by Jill Sanders
“No,” Sara answered a little too quickly, causing both her mother and Lacey’s eyebrows to shoot up.
The women looked nothing alike—Lacey was shorter, with the Jordan’s dark complexion—but they had matching expressions on their faces. Sara chuckled.
“Yes, it’s a date, and no, I’m not going into details.”
“Is it that boy Iian hired?” her mother chimed in, earning her a glare.
“Oooh.” Lacey moved forward as she rubbed her hands together. “I smell gossip.” When her husband chuckled, she turned on him. “What kind of mayor would I be if I didn’t know everything that went on in my town?”
Sara laughed and gave up trying to keep her private life… well, private.
6
Friday finally came around and still Parker was unsure where to take Sara on their date. The Golden Oar was the only decent place in town. There was a small Italian place, but he hadn’t had time to check it out first and wanted everything perfect. So, after checking the weather forecast, he made a decision and drove to the grocery store to stock up on a few necessities.
It took him a few hours to set everything up and get things prepared. Checking his watch, he quickly showered, dressed, and made sure Toby was settled in for the duration of his date, happily curled up in his crate.
He’d learned that kennel training for a puppy was a necessity after several pairs of shoes, more than a dozen socks, and a couple of his books had been used as chew toys.
He pulled up in front of the massive white house and parked in front of the Pride Bed and Breakfast sign.
Leaning over the steering wheel of his truck, he looked up at the place.
This is where Sara grew up? The house was bigger than any others he’d seen in town.
He was busy taking in the architecture when a knock on his window caused him to jump.
“Sorry.” Sara chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He quickly got out of the truck. “You didn’t,” he lied. He glanced towards the house. “Didn’t you want me to come in?”
“No.” She shook her head. “No one is home anyway.” She nodded to his truck. “Shall we?”
He walked around the truck and opened the door for her. Before she climbed in, he took her elbow.
“You look wonderful,” he said softly. He was thankful she was wearing pants.
“Thanks.” She smiled and hopped up into the truck. “So,” she said when he got behind the wheel, “where to?”
“Well, since about the only decent place to eat belongs to your family, I thought we’d do something different.” He pulled out of the driveway.
“Okay…So?”
“Picnic on the beach.” He glanced over and tried to gauge her response. He noticed the moment she relaxed.
“Sounds perfect.” She turned again. “Unless you can’t cook.”
“I can cook,” he assured her. “My gran taught me as soon as I was tall enough to reach the stove.”
She chuckled. “In my family, it was more of a family survival skill.”
“Oh?” He turned the truck towards the beach. “I would think that since your family owns the best restaurant along the coast, everyone in the Jordan clan would have the skills of Chef Ramsey.”
“We do now, but only after years of working with a very patient uncle.”
He put the truck into park and turned it off. “I hope my cooking lives up to the expectations.”
He rushed out to open her door and then grabbed the bag and basket from the backseat.
“Up for a little walk? We could just head to the beach, but the best spot is—”
“Up there.” She nodded in the direction he knew well.
“You read my mind.” He motioned for her to start and then followed her up the pathway.
“You’ve been doing a lot of exploring,” she said as they made their way towards the spot.
He took her hand and helped her over a large piece of driftwood. He wanted to go on holding it, but since he was loaded down with the basket and bag, he had to drop it. “Your brother paid me a visit the other night,” he said just before they reached the highest spot of the trail.
“Yes, so I heard.” She glanced back at him. “Don’t feel obligated to take the job.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Obligated?”
“My brother can be…”—she stopped and looked down at him—“a perfectionist.”
“That’s a good thing. Especially when it comes to his own home,” he assured her.
“Right, but some people have found it impossible to work with him.” She turned and started walking again. “Just giving you a friendly warning.”
“We seemed to get along fine,” he said as they entered the clearing that overlooked the beach. From here, they could see the town of Pride in the distance. There was a thick patch of green grass and he set the basket down and pulled a blanket from the backpack.
“Need some help?” she asked.
“Nope.” He smiled up at her. “There, you can sit, relax. I’ll set everything up.”
She did, leaning back on her elbows and watching the waves crash below them.
“I haven’t been on a picnic in years.” She sighed and rested back.
“That’s a shame.” He handed her a plastic glass of wine. “I hope you like red.”
“I spread my love to all colors of wine.” She sipped and smiled as he carefully laid out the meal he’d prepared.
“You made sushi?” she asked when he held out the container.
“Yes, my gran taught me. California Rolls are pretty easy to make once you get the hang of it.” He waited while she dipped the roll in the soy sauce and shoved it in her mouth.
“Oh my god.” She groaned. “I haven’t had sushi in a while. Tell me you have pot stickers in that basket, and I’ll marry you tomorrow.”
He chuckled, set down the rolls, and pulled out a soup container. He handed it to her and pulled out the chopsticks. “Wontons, pot stickers, noodles, and tempura.” He opened the lid of the individual container and handed it over. Then he took his own and settled beside her.
Her eyes grew large looking at the variety of food before her. “Okay, serious cooking skills.”
“I figured you get American food a lot. It’s nice to spread your wings. Besides, there isn’t a good Chinese place around here.”
“Nearest one is in Edgeview.” She shoved a pot sticker into her mouth. “You’re telling me your cooking skills have a range?”
He nodded, enjoying his own California roll. “Chinese, Japanese, Indian, French, German, a few Russian dishes, and the basics, American, Italian, Mexican.” He shrugged. “My gran traveled a lot when she was younger. She learned from some of the best.”
“And she taught you?” she asked, between bites.
“No free rides in her house,” he joked.
“She sounds like an amazing grandmother. I’d like to meet her someday.”
Sadness threatened so he reached for his wine and swallowed it.
“What about you? Any grandparents around?”
“Nope, both sides were long gone before I came along. But the rest of my family filled in and made sure I never felt the loss.” She took a bite of the tempura and groaned. “Okay, seriously, you need to make this for my uncle. He’ll be so impressed. If you need a skill to fall back on, I can personally recommend becoming a chef.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you like it. Wait until you try the dessert.”
Her green eyes moved to his and something passed between them. He felt his blood begin a slow burn. He hadn’t been prepared for how sexy she looked when she ate. The way her eyes kept returning to his, the way her tongue slowly licked her lips. The sexy little noises she made as she enjoyed the food.
He’d gone too long without dating. Without the feel of a woman against him. His body and mind screamed for her, but he’d learned long ago to make sure he didn’t move too quickly. Someone usually got burned and most of the time, it ended up being
him.
Sara was so impressed with Parker’s cooking. Especially when he pulled out a black forest brownie dessert with cherries and fresh whipped cream on top.
“You lied to me,” she said after her first bite.
“About what?”
“You didn’t really make all this. You’ve probably got a genie in your back pocket with unlimited wishes.”
He chuckled again. She could get used to the sexy sound.
“Tell me something about yourself,” she said, taking another bite of the chocolate goodness.
“Like what?” He relaxed back on his elbow and watched her.
“You mentioned you’d been in love.” She eyed him. “Three times. What happened?”
“I was young the first time.”
“How young?”
“Third grade.” He smiled.
She laughed. “I suppose I could say I was in love then too.”
She finished her dessert and leaned back, resting on her elbows and looking at him.
“What about number two?”
The smile on his lips fell away. “I was fresh out of school.” He shrugged. “Life got in the way. She moved to Boston, I didn’t.”
“And the third?”
His eyes grew dark.
“Robin,” he said softly, “took everything I had.”
“She robbed you?” She leaned up slightly.
“I was conned. I was stupid to fall for the old tricks.” He sighed. “Not that I had a lot back then.” He reached over and brushed away a strand of her hair that had blown in her eyes. Her entire body responded to his light touch.
“I guess that’s why it’s taken me a year to try this again.”
She froze. “It’s been a year since you dated?”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s like riding a bike.” He cupped her face and then, to her pleasure, leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“I’ve been thinking about doing that again since our last kiss, especially, since you attacked me in the parking lot.” His laughing eyes met hers.
“I didn’t attack…” She sighed. “When I attack you, you’ll know.”
His eyebrows shot up and his smile grew. “Promise?”
He rolled slightly, and she found herself pinned to the blanket as he looked down at her. Her arms held onto his shirt just above his hips.
“So, unless you’re going to move across the country or rob me blind…” He waited.
She chuckled and shook her head. “Currently I have no plans to do either.”
“Good.” He leaned closer. This time when his lips touched hers, she was prepared and relaxed into his touch.
Just the weight of him, pressing her into the soft grass below the blanket sent her desires into overdrive. Her hands started roaming as his demanding mouth moved over hers.
She couldn’t stop herself from responding to his every desire. Her body ached where he touched her, and she wondered what it would feel like to be skin on skin with him.
Then, as quickly as he’d rolled over, he was gone, lying beside her again.
“Sara.” He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. “You’re killing me.”
“Good.” She rolled this time, straddling his narrow hips, pressing her core to his. She smiled when she felt the wonderful bulge in his shorts. “Then you know how I feel.” She leaned in, her hair raining over him as she kissed him. Demanding what she wanted. Showing him just how much she wanted.
She ground her hips against his and he groaned and bucked under her. His hands moved to her hips, digging his nails into her soft skin as she rained kisses over every inch of his face and down his neck. Something was driving her. The desire was stronger than she’d felt in years.
Reaching under his shirt, she touched his bare skin with her fingertips and groaned as his nails dug in further. When he stilled her hips with his fingers and she felt him tense, she pulled back slightly.
“I hadn’t planned for this,” he sighed as his body shook slightly.
“Who does?” Resting her forehead on his, she closed her eyes. Suddenly, everything came back to her. The sounds of life around them. Birds calling in the sky, the waves crashing below them.
She’d enjoyed sex outdoors, but never her first time with someone. Maybe he wanted to go more slowly. She should go more slowly. After all, it had only been a few weeks since her official breakup with Aiden, though it had been several weeks before than since they’d done anything.
She’d stopped all physical contact with him upon hearing the gossip around town.
“If we do this”—she sat up abruptly—“I expect loyalty.” Her eyes narrowed. He didn’t seem the cheating type, but then again, neither had Aiden.
Parker chuckled. “I’m not Aiden.”
She sat beside him and thought about what he’d done to her and how her body was still on fire. They hadn’t even gotten to second base yet, but already, she knew she’d be dreaming about him every moment she could. “No, you’re not.”
“How about a walk on the beach?” he asked after a moment of silence.
The sun was just setting, and she knew that if they stayed there much longer, the journey down the hill would be difficult.
“Sounds like a perfect end to a perfect date.” She helped him clean up, then waited while he took the basket and bag back to his car.
He settled a light jacket over her shoulders when he returned to her side.
“It’s getting a little chilly.” He wrapped his arm around her waist as they started walking.
“Where’s Toby?” she asked, thinking the dog would have enjoyed the adventure.
“He’s on doggie time out.”
“Oh no, what’d he eat?” She chuckled.
“Not what he ate, but what he peed on.” He sighed. “The vet says he’ll stop marking things once he’s fixed.”
She stopped and looked at him. “Taking away his manhood?”
“Making sure there aren’t any more puppies being given away on the side of the road.” He smiled. “Besides, if it’ll get him to stop marking my newly painted front porch, I’m all in.”
She couldn’t stop from laughing. “Puppies are a commitment.”
“So is moving to a new town and buying a house,” he said as they started walking again.
The sun was setting, and the sky was filled with light pinks and blues that would turn to deeper colors soon. Every sunset she’d ever enjoyed watching over the water was different, yet the same, like snowflakes.
“How about we do this again, say dinner at my place next weekend?”
She thought about it. “My schedule is pretty packed since I’ll technically be in charge at the Oar.” She sighed. “But since we’ll be seeing each other every day, I’m sure we can plan something when we have a moment together.”
He stopped her and then wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m trying to remain cool here.” He smiled down at her. “But I have to say, I can’t stop thinking about kissing you again.”
“Then stop thinking.” She stretched up on her toes and laid her lips over his.
“I doubt this will get old anytime soon,” he whispered against her skin. This time it was him who ran his lips down her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps everywhere he went.
“That’s good.” She sighed. “Because I don’t intend to stop until we both get what we want.”
“And what does Sara want?” he asked, pulling back slightly until his eyes searched hers.
“Everything,” she whispered. And then she kissed him again.
7
The next morning, Sara was cursing Parker for not relieving the ache he’d caused. They had walked on the beach until it was too dark to see. Parker had used his phone as a flashlight when they made their way back to his truck.
There, he’d kissed her and touched her until the ache had been almost too much. Then he’d pulled back and driven her home.
She knew he was just trying to be a gentleman, but
part of her wished she could skip ahead in their relationship.
He had even walked her to her cabin. When she’d asked him inside, he’d groaned and told her he was trying to take things at the right pace.
What did that even mean, the right pace? If there was one thing she’d learned from her many relationships, there was no set pace. Each relationship was different.
The attraction between her and Parker had been instant and explosive. She knew he’d felt it as well, in the store. He couldn’t blame their working partnership, since it hadn’t technically started yet.
So, she had crawled into bed alone and dreamed about how wonderful it had felt to have a man’s hands on her again. Not just any man’s, Parker’s.
When her alarm had woken her at a quarter past six, she’d rolled over and slapped it off. Less than a minute later, her cell phone alarm had gone off. She’d cursed herself for setting them so early but then remembered the reason for setting them that way.
Groaning, she rolled out of bed and dressed quickly.
Walking into the Golden Oar less than half an hour later, she was greeted by Iian, who looked worried.
Sara imagined this was how her uncle had looked on his wedding day.
Chuckling, she patted his arm. “Relax,” she signed. “It’s not like you’re getting married,” she joked.
“Actually,” he signed back, “that was in my plans as well.”
“What?” She stopped walking and touched his arm to make him turn towards her. “But you’re already married.”
“Right.” He smiled. “I was talking about getting remarried. In Ireland. I have it all set up. We’re going to renew our vows on the beach.”
Sara sighed and couldn’t stop the smile. “You’re a big softy. And a romantic.” She followed him all the way back through the kitchen. “What time is Allison going to be here?”
“She’s supposed to be here any minute.” He glanced down at his watch, looking nervous.
“Hey.” She walked over and hugged her uncle. “She’s going to love it.”
“Who’s going to love what?” Allison said from the doorway to Iian’s office. Sara’s office, for the next month.