Teagan
Simon peppered the man next to him on the flight to Boston with questions about where he got his shoes. It was amazing to me how he could befriend anyone. He just had the kind of personality people were drawn to. Zeus was lying on the floor at our feet, his head resting on a pillow I’d brought just for him.
Mr. Lawson had called before we left with the answer to the mystery regarding the role Mr. Sleazy had played in Camille’s game. It was out of spite—she never intended to buy the pieces Mr. Sleazy planned to steal, she just didn’t want Kane to have them. And I suspected she forced her father to believe the lie about Kathy setting the fire so that the focus, or guilt, never shifted to her. Like I had said countless times before, Camille was a vile bitch but not a very clever one. Her own stupidity had ensnarled her and it helped that Mr. Sleazy had cut a deal for a lesser sentence by coming clean about the entire sordid mess. Of course he still had to deal with his parents and their charges against him.
Kane had been quiet since we’d left Raven’s Peak a few hours before. I knew he was nervous. I couldn’t blame him, remembering the terror I felt the day I’d pretended to be blind. It meant so much to me that Kane made the trip despite his fears. I had so many places I wanted to show him. The tour was for me too, since I had decided not to return to Boston.
Simon and I had talked, and he knew my home was with Kane. When Kane returned to Raven’s Peak, I intended to be with him. I’d start the legwork for space for our second store, since Simon and I were definitely going to move into phase two. He’d take care of adjusting our Boston store, bringing our employees, Christy and Matt, up to speed on their new roles as managers. When he was comfortable that everything in Boston was good, he’d join me in Maine. I liked that he wanted to be there too. It wasn’t just for the store either. He liked it there, the people and the town.
“What are you thinking about?” Kane’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“How much I can’t wait to start my life with you.”
His grin was adorable. “I thought we already had.”
“I mean officially. I want to move into our house. I want us to work on setting up the inn, but before that, I want to share Boston with you. I can’t wait to show you the Harborwalk and the Commons. We can go to the harbor and check out the Constitution, which is docked there.” Leaning into him, I touched my mouth to his. “Thank you for coming.”
“I like hearing you happy.”
“I like you.”
Getting out of the crowded Logan International Airport had been a bit overwhelming. Zeus was incredible, guiding Kane easily through the bodies. Once Simon and I had grabbed our bags, we headed out for a cab. As I settled in the cab, I took a deep breath. In truth, getting through the airport was the part that had scared me the most. Kane was quiet again, his face turned toward the window. I wondered what he was thinking. This was his first trip outside Blue Hill since he’d lost his sight. Later, when we were in bed, I’d try to get it out of him.
“Sunshine left us some baked goods as a welcome home.” Simon supplied that lovely little tidbit.
She had been bringing in our mail and checking on our plants. We loved Sunshine’s baked goods.
“She’s the one who made that cake?” Kane asked. He sounded hopeful.
“Yeah. Wait until you try her brownies.”
I saw a smile, the first one since we’d left Maine. So another fan of Sunshine’s baked goods. Reaching the apartment, Simon offered to take the bags so Kane and I could walk Zeus. Poor baby had been cooped up in some type of transportation all day.
The air was cool. Fall was coming. We walked along Harrison Street down to Massachusetts Avenue. The silence felt comfortable, but I was still curious, so I asked Kane, “What are you thinking?”
“It’s strange, being completely unfamiliar with where I am. Even the scents are different. But it’s not as bad as I was expecting.”
Relief washed over me. “Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve adapted far better than I’d thought—using my other senses more than I knew I was.”
“I’m so happy to hear that. I was nervous that you were hating every minute of this.”
“Not possible—I’m with you. But I’m going to enjoy myself more than I thought.”
“Yay.”
“You can’t let go, though, Tea.”
My hand tightened around his. “Never.”
Kane
Stepping into the space that had been Tea’s home for so long—the place where she’d found sanctuary after I’d broken her heart—took a will I didn’t know I had. I hated knowing this place existed because of what I had done.
Her scent was in the space, faint but undeniable. Simon’s too. Wasn’t sure how I felt about knowing her friend by his scent. I was turning into a fucking woman.
“So in front of you is the living room.” She walked me to the sofa, and I ran my hand along the back of it. “There’s a big chair, an ottoman just to the right of it, and a coffee table separating them,” she said as she walked me to each piece, showing me the lay of the land. It wasn’t really necessary, Zeus knew what he was doing, but she sounded so adorable, so I didn’t stop her.
“There’s a television against the wall. The kitchen . . .”
“What’s it look like?” I needed to know the space she surrounded herself with.
“Oh.” She sounded flustered. Reaching for her, my thumb brushed over her cheek and felt the heat there.
“You’re blushing.”
“Maybe a little.”
“Describe your space for me, Tea.”
“The walls are a deep plum, with white crown moldings. The sofa is a gray chenille with throw pillows in ivory and plum. The coffee table and TV armoire are medium cherry wood and the floors are a lighter cherry. There are prints of Boston, some watercolors, and a picture of Raven’s Peak and . . . our island.”
My head turned in her direction. “You have a picture of our island on your wall?”
I could feel her hesitation by the stillness of the air. Her voice was soft, a touch sad. “I asked Mr. Clancy to send it to me about a year after we broke up. Some dreams you can’t let go.”
I didn’t deserve her, after what I’d put her through, but I wasn’t going to let her go. “I never let it go either.”
She was crying. I could hear it in her voice. “My room is this way.”
Taking my hand, she walked me down the hall. Her scent grew stronger—this was her domain. “The bed is an old white iron bed, the comforter is white eyelet.”
My pulse pounded in my throat. “What color are the walls?”
Her reply was so soft, barely a whisper. “Blue, a clear crystal blue.”
Curling my fingers around her arms, I yanked her to me, my mouth sealing over hers, my tongue driving into her sweet mouth, my arms pulling her close, locking her there. She kissed me back, her hands moving around my waist. Her tongue warred with my own. We were both out of breath when we ended the kiss. My fingers traced her face, seeing her, the swollen lips, the slight smile.
“I like your room, Tea.”
“I like that you’re in my room, Kane.”
It was still early, so after the tour, we sat on a bench in Christopher Columbus Park, splitting a sandwich. A light breeze was blowing, the scent of the sea surrounding us.
“There’s a red one, probably around thirty feet, double mast, white sail. Lights along the masts and main sheath—looks like they’re having a party.” Tea finished describing the scene, and I could see it exactly as she described it.
“And we weren’t invited,” I said.
She leaned closer to me. “You look happy.”
“I’ve got my woman, my dog, and food—what more do I need?”
“When you go back, I’m coming with you.” My head snapped toward her, my heart beating hard in my chest. “I thought you were going to stay in Boston for a few weeks.”
Her next words swelled my chest again, making my heart beat in an uneven rhythm. “Can’t. I’ve been away from you for too long. I don’t want to be away from you any longer.”
“But the shop?” Why the fuck was I arguing with her?
“Simon’s got it. I’ll start looking into our new place in Maine. Is that okay?” Nervousness rang from her words, and no wonder, because her idiot man was arguing with her over something we both wanted.
“Okay? You’re coming home with me to stay . . . yeah, that’s fucking okay.”
I heard her sigh.
“I want you with me, Tea. I just don’t want you to have to give up anything to do that.”
“I’m not. Simon has everything well in hand, and I need to start looking for a new storefront.”
“You don’t have to convince me. I’m all for you coming home with me.”
In her room later, I rested in bed while she finished her nighttime ritual. She had always been like that, had to wash her face, brush her teeth and hair, lotion her skin. I wasn’t complaining, I enjoyed every part of her ritual, but I wanted her in the bed now.
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the shop.” She was sitting at her dressing table across the room as she spoke.
“Okay.”
“The party is on Friday. Seven at the shop.”
“Looking forward to it.” What I was looking forward to was experiencing her in the world she had created for herself. The bed dipped slightly, her scent surrounding me, and her soft body brushed up against mine.
Reaching for her, I ran my fingers over her shoulder, along her clavicle, my fingertips brushing over the soft silk of her nightgown.
“What are you wearing?”
“It’s a black nightie, lace and silk.”
“Lace?”
“Yeah.” She took my hand and placed it over her breast. My dick hardened instantly. “Lace here”—she slid my hand lower to her belly—“and silk here.” Moving my hand even lower, I felt the curls between her legs, the wet heat. “Nothing here,” she said.
Growling, I pushed her onto her back, spread her legs, and buried my face between her thighs. Sweet Tea, my favorite flavor. I loved the sounds she made in the back of her throat as I teased the nub, flicking my tongue over it before sucking. Her hips lifted, and her fingers laced through my hair. Moving through her fold, I pushed my tongue deep into her, wishing it were my dick. I felt her clench around me, felt the tremors, the start of her orgasm. Rubbing that nub, I pushed my tongue in farther and pressed down, and she came on a cry.
Kissing my way up her body, I lifted her nightgown up and pulled it over her head. Running my hands down her body, I cupped her breasts, pushed them together, and licked her, teasing the nipples until I closed my mouth over one and pulled it into my mouth.
“On your hands and knees.” My request came out in more of an order, but I was hard and wanted to be inside her now.
“Okay.” Lust turned her voice deeper.
“Wrap your fingers around your headboard. You holding on?”
“Yeah.” I wished I could see her. My Tea, on her knees, her tits brushing the pillow, holding on to the rails of her bed, her legs spread, her ass tilted, waiting for me.
Moving behind her, I ran my hand down her spine and over her ass before I gripped her hips. “Wish I could see you like this.”
“Please, Kane.”
“Anything for you.” I wanted to pound into her, but instead I eased in, slow and deliberate.
“Oh God.”
My hand moved to her back again, running over her spine and up along her arms, before I wrapped my hand around hers, her grip so tight I was sure her fingers were turning white. My other hand found her breast, rolling the nipple, twisting and turning it as my hips moved harder and deeper. And then there was no thinking, just feeling. Grabbing her hips, I pounded into her, hard and fast, until I felt her spasming around me, and then I stilled as I emptied myself into her. Like always, my release was fierce and lasting, my body pulsing in pleasure. Still buried inside her, I bent forward, curling around her to hold her close.
She was satisfied, maybe a little smug, when she said, “That was incredible.”
So incredible I took her again ten minutes later.
I heard excitement and pride in Tea’s voice as we walked to her shop the next morning. She was different, more confident and animated. Clearly she loved what she did, and it was comforting to know that; even though it wasn’t where she had intended to be, she had made the most of it. Hearing Tea, experiencing the world she had created for herself, wasn’t just humbling—it was eye opening. She had once said I was hiding and she’d been right. I had been. I hadn’t accomplished a damn thing since my accident: nothing substantial, nothing that someone could build a life on. Tea had made a life in Boston, had friends there. And because of me, she was going to give all that up. In theory, I loved the idea, until I realized just what she was going to be giving up. Especially since she only had this life because of me.
“Here we are. So the front is all glass, and the displays are switched out every month. Right now we’re featuring a bedroom set, circa 1880. Cherry wood, Chippendale style. An old patchwork quilt with faded deep colors—red, blue, green—covers the mattress. Our sign, hunter green and muted gold, hangs over the door. ‘New to You Antiques.’ I kind of stole that from Mrs. Marks.”
The door opened and I could smell the history, the scent of wood and parchment, linens that had spent time in mothballs, lemon wax. “Everything is set up like rooms, every piece for sale.”
“Hey, Teagan. Welcome back,” a male voice called. I tensed; it was stupid but instinctual.
“Matt, this is Kane, my fiancé.”
I heard the footsteps approaching, so I stuck out my hand. “Hi, Matt.”
Hesitation and a slightly damp palm greeted me when he shook my hand. He was uncomfortable. Blind people tended to draw that reaction from people. “Hey, Kane. Nice to meet you.”
“Christy’s in the back. I’ll go get her. We made a sale—the Shaker bookcase and desk.”
“Really? How much did you get?”
“Eight thousand dollars for the set.”
“Nice.”
“Yeah, we were pretty stoked.”
A breeze, the jangle of the bell, and then I heard Simon’s voice bellowing as he entered, “Greetings! Coffee and donuts have arrived.”
“Why do you always have to make a grand entrance?” Tea asked. My lips twitched.
“Is there any other kind?”
I felt the shrug from Tea before she said, “I guess not. You’re really a ham.”
“Kane, coffee.” Lifting my hand, he pressed the cup into it.
“Thanks.”
“Matt and Christy sold the Shaker. Eight thousand dollars.”
“Sweet.” Simon’s footsteps moved away, the strong smell of coffee going with him. When Simon spoke next, he was across the room. “I bought a doggie bagel for Zeus. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, thanks.” He’d thought of my dog. Another hit. Not only had she made something of herself, she’d managed to surround herself with good people. Even broken and adrift, she’d lived, and the same couldn’t be said of me. I felt very undeserving of her.
“My mom’s like a dog with a bone anyway, but when it’s one of the parties she’s organized, she becomes a bit much. No worries. When the party is over, we have Sunshine’s brownies to look forward to. I have a feeling we’re going to need them.”
“It’s very nice she’s doing this.”
“Yes, blah, blah, but it’ll be mostly her clients and friends, so it’s going to be a bit dry. You know I’m not wrong. Good for business, yes, but entertaining, I don’t think I’d go that far.”
Tea’s silence was a clear indication that she agreed with Simon, if reluctantly.
Simon was right, the party was definitely good for business, at least in the several transactions I overheard, but entertaining it was not. Zeus and I stood off to the side; Tea had just left me to show a couple a bedroom set they had their eyes on. I liked how spirited she sounded, how knowledgeable she was, and I realized I had never asked her about school, about what she’d studied. It had sort of slipped my mind as we’d been finding our way, but later, after I peeled her dress from her and made us both happy, I’d ask.
Earlier she had run my hands down her body so I could feel the clingy black material that hugged her figure. I’d been hard since. She had done it on purpose, giving me something to think about during the party, in case she wasn’t at my side. Not a bad way to spend my time, visualizing her in that dress and her out of it—but damn uncomfortable.
I smelled her before I felt her small hand on my chest. “Hey. Would you like something to drink? Wine, scotch?”
“No, thanks. It sounds like the party is a success.”
She moved right up against my side. I loved when she did that.
“It is. Everyone’s dressed in gowns and tuxes. You look incredible, by the way.”
I had purchased a tux, endured the fittings, and, hearing her compliment, it had been worth the aggravation. “This old thing.”
“Sexy, you look incredibly sexy.”
Her fingers were working down my chest to my stomach, my hard-on turning even harder. I might need to wear the tux more often.
“You need to stop that or I’m taking you to the back and easing the ache you’re causing.”
“Promise?”
Despite the fact I was blind, my eyes still widened. “Don’t tease me.”
“Who’s teasing? I have an office—”
“Where?”
She moved us through the store, as eager as I was, if her near run was any clue. Reaching her office, she pulled me into it.
“Zeus, stay,” I said. I may have growled it, I wasn’t sure.
The door closed at my back, her mouth on mine, her fingers working my zipper. Grabbing her, I moved the fabric up, pulled her close, my fingers slipping under her panties to stroke her ass.
“Where’s your desk?” I asked in a way that sounded more like an order.
Taking my hand, she led me to it.
“Hands flat on the desk.”
“Okay.”
My hands moved to her shoulders, pulling the straps of her gown down her arms, pinning them to her sides. Cupping her full breasts, I worked her nipples while rubbing myself against her ass. If only I could see the sight of a naked Tea on her knees, watching as her breasts shook, while I fucked her mouth, her own fingers stroking herself to climax. I’d had that dream countless times over the years. Later tonight, even without sight, I’d make that fantasy a reality. And after, she could have me any way she wanted me.
“I want you inside me now, Kane.”
“Impatient.”
“Very.”
Laughing, my fingers moved between her legs and I stroked her. She was already so wet. Finishing what she’d started, I pulled myself free, positioned myself, and pushed into her. We both moaned in pleasure. Tight and wet, I pushed in deep before pulling out, rubbing her own arousal over her.
“Please, Kane.”
“Chest flat on the desk, arch your back for me, Tea.”
She didn’t hesitate, and I felt as her ass tilted upward. I didn’t hesitate either as I slammed into her, over and over again, until she spasmed around me, a sexy sound rumbling low in her throat. I was right there with her, my body jerking as I came.
Breathing heavy, our scents filling the room, she purred, “That was awesome.” She sounded so fucking hot.
“I need to clean you.”
“No. I want your scent on me, want to feel you between my legs. Anticipation for later.”
I grew hard again. Easing out of her, regret filled me. I wanted to be buried inside her still. Stepping back, I heard her move, heard the fabric slipping down her body. She leaned into me, and her natural scent mingled with our lovemaking was not helping my erection. Pressing a kiss on my mouth, she said against my lips, “See you out there.”
The door opened and I heard Zeus enter. It took a few minutes for me to get myself back in my trousers, and then I lingered a few minutes more until I could actually walk. Voices came from down the hall, soft like a whisper. I hadn’t intended to listen until I heard what they were discussing.
“Such a shame. Poor Teagan. She’s worked so hard getting this shop open. I heard she was moving back to Maine, giving up her life here to be with him. I think it’s a very romantic concept, but it seems to me that he should be the one to move since he doesn’t have a job, instead of forcing her to give up everything for him.”
“Teagan and Simon are opening a shop in Maine?” The voice sounded surprised and concerned.
“Only so she can be close to him. It could sink them, this move—the expense of opening a second store, when they’ve only just gotten this one off the ground. But she’s determined to do it and Simon backs her.”
“Such a tragedy.”
They continued to talk, but I moved away from the door, stumbling until I found a chair and dropped down into it. Zeus nudged my leg with his head, his fur touching my numb hand. I hadn’t realized the impact moving to Maine would have on her business—she’d been happy talking about that second store. I hadn’t really thought a great deal about what I was asking her to give up to be with me. And I couldn’t argue with those gossips, since they were right. I’d pushed her into this life, and now I was asking her to give it all up, and for what?
Teagan
Simon saw the last partygoers to the door, but my thoughts remained on Kane. Our moment in my office had been incredible. I wondered what he had been thinking, what fantasy he was having, because there had been a deliberateness to his actions, a longing that I’d sensed hadn’t quite been quenched with that fast but fantastic ride. I was up for anything, would do anything, have anything done to me, as long as it was Kane doing it. Just thinking about the possibilities made my body respond in a very pleasant way. Since that moment in my office, though, he had been acting odd. Distant. I couldn’t wait to get him home so I could ask him what was troubling him. Besides, I had a surprise for him, one I knew he was really going to like.
“Have to hand it to my mom. She outdid herself. We made some really good contacts tonight.”
“We did, and we sold quite a bit too.”
“Added bonus. Where’s Kane?” Simon asked exactly what I was wondering.
“Not sure. I saw him earlier, but that was over an hour ago. I’ll see if he’s in the back.”
Nervousness, or maybe it was worry, had my heart pounding in my throat. Checking my office, I discovered that he wasn’t there, nor was he in the small room we used to consult with clients. After a quick sweep of the store, my worry turned to panic.
“Simon, he’s not here.”
“What? He’s got Zeus. Maybe he just went for a walk.”
“He’s doesn’t know the way and neither does Zeus.”
“Does he have his phone?”
“Oh, right.” Hurrying to the counter, I grabbed my phone out of my purse. Dialing Kane, my hands shook as I put the phone to my ear. It went right to voice mail. Fear clawed at me. He could be anywhere and, not being able to see, he wouldn’t know which direction was up. Even with Zeus, how would he know where he was?
“What do we do?” I was bordering on hysterical.
“Calm down first. He’s a grown man. If he gets into trouble, he’ll figure it out. Seriously, Tea, he isn’t a helpless child.”
I knew that, and still I couldn’t stand the thought of him out there alone and blind in a strange city, especially since he was only in Boston because I had asked him to come.
“My guess, Zeus knows the way home, if nothing else, so let’s check the apartment first.”
“Okay.” A rational move. I needed that, since I wasn’t thinking clearly at all.
Throwing the door open, I called out. “Kane, are you here?”
He came out of my room, dressed in jeans and a tee. He was wearing sneakers and a jacket.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Home.”
“Now?”
“Yeah.”
Simon moved past me into the apartment. “I’ll be in my room,” he said before disappearing down the hall.
“What’s going on?”
“I never asked you about college, about your studies. Hearing you tonight, I realized how much you love what you do.”
“I do.”
“I’m proud of you, proud of what you’ve accomplished despite what I put you through.”
“Kane, what’s going on?”
“I need to do the same. You’re right, I was hiding, afraid of living, so I buried myself on that island in a solitary life. Asking you to give this all up for that isn’t fair.”
“You’re not—”
“Let me finish, please. I’m blind. I’ve finally come to terms with that. I won’t be the man I thought I’d be when I was that eleven-year-old. There are so many things I’ll never be able to do. I mourned for that for a long time—up until a few hours ago, if I’m being perfectly honest. But though I’m not who I thought I’d be, I can still do so much. Witnessing the life you created here only reinforces that. I don’t want you to have to give anything up, and I don’t want to be a burden. I want to be able to make it on my own, to find my own niche, to be self-sufficient, so we’re stronger together, and it’s not just me pulling you down. I’ve been working toward that, taking classes online, learning about business and finance.”
I hadn’t known he was doing that. I was happy to hear he was. “For the inn?”
“Raven’s Peak to start, but I want to open multiple inns, if I can.”
“I think that’s a wonderful goal.”
“I’m going home, Tea, going to work my ass off to be the man you deserve.”
And just like that, the happy glow faded, the familiar knot in my stomach returning. “You’re pushing me away again.”
“No, just trying to stand on my own two feet.”
My head got it, but my heart wasn’t on the same page. “Call it what you want, but you’re holding yourself back. I can’t do this again, Kane. Can’t be left again.”
“Can you not see that I need to do this for myself, and, in doing it for me, it will be for you too?”
“What I see is you pulling back into yourself. You don’t want my help. You don’t want me to treat you differently because you’re blind, and yet at every turn you place your blindness right there between us.”
“I’m not pulling away, Tea.”
“You are, you’re here, dressed to leave without me. You’re leaving me again.” The ache I had lived with for years was back, and even more devastating.
His face turned fierce, and he stepped closer to me. “I’m not leaving you.”
“You are.” I wanted to curl up in a ball, wanted to disappear again.
“Tea.”
“Go, just go. Find what I can’t give you. Put your demons to rest, but know this: You leave here now, I won’t be following. You want me, you know where to find me.”
He looked incredulous as well as hurt. “Of course I want you.”
At that moment, I honestly couldn’t agree with his heartfelt declaration.
“I don’t want to leave things like this,” he whispered.
I couldn’t stop the tears even if I’d wanted to. It was all too familiar, too much like the last time. “Please just go.”
He turned and walked into my bedroom, and my heart cracked open. I couldn’t believe this was happening again. When he returned, he had his bag over his shoulder and his dog at his side. Watching as he headed to the door, I was screaming inside for him to stay, to stay with me. He reached for the doorknob, his voice so soft I almost missed it, “Love you, Tea.”
And then he was gone, walking out of my life again.