How to Love (4 page)

“And I thought he was crazy,” Mike said, grinning. “As usual he was ready to jump in the deep end without looking. I wanted to take time and do the research.”

“But the research convinced him it was worth the risk,” Carlos said.

Jules watched the two men as they talked, the easy familiarity that told her they were good friends and business partners who knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“We’ve grown a lot since then,” Carlos added. “We now have a staff of twelve guides and a couple of office staff as well. We just developed a high ropes course that should bring in a lot of corporate business.”

“High ropes? What is that?”

“It’s a course where people climb up and do different challenges way up in the air.”

“Christ,” Jules said. “I’m afraid of heights.”

Carlos and Mike laughed. “Then it would be a good way for you to overcome that,” Carlos said. “Everyone is all safe and secure with a harness and a helmet.”

“Corporate groups use it as a teambuilding exercise,” Mike said, his eyes focused on her so intently it made her warm. “We developed a program that focuses on communication methods and problem solving techniques that mimic the kind of skills required in the real world and work environments. Participants explore things like trust, cooperation and thinking outside the box. It’s a great team building experience.”

“Cool. What other things do you do?”

They talked about their horseback rides, kayaking, biking, rock climbing. “One thing we don’t have is a good surfing instructor,” Mike said.

“The Surf Sisters teach surfing,” Neve said.

“Yeah. We’d be kind of competing with them.”

“They teach a lot of kids, though,” Jules said. “And they’re really busy. There’s probably a market for more surfing lessons here, especially in the summer.” She eyed Mike and Carlos. “You two don’t surf?”

Mike laughed. “I do, but I’m not that great at it.”

Carlos shook his head. “Same here. We need someone really good. If you hear of anyone looking for work teaching, let us know.”

“There are lots of surfers around San Amaro,” Neve said. “Shouldn’t be too hard to find someone.”

“That’s true,” Jules said. “I’m not into scary adventures. Like rock climbing, or high…ropes or whatever you called it.”

“But you could get some awesome photographs from the top of a rock cliff,” Mike said softly. “Or a remote island.”

She focused on his face, his gold-flecked green eyes. “That’s true.”

“So it might be cool for you to go on one of our bike tours or kayaking expeditions,” Carlos said. “That’s not too scary.”

“We do a great cave tour by kayak,” Mike said. “Exploring some of the caves up the coast. You might get some good photographs there.”

“That sounds amazing.” Her eyes moved thoughtfully back and forth between him and Carlos. Sexy tour guides who could take her new places to photograph. Huh.

“So where’d you two move from?” Neve asked.

“San Diego. We thought it would be more convenient to live closer to our business. And San Amaro’s a nice town.”

“Yeah. It is.”

The conversation flowed as people joined the group then left to dance or find another drink or break into separate conversations. Lots of girls wanted to talk to Carlos and Mike, and shot Jules cool glances as they did so. She just smiled and shrugged and moved aside. She bumped into Josh Busher.

“Long time no see,” he said.

She took a breath and let it out. She liked Josh, a lot, but he hadn’t taken it well when she’d ended things with him. “Yeah, it’s been a while. How are you?”

He shrugged and looked at his beer bottle. “I’m okay.” He lifted his gaze to her face again. “I miss you, Jules.”

Hell. She tried for a friendly, platonic smile. “I miss you too.”

He shifted closer. “You look good tonight. Really good. And you smell good too.”

She edged away. “Thanks.”

“Jules.” His voice held a raw edge. “I want to see you…”

“Oh Josh. I told you…I don’t do commitment.”

“But you said there wasn’t anyone else.”

“There wasn’t…then.”

“But now…you’re seeing someone else now?”

She sighed. “No, I’m not seeing anyone else. I mean, I’m
always
seeing someone else.” Not in a relationship, the way he meant, but she went out with guys all the time. “I just can’t give you what you want.” He’d gotten way too serious, way too fast for her. The sex had been hot, he was big and physical and intense, but…when he’d started talking long term, she’d panicked a little.

“Look, I know I scared you off. But we don’t have to go fast.” His dark eyes heated and he reached out to touch her cheek. “We can take things slow.”

Regret pulsed inside her. He was a nice guy, a decent guy who wanted a wife and kids, the very idea of which made her break out in hives. “I can’t do that,” she said. “I’m sorry…”

At that moment Neve’s brother joined them, and Jules turned to Matt with relief. “Hey, Matt. What’s new at the brew pub?” Matt owned a popular brewery and brew-pub.

She caught the look of frustration on Josh’s face and pressed her lips together even as she maintained her smile. “See you later,” Josh muttered, moving away.

Jules willed herself to relax. She hated scenes like that. It was better to just not get involved.

“Here. Try it.” Matt handed her a beer. She peered at the label. Riptide Red Ale.

“Okay. I’ll try it.” With a grin, she popped the top off and tipped it to her lips. “Mmm. I like.”

He smiled. “Good. I brought a couple of cases for the party. Help yourself if you want another.”

Matt was a gorgeous guy and although she’d known him for the last two years since she’d moved in near him, she hadn’t made the mistake of sleeping with him like she had with Josh. Besides being her best friend’s brother, Matt was also the kind of guy who’d be looking for more than sex, and so they were neighbors and friends who’d taken turns helping out Mrs. Kedding, and that was all.

Sipping her beer, Jules watched Bella hanging on Carlos’s arm, smiling up at him. Cute couple, her petite and blonde, him tall and dark. Carlos smiled back at Bella, but Jules could see he was just being nice. There was no real spark there. Then Carlos lifted his head and met her eyes.

Was that a spark?

She smiled and lifted her beer to him. He winked at her.

And Bella saw it. She looked from Carlos to Jules and her smile disappeared.

Uh-oh. Jules sighed. She’d better find another guy to flirt with, fast. And it couldn’t be Matt. Or Josh. So…Mike. Where was Mike?

She spotted him leaning against the wooden railing near the deck, beside a potted palm. A nearby torch lit his face with golden light and shadows, and she paused for a moment, taking in the image, wishing she had her camera. Then she moved toward him.

“Hi.”

“Hey. Having fun?”

“Yeah.” She let her gaze rove over his face.

“What? Why are you looking at me…oh.”

She grinned, knowing what he was thinking. “Your face…your bone structure…the way the flame was lighting it…it looked amazing.”

“Oh.” He blinked at her. “Um…”

She smiled. “Sorry if I’m embarrassing you.”

“You’re not! Well, okay, a little. I’m not sure what to make of you.”

“You don’t have to make anything of me. I usually say what I think. And that’s all there is.”

He gazed back at her. “That’s
never
all there is.”

Her insides tightened a little. “Oooh. Are we getting into a deep conversation here?”

He tipped his head to one side, the firelight gilding his hair. “Apparently that’s not allowed with you.”

Her stomach contracted even more, and she worked to keep an easy, flirtatious smile on her face. “Of course it is. How about we talk about—what is art?”

He didn’t smile, just watched her with an intent, penetrating gaze that made her insides contract. “What is art?” he repeated.

“Yeah. We were talking at the gallery about whether my images are pornographic. Some people have said they are.”

Now his lips did twitch. “No. Really?”

She smiled. “I know. So I can really get into that discussion. I think they’re art. What’s the difference? What is art?”

“This is honestly not something I’ve ever thought about before.”

“Well, according to Tolstoy, art must create a specific emotional link between artist and audience. I quite like that definition. I like the idea that art transmits previously experienced feelings from the artist to the viewer. Or reader. Or listener. Whatever the art form is. I think that applies when a singer sings a song. When you read something that really moves you. Or when you look at a painting or a sculpture or a photograph and you feel something the artist is conveying.”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I get that.”

“I mean, even pornography does that—right? You feel something. Usually arousal.”

He licked his lips in a slow sexy gesture that made her pussy clench. “Honestly? Yeah. And I did feel aroused looking at your photographs.”

She frowned.

“So it’s interesting,” he continued. “That your idea of deep conversation is to avoid talking about the emotions in your photographs. Which according to your own definition of art, are feelings that you’ve experienced and are conveying through your images.” He paused, and she stared back at him, mesmerized. He lifted a hand and moved a strand of hair that had blown across her face, letting his fingertips stroke down over her hair and onto her shoulder. The rough texture of his fingers on her bare skin sent a shiver running over her, and sparks rushing through her veins. “Longing. Fear. Loneliness.”

She went very still, pinned beneath his insightful gaze.
Oh, shit.
She mentally sorted through her options of how to respond to him. Admit the truth to his words? No. Too scary. Laugh it off? That seemed too dismissive. Change the subject? Um…

Since she had no idea what to say, she went up on her toes, leaned into him and kissed him.

One arm came around her, his hand molded to the small of her back, holding her in place as he kissed her back. Heat rushed through her body, coalescing between her legs in a hot pulsing need. Her nipples tightened painfully as they brushed against his chest and desire for him sizzled up her spine. His tongue slid over her bottom lip, hot and wet.

Kissing him might have been a mistake. She’d intended it to be a distraction, but instead it was turning into an explosion that wasn’t just distracting, it was downright dangerous.

Chapter Three

Carlos watched Mike and Jules from the other side of the deck where Bella chatted at him, constantly touching his arm and laughing. She was doing some mad flirting and she was a cute little thing, but hell, he wasn’t attracted to her at all.

Jules, on the other hand…now he knew why Mike had been so wound up after visiting her gallery that afternoon. Something about her made him almost unable to look away, some kind of mysterious force, a seductive quality in her eyes, in the way she smiled.

And now, Mike was over there, leaning against the railing talking to her, their bodies so close, their expressions so intent, eyes locked, and then…they were kissing. Heat flared inside Carlos at the sight of their mouths meeting, and his chest got tight and achy.

“Don’t you think so?” Bella asked, smiling up at him.

He had no idea what she’d just said. He was a rude asshole. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I zoned out for a minute. What were you saying?”

And she was off again, and Carlos’s gaze went back to Mike and Jules. Mike’s hand settled low on Jules’s back, just above her ass. Carlos swallowed. Wow. They made a hot couple. He bit his lip.

This was…interesting.

He tried to focus on Bella, smiled at her, responded appropriately, but his heart definitely wasn’t in it. Then she seemed to sense his distraction and she followed his gaze over to Mike and Jules.

“Oh, looks like they’re getting along well,” she said with a little laugh. “That Jules. Trust her to be all over a new guy in town.”

Carlos narrowed his eyes. “Oh yeah?”

Bella’s eyes widened, then she shook her head. “She can’t help it,” she said with a wry smile. She linked her arm through his once more. “She likes men. And women too, I hear. I need another drink. Come on.”

And women too? That caught his attention. Even as Bella dragged him across the deck, his gaze remained fastened on Mike and Jules, who’d separated now. Well, their mouths anyway. They still stood close together. And then Jules turned and walked away.

What the fuck? He watched her head down the steps and onto the sand where more people partied, some standing and talking, some dancing, some sitting near the fire. He caught Mike’s eye and lifted one eyebrow in question. Mike shrugged and met him at the bar that had been set up. They each snagged beers from the big tub full of ice.

“What’s up, man?” Carlos asked in a low voice, Bella having been distracted by hostessing duties, getting more food from the kitchen.

“I don’t know. She was all into it and then she ran.”