Chapter Nine
Marissa
Everyone is here as we watch the car pull onto the lane and toward the house. Samuel, Jensen and his son, Max, Harper, Mom, and I all wait on the porch for Meghan to arrive. What we weren’t expecting was the second car that follows.
“I thought only Meghan and Nick were coming?” Harper asks as both vehicles pull off the lane and park in front of the garage.
“I thought so too,” Mom replies, taking the steps down to meet our guests.
A woman gets out of the driver’s seat in the first car, followed by another young couple with a baby. When the doors to the second car open, I see an older man and woman emerge from the front, followed quickly by the elderly couple that I now know to be my mom’s brother and sister-in-law.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Mom says as she approaches her brother and his wife.
“You didn’t think I was going to let Meggy come here without tagging along, did you?” Emma asks, pulling Mom into a big hug.
I start to make my way down the stairs, my siblings hot on my heels. We join the small group and introductions begin immediately. “These are my children,” Mom starts, making a gesture to each of us. “Samuel and Jensen. My daughters, Harper and Marissa. And this little guy is my grandson, Max,” Mom says with love in her voice as she ruffles Max’s full head of thick hair.
“Lovely to see you again,” Emma says, taking the lead.
“This is our son-in-law, Brian, and his lady friend, Cindy,” Emma starts. Instantly I recall hearing that Emma and Orval’s daughter, Trisha, passed away from ovarian cancer when the girls were younger. Brian was her husband and with the help of Emma and Orval, raised his six daughters.
“Pleasure to finally meet you,” Brian says to Mom, stepping up and giving her a warm hug.
“And these are a couple of my granddaughters. This is Meghan, who’s wedding your mom attended earlier this month. Nick, her hunky dentist husband, is on his way in the sailboat. He should be here in another hour or so,” Emma states. I notice immediately how Meghan blushes and shakes her head when her grandmother refers to her husband as hunky. Personally, I would have probably died from embarrassment, but after only spending a very short time with Emma, I know that this is just how she is.
“And this is AJ and Sexy Randall. You might remember him from his Playgirl spread a few years back,” Emma coos, stepping closer to me, since I’m directly across from her. “That photo gave me wet dreams for days.”
“Grandma,” AJ groans. “Stop being dirty in front of new family.”
“It’s the truth! Don’t tell me you didn’t tickle the piano keys late at night when I showed you that photo, Alison Jane,” Emma chastises, causing my sister Harper to giggle and my brother Samuel to look like he’s about to stroke out.
“My husband can just be called Sawyer, not Sexy Randall,” AJ says as she steps forward and shakes Samuel’s hand. “No need to stroke that ego.”
“As in the Sawyer Randall?” Jensen asks, his baseball-loving ears already piqued.
“That’s me, but it was a while ago. Now I teach junior high adolescents all about physical education and listen to them complain about having to detach from the cell phones for an hour,” Sawyer replies, juggling the baby boy in his arms to shake Jensen’s hand.
“Pleasure to meet you,” my brother replies, moving his own son so that he can shake the former pro baller’s hand. “My son, Max, is about to start his first year of T-ball. He loves baseball.”
“Yeah? Maybe we can throw the ball around later. Would that be okay, Max?” Sawyer asks, instantly taking a liking to my nephew. Max doesn’t reply, but promptly nods his head in agreement. “Great.”
“And this little cookie is my great-grandson, Nolan. Named after Nolan Ryan,” she says, making AJ turn a deep shade of red in annoyance. Sawyer chuckles before he pulls her into his arms and kisses her forehead. Yeah, there’s definitely a story there.
“Well, let’s go around back,” Mom says. She instantly starts telling the newcomers about the house, the property, and the history of the bed and breakfast. Normally, I’d be up there with her, filling in all of the gaps and sharing my favorite tidbits of details, but right now, all I can think about is the food situation. When I was preparing tonight’s dinner, it was under the assumption that we’d have nine in attendance. Now, with sixteen mouths to feed, I’m not sure I planned enough.
“Everything all right?” Harper whispers when we reach the sitting area around back.
“I don’t have enough food,” I confide quietly.
“How is that possible? You’re always prepared to feed an army.”
“Well, with the power still out, I only have a portion of my refrigerator and freezer space.”
“So run to the store,” she says, as if it were no big deal.
My mind flashes through recipes, trying to figure out which ones I can make quickly and easily. I settle on a cucumber salad, fresh fruit, and the homemade deviled egg salad with avocado slices. Before I can ask my sister for her keys, since my car is now blocked in, my phone chimes in my pocket. My heart starts to skip around in my chest when I see the name on the screen.
Rhenn: Do you want me to bring anything?
My fingers fly over the letters and I fire off a reply before I can contemplate the consequences of my actions.
Me: Yes! Come get me! We need to go to the store!!!
Rhenn: Three exclamation points? This must be a dire food emergency!!!
Me: Hurry! We have to go shopping.
Rhenn: I hate shopping.
Me: Me too, but I don’t have a choice. I need more food.
Rhenn: Then more food you shall get, my lady. I’ll be there in five.
Me: I could kiss you.
Rhenn: I like the sound of that. Do I receive my reward before or after the store?
Me: It was rhetorical. I’m not actually going to kiss you.
My face flames with embarrassment. I can’t believe I said that.
Rhenn: Pity. I distinctly recall how wonderful it is to kiss you.
I stare at the screen, having no clue how to reply. Or if I should. I definitely shouldn’t. Hell, I shouldn’t have even mentioned the “k” word, even in general passing. Mostly because I’m not sure that our shared kiss was a smart move. Okay, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t. We do have to work together, you know. But mostly because I can’t stop thinking about it. Or reliving it. My lips still tingle. My jaw still aches from his whiskers. My skin still burns from his fingers.
“Are you sure you’re all right? You’re all flushed and panting.”
“What? I’m fine,” I reply to my sister, clearing my throat and straightening my back. I thrust all thoughts of Rhenn out of my mind like they’re hot and get down to business. Food. I need more food for dinner.
And Rhenn is going to help me…
I groan in frustration before I can even reel it back in.
Harper reaches forward and places the back of her hand on my forehead. “Stop it,” I say, swatting her hand away.
“You’re not fevered,” she says just as Rhenn comes strutting around the corner.
“Ready to go?” he asks.
Harper looks between him and me, a knowing smile spreading wide across her face. “Now I get it.”
“Shut up.”
“You called Rhenn,” she singsongs.
“Zip it,” I hiss.
“He’s going to help you.”
“Enough.”
“Even though you could have asked me to go…” she starts, but I grab her arm and pull her aside.
“Fine, yes, I asked Rhenn to help me. Stop making a big deal of this,” I beg.
“Making a big deal of what? The fact that you asked a hot guy to help you? A hot guy who clearly likes you, even though you refuse to see or acknowledge it?”
“Why are you torturing me?”
“Me? I’m not. You’re torturing yourself by refusing to see that the man is totally into you.”
“I’m not…refusing to see it. I see it, okay? Hell, I felt it when he kissed me.”
Harper gasps dramatically and smiles. “Seriously? You’ve been holding out on me? He kissed you?”
“Yes, now can we stop talking about this? He’s standing like five feet away and can probably hear us.”
“Oh, he can definitely hear you,” Rhenn replies. “Your whispering skills could use a little work.”
Kill. Me. Now.
“Well, since you two have an errand to run, I’ll let you get to it,” Harper says, offering me a wink before slapping Rhenn on the back. She leans in and whispers something in his ear, making him bark out a laugh, before walking away to join our family.
“Ready? My truck is running.”
“What did she say to you?” I ask without moving a muscle.
“None of your business,” he sasses with a smirk and a wink. That damn smirk. I hate it, yet it turns my panties into useless scraps of lace.
I also ignore the excitement that races through my blood as he reaches over and grabs my hand. He’s probably just being gentlemanly. You know, like guiding me through the yard, around all of the construction remnants and potholes so I don’t trip. I’m sure it has absolutely nothing to do with attraction and desire.
Rhenn’s work truck is big and tall, and I almost need a running start to leap up into the monster. Instead, before I can spring into action, I feel his hands wrap around my waist. I feel his body as it comes in close behind me. I feel the sexual tension engulf me, almost as if it were its own living, breathing thing. “Up you go,” he whispers, as he gently lifts me into the air as if I weigh nothing.
There’s a slight tremble in my hands as I reach for the seat belt and try to secure it in place. Not because I’m worried about being alone with Rhenn – well, not unless you consider the fact that I wouldn’t mind more kisses as being a worry. Because kissing Rhenn was definitely a bad idea and should definitely not happen again.
Even if I really, really want it to.
There’s nothing between us except a little sizzle and spark. Attraction. But at the end of the day, I’ll go my way and he’ll go his. At least we will when he completes this job. That doesn’t stop the disappointment from rearing its ugly head when I think about it. Even if I know that kissing him again would be bad (a very nice bad), I know it’s not smart. It doesn’t fall in line with what I see for myself in the next few years.
But damn, would it be a nice distraction.
And that’s what Rhenn is: a distraction. Instead of looking forward, toward the bed and breakfast and the plans I have when I finally take it over, I keep finding myself glancing to the side. To him. But his presence is only temporary, I keep telling myself.
“So tell me about your friends. Meghan seems great,” I say, breaking through the haze of desire that swirls around inside the too-small truck cab.
“They’re the best,” Rhenn says, pulling his truck onto the road that leads to town. “I met Nick back in grade school when he was a short little skinny kid. He was being picked on and I stepped in. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
“He met Meghan when he came back to town after dental school. She worked at the office he eventually took over. It wasn’t an instant spark, considering she was with another guy. He died in a car accident a few years back and it was hell on her,” he says, confirming what I had already gathered.
“That’s horrible.”
“It was, but eventually, after a couple of years, she started seeing Nick. It was a slow burn kinda thing, but as you can see, the rest is history.”
“I’m glad she found love again. I couldn’t imagine what she went through,” I say absently, my stomach churning as I picture my sweet cousin struggling to get through her days.
“They went through it together and came out stronger on the other side.”
“That’s very astute of you, Mr. Burleski.”
“I have my moments,” he quips with a side grin. “What about you? What’s with the rush for more food?”
“We weren’t expecting as many to show up today. Not that I’m complaining, because I’m not. It’s nice to finally meet more of the family we’ve been hearing about. Brian and Cindy seem great, and I think my brother Jensen was foaming at the mouth to meet Sawyer,” I say with a giggle, recalling how starstruck my brother was to meet the former major leaguer.
“They’re solid people. I knew Brian and the girls from around town, but didn’t really get to know them well until Nick started hanging out with his hygienist. The grandparents are a hoot. I think I’ve heard them talk about sex more than I did when I was living in the frat house in college,” he says, making me laugh.
“I’m learning that real quick. When we met them, Aunt Emma patted Jensen’s ass. I think Samuel’s head almost exploded,” I reply with a laugh.
“Oh, she’s a feisty one. Just wait,” he says, and something tells me there’s definitely more to come where Emma and Orval are concerned.
“Well, I’m happy they’re here. I know my mom really appreciates it, and it makes me smile that she’s getting to know her brother and his family. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken them so long to reconnect, you know?”
“Definitely.”
“They were making plans to have us come to Jupiter Bay for the Fourth of July,” I add.
“You’ll love it there. Brian’s house actually reminds me a bit of your place. It’s off the beaten path, kinda off by itself on a little strip of land.”
“I can’t wait to see it all – and meet the rest of the family.”
Before I realize it, we’re already pulling into the parking lot of the grocery store. We spent the entire ten-minute ride to town talking, as if it were the most natural, easiest thing in the world. That’s completely not like me – if my previous relationships are any indication. I’ve always been more reserved, a bit shy, and never quick to share personal information. But here I am, sharing my family details with Rhenn – a man that I’ve literally known for six days.
As soon as the truck is parked, Rhenn jumps out and comes around to my side. No, I don’t really need help getting down, but I don’t decline his assistance when he reaches up and grabs my waist. In fact, I actually relish the feel of his hands on me once more and the way his arms flex under his tight green shirt.
“Ready?” he asks as he locks the truck and reaches for my hand. I don’t fight it, I just go with it, and place my smaller hand inside of his much larger one.
We walk inside and grab a cart. I don’t have that much on my mental shopping list, but it’s enough that it would weigh down both of our arms. Plus, then I’d have to drop his hand, and frankly, I just don’t want to.
Together, we head down the first aisle. Living in a small town where everyone knows everybody, I shouldn’t be surprised by the amount of familiar faces I immediately see, yet I am. I guess I just thought Rhenn and I could exist in our own private little bubble, where we can hold hands without the watchful eyes of my neighbors. No such luck. The first person we come to is the town gossip, Mrs. Freeman. Her knowing little eyes lock on our hands instantly, her bright red lips turn upward in a huge smile. I can practically see the text message she’s already sending to everyone in her contact list.
I greet the nosy busybody with a hello as we reach the produce aisle, and even though I don’t want to, I drop Rhenn’s hand. I tell myself it’s because I’ll need both of mine to grab the vegetables I need, but a part of me knows that I’m trying to diminish the rumors before they even start. Though, I’m not sure just dropping his hand will help. The fact that I’m here at all with him is enough to ignite the gossips in town. If they don’t know the facts, they’ll come up with their own conclusions.
Reaching for a bag, I start to squeeze avocados. “What can I get?” he asks as I place three greenish brown avocados in my bag.
“Can you grab six cucumbers?” I ask absently as I reach for another bag to grab a few peppers.
I throw a red and yellow pepper into the cart and turn to find Rhenn. He’s standing across the aisle, holding up two large cucumbers, a devious glint in his blue eyes. “Angel, do you like them long and straight or more girthy with a slight curve to the end, like this one?” he asks innocently, yet his insinuation is anything but. A gasp sounds next to me and I see nosy Mrs. Freeman standing there, her eyes dancing as she looks on between the proffered vegetables and my wide eyes and flushed face. “And why do you need six? One cucumber isn’t enough to satisfy your needs?”
I swear to all things holy, I’m going to kill him. Right here, in the produce aisle at Family Foods.
My face burns, but I try to keep from tucking my chin and crawling away. Instead of hiding, I turn to face him and raise my chin. “Actually, I have yet to find a single cucumber that is both satisfying and filling,” I reply with a shrug, reaching around him and grabbing the first six cucumbers I can reach.
Rhenn chuckles behind me, dropping his loot into the bag. I feel his warm breath graze the shell of my ear as he whispers, “Maybe you just haven’t found the right cucumber yet.”
Why my body shutters, I have no idea. Okay, total lie. I know why, and he’s standing with his front practically plastered to my back, making it damn near impossible to formulate a complete thought. How can my body crave something – or someone – it doesn’t even know?
He whispers against my ear and I have to bite back the moan. “What else is on that magical list of yours, Angel?”
The amount of time it actually takes me to speak is embarrassing, so when I finally am able to say words, it shouldn’t surprise me that it’s something as graceful as what comes from my lips. “Fruit. I need fruit. And eggs. Lots of eggs.”
Holding completely still, I feel his breath move down from my ear to my shoulder. Another shiver sweeps through as his nose faintly traces the column of my neck. It must be uncomfortable for him, considering he’s so much taller than me, but I can’t seem to find the urge to really care. Instead, my brain focuses on his breathing, the slightest touch of his nose, and the way he inhales deeply, as if committing my scent to memory. “You smell like jasmine. I like it.”
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, this man has the ability to render me completely speechless and utterly wonton in less than a half-second flat. I still can’t speak.
“Come on, Angel. Let’s get you some eggs and fruit. Then, we’ll head back and you can show me how you plan to use those cucumbers,” he adds, placing an open-mouthed kiss on my exposed collarbone and leaving me a pile of mush right there in the middle of the produce aisle and lusting after a man I shouldn’t want.
But do.