by SJ McCoy
He didn’t want to be mean to Amber, but by the look on her face when she came toward him, she was definitely keen.
He held his arms out to the sides a little way. He wanted to greet her with a hug, but it should be her choice.
She came straight to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He closed his around her as she stood on tiptoe and landed a kiss on his lips.
He leaned back and looked down into her eyes.
“I missed you.”
Wow! She really was keen. He smiled. “I missed you, too. I almost called you.”
She gave him a sad smile. “I wish you had. I almost called you, but it felt wrong.”
His smile faded. “Wrong? Why?”
“Because I knew you were busy, and I knew I’d see you tonight.” She looked up into his eyes. “Honestly, I didn’t want you to feel like I was being too much.”
He tightened his arms around her. “I wouldn’t have. I would have loved it. I’m the one who’s respecting your need to take your time.”
She smiled. “I feel as though I’ve had all the time I need.” She looked away and when she looked back at him, her face was serious. “Jade told me I should call the folks right now and tell them that I’m staying.”
His heart raced in his chest.
She smiled. “I almost did.”
He nodded. Almost wasn’t the same as doing it. “I hope you’ll want to do it soon.”
Her smile faded. “I want to do it now, but …” She sighed. “I was about to say that it’s not always about what we want, but maybe it should be.”
He landed a peck on her lips. “I can’t say anything. I think you know what I’d like to say, but I’m not going to try to influence you into what I want. That’d make me as bad as—” He stopped before he said it, but she knew what he meant.
“No! You’re nothing like him. You couldn’t be if you tried.”
“No?”
“No. You’re kind and considerate. You’re sweet and …” she shot him a quick glance, “…hot.”
He laughed. “Excuse me? Would you mind running that one by me again?”
She smiled through pursed lips. “You’re kind and considerate.”
“And?”
“Sweet.”
“And?”
He sucked in a sharp breath as she pressed herself closer against him and breathed. “Hot.” He’d hoped that she might think he was decent looking, but hearing her say he was hot? That made him feel as though he grew a foot taller.
She laughed. “Come on. Don’t act surprised. You must know it.”
He didn’t want to answer that either way. Instead, he shrugged. “Let’s get going.”
She got in, and when he slid into the driver’s seat, she leaned over and pecked his cheek. “Sorry if I embarrassed you.”
“No!” He turned to look at her so fast their noses bumped. “You didn’t embarrass me. Honestly? You made my day.”
“Seriously? I bet you hear that all the time.”
He knew he wasn’t bad looking; there were a few girls in town who’d made it plain that they liked him, but the way he looked wasn’t high on his priority list. He shrugged. “Not all the time …”
She laughed. “I knew it.”
“That’s not the point, though. I don’t have any interest in how other people see me. It’s none of my business, really. But knowing that you do—that you like me that way …”
She nodded her head vigorously. “I do. I thought you knew that. Right from that first day we met, I thought you were hot.”
“Just so you know, I thought you were, too.”
She smiled.
“And I think you’re even hotter now.”
“What changed?”
He smiled. “Now I know you and know that you’re as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. That counts for a lot in my world.”
“Aww.” She reached up to touch his cheek. “You’re awesome, Austin. How could I even think about going home?”
He cupped her face between his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m hoping you won’t be able to.”
~ ~ ~
Amber was surprised, but very pleasantly so, that he didn’t slow down when they got to town. She’d thought maybe they were going to Giuseppe’s for dinner. Apparently, not. He drove past the square at the resort, too. Not the Boathouse, then.
She glanced over at him. “Where are we going?”
“Oh! Sorry. I didn’t even think to ask. My place—if you want to.”
Her tummy flipped over. Oh, she wanted to! Her smile faded. But they’d already talked about that. He’d told her that wouldn’t be happening until—or unless—she decided that she wanted to stay. She admired that about him. She knew a lot of guys would be more interested in a quick physical fling with a girl who’d be gone soon. Austin wasn’t one of them. He didn’t work that way.
He glanced over at her. “Is that okay?”
She decided she might as well be honest with him. “It is, but it might be hard.”
“How so?”
She felt her cheeks heat up. She wasn’t one to talk about sex much. She didn’t think she’d ever talked about it with a guy she wanted to do it with. But she felt so comfortable with Austin—she felt safe. And apart from that, she wanted him to know what he did to her.
“It might be hard to keep my hands to myself.”
He chuckled, and the sound of it made her press her thighs together. How could a chuckle be so sexy?
“Laugh all you like. You’ve been warned.”
His smile was even sexier than his chuckle when he glanced at her. “Just so we’re clear. It won’t be any easier for me to keep my hands off you. But I’m a man of my word. That’s part of a bigger picture to me. I don’t want to go there if we’re not going to … go there.”
A rush of warmth settled in her chest. He was amazing!
When they got to the house, he took her hand and led her up the steps to the front door. She smiled when she saw Roscoe bouncing up and down behind it. He came bounding out and ran a few circles around Austin before coming to her and sticking his head up her skirt.
“Roscoe!” They both exclaimed as she pushed him away.
“I’m pleased to see you, too, but you really shouldn’t.”
Austin pushed him away and gave her a mischievous smile. “We’re not allowed in there, buddy.”
All the muscles in her stomach and lower tightened at the thought of him sticking his head up her skirt—and how his tongue might feel on her skin. She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re the only one who’s said that.”
He straightened up and came to her. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. The way her body responded to him, he could lay her down right here on the floor in the hallway, if he wanted to.
He kept hold of her hips as he pressed himself against her. He was so hard it made her ache for him. She clung to his shoulders as he covered her mouth with his. She loved his kisses. This time was more urgent. His lips crushed hers, and the way his tongue thrust inside her mouth made her want to feel another part of him thrust inside her.
When he lifted his head, they were both panting. He held her gaze for a long moment. “That was just so you know.”
She sagged against him. “What? So I know what I’m missing?”
He chuckled. “I meant so that you know I want to—I want you. But I respect you, and I’ll wait.”
She let out a big sigh. “I really don’t want to wait.”
He smiled. “Then, do what you need to do and ….”
He left the words dangling, and her lust-addled brain wanted to finish the sentence in a dozen dirty ways.
~ ~ ~
Austin slung his arm around her shoulders as they walked up the path that led away from the pool. They’d eaten a picnic dinner out on the back deck. He enjoyed her company. They’d talked and laughed a lot while they ate. She was bright and funny. She seemed to come out of herself more when it was just
the two of them like this.
She looked up at him with a sassy smile. “Please tell me that you’re taking me into the woods to have your way with me?”
He laughed. “I’d love to, but no. I want you to see the view from up here.”
She looked back over her shoulder. “It looks pretty amazing from here.”
“It is. But it gets even better.”
They walked on in silence. This last part of the path was steep, but the view would be worth it. They emerged from the trees into a clearing. Amber stopped to catch her breath. She looked up, and her eyes widened.
“Is that what I think it is?”
He grinned. “If you think it’s a tree house, then yes, it is.”
“Wow! That’s amazing! Can we go up?”
“I was hoping so.”
He let her climb the ladder ahead of him and did his best not to look up her skirt. He kind of envied Roscoe that he could stick his head in there and get away with it. When she reached the top, he went up after her.
“Oh, my goodness! You weren’t kidding, were you? This is amazing.”
He leaned on the rail beside her and looked out at the view. They could see the whole lake from here. The house wasn’t too far off the road, but the land rose sharply, and this was one of the highest points around without going up into the foothills.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Beautiful is far too small a word. You can see where the river flows into the lake and all the way to where it flows out again. The mountains.” She pointed. “You can even see town.”
He nodded, thrilled that she so was so impressed with it. He’d brought Nadia up here once, but she didn’t get it. She didn’t understand why a grown man would want a treehouse. And she’d told him in no uncertain terms that when they had children it would have to go. It was a safety hazard. He shuddered at the memory.
“Are you okay?”
He smiled. “I’m great. I’m glad you like it.”
“I don’t just like it. I love it.” She looked behind her at the doorway. “Can we go in?”
He grinned. “Please do.”
“Oh, wow!”
The inside of the treehouse was something he’d spent a lot of time on. He’d wanted to make sure that those views could be seen from in here. But he also wanted it to be a comfortable place to hang out and read a book and relax. He’d set windows down low so that when he lay on the bench, he could still see the lake and the mountains.
Amber went and sat down. He was glad that he’d left the foam mattress on the bench. He wanted her to be comfortable.
“I love it. I’d spend my Sunday afternoons out here with a book. Do you do that?”
He nodded. He loved that she got it—that she saw it the same way he did. He sat down and put his arm around her shoulders. “It’s a good place.”
Her eyes shone when she looked up at him. He felt the change in her, and his body responded. She was no longer thinking about lying here reading a book. Neither was he.
Her fingers slid up into his hair, sending shivers down his back, and making him shift uncomfortably in his pants. She pulled him down until his lips met hers. They were full and soft. Her kisses tasted sweet.
She moaned into his mouth when he curled his arm around her and crushed her to his chest. He needed to be careful. It’d be too easy to get carried away. He couldn’t help it. He leaned forward farther, making her lean back. She clung to his shoulders as he leaned farther still until he gently lowered her back onto the mattress.
He shouldn’t; he knew it. But just for a moment … He lay down beside her, and it was his turn to moan when she pressed her hips against his. She slid her hands under the hem of his T-shirt. The feel of her warm fingers moving up over his chest made him ache to be inside her.
He couldn’t help it. He ran his hand up the back of her leg until he found her full round ass. She gasped and rocked against him. It’d be so easy to …
She sat bolt upright at the sound of barking. “Roscoe?”
Austin sat up and blew a sigh at the ceiling. He’d left him in the house because he didn’t want him wandering off while they climbed up here.
He went and opened the door and Roscoe barked happily up at him. He jumped around in circles as if he thought he might somehow be able to jump high enough to reach them.
“Hold on, buddy. We’ll be right down.” He looked back at Amber.
She was straightening her dress and gave him a rueful smile. “Did you ask him to protect you?”
“From what?”
She laughed. “Did you tell him to make sure that you didn’t give in to me?”
He had to laugh. “No. I can’t even say I’m entirely glad that he showed up.”
She met his gaze. She looked more serious now. “I can say that I wish he hadn’t.”
Austin felt as though bolts of lightning shot through his veins. He was supposed to be resisting her, but she was irresistible.
“But he’s here now.” She gave him a rueful smile. “We’d better get down there to him. He’ll do himself an injury if he keeps jumping around like that.”
Chapter Ten
Lenny came to stand beside Amber at the counter. “Have you made your mind up?”
Amber smiled at her. “Yes. I think I have.”
“Good. And do you want to stay on here with me?”
“What about Jade?”
“Jade will do her own thing either way. She wouldn’t want a permanent job, and I wouldn’t want to give her one.”
Amber frowned.
“Don’t look like that. She’s more realistic, just like me. She’s not going to stay here forever. She’s having fun at the moment. She’s hit it off with Ally, hasn’t she?”
“She has. They’re getting really close.”
“And you don’t mind that?”
Amber had to laugh. “Of course not. We’ve always been close. We always will be, but we don’t normally live in each other’s pockets. Living together here has been fun. It’s done us both good, and we’ve loved it. But this is the first time we’ve lived together since we left home. You know what she’s like. She’s been gone different places, working different jobs. Traveling. We’re pretty much opposites when you think about it.”
“I know you are, but I didn’t know if you depended on her.”
“No! I guess it might have seemed that way since we’ve been here. I wasn’t in a great place when we came—you know, after breaking up with Milo and everything.”
“And you’re certain that’s over?”
“Oh, my gosh, yes!”
“So, are you going to tell your folks that you’re staying?”
She nodded. “I should.”
Lenny frowned. “I know you should—are you going to?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Well, if you want it, I’ll be happy to tell them the job here is yours.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
Lenny made a face.
“I know you think it makes you sound old. But to me it’s a term of endearment.”
Lenny’s expression softened. “Okay, but just don’t say it while there’s anyone around.” She jerked her chin toward the door where a guy was just coming in.
Amber waggled her eyebrows and spoke in a whisper. “What, you don’t want him to know that you’re a grandma?”
Lenny laughed. “He might look old to you, but I’m probably old enough to be his mother.” She winked. “I do have some vanity left, though.” She smiled at the man.
He smiled back as he came to the counter. “Good afternoon, ladies.”
“Good afternoon.”
Amber couldn’t help smiling. He was older, in his fifties, she’d guess, but there was something about him. He was sexy.
“What can we do for you?” asked Lenny.
The man smiled. “Stamps, please. Ten of them.”
Once he’d gone Lenny smiled at her. “Do you want to knock off early? You’re seeing Austin tonight, aren’t y
ou?”
“I am, but I’ll stay and close up with you. He’s coming for me at seven, and I’ll only sit there wishing the time away if I go now.”
Lenny laughed. “He’s a catch, you know.”
Amber frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I say. He’s a good man. He’s done very well for himself. Well, you know, you’ve been to his place.”
She nodded.
“What? What did I say wrong?”
“Nothing. You just reminded me. That’s what Mom and Dad used to say about Milo. On paper, he was a catch, as you put it. But those things aren’t important to me. You know what Dad’s like; it’s all about money.” She made a face. “I feel disloyal even saying it, but fast food?” she shook her head. “If I wanted to make a fortune, I’d have to find something that meant more than that.”
Lenny laughed. “It seems like the sense in our family skipped a generation. Your father was always that way. Even when he was a boy. Anything for a buck.” Her laughter faded. “He’s my own son, but I was glad when he moved away from here.”
Amber nodded. She didn’t know what to say. She knew her dad wasn’t close with Lenny, but she’d never heard her say something like that before.
She gave Amber a sad smile. “Sorry. That was probably too much. It’s just, well, I was always afraid that you girls would turn out like him. That you’d be all about the material things. It’s been so good to have you here and get to know you properly.”
Amber went to her and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s been so good to come here and get to know you properly. I wish you’d been in our lives more before.”
Lenny hugged her back and then stepped away. “I do, too, but you’re here now, and that’s all that matters. That and the fact that you’re going to stay. And you’re certain about it?”