Sweet Talk Boxed Set (Ten NEW Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research plus BONUS Novel) (137 page)

A sensuous smile came to his lips, and then his mouth covered hers, brushing hers in a tantalizing invitation for more as he settled his hand on her hip.

All of the air expelled from her lungs in one wild gasp.

He planted taunting little kisses along her lips, her cheek, and then ever so softly to the crook of her neck. And those sent shimmers as bright as the stars coursing through her.

“I really like who you are, Elli Eversol.” He whispered into her ear. Then he straightened and gazed into her eyes.

Elli could feel the heat from his body so close to hers.

He leaned forward and dropped another kiss to her lips, then her nose, and then her forehead. “When I responded to your note on Facebook, this was the last thing I ever expected.”

“You’re just impressed by my skimboarding skills,” she teased, because if she didn’t she was liable to let this go a whole lot further than a first kiss should ever go.

“Oh, yeah. And so much more.” He sat up. “You ready to call it a night?”

She wasn’t. She had a million naughty thoughts running through her mind right now, but she sat up and let him help her up instead. They walked hand in hand over the dune and set their boards next to the house to dry.

His hand settled on the small of her back as they took the stairs up to the deck.

She paused at the front door. “I had the best time tonight.”

“You’re not the only one.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m going to sit out here for a while before turning in. Good night.” He kissed her on the neck. “I hope you have sweet dreams.”

She smiled and went inside, wishing with every step that the door might open behind her and he might follow her to her room.

***

Brody had already left for the plaza when Elli woke up the next morning, but rather than check in on him she chose to spend the day with Nana instead.

She had a painting date with Brody tonight, and a little space between last night under the moon and tonight would probably keep some perspective on the situation, although
giddy
was about the best way she could describe what she was feeling for him right now.

At the end of the day she walked down to the plaza. Brody was shaking hands and thanking the last of the workers when she showed up ready to help with the painting.

Wearing an old pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt that had seen better days, she couldn’t be accused of trying to impress him. “Ready?” she asked.

Brody turned and gave her a once up and down. “Looks like you are.”

She gave him a dramatic curtsey. “New fashion statement.”

“Shabby chic. You look adorable, let’s see how good you paint.”

“Even better than I skimboard. You’re on.”

He poured paint into two trays, and the two of them got right down to work.

They knocked out the three small kiosk-sized spaces first. “These look incredible,” Elli said. “I wish we’d thought to do this years ago.”

“It’s turned out really nice. I’m glad you’re happy with it.”

“I’m thrilled.” She turned to face him. “Thank you so much for everything. I don’t know how things would have played out if you hadn’t happened on my path.”

They worked for two more hours, making short work of painting out the space.

Finally, they completed the task.

“I can’t believe this has come together after it looked like everything was falling apart,” she said, stepping back to admire the shop.

“Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can come together.”

“Like this.”

“Like us.” He reached for her hands, only she was still holding her paintbrush.

She grimaced. “Sorry.”

He started laughing. A true from-the-soul laugh. “No. It’s perfect. I think it’s a sign.”

“A sign? I’m not sure a handful of wet paint is a good sign.”

He held his hand out and shook his head. “Now that’s a matter of perspective. You see,” he said stepping closer to her, “they say love…real love…is messy.” He swept his finger across her nose and then across her lips. “Maybe we’re on the path to something very special.”

“You did not just do that.”

“Yeah. I think I did.”

“Is this the adult version of pulling pigtails?”

“You’d look totally hot in some pigtails.”

She raised the paintbrush in her hand.

“You wouldn’t,” he said.

“Wouldn’t I?” She took a step forward to match his step back. “Come here, superhero. Let me put a big S on your chest.”

“Only if you’ll let me put a kiss on those lips.”

This was totally unexpected, but in an amazingly great way. She’d felt something, a spark, but was trying to convince herself that he’d been such a help at just the right time that it was appreciation, not something bigger. But maybe it was. Last night couldn’t have been better if they’d planned it, but the fact that it hadn’t been planned made it all that more special. It had been spontaneous and easy.

She wiggled her shoulders and took another step toward him with the paintbrush high in the air like a torch lighting her way, a nervous giggle taunting him as she moved closer.

He stood his ground. Tempting her to come forward.

She took the next step, but in one motion he swept her off her feet into his arms. He’d moved so fast, the paintbrush fell from her hand. “Now what, Missy?”

“No S?”

He put her down but didn’t release her. Instead he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. And this kiss swept her away like the biggest wave as the tide shifts, tugging you out in a riptide…a little helpless and yet a thrilling yet dangerous ride you can never forget.

Then he pulled her hand in his, wet paint and all, and traced an S on her shirt with his finger.

“I was going to do that to you.”

“S for special.” He laced his fingers between hers. “I just want to hold your hand and sit here taking in this moment.”

“I might just let you, because I’m not sure what could make tonight any more special.”

“I think we’re ready for the final inspection now,” he said.

Oh, she was ready for so much more.

***

The next morning Elli went down the final list for the inspection and realized she’d forgotten to pick up the fire extinguishers from the hardware store. She couldn’t take a chance on the inspector coming first thing in the morning and not having them, so she texted Pam.

Elli: I know it’s the crack of dawn. I need to borrow something. You up?

Pam: I am now. What time is it?

Elli: 6

Pam: Ugh

Elli: I need to borrow two fire extinguishers. I forgot to pick mine up from the hardware store and the inspection is this morning.

Pam: Meet me. Spa. 7.

Elli: You’re not going to believe my night.

Pam: Tell!

Elli: See you at 7.

Pam: That’s not fair. Make it 6:45.

Elli knew that would get Pam’s night-owl butt out of bed. She did love good gossip, and she was a hopeless romantic. If anyone would appreciate what was going on between her and Brody, it would be Pam.

She jumped in the shower and got dressed, but with still plenty of time to spare she couldn’t just sit here waiting. She was too nervous and excited about the inspection…not to mention last night. She couldn’t wait to tell Pam about Brody. He wasn’t at all who she’d have pictured as her own Mr. Perfect, but he made her feel everything she’d never felt before. And that felt right.

Elli got in her car and drove down to the spa. The restaurant opened at six so she’d grab a cup of coffee and wait for Pam there.

“Just one?” the host asked.

“Yes, please. And I’m meeting Pam. If you can just let her know I’m in here when she gets in that would be great.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

But that
ma’am
thing sure took the sizzle out of that eye candy in a hurry. Polite was great, but if she felt old she could imagine how the older ladies felt. She followed the young man to a small two-topper near the windows. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Alex will be your waiter, but can I get you some coffee for now?”

“Yes, thank you.” She turned her cup over on the table, and he was at her side in an instant with the carafe.

“I’ll just leave this for you.”

“That’ll be perfect.” She might even forgive him for calling her ma’am for leaving the whole pot of coffee. She didn’t know why she was so nervous about today’s inspection. Just one last hurdle. They’d gotten so much done, and quite frankly even if the inspection didn’t pass they had plenty of time to get everything done and still be on schedule for an on-time season launch. Things were fine. More than fine, really.

Brody had made her feel so alive. The plaza project, and last night was unexpected and perfect.

“Excuse me. How are you doing?”

She looked up and her mood sank. “I’m fine, Holden.”

“Can I sit down?”

She didn’t see why she should let him. Maybe if she took long enough to answer he’d just move on.

“I’ll just be a moment,” he said as he slid into the seat across from her.

So much for that strategy.

“I thought we had a good time that night over dinner.”

Was he actually going there? She never was good at hiding her feelings, so she could just imagine the look on her face right now. “You mean the perfect pull-out-every-romantic-trick-in-the-book dinner the night before you ruined everything I’ve known in Sand Dollar Cove? That night?”

“It wasn’t personal, Elli.”

“Wasn’t it?”

“No. I was hired to do a job. That was not an easy decision.”

“And if it was such a business-focused decision why didn’t you tell me? It wasn’t like you didn’t have time. You could have said something the day you carried the SandD’s Gift shop sign for me. Over dinner. On the beach.”

“I didn’t want to ruin a perfect night. I told you that I’d missed you.”

“I remember. I was there.” But she sure wished she wasn’t here right now.

“Can’t you at least let me explain?”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Go on.”

“Coming back to head up the commission for economic development seemed like a no-brainer for a local like me. I was ready to come home and be closer to my parents, and I’d kind of hoped you’d still be around.”

“I really find that hard to believe.”

“Elli, I know the old pier is legacy here in Sand Dollar Cove. It’s special to a lot of people, not just you. It wasn’t an easy choice.”

“You made it look effortless.”

“It wasn’t, and quite honestly, it’s all worked out even better for the shops. The plaza, that place is going to be perfect. Everyone is talking about it.”

“No thanks to you.”

“So, what? You can forgive Brody Rankin for swooping in and saving the day so he can schmooze in a few points with the locals before his company moves to town. I heard he pitched an annual skimboarding competition. I’m sure he wants to do it down at the cove.”

Her heart lurched to a stop. So what? “Wait. What did you say about Brody?” She sat forward. “No. Never mind. You leave Brody out of this conversation.”

Holden leaned back in his chair. “Oh. I get it now. You like him.”

“That is none of your business.”

“Amazing. Going for the rich guy. Guess I hadn’t made it big enough for you. I kind of thought the house would’ve impressed you. But I can’t compete with a corporate jet and a multimillion-dollar company.”

Elli felt like she was in the middle of a pinball game and Holden was just beating the flappers senseless. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Wait. Really? You don’t know that he owns R waveSTYLE, and that they’re closing a deal right now to build an East Coast distribution center out in the new industrial park here in town?”

Her mouth was moving, but nothing was coming out. Why wouldn’t Brody have told her about that? Holden had to be mistaken. Brody wasn’t…but then what did she really know about him, except that his dad had died. They used to work construction. She knew a lot about his past, not so much about the now, except for the part where he’d swept her off her feet. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?”

“Google him. Good luck with that.” He’d practically barked the words at her. Her mind was tossing possibilities around, and nothing was making sense. She pulled her phone out of her purse and opened the browser.

Brody Rankin.

She clicked on images. There he was. A page of pictures of him. In a suit. At charity events. Riding the waves. With beautiful women right and left. Most eligible bachelor. Shirtless on the beach. In front of R waveSTYLE.

“Hey girl!” Pam tapped her wrist. “Right on time. Are you impressed?” She slid into the chair that Holden had just abandoned.

Elli swallowed, trying to shake the thoughts from her head and push them aside. She had things to do. Important things. “Yeah. Good.”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re acting like someone slipped a mickey in your coffee or something.”

“Yeah. I kind of feel like that.” She wiped her hand across her forehead.

Pam looked worried. “Are you serious? Are you okay?”

“No. Yes. I’m fine. No one drugged me.”

“Get up. Come on, let’s have coffee in my office.” Pam waved one of the waiters over to help them. “Bring some coffee and ice water to my office, would you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Elli and Pam walked back out front and down the hall to her office. “What’s going on? You sounded fine when you texted me less than an hour ago.”

“Holden stopped by while I was waiting on you.”

“That jerk. He’s not trying to mess up the stuff with the plaza, is he? Because I’ll call —”

“No. No, he actually wished me well. Said the whole pier thing wasn’t personal.”

“Whatever. Don’t let him ruin your day. Everything is going your way. And tell me about your night.”

Elli leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and covered her eyes. “Why am I such a fool when it comes to relationships?”

“I’m sorry. I’m just not following you.” Pam picked up a glass of water. “Here, take a sip.”

“I had the most amazing night with Brody last night. He made me feel things that I have
never
felt before. I mean, like seriously, never.”