Chapter 11
Audra strolled the resort grounds, telling herself she was not looking for Kane Hathaway. Even thinking his name should cause her to hide herself and her blush in her bungalow, but here she was, sauntering through the lush greenery like a goddess.
Well, at least sauntering like someone who’d been thoroughly debauched the night before.
What a memory!
She sipped her mango smoothie and tried to cool her thoughts. The only thing that would have made last night better was if Kane had actually taken her to bed instead of just taking her to bed. Not to be vain or anything, but she was sure it wasn’t because he hadn’t found her tempting. His breath had been raspy in her ear and when she’d backed into him she’d known what that hard erection in his pants signified.
But he’d resisted and she’d accepted what he’d offered. What she’d needed.
Her parents had made her crazy and he was the only path to calm. At least it had seemed that way the night before. And he was bad boy enough, experienced enough, not to balk when she told him about it.
You know me. I think you know what I need.
It still sort of shocked her that she’d managed to say the words, but, well, she trusted Kane.
To her relief, today Lee and Poppy Montgomery had checked out at eight a.m. to either explore the nearby wine country or go back home to LA. Audra actually didn’t know which. Her mind still fogged by that X-rated event with Kane the night before, she’d hugged and kissed them goodbye before any details sank in.
With the exception of her mother complimenting her on her morning glow.
Audra owed thanks to Kane for that as well as the other…but she wasn’t going to hunt the poor man down. No. He’d done enough for her.
However, if she stumbled upon him as she reconnoitered the resort…
Her heart seemed to hit a speed bump when she spotted movement ahead. Had she conjured him—
“Wrong Hathaway,” she murmured as she saw Amber coming from the opposite direction, a basket in hand.
The other woman paused as she caught sight of Audra. “Hey,” she said, smiling. “Good to see you again.”
“You too.” Curious, Audra glanced at the basket, noting it was filled with half a dozen graphic novels and some books that looked to be science fiction.
“For a guest,” Amber explained, and there was a telltale hint of a blush on her face.
“Let me guess…”
“Don’t.” Amber bit her bottom lip. “Jessie likes to tease me about Shaw, but the man lost his wife. I feel sympathy for him, that’s all. I want his stay to be perfect.”
“Hence the basket of reading material.”
“He likes this kind of thing.”
“And you’re just being a consummate professional by servicing his every need.”
Amber’s eyes narrowed. “Why does that sound kind of dirty?”
“Whoops.” Audra laughed. “Sorry about that.”
“He always reserves one of our nicest villas.” Kane’s sister hesitated. “Actually, I could use an opinion on something there. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure.” Audra followed the other woman to a doorway nearly hidden by vegetation. “I take it he likes his privacy.”
“Yes.” Amber unlocked the door and pushed it open. “He has a ranch in the mountains not too far from here and this time of year he has family who comes to visit. As an escape, he reserves a place for himself at The Hathaway.”
The villa was as spacious as Audra’s bungalow and had sliding doors leading to an attached outdoor space. It took her a minute to realize it was the same location—the same pool, the same hot tub—she’d visited with Kane, when he’d said she could cross a line through one of the items on her list.
Consummate professional? Was that the role he’d assumed when he’d made that offer? And again last night, when he took care of her needs?
Suddenly, all the residual heat she’d been feeling from the night before fled and cold spilled over her. She rubbed her palms on her upper arms and wished she’d seen Kane that morning. Just a glimpse at the expression on his face when he looked at her and she’d know if she’d taken advantage of his good…manners or if he’d enjoyed himself.
Not as much as she had, of course. But…but why had he gone through with it?
After left waiting on that beach, it was too easy for Audra to think that nobody truly wanted her.
And just like that, all the pleasure she’d felt in stepping outside the Goody-Two Shoes box vanished.
“What do you think of this arrangement?” Amber asked now, drawing her attention to a large glass vase on the coffee table in the living area. “Manly enough?”
Audra walked closer to inspect it, trying to ignore her lowering mood. “Very nice,” she said. The florist had used aspidistra leaves to line the chunky, square glass vase, then filled it with pincushion protea, roses an unusual dark gold shade, burgundy carnations, and green hypericum. She glanced at the small card tucked discreetly between stems, recognizing the name. “Your usual florist.”
“Yes.” Amber glanced away, her face going pink again. “But I asked for something extra-special.”
“This is.” Last night Audra made her own special request. God! What had she been thinking?
“You won’t say anything?” Amber asked. “About my paying special attention to Shaw?”
“No, of course not.” They all had their secrets—but she no longer hoped to see Kane to determine how theirs affected him. She wanted a few hours away from the resort and her recent memories of the place.
So, after a brief stop in her bungalow for a shower and to change out of her athletic clothes, a car service took her to downtown Santa Barbara.
Wandering through the small boutiques and past the delectable eateries gave Audra a much-needed break. She lost herself among the other tourists, breathing in salty, sun-filled air and ordering both a churro and a chocolate chunk ice cream cone. As she passed a narrow side street off the main shopping boulevard, her eye caught on a familiar name.
The florist used by the resort.
Nothing soothed her better than cool, flower-scented confines, so she didn’t hesitate to enter the shop. Bells rang as the door swung shut behind her. A friendly looking woman at the counter glanced up as Audra pulled in a deep breath. Aaah.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked, her fingers tying off the wrap of a boutonniere without even looking.
“I can’t resist a floral shop,” Audra confessed, smiling. She turned to appreciate the refrigerated compartments and the beautiful arrangements—from lover’s posies to wrist corsages. Glancing back at the woman, she watched her box up the tiny decoration—an echeveria cutting, a spring of kalanchoe, and a bit of baby’s breath wrapped in jute twine.
“I guess it’s prom season,” she said to the woman.
“And bridal season and graduation season and why-not season,” she said. “A tourist destination means we’re constantly busy.”
“I’ve seen some of your beautiful arrangements at The Hathaway,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Audra Montgomery.”
“I’m Marie Stillwell,” the woman replied, with a brisk shake. “It’s good to meet you—and I recognize your name. You’re Kane’s Audra.”
“I’m not really, um, Kane’s anything,” she said, flustered.
“He said you helped out in the emergency and I loved what you did.” She raised her brows. “Interested in a job?”
“You have enough work?”
“To be honest, every florist in town has enough work. We have enough work to support a few more floral businesses even—thanks again to our regulars and to the visitors who flock to town for vacations and conventions. Event planners and some of the hotels are having to go out of the county to meet their needs.”
We have enough work to support a few more floral businesses.
And with just that, an idea suddenly buzzed to life in Audra’s brain. A business. A purpose. Something of her very own.
She asked a few more questions of Marie, all the while that buzz humming along, more ideas and even objections popping up as counterpoint.
Fifteen minutes later, she walked out into what felt like a new world.
Or maybe it was a new Audra.
Consumed by her exciting vision of the future and brimming with an energy and optimism she hadn’t felt in like…forever, she returned to Dragonfly Beach, eager to start planning right away. All she needed was paper, pencil, and nothing to dampen her enthusiasm.
And the first person this new version of herself ran into was none other than Kane Hathaway—the man who’d walked away from her invitation to join her in bed. That thought alone took her exhilaration down ten notches.
“Whoa.” Kane collided with a body speeding through the reception area and steadied it with a hand on each shoulder. Looking down, he saw the body belonged to none other than Audra Montgomery, and a rush of an odd…gladness surged in his chest, leaving too little room for his lungs.
She’d changed, he noted. Out of the exercise gear and now in a melon-colored tunic with a chunky turquoise necklace. Platform sandals made her mouth easier to reach. Those white jeans. Dazzling, he thought again.
A smile grew on his face, he could feel it, despite the scowl on her own. “What’s that song?” he murmured. “The one about sunshine in your pants?”
Puzzlement entered her crystalline eyes, their blue almost as clear as shattered glass. “What?”
“It’s a happy song.” Kane could hear it in his head, feel it bubbling in his blood with Audra so close, her heat, her scent dizzying him. “Sunshine in my pants or something like that.”
She released a reluctant-sounding laugh and it left her lips curved in the right direction. “Do you mean sunshine in your pocket? It’s a Justin Timberlake song. ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling!’ The title even has an exclamation point on the end, the song’s so happy.”
“That’s the one.” He caressed her shoulders with his thumbs. “How’d you know that?”
“There’s this game Lilly and I have been playing since college—never mind.” She took a step back, and he tightened his hold on her. “I have to go, Kane.”
“Yeah?” He didn’t want her moving out of his reach. “Where have you been?”
“State Street.”
He glanced around. His sisters never went to State Street without coming home with shopping bags. “You didn’t get anything.”
“Well…” A smile now played at her mouth. He liked seeing that. “I actually did,” she said.
That mysterious little curve to her lips sent a shot of heat through his body. “Oh?” The reception area was crowded with people coming and going, the Kane-Audra combo forcing visitors to detour around them. But he refused to move because the alternate location he’d suggest was one he’d been avoiding…her bed.
Damn white jeans. Damn dazzling woman.
Thank God he’d not dressed for the office today and the tails of his shirt covered the hard-on springing to life in his jeans.
His mind spun off again. Those white jeans of hers, tugged halfway down shapely thighs, her top pushed up to her waist to expose that irresistible ass. He’d even given it a couple of playful swats, the resulting pink the same as the blush on her face post-orgasm. Then he’d tucked her into bed and limped off, blue-balled.
God, who was that gallant Kane Hathaway who’d left her alone between the sheets despite her invitation?
“Kane?” she asked now, a line drawn between her golden eyebrows. “You should let go of me.”
Not a chance, a voice inside him said. He cleared his throat. “Not until you explain this air of mystery about you.”
She hesitated, then murmured, “What the hell. Why not?”
“Why not…what?” He caressed her again with his thumbs. “What’s going on?”
“I came to a decision today.”
He stiffened. Until now, her stay had been open-ended, the bungalow hers without a designated departure date. Had she decided she was ready to go home?
That would be good, he told himself. Resisting her was getting more difficult by the hour. She’d go back to LA and he’d go back to being…
Lonely. Disconnected.
Without sunshine in his pocket.
Her head tilted. “Don’t you want to know what my decision is?”
“Sure.” Maybe she was staying for a couple more days, at least. Then he could take her on a moonlit beach walk or up into the mountains…no. Christ, if they were ever alone again what he’d do was take her up against a wall or a tree or behind a sand dune.
She’d release those sweet, sexy moans as he chased the notes of her perfume with his tongue, all the way down to her pussy which he wanted to eat again. He was ravenous for the taste of her, greedy and desperate.
“Kane?” Audra peered at him, uncertainty written all over her. “Are you all right?”
He squeezed shut his eyes and tried to pull his brain off the wrong track. “A decision, you said.”
“I’m going to start my own florist business.”
Blinking, he focused on her face, registering new tension in her body through his fingers.
“What do you think?” she said, obviously anxious about his opinion.
You know me. I think you know what I need.
She’d said that last night, and yeah, under a very different context, but he did know her in this one too, he thought, surprised. He wasn’t exactly famous for his insight into women outside of the bedroom—and maybe it shamed him a little now to realize the shallowness of his previous relationships. They were mere hook-ups, truth be told, but they had seemed to suit his aloof nature best—
Or maybe you considered that the safer way to go.
God, that little voice was an intrusive son-of-a-bitch.
Audra bit her bottom lip. “You think it’s a dumb idea.”
“No!” He released one shoulder so he could cup the satiny skin of her face. “I think it’s great. You love working with flowers. You could learn what you need to start a small business.”
She nodded. “I think I can. I minored in business in college and in one course I had to mock up a business plan for a catering company. I know it’s going to be a lot harder in real life than that, but I did get an ‘A’ on that project.”
He smiled. “Of course you did, teacher’s pet.”
“I earned it!”
“I know, just teasing.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, marveling at the silky, gleaming stuff. “What do you think your parents will say?”
“I actually already called my dad. I didn’t want to lose my courage.”
“And…”
“He was receptive. Encouraging even. He’s going to work on my mom to get her on board too. Of course I should follow my dream, he said. So I feel just a little bit stupid for taking this long to figure it out. But I really want to try.”
Kane managed a sage nod. “Reach for the moon,” he said in a low voice. “If you miss at least you’ll be among the stars.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is that from your inspirational quotes calendar?”
“Yep.” Audra knew him, too. He grinned. “Annoying as shit, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She laughed.
He did too. What would it take to feel this damn good all the time? “So you had a great day.”
“Mostly. Except…” Her voice trailed off and she bit her lip, looking away. “I just have to know,” she muttered.
“Know what?”
Her body had gone tense again and he drew her closer, both hands on her shoulders once more, though the distance between them wasn’t impolite enough to cause talk. Not that he cared what people thought, but Audra would, and the lobby teemed with guests.
Her gaze flicked up to his. “See…it’s making me a little crazy, not understanding…”
“What?”
“Were you with me that way out of…I don’t know…pity? Or did you look at it as something more like a professional service? Do what you must to make the guest happy.”
He stared at her, appalled. He wanted to be amused, but instead he felt sick at how his chivalry had been misinterpreted. Damn, he couldn’t play a good guy to save his life. “Audra. Let me ex—”
But the sound of her cell phone interrupted. She whipped it out, glanced at the screen. “I have to take this.”
“Don’t go far,” he warned, as she broke free of him. “I’ll find you if you run.”
Over her shoulder, she sent him a wary glance, but he was gratified to see she headed only to the nearest corner.
Frustrated over the misunderstanding and that he’d lost that sense of well-being that had wrapped around him earlier, he ran his hands through his hair, then did it again to smooth the mussed locks. He’d go to his office and brood there, if he didn’t want to ensure Audra didn’t escape before hearing his explanation. Though exactly why he wanted to play the hero he couldn’t say.
Really, fuck, no good deed went unpunished.
“Kane?” a voice said from behind him, one he hadn’t heard in four years. “I hoped I’d run into you.”
Speaking of punishments.
Steeling himself, Kane slowly turned to face Tracy Smith.
“Beautiful as always,” he said, coolly, taking in her sleek dark hair and velvety brown eyes, her spectacular figure and pouty lips. “How are you otherwise?”
“Fabulous!” She held up her left hand to display a big rock on her fourth finger. “I’m getting married. To Anthony Vetta.” Her right palm met the left for a little victorious clap.
He nodded. “Best wishes to you.” And all sympathy to the groom.
“I’m getting married here.” The corners of her smile looked sly. “Didn’t you know?”
Oh, great. He didn’t give one shit about the little witch, but she’d piss off Amber and Jessie, especially if she turned into a bridezilla, which of course Tracy would. He’d decide he had shit taste in women if it wasn’t for Audra over there, still in her corner, her mouth moving, her gaze on him. God, just looking at her made him feel a little better.
A lot better, with those blue eyes and that bright hair.
Sunshine in his pocket, indeed.
“You really didn’t know about my upcoming wedding?” Tracy prodded.
“I don’t keep up with the special events schedule.” And Christ, didn’t she realize there were a million Smiths in the world? But Tracy would only think of herself.
Kind of like what she’d accused him of, as a matter of fact.
She was eyeing him up and down, now. “No ring on your finger, I see,” she said, all cat who’d lapped the last of the cream.
“No. I—”
An arm slipped in his. “I’m back,” Audra said, and went on tiptoe to kiss his jaw. “Miss me?”
He stared down at her. “Uh…”
“Of course you did. I can tell by your body language. I can also tell that you’ve run into an old acquaintance.” She sent an inquiring look at the brunette who stood staring at her, narrow-eyed.
Yeah, Audra did know him too. Even from across the room she’d become aware of his familiarity with the newcomer—and perhaps how she annoyed him. “Audra, this is Tracy Smith,” he said, with a little gesture. “Someone I used to know.”
Tracy smiled. “Oh, I think I rate better than a ‘someone I used to know.’ After all, I decided I just had to get married here because this is your resort.”
Audra’s hand tightened on Kane’s forearm, signaling she didn’t much like the other woman’s attempt to throw her wedding in his face. “I’m sure my sugar appreciates the business,” she said, her voice dripping with honey. “Don’t you, Kane?”
Her little giggle tickled up his spine as she leaned closer to the other woman and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I call him ‘sugar,’ get it? As in sugar Kane? Because he’s really just that sweet to me.”
In the past, Tracy had called him several insulting names and she seemed to be remembering them as she stared at Audra with a sort of horrified fascination. “You’re uh, dating him?”
“Sugar Kane?” Audra said, going up on tiptoe to kiss his jaw again. “Yes, I’m the lucky girl who gets to say that.”
“For how long?” Tracy asked. Her nostrils flared as if she was sniffing for lies.
“A while now,” Audra answered in this breathy, vixen voice that forced him to swallow his grin. “He pleases me so well.” The wink she finished that up with didn’t imply goody goody but naughty naughty.
This time he let his grin out, wide and proud.
Then she turned to him. “Can you get away for that drink now? I want to tell you about the call I just had with Mom and Dad. They send their love, of course.”
Tracy’s eyes were saucers. “He knows your parents? He’s actually met them?”
“My dad calls him ‘son.’ My mother is knitting him a sweater and—”
“We have to go now,” Kane said, beginning to haul her away. As amusing as he found this, it was smart to leave before the bullshit got so thick on the ground they’d have to wade through the stuff. “Have a, uh, good stay, Tracy.”
“And a good life,” Audra finished, waving gaily as he dragged her in the direction of her bungalow.
When they turned a corner in the grounds to find themselves alone, Audra halted and started to laugh. Her arms wrapped around her stomach. “That was too fun. I couldn’t resist poking at that mean girl. And it was just so easy.”
He shook his head. “Sugar Kane. Good God.”
She faked a curtsy again. She’d done it before and he fucking loved the saucy little gesture for whatever reason. “You’re welcome.”
“If she tells anyone about me and you—”
“She’ll tell nobody,” Audra said, “because then she’d have to admit that Hard-to-Hold Hathaway, the man she cursed, the witch, has a woman who finds him very sweet and very pleasing. Who met her parents who in turn found him charming and gracious.”
“I did meet your parents,” he grumbled.
“They did find you charming and gracious.” She paused. “My mom’s making you one of her famous Christmas sweaters. Yours will feature roly-poly snowmen and itty bitty elves.”
Kane stared at her, aghast.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Audra said, laughing all over again. “You should see your face.”
“You should see yours.”
With that light in her eyes and that flush on her cheeks she looked like she had after her orgasm, as he’d tucked her into bed. “I want you,” he said, then wanted to punch himself. Because he did, of course. He’d wanted her last night, too. “Every time I’ve seen you since the very beginning I’ve wanted you.”
Audra’s laughter died. “Then why—”
“I have a rule. I keep my hands off guests.” Then he winced, because of course he’d had his hands all over her. His mouth too. So he tried again. “I don’t like things—sex—to be complicated and I like you. That…”
“Complicates things.”
He released a sigh. “Yes. And you’re best friends with Lilly. Alec is like a brother to me. It might get…awkward in the future.”
“But the fact is, we’ve already strayed into the awkward future-zone.”
“Only a few steps.” Kane wanted to pluck out his eyes. There she stood, her expression so serious but with her laughter still echoing in the air, fucking sunshine that he wanted in his pocket, under his shirt, next to his soul, and he was blathering crap to keep her at arm’s length. A strange almost…panic filled his chest at the thought of pushing her away again.
And what about this woman had him constantly searching for ways to describe…to describe…
To describe his feelings.
Fuck.
He had feelings for Audra Montgomery.
“Just admit it,” she said now. “You may want me, but you don’t want me enough. You can say it. I’m a big girl.”
He stared. “I’m sure as hell not going to say that. I’m not going to lie to you, Audra.”
A determined light entered her eyes. “Then actually have intercourse with me, Kane.”
“Audie…”
“You must.”
“Why—”
“Because I need to satisfy you too, otherwise my sense of fair play is outraged. I suppose it’s goody goody and…and traditionalist of me, but that’s the way it is.”
He could hardly argue—her reasons matched what he knew was essential to her character. It was one reason why he liked her so damn much, because she had those goody-goody, traditionalist tendencies and it was so damn fun to sully some of her virtuousness with a little filthy sex.
The first man to ever get her off was him. God, who could forget that?
Already he was getting hard.
His grip on her hand was harder as he took her fingers in his. “Let’s go,” he said, towing her down the path, then bent his head to her ear. “This time I’m going to make you come with my cock buried deep inside you.”
Her little moan trembled in the air.
Practically running, he urged her around the next curve in the path, almost clipping another couple. Shit. Kane practically created smoke as he dug his heels into the pavement to stop. Gordon and Birdie Welch, long-time visitors to Dragonfly Beach. No way could he ignore them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Welch,” he said, trying to get his breathing under control. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“Kane!” Birdie Welch said. She was clutching her husband Gordon’s elbow, but he looked to be the one who needed support. “Dear.” As Kane leaned in, she presented her cheek for a kiss.
Then Kane held out his hand to the older man. “Mr. Welch. How are you?”
His handshake had lost a lot of vigor. “Still here,” he said, “so not complaining.” Then he turned his gaze on Audra and smiled. “Hello, young lady. Are you dating this rogue?”
“Um…”
“Gordon,” Birdie scolded. She sent an apologetic glance to Audra. “Old men are bigger gossips than old women.”
“Audra is a friend,” Kane said, then introduced her to the couple. Birdie told the younger woman with some pride that they’d been vacationing at the resort for fifty-five years and had been married for sixty.
Audra smiled. “Then I must ask—what’s your secret for a long and happy marriage?”
Birdie appeared to ponder. “Laughter. Love. Admiration. And with a big dose of grit mixed in.” She smiled. “You decide to never give up.”
After a bit more chit chat, they parted ways. Kane took Audra’s hand again.
“I liked Mr. and Mrs. Welch,” she said. “They’re very nice.”
Kane cast a look over his shoulder, frowning as he noted the older couple’s laborious pace down the path. “They’ve lived a good life. Raised a family and now have many great-grandchildren to enjoy.”
Audra’s small sigh in response didn’t surprise him. That’s what she had in mind for herself. Husband, children, family, the whole shebang. Sixty years of matrimonial bliss stretching ahead of her.
Kane glanced over his shoulder again. “But Gordon’s aged.”
“It worries you.”
He shrugged. “And maybe also makes me recall I need to live in the moment. Quiet what’s going on up here.” With his free hand he tapped his temple.
“I thought I was the only one who got stuck in my head.”
He looked her over. “We found a way to get you unstuck, didn’t we baby?”
Her gaze flew to his and that pink crawling up her throat was his favorite color in the world. “You still want—”
“I still very much want.” His grip on her hand tightened and he lengthened his strides.
But as the entrance to her bungalow came into sight, Audra pulled back on his arm, halting their progress. “Oh, no,” she whispered. “My brother’s at the door.”
“It’s all right.”
She shook her head. “We can’t get stuck talking to him.”
Kane smiled. “I like your brother.” He refused to let it worry him that he liked all the Montgomerys so very much.
Her brows lowered adorably. “He’ll end up convincing you to go out for a beer. I’ll be left watching television.”
As if he’d forgo getting inside of beautiful Audra for a brew with her big brother. But Kane swept her onto another of those side trails that ended at a stone bench where no one would spot them. “We’ll wait him out. Let’s give it five minutes.”
“Oh,” she said, a smile tipping her lips as he drew her down to his lap. “We’ll wait him out while doing what?”
Kane grinned at her, feeling sunshine buzzing all over his skin even though they sat in complete shade. “Whatever, baby, comes naturally.”