CHAPTER 4

At precisely eight o’clock that evening, a rough knock sounded at the door to Aunt Kate’s small house on Ashumet Avenue. Unsurprisingly, Theo had known right where to find her. Star Harbor was a small town, and in the dead of winter, it seemed more like a sleepy little fishing village than a resort destination. In the off-season, people returned to their real roots—fishing, artistry, craftsmanship—but people still got out and about to talk to one another. Apparently Theo was still tapped into the Star Harbor gossip mill.

Avery took a deep breath, forcing her heart rate down before she opened the door. He looked exactly as she remembered. Huge. Gorgeous. Dangerous.

He was still wearing his giant pea coat, but he’d taken off his glasses. Without them on, he was stunning, his unusual eyes glowing even more brightly. Avery hadn’t changed, but she’d put her hair up in a snug twist and had slicked on some lip gloss. He smiled as he looked at her mouth.

“Hi,” she said warily, second-guessing her decision to put on the gloss.

“Hey. You look great. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Let me just get my coat. Why don’t you wait here while I grab it?” In a few moments she came back wearing gloves and a large, down-filled puffer jacket. His mouth slowly curled up. The jacket was twice the size of her body and she knew she looked ridiculous. “Don’t laugh,” she warned him. “I’m cold-blooded. This coat is the only thing that keeps me warm.”

“I see.” He gave her a sly smile, his eyes crinkling slightly at the edges. He looked suspiciously like he was imagining other ways to stay warm. Dirty ways.

Or was that her own imagination running rampant? Theo was getting under her skin, no doubt about it. All he had to do was look at her and she started thinking about things she shouldn’t. Before she dissolved into blushes, she let out a deep breath, shook her head, and pulled up the faux-fur-lined hood. “Let’s go.” They stepped outside and she shut and locked the door behind her before they began to walk down Ashumet Avenue.

“Should we go to lock up the Inn? I didn’t get a key to the front door.”

“Oh, we rarely bother locking it,” she said, giving him a sidelong glance. “This is Star Harbor, after all. Speaking of which, Kate wanted me to ask you if you’d mind if we didn’t have night staff on duty. You’re the only guest until Christmas week, and Kate claims she trusts you.”

They hit Front Street and turned right. “No problem. I’m not looking for a four-star experience. I’m just looking for peace and quiet.”

“Okay,” Avery said. “I’ll give you my cell phone number. If you need anything in the middle of the night, just give me a ring.” Even as the words left her mouth, she cringed. But he didn’t comment on the potential innuendo; he just thanked her and kept walking steadily forward.

The downtown lay still and quiet, the tops of the Victorian homes blanketed in snow, the streets empty of cars and pedestrians. The sky was dark, and the only light came from the old-fashioned gas lamps that illuminated each corner of the cobblestone-lined blocks. The air smelled damp, suggesting a storm might be on the horizon. It would probably snow again tonight.

Just as they reached Wharf Street, Avery slipped on a large patch of ice that hadn’t been fully melted by the salt and teetered as her feet went out from under her. Before she could even blink, Theo grabbed her around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. Though it looked like he was standing on the same slippery ice, he hadn’t even budged, standing as solidly as an oak tree.

Instead of immediately releasing her, he held her against him, giving her the chance to experience his strength firsthand. Despite the padding of her thick jacket, she could feel her hip pressed up against his long, strong thigh. Then he shifted, swinging her body in front of his. Involuntarily, her hand came up to his chest and she looked into his eyes. His gaze pinned her where she stood, and a small quiver began in her belly and vibrated outward. She shivered, whether from nerves or excitement, she wasn’t certain. She only knew that his hand on her waist was strangely reassuring, even as a wild heat bloomed on her cheeks.

“Th-thank you,” she stammered, trying to make sense of the flurry of sensation coursing through her.

“You’re welcome,” he said softly before releasing her. Without his touch, the tension and heat building within her dissipated. To her chagrin, Avery realized that she wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or disappointed. “Here.” He offered her his own gloved hand.

She hesitated before taking it. Though she wasn’t at all keen to repeat what had just happened between them, hanging on to him was probably better than winding up on her rear end on an icy sidewalk. His leather gloves dampened some of the electricity that skin-to-skin contact would bring, but they couldn’t mask his strength. He gripped her hand gently yet firmly, and together they continued down the street.

“It doesn’t snow in San Francisco, so how come you don’t slip?” she asked accusingly, eyeing his boots. “Are you wearing cleats?”

“I’m from Star Harbor, remember? And winter and I agree with one another,” he responded.

“What does that even mean?”

“Stick around and you’ll find out.” He gave her a slow smile. “And a whole lot more besides.”

As reluctant as he was to admit it—it was way too soon for him to even be thinking like this—Theo enjoyed having her hand in his. He wasn’t used to listening to his physical urges. For him, it had always been about the mental. Growing up, he’d been the architect behind the scenes, masterminding his brothers’ adventures from backstage while they worked their magic in front of the curtain. He loved devising the perfect plan, making sure every piece was rock solid, and seeing it through. It was only natural, then, that he’d end up making a living with words. Being in charge came easily to him—especially if he could plot it all out in advance.

Of course, there were a few times back in the day when things hadn’t gone as expected. But Theo and his brothers had always been prepared with a contingency plan. First, Cole would step up to see if there was any way the escapade could be logistically salvaged. Then they’d send in Sebastian. He could charm his way out of a paper bag, but that didn’t always do the trick. Next, Theo would take a crack at trying to solve the problem with reason and logic. And if that didn’t work? They’d call on their last resort—Val, their cleanup guy.

Still, despite his proclivity for plotting, Theo was a big man. This woman brought out the beast in him in a way he’d never before experienced and he wasn’t quite sure how to respond. He had plenty of knowledge and plenty of skill in the sexual arena, but he’d always looked at it from a slightly detached perspective—as an academic, not a practical exercise. But the rush of blood through his veins, the thrill of touching her, even gazing at her? That was primal, and he was wise enough to recognize it for what it was: desire. Tightening his grip on Avery’s hand, he strode down the sidewalk, making sure she was aware of his strength. If she slipped again, he’d be there to catch her. Dimly, he wondered if she knew what he was doing. Did it matter?

A few moments later, they reached the Lexie Meyers Kitchen. In sharp contrast to the weather outside, it was warm inside the LMK, cheerful and welcoming. A few tables were occupied, but the place was mostly empty. He immediately spotted Lexie, who was wearing a slim sweater over a wool skirt and tights. Lexie was the owner and chief cook of the LMK, but she often filled in as needed in the dining room. True to form, she had a white apron tied around her waist.

“Theo!” Lexie said, her warm brown eyes lighting up when she saw him. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.” She reached up to give him a small embrace. Lexie’s warmth and friendliness were contagious. It was no surprise that his brother, Sebastian, was head-over-heels in love with her.

“Good to see you,” he responded, giving her a kiss on the cheek without releasing Avery’s hand. “When’s Seb due back in town?”

“Not until next Thursday. He can only stay a few days before he has to return to New York. They’ve just started the taping for his new show.”

Theo nodded. “I’ll catch up with him next weekend, then.”

“Val and Cole were just here. I think they went down to the Nail with Jimmy Bishop,” Lexie said as she glanced at Avery, “but I’m guessing you want a table.”

“Yes, please,” Theo confirmed, just as he felt Avery tug her hand away. “You know Avery, right, Lexie? She’s been helping out Kate at the Inn.”

Lexie was about to answer when a huge crash came from what sounded like the kitchen. The small woman didn’t even blink. “I’ve got to check something, but I’ll be back with menus in a minute. Why don’t you take the booth in the corner? Give you a bit more privacy.” Within seconds, she was gone.

Avery led the way back. She slipped off her jacket, hung it on a hook, and slid into the booth, immediately adjusting her posture until she was sitting ramrod straight. Theo took off his own coat and wedged his large frame into the other side. Thankfully, they were shielded from most of the restaurant by the high walls of the booth, which gave Theo some comfort—it hadn’t been his intention to put her on display.

“Lexie keeps Seb on his toes, that’s for sure,” he said, trying to set her at ease. He was rewarded when Avery’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

“I like her,” Avery admitted, “though she always seems super busy. The only time I’ve ever talked to her is when I ordered cookies for teatime at the Inn.”

Theo glanced back at the counter. Lexie was making a beeline for them. “You’ll get the chance now.”

“Sorry about that,” Lexie said, handing them their menus and pushing her chestnut curls back behind her ears. “Now where were we?”

Theo cleared his throat. “I want to formally introduce you two. Lexie Meyers, meet Avery Newbridge. Avery, meet Lexie.”

Lexie smiled at Avery. “Thanks, Theo. We’ve crossed paths a couple of times, but we’ve never officially met. I know how thrilled Emma was to have you as her maid of honor.”

Avery shook her head. “I was running around so much at the wedding that I barely got to meet anyone. The food you made for the reception was amazing, though. I also love your omelets,” she confessed.

“If you’re going to compliment Buster’s cooking, it’s only fair that you meet him, too. Buster!” she yelled back into the grill room. Avery peeked around the side of the booth just as a slim, worn, middle-aged man wearing a backwards baseball cap poked his head through the horizontal window behind the counter. “This is Avery, Kate’s niece from the Inn.” Though Buster didn’t speak, he raised his hand in greeting.

Avery gave him a little wave in return.

“That’s Buster for you. Doesn’t talk much but definitely packs a punch.” Lexie laughed. She didn’t elaborate, but Theo understood the reference. A couple of months ago, Buster had single-handedly beaten down a group of drug dealers who were operating out of the Grange, an old farm warehouse on the outskirts of town. Buster’s calm demeanor and wiry build were absolutely deceiving. As a former fighter on the underground circuit—and a retired bouncer—Buster could hold his own. Plus, he was deeply devoted to Lexie. For that, Theo was grateful. Seb was out of town a lot, and Theo knew it comforted him that Buster was around to look after her. “Sorry, even though the place is kind of empty, I’m still a bit scattered. Too many catering events this week and next,” she said, shaking her head. “I forgot to tell you the specials. Would you like to hear them?”

Theo looked at Avery, who shook her head. “No, thanks. I already know what I’m getting.”

“Me, too.”

“What would you like?” Lexie asked, pulling a pad and pencil from the pocket of her apron.

“I think I tipped my hand already when I told you I loved your omelets,” Avery said. “I’ll have one with cheddar, mushrooms, and spinach, please. And I’d also like a hot chocolate.”

“I’ll have the burger, medium. Thanks, Lexie.”

Lexie jotted something down on the pad, then scribbled it out. A little crease formed between her eyebrows. “Okay, I’m really scattered tonight. What did you say you wanted again, Avery?”

Avery gave a small chuckle. “Sounds like you could use a break.”

“Tell me about it,” Lexie said. “My head’s been spinning for three days.”

“Why don’t you take one, then?”

Lexie cocked her head at Avery. “I’m thinking about taking some time off when Seb is back in town. He usually likes to help me out at the Kitchen, but a few days away from the place would be good for me. Heck, even a few hours would satisfy me at this point.” Lexie straightened her head. “But I can’t,” she said, quickly. “I have way too much stuff going on.”

“I’ll bet you do a lot of your best creating when you’re relaxed,” Avery said, a sly smile on her face.

“I do,” Lexie admitted.

“And when you come back from a vacation, you’re rested and refreshed.”

Lexie looked thoughtful. “True.”

“Sometimes all it takes is a short break to give you a new lease on whatever it is you’re doing. In fact, you might even be more productive than if you hadn’t taken a break at all.”

There was a long pause, during which both women stayed utterly still.

“I’ll do it,” Lexie finally said, decisively. “I’ll take two days off this weekend. Buster’ll cover for me. He’s been nagging me for weeks to take a break, so he’ll be more than happy to see the back of me.”

“That’s wonderful.” Avery sounded earnest. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good you feel when you get back into the swing of things after some time away.”

“I like you,” Lexie announced, rather abruptly.

“I—like you too,” Avery responded, a small smile creeping up on her face.

Theo watched both women, fascinated.

“Good,” Lexie said in a satisfied tone. “Tell me what you want, again.” Avery repeated her order, and then Lexie shoved the pad back in her apron pocket and pushed the pencil behind her ear. “Your orders will be up soon. Enjoy yourselves.” She gave them a wink before returning to the kitchen.

Finally, they were alone. “What was that about?” he asked Avery, his voice low.

She’d stiffened up again as soon as Lexie left, but her voice was calm. “What do you mean?”

“You were really good with her,” Theo said. “She goes a mile a minute, never stopping. Everyone tells her she needs to give herself some breathing room, but she could care less what other people say. You’re the first person besides Seb and Buster I’ve actually seen her listen to.”

“I just told her something she probably already knew,” Avery said, shrugging. “Anyway, I do like her.” She looked around. “And I like this place, too. Even if everyone here does know your business.”

“I don’t know your business.” Not yet. His gaze bored into hers.

She glanced away and began to study the salt shaker with great interest. “Trust me, you don’t want to.”

“Try me.” He leaned against the back of the booth, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’d rather if you told me about yourself,” she said.

“I’m a novelist.” He didn’t elaborate.

“Well?” she prompted after a few moments of silence had passed. “What kind of stuff do you write?”

“Fiction. Seafaring adventures. My latest book is about a noble captain who is betrayed by his rival.”

“Do you do a lot of research, or are you able to draw on personal experiences?” So she really didn’t know he was T. R. Grayson. Checking his ego, he realized that she might not even know who T. R. Grayson was. Honestly, it might make things easier in the short term if she didn’t.

“Both, actually. I majored in history as an undergraduate. By the time I started my master’s degree, I knew I wanted to write, so I wrote fiction alongside my academic papers. I supplement with research as needed, but the interpersonal stuff comes from my life and my imagination. All of the books I’ve written so far have had some pirate lore woven in.”

Avery laughed, a musical, lilting sound. Almost instantly, her posture relaxed and a smile softened her face. It lit up her eyes and made the freckles dance on her cheeks. “Pirates. I like it.”

He stared at her in fascination, wondering what else he could say to make her laugh. God, she was even more beautiful like this—comfortable and at ease. “I take it you’re not a believer.”

“In old pirate legends? No, despite the fact that most of the Inn’s rooms are named after Gold Coast pirates.” She shook her head. “I’m sure that some of the stories are true, but when you start trying to separate fact from fiction it’s very difficult to rely on lore—especially lore that is hundreds of years old and from self-aggrandizing, cutthroat criminals.”

Theo raised a brow. “Some weren’t criminals at all. Some were privateers who operated with a special license from the authorities, giving them leave to loot and plunder at will.”

“Whether it was legal or not doesn’t make it right.”

“That’s a different matter. But like it or not, those who operated within the confines of the law were allowed to do everything that pirates did.” He smiled again. “Pirates have gotten a bad rap these days. They’re either portrayed as cutthroat or farcical. What many people don’t realize is that pirates operated under their own code of conduct. They were, in essence, the freest men alive, unfettered by country, king, or government.”

“But their code of conduct wasn’t honorable,” Avery protested.

“To them, it was.”

“Well, if you’re dead set on pirates, you should write a book about the legend that everyone talks about around here—you know, that ship that sank in Vineyard Sound?”

“You mean the legend of the Siren Lorelei. I remember the stories my dad used to tell me. I think the ship wrecked in the early 1700s. That would be the perfect time frame for my next book,” he mused, leaning forward in his seat and taking her hand. It was small, cool, and smooth, and he could feel her pulse ticking in her wrist. “I’ve thought about it, but until now, I hadn’t realized how ideal that particular story would be. Coming back to Star Harbor has been good for me.”

She blushed, a slow creep of red from her cheeks that bloomed outward. Her pulse rate sped up just enough for him to notice. Though he could sense her reluctance, the way she responded to him was intoxicating. The fact that she couldn’t help it made it all the sweeter. Though he knew he should step back, slow down, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. “And now it’s your turn to tell me about yourself.”

Avery stiffened, and then lowered her eyes. She tugged her hand away from him. “You’ve caught me at a strange time in my life. What do you want to know?” she asked warily.

Sorry she’d shut down again, and even sorrier that she’d removed her hand from his, Theo leaned back in his seat. “What you’re doing in Star Harbor would be a nice start.”

She blinked and looked up, pausing for a few moments before speaking, as if weighing how much she wanted to tell him. “I’m trying to figure out what I want,” she said slowly.

Now that sure sounded familiar. “What is it that you’re looking for?”

Avery met his gaze, an unreadable expression on her lovely face. He stared back, trying to figure out what was going on in her mind.

“Hot chocolate,” Lexie said, interrupting them as she placed a steaming ceramic cup in front of Avery. “Food’s almost ready.”

Theo forced himself not to groan at Lexie’s untimely intrusion. Avery had been about to talk—he was sure of it—but the spell was broken. He let her take a sip of the chocolate, enjoying the way she sighed a little after swallowing the hot beverage, and patiently waited for her to continue.

Finally, after a long stretch of silence, she spoke. “I’m taking a break from work right now,” she said quietly. “Some stuff happened before I left. The timing worked out, so I came here to help out Kate and lend a hand at the Inn, and she and Emma encouraged me to stay.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“I misjudged a situation and things ended badly.” There was a little hitch in her voice.

“Was there a guy involved?” A tight knot formed in his chest.

She shook her head. “No guy. I’m a social worker. I deal—dealt—mostly with substance abuse cases. The situation I’m referring to happened with a client of mine. A client I thought I was helping.” The tightness in his chest abated somewhat. Though he was glad a man wasn’t the cause of her anguish, he was sorry for her pain. She couldn’t disguise it; her eyes had turned a deeper blue, filled with emotion.

“I’m sure you were helping.”

“I tried. I thought we’d developed a good relationship. Built up trust. She’d been honest with me, at least, at first. But as it turned out, she’d lied to me about the extent of her dependency. She relapsed—much faster and much worse than I ever suspected—and I didn’t catch it in time.”

“But isn’t that what addicts do? Lie?”

She inclined her head in acknowledgment. “Sometimes. Sometimes not. If confronted directly, many will lie outright. It’s just a defense mechanism. But if approached respectfully, most will tell the truth: that they love the high, but know there are plenty of good reasons to stop. And of course, there are those who sometimes lie, but don’t always. My job is to see through the lies to the truth. And in this case, I didn’t.”

“Surely you can only be expected to do your best with what you’re given. If someone lies to you and then perpetuates the lie, how can you get around that? What are you supposed to do?” Theo asked, opening his hands in a placating gesture.

“Work with them until they tell me what’s really going on,” Avery said firmly. “Gain their trust and understanding so that they know I’m there to help them, not hurt them.”

Theo shook his head. “Sometimes people just want to hurt themselves and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Maybe. Sometimes.” She looked away again. “But it’s hard to stomach. When it’s what you live and breathe, it’s not easy to let go of all the emotion that goes with it.”

“And you’re just supposed to detach from the problem?”

“That’s my boss’s mantra, but it’s not that simple for me. I try not to get too invested, especially with clients I really bond with, but sometimes I can’t help it.”

“In most professions, that would be considered a good thing.”

“Not in mine.” She shook her head. “Not everyone wants to be saved. Problem was, I saw a lot of myself in her and I wanted to help her. I wanted her to make it. And she didn’t.”

“What parts of yourself did you see in her?” he asked.

“Empathy. Love. Confusion. Determination. Most of my clients are devoted parents in addition to being addicts. When our dad was killed, our mother gave her life to me and Emma, to make sure we knew we were loved and cherished. We tried to do the same for her, especially when she became ill and then died …” Avery trailed off. “It was hard, but we pushed through with Kate’s help. We were never victims. We just did the best we could with the hand we were dealt. Just like my clients.”

This was getting good. “So what’s the problem? Sounds like you’re good at your job and that you have things in hand.”

Avery gave a delicate snort, her prim façade slipping slightly before snapping back into place. “Hardly. That’s why I’m here.”

“Well, I’ll give you the advice that a wise man gave me.” His brother Val, of course, years ago, when he’d first set off for the West Coast. “Start thinking about what you want. What you need. And then go after it.” Theo leaned forward again. “What do you want?” He knew exactly what he wanted. To figure out this woman. Find out what she was made of.

Just then, Lexie appeared back at their table. “Food’s up. Here you go, Avery. Theo.”

Damn. Interrupted again. Then the aroma of his freshly cooked burger wafted up to him, tempering his irritation. “This looks delicious.”

“Can I get you two anything else?” Lexie asked, a slight smile on her face.

“No, thanks.” He loved his future sister-in-law, but at the moment, he wanted to be alone with Avery.

“Thank you, no,” Avery said, shaking her head.

“Well, holler if you need anything,” she said, before turning and heading back to the kitchen.

“Please,” Theo said, gesturing that she should start eating.

Avery gave him a brief smile before tucking into her food. While he picked up his burger, he surreptitiously watched her eat. She ate slowly, one deliberate bite at a time, savoring the simple dish. Taking a bite of the accompanying hash browns, she made a little noise of pleasure in the back of her throat.

Behind his burger, Theo smiled to himself. However much she tried to suppress it, there was passion simmering just below the surface. Passion he’d do anything to be able to tap. He imagined what it would be like to have her under him, that glorious hair spread out over a pillow, as she gave herself to him with every ounce of enthusiasm she’d undoubtedly bring to such an endeavor. He could just picture her now, her face flushed with desire, her mouth open on a gasp as …

He blinked and glanced around, embarrassed to realize that he’d been holding his burger in front of him for several moments, but he still hadn’t taken a bite.

Avery was glad that they’d finished dinner and were headed back home. She had come to Star Harbor to escape the stresses of her life, not add new ones. And Theodore Grayson was definitely a new one. At dinner, he’d stared at her as though he could see through to her very soul. His cool intensity had compelled her to open up to him—just as she encouraged her clients to do with her. It was unsettling, to say the least. How could she get her mind back on track if Theo kept throwing her out of her comfort zone?

She couldn’t wear her heart on her sleeve—that was just trouble waiting to happen. No, she needed to keep her emotions tamped down so that they couldn’t be set off by one little trigger. She’d kept part of her heart on lockdown since her mother’s death. And she’d survived in her job by doing her best to compartmentalize her emotions—trying her darndest not to get emotionally invested in her clients. And she’d failed even in that. Now, this man was trying to pry open Pandora’s box, things were spiraling out of control, and she wasn’t sure how to handle it. One crack in her carefully composed armor and it would all come pouring out again.

A snowflake landed on her cheek, and she impatiently wiped it away. Avery was nervous, there was no getting around it. Anytime he touched her—no, anytime he looked at her—her heart started racing. So much for keeping herself in check.

He had his hand in hers again. Thankfully, he’d put his gloves back on, but his calm demeanor made her anything but. A light dusting of snow already coated the cobblestone streets and sidewalks of Star Harbor’s downtown area. If this continued, it would be up to her ankles by morning. Theo expertly steered her through the snowy streets, and for that, she was grateful. She’d spent most of her childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, so her experience with serious winter weather was limited to the time she’d spent in Boston. This meant she could handle the season only if the roads were de-iced and the sidewalks were cleared. In Star Harbor, she could barely keep upright when walking outside after a snowfall.

And she was always cold, hence the huge puffer jacket. As if on cue, she shivered.

But the snow falling gently onto the boats docked in the harbor was as beautiful a sight as she’d ever seen. She loved the way it fluttered all around her without a sound. It was so peaceful—just perfect for nestling into her little room in Aunt Kate’s house with a good book and a warm cup of tea. For a moment, she imagined how warm it would be if Theo wrapped his arms around her body. It unnerved her.

“Let’s go back to the Inn,” Avery said quickly, trying to will the image away. “I have a few things I need to do before heading back to Kate’s this evening.”

“All right,” he agreed, guiding her up the path to the front door. They let themselves into the foyer. Avery took off her jacket and laid it across the reservation desk, shivering a little as a draft blew in. Theo took off his own coat, and she couldn’t help but stare. Up close, he looked downright enormous. Cold-blooded he wasn’t—he didn’t even have on a sweater beneath his jacket. Just a navy-blue long-sleeved crewneck shirt that showed off the definition of his powerful chest and arms. And why hadn’t she noticed the way a few locks of hair curled slightly down the back of his neck? It was just too long to be considered clean-cut, but she suspected that Theo could care less about that. As she wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through the curls, her fingers curved.

What was she doing? Imagining herself touching him was not wise. Quickly, she jerked her gaze away and pretended to search for something behind the desk.

“What do you have to do?” Theo asked, leaning on the desk. “Maybe I could help?”

Bad idea. The man was scorching hot, and Avery needed to stay away from him, not encourage him. “Check the voicemail messages, get things ready for tea tomorrow, that kind of thing.” She waved her hand around to indicate that it would be boring. “Though I guess I won’t have to do the setup if you’re going to be out for teatime.”

“Oh, I’ll be here all right. Where is it served again?”

“In the parlor.”

At his confused look, she realized she was going to have to show him. “Here.” She gestured for him to follow her, flicking on the light switch when she reached the room. She sighed contentedly as she stepped into the warm, welcoming space. Built-in bookshelves filled with old tomes flanked two of the walls. Centered against another wall was a fireplace topped by a huge mantel that showcased an old-fashioned clock with visible gears, and a model sailboat. Several comfortable chairs were arranged around a low table, and a pair of small sofas sat opposite each other across a Persian rug. Antique floor lamps provided the light. This was Avery’s favorite room in the Inn, and she’d often sit on the window seat and watch the harbor when things weren’t busy. “There are some parlor games, like Scrabble, underneath that bookshelf,” she said, pointing to a cabinet in the corner.

“Want to play?” His voice deepened suggestively.

Avery swallowed hard. “Not tonight,” she said, trying to sound firm even though the thought of battling wits and words with this man made her start heating up like an oven. Staying with him would be a disaster. Her cheeks—not to mention the rest of her—were already warm.

“Why are you wearing your hair up?” he asked abruptly.

Surprised, she reached up to pat her twist. No loose strands. “I—I like it up. It’s more secure that way.” Safer.

He stepped closer. “It’s fine up, but it looks better down.”

“Yes, well,” she said, swallowing, “it’s more distracting down. And now I need to go. Thanks for dinner. Good night.” She moved to step around him, but he reached out and curled one huge hand around her upper arm, stopping her. Frozen in place, she didn’t even try to pull free. Heart beating crazily in her chest, her pulse rate skyrocketed. Every inch of her body was tingling from his touch. Concerned about what she was going to see, she raised her gaze to meet his.

“You never answered my question from before,” he said huskily, his eyes a deep, dark green. “What do you want?”

All the tension that had been building throughout the evening bubbled up to the surface and Avery lost the tight rein she tried to keep on her emotions. “I have no idea,” she retorted. “What do you want?” It was a pathetic response, but his nearness was making it hard to think straight.

“You,” Theo said, just before he slid his other arm around her and claimed her lips with his own.