by Jax Hart
“Excuse me?”
“I’d ask you to dinner, But I don’t want to wait that long.”
“I’m seeing someone.” The lie fell fast. I needed to put a roadblock between us. He went right through it.
“Yeah, you are. Me.”
“Cocky much?” But I already knew that answer from all of our email exchanges.
“Don’t you have house guests?”
“I do. You could stay over. We’ll be perfectly chaperoned.”
“You’re kidding.”
He smiled. All golden skin and eyes. Damn, he was so sexy. My body was already gone for him months ago, but his easy going smiles nearly stole my heart.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. His brows furrowed. My confession was soft but serious. Telling him the two words that I meant from my heart for things he didn’t know I was responsible for yet. I feared he’d fire Gran if I told him. I looked over my shoulder at her. She was glowing, laughing in a way I hadn’t heard in years, like before Pops died.
“I better go spend time with Gran.”
“Am I going to have to fight Bunny for you?”
“She’d win.” I grinned back at him.
“Well then maybe I’ll just win her over first.”
“Something tells me you already have.” I got up, brushing sand from my thighs, the action drawing his eyes to them. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to look away. I motioned for Daisy to come, but she wouldn’t leave his arms. Can’t say I blamed her. “Traitor,” I whispered. His husky laugh followed me as I crossed the sand finding a spot behind the fire next to Gran. I looked across the flames, his eyes watched me like he was staking a claim. I quickly looked away.
“Nice of you to join your granny, Daisy.”
My face flamed again. “I was stunned. Just blurted out the dog’s name. You didn’t tell him I have his calendar pinned up in my kitchen?” I hissed.
“Not one word.”
“I can’t believe you! Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why would I, when watching the two of you is much more fun.” Her eyes were a bit glassy. Her color high.
“Are you drunk?” I had never seen Gran like this.
“Maybe. These boys make me forget my age. They made me some cold fruity drink. It was hot. I kept getting refills. He is an Adonis. And sweet, funny… all the things Wade never was.”
I hung my head, picking at the ends of the beach blanket I sat on. “It’ll never happen. Can never happen.”
“And why is that? He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.” My back was to him, but I still felt his stare.
“Not here.”
Gran looked around. “Then where?”
“I can’t trust you. You might be on the side of my enemy and you’ve been drinking.”
Gran rolled her eyes. “As if I’d choose anyone over my gal. I was the first one to hold you.”
I looked over both my shoulders before leaning in. “It was his house. I stayed here that weekend in February. I felt so stupid when he invited me in just now.”
“Oh dear.” Gran pursed her lips, clutched for her pearls she had left at home while pondering what I just said. She waved a hand in the air. “These things have a way of working themselves out.”
“Doubtful. How can I face him in court?”
“Now, my Ryan has never shied away from the truth or an honest fight. Do you still think he wronged you?”
“Maybe we wronged each other.”
“Then right it. A kiss wouldn’t hurt either.”
I slapped her on the shin. “Where’s this Hunter guy? And I’m getting you bottled water.”
“Oh, he’s around here somewhere. Probably flirting with the paralegals.”
“Hi. I’m Charlie. Chase’s older twin sister.” I turned, finding the stunning girl from earlier. She wasted no time sitting down next to me wanting to know just about everything about my life… down to my blood type. I was hesitant to tell her much, but she was so nice, joyous, with a warm smile and warmer eyes. Someone got Gran the bottle of water she needed. I found myself opening up as she shared story after story about Chase. Each funnier than the last.
Hours went by. Someone passed me a glass of wine. Then another. The party slowly packed up and moved back to the house. “I should go.”
“The night’s still early,” Chase came up behind me. “Did my sister scare you off?”
“Hardly. She’s wonderful.”
“She is.” His eyes smiled as he found his twins’ across the sand. She was helping clean up. “Stay,” he tugged my hand. “Just for a little while?”
I was tempted. Oh, so tempted. But what was the point starting something I knew we couldn’t finish. He was so charming, but I knew his other side. The ruthless one. I shivered knowing he’d pursue me with the same ruthlessness that he went after me as his renter.
“Kismet seems tired.”
“She can stay, too.”
“She gets nervous in new places.”
“She doesn’t look nervous to me. You, however, seem a bit on edge.”
My breath hitched. He was so close. He could kiss me if he wanted. But he didn’t. “Come on. A lot of people overindulged tonight. I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Such a gentleman.”
“Well, you are Bunny’s favorite.”
I said my goodbyes after a quick hug from Gran. It was weird she was staying, while I was going, but my cramped rental above the rescue could not compare to staying here. Gran would be much more comfortable. “Come for breakfast. I’ll make you chocolate crepes.”
“I can’t, Gran. I have to leave with the 5a.m. tide. But I’ll be back around noon. We could meet in town?”
Chase hovered close by listening to my exchange with Gran. After as we walked along the sandy street toward my car he asked. “Where are you going so early in the morning?”
“Out on my boat. If I catch the tide, it won’t tax the engine as much. There’s a feeding ground three miles offshore I’ve been tracking. I’m studying to be a marine biologist at Duke. I’m in the research program.”
“Are you going alone?” I nodded. Even in the dark, the only light came from fireflies and the occasional lamppost. I noticed the set of his jaw. “What’s the name of the marina?”
“I have a private dock.”
“I need your cell.”
“No.” My chin came up.
“It’s not safe boating by yourself.”
“You’re not my keeper.”
“Not yet,” he breathed so low I almost missed it.
“Look. We just met. I’m not even sure if I like you.”
“Oh, you like me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You like yourself.”
“I like you better.”
“You don’t even know me!” I threw my hands up in the air.
“Wrong. I know you are a girl who smells like fresh summer rain, looks like heaven, and probably feels the same. You’re unassuming. Fresh. Athletic by the muscle tone in your legs and arms. Craves adventure, love animals and,” he trailed off, tapping my nose. “Has the most gorgeous assortment of freckles I’ve ever seen. I wonder if you have any more… his eyes lowered to my chest until my skin disappeared under the fabric of my tank.
“Maybe I do,” I whispered.
“I know what my dreams will be about tonight. What will yours be?”
I couldn’t answer. How could I? When my dreams have been of him this whole time. I shrugged nonchalantly, “Tide charts and navigational instruments. Plankton levels and ocean temperatures.”
“How can a man compete with that? You’re different. It’s refreshing.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing. He walked so close to my side; our arms brushed. I half expected him to try to hold my hand, but he didn’t. His eyes went to the sky, to my face then back all over again. Soon we approached my car. “This is me.”
I picked up Daisy after unlocking the car, placing her on the passenger seat. She yapped twi
ce while staring at Chase. His arm shot out past me to scratch her ears. The move penned me between him and the seat. His forearm grazed against my breasts unintentionally but sent sparks to my hardened nipples just the same.
I bit my lip, barely holding on. I wanted to kiss him. Wanted nothing more than to feel his lips crushing mine. I wanted to sit in his lap like Daisy had. I shook my head. I was jealous of the rescue dog.
When he pulled back, I climbed in. He shut my door. I unrolled the window.
“Good night, Daisy.”
The dog thumped her tail.
“Night.” I breathed pulling out. Daisy whined as we drove away, her little face hung outside the window, staring backward. I had a feeling Chase stole more than one heart that night. I just hoped he wouldn’t break both.
Twenty
I took the long way back, taking an old beach path from the road. I walked along the surf. Picked up a few shells, watched them skip across the water after I threw them out of my hand.
I couldn’t believe it was her. In the flesh. I had wondered what she’d be like. I had to fist my hands in my pocket to keep them from tracing down the curve of her cheek. Just as they had to the picture Bunny kept of her on her fridge.
She was more than I ever imagined. A breath of fresh air. Her face didn’t have one speck of foundation or powder. Her body was bare of any fancy creams, yet her skin still glowed.
I groaned, not remembering the last time I wanted a woman so much. Craved to taste her skin, discover all her secrets, and get lost in passion, then waking up just to get lost again.
It was almost midnight when I got back to the beach house. A few people were in the hot tub, Bunny was at the kitchen table playing poker with Hunter and Charlie.
“Deal me in,” I sat down across from Bunny. Her hands shook as she shuffled the deck. “What are we playing for?”
“Surely, not money.” Bunny joked.
“How about secrets?”
Her face colored. But so, did Charlie’s. Hunter shifted his weight, then his eyes. This was going to be fun. “My house. My rules. We are playing secret strip poker. Instead of clothes coming off, a truth will be peeled back.”
Bunny folded her hand. “You know, don’t you?”
“I’ll admit. I never expected my PA to be on the plaintiff’s witness list. I did some digging. Her picture on your fridge was a big clue.”
“What are you going to do?”
I shrugged. “She’s sweet. Strong, but still sweet. Maybe I’ll forgive her for a kiss.”
“A kiss is never just a kiss.” Bunny met my level stare.
“I probably won’t stop at just one…”
“What on Earth is going on?”
I grinned, “Daisy isn’t Daisy. She’s Ryan Hill, my first and last tenant. Who also just might be the girl of my dreams. Why do you think I threw this 4th of July bash insisting you invite your granddaughter?”
“You… rogue. You absolute devil!” Bunny stammered.
“Oh my,” Charlie’s face flamed recalling just what Ryan and her friends had left behind.
“Tell us her side of the story.” Hunter yawned, stretching his arms. “I won’t take sides until I hear it. But if she’s anything close to Bun, I’m on hers.”
I shook my head. Bunny had somehow become like a grandmother to both me and Hunter ever since we crashed her bridge night last month. It didn’t feel strange at all to have her spend the weekend with us. She already slipped in, somehow becoming family. Hunter had even stopped by her house on his own a few times to fix a leaky sink, bring her sweet tea when she felt a tickle in her throat last week and he even offered to drive her here.
As she shuffled the deck Bunny started telling us Ryan’s side. Starting with Wade and Sienna, Kell’s frenemy Hannah and how she stiffed Ryan her share of the rental fee, promising to clean up before they left…. To the last-minute interview here, forcing Ryan to leave early. Then how she needed housing after my complaint. Lost it, only to find a one bedroom above an animal shelter. “Daisy’s the dog.”
“Yeah, I figured, I just might keep her, too.”
“That’s some story, “Hunter smirked.
“You haven’t even read our emails yet.” I got up, retrieved my laptop, and set it on the counter. Charlie sat at a barstool as Bunny and Hunter stood on either side of her. They read line by line, engrossed in our exchanges as if it was the stuff of a gossip column.
“A beach wedding. Here. Can’t you just see it?” Char turned to Bunny.
“I’ll make the cake,” she replied.
“We haven’t even gone on a date yet. She hates me.”
“Hate’s a strong word,” Hunter mused. “Passion. She definitely has passion for you. Maybe you should just plead the case, give her the deposit back and go from there.”
“Nah, that would be too easy. I’m going to woo the shit out of her. Make her fall for me hard so when the truth hits on who I am…. It’ll be too late.”
“Um, have you considered she already knows? She was here tonight.”
“So? I’ll tell her it’s a rental. Hunter’s rental.” I turned to Bunny. “Did you tell her anything about me?”
“Nothing much.”
“Hey, at least she’s not one of those crazy calendar girls leaving panties on your windshield wipers.”
“Actually, about that… I’m not the only one who has a Mr. July up on her kitchen wall.” Bunny spilled. Ryan has me pinned up in her kitchen?
“At least now I know where the missing calendars went. I had a box above the fridge that disappeared after her weekend rental.”
“She’s going to kill me.”
I winked at Bunny. “I always knew you had a soft spot for me.”
“Too soft.”
“What do we do now?”
“Nothing Char. Leave her to me.”
“Your court date is next week. That’s not much time.”
“Please, you haven’t seen me pursue a woman.”
“No. But I’ve seen you just about pursue everything else you’ve ever wanted. You never lose. You always get what you want.”
“That I do,” I winked. “Truthfully, Bun-bun your granddaughter caught me cold by just that one picture you have on your fridge.”
“She texted me that one. I printed it out at work. Someone in the research program took it of her last month. They were out on an expedition. I’ve never seen her happier.”
“Just wait. I’ll bet I can make her blissfully happy… maybe even ever after and all that.”
Bunny shook her head. “You and that ego of yours. I hope my Ryan knocks you down a peg.”
“She already did. I’m going to bed. I have to be up before five to catch the tide and my girl.”
Twenty-One
“Do you think he knows? He definitely knows,” I sighed. Daisy snuggled next to me, blinking her eyes, tuckered out after the night’s adventures. “Sorry, am I keeping you up?” She yawned, then rolled over, four stubby paws in the air. “I mean he must know. There’s no other explanation for the way he looked at me. He was… interested. Very interested. Let’s face it…I’m no calendar girl.” Although, lately, when I looked in the mirror, I did look very sexy compared to how I looked before.
Sleep would be hard to come by tonight. My mind raced with thoughts of kismet. Pops was probably laughing his butt off at the situation I found myself in. I’d grill Gran at lunch. She’d know if Chase owned or rented the house. But in my gut, I already knew the answer.
Sometime late in the night I finally drifted off to his wicked smirk, tanned pecs, and husky voice. “Told you it was ‘game on’,” he said.
My alarm went off sooner than I was ready for. Even Daisy didn’t want to get up. My eyes were blurry, half open as I quickly put on workout shorts with a tank, slipped into sandals, and twisted my hair into a sloppy bun.
“Time to go out, sweetie.” I rubbed Daisy’s belly until she finally agreed to get off my bed. I clipped her leash on her collar, hands
also reaching for my backpack by the door. It was barely dawn. The sky still clung to the fading colors of night. A few stars struggled to remain behind.
“Morning, love.”
He was talking to the dog, right? So why were his eyes trained on me… She scurried right over to him, already begging to be pet.
I gasped, hand over my racing heart at Chase lounging against the side door of the building holding two cups of what I hoped was coffee.
“Here.” He handed me a cup. “Extra cream with sugar. Gran told me.”
“Thanks. What are you doing here?”
“You know why, I’m here.”
I frowned over the rim of the coffee as I took a small sip.
“It was instant for me. Like being hit with lightning.”
“Look, I don’t have time to date anyone right now, nor am I interested in a guy like you.”
This seemed to amuse him. His chin lifted, his teeth sharp and white like a shark as he came closer.
“I’m in love with her.” He pointed to Daisy. “I’m fairly sure it’s mutual. A guy tends to pick up on these kinds of things. I couldn’t take the chance someone else saw her last night and would make a move before I could.”
“What do you say, Kismet? Want to come live happily ever after with me?” He crouched down on one knee, offering her a doggie biscuit. “But Kismet doesn’t seem to fit… how about…. Lady?”
By this time, my heart pounded as if he had giving chase. Was I had? Outed? He knew, right? My eyes darted left then right.
“How did you find us?”
“Google. I searched the name of the shelter from the bandana Kismet wore last night.”
“I need to feed the animals breakfast and take them out.”
“I’ll help.”
“Why?” I arched a brow.