“I thought women liked being taken care of.”
“Some do. But a woman like this? She’ll only let you take care of her once she knows she can do it herself.”
“Why are you such a complicated bunch?” Gage griped.
Cynthia smiled a smug, cat-like smile.
“It’s what makes us interesting.”
Chapter 32
“This is amazing!”
Lola turned and dropped her pen, sprinting across the room to hug Sam.
“You’re here!”
“I didn’t even go home from the airport yet. Oh my god, Lola. This is fantastic! I can’t even believe this is all happening. We haven’t lived by each other in ages. Well, I mean, we have, but neither of us were ever home. I’ve been all but fast-forwarding through my vacation. Lucas kept laughing at me because I didn’t even care about being on holiday – I only wanted to get back here to see you.”
Lola hugged Sam tighter, tears pricking her eyes. She hadn’t realized until this moment just how much she needed her to be here. It wasn’t often that Lola needed approval or support from anyone, but now was one of those times.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Lola said, pulling back to wipe her eyes. Sam tilted her head, looking at Lola more closely.
“Hey… Lola. What’s going on? This isn’t like you,” Sam said, her pretty face flushed with concern.
“I… it’s just been a lot at once. A lot of really big decisions. And, just things… stuff to handle. Meeting new people. New business. Shipping my stuff here. All the things at once.”
“You’ve met someone.” Sam’s eyes sharpened.
“Yeah, that too,” Lola sighed.
“Okay, we need wine. Do you have wine? Shoot, Lucas is still in the car. I made him wait to give us a moment. Can you come home? Or come for dinner? I need to hear everything.”
“Yes. Yes, to it all,” Lola said and took a deep breath, wiping her tears. “Okay, enough of that nonsense. What do you think?”
“This space is beyond. It’s just… it’s so perfect for you, I can’t even explain.”
“Knock knock,” Lucas said from the door, and Lola beamed at him. She’d met him via Skype before, but never in person.
“Lucas, I’m so glad we get to meet in person,” Lola said, giving him a hug and sizing up his general yumminess. Sam had done well for herself, she thought.
“We’re so happy you’re here – and to stay! This is cause for a celebration. Can you come for dinner?” Lucas asked, wrapping an arm around Sam’s waist. Lola stepped back and looked at the two of them, a unit, and felt tears fill her eyes again.
“Yes. She’s coming for dinner. Now,” Sam said, stepping forward and grabbing Lola’s arm.
“No, no… those were happy tears. You look so good together. I’m just so happy for you both.”
Lucas kissed the top of Sam’s head. “As am I. I lucked out with this one.”
“We both lucked out.” Sam grinned up at him.
“Awwwww,” Lola sighed. “Okay, enough shmoopy stuff. Let me quickly show you around and then I’ll close up for the day and come over for dinner. How about this: Since you just got home, I can pick up some pizza and bring it over? Keep it easy.”
“Works for me,” Lucas said. “We just have to stop to pick up Pipin on the way home.”
An hour later they were cozied up at Lucas and Sam’s gorgeous villa, with Pipin torn between begging for a bite of pizza and racing around the sand in delight that they were home. The sun dipped toward the horizon, and Lola leaned back, rubbing her belly in contentment.
“This is a damn good pizza,” Lola said.
“You wouldn’t think it,” Sam agreed, tucking her feet beneath her and leaning into Lucas on the outdoor couch. “It looks like such a little run-down shack, and yet the most mouthwatering food comes out of it.”
“Just goes to show you can’t always take things by their appearances,” Lucas said, his hand idly running up and down Sam’s arm.
“How do you like staying at the Laughing Mermaid? I’m kind of bummed you won’t be next door,” Sam pouted.
“She’s going to be like literally two minutes away,” Lucas said. “A month ago she was across the world.”
“I don’t want your logic right now,” Sam grumbled, and he kissed her nose.
“I love the B&B. Irma and the girls have been fantastic, and have gone above and beyond in welcoming me to the island.” Lola paused, wondering how much Sam knew about them, and decided against saying anything more.
“They’re the best. Don’t let Jolie put you off. You just have to give her what she dishes out.”
“Nah, Jolie and I are cool. We’re very likeminded,” Lola said with a laugh, eying up another piece of the artichoke, pepper, and sausage pizza. Pipin came and stood next to her, looking between her and the pizza she was eyeing up. “I know, buddy. I’m thinking the same thing as you.”
“He’s had more than enough treats,” Lucas cautioned. “No more tonight.”
Seeming to understand Lucas’s tone, the dog walked away, settling into the sand with a little sigh.
“Oh no, you’ve upset him,” Lola laughed.
“It’s all an act. He’s a con artist if I’ve ever met one,” Lucas said. “Just look at him.”
Pipin stared woefully at them all for a moment but, unable to hold it, jumped up and wagged his tail. Then, with his tongue lolling out of his smiling mouth, he did another ecstatic loop of the beach.
“See? Con artist.”
“He does it quite well, I’ll admit,” Lola laughed.
“Okay, we’ve heard about Siren Moon – which sounds amazing; the concept is perfect for the island, perfect for you, and perfect for me because I’ll come help you out when you’re too busy. Now… is there a perfect man too?”
Lola paused for a moment. Was Gage perfect? On paper, maybe. But he was still human and had flaws. She just hadn’t found that many of them yet. But they were there. She remembered him cursing on the boat when things didn’t go according to his plan. Which, actually, made him that much more likeable.
“Lola? Earth to Lola?” Sam snapped her fingers and then raised an eyebrow at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that look on your face before about a man.”
“What look?” Lola narrowed her eyes.
“Smitten, that’s what.” Sam narrowed her eyes right back.
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Not.”
“Ladies.” Lucas laughed and held up his hand. “Who is this man?”
“His name is Gage. He runs the –”
“Gage!” Sam exclaimed. “Oh, why didn’t I think of him? He’s perfect for you.”
“You know him?”
“Of course. It’s not a big island. Gage is a great guy,” Lucas said, toasting her with his wine glass. “You have excellent taste.”
“He’s really delicious-looking too,” Sam said, then laughed when Lucas slanted her a look. “Not better than you, baby. Just different. Still yummy. Wouldn’t he and Lola make a beautiful couple?”
“Well, I don’t know about that. You know I’m not big on relationships,” Lola said.
Sam’s face fell. “But… can’t you at least try? I mean, you’re staying in one place for the first time in your life. Wouldn’t this be the right time to also try a relationship? You’ve been able to use the excuse of traveling to end all your other relationships. But now you can’t. So what gives?”
Lucas cleared his throat and made a move to stand.
“I don’t want to intrude on anything.”
“No, it’s fine. If Sam loves you, so do I. Which means you’ll get to know my ugly bits too,” Lola said, taking a long sip of wine as she thought over what Sam had said. It stung a bit, but she knew Sam was coming from a place of love. In fact, she was one of the few people in the world that Lola would let question her like that.
“Here’s the deal. I’m really attracted to him. And I like
him. As a person, not just for his body.”
“It’s always nice when women don’t just treat us like a piece of meat,” Lucas agreed.
“You like it when –” Sam said, and Lola shot up her hand.
“Okay, okay, anyway... But I also came here because I needed to figure some things out on my own. Without the distraction of a lover or a relationship. And yet, right away, I find myself falling in with a guy, at the same time I’m making all these huge decisions with my life. Everything just seems murky to me and I need to get really clear on my stuff first.”
“That’s fair, I guess.” Sam pouted a bit.
“The right partner should help you grow into the person you want to be. Not smother that,” Lucas pointed out.
Lola stared at him for so long that a worried look crossed his face, and he looked between the two of them.
“What? Did I say something wrong?”
“Nope. Lola’s just shocked because she’s never considered the fact that she could have an equal partner.”
“Oh, well, then. Give it a go.” Lucas shot her a thumbs up.
“‘Give it a go’ indeed.”
Chapter 33
Lola arrived for dinner the next night, carefully following Gage’s directions to discover that he really didn’t live far from the Laughing Mermaid. She likely could have walked, Lola thought as she parked her scooter and retrieved her bag with the nice bottle of wine she’d picked up for tonight.
She’d had a hell of a day. Two of her contractors hadn’t shown up, which had basically stalled all her projects at the gallery because she couldn’t proceed with the stuff she could do on her own until the more permanent fixtures had been installed. Her landlord back home was refusing to allow a moving company to come in and pack her stuff for her, claiming some sort of nonsense liability issue, and she’d just realized that she’d need to buy a car. While her savings account was still healthy, Lola detested digging too deeply into it, and now it seemed like she’d have to take quite a chunk out of it to accomplish all the things she wanted.
It made her a little tetchy, she realized, to have to dip into her account. Though what she was saving for, she did not know. It had just always been there, her ticket to freedom – a plane ride to another country, a medical expense paid, and so on. Now, relying on it to build her dream was scary, because once it was gone… well, she’d be stuck.
And Lola didn’t like feeling stuck.
“Hi,” Gage said, leaning against the door as Lola all but stomped up, brandishing the bottle of wine. “Rough day?”
“A bit,” Lola admitted, shrugging a shoulder. At least she’d had time to shower and tug a pretty dress over her head before she had to get back out the door.
“Need a hug?” Gage asked.
“No, I’m fine,” Lola brushed him off, starting to walk forward, but then realized it wasn’t really a question when she found herself in Gage’s arms. She let him hold her for a moment, the warmth of the hug flooding her whole body, the muscles in her shoulders relaxing incrementally. The necklace hummed at her neck – happy, she presumed. Still, Lola pulled away.
“Thanks,” Lola said, and stepped past Gage, trying to calm the crankiness that roiled in her stomach. Pausing, she looked around Gage’s home. The front door opened to a wide-open space done up in deep woods, with splashes of palm leaf prints on the furniture, and lovely underwater photography on the walls. At the heart of it all was an entire wall of tall glass doors, currently pushed open to the wide deck that wrapped the villa, the stunning blue sea just beyond it. It was earthy and beachy and just… right. Lola sighed. “What a great space. Kudos to you, because not all guys know how to use their space well. Okay, that’s not fair, I’m being sexist. Let’s just say not all people know how to decorate.”
“I had some help,” Gage said, coming up to rub her shoulders with his strong hands. “Will you tell me what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just a little tired,” Lola said, fudging a bit about her mood. She had no intention of dumping her problems in his lap.
“Then may I offer you a drink? We can sit and watch the sun go down.”
“Thanks, I’d like that,” Lola said, walking toward the long concrete style countertop in the kitchen, sniffing the air as she went. “Something smells delicious.”
“I was in the mood for some Cajun. Do you like spicy?”
“I do.”
“You’re in for a treat then. I learned how to make this gumbo from an old shrimp boat captain I met down the way on my boat. He didn’t share his recipe with just anyone, so don’t even think about asking for it.”
Despite her mood, Lola’s lips quirked on a smile. “If I like it, I’ll figure out a way to get it out of you.”
“I’m sure you can persuade me one way or the other,” Gage said, sending her a look filled with so much heat that she thought his spicy gumbo would likely pale in comparison.
“Ah, that’s useful knowledge to have.” Lola pursed her lips as he opened the wine and poured them both a glass. “Will break under sexual torture.”
Gage sloshed some wine over the side of the glass and glared at her, causing Lola to chuckle.
“I’m listening,” Gage said, and she laughed again.
“I can’t tell you or you’d come up with a strategy to block my attempts at getting your recipe.”
“No, really, I feel like you should tell me. In great detail,” Gage insisted, and slid a glass of wine across the counter to her. “Have I told you how pretty you look tonight?”
“You have not,” Lola said, taking a sip from her glass and eyeing him carefully over the rim.
“You look like a mermaid, washed ashore, a little bit tumultuous, your hair wild, your mood on edge, and I want you more than I can think right now.” His green eyes deepened in color as he looked at her.
Lola took a deep breath, steadying herself against the wave of lust that washed through her.
“What are you going to do about that then?” Lola asked, raising her chin on a challenge.
“Take what’s offered,” Gage said, setting his glass down, his fingers white as he gripped the counter tightly.
“It’s offered,” Lola said, and gasped when Gage lifted her from the chair, throwing her over his shoulder and bounding down a hallway from the kitchen.
“Gage! Your gumbo!”
“It’s on simmer, it can wait. This cannot.” Gage turned and bit her bum so hard that she squealed against his back, and reached out to pinch his, since it was so close.
“You’ll pay for that,” Gage warned.
“So will you,” Lola promised, giggling as Gage dropped her on the bed.
There was no time for slow seduction, and neither of them wanted that. Almost desperate, they tore their clothes off, tossing them over their heads as if they were entering a battle ring, and pounced on each other. Rolling over on the mattress, Gage pinned Lola and kissed her senseless until she pushed her leg between his, forcing him to flip, and climbed on top, riding them both into sweet oblivion.
When it was over, Lola rolled off, gasping for breath as she lay on his bed and looked at his sky-blue ceiling.
“I like your ceiling.”
“Thank you. I like your style,” Gage said, turning to prop his head on his hand and run the other hand down her body, making her want to purr like a kitten.
“That was a bit… fast and furious?”
“It was perfect,” Gage said, then laughed as her stomach rumbled. “And that’s my cue to feed you. Want a quick rinse? The shower’s just that way.”
“I do, thank you.”
“Great, we can share,” Gage said, and followed her into the large shower, laughing as she tried to push him out. Pushing her against the wall, he kissed her deeply, reaching one hand behind him to turn the spray on.
After a decidedly longer rinse-off than she had expected, Lola was finally perched back at the counter, the sun having already said goodbye to the sky, and was enjoying her gla
ss of wine.
“You seem much more relaxed now,” Gage said, as he plated their food and led them to the outside table where he’d lit candles in pretty little lanterns that protected the flames from the wind.
“I am, thank you,” Lola agreed, easing back into the chair across from him and clinking her glass against his. Digging in, she moaned against the flavors of the gumbo.
“Good?”
“Oh… you’re definitely getting tied up for this recipe.”
Lola laughed as Gage choked on his wine, coughing a bit as he bumped his chest with his fist.
“I… think I’ll look forward to that?”
“Maybe.” Lola laughed at the look on his face, caught somewhere between fear and lust.
“So, tell me about your day,” Gage said, spooning up more gumbo and watching her carefully.
Lola sighed and then sat back, filling him in on all the things that had gone wrong that day. Gage listened, not saying a word, and at the end of it she did feel better for having someone to talk to about it. Maybe this was what Lucas meant about having an equal partner.
“I’m so sorry, that does sound like a rough day. You know, I can call my buddy Tomas tomorrow, he’ll get in with his crew and fix up the gallery in no time. He owes me a favor anyway,” Gage said, leaning back to tap his finger against his mouth, not noticing when Lola opened her own mouth to try to speak. “And I know an attorney who lives stateside. I’ll get him to check on that liability issue with your landlord. That’s beyond ridiculous that you can’t have a moving company come in and pack your stuff. People do that all the time. In fact, they’ll probably be more careful with your stuff because they don’t want to get in trouble for breaking anything. Oh! And I know a guy who is selling a Jeep. He hasn’t listed it yet. He rents cars on-island, and after a year or so of use, he’ll get new ones – tourists always want flashy new ones – so it’s only a year old. But I’ll get him down on the price. Maybe take him and his family out for a day of sailing to sweeten the deal.”
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