by Cyndi Raye
“How you laugh, then giggle, then sigh.”
“I never noticed, thank you?”
Josh opened his eyes to find her mask pushed back. “You ready to go out tonight to try the Duval crawl again?” he joked.
She shrugged. “Is this something you do every night?”
“No, although my sister would say I’m wasting away here in Key West.”
“Your sister may have a point. I think I’ll pass tonight. I’m not very good at this Key West wild stuff.”
“We should go over the things that we need to do to run the Inn. Jake is counting on us.” Josh needed a break from the bars anyway, because he wanted to stay here, with Sara. Besides, he needed to stay alert in case Sophie tried to get in contact with him. They made up a special code to use at any time, with coordinates of her location attached. He may have to move at a moment’s notice. He needed to keep a clear head.
“I could use your help with the Inn. When I came out here to relax, I had no intention to stay so long. I had every intention to finish the manual today but this feels like heaven.”
He tilted his head, watching how the water rippled across her shoulders. He lifted his foot under water and ran his toes over her ankle. She watched him, at first surprised and then slid closer. She placed her hand on his chest. He looked down at her open hand lying there, stretched across his skin as the foamy water ran through her fingers.
“Thank you for helping me find this place. I don’t know much about running an Inn, but I consider this a challenge. Plus now I can start to look for my brother with a clear head.”
Josh lifted his hand to her face, caressing her cheek. He didn’t answer because he needed to touch her mouth with his own. As their lips met, she curled into him and his arm went around her, pulling her even closer. Her mouth opened to him, her tongue finding his. It began a slight dance, drawing him in to her even more, deepening the kiss. Her hand began to do its own dance across his chest until she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.
Somehow, she wound up on his lap, arms entwined around each other. He pulled away, his warm breath against her neck, then planted tiny kisses across her skin until he found her ear. “I am sorry, but there happens to be an older couple watching us from the doorway.”
He grinned as Sara jumped back, looking embarrassed. Josh didn’t miss much and he felt the eyes on him the moment they stood in the doorway. It was his training. Sometimes he hated being so alert at times like this.
“Do you need some help?” Sara yelled over top the music.
They both waved. “We wanted to say goodbye. We’re leaving now.”
“I’ll be right there, don’t go yet!” She pushed away from Josh and lifted herself out of the hot tub. “That’s all we need, Jake to find out the manger is seducing his friend in a hot tub! Busted by old folks!” She grabbed a towel and dried herself off, then slid her robe over top of her bikini clad body. Josh kept hungry eyes on her. She tied a secure knot with the belt and hurried inside to see the couple off.
Josh noticed a tiny movement on her robe. He narrowed his eyes to get a better look. Near the bottom, a long leopard looking creature clung to the moving material.
Scarlett! She must have crawled out of her tank! How did she get out here so fast!
Josh raised himself up, drying dripping water off of warmed, relaxed muscles and then slung the towel around his neck. He had to get to Scarlett before Sara realized what was happening. Josh raced up the path and almost made it through the French doors when he heard a loud screech. He ran through the kitchen, his feet flying across the hardwood floor and found Sara at the front door, holding part of a tail in one hand. The other covered her mouth.
“I wanted to tell you about Scarlett.” He looked around, afraid she killed Sophie’s pet. What was he going to do now? She pulled the poor creature apart with her bare hands. He glanced over the floor but didn’t see the gecko. “Where is she?” he asked. He reached out to retrieve the tail from Sara’s hand, which was dangling from her finger tips.
“It was on my robe and I reached down when I saw something hanging on the bottom,” she tried to explain, her voice shaking. “It moved when I tried to push the thing off. I had a hold of its tail and the thing twisted and jumped and here I am, left holding that thing!”
“That’s Scarlet. I’m pet sitting my sister’s gecko.”
She shuddered. “I’m sorry, but it may be dead and no longer has a tail. I don’t know where it ran off to.”
“She’ll kill me.” He got down on his hands and knees, looking around under the furniture, clicking his tongue as if the silly thing would hear him. He held the tail in his hand, moving it back and forth as if the creature would come out and claim its body part. Josh knew how much his sister loved the stupid lizard.
Sara dropped to her knees and began to search. He stopped for a moment, gazing at her, amazed at how she jumped right in. Then he saw the monster, hiding under the arm of a chair. He grabbed her before she moved again. “Got it!” Scarlett looked at him with bulging eyes and he pet the top of her head. “I don’t believe I’m doing this,” he grumbled.
“She doesn’t seem to be any worse for her tail missing,” Josh told Sara. “Can we re-attach it?”
“A tail? I don’t know. Do you have some first aid tape.”
Josh laughed. “I doubt this lizard would keep it attached. I’ll call the vet, see if I need to take her in. My sister will not be happy with me over this.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get a new one if we have to,” Sara reassured him. “For now, bring the tank to the kitchen. I think we should put that tape to good use.”
It didn’t take long for Sara to tighten the lid with silver duct tape she found under the cabinet. The prior owner left a little tool box with everything needed to do some quick fixes, including a hammer, nails and even three different kinds of tape.
“I just talked to the vet. You’re not gonna believe this,” Josh told her.
“What is it?”
He smirked. “According to the vet, a gecko’s tail comes off when they sense danger. Because the tail is the first thing a predator grabs, its bones are fragile and come apart.”
Sara seemed surprised. “So basically, the lizard gave me her tail?”
He nodded. “The good thing from this whole situation is the tail grows back. Can you believe it?”
She flung her head back and laughed and all Josh wanted to do was bury his mouth in her neck. He could see the tiny pulse beating as he stared at her creamy flesh.
“Josh?”
He shook himself. She kept taking him by surprise. Every move made him want her more. He inhaled, then let it out slow, knowing it wasn’t the right time. A few guests were mingling in the front parlor.
“Guess it’s time to host our guests,” Josh told her. “Although I’m not even sure I know what to do.”
She put her hand up. “I do, just follow along. According to the former owner, meet and greet is between three and five. It’s almost like happy hour. We just have to put some coffee, tea, wine and a few other goodies for an afternoon delight on the buffet. If the weather is good, it happens outside in the gardens. The guests will come and go during this time. I did read some of the instructions.”
Josh stared at her. “That is not my version of afternoon delight,” he teased.
She was being playful and pranced up to him, then ran long fingernails across his chest. She pulled the front of the towel slung across his neck and raised her blue eyes to his. Then she reached up and brushed her lips on his.
He tried to grab her robe and pull her closer but she backed away. “We only have five minutes to prepare, so get some clothes on,” she scolded, turning towards the hallway.
He had a hold of her robe, clinging much like the gecko did earlier. When he tugged hard, she turned and fell back into his arms, her hands locked against his chest. He held her close so she couldn’t move. Josh took her mouth in his, brushing light kisses over the botto
m lip as if he had all the time in the world. He dipped inside of her mouth and deepened the kiss. He clutched her tighter to keep her from falling when her knees buckled. The kiss became so intense, so filled with reckless passion her heart began to beat against his chest.
All of a sudden he pushed her away, surprised at his own reaction. He meant to kiss her, to tease and show her just what he thought an afternoon delight was to him.
She touched her fingers to her mouth, looking a bit dazed. “I should’ve put that on my itinerary.”
He backed away from her, his chest heaving in and out. He turned and fled, the only time ever in his whole life Joshua Eden turned his back on someone when he left a room.
Chapter 4
Sara leaned against the counter in a state of confusion. Finger tips touched swollen lips. Her ex-husband never kissed her like an afternoon delight.
Josh took her in his arms and made her knees buckle. Right before he backed away as if she were some kind of disease he needed to get away from. What made him run from her like she did something wrong?
He didn’t know her issues when it came to men. For too many years, the ex-husband treated her bad and degraded everything she tried to do. Cory would say how much he loved her, but she should dress better. Or he would say she’s great in bed, but if she acted like a certain model then she would be more to his liking. There always had to be a ‘but’ after each compliment until it became quite maddening.
Sara realized after eight long years she would never make him happy or please him.
A vulnerable streak ran through her. Did Josh think the same way? He seemed so different from any other man. When he kissed her like he wanted to devour her right on the kitchen floor, she began to thaw, to think maybe she could be loved again by someone else.
Now, she couldn’t be sure of anything, but the new person inside would find out! She marched to the bedroom, determined to seek the truth. Josh was hot and sexy and seemed to care, but if he were going to treat her like the ex did, she needed to find out now. The only way to a man’s heart was to make herself so hot he would not be able to resist. If he could, then she’d know he was not the man for her. At least that’s what she told herself.
Flinging off the robe, Sara changed into a soft, leather mini skirt and tank top that clung to every single curve of her body. She slid on a pair of four inch nude heels that made her legs look long and sexy. Moving back and forth in front of the floor length mirror, she realized it may not be the best outfit to host a bed and breakfast meet and greet. She shrugged, she felt irresistible and that was the intention of the sleek outfit.
Digging through her make-up bag, she pulled out a bottle of designer perfume, placing some behind the ears and in the pulse of her neck. Josh liked her, she felt it, but why leave in the middle of a kiss that intense? She just couldn’t stand the feeling of hopelessness and wanted to know today how he felt. Sara worked too long and spent too many years being a hot mess to jump in to another relationship blind. The way he kissed proved that he wanted her and she was going to find out how much.
Sara wasn’t going to be made a fool of ever again. She gave herself one last look and blew the mirror a kiss, kicking up her heel a bit and made her way to the kitchen.
<>
Wine and beer flowed free as a few couples mingled in the gardens during the meet and greet. Sara wandered around, meeting her guests and introducing herself. There were four young couples, two older couples and a few single men who showed up. She filled her wine glass with sparkling water and a lemon wedge dangling on the edge. Sara doubted she could handle another hangover so soon. Just the smell of alcohol made her stomach churn.
“Thank you for choosing The Inn With No Name,” she said to the two older couples who were relaxing on the wrought iron furniture. “How is your stay so far?” Sara tried to pay attention as they talked away, but her eyes kept drifting towards the French doors for a sign of Josh. She wondered if maybe he wasn’t planning to show up at all.
Twenty minutes later, Sara’s smile became pasted on her face. Her eyes darted back and forth looking for Josh, but he never made an appearance. It seemed pretty obvious, he was avoiding her. He told Jake that he would help her and now he was leaving her hang all because of a kiss.
It was good to know before she became involved. He promised to be reliable and he couldn’t even keep his word.
Art Shepherd, one of the single men staying at the Inn, approached Sara. “Afternoon, Miss Kelley. Can I get you another drink,” he offered.
She looked at her empty wine glass and shrugged. “Sure. Why not.” What made her say that, she wondered. She had no intention of drinking again, but when Art brought her a fresh glass filled with dark liquid, she accepted the wine. He picked up her other hand, his fingers splayed and turned it upwards, planting a soft kiss on her palm.
She pulled back her hand because he seemed kind of creepy.
He frowned. “I apologize if I overstepped my bounds. Would you like to take a stroll around this gorgeous property?”
Sara had a feeling he wasn’t sorry at all. She shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t because I’m the hostess and should mingle with everyone.”
“I know you are the new Inn keeper, I’m just trying to be friendly,” he chirped. His dark hair, long and parted at the side, fell down over his right brow. The man wore dark horn-rimmed glasses and even though they were trendy, Sara just couldn’t get past them. He reminded her of a bookworm at the local library. He wore light yellow pants, along with a white button down polyester shirt and sandals. Who still wore polyester?
Every time she walked away and started a conversation with someone else, Art followed her, interrupting so no one could get a word in but him. He even put his arm around Sara’s waist at one point. She stared him down and he removed it right away.
The guy seemed to be stalking her! She needed a break. Excusing herself, she walked up the path and in to the kitchen, hoping that he would stay put. She was just about to set the untouched glass of wine on to the table when Josh came through the door.
Startled at first, she let her eyes drift down over his body. He wore a casual tight t-shirt with a pair of cut off jeans that hung just right and tight as far as she was concerned. Josh began to grin. His brow rose as he leaned against the door frame. “Do I pass?” he asked her, amused.
“Josh, we need to talk.”
“Yes, we do,” he agreed. “I’m sorry I’m late. I had some thinking to do.” He pushed himself away from the door and strolled across the room to her.
“I’m concerned because you promised your friend Jake that you would be here to help and then I couldn’t find you anywhere. About what happened earlier, I’m sorry if I did something wrong,” she said in one breath, unaware she crossed her arms tight against herself.
His dark eyes lingered on her face then moved down her body. “You look hot.”
Her hand flew to her cheek, forgetting she dressed to entice him earlier. He knew just what to say to make her feel good about herself. That still didn’t change things. “Don’t change the subject, what did I do wrong?”
His eyes widened and he gave her an incredulous look. “Wrong? Baby, you did nothing wrong. It was me. I needed to work out my demons and I’m sorry for walking away from you like I did.” She noticed how he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “We need to talk later, after the afternoon delight out there ends.”
She smiled at his remark. “I’m relieved.” She needed to come clean about her ex if she were ever to have a decent relationship again. She didn’t even know if this would go anywhere, but she wanted to be up front and honest from the very beginning. “I have my own demons and maybe I need to explain some things to you too.”
He looked in to her eyes. “Baby, don’t ever think for one moment that I don’t want you.”
He had no idea how much she needed to hear a man say that without a ‘but’ afterwards. She began to take a step forward.
He stepped back, his hands s
till deep in his pockets. He shook his head. “No, Sara. I’m afraid what I have to tell you may change your mind about me. So let’s just get through this afternoon with our guests so we can talk later.”
“That sounds like doom and gloom,” she teased, determined that nothing would stop her from the elation she felt at that moment. How could she be upset after what he just said? What could be so bad that she would change her mind about him?
“What’s he doing here?” Josh roared when he glanced out the window. He turned to her. “Do you know who that little twerp is?” She began to open her mouth then clasped it shut when he didn’t wait for an answer. He stomped out through the French doors, determination and anger seething from him with every step he took.
Sara ran in to the gardens. “Josh, wait!” She stopped when Josh came face to face with Art Shepherd. The ‘twerp’ held out his hand but then stuffed it in the pocket of his yellow pants.
“What are you doing here?” Josh demanded. Sara could hear the anger in his strained voice and looked around to see if any of the guests noticed. The old couples were talking and yawning at the same time. The young couples walked down the path to the street. One lone man sat by the pond, a book reader in hand, oblivious to his surroundings. No one was paying attention to the two men about to go at it in the gardens of the Inn With No Name.
Sara stood at the edge of the garden cautious of an outbreak. If Jake got wind of a fight in the gardens between two guests, she’d be thrown out on the streets. The two were friends, but let’s face it, bad publicity is not something any owner wants. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to do. So far, the two just stood face to face, talking. Josh raised his voice on occasion, but she couldn’t make out what they talked about. She thought about moving closer, but stayed put.
She didn’t want any drama today, so she turned and starting taking the leftovers from the buffet in to the kitchen. Sara wanted to know why Josh reacted to one of the guests the way he did. As far as she remembered Jake put her in charge. Josh needed to do some explaining.