16.

 

Noelle.

 

I wake feeling like it’s the first day of summer: that sleepy, sun-warmed haze you have knowing there’s nothing but beach days and BBQs ahead. Then I roll over and find myself snuggling against something solid and warm.

Ash.

I jolt awake as memories come flooding back to me. The taste of his skin, the deliberate caress of those masterful hands. The feel of him, so perfect. The wild rush of it all, electric in the night, pushing everything aside to feast on each other with total abandon.

Pushing everything aside…

Breakfast!

It’s already after nine. I can’t believe I slept so long! I quickly slip out of bed and grab some clean underwear and Ash’s shirt from the floor. I leave him sleeping and let myself out, hurrying barefoot across the dew-damp grass to the main house. I let myself in the back door, and barrel down the hall—

“Good morning, dear.”

I stop dead in the dining room doorway. The room is full: the Petersons are sitting by the window, and the Kellers are trying to keep their boys from smearing sunscreen over everything.

“Did you have a nice night?” Harold asks, with a twinkle in his eye. I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror over the mantle: the rumpled shirt barely covering my ass, and my tangled bed-head hair. My cheeks burn hot. Oh my God!

“Umm, sorry I wasn’t up earlier,” I mumble. “I’ll get breakfast out right away!”

“No need, dear,” Nancy says, smiling. “We found plenty of scones and breads in the kitchen. And Harold is quite a whizz with the eggs, isn’t that right?” she asks the Keller boys.

They answer in a chorus of approval, but I feel terrible for sleeping in.

“You go get yourself together,” Nancy winks. “And take your time. We’ll be just fine right here.”

I slink away, feeling like I just got busted by my parents with a boy in my room.

“What’s wrong?” Ash is awake when I step back into the studio; checking his phone in bed.

“They all saw me!” I cry, throwing myself face-down beside him. “They all know…you know. That I had someone over!”

He chuckles, reaching to stroke my hair. “Is that so bad?”

“Yes!” I sit up again, still totally embarrassed. “I’m trying to be professional, and my guests see me like this? What must they think of me now?”

“That you have great legs?” Ash smirks.

I catch my breath. He looks so damn sexy right now, his naked torso draped in the bedding, morning-after stubble on his jaw.

Maybe the humiliation is worth it.

“Hey,” I murmur, remembering just how we wound up like this. Ash. In my bed. Naked.

“Hey,” Ash echoes. He leans in and kisses me, a slow, deep, morning-after kind of kiss. And just like that, my embarrassment melts away, replaced with desire and joy and excitement, mingling hot in my veins.

I sink into the kiss. Ash tugs me closer so I’m curled in his lap, and I slide my arms up around his neck, savoring the feel of his body against mine. This isn’t fevered and wild like last night; no, this is a leisurely heat, simmering between us in the morning sun.

Bliss.

I sigh with pleasure as his hands move over my body: stroking my hair, sliding down over my back, sending ripples of warmth right through me with every touch. His fingers tease at the hem of the shirt I’m wearing, gently whispering against my bare legs and creeping higher, until I’m wriggling with anticipation.

Ash chuckles against my mouth. “Ticklish?” he murmurs, tracing circles on the inside of my thigh.

I catch my breath. “Maybe a little,” I whisper, moving to explore the line of his jaw with a trail of teasing kisses.

“Hmmm…” Ash’s touch strays higher. “How about…here…?”

His fingers slide under my panties, warm and slow. I exhale in a shudder, my eyes falling shut as he strokes in gentle circles, igniting the flames. “Yes,” I whisper against him, my body turning liquid. “Don’t stop.”

Ash shifts me on his lap so I’m sprawled against him, my back to his chest. I lie back, surrendering completely to the feel of him; his fingers buried between my thighs, stroking me with a slow, delicious pace. His stubble rasps against my cheek as he kisses my neck; his free hand roaming softly over my body. He opens the shirt buttons one by one, reaching to cup my breasts in turn and gently tease my nipples into two aching peaks.

God, he’s incredible. I want to stay, suspended in this dream-like haze of pleasure, but already, my desire is coiling tighter, needing release.

“Open your eyes,” Ash orders me softly.

I look up—and find myself staring at our reflection in the dressing table mirror across the room. Damn, that’s even hotter: the sight of us here in bed together, my body splayed across his lap. Wanton and undone.

Ash’s eyes lock on mine in the glass, and I can see the fierce heat in his gaze.

He pulls my shirt open, baring my body completely. This time, his eyes don’t leave mine as he strokes and squeezes at my breasts, displaying them to me. His other hand slides deeper beneath my panties, his fingertips teasing at my slick desire.

Heat pulses through me. I’m transfixed, totally caught in his dark, knowing stare and the wicked sight of us together. He’s teasing me, controlling me, but I don’t care. All that matters in the feel of his hands on my body, and that incredible pleasure rising higher; burning brighter inside me, ready to combust.

He strokes me in a mindless rhythm, refusing to speed the pace. I whimper, writhing back against his lap—and the hardness pressing against me—but Ash just locks his arms tighter, trapping me in place.

I can see it in his eyes, the heat, the intensity. Pleasure shudders through my body, hotter still. I’m bucking against him, desperate for more of his wicked touch, the hypnotic slide of his fingers against me. “Please,” I gasp, “Ash, I’m so close.”

Ash dips his head and kisses my neck in a whisper of sensation. He’s everywhere, his arms, his touch, his body. I’m drowning in the heat of it, arching desperately against his hand. More. There.

Please.

He curls one finger up inside me, then another, thrusting deep as his palm rocks against my clit and he bites down softly on my shoulder.

God, I shatter with a gasp, glittering pleasure sweeping my body in a swift, stardust haze. I fall back against him, reeling.

That was incredible.

I’m about to show him just how good, when Ash’s cellphone sounds. He reaches over me to grab it from the nightstand, but I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him back.

“Leave it,” I tell him. “We’re not done here yet.”

“I should really—”

“I said, leave it.” I wrap my legs around his waist and bite down lightly on his shoulder. “We’re not done here just yet.”

I can feel him, still hard against me, but instead of pinning me down and continuing where we left off, Ash carefully lifts himself away and picks up his phone. He scans the message, and sighs.

“Damn, I forgot I had an early call with New York scheduled.”

“I guess you got a little distracted…” I slide my hand down his chest, skimming over the fabric of the sheets tangled around his waist. I close my hand around him and give a flirty grin. “Make that a lot distracted.”

Ash focuses on his phone a second, tapping out a message in reply. Then he turns back to me and gives me a quick kiss.

“I wish I could stay, but I’m already behind.”

“They can wait.” I kiss him deeply, my nerves still glittering with heat. “After all, you’re the boss.”

I massage him again, slowly. Ash lets out a low groan.

“I shouldn’t…” he says, but his hips are already moving against me. I roll on top of him and start to kiss my way down his chest.

“But we have unfinished business of our own, right here,” I tease, moving lower, savoring every moment. Ash falls back against the pillows, his fingers tangling lightly in my hair, guiding me down. I ease the sheets away, baring him completely.

God, he’s gorgeous, every last thick inch.

I dip my head, ready to take him in my mouth, when suddenly his phone sounds again. Ash flinches, and just like that, I see the lust shatter from his expression. It’s as if he’s waking up, somehow, shaking off the desire that just moments ago was threatening to consume us both, all over again. He rolls away, grabbing his phone.

“Shit. I’m sorry,” he tells me quickly. “I really have to go deal with this.”

“Oh. OK.” I sit up, trying to adjust to the sudden change.

Ash gives me a regretful smile. “I wish I could stay. Believe me,” he adds fervently, his eyes roaming over my naked body. “But we’re juggling so much stuff right now. I have the New York calls, and architects due here in town this afternoon to talk.” He leans in and kisses me: slow and hot, and full of promise.

“Dinner, tonight?” he asks, softly caressing my cheek. “I promise, we’ll pick up right where we left off.”

“In the middle of a restaurant?” I grin. “Sure, if you want to get arrested.”

Ash laughs. “OK, maybe we’ll rewind to the part where you have clothes on.” He slides out of bed and grabs his pants from the floor. “But then there’s going to be a full replay.”

“Slow motion too?” I quip, watching that gorgeous body disappear under clothing again.

Ash gives me a dark look. “I’m thinking fast-forward.” He buttons his shirt and then leans in close to whisper in my ear again. “Hard, and fast, until you’re screaming my name.”

I blink, dazed at the sexy promise as Ash collects the rest of his things. “I’ll call you later?” he checks from the doorway.

“Sure,” I manage to reply. He winks, then leaves, and closes the door behind him.

Wow.

I flop backwards on the bed, reveling in the moment. I can’t believe that after everything, we finally got it together—and it’s only just the beginning.

I can’t wait for what’s in store tonight.

 

I spend the rest of the morning wrapped in a goofy, happy daze. I wave off the Keller family and clean up their rooms, replaying every moment of last night over and over in my mind. With nothing else to distract me, my memory runs riot with hot, sexy scenes, like something from a movie.

Except a movie never made me feel like this, like I’m balanced on the edge of a cliff, ready to take off and soar into the unknown.

Ash is still a mystery to me, but I’m finally breaking through that controlled barricade he keeps locked tight around himself. The hints of vulnerability, of passion, he’s revealed only make me hungry to discover more.

My cellphone rings as I’m unloading laundry. Juliet.

“Hey,” I answer, happy to see her name on my caller ID. “What’s up?”

“That’s what I called to find out.” Juliet’s voice is teasing. “I heard a rumor that you and a certain real estate kingpin were getting friendly last night…”

“What? How?” I exclaim, before the answer arrives. “Oh, Tegan.”

“Yup.” Juliet laughs. “I ran into her this morning in town, and she was pumped about it. She’s determined to fix you guys up on a date.”

“It might be a little late for that…” I reply, folding sheets.

Juliet gasps. “No! OK, I want to hear everything. Can you meet for lunch?”

I check around the room. I’m nearly done here, and I was planning to run errands anyway. “Sure, see you in town in twenty minutes?”

“Done. And you better have all the details.”

I hang up and quickly finish up the laundry before grabbing my purse and walking to meet Juliet in town. We decide to grab a couple of sandwiches from the diner, then go eat them on the beach; when we’ve finally settled on the sand and unwrapped our food, Juliet turns to me with an expectant look.

“OK, I’ve waited long enough. Spill!”

I feel myself blush, and busy myself with a mouthful of food while I try to figure out just how much to share.

She laughs. “Now I know this is going to be good.”

I swallow. “Well…Ash took me home last night. And then…one thing led to another.”

Juliet claps her hands together in glee. “I knew it! The way he’s been looking at you, I knew something was going on.”

“Well, we actually have some history,” I admit, then quickly fill her in on the details of our night together in New York.

“Even better,” Juliet declares. “I love a good passionate reunion story. Emerson and I were apart for years before we got back together,” she adds. “It just made us stronger in the end. I knew I would never meet anyone like him again.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I tell her quickly, before she’s planned the wedding. “This is totally different. I’m still finding my bearings here, and Ash…” I pause, thinking how hard it’s been to get even this far; for him to let his guard down and allow himself to connect. “He’s not exactly diving in. We’ve got a lot of stuff to figure out. It’s only the beginning.”

“A sexy, hot beginning,” Juliet corrects me with a smirk. “At least, if that goofy smile you’re wearing is any indication.”

I laugh. “OK, you’ve got me,” I admit. “It was…pretty spectacular.”

“See, I knew we’d find you someone.” Juliet toasts her soda can against mine. “Now, all we have to do is make the B&B a massive success, and you’re all set!”

I giggle. “Sure, how hard can that be?”

“Ye of little faith.” Juliet sits back, and looks out at the ocean with a contented smile. “I’m telling you, there’s something about this place. Nobody plans on winding up here, but once they do, everything works out great in the end.”

“I hope you’re right,” I agree, taking in the gorgeous beach and foam-tipped waves rolling steadily in from the sparkling blue tide. I never imagined I could find somewhere that felt so much like home; like I belong here, building the life I’m supposed to lead. “Because right now, I don’t ever want to leave.”

 

I may be happy here, but my parents have other ideas. They call as I’m walking back after lunch; this time, it’s my dad, with a whole new strategy to point out just what a mess I’m apparently making of my life.

“It’s my fault, I pushed you too hard,” he says on the other end of the line. “You always did want to make me proud, and maybe I didn’t give you enough support.”

“You supported me just fine!” I reply, feeling guilty. He sounds so disappointed and hurt, I know he’s worried and just wants the best for me.

The problem is, their version of “best” looks nothing like the life I want for myself. And now that I’ve been here a couple of weeks and I’m finding my feet, I don’t want to keep having the same conversation with them, over and over again.

“Look, why don’t you come down and see for yourself,” I suggest, trying to change the script. “If you see what I’m doing with the B&B, and how I’m really making a go of this, maybe you’ll finally understand.”

“I understand just fine, sweetie,” my dad replies. “You need a break. Some time away from the stress of your career. We all feel that way sometimes, it can be a lot to handle. But you go take a vacation for a couple of weeks, you switch specialities if you need a change; you don’t uproot your life completely and turn your back on your family.”

I stop. “Is that what you think? Dad, no, it couldn’t be further from the truth. I feel like I’m coming home to family,” I tell him, trying to explain. “This town is full of memories for me, Nana, and you and Mom, back when I was a kid. I love that I get to help create new memories for someone else now.”

He sighs. “I know that town, remember, I spent eighteen years trapped in that place. And I can tell you now, it may seem like one big sunscreen commercial, but once the tourists pack up and winter comes, it’s a whole different place. You’ll be bored and lonely and wish you hadn’t left the city behind.”

“Maybe,” I agree. “But it’s my choice to figure that out for myself. I really am making a go of this, Dad,” I add. “I have guests booked, and an article coming out in a big magazine. I’m not just sitting on the beach all day, I’m really working.”

“And there’s nothing I can do to change your mind?” he asks hopefully. “Your mom and I were thinking, even if you don’t want to sell Rose Cottage just yet, we could loan you a down payment on an apartment here in the city. Your own place—”

“Thank you, but I’m staying.” I firmly decline his new bribe. “So you can tell Mom to cancel that intervention of hers,” I add. “Come, visit, you’ll see, this is good for me. I really like it here.”

He sighs again. “I’ll talk to your mother. I have that new case on, so I won’t be able to get away for a while.”

“The murder trial?” I ask, and soon, Dad is chatting away about trial defense strategy and witness prep. I’m nearly back at the B&B by the time he’s done talking.

“It sounds like a great case. Good luck,” I tell him.

“Are you sure it doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do?” he asks again. “Because one of my associates just left, and I need someone for research and—”

“No, Dad!” I cut him off, laughing. “It doesn’t tempt me at all. I’ll call you guys next week, OK?”

“Love you.”

I hang up, feeling more relieved. He still doesn’t understand, but maybe he will in time. My parents have always been so focused on achievement: lining up our debate team trophies and sporting medals on the mantle, boasting to their friends about our college acceptance and grades. It’s the way they know they’re doing the right thing in life, measuring where they stack up. Since grade school, I’ve been on the same path with them, striving for that next award, but now, suddenly, I’ve stepped off that predictable route and gone in a totally different direction.

It’s a lot to take in.

Here in Beachwood Bay, I don’t have a quarterly performance review, or a neat ladder of promotion from associate, to junior partner, to partner to climb. I don’t get a salary bump for good work, or official warnings if things go badly. It’s scary to be out of my comfort zone like this—but it’s thrilling too. To make my own rules, and improvise when things don’t work out as planned. Finally, I don’t feel like I’m pushing at the edges of a box that can’t contain me, feeling restless and different. Instead, I wake up every morning excited to face the day ahead.

I just hope I can live up to whatever Nana saw in me when she gave me this gift. Not everyone gets a second chance like this, and I want to make her proud. Which means doing everything I can to launch Rose Cottage as a successful business, despite all the hiccups along the way.

I reach the front gate, already determined to spend the afternoon in the office, contacting more travel magazines. If Bunny’s high standards were impressed, then maybe I can tempt some more reviewers down here to write articles or profile the town. And then there are travel agents, and bloggers, maybe even regular newspapers…

I’m so deep in thought, I almost miss the woman peering over the fence separating the B&B’s land from the property next door. Ash’s property, I remind myself.

“Can I help you?” I call.

She startles, caught. “Oh, hi, great to see you again! It’s me, Hallie, the realtor?” she adds, when I clearly don’t remember.

“Oh, right, hello.” I walk over, remembering how she blind-sided me at the funeral. I give her a cautious look. “Is there anything you need?”

“Just taking a little look-see.” She gives me a bright smile. Just like the last time we met, her hair is smoothed back in a tight bun, and she’s wearing an expensive-looking silk blouse and tight skirt. “I was planning on setting up a meeting next week. My clients would love to make an offer on your property.”

“I’m not selling,” I tell her firmly.

“You haven’t even heard the deal!” she exclaims. “My clients are willing to offer double the valuation.”

Double? I shake my head. “No thank you.”

Hallie blinks. “A hard negotiator, I admire that.” Hallie forces another smile. “I’m sure we can come to some agreement eventually. They really are motivated to get this place locked down along with the rest of the land.”

“The rest?” I pause, confused.

“Oh yes,” Hallie replies, sunny. “They’ve bought up all four of the lots along this stretch of beach.” She points, down to where the inlet starts to curve way in the distance.

“But, what for?” I begin to get a very bad feeling.

“Well, it’s all hush-hush for now, but between us, it’s a big development project.” Hallie looks excited. “It’s a big outfit, out of New York. I heard they’re looking to build a luxury hotel right here in town. A country club style place, you know, pool, private villas, a fancy restaurant, the whole deal.”

Her words hit me like an anvil. A luxury hotel, right next door to Rose Cottage? I stare at her in disbelief. She can’t be serious!

“It’s just the thing this town needs.” Hallie continues, oblivious. “And property prices will sky-rocket! Not yours, of course,” she adds, making a rueful face. “I mean, being stuck right next to the construction, and then all the activity from the guests… It’s not exactly the tranquil vacation people want from an old place like yours. That’s why I’m telling you, sell now, while the Callahan Group is willing to pay top dollar for the land.”

No.

I stare at her in disbelief. I must have heard wrong. “Say that again,” I ask faintly. “The client. Who’s going to be building the hotel?”

“The Callahan Group,” Hallie chirps. “They’re a very big deal. Apparently, the CEO has family in town. He took one look around, and decided this place was crying out for a real, classy vacation experience. No offense to your little B&B,” she adds quickly. “I’m sure it’s very charming.”

“Uh huh,” I murmur, too shocked to take offense. It doesn’t add up, this couldn’t possibly be coming from Ash. He wouldn’t.

Would he?

“Ash Callahan, now he’s a man with vision,” Hallie continues, confirming my worst fears without even realizing. “And between us girls, he’s pretty easy on the eye. No, you don’t find men like that around here often. Ambitious, driven, sophisticated…” She catches herself and gives a brisk smile. “Anyway, you think it over, give me a call!”

I turn back to the house in a daze. With the afternoon sun glowing off the freshly-painted shutters, it looks like a scene from a postcard. The gardens in full bloom, roses twisting up around the porch, the ocean sparkling blue down by the shore.

It’s my home now. My passion. And Ash knows how important it is to me, he’s seen how hard I’ve worked to make this dream a reality.

So how could he even think about destroying it?