“Do you two want to be alone?” she asked.
He barked out a laugh and shook his head, then gave her another hot look. “Just sit back, baby. I’m driving.”
He started the car, which purred under his touch. Just like every female in a ten-mile radius.
“Top down?”
She nodded. “Sure. Why do I care what my hair looks like.”
He pressed the button then leaned back and ran his gaze over her hair. “Your hair is gorgeous, Claire. And with you wearing the same color as this pretty car? Let’s just say I’m going to have a boner the whole way to the coast.”
She grinned and settled back as he pulled away from the curb.
As the miles between Cypress Corners and Melbourne Beach sped past, Claire felt a niggling of unease in her belly. She hadn’t been back since the big move three years ago. Not since going through her dad’s things and finding little of value tucked away in the home he’d lost. She hadn’t had many friends out here before then anyway. Not with working long hours to put herself through classes at the community college and then driving back and forth between Melbourne and the University of Central Florida both to complete her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her MBA before sitting for CPA exam. School and work. That had been her life while her dad was throwing away all the money her mom had managed to squirrel away from her dad’s addiction before her death.
“Hey, you’re quiet.”
Jake’s voice reached her but she kept her gaze on the cattle dotting the wide expanse of ranchland they passed.
“Just thinking.”
More silence between them. “How was your father? Did you have a good time?”
She finally turned her head to stare at his profile. “Old Town Village is always fun. They have a classic cars show almost every weekend, and dad just ate that up.”
“Maybe you and I can drive out there next weekend. They have rides and things, right?”
“They have zip lines and these rides that strap you in and shoot you up and around like a slingshot.”
Jake threw her a smile. “That sounds like fun.”
“To you, maybe.”
He shrugged. “I can’t talk you into letting me strap you in, Claire?”
Her body tingled a little but she knew he was just teasing to bring her out of her quiet funk. It was working. That was for sure.
“Depends on the incentive, Jake. What’s in it for me?”
He raised his brows and looked both silly and sexy. She shook her head and just smiled.
“Where to?” he asked as they were just a couple of miles from the city. “You’re from here, right?”
“Yes, but I haven’t been back in a while. You pick.”
“Why don’t we drive down the intracoastal and eat on the river?”
“Sounds good.”
Jake soon pulled the T-bird into the parking lot of a quirky little shack-looking place set right on the water. The lot was pretty full but he didn’t look bothered by it as he put the top back up.
It looked like a few parties were waiting to be seated but Jake went right up to the hostess stand and gave the girl working it his brightest smile.
“May I help you?” the girl asked, her eyes wide.
“Looks like you’re pretty busy, but I wondered if there was anything outside?”
She flushed and ruffled through the papers on the stand. “Out on the deck is first-come, first-serve, but… There might be… Um, how many?”
Jake’s smile widened and Claire felt it all but bounce off the girl’s face. “Two.”
She nodded and grabbed two menus from the stand. “I’m taking this couple out on the deck, Diane.” She said to a server standing there. She eyed Jake again. “Follow me.”
Claire wondered if the hostess had even seen her, but Jake took Claire’s hand and drew her ahead of him.
“After you,” he said.
The hostess showed them to a small table set in one corner of the deck. The view was gorgeous and Claire waited for the girl to give up the menus. And the hopeful expression she kept trained on Jake’s face.
“Thanks,” Jake said.
The hostess finally left them and Claire ran her fingers through her hair. “I must look lovely.”
Jake turned all that masculine attention on her now. “You do.”
It was breezy out here on the river but that wasn’t the reason for the shiver that ran through Claire’s body. She grabbed up a menu and focused on the restaurant and the company. She was sitting at a table with a great view, both over the river and across the table. And afterwards Jake would drive her back to her house in the Thunderbird and give her his special brand of attention all night long. She had no doubt about that. Tomorrow was Sunday, so she would just sleep until he tickled her awake like last week.
She’d put the memories of Melbourne and the worries about her father out of her mind and choose to live in the moment. And when a moment was this sweet, how could she not?
She’d just pray that, when the moment passed, she would be able to move on and go back to her safe, boring life.
Chapter 19
Jake hoisted the post into position, holding it steady as Jim placed and tightened the braces attaching it to the concrete footing. He nodded at Jim and straightened, reaching overhead to stretch his back. The physical exertion felt good, after the past few days of spending too much time in his head. Even with his daily runs and laps in the pool, he still couldn’t just get his thoughts off the path they’d been running down since dinner with Claire on Saturday night.
Spending most of the weekend with her had been an eye-opener. It was actually fun to wake up with a woman after loving her all night. They’d spent Sunday together and even gone shopping at a flea market that afternoon. Claire was very frugal with her money. He’d known that. But to watch her worry over every little purchase she was considering for herself as if she didn’t think she deserved it? That struck him as sad and a waste of time. She was worth it, in his opinion. She was worth everything.
And that was the thought that threw him face first into his work this week. Hard. He was out of Cypress when the courses were up and ready. By the New Year he’d be back in Boston and mapping out his next assignment. And there would be a next assignment, no matter what his father had said in his latest phone call. The old man wanted him to stick around for a while. Work at headquarters with him. That was so not happening. No fucking way.
“Jake!”
As if summoning Bill Chapman with his dark thoughts, there the man stood just a few feet away. Hands held tight at his sides as he eyed the work in progress that would be part of the adventure courses. Jake looked back at the footings he and the men had placed today and figured if anyone could find fault with the project’s growth it was his father.
“Dad.” Jake took off his work gloves and brushed his hands over his jeans. “What brings you here?”
Bill eyed Jake, from his earring to his muddy work boots, then met his gaze. “Tiffany was getting tired of the cold up in Boston, so I thought we’d combine business with pleasure. We’re here for a long weekend.”
Jake inwardly cringed. His stepmother was a piece of work. A man-eater of the first order and, despite the obvious effort she put into her upkeep, she was rapidly becoming a cougar on the prowl. God, he didn’t want to think about the last time he’d seen her.
She’d come into his office, with her usual low-cut blouse and skirt slit up one thigh. She’d teased him about his new assistant, and asked how long he was going to wait until he fucked her. Lovely woman, his stepmother. He didn’t want to think about her at all but especially not today.
It was bright and sunny here in Florida, the November air holding a freshness that wouldn’t turn chilly for a couple more weeks. He just wanted to finish his day at the work site and go back to his tent-cabin with his muscles humming and his mind quiet. Maybe he’d bring Claire out to his place this time. That bed was cozy and soft, and she would look amazing spread on
the well-worn quilt. Bill was staring at him expectantly though, so he knew there was no true escape.
“How is dear old step-mom?”
Bill’s brows knocked together, then he waved a hand. “She’s at the spa, then she’s going shopping in Orlando.”
“No doubt.” Jake stepped over the tape marking the edge of the path. “What do you want?”
“Can’t I just visit my son at his work site?”
“Can you? Yes. Are you? Doubtful.”
Bill nodded. “Fine, fine. I have a meeting with Forbes this afternoon and I wanted you there.”
“Me? What the hell for?”
“I want to drive home the fact that this project is going to make money for everyone involved. Can you get the little redhead to join us?”
“Us? I’m not going to that meeting with you.” He chose to ignore the question about Claire. He’d never drag her into a meeting with Bill.
“Why the hell not?” his father asked.
“Because I have work to do, Dad. Actual work to make sure this project is finished on time and making money sooner rather than later.”
“Admirable,” Bill said. “You can skip the meeting. Tammy will be there. And she’ll get the money girl there, too.”
Jake’s stomach twisted as he pictured Claire shut in a room with Bill, but at least Tammy and Mr. Forbes would be there as buffers. “Okay, then.”
“We’re eating at the Clubhouse tonight, Jake. I expect you there.”
“Why?”
“Tiffany wants a family dinner out. And your brother…” Bill’s cheeks turned ruddy. “Rick’s busy.”
Yeah. Busy avoiding the hell out of Bill and his particular brand of crap.
“He has a life, Dad. A busy job and a family.”
“Yeah.” Bill eyed the ground. “How’s Nick?”
“Great. Nick’s an amazing kid.”
Jake saw regret on his father’s face and, for a second, he seemed like a human being. Then his blue eyes narrowed and he waved a hand. “So I’ll see you at the restaurant at seven.”
Jake knew an order when he heard one. He could flip his father the finger and tell him to fuck off or he could suck it up and sit through one dinner like a big boy.
“Sure.” Jake let out a breath. “Seven.”
Besides, if he placated Bill maybe the man wouldn’t bug Rick and Harmony on this trip. Dinner would keep Tiffany out of Rick’s hair, anyway. She’d be happy enough grabbing Jake’s thigh under the table as she asked questions dripping with double-entendre. She spoke it like a second language.
“That’s fan-fucking-tastic,” Jake grumbled.
“What’s that, boss?” Jim called.
Jake smiled at him. “Just thinking about my dinner plans, Jim.”
Jim stared at him for a beat. “Oh.”
He went back to tightening the bolts on the braces and Jake walked over to help him.
***
Claire sat at her desk, going over the notes she’d taken at the afternoon’s impromptu meeting. She’d been dragged into the meeting with Mr. Forbes and Tammy, and she’d been surprised to see Bill Chapman there too. She’d never met him before but she would have known Jake and Rick’s father anywhere. The same broad shoulders. The same stunning blue eyes. There was a weariness in Bill’s eyes, though. Something she never saw in his sons’. The man wasn’t happy, but with his booming voice and take charge personality she figured he thought no one would notice.
“So are you going to go to dinner?” Tammy asked.
Claire turned. “Do you think I could back out now? I still can’t believe Mr. Chapman invited me.”
“Are you surprised? Mr. Forbes told him you were dating Jake. You can’t get out of it now.”
“No. I don’t think he’s a man who likes to be refused.”
Tammy laughed. “Nope. Just wait until you meet the missus.”
“He didn’t mention his wife would be there. What’s she like?”
Tammy came into the office and sat on the edge of Claire’s desk. “Tiffany Chapman is a piece of work. And I mean carefully-orchestrated-plastic-surgery piece of work. She’s a bitch, too.”
“Tammy!”
“She is. Just ask Rick.”
“Just ask me what?”
Rick leaned into the office with a curious expression.
“Hey, Rick. I’m going to dinner tonight with Jake and your dad.”
Rick frowned. “Yeah, Bill’s here. He contacted me this morning.”
“How come you get out of dinner?” Claire asked.
Rick didn’t even crack a smile at her teasing. “Bill and I don’t talk much, Claire. There’s no way in Hell I’m going to share a meal with him and Tiffany.”
“Oh.” Claire sighed. “He knows I’m dating Jake.”
Rick’s brows rose. “I don’t envy you tonight. My stepmother is going to have a field day with that information.”
“Yeah, I told her Tiffany’s a bitch.” Tammy whispered the last word this time.
“Good. Take Tammy’s word for it, Claire. I’d warned Harmony before the one and only night we had dinner with them and she thought I was exaggerating. Until she met Tiffany.”
“I’m a little frightened now,” Claire said.
“You’ll have Jake there with you,” Rick said. “My brother won’t let her get away with anything tonight.”
Claire swallowed and glanced over at Tammy. Her friend was nodding slowly, backing up everything Rick said.
“You’ll have to give me the rundown tomorrow morning,” Tammy said.
Claire told her she would and Tammy and Rick left her to her thoughts. And her worries. She was having dinner with Jake’s father and stepmother. Her friends warned her how awful it would be and she really had no way to get out of it. She’d just concentrate on Jake and hope the evening went quickly.
She parked the Prius in the lot at the Clubhouse, regretting again that she’d brought the Thunderbird back to Cally’s place last night. She and Jake had made out a little in that car Saturday night, just like he’d promised. It had been hot and they’d barely managed to get into her house before doing every naughty thing Jake had whispered in her ear. He’d said since he’d driven the car he’d let her drive that night. And she had. She’d driven them both out of their minds.
Cally had looked surprised, but oddly pleased she’d returned the car. He’d been surprised she’d visited on a Wednesday, too. Said he had a standing date with his bingo buddies and he all but gave her the bum’s rush. Still, the affection in his eyes had been as clear as always. Definitely different from the hard expression on Bill Chapman’s face that afternoon.
“Hi, Claire,” the hostess, a girl she knew now, said as Claire stepped inside.
“Hey, Janie.” Claire looked around, but didn’t see the Chapmans. “I’m meeting some people for dinner.”
“Yes, they’re here.” Janie stepped around the hostess stand. “I’ll walk you over.”
Claire’s belly flipped and her heels clicked over the wood floor as she followed Janie to a table prominently set in the center of the restaurant. Claire had changed after work, and wore a knit dress in a soft shade of green. And some pretty underwear she hoped to show Jake later.
She spotted Bill Chapman where he was seated across from Jake. Jake didn’t look happy to be there but as she came up to the table his eyes grew round.
“Claire?” He stood. “What are you doing here?”
“I invited her,” Mr. Chapman said. “You two are dating, aren’t you?”
“Dating?”
The question, asked in a singsong voice, drew Claire’s gaze to the woman sitting next to Bill. Whoa. Expensive highlights and lowlights, pricey clothes, piercing gaze. This could only be the dreaded Tiffany.
“Hello,” Claire said.
Jake stepped around the table and took her elbow. “Let’s go.”
“Jake, stay.” Tiffany rested her folded arms on the table, hiking up her tanned cleavage. “We want to get to
know your girlfriend.”
Jake rolled his eyes, then smiled at Claire. “I’m sorry for this.”
Claire stared into his beautiful eyes and couldn’t help but tease him a little. “I’ll let you make it up to me,” she whispered.
He smiled but she could see the tension around his mouth. “Sit, please.” He waved her into the chair beside his. “Claire, you know my father. This is Tiffany. His wife.”
Claire nodded to Mr. Chapman and faced the probing look on his wife’s face.
“So, you’re the money girl Bill told me about?” she asked.
Claire nodded. “I’m the CPA, yes.”
Tiffany waved a jeweled hand. She had a very nice manicure, too. “Ugh, numbers. Counting money must be so boring.”
“You like spending it,” Mr. Chapman said.
Tiffany giggled, actually giggled. “Oh, Bill!”
The dinner went downhill from there. Jake answered in monosyllables to questions posed by both his father and his stepmother. That woman stared daggers at Claire as she picked at her food and drank deeply of the pricey wine Mr. Chapman ordered. Claire didn’t have much of an appetite, either. Jake was a different person tonight. Stiff and stilted and his discomfort was a living thing. When she reached beneath the table to touch him he’d jumped before taking her hand in his.
“I wish your brother and his family could have joined us,” Tiffany said as their plates were cleared. “But Rick is a busy boy.”
Claire all but felt Jake flinch at her statement.
“Are you still staying with them?” his father asked.
Jake shook his head. “No. I’m out at the far lakeside.”
“In the tent-cabin?” Tiffany smiled in Claire’s direction. Her gaze sharpened. “Have you been out there yet, Claire? It’s very…cozy.”
“When were you there?” Jake asked, then seemed to regret engaging the woman in conversation.
“When Rick was first down here,” Tiffany answered. “Melody lived out there, right?”
“Harmony,” Mr. Chapman corrected.
Jake seemed surprised by his father’s contribution, but he turned to Claire. “Let’s get out of here.”
It was abrupt but Claire couldn’t blame Jake if he was less than gracious. She felt like she’d been sitting on pins and needles all evening and was just as eager to leave as he appeared to be.
Cypress Corners Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 30