It had finally happened.
She’d had the best sex of her life.
Mia hummed as she skipped down the stairs and tried desperately to tame her goofy grin. Unfortunately, the damn thing kept popping up, curving her mouth in delight at the delicious memories. They’d stayed in the barn all night, literally rolling around in the hay. When they both managed to disentangle from one another as dawn threatened, he walked her back to the inn, gave her another toe-curling kiss, and sauntered away without another word. Her muscles ached pleasantly, and her thighs were sore. Her entire body felt like it had woken up after a long Rip Van Winkle sleep.
Damn. Her man had stamina.
The words rolled deliciously in her mind while she stopped at the breakfast cart to pour herself a cup of coffee. The antique floral pot delivered a stream of perfect hot brew she’d become addicted to. And to think, she’d believed she would never get a decent cup of coffee out of the city. Ophelia had officially spoiled her.
Lemon scones sat on a matching platter. Freshly frosted, they looked buttery and moist.
The image of Ethan’s appreciative gaze raking over her naked body slammed into her. She’d gained five pounds since she’d come to the inn by allowing herself to indulge in special treats.
Odd. She’d waited for panic when she stepped on the scale, but when she gazed in the mirror, she liked what she saw. Her skin glowed, and her hips had a nice flare that didn’t look bad. Sure, she’d need to dump the Gucci, but right now, she wanted that scone more than she wanted the dress.
Decision made, she scooped the pastry onto her plate and carried her treasures to the front porch. Ethel and Priscilla spotted her first. “Mia, we were waiting to meet Chloe’s father. Did he leave already?”
She dropped into the rocker and nodded. “Sorry, but yes, you missed him. Where were you out so late last night?”
The ladies grinned. “We got drunk at P&G’s after our skydive,” Ethel said, sipping her tea. “It was wild. We played beer pong.”
“You did not.”
Priscilla waved her hand in the air. “Of course we did. Had to celebrate surviving the jump and living to see another day. Plus, there was a young man there who looked exactly like Captain America. I was hoping he’d be drunk enough to take his shirt off.”
Mia laughed. “You are so bad, Priscilla. It’s a good thing your husband puts up with you.”
“There are other reasons,” the woman said proudly. “We let them sleep in a bit this morning. They can’t keep up with us sometimes.”
“I doubt I could. What’s on the agenda today?”
Ethel sighed. “We’re leaving, sweetheart. This is our last day. Checking out at noon.”
Mia stared at them in shock. “No, I thought you were staying a few more days.”
“We can’t. Our next scheduled stop is the Jersey shore, and Ed signed up for the poker tournament in Atlantic City. We’ve had the most fun here, though. Priscilla and I were hoping you’d come and visit us in Florida over the winter. Those damn senior homes are boring as hell, and we’d love the company. We reverse snowbirds have to keep ourselves engaged, or old age hits.”
Mia blinked as emotion clogged her throat. Ridiculous. She’d gone from desperately avoiding the crazy crew to seeking out their company. She genuinely cared about them and hoped she could own half the delight for life they did. “Definitely. I’m going to miss you. It won’t be the same around here.”
“But you’ll have Ethan,” Priscilla said. “The two of you were practically holding hands at Mama Mia. And you should’ve seen the way he looked at you when you danced on the stripper pole.”
“Has he made a move yet?” Ethel asked.
“Umm, well, we kind of had a date again last night, and—”
“She slept with him!” Priscilla crowed. “I knew you looked different this morning, but at first I thought it was the scone!”
Oh God, she was blushing. How did they manage to make her squirm with embarrassment? “Well, we had a good talk and then—”
“He ripped your clothes off, and you had sex!” Ethel finished.
“How many orgasms did he give you?” Priscilla demanded.
Mia shoved the scone into her mouth to avoid talking and then almost had another orgasm. Holy crap, Ophelia’s sweets were deadly. Tart lemon, vanilla frosting, and sweet-cream buttermilk danced on her tongue. “A lot,” she finally muttered, giving up. She couldn’t fight this dynamic duo. Might as well surrender now.
The women squealed. “Then our work is truly done here,” Ethel announced. “Just don’t go thinking about it too much and ruin the fun. You strike me as the type to get into her head.”
“I do. But we agreed to take the rest of the summer and see what happens. Nothing serious. A summer affair.”
Priscilla frowned. Tapped her finger against her orange-colored lips. “Both of you agreed to these terms?” she asked.
Mia cocked her head. She’d never seen the woman look so grave. “Yes. It works for both of us.”
“What if you fall in love?”
Ethel laughed and waved her hand in the air. “Pris, what are you talking about? She just said they agreed to keep it light. That’s what we wanted for her.”
“Yes,” Mia said. “There will be no talk of love or commitment or the future. I’m finally going to just go for it.”
Priscilla stared at her through her thick-rimmed glasses. Her watery green eyes held an array of emotion. “Mia, it’s too late,” she said seriously. Her wrinkled hand trembled slightly as she reached out to squeeze her arm. “The sex is too good. The man is too exceptional. The connection is too strong. You’re going to fall in love with each other.”
“What?” Ethel cried.
“What?” Mia screeched. “No, that’s not going to happen. You said I could handle it!”
Priscilla gave a long sigh. “I know. I got caught up in the heat of your romance. I didn’t think it through. The same thing happened with Pete. We fell into bed with each other, and I stayed with him for the sex. Then, of course, it turned to love.”
Mia buried her face in her hands, trying to wipe that image from her brain. All of her unicorn dreams of great, commitment-free, no-guilt sex drifted away in the breeze. Hadn’t her gut warned her Ethan Bishop was too much for her? What if he broke her heart?
Ethel patted her knee. “It’s okay, Mia. Just follow this one rule: concentrate on the physical. If he charms you with conversation or makes your belly do that funny dropping thing, jump him. Keep the focus on the sex. No friendship. No respect. No love. Got it?”
Pris shook her head sadly. “Great sex always leads to love. She’s doomed.”
She was saved from answering when the husbands came out. They wore matching plaid shorts and golf shirts, socks pulled up to the knee, and fancy leather loafers. They fumbled with canes and false teeth and glasses, grumpily complaining about the noise of the roosters waking them up too early, and Mia couldn’t help it. A wave of affection crashed over her. She got up from the rocker, stretched out her arms, and hugged them both. “I’m going to miss you,” she said.
The men humphed but hugged her back. Ethel and Priscilla jumped up and joined in the group hug, and Dolly spotted them from inside and came running out to wriggle in the middle.
Mia’s stomach got warm and mushy. She wondered what was beginning to happen to her.
Even worse, she was beginning not to care.
Hours later, she got up from her laptop and decided to take Chloe to dinner. The girl had spent all day at the stables, squeezing in another horse riding lesson, and deserved some downtime. Jonathan had called earlier because Chloe refused to pick up her cell phone to talk to him. Mia advised him to keep trying. Maybe a conversation tonight would help soften the girl’s anger toward her father.
She arrived at the stables and took in the organized chaos. Groups of riders were getting ready to go out on the trails, and she spotted Harper saddling up a pretty brown horse, who stood patiently as she cinched the belt tighter under his belly. Other horses were being washed down by various helpers, and a red tractor pulled bales of hay up to one of the open doors. Wheezy trotted over to greet her, followed by a flock of chickens and, oh no—
Hei Hei spotted her and immediately began bobbing his head up and down in a mad frenzy. White feathers shook with his excitement. His red jowls jiggled. He let out a squawk and raced toward her as if she were the long-lost mother he’d finally discovered.
A laugh escaped her lips as the crazed fowl pecked at her leg with affection and rubbed his feathers over her bare skin. “Okay, let’s not get overemotional,” she said. “We spent lunch together yesterday, remember? And I refused to get the chicken or turkey sandwich since it was too close for comfort.”
He clucked, scratched the ground, and stepped on her toe with his clawed foot. “Dude, these are Gucci sandals. Have some respect.” She let out a sigh, but she didn’t mind as much anymore. In fact, she’d begun looking for Hei Hei when he wasn’t around. He gave her a weird type of comfort.
“Please don’t tell me I’m jealous of a chicken.”
She turned, shading her eyes in the sun, and met Ethan’s twinkling blue eyes. Immediately, she realized something had shifted between them. Before, there’d been banter and possibility and caution. Now, he’d been buried deep inside her, and the knowledge that she knew him on a whole new level was something she couldn’t ignore. Her fingers curled, aching to touch him. Brush his hair from his brow. Run her fingers over his lips and jaw. Kiss those firm, lush lips until he whispered her name in that intimate tone and dragged her closer.
The emotions swirled in her gut, but she was in front of an audience and didn’t know how to handle him. Did he want to keep their affair a secret? And if he did, how much would it bother her? She focused on their conversation. “You have a desire to peck at my feet?”
His gaze dropped, lingering over every curve that had experienced his mouth and tongue and teeth. “I’d hate to say I neglected any part of you.”
She blushed. Actually blushed. “You didn’t.”
A delighted grin curved his lips. “Good to know.”
She shifted her weight and stepped back for distance. Oh God, did he think she was at the barn to see him? To catch a glimpse like a love-struck teen? “Umm, I’m here to see if Chloe wants to go to dinner when she wraps up.”
“Hmm, just to see Chloe?”
“Well, yes. I mean, I’m not here to bother you or stalk you or anything.”
His grin widened. “You’re shy,” he said.
Her mouth dropped open. She blushed deeper. “No! Of course I’m not shy. I’m fine. I’m cool. With . . . whatever.”
He threw back his head and laughed out loud, startling her. She tried to take a step back, but Hei Hei blocked her way. “God, you’re adorable. Hot. Sexy. And I missed you.”
He did? His open affection warmed her, and she relaxed, smiling back. “Me too.”
“Then get over here and greet me properly.” He snagged her around the waist, pulled her in, and kissed her. The sweetness of his lips moving over hers stole her breath and shattered her defenses. She kissed him back, basking in the sun on her shoulders; the delicious taste of coffee, mint, and man; the rough scratch of his jaw rubbing against her chin. Slowly, he released her, but his gaze kept her pinned in place. “Better,” he murmured.
A few loud whistles cut through the air. She peeked over his shoulder and saw some of the workers giving them the thumbs-up. Mia groaned at the boys’ juvenile fun. “I guess this is okay with the rules? People seeing us?”
His brow creased in a frown. “There are no rules, Mia. It’s whatever we both feel comfortable with, but I have nothing to hide. There’s no need to sneak around like teenagers. I want to be with you. Spend as much time as possible with you this summer. Don’t you?”
The silly grin was back. “Yeah, I do. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“I’d love it.”
“Hey, Mia, what’s up?” Chloe came toward them. Dust clung to her jeans and black tank, and her boots were encrusted with mud. Her purple hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Her skin had turned a warm brown under the sun’s rays, even though Mia kept reminding her to reapply sunscreen every three hours. Her face was free of makeup. She looked tired, but her blue eyes were bright and clear. Mia had been afraid she’d find the girl depressed or angry, but it seemed that work agreed with her. She wondered if Ethan had talked to her again.
“Wanna go to the diner?” Mia asked.
A shadow fell over her face. “No. I’m not crazy about it there. Can we go to the Market? Fran says she’s running dinner specials now.”
“Sounds great. Is it okay if Ethan joins us?”
Chloe glanced back and forth between them. A knowing smile curved her lips. “Of course. I was wondering when you two would hook up. Ethel and Priscilla had a bet going, you know?”
Mia groaned. “I’m not surprised. Unfortunately, they had to head out this morning, but Ophelia said a girl your age will be staying for the week with her parents. Maybe she’ll be cool.”
“Maybe. I’ll go get washed up—unless you need me, Ethan?”
“No, you’re good. Thanks, Chloe. I don’t think I could’ve managed today without you.”
Her face flushed with pleasure. “Thanks. I’m getting better at riding now, so I can help out more with the guests. If you want me to.”
“Good idea. Let’s talk more over dinner.”
She disappeared with a light step, her purple hair a beacon. She’d come a long way since their first meeting. Mia wished Jonathan had stayed to watch her horseback riding. It was as if her worries lifted, and she could just be happy being herself. Mia had a feeling the girl’s father regretted that decision.
“She’ll be okay, Mia.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I know. I’m hoping she doesn’t mention her friends again. She’s got orders not to see them.”
“If they come around, I’ll talk to them.”
“Think I can’t handle trouble?”
“Mia, I think you court trouble. I’ll be trying to keep you out of it.”
She laughed, and he grabbed her hand to pull her in for another quick kiss. “Let me shower, and I’ll come pick you up.”
She watched him retreat, appreciating the stretch of denim cupping his magnificent ass. Now she knew what it was like to dig her nails into the hard muscles while he buried himself deep inside her. He had a tendency to unleash something dark and sensual and free. It was the first time sex had become an experience of exquisite pleasure rather than a race to orgasm and a faint guilt she wasn’t enough.
She firmly pushed the thought away. It was just great sex. No more, no less. Stick to the rules and no one gets hurt.
Right?
Hei Hei stomped his claws over both of her feet in demand for her attention and shrieked. Wheezy heard and bounded over, licking Mia’s leg and the chicken’s feathers. Who would’ve thought a dog and a chicken could be so close?
“I’m right here, guys, take a chill pill. Let’s walk back while Chloe and Ethan get cleaned up. I found this organic chicken feed at the pet store that’s supposed to be the new hot thing. Figured you’d want to give it a try. If you like it, Tara said she’d run a special promotion on it.”
Hei Hei bobbed his head in agreement.
“And I found some bones that are really good for senior dogs, especially for their teeth.”
Wheezy barked.
“Good. Let’s go.”
The chicken and the dog followed her while she continued to chat.
Two hours later, Mia, Ethan, and Chloe were seated at the Market, eating a shrimp ceviche that was so fresh and delicious, Mia insisted Fran put it on the weekend special and create an entire menu around it. The crowd was now doubled, and a line formed at the deli and fish counters. A new seating area now boasted comfortable padded chairs and sleek tables surrounded by vases of brightly colored fresh flowers. “How did you manage to get this reinvigorated?” Ethan asked, forking up a chunk of rosemary potatoes. The side dish looked so damn good, but Mia still struggled with her love/hate relationship with carbs.
“Once I pulled apart the target crowd, I redesigned the advertising campaign for her. Many times, the real problem is brand recognition and what you originally believe will be the basis of the business. For instance, Fran created the Market to compete with Whole Foods and other gourmet supermarkets. The town wasn’t interested in that as much as her unique ability to offer fresh prepared foods and meal entrées. Instead of just selling fish now, we incorporated specials so people can run in for lunch or stop and get a meal to go. No one wants fast food all the time, and Italian places have their niche with pizza and heroes. The diner has their burgers and fries and milkshakes. Fran now offers fish entrées, vegetable frittatas, grilled paninis, and organic health options. It was just a matter of figuring out what the Market truly is.”
Ethan and Chloe stared at her.
She blinked. “What? Am I boring you?”
Ethan shook his head. “Hell no. I’m just amazed at the way your brain works with this stuff. Is this another part of what you do at your company?”
“Yes. But that’s for small businesses looking to break out and succeed. My current clients are much bigger, so I’m mostly fielding and spinning press stories, scheduling appearances, and making sure there are no surprises.”
“You do that for my dad?” Chloe asked. “I thought you just helped with his social media pages.”
“I do, but I work closely with his campaign manager so your dad is protected from people trying to misalign his reputation.”
The girl’s face turned serious. She fiddled with her straw. “You mean, people can say bad stuff about my dad just because they don’t want him to win the election?”
“Exactly. I help make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Her voice was so quiet, Mia had to strain to hear. “So you made sure the press didn’t hear about my community service thing?”
“Yes. With the election so close, if the world found out you’d gotten in trouble, it would affect your father’s rankings. Unfortunately, you’re not just a normal kid right now. Your dad is running for mayor, and that’s a big deal.”
Chloe kept her gaze down, not answering. Mia shared a glance with Ethan, but he just nodded, so she let the girl ponder her words in silence. In all their conversations, Chloe never brought up what she did, choosing to treat working at the horse farm like a summer job rather than probation. Mia never pushed. Denial was a lovely place to live, but she knew from experience that eventually it shattered. Maybe that was beginning to happen to Chloe.
“I screwed up.” The raw words seemed torn from her. “I could’ve cost my father his dream. And even though I’m pissed at him and I think he’s wrong to try and tell me what to do all the time, I want him to win. I want him to get what he wants and what my mom always wanted for him.”
Emotion choked Mia’s throat. She ached to reach over and hold the girl’s hand, tell her she understood and was forgiven, but nothing seemed to come out. A short, awkward silence fell.
“You did,” Ethan said. “All kids do, especially if they’re being real. But you paid for it. You’ve shown up at the barn every day to work. You don’t complain. You work hard. I’ve seen more guts in you than I have for a lot of nineteen-year-olds, Chloe. The slate is clean. Which is another thing I wanted to talk to you about.”
Mia and Chloe waited.
“You’ve almost completed your time. Hell, you worked so many extra hours, when I logged in your schedule for the judge, I realized you only have a week left to fulfill your obligations.”
“You mean I’m done?” Chloe breathed out in surprise. “I thought I had to work till August.”
“Not anymore. You’ve doubled your hours at the barn, and I never counted them for free. So you can make a decision, and I’ll respect it either way. I’d like you to continue to work for me. For pay. I’ll give you ten bucks an hour and free horseback riding lessons. You continue to stay at the inn until the college semester starts, just like we originally planned. I’ll let Judge Bennett know you paid your dues.”
“What’s the other option?” Chloe asked.
“You go back home with your dad. Of course, you can stay here if Mia agrees, but there’s no reason if you’re not working. Personally, I’m hoping you help me out, because you’ve shown a real talent with the horses. But I respect your decision either way.”
Mia caught the mingle of emotions flicker over Chloe’s face, but she was focused on Ethan.
Chloe could go home.
Which meant so could she.
Her breath caught in her lungs. Thoughts rioted like mad in her head. She should be happy about the opportunity to get back to her real life. November was too close for comfort, and she could focus the next few months on Jonathan’s campaign. Pavement under her feet, Starbucks coffee in her hand, designer clothes back on her body. The crazed chaos and excitement of being back in the game. Her trendy loft apartment with its endless space and fabulous cocktail parties every night.
Why wasn’t she excited? Why did the thought of returning home rip her apart with regret?
She wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to leave Ethan before she could soak up every last moment of his company. She wanted a bit more time to dig deeper and learn more. She wanted to finish up the summer on Ophelia’s front porch and meet the new guests arriving tomorrow. She had to finish the marketing plan for Brian’s comic book shop and get Bea up to speed on boosting her social media.
She couldn’t go home. Not yet.
Mia almost sagged in relief. It was Chloe’s decision, not hers. It should be Jonathan’s, but if the girl wanted to work and finish up her commitment for the next few weeks, she knew it was the right thing to do. They’d already booked the inn, and everyone expected them to be here till August.
And then the words popped out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I do, too.”
Ethan nailed her with his gaze. Pale-blue eyes glimmered with heat and promise and a hunger that exploded fire in her belly. Satisfaction coated his voice. “Good. Because I didn’t want either of you to leave.”
Chloe smiled. “Just one more thing.”
“What’s that?” Ethan asked.
“How about twelve dollars an hour?”
He grinned and Mia laughed, and Chloe let out something that was suspiciously close to a giggle.