After three hours of smiling, Beth's cheeks ached. If she had to be pleasant to one more fawning admirer of Jason's, she'd sputter gibberish.
They stood with another council member and his wife and chatted about the recreation complex. He leaned over and whispered, "We've stayed long enough. Are you ready to leave?"
"I'm so ready. My lips have frozen in a permanent smile and might need medical attention."
His lusty laughter ignited a fire in Beth's blood and heat pooled at her center.
They found the mayor, and Jason shook his hand. "Thank you for arranging today's events. Everyone seemed pleased with the plans for the complex. But if anyone raises objections, let me deal with them."
"I will. Once again, on behalf of the town, thank you for your generous gift. The complex is a welcome addition to this community." The mayor pumped his hand. "You remember that we are scheduled to meet next Friday?"
"I have it on my calendar. I'm eager to see the updated drawings."
Cameras flashed while Jason and Beth walked away. Once again, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She tried to step away to put space between them, but he didn't loosen his hold. "The photographers are taking pictures—of us—together."
"They've been taking pictures all night." He shrugged. "Don't let it worry you."
"People will talk. Like that reporter, they'll think we're more than friends."
"People will gossip about anything, even if it's not true, until they find the next juicy morsel. In a few days, we'll be old news."
Beth clenched her teeth. Since she'd escaped Archer's control, Beth didn't worry about gossip. They'd always find someone to talk about. No, she was more concerned about the need she had for Jason's touch. A longing she'd thought dead and that once again burned hot in her.
Jason had shattered her dreams and almost destroyed her, but the past didn't change her body's reaction. She'd be a fool to put her heart at risk again. Somehow, she had to stop wanting his lips on hers.
Once again, Marco waited for them at the limousine. After she settled on the seat, Jason sat with his thigh pressed against hers. She moved over a few inches, but he followed her. Why hadn't she driven her own car instead of riding with him?
He pounced. "I am starved. Are you hungry?"
"I'm not—" Beth's stomach rumbled.
"That's a yes." He laughed. "What's your favorite restaurant?"
She wasn't getting out of this. "Chez Belle Ami. It's on River Road. They have a good menu, and the food is excellent."
He asked Marco, "Would you take us to Chez Belle Ami?"
"Wait. I need my car." Beth grabbed Jason's hand. "If you'll take me to the shop, I'll get my car and meet you at the restaurant."
"We'll take you to your car after dinner."
"It's inconvenient to have to drive to town."
"It's not a problem. Besides, you need to make sure we don't get lost."
She looked out the car window. They weren't far from the restaurant, and Marco hadn't needed directions. Maybe Jason thought she'd stand him up? That's exactly what she'd do.
When they walked into Chez Belle Ami, she inhaled the fragrant aroma of rosemary, lavender, thyme, and the other spices used to season the food. The food was excellent, but Beth also loved the old world elegance. White linen cloths covered the tables, the place settings included lead crystal goblets and fine bone china. The atmosphere in the restaurant was intimate and quiet.
Adam Wainwright, the owner and chef, grew up in Serenity Bay, but he'd left to study at the best culinary schools in the United States and Europe. After Adam returned to town, he opened the restaurant. It had gained a reputation for its French cuisine that one critic called a sensual adventure into the divine.
While they ordered, Beth racked her mind for a safe topic of conversation. There was always the weather. Instead, she asked, "How did you get a job in construction? You never did that kind of work in Serenity Bay."
He chuckled. "When I moved to Chicago, it was the only job I could get. I've always enjoyed working with my hands so it was a good fit. But more than that, I was fascinated by the intricacies of running a company. I read books about economics, management, and finance. I enjoyed learning and discovered a talent for business."
"You always liked a challenge."
He chuckled. "That's true. I like to test myself, and I like to win."
"Tell me more about your construction work."
"I enjoy the people. They are honest and down-to-earth."
She tilted her head. "You talk about your employees as though you know them."
"I know a lot of them. My first job was working with the crews. They taught me about the construction business and life." He smiled. "I still go to job sites to talk to them. They often see problems before management and have ideas on how to deal with them."
"Most CEO's don't take the time to talk to their employees."
"Those people are more than employees. They're my friends."
Beth brushed her fingers over her mouth then said, "You said people need to learn not to judge others. Is that why you came back? To teach us a lesson?"
He shrugged. "I left town with unfinished business. It's time to finish it."
"What unfinished business?"
He sat back. "I told you, I want to show these people it's wrong to call others worthless because of where they live or who their parents are. Even you didn't believe in me."
"That's not true." Beth shook her head. "I always knew you could conquer any goal you set for yourself."
"If that's true, why did you change your mind? You said I was a fling. Did you mean it?"
The question hung between them. Beth sighed. "Please, let it go. We both made mistakes and rehashing it won't change the past."
He rubbed his chin. "I need answers first. The past and present are tied together. But I can be patient. I won't push—yet."
She knew he'd keep prodding until he got what he wanted. When he was sixteen, he'd wanted a job. He applied at every business in town. No matter how many rejections he got, he kept applying until he got the job at Santos Auto Repair.
She asked, "Did you enjoy the reception?"
"Enjoy isn't the word I'd use. I found the people interesting."
"What do you mean?"
"Two groups of people attended the reception. Those who remember the worthless Fischer boy's past, his father the town drunk, and whose mother ran away with another man. The rest of them wanted to meet famous J.D. Richards."
"You sound cynical."
"I guess I am."
"You had a lot of friends in town. They must be proud of everything you've achieved."
"True, but they weren't at the press conference or reception."
Beth wanted to disagree, but couldn't. The elite of Serenity Bay's society attended, not people who'd been Jason's friends. She laid her napkin on the table. "I need to get home. Will you take me to the shop to get my car?"
Jason lifted his coffee to his lips and drank. He set his cup down and said, "It would be easier to take you home. I'll pick you up in the morning and take you to work."
"That would be inconvenient for you. I have to open the shop tomorrow so I need to be in early."
"Earlier than five o'clock?"
"Good grief. No."
"Great. I wake early with nothing scheduled until after lunch. We can have the breakfast we missed."
Excitement sent her stomach into a somersault. She wanted to see him again. Then she reminded herself, he would push until he got what he wanted. "All right."
When he helped her out of her chair, his fingers brushed over her back. She gasped and inhaled a woodsy scent mixed with a hint of citrus. Perhaps there was more danger in spending time with him than she'd anticipated.
Jason looked into her eyes, and his lips parted. She watched him. More than she wanted her next breath, she wanted his mouth pressed to hers. Behind her, someone laughed, and she remembered they were in the middle of the restaurant. She cleared her throat. "We should go."
They walked out to the limousine. "Marco spends a lot of time waiting for you. Doesn't he get bored?"
"He uses the time to study." Jason laughed. "This week he's learning Swedish."
"Swedish? Is he planning a trip?"
"No, but when I travel, Marco goes with me and likes to talk with the people we meet in their native tongue. He has an ear for languages and is fluent in six. He grew up in Mexico, so listening to him speak German or Japanese can be quite entertaining."
She laughed as Jason helped her into the car. Needing to make conversation to settle her nerves, Beth asked, "What countries have you visited?"
Jason said, "The same ones you have."
"But there must be others, more exotic places?"
"Yes, we've been to, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Austria. I don't know that they are exotic, but they're not on everyone's travel itinerary."
The car pulled up to her house. Jason held her hand as she stepped from the car and held it as he walked her to the door. Will he kiss me? Her stomach fluttered. "I enjoyed our evening."
With a finger under her chin, he lifted her face and kissed her cheek. "Good night."
The touch of his lips had her heart racing. She mumbled, "Good night." Then, as he drove away, she stroked her cheek.
The next morning, Beth sang and danced to the rock tune that blared from her radio. She was seeing Jason again. While she braided her hair, her heart pounded in time to the music. When she was dressed, she winked at her reflection and left the bedroom.
Jason said he'd pick her up at six-thirty. At five-forty-five, she went to sit in the parlor to wait. Her right foot swung back and forth. She checked the time again. Five-fifty-four. Nine minutes since the last time she looked. She jumped to her feet and paced.
Beth took a deep breath and inhaled the lemon scented polish on the mahogany furniture. She loved the charm of this parlor with its Victorian furniture and Tiffany lamps. When her grandmother was alive, they had tea and finger sandwiches in this room every Sunday. For dessert, cook always made a special treat. That was the start of her love affair with white chocolate.
During one of their teas, eight-years-old Beth told her grandmother she planned to be an acrobat in the circus. Nana smiled and hugged her. "You will look beautiful swinging on a trapeze."
The next summer, Beth told Nana she wanted to take care of sick kittens and puppies. Nana had again hugged her and said, "You will be a wonderful veterinarian." She missed Nana and the way she'd given her unconditional love.
The roar of a motor pulled Beth from her memories. She peeked out the window and watched Jason climbed out of a sleek, silver car. Was it his or leased? She'd bet he owned it. He loved cars. When he'd gotten the job at Santos' garage, it had let him do what he loved—play with cars.
She didn't want him to catch her gawking and let the curtain fall into place. When the doorbell rang, she jumped even though she expected it. She controlled the urge to run to the door, but she couldn't hide her grin.
Beth pulled the door open and stared. He wore the smile that had stolen her heart twelve years ago. She felt the flush of anticipation on her cheeks. "Good morning."
"I'm early, but there's no rush. I'll wait until you're ready to leave."
"But I'm ready." She cringed at the eagerness in her voice.
His smile grew wider. "Great."
She ignored his cheeky grin. "Are you this cheerful every morning?"
"It's a magnificent day, and I'm escorting a beautiful woman to breakfast. What could be better?"
"Oh. Thanks." Beth bent to pick up her bag, but he took it and grabbed the handle of her grocery trolley before she protested. He took them to the car while she locked the house. At the car, he waited for her with the door open.
When they pulled onto the road, the car jerked forward and raced by the trees. Riding with him made her feel like she was flying. She laughed.
Jason glanced at her and asked, "What's the joke?"
She grinned. "You still like to drive fast."
He gave her a sheepish smile, and the car slowed—a little.
Jason parked behind Delectable Delights, and they went in the back door. As they walked to her office, Beth flipped the switches on the coffeemakers and ovens. They set her bags behind the desk, and he followed her back to the kitchen.
While she prepared breakfast, he sat on a stool and watched. "I don't recall you learning to cook."
"No, it wasn’t a skill I was forced to master."
"What changed?"
"I opened the shop and had one pastry chef. He needed help, and I became his gofer. Erik said he'd never be able to show his face in public if the owner of the bakery couldn't even bake a muffin. That was the day he began my education. Now I love to bake and cook, but managing the business takes all my time." She laughed. "I miss being a gofer."
When breakfast was ready, he carried the tray with their food and coffee. He held her chair until she was seated and then sat across from her.
Jason took a bite. "The omelet tastes as good as it smells."
"Thank you. It's truffle and parmesan, one of my favorites."
"What are your plans for the day?"
"Some very exciting tasks. Update the accounts and do an inventory. Thank goodness I got that college degree, or I wouldn't have any idea why it's important to do an inventory."
"So, you went to college?"
"Yes. I got a degree in business administration and management."
"I'm surprised Archer wanted you to study business."
"He didn't." Beth chuckled. "Father doesn't believe women belong in the business world. Do you remember my grandmother?"
"The two of you were close."
"Nana encouraged me to study business, and Archer didn't dare disagree. He didn't want to risk angering Nana. He was waiting for her to die so he could take control of her estate."
"Why study business?" Jason frowned.
"Like you, I enjoy a challenge, and I wanted to show my father I was more than the Kingsley princess."
"Did you already have plans to open the shop once you had your degree?"
"No." She shrugged. "I was twenty-three, a college graduate, and a widow with no idea what to do with my life."
"Shouldn't you have finished college when you were twenty-one or twenty-two?"
"I didn't go to college right after high school."
"Why not?"
Beth stared at her plate. "Mother took me to Europe."
"Where did you go?"
She repeated the lie she'd practiced since she'd return to town nine years ago. "The usual places—London, Paris, Madrid."
"Did you enjoy traveling with your mother?"
Why is he asking about the year I traveled? "I had more fun turning my idea for a coffee shop into reality. I wanted to get away from Archer's temper and obsessive control of my life. Opening Delectable Delights was my way of celebrating my freedom, my independence."
"You've done well. You have every right to be proud."
"Getting a degree in business management was one of the best decisions I ever made. It also helps that I have a great team working with me. Erik is so talented, and no one manages better than Abbey."
"If you own a bakery, a talented baker is key to your success. The scones we ate were delicious. Did Erik make them?"
She nodded. "We call him the Picasso of Pastry."
He laughed then said, "I'll help clear the dishes."
"I can do this."
"All right. Well, thank you for breakfast. You're an exceptional cook." He stood. "Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?"
She'd enjoyed breakfast, and he hadn't tried to interrogate her. If he would let go of the past, maybe they could be friends. "I'd like that."
They walked to the back door, and Jason said, "Great. I'll pick you up at two o'clock."
"I am off work tomorrow. Would you pick me up at home?" She opened the door.
"Okay. You will be there, right?" He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Yes." She closed her eyes and delighted in the touch of his lips. "I'll be there."
After she shut the door, Beth slid her fingers over the spot he'd kissed. She turned to return to her office only to find sappy smiles on the faces of the kitchen staff. She laughed. "Show's done. Back to work."
What started as a great day, turned into a disaster. The large coffeemaker blew a rubber gasket. The manufacturer express shipped a replacement, but it wouldn't arrive until the next day. A coil in an oven wouldn't heat. They continued to serve the customers, but when a tour bus pulled in, Abbey said, "Maybe we should close the shop and hide."
By the time her day ended, Beth agreed.
That evening, when Beth got home, she dropped her bags in the kitchen and dragged herself to the bedroom. She kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the bed to rest for a minute.
When Beth woke the next morning, she looked at her wrinkled blouse and laughed. Even though she'd slept in her work clothes, she felt great. She would see Jason again. After she took a shower, she had another clothes crisis trying to decide what to wear. Her room looked like a tornado roared through her closet by the time she settled on a white, strapless sundress with a flared skirt.
Five minutes after she dressed, Jason arrived. The heat in his eyes made the struggle to decide what to wear worthwhile.
He helped her into the limousine, then she watched his shirt stretch over the muscles of his arms and shoulders when he closed the door. He had a body most men would envy, and women would do anything to possess. She curled her fingers to keep from running her hand over his chest.
When the car pulled out, she asked, "Isn't the limousine a bit formal for lunch?"
"I'm waiting for a call from my office. Lupita, my housekeeper, has errands to run, and Marco agreed to answer the calls. With the limo, Marco can practice his Swedish and take messages." He held her hand, "How is your day off?"
She huffed. "I needed this time to recuperate from yesterday."
"Rough day?"
"The worst." She told him about the craziness that had plagued her day. "They say adversity builds character. Well, I don't need more character."
They were still laughing when the car pulled into the drive of the River Inn. The owner of the inn, Mason Reed, was a friend of Beth's. The huge Victorian home had been owned by his family for over a century. He'd converted it into an elegant bed-and-breakfast and restaurant.
There were only ten tables in the dining room and they offered one seating at lunch and one at dinner. The menu was whatever Mason prepared that day. Food critics wrote that no one who appreciated fine cuisine could claim to have eaten in the best restaurants in the country until they'd dined at Raison D'etre.
The hostess seated them in front of a picture window. The view would have made a beautiful postcard. The house sat on a cliff which overlooked a slow flowing river surrounded by a forest of pine, spruce, and cedar. It was a romantic's dream come true.
After the waiter described the day's lunch, Jason ordered wine. "I'm impressed with the restaurants in town."
"We get vacationers in summer for swimming and hiking, and in the winter for skiing and snowmobiling so there's plenty of business to support them." Beth sat back and crossed her arms. "In fact, I know anyone who wants to eat at Raison D'etre has to make reservations a year in advance. How much was the bribe for this reservation?"
He shrugged and grinned.
She tilted her head. "How did you become the CEO of Ziron Corporation?"
His face turned a light pink. "The construction job I got was with Stone Building. Down the street from the job site was a diner where I ate lunch. One day, a guy asked to share my table. We talked about everything and, after that, we ate lunch together every day." He scratched the back of his neck. "It was a couple of months before I found out he owned the company."
The waiter brought a bottle of wine that Jason tasted. After he filled their glasses, Jason said, "Matt took me home to meet his wife, Helen, and his daughter, Callie. I spent so much time at their house, it seemed natural to move into the apartment over the garage. They treated me like a member of their family." Jason stared into his wine glass for a moment. "Matt and Helen weren't blood, but they became the family I always wanted. They made me part of their family and wanted what was best for me. Unlike my birth parents who made my life hell."
The waiter returned with their salad, and Beth waited for Jason to continue his story.
Jason said, "I was forever asking questions about the business. One day Matt announced he was sending me to college. As much as I wanted to go to school, I couldn't accept his gift. But the family pushed and prodded until I agreed. During the day I worked construction and in the evenings attended college. The day I received my master's degree, Matt promoted me to vice president of operations for the parent company, Richards Construction."
"What about Callie? Did she resent you?"
"Callie has never been interested in running the business, but she wanted someone they trusted to work with Matt. Her interest is marketing. She's a vice president in charge of the Marketing Department." He grimaced. "Three years after my promotion, Matt had a second heart attack. The doctors warned him to slow down or risk an attack he might not survive. The family asked me to accept the presidency."
"They must trust you."
Jason said, "I would never hurt them."
"So you learned to swim with the sharks and changed your name to J.D. Richards?"
One side of his mouth curled into a soft smile. "Richards Construction was a family-owned business, and the family wanted to keep it that way. Over dinner one night, Matt asked if I'd consider becoming a Richards. I was stunned. I worried that Helen and Callie would resent Matt's suggestion, but they thought it was a great idea. Callie said it would take the pressure off her if her parents had someone else to harass."
Is he in love with Callie? Beth took a drink of her water and then said, "They sound like good people. I'm glad you had them."
"Yeah, me too. It wasn't easy to move to Chicago, but their love and support made it easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Beth took a shaky breath. "So, you became president and revamped the company's operations? I read that Ziron is one of the top corporations in the country and the success is due to your management and the innovations you've implemented."
"With the boom or bust cycle in the construction business, I wanted to lessen the risk of having all our assets tied up in one industry. I diversified the company and streamlined operations. When we took the construction company public and sold stock, the results were better than expected."
"You can be proud of your accomplishments, and now you have the family you wanted."
"Not really."
"But the Richardses love you."
"I wanted a wife and children of my own." He frowned. "When I was twenty-eight, I married Eleanor. She's intelligent, has a great sense of humor, and can navigate the shark-infested waters of my world. I thought she'd be a great wife and mother."
Jason's eyes swirled with contempt. "But what I knew about her was nothing but lies. The real Eleanor was self-indulgent and self-centered. She claimed to be eager to have children, but what she wanted was a life of privilege without responsibilities, especially a family. I found out she'd taken steps to make sure we never had children. The following week, I filed for a divorce."
A deep sadness cut into Beth's heart. He would have been a good father. "I'm sorry."
With a slight shake of his head, he said, "Let's talk about something pleasant."
She nodded. "How did you get a construction job without experience?"
"I asked Matt why they hired me. He said Pat, my supervisor, felt sorry for me." Jason laughed. "My first day on the job, a roofer asked me to get him a turban. I spent thirty minutes searching for a hat before one of the guys took pity on me and told me a turban was a vent."
After a burst of laughter, Beth said, "Before I hired Erik, I tried to make the desserts myself. My first try was an angel food cake. It looked like a pink Frisbee with a hole in the middle. I wanted to try a simpler recipe and made an apple pie. An hour after putting it in the oven, I took it out. It was raw. I forgot to turn on the oven. My last effort was a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It took all morning to make, but it looked beautiful. While the staff sampled it, I looked on with pride. When they bit into the cake, carrot shreds the size of earthworms hung from their mouths."
Jason laughed so hard he gasped for breath.
"I hired Erik the next week."
Then they took turns telling stories of the blunders they'd made as they got their starts in business. As they talked and laughed, the walls she used to protect her heart cracked. But she couldn't put aside the question in the back of her mind. Why had Jason returned to town?
Back in the limo, Jason apologized before returning a phone call. Beth watched as he talked. His face lit with excitement while the smooth tone of his voice sent chills skating over her skin. She wanted to crawl onto his lap and nibble on his lips. Instead, she clamped her hands together.
Would it be a mistake to invite him in for coffee? As they got closer to her home, her fingers squeezed tighter. There was no danger in sharing one espresso, was there? The muscles in her shoulders ached by the time they'd pulled into the driveway.
He disconnected his call. "Sorry, that took longer than I expected."
Staring at her hands, she asked, "Wouldyoulikeacupofcoffee?"
Jason frowned. "What?"
Heat crept over her face. She tried again. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"I would follow you anywhere for a good cup of coffee."
"It's the best in town." She laughed. "By the way, I enjoyed your commentary about the coffee at the reception. There was, 'This has all the flavor of water.' Then later, 'Are they holding down the cost by using one scoop of coffee per pot?'" She got out of the car. "Although, my favorite was—"
"I didn't think you heard me."
"You didn’t mean what you said?"
"Oh, I meant every word, but you weren't supposed to hear me."
She giggled. "You’ll be glad to know, I have an espresso maker that would have any barista drooling with envy."
"The woman of my dreams." He threw his arms around her.
Heat washed over Beth's face. "Why don't you wait in the parlor while I get our coffee?"
"I’d rather go with you. A person can’t be too careful with their coffee."
"Oh. Okay."
Jason turned with Beth and kept his arm around her as they walked. "Do you know how to make espresso?"
She stopped and stared at him. "When you own a coffee shop, making coffee is a required skill."
"Others have claimed to have the ability, but in my experience, it's no guarantee the person who makes the coffee knows what they're doing."
"That sounds like a challenge."
"You were always competitive."
She laughed and pointed to the stools at the counter. "Have a seat." Beth walked around the counter and took what she needed from the cupboards. She inhaled the sharp, smoky aroma of the coffee beans she grounded.
When she gave Jason his espresso, she held her breath while he took a taste. Then she cleared her throat. "Well, can I make coffee?"
"You definitely know how to make espresso." His eyebrows dipped.
"What's wrong?"
"The espresso at the shop isn't this good, and by good I mean strong."
"I want my customers to come back, not die of caffeine overload." She laughed. "Most of them don't like their drink so strong it would knock an elephant to its knees. When I'm home, I use a special, darker roasted bean for my coffee."
"How do you make it stronger without it becoming too bitter?"
Beth wiggled her eyebrows. "I have a secret ingredient."
"I won't ask you to divulge any secrets." Jason looked around the kitchen. "Was this your grandmother’s home?"
"Yes. It was part of my inheritance."
"Is that when you moved out of your parent's home?"
She nodded. "I wanted my independence. When I inherited Nana's estate, it gave me the freedom I'd always wanted."
"It must have been a big leap for you?"
"Nana used to tell me I had her lust for life, but I knew she was being kind. Her life had been interesting and filled with adventures. I lived my life controlled by Archer."
"Your life might not have been adventurous like your grandmother's, but you fought to be your own person. Instead of going to boarding school, you stayed here and became friends with a boy others said was worthless."
"You were never worthless. Besides, you always treated me like a person. Something my father never did. To him, I'm a pawn he uses to put his business deals over. I have no real value."
"You always had value." He tipped his head. "What did Archer say when he learned you inherited your grandmother's estate?"
"After Grandmother died, Stephen Howard, her attorney, met with us to read her will. I thought she left me a piece of jewelry or another keepsake. When Stephen told us Nana left me her entire estate, I was struck speechless."
"And your father?"
"Archer was furious. I told you, he'd been waiting for Nana to die. He was sure Mother would inherit everything, and he planned to take control." She sighed. "His face turned deep red like he was having a stroke. Then he grabbed my arm."
Jason frowned. "What happened?"
"Mother and Stephen stopped him." She shrugged. "Anyway, he accused me of lying to Grandmother to get her to cut him and Mother out of the will. I told him Nana never told me what she planned to do, but he didn't believe me."
"Archer doesn't trust many people."
"No." Beth gave a slight shake of her head. "His attorneys tried to break the will, but Nana and Stephen had written a will so tight it was impossible to challenge."
"Your grandmother sounds like a smart woman with a good attorney."
She nodded. "Archer realized there was no way to break the will, and he ordered me to give control of Grandmother's estate to him. I refused."
Jason asked, "Did he think you'd do whatever he demanded?"
"I always did." Beth grinned. "When I told him I planned to manage Nana's estate myself, he made all kinds of threats, but I didn't buckle. Until the day I moved out, he never believed I'd go through with it. My one regret is that I didn't stand up to him sooner."
She pressed her fingers to her lips. "I have so many happy memories of my time with Nana, and she knew I loved this house. Father would have sold the house, and I couldn't let him do that."
Jason pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think your grandmother would be proud of you."
"I miss her. She gave me her full unconditional love and support." She picked up her cup and walked to the espresso machine. "Would you like another cup?"
He nodded and handed her his cup. When she took it, his skin brushed over her hand. Beth shivered the way she did the night they'd made love. She'd never forgotten the feel of his hands on her body and the exquisite pleasure of having him fill her.