Kyle.” She called to the other two bartenders. “Sorry I’m late. I worked all day.”
“No problem.” Kyle tossed her an apron and continued on his way to the other side of the bar. “You need to take it easy, girl, you work too hard.”
Kyle could never be accused of working too hard. He was too laid back. His days were spent hanging out on the beach with the same crowd who filled the bar each night. He was extremely well liked. He chatted with the patrons, remembered what each of them drank as the night wore on, and was very attentive, but he never rushed. He moved at his own pace no matter how crowded or hectic the pace became. Most people couldn’t pull it off, but it worked for him.
“Don’t worry, I’m off tomorrow. Savannah and I are going to have a day of fun with a picnic on the beach.”
“Where are you going?” Lindsay piped in. “Maybe I’ll bring the boys and we can hang out.” Lindsay had twin boys the same age as Savannah, and the three children were close friends.
“I’m gonna set up on the bay side.” Dune Road ran down the middle of a narrow strip of barrier island that separated the Atlantic Ocean from the Great South Bay. Ashleigh preferred to sit on the bay side of the island when Savannah was with her. The calmer water allowed the children to play in the sand at the water’s edge without the worry of any big waves coming in from the rough surf like the other side had.
“Great, I’ll bring the boogie boards and meet you around ten.”
“Hey, I want to come.” Somehow Kyle heard their conversation from the other side of the bar, despite the high volume of music, and the noise of the already crowded club. The bar was set up as an oval, with one side facing the club, and the other facing one of the many levels of decking surrounding the club. Kyle was working outside tonight, while Ashleigh worked inside. Lindsay would float back and forth depending on where the majority of the crowd hung out.
Ashleigh laughed. “Sure you can come.”
“Can I bring a few friends?” Kyle charmed Ashleigh with a wicked grin. Everyone knew he traveled with a pack of friends, never less than about eight to ten young men and women surrounded him at any given time.
“Don’t look now, honey, but you seem to have an admirer.” Lindsay tilted her head toward the far end of the bar.
Naturally, the first thing Ashleigh did was look over her shoulder. Cole stood at the end of the bar, staring intently at her. He smiled when she met his gaze, and her knees went weak. What was it about him that twisted her insides to mush? The man was too charming for his own good.
“Mmm…mmm.” Lindsay came up behind Ashleigh, obviously having sized-up Cole as a playboy, a man looking for nothing more than a good time. “Why don’t you go for it?” Lindsay winked. “Have some fun for a change?”
Ashleigh’s cheeks heated, undoubtedly turning beet red. She glanced around to be sure no one had heard Lindsay’s hushed statement. “I can’t, Lindsay. You know I don’t do casual flings.”
“I’m not saying go home with him, just have some fun. Maybe go out a few times, flirt a little. You need to do something for yourself now and then, Ashleigh.”
Ashleigh and Lindsay had grown up together, friends since kindergarten, and Lindsay only wanted the best for Ashleigh. Lindsay knew all Ashleigh’s deep, dark secrets. Actually, everyone pretty much knew her situation. The curse of growing up in a small
town, everyone knew everything that went on in her life, sometimes even before she did.
Ashleigh shrugged. “You know the deal, Lindsay.”
“Well, if you aren’t interested, I just might have to check him out.”
Lindsay had been very happily married to her high school sweetheart for five years, so if her teasing threat was harmless, why did Ashleigh’s stomach twist with jealousy? She glanced at Cole again, and the familiar rush of warmth flowed through her body. Every time he stared at her with those smoldering eyes heat consumed her. Hell, he was gorgeous. Lindsay was right—Ashleigh didn’t have to go home with him. What would it hurt to have a little fun? She approached Cole, exaggerating the sway of her hips a bit, and peered at him from beneath her lashes.
****
When she smiled, Cole’s heart skipped a beat. Oh man, he really had it bad. What was he doing here? He was risking his life to see a woman he barely knew and had only met today.
“Hi, stranger, long time no see.” The smile lit her eyes, making them sparkle. He’d never met anyone with such expressive eyes. Every feeling, every emotion, was displayed to the world through her gorgeous eyes. Awareness punched him in the gut.
He noted slight hesitation and a little wariness in her flirtatious walk, but her eyes seemed to say let’s play…and Cole definitely wanted to play. “I couldn’t help myself. I missed you.”
She frowned and for a minute seemed to second guess her actions. He held his breath until her smile returned. “What can I get you?” The rush of heat returned when she gazed at him from beneath the thick, dark, lashes that framed her deep blue eyes.
“How about a date?” He hoped she’d change her mind about going out with him.
“How about a beer?” She laughed and stirred his composure to mush, which he didn’t understand and wasn’t prepared for.
Cole grinned. “Sure, sounds good.” He knew better than to drink heavily. He had to keep a clear head. Bob was already furious with Cole over insisting on coming to the club, if he pushed his bodyguard too far, he might find himself back home. Bob would think nothing of knocking Cole out and carrying him out of the bar if that’s what it took to keep him safe.
He watched Ashleigh work the bar, moving easily from one group to the next. Her movements were quick and efficient. She was quite skilled, not only behind the bar, but with people, as well.
“Here you go, sir, this one’s my treat.” She handed him a mug of beer.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
The bar was too crowded for Cole to talk with Ashleigh, but that was okay. He was content to sit and watch her—and examine his feelings. He’d have to decide on a new course of action, since it was becoming increasingly obvious she wouldn’t go out with him.
Turning his back to the bar, he surveyed the room. Bob was on the dance floor, not far away, with one of the female bodyguards. Bob called in not only the usual guards, but a number of extras, as well. This was a big job. If anything happened to Cole, Bob and the others would have to answer to Cole’s father, and no one wanted that. Confident that Bob had everything under control, Cole turned his attention back to Ashleigh.
She was laughing with the other woman bartender. Her laughter slid through him like lava pouring through his veins, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth. He was afraid to move. He didn’t understand the feelings she brought out in him, emotions he had no experience with. Surprisingly, he actually enjoyed them, reveling in a sense of wonder, discovery, and peace he didn’t quite understand, but wanted to feel more of.
Cole spent the next four hours watching Ashleigh interact with her friends, casual acquaintances, and strangers. She was friendly, but guarded. He was easily able to pick out the people she knew well by the warmth with which she spoke. To anyone unfamiliar, she seemed to hold a shield in place. Cole desperately wanted to be someone she was comfortable with.
A guy sitting at the far end of the bar ogled Ashleigh, and Cole’s blood pressure shot up. Instead of throwing the sleeze out on his butt, Cole went to hang out with Bob and some of the other bodyguards.
Sometime during the night, Cole came to a startling realization. He was lonely. He had a ton of friends, bodyguards, business associates, and acquaintances, but he was missing that close familiarity and comfort he witnessed between Ashleigh and what were obviously her close friends.
As the night wore on, and the crowd began to thin, he was drawn toward the bar. Ashleigh looked tired. Dark circles ringed below her eyes, her smile held a little less enthusiasm than it had earlier in the day, and she moved sluggishly as she wiped down the bar. He was surprised, once again, to realize he desperately wanted to cradle her in his arms, carry her off to bed, and curl behind her while she slept. By the time she approached him, his stomach was twisted in knots.
“Last call. Can I get you anything else?”
“How about that date?” He figured he may as well try one more time. Maybe she was too tired to argue and would just say yes. He smiled with hope and waggled his eyebrows.
“Okay.” She shrugged.
Cole’s breath caught. He’d been expecting her to say no. Was it the exhaustion that had her agreeing to go out with him? Her eyes went wide and he realized she might possibly be more stunned than him by her acceptance.
Chapter Four
How could she have said yes to Cole? What was she thinking? Exhaustion battered her. She’d been up all night with Savannah, got up early this morning and worked all day. No wonder she couldn’t think straight. Her mother texted earlier to say Savannah seemed to be sleeping well tonight, so far. Maybe they’d all get some much needed rest.
“Are you really going out with me?” His eyes widened with surprise, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I really am.” Why not? It’s not like she was going to make a habit of dating men like him. What was wrong with having a little fun now and then?
“Is tomorrow night good for you?”
She thought of her schedule. She would spend the day at the beach with Savannah, and was off tomorrow night, but she still had to get the Bronson’s cabana cleaned. As long as she didn’t stay out too late, her mother would watch Savannah. Her mother would probably be happy to see Ashleigh go on a date. It had been a long time. “Tomorrow night sounds great.”
“What time works for you?”
“Around six would be good. I can’t really stay out late though.”
“No problem, I’ll pick you up at six and bring you home whenever you want.”
Once they confirmed their plans, she gave him her number and address before he left. She then joined Lindsay to finish cleaning behind the bar.
Of course, Lindsay had noticed the exchange and was all over her the minute Cole walked out. “Are you really going out with him?”
“Sure, why not?” She shrugged. “Isn’t everyone always telling me to have fun?” Her thoughts sobered. “I worry about Savannah. She’s had such a hard time. I worry about my mother too. She has to watch Savannah so often while I’m working. I hate to ask her for more. She’s tired, Lindsay. It’s very hard for her.”
Lindsay’s eyes held only sympathy Ashleigh knew was sincere. “Why don’t you let Savannah stay with the boys and me tomorrow night? Then you have one night where you don’t have to worry. Just go out and enjoy yourself. Summer has just begun, Ashleigh, and at the rate you’re going, you won’t make it through…and neither will your mother.”
She couldn’t argue. Lindsay was absolutely right. But, Ashleigh wouldn’t have given in if it wasn’t for the reference to her mother, which of course Lindsay had known when she’d made the offer. Ashleigh still wasn’t completely comfortable though. “Savannah’s still having nightmares.”
“It’ll be all right, Ashleigh. Savannah is like a daughter to me, you know that. Besides, Kevin will be home if I need help.”
Lindsay’s husband was great with Savannah, with all kids really. He was like a giant teddy bear, the one all the kids gravitated to when they had a get together. S
avannah would be fine with Lindsay and Kevin, and she loved spending time with the twins.
“Okay, I guess. Thank you, Lindsay. I really am tired and need a break.”
Lindsay tucked a stray strand of hair behind Ashleigh’s ear. “I know. Why don’t you go and get some sleep? Kyle and I can finish up here.”
“I think I’ll stop by the Bronson house and clean the cabana before I go home.” Lindsay put her hand up as if to protest, but Ashleigh anticipated the argument and cut her off before she had the chance. “I know, I know. It will only take me about a half hour, an hour tops, and then I can go home and crash. I won’t even have to set the alarm clock. I can sleep as late as I want, and then go to the beach.”
“Well, get out of here then.”
Ashleigh didn’t have to be told twice.
****
Cole sat on the beach, watching waves crash against the shore. The moon was bright with a sky crystal clear and filled with stars. He lay back on the sand, clasped his hands behind his head, and stared at millions of tiny pinpoints of light dotting the immense blackness. Although he knew Bob and a few of the other bodyguards were watching him from various vantage points along the back of the house, Cole could at least enjoy the illusion of privacy, if not the actuality.
Visions of Ashleigh filled his mind—her smile, the flow of her long hair, the sadness in her eyes.
“Boss.”
Cole was annoyed at having his dream interrupted. “What’s the matter, Bob?”
“Your lady friend just entered the cabana.”
Cole jumped up. What would she be doing there at this time of the night? “Is she alone?”
“Yes, sir. She appears to be cleaning.”
“What?”
“I said…”
“I heard what you said. Stop being a smart ass, Bob.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t understand why she would be cleaning at this time of night.”
Dune Road Page 2