Every muscle in Ella’s body protested the journey up the stairs and into the office, where she greeted Mary, their administrative assistant, and her brothers Will and Hunter before heading into her own office. Sitting behind her desk, she winced at the bite of pain from between her legs but tried to ignore the insistent throb as she powered up her computer. Maybe if she was able to get through her long to-do list by early afternoon she could take a half day and go home to nap before dinner with Gavin’s parents. She feared what she might look like by dinnertime if she didn’t get some sleep.
With her goal of a nap in mind, she finalized the plans for Friday night with a company-wide e-mail that reminded everyone that the festivities began at five with presentations from Ella and Lincoln, followed by dinner and dancing with a DJ until midnight. She had a phone call with the management of the Grange Hall to make sure everything was set for Friday, and then she called the caterer to check in.
All her meticulous attention to detail was paying off. Everything was ready to ensure a good time for the employees and their families before the holiday shopping crush began.
Next up was a check of inventory to make sure everything Charley had ordered for the store was in place and ready to replenish supplies as needed. The holidays were their second most profitable time of year, following leaf-peeping season, during which people came from all over the world to view the spectacular Vermont foliage.
They no sooner completed that season than the holidays were upon them. By mid-December they’d be living for January. They got a small break during mud season before the new batch of maple syrup began to arrive in the store, bringing with it hordes of customers looking to stock up. It was the same thing every year, and Ella enjoyed the rhythms and cycles of the seasons outside and in the store. She loved the predictable nature of what they did, ensuring that customers received the same welcoming experience every time they set foot into the store.
She checked her watch. Almost eleven. Thank goodness she was busy and the time was going by quickly. She got up to stretch and was heading downstairs to work the floor for a while when Charley came into her office, shutting the door behind her.
“Good morning to you, too.”
“You look like hell, and is that razor burn on your face?”
Ella’s hand covered her cheek.
“Other side.”
“Stop. Leave me alone.”
“Not until you tell me everything.”
“I’m not telling you anything.”
“I was good enough to unload on when things had gone to shit with him. I think I deserve some of the dirty details.”
Ella laughed, because how could she not? Charley was as outrageous as ever.
“Besides, it’s obvious you’ve been thoroughly ravished, so don’t try to deny it.”
“It is?” She pulled a mirror out of her purse and studied the patch of razor burn at her jawline, as well as her swollen lips and red eyes.
“Told you. Now spill the beans.”
“You seem to already have all the beans figured out. Why do I need to spill them?”
“Was it good? Worth the long, agonizing wait?”
“Yes.”
“To which?”
“Both.”
Charley smiled. “Excellent. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a giant letdown after all the buildup.”
“Still could be. Who knows? We’re taking it a day at a time, but he’s trying. I’ll give him that.”
“Judging by the look of you today, he’s putting forth one hell of an effort.”
Ella couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Indeed he is.”
“I’m happy for you, Ella. You’ve been into him a long time, and you never gave up on him even when it would’ve been easier for you.”
“I couldn’t give up on him. I love him. I’ve always loved him.”
“Sigh,” Charley said, dropping into a chair. “What’s that like? I’ve never met any guy that didn’t drive me bonkers. I can’t imagine falling in love with one of them.”
“It’ll happen someday. When it’s meant to.”
“I don’t know about that. I might be too cynical for love.”
“Somewhere out there is a guy who will love the challenge of defrosting your frigid, cynical heart.”
Charley snorted with laughter. “If you say so. I pity the fool, whoever he is.”
“We all do, Charley.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Are you going to Hannah’s to watch The Bachelor tonight?”
“I don’t think so. We’re having dinner with Gavin’s parents, and I’m kinda tired. I’ll be back next week.”
“We’ll give you a pass this one time.”
“Gee, thanks. And you know, thanks for listening during the tough times. It really helped me to unload on you.”
“I was happy to be there for you. I hated seeing you unhappy. Ravished and glowing is a big improvement.”
Ella touched the rash on her cheek again. “You don’t think Dad will be able to tell, will he?”
“Um, am I to say what you want to hear or the truth?”
“Oh God. I’ll be avoiding him today then.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Maybe I’ll also skip my daily walk through the store, too. I don’t want people talking about us until we’re ready for that.”
“I’d say you let that cat out of the bag by bringing him to dinner yesterday.”
“I don’t care if the family knows.”
“If the family knows, the town knows.”
A niggle of unease settled in Ella’s belly at the thought of people in town talking about her and Gavin. They weren’t ready to be the subject of gossip. Not yet anyway. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’m trying to get out of here a little early today.”
Charley dragged herself out of the chair where she’d made herself nice and comfortable. “I won’t keep you.”
“I meant to tell you—congrats on the training and everything. I think it’s awesome—and amazing—that you’re going to run a marathon.”
“We’ll see if it happens. The run on Saturday about killed me. My legs were on fire yesterday.”
“It’ll get better the more you do it.”
“Hope so. The old gray mare ain’t as young as she used to be.”
“Oh please, you’re thirty, not eighty.”
“I felt eighty yesterday. Oh, and guess who’s in the running group?” Charley asked with a scowl.
“Who?”
“Tyler Westcott.”
“The one man under thirty-five in Butler that you haven’t dated?” Ella asked.
Charley rolled her eyes. “I never dated Gavin Guthrie, and he’s under thirty-five.”
“You better not have dated Gavin. And P.S., I like Tyler. He’s a nice guy, and he’s totally into you.”
“He is not. Why would you even say that? He’s so boring I fall asleep the second he opens his mouth.”
“He’s not boring. He’s quiet. There’s a difference, and I know he’s into you because he always watches you at the Grange dances.”
“He does not. Don’t make shit up.”
“If that’s what you have to tell yourself. Personally, I think he’s super cute.”
“Why don’t you date him then?”
“Sorry, I’m very busy with the guy I have. I’ll leave Tyler to you.”
“Don’t do me any favors. I’m out of here.”
Watching her sister jet out of the room like her ass was on fire, Ella smiled. She couldn’t wait to see Charley fall hard for her Mr. Right, even if Ella pitied the fool who took her on.
She got back to work, drafting some remarks for her father to share with the sales team, and then she sent them to him in an e-mail rather than walking them into his office the way she normally would. The last thing she needed today was Lincoln Abbott’s shrewd eyes taking in her disheveled state. It was more than enough that Charley had seen right through her.
A knock on her door had her saying a silent prayer for anyone other than her dad. “Come in.”
Hunter ducked his head in. “Can I have a minute?”
“Sure,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t notice the razor burn. Why hadn’t she seen that and done something about it before she left the house? Because she’d been too sex-drunk to take the time to look in the mirror this morning. “What’s up?” she asked when Hunter came in, closed the door behind him and took a seat.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“About?” Ella asked, though she suspected she already knew.
“Gavin.”
“I’ve already been warned by Mom and Hannah, so you can save your breath.”
“Could I just say one thing?”
“Can I stop you?” Ella asked with a sigh, crossing her arms and settling in to be big-brothered. That was something Hunter was exceptionally good at.
“I know you don’t want to hear it, El. I didn’t want to hear it when I first got together with Megan and people were telling me to watch out for her. Hell, she carried a torch for my brother for years before she went out with me. Nothing and no one could talk me out of being with her.” He looked down at the floor before returning his gaze to her. “That said, I need you to know . . . I love Gavin. He’s been my friend since I was a little kid, and he’s a good guy. But—”
“Why did I know there was a but coming?”
“He’s messed up on the inside, Ella. Messed up bad. He’s not the same as he was before.”
Hunter didn’t need to tell her what he meant by “before.”
“I know that,” Ella said. “What you saw at Mom and Dad’s didn’t just start yesterday. It’s been happening for a while now, and I’ve got my eyes wide open. Gavin told me himself that he’s a ‘fixer-upper.’ ”
“Are you sure you want to invest that kind of energy in something that might not be fixable?”
“If I recall correctly, you took on a bit of a fixer-upper yourself in Megan, and look at how that worked out.”
“Fair enough. I hope you know . . . I only say this because I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“And I appreciate the concern. I really do. But there’s no warning or concern or anything that anyone could say that will keep me from giving him an honest, legitimate chance.”
“I’ll hope it works out the way you want it to.”
“Could I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Are you going to Dylan’s wedding?”
“Megan and I were just talking about that last night. She’s trying to figure out whether the diner can get by for a few days without her, and if she can work something out, we’re going. Why?”
“I want Gavin to go, but he’s saying he can’t leave work.”
“He doesn’t go to Sultan things anymore. Unless they’re here. It’s one of the many ways he’s changed in recent years.”
“I know. Nolan told me that.” Ella chewed on the end of her pen. “What do you think he’d do if I bought tickets for us, made reservations and presented him with a done deal?”
Hunter tipped his head in thought. “I honestly don’t know how that would go over. Back in the day, I would’ve said he’d love it. Now . . . I just don’t know.”
“Hmm, well, thanks for your opinion and everything else. I appreciate that you care.”
“We all do, Ella.”
“I know. I wish you all cared a little less than you do.”
“That’ll be the day.” Smiling, he got up and headed for the door. “See you later.”
Ella tried to return her attention to the computer, but her eyes were swimming and she couldn’t stop yawning. She’d made it to three o’clock. That was a freaking miracle, all things considered. She turned off her computer and grabbed her purse and coat.
“I’m going home for the day, Mary. Not feeling too good today.”
“Oh, too bad, Ella. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you then.” She went down the stairs, praying for a clean getaway. The office had been unusually quiet today, for which she would be eternally grateful. As she pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home, she saw her dad and the dogs on the sidewalk in front of Lucas’s woodworking barn. She tooted at them, returned their waves and continued on her way. Her bed was calling to her, and she was going to crash and burn if she didn’t answer that call very soon.
Gavin’s day had been a disaster until right this minute, as he took the stairs to Ella’s place two at a time. His heartbeat was on overdrive because he was about to see her. During the course of the day, he’d relived their night together repeatedly, and he’d been a walking hard-on all day as he remembered every detail.
He knocked on her door and waited for her to answer. When nothing happened, he began to regret not calling to tell her he was on his way. He knocked again and waited and then tested the door to find it unlocked. He hoped she wouldn’t care if he went in uninvited. Her purse was flung on a chair inside the door, along with her coat, which had one sleeve inside out.
Smiling, he had a feeling he knew where he’d find her and headed for her bedroom. Sure enough, she was fully dressed and out cold on top of her bed. He kicked off his shoes and crawled in next to her, putting his arm around her middle and drawing her in tight against him.
There, he thought, breathing in a deep Ella-scented breath. There she is. He took another deep breath and felt his heartbeat slip into a more normal rhythm.
She murmured in her sleep and then stirred, turning over to burrow into his embrace.
He couldn’t fall asleep, not with his parents expecting them in thirty minutes, but his eyes were gritty from the night without sleep and it wouldn’t take much to make him forget all about dinner.
“Where’d you come from?” she asked in a sleepy-sounding voice.
“You left your door unlocked. You’re lucky I didn’t find some other guy in here snuggling with you.”
“I left it open for you.”
“I don’t like you sleeping with your door unlocked.”
“I’ll give you a key.”
He kissed her forehead and then her lips because he couldn’t wait another second to kiss her. “Missed you so bad today.”
“It was the longest day ever, and I only made it until three.”
“Sorry I kept you up all night.”
“I’m not.” She reached for him and drew him into a far more serious kiss, her mouth opening to admit his tongue.
Before he could think about what he was doing and where they needed to be, he was on top of her, devouring her. Now that he’d had a taste of her, he was ravenous for more. Apparently, he wasn’t alone in that if the way she kissed him was any indication.
Her legs opened and wrapped around his hips, and he pressed against her, wishing he were deep inside her. He had to put a stop to this and get to his parents’ house, but he needed another minute—or two—of Ella first.
Gavin eased his way out of the kiss, withdrawing in slow increments. “We have somewhere to be.”
“Oh, God, your parents. I completely forgot. I’m a mess.”
“You’re gorgeous.”
“My hair—”
“Is beautiful.”
“I have razor burn.”
Gavin studied her face and kissed the spot on her face he’d rubbed raw with his whiskers. “I need to shave for you before I touch you again.”
“I love your scruff. Don’t shave.”
“I love your soft skin and don’t want to mark it.”
“You have to let me up so I can make myself presentable for your parents.”
He pressed his hard cock against her one more time and kissed her. “There,” he said. “Now I might be prepared to get through dinner.” Rolling off her, he stared up at the ceiling as he throbbed with unspent desire. How there could be any more after what they’d done last night amazed him, but there seemed to be an endless supply where she was concerned.
She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to restore some order. “You must be so tired.”
“I’ll sleep good tonight. We won’t stay late at my parents’. Don’t worry.”
“I hope neither of us falls over at the table.”
“It would give them something to talk about for days.” He followed her with his gaze as she went into the bathroom. After spending this time with her, he wondered how he’d ever been able to resist her for as long as he had. He regretted that now. It felt so damned good to be with her that he wished he’d given in a long time ago. Maybe he could’ve avoided some of the recent disquiet if he’d let her in sooner.
No matter. She was here now, and he planned to do everything within his power to keep her.
A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom looking fresh-faced and put together.
He pulled himself up and out of her comfortable bed and then let her tug him along behind her as they headed for the door. “If I fall asleep in my mashed potatoes, will you rescue me?”
“Of course I will. I’m your ICE, after all.”
Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he nuzzled her neck. “Yes, you are.”
Ella turned and looked up at him. “Why did you make me your ICE anyway?”
“Because I knew you’d come no matter what. You’re always there for me when I need you most, even when I was pushing you away.”
She went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Thank you for having such faith in me.”
“I do have faith in you, and I want you to be able to have faith in me.”
“I do, Gavin. Why do you think I never gave up on you, even when I probably should have?”
“Thanks for not giving up. I would’ve hated to miss out on this.”
Her warm, sweet smile filled the darkness inside him with badly needed light. It also filled him with even more determination to be what she needed, to not let her down. If he ever hurt her . . . He couldn’t even think about what it might feel like to have her look at him with disappointment rather than adoration. The fear of that sent a shudder through him as he followed her down the stairs.