Kissing Kendall (15 page)

He ignored that last comment and took another swig of beer.

“This is a great turnout so far, isn’t it?” she asked, flipping her dark hair off her shoulders and sidling closer to him.

Brad scanned the room and nodded absently. He saw Kendall shaking her head at whatever Melanie was saying before she let loose one of her dazzling smiles. Even from across the room he felt the blaze of it. He wondered if she was having a good time and had forgotten all about him or whether she was hiding out, afraid of being too close to him. He’d bet his overtime pay it was the latter.

“I heard you’ve been getting a lot of calls on the boardwalk,” Sharon commented. “And summer hasn’t even officially started yet.”

Work talk finally got his attention and he focused his gaze back on her. He had to admit, Sharon was an attractive woman. She was tall with rich, chestnut hair that fell well past her shoulders in silky waves. She regularly worked out to keep in good shape and best of all, she was a damn good cop. Too bad there just wasn’t any spark between them. “Yeah, a lot of kids are hanging out there late at night. It’s getting worse—fights are breaking out more and more. The retailers there practically have a direct line to us now.”

“Do you think gangs are involved?” she asked, suddenly all business.

He shrugged. “I don’t think so. Just kids who have no supervision and nothing better to do. It should make for an entertaining summer if the calls stay like this though.”

Sharon finished the last of her beer and placed the empty bottle on the bar. “Should we go get some food? The line looks shorter now.”

Brad frowned. Oh, no. Sharon was assuming he didn’t have a date—which technically he didn’t. Sort of. He didn’t want to hurt Sharon’s feelings, but he wanted to wait and get food with Kendall, if she hadn’t already eaten without him. “Well, actually I—”

“Hi, sweetie,” Kendall said, suddenly materializing by his side and giving him a light peck on the cheek. “Sorry I kept you waiting. Melanie can be a real talker sometimes. I’m starving. You didn’t eat already, did you?”

Brad was speechless. Kendall had just called him sweetie. But when he gazed down at her, he could see a glimmer of humor in her eyes. She was playing the part of rescuer and nothing more, which was fine with him—for the moment.

She wrapped her arm through his and gave Sharon a saccharine smile. “Hi, I’m Kendall. Have we met?”

Sharon’s face fell, then she composed herself and shook her head. “No. I work with Brad on the force.” She looked at Brad and shot him a confused smile. “I had no idea you were seeing someone. The way your sister was going on and on about you at the pharmacy, she made it seem like you were single.”

“Yep, he was, but then he found me and the rest is history,” Kendall readily supplied. Then she slid him an amused glance. “Isn’t that right, pookie bear?”

His brows lifted. If Sharon told anyone on the force he was called pookie bear, he’d never live it down. But it was a small price to pay to let Sharon down easy and to be able to touch Kendall in public like this. “Um, that’s right…my
little muffin maker
.”

When Kendall scowled at his endearment, he almost lost it and laughed out loud.

Sharon didn’t notice and seemed genuinely happy for him. “Well, that’s just great,” she gushed. “I’m glad you finally found someone. You look so cute together. You’re lucky, it’s slim pickings out there.”

“Well, Georgie has been really good at setting people up lately. You should talk to her about it. She’s got quite the eligible bachelor list going.”

Sharon’s face brightened. “Really? I will ask her about that. Hey, thanks.”

“Anytime.”

When Sharon turned and walked away, Brad was relieved, but decided not to waste a prime opportunity when he was handed one on a silver platter. He quickly swung his arm over Kendall’s shoulders and drew her in to his side. “I missed my little muffin maker so much,” he said, nuzzling the side of her neck.

“Cool it,
pookie
,” she said, but only gave him a halfhearted shove as she stepped back. “I just did you a favor.”

“I know you did. Now how about another one?” Grinning, he reached for her again.

Kendall went into his arms without any protest and he held her close, resting his cheek against hers. He didn’t care if she did it to put on an added show for Sharon’s sake or not. He just wanted to enjoy her being in his arms. Kendall felt so right, so good.

“Is this how you repay my kindness in saving you from the unwanted attentions of a co-worker?” she said with a soft sigh.

“Absolutely.”

She chuckled and wrapped her arms tighter around his waist. “Do you want to think about it?”

“No, I don’t want to think right now,” he murmured in her hair. He just wanted to feel, and with Kendall in his arms he was feeling so much. There was so much he wanted to say to her.

“What are we doing, Brad?” she asked after a moment.

“Right now I’d say we’re giving the entire police force, plus a few guests, a quick lesson on public displays of affection.”

She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “No, I’m serious. I’m so confused. All I know is that I’m attracted to you, but I’m afraid—”

“Shh…” He held a finger up against her lips. “I really liked what you said up until the ‘but’ part. Let’s just go with that for now. It’s enough—that and a mutually exclusive relationship, of course.”

She shook her head but smiled. “You’re impossible.”

“I like to think of it as being an optimist. Especially if it has anything to do with you and me.”

“I wish I could be as confident as you. I don’t want our friendship affected because we’re giving in to this attraction, so let’s not rush into anything. Let’s take this slow and casual and see where it ends up.”

Slow and casual
… His jaw tightened but he said nothing as he studied her a moment. She was gazing up at him with big, hopeful brown eyes that seemed to implore him to understand how she felt—and to a point he did. Slow, he could understand and even agree with, but the casual part raised his suspicions of her still trying to keep her distance from him. But he’d take what she offered him for now and worry about the consequences later on.

His hands slipped up her arms. “A slow and casual relationship it is then. I can’t argue with you when you smell like sugar cookies.”

“What?” Kendall hung her head back to look him in the eye. “I do?”

“Yeah, and it’s awesome,” he said with a grin. “I think that’s part of my attraction to you. That and your eyes. They remind me of melted chocolate.”

Those brown eyes of hers narrowed. “Again with the food reference?”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid so. Half the time I’m not sure if I want to kiss you or just eat you up.”

“Kissing gets my vote,” she said a little breathlessly.

His mind went blank for a second. She wanted him to kiss her. He ran his hands up and down her arms as if verifying she was real. He wasn’t dreaming this. Hell, yeah, he should kiss her. He should be doing that and a lot more. But that thought wasn’t even fired out of his brain yet before Kendall reached up on her tiptoes and eagerly pressed her lips to his.

She tasted even sweeter than she smelled—like sugar and cherries—which only made him hungrier for more. His hands reached up and cradled her head, tangling in her hair. He forgot everything about going slow and where they were. The tone had to be set. If he couldn’t tell her how he really felt, he was damn sure going to show her.

A throat cleared loudly behind him, causing their kiss to end early. He glanced behind him and saw Georgie and Walt exchanging curious looks.

Brad blew out a breath, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. Great. Of all the people he didn’t want to run into now—his sister. Just like a shark, Georgie could smell potential relationship blood in the air and circle around it all night. He didn’t need his sister on his case right now about moving on. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Oh, hey, what are you guys doing here?” he tried to ask as nonchalantly as possible.

His sister scowled. “What are you talking about?” she asked, planting a fist on her hip. “
You
sold us our tickets.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d actually come,” he countered.

“Well, Randall’s covering the pharmacy and I figured I might as well take advantage and get out as much as I can before the baby is born,” Georgie said, patting her stomach.

Walt signaled the bartender, then turned to Georgie. “What would you like?”

Georgie gestured to Kendall’s heated cheeks and announced, “I’ll have what she’s having,” with a wink. Then she and Walt started chuckling.

“Oh, yeah, you both are a real riot,” Brad muttered.

Georgie lifted her chin in challenge. “Well, it’s your own fault kissing in public. That makes you fair game for some ribbing.” She shifted her head, shooting Kendall a speculative look. “So, uh, I guess your date with Rick went well then?”

Kendall’s face grew even redder. “Oh, yeah. About that… He was nice, but—”

“Not nice enough?” Georgie supplied, her eyes narrowing. “So I suppose this sudden lip-locking means you and Brad are an item now?”

Caught off guard by her blunt question, Brad and Kendall just looked at each other. Walt glanced from Kendall to Brad with amusement in his eyes. “You two want to discuss this a bit before answering? We can wait over there while you decide.”

“No!” Kendall shook her head. “Um, I mean, don’t do that. We
are
seeing each other—casually. We’re taking it…slow.”

Georgie’s brows pulled together. “Slow. Right.” She looked up at her husband with a sardonic smile. “It’s good they’re taking it slow, don’t you think? In fact, if they took it any slower, Brad might have sucked Kendall’s lips clean off just then.”

“Georgie,” Brad said in warning.

Georgie’s eyes grew wide with fake innocence. “What? I’m just telling you what I saw—and what half the bar saw, I might add. The cat is already out of the bag, so I don’t understand all the need for secrecy.” And with that, she immediately walked over to Kendall and threw her arms around her friend as best she could with her protruding belly in the way. “I just want both of you to be happy.”

Brad saw Kendall stiffen and knew she was uncomfortable about having their new relationship status on display, especially when she was just getting used to the idea herself. They had to leave before his sister gave Kendall any more reasons to bolt from him.

He gently pried Kendall away from Georgie’s embrace. “Well, it’s been real, guys. But Kendall and I are heading out.”

Walt looked at his watch and frowned. “Already?”

“Yeah, well, we’ve been here a while and Kendall has an early morning tomorrow. She’s super busy right now trying to get her store ready to open in the next few weeks.”

Kendall’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, that’s right. I do have an early day tomorrow.” She squeezed his hand and gave him a grateful smile.

Georgie looked disappointed but she nodded. “Well, okay. Maybe we can all go out together some time. You know, like a double date.”

“Sure, you bet,” Brad said, kissing Georgie on the cheek and shaking Walt’s hand. “We’ll let you know when we’re both free.” Then he skillfully pulled Kendall through the crowds as she waved good-bye, not letting go of her hand until they stepped foot outside.

Kendall huffed out a breath. “Wow, you sure know how to make a quick escape. You were pulling me so fast, I almost stepped out of my shoes.”

“Sorry,” he said with a sheepish grin. “I was trying to spare you my sister’s nosy interrogation. You said you wanted to take things slow and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
For now.

“Brad, you’re playing the role of protector again. First you wanted to protect me from Freddy’s comments and now from Georgie. It’s really okay.” She stepped forward and reached out, holding his face in her hands. “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to have to rely on someone to run interference whenever a situation gets tough or uncomfortable.”

“I
want
you to rely on me.”

“I know, but I just…I just can’t. Please, try to understand.”

Disappointment slammed into him. She didn’t want his help, didn’t want his protection. She wanted to handle things on her own. He would have admired her newfound independence if he didn’t suspect it was just another tactic of hers to keep him at arm’s length. But he wouldn’t argue with her. Not tonight. Not when she was finally at a point of being more than friends with him. He’d enjoy the moment and analyze later.

He reached up and cupped her chin, unable to resist running his thumb gently along her jaw. “Okay, I’ll back off. But I’ll still be there for you. Kind of like your own personal safety net.”

Kendall gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you.” Then she leaned in and drifted a soft kiss across his lips. “If I had known they were making safety nets so handsome, I would have gotten myself one sooner.”

Brad reached for her hand again. “Come on,” he said, pulling her toward the parking lot. “Let’s go back to your place and I’ll show you what else safety nets are good for.”

“And what’s that?”

He flashed her a wicked grin. “Getting tangled in.”

Chapter Nine

Deuce ran to the door several seconds before Brad even rang the doorbell. Kendall had to smile at that. The fact that he was still in his police uniform told her he couldn’t get enough of her—just like how she couldn’t get enough of him—and had apparently rushed right over from work.

When Brad stepped inside, he grinned down at her. “You turned the porch light on for me.”

She chuckled at his greeting. “Of course I did,” she said, closing the door behind him. “I knew you’d be done with your shift by now.”

He reached for her. They wrapped their arms around each other, and he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Yeah, but it’s that simple gesture of homecoming that makes it so nice.”

She smiled into his shoulder. She enjoyed the way he’d made this a second home for himself as well, always stopping by after work and on his days off. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

His lips came down hard and insistent on hers instead, sucking the breath right out from her lungs. When they both finally came up for air, she had to laugh. “I meant for food.”

He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes dancing. “Oh. Something must have gotten lost in translation there.”

Her lips twitched. “Obviously.”

“However, I could be persuaded into having a snack.”

“I figured, so I brought home some leftover crumb cake.”

“My favorite kind of snack.”

She shoved him lightly. “You said that about my cinnamon buns last night.”

Brad leaned down, giving Deuce a few good scratches behind the ear. “And that was true. Last night.
Tonight
, your crumb cake is my favorite.”

“You’d make a great politician,” she said, leading him to the kitchen.

Brad sat down on a stool and began unbuttoning the collar of his shirt and loosening his tie. His shoulders relaxed more and more with each movement. “Well, I’m off for the next two days, so if you need anything else done around the bakery, I’m all yours.”

She slid a plate of cake over and handed him a fork. “There’s nothing I can think of right now. Don’t you have other handyman projects lined up?”

“Just one for Georgie. I guess I’ll be free to paint the nursery for her tomorrow.”

Kendall sat next to him and frowned. “Do you think Georgie will give you a hard time?”

“Of course she will. It’s her life ambition.”

“No, I mean will she give you a hard time about…
us
? I don’t think she looked too happy when she found out we were together the other night. I’m worried it might affect your relationship with her.”

He put down his fork and framed her face with his hands. “You let me worry about Georgie. Besides, she’s a big girl. She can handle me making my own decisions on who I want to date.”

Kendall let out a small smile. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am. I’m not about to let my sister or anyone stand in the way of our happiness. Got it?” Not waiting for an answer, he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers in a gesture so sweet and tender it made her limbs go limp.

He slowly pulled back and frowned when he saw that her eyes had flooded with tears.

“What’s the matter?”

She shook her head.

“Tell me. What is it?”

“I…I don’t know. I guess I’m just happy.” For whatever it was between them, for whatever they were doing, she could honestly say she was happy. But it was almost too much for her to process.

He enfolded her in his arms. “I’m happy too. See how easy it is to say without all the tears? You should give it a try sometime.”

She laughed and snuggled deeper against him. “Maybe I will.”

Not tonight. But she knew it’d be someday soon.

Kendall brought out another tray of muffins and was pleased to see a line of customers waiting for the new batch. The bakery had only been open a week, but word seemed to be spreading fast about her specialty doughnut muffins. If the demand kept up at this rate, they’d be sold out within the hour. She might have to make a few tweaks to her menu list. Her cashier, Lindsey, was working out great too, but she might have to consider hiring more help, which was an unexpected but pleasant problem to have.

Kendall carefully placed the muffins in the bin. She was about to head back into the kitchen for more when one of her customers approached the counter and waved her over. “Are you the owner?” the man asked.

She shifted the empty tray in her hands and smiled. “Yes, I am.”

“I just wanted to say that your raspberry coffee cake is the best I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve become quite the connoisseur in my seventy-some-odd years.”

She flushed. “Oh, thank you. That’s so nice to hear.”

“Much better than my wife’s,” he added.

“Charles!” a woman snapped behind him. “That’s enough.” She held up the box of pastries and signaled for him to follow her.

Kendall swallowed a chuckle when the man turned around and followed his wife out with a small shrug and a slow shuffle of his feet. Lindsey came up beside her and nudged her in the side. “Who knew your coffee cake would be the cause of marital problems?”

“I think I might have lost a customer,” Kendall said, biting her lip.

Lindsey shook her head. “Oh, no, don’t you worry. You didn’t see his expression when he took a bite of your cake. That guy will
definitely
be back.”

She smiled. “Well, that’s a relief. It’d be nice to build up some regular customers.”

“Just so you know, I did have a few mention to me that they’d be back this weekend because they had guests coming into town.”

A little tension lifted from Kendall’s shoulders. So far, so good. But she was already planning on some added advertising and specials to keep people coming in. She peered out into the bakery and saw a few people seated at the tables, lingering over coffee. She was about to ask Lindsey to check and see if they wanted any refills, but the girl had already grabbed a fresh pot and was heading out into the dining area.

Thank goodness for Lindsey
. There was no way she could have opened on her own. She was about to check on her pies when Grammy walked in. The sight of her stopped Kendall dead in her tracks. Grammy never left the house without looking like a walking advertisement for Neiman Marcus, but today she wore no jewelry or makeup and was dressed simply in cotton pants and a pink long-sleeved tee.

“Grammy, are you feeling okay?” she asked, resisting the urge to feel her forehead.

Maeve stilled. “Why on earth would you ask that?”

“Um, it’s just that you look…you look—”

“Like I’m here to work?” Maeve finished.

Kendall shrugged. “Well…yeah. I guess so.”

“Good. That’s because I
am
. I figured my granddaughter could use all the help she can get—especially if it’s free.”

Kendall’s jaw dropped. She’d hoped her grandmother would take more of an interest in her business, but the offer to help was so unexpected and sweet, her eyes teared up. “Grams, I don’t know what to say. Come on back. I could use an extra hand,” she said, motioning her to follow. Kendall placed her tray down, swiping at her eyes before her grandmother noticed.

She checked on her pies just as the oven timer went off. “Please don’t think I’m not grateful you’re here, but I thought you’d be getting ready for your trip to Mexico.”

“Yes, well, the trip is canceled. I decided to cut down my traveling schedule a bit.” When Kendall turned wide eyes at her, Maeve waved away her shocked expression. “It’s not that big of a deal, dear.”

“Of course it’s a big deal. You’ve
never
cut your traveling before. Not even when I wanted you to come for Grandparents Day in high school.”

Maeve’s eyes saddened and she lowered her chin, looking rueful. “That was thoughtless of me. I’m very sorry about that, Kendall. More sorry now, because I’m just realizing how awful it was of me.”

She shook her head forcefully. “No, I know you were busy. Besides, Grandparents Day wasn’t exactly an important holiday in school.”

“But it was important to you,” she said, her voice hoarse and suddenly a bit tense. “I should have considered that before I finalized my traveling plans. That’s why I’m here now.”

“Grammy, you don’t have to do this.”

“No, I do, dear. I want to make it up to you for leaving you on your own so many times. I only thought of myself and how much I needed to travel to get away from the sadness I was feeling over your parents’ death.”

Kendall’s throat tightened with emotion. So many times she’d felt as if her grandmother was pulling away from her but she never understood why until now. “I wish you had said something. We could have been there for each other more.”

“Well, I want to be here now and spend more time with you.” She paused, continuing in a sinking tone. “That is, if you want me around.”

Kendall released a deep, ragged breath, reveling in the words she’d longed to hear for too many years. “I’d love that.” She reached for her grandmother’s hand then frowned; it felt unusually cold to her for such a warm day. “Grammy, are you feeling okay?”

Maeve’s brows knitted in confusion. “Why would you ask that, dear?”

“Well, your hand is so cold. It must be eighty degrees out now.”

“Oh, I had the air conditioner on in the car. I guess my circulation isn’t what it used to be. But don’t worry, I don’t plan on using that as an excuse to slack off on the job. Tell me what you need done and I’ll do it.”

Kendall regarded her with uncertainty for a moment but decided not to press the issue when her grandmother’s energy seemed to be fine. “Well, okay. Wash your hands over there and I’ll go get you a hairnet.”

Maeve sauntered over to the sink but paused when she came to the bouquet of flowers by the time clock. “My, what lovely colors,” she gushed. “Where did you get such an arrangement, dear?”

Kendall gazed at the flowers in question and felt a warm glow flow through her. “Brad sent them to me on the first day I opened. They’re still so beautiful, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are.” Maeve washed her hands, then after she was done drying them, sent Kendall a speculative glance. “So, uh, how are things going with Brad? Or aren’t I allowed to ask such questions?”

Kendall chuckled. “You’re allowed to ask
some
questions, but for your information things are going great.”

Really
great, if she were honest. A warm glow began to flow through her at the thought. In fact, she and Brad had been enjoying each other’s company almost every day since the PBA event night. They’d even developed a little routine already. When Brad worked seven-to-three or three-to-eleven shifts, he’d stop by her place before going home. They’d take Deuce for a walk, he’d eat any leftovers she had from the bakery, and they’d hang out for a while. On his days off he’d stop by the bakery, help her clean up, then take her out to dinner. Waking up to such a warm, attractive man almost every morning was the best part of her day. She’d never been so happy and still couldn’t believe she’d ever been worried that their friendship would be affected. If anything, it had gotten stronger.

Maeve came to her side and laid a hand on her arm. “That’s so wonderful, dear. I’m happy everything is going so well in your life. You deserve it.”

“Thanks, Grammy.”

“I was so worried about you. But I’m glad that you’re moving on with your life. Who knows where your relationship will head down the line?” she said with a grin.

Kendall pulled her pie out of the oven and set it on the counter. “Oh well, I can easily tell you where our relationship
isn’t
heading. We’re not talking marriage.”

Maeve visibly blanched. “What? But you just said—”

“I know, but Brad and I are simply enjoying spending time together. It all comes down to loneliness and friendship. For now, that combo seems to be working between us. Brad feels the same way I do.”

Her grandmother quirked an eyebrow. “
Does
he?”

Kendall took off her oven mitts and laid them on the counter, wondering why the answer to her grandmother’s question didn’t slide off her tongue immediately. “Well, yeah, of course he feels the same way. He’s going to Virginia soon. Things will have to change then.”

“I see.” Maeve pursed her lips.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she protested. “As much as I love spending time with Brad, I can’t risk anything more serious with him.”

“You mean you can’t risk love?”

Kendall looked away, a cold knot forming in her stomach. It was draining to think about this now. But every time she thought about when she and Brad would eventually go their separate ways, she’d get depressed. So she didn’t want to be reminded of it. All she wanted to do was enjoy their time together now. Was that too much to ask?

“Aw, honey, don’t be afraid to risk your heart,” Maeve said in a gentle voice. “That’s what life is all about.”

“Yeah, well, I did that with Jake and look how that turned out.”

She didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but after losing her parents and then her husband, she figured she was entitled to a little pity party every now and again.

“That doesn’t mean you’ll lose Brad too.”

She threw her hands up in disgust. “I know. I
do
know that. But…I’m not strong enough to take that chance.”

“Sweetheart, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. You’re a survivor. Just look at this great risk you took opening up this business on your own. You’re a lot stronger than you think.”

Confusion and irritation sharpened her tone. “You’re wrong. And even if you’re right, I don’t want to find out that little nugget of information the hard way. Let me enjoy myself for the time being without judging. Please. I know what I’m doing.”

Grammy sighed. “If you’re sure, dear.”

Kendall turned away, busying herself by stacking cookies on a tray. She’d thought she knew exactly what she was doing with Brad by keeping it casual and then calling it quits at the end of the summer. But with the way her heart was aching just thinking about it, she was beginning to doubt it.

…

Brad walked into Kendall’s Kreations wanting to surprise Kendall with lunch, knowing she wouldn’t take the time to eat unless forced. Unfortunately, he was the one who ended up surprised.