by Jen Talty
“What happened?” He pointed to her shirt.
“You scared me.” She raised her glass and took a long sip as she sized up Mason. He seemed like a decent, caring guy. Of course, she made that judgment based on the fact he was a cop, and she’d seen him in action. However, she had a tinge of resentment lingering in her mind on how he talked to her in the diner. Lucas used to talk to her like that near the end of their relationship. It was then she realized how abusive and manipulative Lucas had been the entire time.
“Sorry. I just wanted to stop to make sure you don’t need anything. I know the place is scantly furnished, so if you want me to pick anything up, just let me know.”
“I was going to go buy a desk to put in the living room, so I have a place to work at home.”
“Tell you what. If you pick out what you want, and it’s not too outrageous in price, I’ll buy it. If there are any kitchen staples or if you need more towels, I’ll provide it. Your lease does say fully furnished.” The way he tilted his head and put on a half-smile reminded her of a cute puppy you just couldn’t say no to.
She found herself wanting to invite him inside for a drink.
Or two.
And maybe some dessert.
“Thanks. I’ll let you know if I need anything else. I haven’t really done anything other than unpack my clothes, and I went grocery shopping.”
“And stopped at the liquor store.” He waved his finger over her glass. “Looks like a light pinot noir.”
“A man who knows his wine?” She laughed. “I figured you to be more of a beer drinker.”
“So, you’ve been thinking about me?” He winked.
“Oh, my God. Is that your best pickup line?”
“Get me a glass of wine, and I’ll see if I can do better.” He made himself comfortable in one of the rocking chairs.
“You’re being forward.”
“It’s so out of character for me too.” He folded one leg over the other. His fingers gripped the armrests. “But seriously, I thought maybe I could give you the lowdown on our fine little community.”
“What if I had plans?”
“Then I’d change your shirt.” He brushed his hand over his chest. “That’s not a good look on you.”
“You think you’re charming, don’t you?” She set her glass on the patio coffee table.
“Actually, I’m running on nervous energy. I’ve had three people rent my cottage over the years, and I’ve never shown up unless they called me first.”
“So, I’m your first female renter, huh?”
He nodded. “But seriously, I did want to make sure you were settling in nicely and… well, warn you about the lady pulling into your driveway.”
Destiny glanced over her shoulder. She’d barely heard the flashy Infinity SUV. The same one she saw Lilly get into when Destiny had tried to start a conversation with the woman shortly after the incident. Destiny had no desire to get to know the stuck-up realtor, but she did want her business. So far, the few people she had met all mentioned that Lilly and her family were one of the wealthiest families in town. Wealthy people had elaborate parties for no reason at all. She needed those kinds of clients. And as long as they didn’t want a poker-themed party, she’d be golden.
“What’s she doing here?” Destiny didn’t do female relationships well.
“I think she wants to ask you out,” Mason said with a chuckle.
“It’s you she wants.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual.”
Lilly emerged from her shiny SUV wearing a short skirt with a suit top and four-inch, high-heeled pink fuck-me pumps. She lifted her sunglasses, pushing back her bouncy blonde hair. She took five steps before pausing and pursing her over-glossed lips. “Mason. What are you doing here?”
He had the audacity to grab Destiny’s glass and raise it to his lips. “I told you I was busy tonight.”
“That’s my wine.” Destiny leaned over and snagged it from his hands. “Get your own. I think you know where the glasses are, and the bottle is on the kitchen table.”
“Gladly.” He stood and inched a little too close for comfort. “I’ll be right back.” His hot lips burned her cheek. Or maybe it was the sudden rush of sexually charged static that smacked her skin.
Lilly made her way up the front porch. Did everyone in this town show up unannounced? That would drive her batshit crazy.
“How can I help you?” Destiny asked.
“I would have called versus just showing up, but I didn’t have your phone number.”
That wasn’t true since Destiny had given her a card earlier. “My cell is on my business card as well as the office phone.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t see that.” Lilly turned around in a circle, glancing at all the outdoor furniture. “Mason really needs to do better than this for his tenants.”
“I think it’s all charming.” The patio furniture had been one of Destiny’s favorite parts of the quaint little cottage. It might be dated, but it was clean, and she especially enjoyed the whitewashed wood.
“That’s nice of you to say so, but I’ll have a talk with Mason on our next date.”
The front door slammed shut, making Destiny jump, sloshing her red wine all over the rest of her shirt.
Again.
“Lilly, we have no future plans,” Mason said with a tight lip. “And I like my furniture, thank you very much.” He lowered himself back into the rocking chair. “If I need help with decorating, I’ll ask my sister.”
“She doesn’t have any better taste.” Lilly held up her hand. “Which is why she always asks me or my mom for advice.”
This was not a conversation Destiny wanted to be in the middle of. Especially when she didn’t have the backstory.
Well, she wasn’t about to ask for the history. “Lilly, what brings you by?” Destiny asked.
“Me and a few of my girlfriends are getting together for drinks, and I thought you might like to come.”
Destiny didn’t think for one second that Lilly wanted her to tag along. It all had to do with the hunky cop drinking her wine and looking smug on her chair. The last thing Destiny wanted was to be used to get a woman off Mason’s back. Then again, Lilly was the kind of woman that needed more than a little nudge.
“Thanks for the invite, but Mason and I were just about to sit down to a late dinner.” Destiny enjoyed the way Lilly’s eyes narrowed, but not a single wrinkle formed on her forehead. Destiny had seen a shit ton of Botox in her day, and Lilly didn’t need it. Not yet anyway.
“Well, Mason is more than welcome to join us. I mean, the bar is always hopping, so I’m sure some of his friends will be there too.”
“I appreciate the offer, but between dumping half a bottle of wine on my shirt and finishing unpacking, I’m going to have to pass. But thank you for thinking of me.” Destiny hoped that was polite enough that she didn’t hurt Lilly’s feelings, but drove the point home. “Maybe we can have lunch one day this week and discuss the potential of you using me for you parents’ anniversary.”
“I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.” Lilly tossed her purse over her shoulder. “Mason, I’ll see you this weekend at the Thief Lake Bed and Breakfast for Hannah’s birthday party.”
“I met Kaylee this morning, and we’re going to have a second meeting to discuss the details,” Destiny said with honest pride.
“I’m sure she was just being kind.”
Destiny opened her mouth to give this woman a piece of her mind, but snapped it shut.
“Enjoy your night, Lilly,” Mason said.
Lilly blew a kiss and actually kicked up her heel when she headed toward her vehicle.
Destiny slumped down in the rocker across from Mason and chugged her glass. “Is she always that exhausting?”
“Try being me. I don’t know how to get it in her head I’m not interested.”
“You might start with not being so nice to her and actually telling her to take a hike.” Destiny tucked her legs u
nder her butt and rocked back and forth, watching the evening sky turn a fiery orange. Soon, the dark sky would fill with stars.
“I’ve told her on more than one occasion, and I was rude tonight. Ruder than I’ve ever been with her.”
She tipped her glass. “Apparently, not rude enough because she believes if she plays her cards right, you will land in her bed.”
He waved his hand in the air. “You just moved here. What the hell do you know?”
She laughed. “I know women like her, and it’s going to take a brick landing on her head.”
“You should be the brick.” He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. “You already lied to her and said we had dinner plans, when we don’t. So, I was thinking maybe—”
“Don’t think.”
He arched a brow. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes.” She lied. She stood, taking his empty glass from his hand. “It’s getting late, and I have a few things I need to do. See you around, Mason.” She didn’t give him a chance to say another word as she shut and clicked the door locked.
Leaning against the wall, she held her breath, waiting to hear the sounds of his feet rattling the stairs. Part of her wanted desperately to help him with Lilly, but she knew it would mean spending more time with him, and that would be bad.
Why?
Because all she could think about was taking her clothes off and exploring every fantasy she had.
3
The bell over the front door rang. Destiny checked the time. Three in the afternoon.
Destiny stepped from the back room, which she used as a private office, into the main showroom. “Good to see you again, Kaylee.”
Destiny admired the little girl with dark hair and her mother’s porcelain skin, who nestled her face in Kaylee’s neck.
“She’s so beautiful.” Destiny didn’t think she’d ever seen such an adorable child. “Hannah, right?”
Hannah plucked her thumb from her mouth and swiped at her tear-streaked face. “I want down,” she demanded.
“She didn’t nap today, so she’s a little cranky.”
“I am snot!”
Destiny stifled a laugh.
“Mind if I set her down on the floor with my iPad and a movie?”
“Make yourself at home.” Destiny snagged a set of markers and a notebook from the display and set them on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
Hannah sprawled herself out on her stomach, kicking her feet up in the air, and resting her chubby cheeks in her hands. “Can we go see Daddy when we’re done?”
“I told him we’d be over shortly with some candy.” Kaylee bent over and kissed Hannah on the temple. “She’ll probably be asleep in five minutes,” she whispered.
Destiny took a moment to soak in the sweetness on her couch. She’d never considered herself a baby person. Until she’d gotten pregnant, she’d never wanted children. It had been the last thing she ever thought she’d want.
Then it happened.
And then Lucas took it all away.
“I’m honestly mesmerized by her beauty. What an incredible contrast between her hair and her skin.”
“It is unique, but the poor girl burns like a French fry. Everyone on her father’s side of the family is dark-skinned and even darker in the summer, and it upsets her sometimes. She wants to grow up and be just like her father.”
“Daddy’s girl.” Destiny put on her best smile. She had no idea what it would be like to be the center of her father’s world. Her mother had nothing good to say about her dad, and while her mom had her own set of problems, she’d been a good parent. She did the best she could under horrible circumstances until she couldn’t do it anymore.
“She’s got him wrapped around her little finger.” Kaylee twisted her long blonde hair before tossing it over her shoulder. “Are you sure you can put all this together in a couple of days?”
Destiny’s stomach lurched into her throat. She knew she could be a good party planner; she’d been studying the business for the last few months while she sat in a dingy hotel room waiting for Lucas to go down. But in three days? Granted, it was for a three-year-old, but still, Destiny didn’t know the vendors in the area and had yet to establish a good rapport with anyone.
“I’m going to do my best.” Destiny sat down at the large, round table at the far end of the shop with a pen and a notebook.
“I swear, this event has gotten out of hand, and I have morning sickness like all day long.”
“Let me take care of the details. Now tell me, what haven’t you taken care of?”
Kaylee jumped to her feet. “I’ve got a budget, and I also have a folder that specifies everything I’ve done along with a few things I would love to have if you can make it happen.”
“Going to be all tall order to do in just a couple of days, but I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic.” Her heart thumped in her chest with, rattling her ribcage. When she’d been running million-dollar poker tables, she’d always gotten a rush of adrenaline. Her heart would race. Her fingers would twitch. The excitement wiggled under her skin like a worm entering an apple.
The thrill of danger lurking in the shadows charged every neuron in her system.
There was nothing thrilling about planning a party for a three-year-old.
Destiny glanced at Hannah who swung her feet in the air while she lay on her stomach singing along with some Disney song that was vaguely familiar. She looked so sweet and innocent, as all small children did. She deserved the best party possible.
A new sense of elation eased into Destiny’s mind. It was nothing like she’d experienced before. It didn’t pack the same punch, but it gave her purpose.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Kaylee said.
“It will be my pleasure. And if you are satisfied with everything, I hope you will give me a good recommendation and review.” Destiny hated making that suggestion, but she knew if she wanted to be successful and expand her business to people outside of the town of Thief Lake, she’d have to do things like that on a regular basis, even if it made her want to scrub her body with scorching water and a Brillo pad.
“You pull this off and my husband will make sure you handle the plans for the First Responders’ fundraiser that’s held every year.”
“Who normally handles the arrangements?”
“There is a committee, but somehow Lilly, our local realtor, ends up doing most of it. She does an okay job, but she drives my husband and Mason crazy.” Kaylee stood, inching closer to her daughter. “She only does it to be closer to Mason, who, if you ask me, isn’t stern enough when he tells her he’s not interested in going out with her.”
“Yeah, she does come on strong when it comes to him.”
“And he sometimes goes along. We’ll see him sitting with her at town functions, letting her hang all over him, and then he complains she won’t ease up.”
“His idea of easing up is trying to use me to get her off his back, which is funny because I think she now feels challenged. That will make her push harder.” Destiny covered her mouth. That was something her old snarky-self would’ve said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. That was totally inappropriate and unprofessional.”
Kaylee laughed, waving her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. Lilly has a way of making everyone in this town collectively roll their eyes. She’s not a bad person. Actually, she has a kind heart, but she’s totally misguided.” Kaylee bent over, picking up her child. “Mason is a great man, and I can’t wait to see the look on her face when he gets married. I’ve tried telling her she’s wasting her time, but she won’t listen.”
“Why Mason? What makes him so special?” Shit. She needed to just shut up and go back to trying to blend into the fabric of this town.
“No offense to Mason, because he is a true hero. He made for a great Marine, and Blaine wouldn’t want anyone else his second. However, he’s just a man. A sweet, kind one, but he doesn’t walk on water. And that’
s not what Lilly is looking for. She wants money and respect, and Mason has both.”
“Isn’t Lilly loaded?” Destiny had diarrhea of the mouth. Something she’d have to learn to control better.
“Her family is, and she’s doing quite well on her own. But she wants a man who can give her the life style she’s always had without her having to work for it. More importantly, she wants to be seen as the first lady of this town, but the mayor is sixty-two, and my husband is taken, so that leaves Mason.” Kaylee slipped her iPad into her purse while Hannah rested her head on her mom’s shoulder.
“I’m sure there are other eligible bachelors around.”
Kaylee laughed. “Lilly has gone after just about every single man in uniform that’s over the age of thirty. Mason has been on her radar ever since he came home from the Marines.”
“That’s a long time to go after a guy who isn’t interested.” Destiny cringed. Dragging out this conversation wasn’t a good idea, but she couldn’t stop herself. Being locked up in a hotel room for months made her starved for any kind of connection to a human being that wasn’t an FBI agent or the boy who brought her room service.
“Every once in a while, she drops her obsession for someone else. A couple of months ago, she was dating an assistant district attorney in Relcor County, but as with all her relationships, it was short-lived.”
Destiny told herself not to ask the next question. She even bit down on her lip as she walked to the front of the shop to get the door for her new client. But she quickly tossed in the towel. “Do you think Mason has feelings for her?”
“Mason cares about everyone, even people he doesn’t like. Their families go way back and when they were little, they were really close. But as far as having romantic feelings for her? Absolutely not. Why? Do you have eyes for Mason?”
“I’m just off a bad relationship. To be honest, I’m just trying to get to know the town and the people.” Destiny pulled open the front door and groaned. “Hello, Lilly.”
“Kaylee, there you are. I’ve been looking all over town. Blaine said you were walking around with this little precious child.” Lilly reached out and ran her hand down Hannah’s long, silky, dark hair.