Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons Book 1)

by Frankie Love

  We already know that our bodies understand one another, and I swear her eyes tell me a story that I understand too... but that isn’t enough.

  I learned my lesson with Sheila. People aren’t always what you think. And I need to understand what kind of girl Alice is when she puts on her clothes. As much as I like the idea of spending more time fucking her below deck, I know that’s not realistic before I at least know a little more about her.

  “So, I’m pretty sure you figured out I am a fisherman, considering my rig. But I want to know about you.”

  Alaska and Seattle aren’t that far considering she could have been from fucking Florida. “What do you do in Seattle?” I ask.

  She purses her lips together, and I can tell she isn’t a girl who likes to talk about herself. Guess I’ll have to ease her out of her shell.

  “I just want to get to know you. I mean, we certainly learned a lot already,” I start, running my hand over her back. “But I want to know everything.”

  She looks in my eyes, and when she does, I see her shoulders immediately drop, her breathing returns to normal. It’s like when she looks at me she’s more comfortable in her own skin.

  And it makes me hard as hell.

  Damn, this woman is doing things to me she doesn’t even realize.

  “I am a cellist. Right now I still live with my parents, but I’m auditioning in a few weeks for a spot in the Seattle Symphony. If I get it, I’ll finally have some independence. If I’m earning a salary, they can’t exactly hold me hostage any longer.”

  “Hostage?” I say that word that struck me the most, even though the rest of it does too. Damn, Alice is a cellist.

  It doesn’t take much to imagine her with her legs spread apart and a big cello between them. Her hand running her bow back and forth, fingering the strings, creating melodies that stir a crowd.

  Hell, she’s stirring me just thinking about it.

  I can see it. I can see that softer, yet dramatic side of her. Alice is a musician.

  “Maybe hostage is a tad strong,” she says. “I just think they’ve gotten used to the idea of bossing me around.”

  “They?”

  Alice looks into my eyes. “They meaning my parents and sister. They make the decisions for me, and I never fight back, but I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t resented them for a long time. Today, though, I had enough. That’s why I’m out alone now, away from their watchful eye.”

  I nod trying to piece this version of Alice with the one I just experienced for the last several hours. The Alice who knew what she wanted and took it. She had desires and made them known.

  The idea that her family would ever squash her personal choices kills me.

  I don’t want to upset her, though, so I attempt a more lighthearted approach.

  “I see, so you fucked me to get back at your daddy?”

  Color rises to Alice’s cheeks. She shakes her head, flustered. “I’m not trying to get back at anybody. Besides, my parents will never know about this. They can never know about you. Never. They’d be furious. They have a guy all picked out for me.” Her voice is so adamant, that I raise my hands in defense.

  “Understood,” I say, even though I don’t understand at all. “So you wanted this to be a one-time thing?”

  “Wasn’t that what you wanted?” Alice asks, reaching for her napkin and unfolding it in her lap. I watch as she carefully cuts her hamburger in two and brings one-half to her mouth. I don’t know what it is about those lips of hers, but I could watch them all day long.

  “It sounds like you want a one-night stand,” I say, finishing my beer and ordering another round. This conversation suddenly became personal. Truth is, hearing her talk about another man has gotten me unnerved. I don’t want her with anyone else. I only want her with me.

  Still, she’s her own woman. And she can make her own decisions.

  “The last thing I want to do is start telling you what you should or shouldn’t do. Sounds like you’ve had enough of that already.”

  “That’s not what I was meaning,” she says shaking her head, her face written in worry. “I mean, Aiden, really? A man like you would never be like with a girl like me. I mean I’m glad we had the day we had--”

  I scoff. “Glad?”

  “Don’t get upset. I just mean, in the real world, you and me?” She shakes her head.

  “Why wouldn’t a guy like me be with you? Because I’m a fisherman; because I live and work in a small town off the Alaskan coast? Is that not enough for you?” I know I’m defensive, but hell, I’ve been down this road with women before. They make assumptions about me.

  I had really hoped Alice was different.

  And when she leans in, her shoulder bumping against mine, talking softly but firmly, I see what kind of woman she really is.

  “I don’t care if you’re a fisherman, Aiden. If you love what you do, that’s all that matters. What I meant was, a man like you--a man so strong and in charge? You’re nothing like me.” She looks down at her food as if she’s thinking she said too much.

  “Baby,” I tell her, leaning into her ear. “A man like me may be strong and in charge. Maybe what I really want is to take care of you.”

  I hear her whimper, the faintest of moans escaping her lips.

  She shakes her head again, and dammit, I don’t know what she means.

  “You don’t really mean that. You don’t even know me.”

  “I know enough,” I tell her firmly. “I can decide who I want and when I want them. And I’ve already made up my decision. I want you.”

  My words must have finally struck a nerve because Alice loses inhibition and wraps her arms around my neck.

  “Really Aiden? You could see yourself with someone like me?”

  “Not someone. You. I can see myself with you.” I pull her into a kiss, sealing my words to her heart. I fucking mean what I say.

  There’s something about this woman that I find irresistible.

  When our lips part, she smiles broadly, her confidence at being with me having returned, and she laughs as if being here with me is unbelievable.

  And then, a ghost from my not-distant-enough past sweeps into the bar.

  Sheila.

  There’s nothing I can do but groan.

  Chapter Six

  “What is it?” Alice asks. She rests her hand on my forearm, and just having her in here next to me makes this conversation better.

  “It’s my ex. She’s a fucking bitch, and I don’t say that lightly. I don’t talk shit about women, in general. Just Sheila.”

  “Oh. Should we go?”

  I shake my head, noticing the stares from the other regulars in the bar. I hate their pitying looks, but everyone in this village knows about my drama with Sheila, and I’ve heard from plenty of people that they are as sick of her as I am.

  “This woman is my ––” before I can say anymore Sheila has sauntered over to us.

  On the surface, Sheila appears to be my type. Blue jeans and a flannel shirt, a down vest and her long hair in a braid down her back. She’s the quintessential Alaskan woman––can hold a rifle and catch a fish. And she looks like she stepped off of the cover of Outdoor Women Magazine--she’s beautiful on the outside.

  But that is what got me roped into being her husband in the first place. On the inside, Sheila is nothing I want.

  I see Alice take her in, but to Alice’s credit, she just smiles, letting her hand stay rested on my knee. Damn, I like that Alice isn’t pulling away and I can’t help but think telling her my intentions helped embolden her.

  “Oh, my God, what are you doing here?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.

  I smirk. “You know damn well I keep my boat docked at this marina.”

  “Oh,” she says, irritated. “Right. It’s hard to keep track of these things. I have a really busy life right now.”

  Alice bites her bottom lip, but she says nothing.

  “That’s fucking great, Sheila,” I say flatly. “I’
m really happy for you.”

  “Don’t you even want to know why I’m so busy?”

  “Not really.” I pick up my beer and chug it. I don’t have time for Sheila’s bullshit. I’m sitting next to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, the sweetest most gentle, fucking insane-in-bed woman I’ve ever known and my time with her is interrupted by this witch?

  “Well, I have good news! I’m engaged.” She places her hand between Alice and me, grinning like the fool she is.

  I’d say something but I choke on my beer instead.

  “Are you surprised?” she asks.

  This woman has some gall.

  “You have the balls to show up here and say that.” I shake my head, royally pissed.

  She can’t sign the divorce papers, but she can get fucking engaged to another man?

  “Yeah, it’s really fantastic,” she boasts. “I’m so close to getting everything I want in my life. Finally able to move on from you and whatever that was about.”

  It’s like she’s taunting me, tempting me to say more. But I refuse. I’m not gonna play this game with her, not in a public place when half the town can hear. Not gonna talk fucking money without my lawyer present. Hell, I don’t want to talk to her at all.

  And we both know what our marriage was about. Sheila’s a gold-digger and she got wind that my family has a fucking fortune.

  Alice squeezes my arm. I look up and see a twinkle in her eye.

  “Congratulations,” she tells Sheila.

  Sheila looks down as if just noticing Alice, which is a lie. I know Sheila––she’s been checking out my date since she walked into this dive bar.

  “And you are?” Sheila asks accusatorially.

  Alice, she bites her bottom lip and I can see the wheels turning in her head.

  “I’m Aiden’s –...”

  “Aiden’s what?” Sheila pounces. “Because between you and me, you should run while you have the chance. A man like Aiden wouldn’t know what to do with a girl like you.”

  That gets Alice on edge. Sounds like she’s had enough of people telling her what kind of girl she is. “A girl like me?”

  “Yeah, he’s from the middle of nowhere and never learned what it means to have manners. He has no idea how to treat a woman.”

  Alice's eyes get wide but then they narrow. I just met her today, but I can tell she’s annoyed.

  I think back to what she said earlier. That people have been making decisions for her, her entire life.

  “Actually, I don’t think you know Aiden like I do. He treats me very well.”

  Sheila smirks. “Is that right? And what do you know about him?”

  “I know a lot. In fact, Aiden is my fiancé.”

  Sheila’s eyes shoot up.

  And I cough to hide my laugh. Damn, Alice just found her balls and she’s kicking Sheila where it hurts.

  Sheila’s eyes rake Alice from head-to-toe. Truth is, my ex can’t really compete with the woman currently by my side. They couldn’t look more different.

  “Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Sheila says dryly before storming away from us not asking any follow-up questions.

  I wish she’d stayed, I like this catty version of Alice ... I like seeing her fierce.

  “What was that all about?” Alice says. “Talk about an ex with an attitude problem.”

  “That’s Sheila for you.” I shake my head, then smile. “Looks like my ex just met my fiancée.”

  Alice grins. “I can’t believe I said that. Was it totally inappropriate?”

  “It’s cute when you get worked up. And the fact that you wanted to defend me to that bitch? Alice, you’re too good to me.”

  She beams. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me today. I’m all kinds of emboldened.”

  “Feels good, doesn’t it? To stop giving a fuck about everybody else?”

  Alice smiles softly, then takes my hand and laces her fingers with mine, our hands resting on the worn bar.

  “It’s about time I start taking what I want. Saying what I want.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, and what you want is to be my make-believe bride?”

  She laughs. “It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

  I refuse to say more about that, it would freak her out.

  To tell her that I can see her as more than my make-believe anything.

  Truth is, Alice is the real fucking deal.

  “Thanks for sticking up for me with her.” I cock my head toward the exit that Sheila stormed out of.

  “And thanks for giving me something to remember when I get back home.”

  The words give finality to the discussion on what we may potentially be. We finish our meal laughing and kissing and flirting. She’s easy to be around and I am already imagining bringing her to my parents’ house, freaking them the fuck out with such a beautiful, refined, and genuine woman.

  Last they heard, after Sheila, I swore off marriage forever. My mom would love Alice.

  When we’re finished with dinner, I tell Alice I’m taking her back to the cruise ship in my boat.

  With Chum by our side, we head to the marina.

  “You really love it up here?” she asks as we climb aboard.

  The smell of diesel and the rocking boat tell her plenty about my life and I’m glad she can be up here with me, see my isolated life for what it is. Decide if she wants anything to do with it.

  “Lived here all my life. But I don’t need this particular place to be happy. All I need is a boat and a place to drop a fishing line.”

  “So, you’ve fished all your life?”

  I nod, pulling out of the slip and heading out on the open water. My boat’s lights are on, and they cast a bright glow across the ocean. “It’s peaceful out on the water. I’m not in it for the money, it’s for the love.”

  “I get that. I’ve always loved playing the cello, and it isn’t for the fame--I mean, I’m one person in an orchestra, a part of a whole. But when I play I feel like I could float away. Well, at least I used to.”

  I look over at her, frowning. “Used to?”

  She sits in the chair next to me. I keep one hand on the wheel as I steer the boat, but my other hand finds hers. Chum is sleeping at her feet, and I appreciate that she hasn’t sneered at him at all day. God knows she could, considering he nearly killed her.

  But the truth is, I think Chum just wanted to make sure I went after her.

  He knew something about Alice before I did.

  That I needed her in my life.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what’s happened. I used to play so effortlessly, but ever since I graduated from music school and started auditioning for the symphony, I’ve been blocked. Stuck. Lost the passion I used to have when I played.”

  I hold up her hand and kiss it. I notice that her nails are short, filed to the quick, and I imagine these hands creating music. The fact that I have the privilege of holding her hand at all feels like a gift. I know how important my hands are for fishing, I can only imagine how important hers are for creating music.

  “When you talk about playing music, your voice doesn’t sound flat. It sounds like you still love it,” I tell her.

  “I do. I’m just scared I’m not cut out for it.”

  “You said you have an audition soon?” In the distance, I see the cruise boat and I know our time together is coming to an end.

  “Yeah.” She looks over at me and I see the emotion written on her face. “If I could harness the way I feel right now when I audition, I know I’d get a spot.”

  I pull the boat to a stop at the dock and look in her eyes. “And how do you feel right now?”

  Her eyelids close, she takes a deep breath. “I don’t know if it’s you or Alaska or the ocean air––but I feel alive. I feel like I can breathe.”

  “Hold on to that feeling, Alice, when you get home. Next time you play.”

  She looks at me wistfully. “I wish I could bottle this feeling up and have it at the ready when I n
eed it.”

  I pull her to me, our foreheads touching. Meeting her was no coincidence.

  “I guess we will have to make plans to meet again. Call me, email, whatever. I’ll be out of town on a fishing trip for the next ten days, and I won’t have cell service--but afterward, I will.”

  “Do you go on fishing trips a lot?”

  I nod. “This time of year? Yeah, every few days I leave on one.” I see her eyes fall; as if she’s already trying to decide if I’m the kind of guy she can count on. “Seriously, Alice. It feels like this is way too good to be true to let it be a one-day stand.”

  “I know; I wish I could stay. But the boat’s leaving. And I have this audition in a few weeks and you live here and...” She shakes her head.

  Of course, nothing is easy in life, you see the one thing you want and can’t have it.

  “That’s why you’re gonna call me,” I tell her. “Hell, I’ll come down to Seattle and visit.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “You’re my make-believe bride, aren’t you?”

  She shakes her head. “My life is so different than yours though...,”

  “I know, I know.” I run my hands over her cheeks, cupping her face and pulling her to me. “I know you’re a woman who minds her manners and is so damn sweet, and I’m a burly Alaskan mountain man, but I’m not through with you, Alice.”

  “Will you kiss me goodbye?” she asks.

  “I’ll kiss you, but only if you promise to call.”

  She nods her head. “I will. I promise, Aiden.”

  So I give her what we both want.

  A deep kiss full of expectation. Full of hope.

  Full of desire.

  I kiss Alice until my cock is hard and she’s left wet and wanting.

  Good.

  That is how I need her.

  Longing for more.

  That will guarantee she’ll call me. Which I need her to do.

  Because I’m not through with Alice yet.

  Chapter Seven

  The moment I get on the boat, I make a beeline to my cabin. I need to take a shower and use the chance to think about what happened today.

  My body had no desire to walk out of Aiden’s truck.