Someday Beach (6 page)

Her chair scraped as he quickly pulled her into his lap. “Tell me to stop,” he said under his breath.

She shook her head from side to side and then pushed her fingers into his hair, pulling him towards her until their mouths met. He couldn’t stop himself from enjoying the fullness of her lips, the softness, the taste of her.

Her fingers raked
his scalp as she moved her mouth over his slowly, killing him. His own hands dug into her hips and stayed there, as he enjoyed her softness. She was light and fit perfectly in his lap. He wished that she would straddle him instead, so he could grind his want against her own.

Soft little noises came from her as he pulled her closer. He could feel her breathing hitch when he moved his hands over her hips and up her back until she was crushed against him, his chest to her softer one.

His mind whirled at the possibilities. Then he heard a buzzing and slowly pulled back until she rested her forehead on his.

“Sorry.” She chuckled and shook her head. “I’d better get that.” She pushed up from him and he instantly wanted her back. Her hips swayed as she walked across the room and picked up her cell phone.

“Hello?” she answered as she turned back and watched him. From twenty feet away, he could see her desire leave her when the other person started talking. She turned her back on him and started rubbing her hand over her forehead without saying a word.

He could tell that she wished he wasn’t in the room, but he didn’t know how to excuse himself. Besides, he didn’t want to. Not yet, anyway. He wanted to make sure she was okay.

“I understand. No, this isn’t… No,” she said, abruptly. She was quiet for the longest time, and he thought that whoever was on the other side would need to come up for air soon. “That’s not possible,” she finally said, and then she clicked off her phone and set it back down on the countertop. She kept her back to him, but he could tell that she was tense.

Moving quietly, he came up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders, causing her to jump slightly.

“Oh!” She started to turn, but he held her still.

“Don’t. I can see this isn’t the time, but if you need someone to talk to…” She bent her head down and he could tell she was on the verge of crying.

“No, thank you.” She took a deep breath and he felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.

Gently, he turned her around and pulled her chin up with just a finger until he could see the hurt and fear in those deep eyes of hers. “If you need someone, you know where to find me. Hell, if you need anyone, Cassey or Wendy are almost always around too.” He brushed his finger down her dry cheek.

She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry…”

He stopped her. “Don’t be. It was a wonderful evening.” He smiled and kissed those soft lips one more time. “Look over the bid and let me know if you have any questions.” He waited until she nodded. “Good night, Shelly.” He dropped his hands and, even though it was the hardest thing he’d ever done, he turned and walked out, leaving her hurting and alone. Just the way he knew she wanted it to be.

The cool night air did little to calm his temper.

He’d picked up enough hints during the night to know that her parents were the cause of her pain, even though she hadn’t come right out and said it.

He remembered the last time he had seen his own mother and a shiver ran down his body. He knew that Shelly came from wealth. Anyone with any sense could tell. But there was more to her story than she let on. She may not own up to it, but she was running away from her family as much as she was following her dreams.

Complications. He shook his head. Why was it that all of the women worth having came with complications?

When he opened his front door, he was shocked to see Cole standing in his living room with a black-haired beauty wrapped around him.

“Hell,” he said and shut the door a little louder than needed. “Can’t you get your own place?”

Cole broke away from the woman long enough to shake his head. “Why? Your place is always empty.” He smiled and wrapped his arm around the slender woman. “This is Trilla. Trilla, my brother Marcus.”

“Hello,” she said in a thick Eastern European accent. Marcus couldn’t help himself from rolling his eyes. Cole saw it and his eyebrows shot up in challenge. Biting his tongue, he shrugged his shoulders.

“How long are you staying for this time?”

Cole and Trilla walked over and sat on the sofa. His brother looked very comfortable. Trilla, not so much. “No more than a week. I hear there’s a killer storm brewing off the coast of Africa.”

“Killer is right.” He shook his head.

“Trilla was telling me she’s never been to Florida before.”

“Naturally,” he said under his breath.

“What was that?”

Marcus shook his head. “I suppose you’ll want me to feed you?” he said instead.

“Nope, I was going to take Trilla out for a good time. We might swing by Cassey’s.”

Marcus laughed. “Think you’ll survive this time?” His brother’s eyes darkened and he knew they were both thinking of Wendy.

“Mark my words, that woman is going to nag me to death one of these days. Maybe we’ll avoid that whole scene for tonight.” He tugged on Trilla’s arms and pulled her up from the sofa. “Don’t wait up, bro.” Cole smiled and Marcus watched them walk out together.

“Are they gone?” Roman said from his bedroom doorway.

“Damn!” Marcus jumped and spun around. “Don’t do that!” He held his hand over his heart.

“Sorry.” Roman laughed. “You must have known I was here. I mean, my truck is right out front.” He laughed again.

Marcus shook his head. He’d been too engrossed with thoughts of Shelly to notice anything.

“Oh, well,” Roman said, walking into the room. “I heard her giggling all the way up the sidewalk and locked myself in the room to avoid having to deal with another one.”

“Tell me about it.” He rolled his eyes.

“What do these women see in him?” Roman sat down on the sofa.

“Stars and dollar signs in his eyes,” Marcus said as he reached for the remote.

“Patriots are playing tonight.”

“Damn straight.” He smiled and flipped it to the right channel. “And since you avoided that whole fiasco, you get to pop the corn and grab the beer.” He smiled when his brother groaned but got up to do just that.

S
helly was dirty and sweaty once again a few days later. Since she’d moved in almost a week ago, it had become standard for her to be covered in a layer of dust and grime. She had yet to unpack most of her nicest clothes, since she knew they would only get ruined.

She stood back and smiled at what she’d accomplished in the last few days. The men were due to arrive first thing Tuesday to start the work downstairs, but that didn’t stop her from making the upstairs a little more functional.

During one of her walks around, she’d run into a garage sale and had purchased a few items. Unfortunately, she hadn’t thought ahead about dragging the items up her stairs all by herself. She could have called Marcus, but after dinner that night, she just couldn’t face him. Especially since she couldn’t get that kiss out of her mind.

She’d talked to him on the phone and had okayed the bid. She had kind of hoped that he would need to meet with her to have her sign papers, but he’d just informed her that he would have Roman put in for all of the permits.

Just this morning, Roman had called and informed her that all of the permits had been approved and the men would be there first thing Tuesday morning to start the work. Roman had sounded nice over the phone and she wondered when she would get to meet the rest of Marcus’s family.

Dusting off her hands, she decided a shower and dinner at Cassey’s sounded better than eating all by herself. She opened one of the boxes that held her nicer clothes and put on a pair of silver tights with her white sweater skirt. When she pulled out her favorite pair of heeled boots, she sighed. She missed wearing her nice things. Soon, she promised herself. Soon, she would have her whole wardrobe back again.

She put on some silver hoops and bracelets, finished curling her hair, and applied just the right amount of gloss to her lips. She felt regenerated.

Locking up, she walked a little too fast down the boardwalk towards the bar and grill. It was just past eight when she walked in and waved at Wendy behind the bar. She’d visited with her and Cassey several times that week. The two of them had stopped by one day to check up on her and see if she needed any help. At the time, she hadn’t, but could have used one or both of them earlier that day hauling up the nightstands and shelves she’d purchased.

“There you are.” Wendy smiled at her. “I was just talking about you.” She nodded to another woman who sat at the bar. “This is Rosa. She runs Rosa’s Coffee shop down the street.”

“Hello.” Shelly shook the shorter woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I stopped by your business just yesterday.” She smiled.

“Oh, I hope you enjoyed?”

Shelly sat down next to her. “Yes, very much.”

“Are you having dinner?” Wendy asked, and when she nodded, she handed her a menu. “Anything to drink?”

“Hmm.” She looked up at the menu, “I’m in the mood for a beer.” She smiled. “Blue Moon with and orange, please.”

Wendy nodded and moved off to get her order.

“Wendy was telling me you’re going to open a boutique?”

“Yes, if all goes well. Construction starts on Tuesday.”

“Oh, how exciting.”

Shelly laughed. “I can’t wait.”

“If you need anything, let me know. It may not look like it, but finding good help around here during off-season is hard.”

“Oh?” Shelly leaned closer.

Rosa nodded. “Local kids are spoiled.” She shook her head. “I have the names of a few good people I can pass to you. Some I still employ, some want different kinds of jobs.” Rosa took another sip of her beer. “Actually, I think I might know someone who’s perfect.” She tilted her head. “Will you hire full time or part time?”

“Well, to begin with, part time. I think.” She laughed. “I hadn’t even thought that far ahead.”

By the time her food arrived, Rosa had given her advice on several aspects of running a business Shelly hadn’t even thought about. She was writing a list of things she needed to add to her other lists on a napkin.

When Rosa moved to leave, Shelly shook her hand. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me.”

Rosa smiled. “My pleasure. If you have any questions…here.” She handed her a card.

“Wow,” she said to Wendy after Rosa left, “am I glad I came in tonight.”

Wendy smiled. “Rosa doesn’t just own the coffee shop down the way.”

“Oh?”

Wendy leaned on the bar and shook her head. “Have you heard of Breegee’s?”

“The coffee company?”

Wendy nodded. “You just met Rosa Breegee herself. Queen of the coffee bean.”

“What?” Shelly looked off towards the door, but the small woman had already disappeared.

“That woman is richer than God.” Wendy sighed. “But still has a good head on her shoulders.”

“I can’t believe I was taking advice from someone who runs a multibillion-dollar company.”

“And a local coffee shop.” Wendy smiled and walked away to take someone else’s order.

Shelly shook her head and finished off her beer. She was about to order another one when she saw Wendy stiffen and frown. Her friend’s eyes turned to ice. Shelly glanced over to see what could have caused such a reaction and noticed a very good-looking couple walk in.

The woman looked vaguely familiar to her and could have easily stepped from the pages of Sports Illustrated. The man, from GQ. Then she took another look at the man and realization dawned. This was Cole. Marcus’s brother. She glanced back at Wendy and couldn’t help but smile just a little. She wondered if the woman knew she had it bad. From the outside she looked pissed. Beyond pissed. If the lighting was just right, she would have wagered she would see steam coming off Wendy’s skin. But Shelly could see the longing in her blue eyes. Longing and hurt.

Shelly walked over and broke Wendy’s view. “Is everything okay?”

Wendy blinked a few times and then nodded. “Sure.” She shook her head. “Just same ol’ stuff. Did you want another beer?” she asked just as the couple walked up to the bar.

Wendy didn’t even spare them a glance, “You still hanging around? Don’t you have to go kill yourself in Africa?” When she didn’t get a response, she looked up at the couple. Cole was frowning. The woman on the other hand, was all smiles.

Shelly doubted the woman knew how to frown. Maybe she’d had too much plastic surgery.

“Plans changed, we’re heading out tomorrow. I thought I’d come in and say bye to Cassey.” He glanced around the room. “Is she…”

“Upstairs,” Wendy said, setting another beer in front of Shelly. “This is Shelly. She’s going to open a boutique on the boardwalk.”

Cole glanced her way. His eyes caught hers and she saw his instant attraction in them. His smile was slow and, she had to admit, breathtaking.

“Sure.” He dropped the dark-haired woman’s hand and walked over to take hers to his lips. “My pleasure.” His hand was tan and warm. She glanced back at the beauty behind him and she could tell the woman was used to him flirting. She had to admit he was smooth.

“Your brother Marcus has told me so much about you.”

“Oh?” His blonde eyebrows shot up. “Only believe the good stuff.” He winked.

She smiled.

“He’s supposed to be meeting us here after the game. Roman, too.” He glanced around again. “I guess we’re a little early.” He dropped her hand and sat next to her. The other woman sat on the other side of him, no doubt not wanting to be too far away from her mark.

“This is Trilla.” He nodded between them. He grabbed Wendy’s hand as she rushed by. “I’ll have my usual.”

Shelly watched with some humor as Wendy yanked her hand away and glared at the woman. “You?”

“Oh, a spritzer water with lime, please.” Shelly couldn’t quite pinpoint the accent.

Wendy nodded and marched off to get the drinks.

“So, you moved down here from…” He left the question hanging. When she turned to him, she realized he’d turned his entire body towards her, leaving his girlfriend at his back and ignored.

“DC,” she answered, not really thinking.

“Oh?” He glanced at Wendy as she set his drink in front of him. “I had heard it was Boston.” Instantly, her cheeks turned red and she glanced at Wendy who just smiled at her.

“By way of Boston,” she recovered.

“Other than opening your own business, what brings you down to our humble shores?” He leaned on the bar, looking quite comfortable as he sipped the clear drink.

“The sand and beaches.” She smiled. “Is there any other reason needed?”

He smiled back at her and lifted his glass in a toast. “Surf.” When he smiled, she noticed small dimples on either sides of his mouth. No one should be this good at flirting. She was way out of her league.

“So, what do you do, Trilla?” She glanced around Cole towards the woman, who was trying to pout but ended up looking like she was smiling for a teeth-whitening commercial instead.

“I’m a model.” She ran off a list of clothing lines that Shelly was all too familiar with, and instantly she knew where she’d seen her before. And it wasn’t in any magazine.

Tyler. Her heart skipped a few beats. Please, God, don’t let her recognize me. She was thankful when no recognition crossed the woman’s eyes, and relaxed a little.

“How wonderful,” she said quickly and leaned back so the woman couldn’t get a better look at her.

“There they are,” Cole said, turning around and standing up. “Thought you two had gotten lost.”

Shelly turned around and saw Marcus and another dark-haired man walk in and hug their brother. She didn’t think it possible, but Roman was even better looking than Cole. Then her eyes fell on Marcus, and it was impossible to break away. She watched the brothers walking towards her with the dying sun behind them and her breath caught. If only she had a camera to capture all the beauty.

“Hi.” Marcus walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her lips, no doubt staking his claim for his brothers to see. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

“Hi, right back.”

“I’m glad you’re here. We were just sending this guy off again.” He nodded to Cole.

“Yes, so I hear.”

“You two met?” He frowned a little.

“About two minutes before you walked in.” She smiled and saw him relax a little.

“This must be Shelly.” Roman walked over and took her hand away from Marcus’s and shook it lightly.

“And you’re Roman.” She smiled.

“Guilty. It’s good to finally meet you.”

“Boys?” Wendy interrupted. “Your usual?”

The two nodded. “Here’s your sister and soon to be brother-in-law now.” Wendy nodded towards the stairs.

Shelly watched Cassey walk down the back stairs with a good-looking man.

“That’s Luke, my sister’s fiancé,” Marcus whispered in her ear. “He owns the new hotel just outside of town.” She’d seen the large resort-like hotel and knew that Marcus and Roman’s construction company had done all the work.

After the introductions were made, they moved over to a large booth near the back of the room. She hadn’t meant to be dragged along, but Marcus had taken her hand and she couldn’t help but follow.

At first she felt like an outsider in the group, but by the time everyone’s food had arrived, she was starting to feel more comfortable. She found herself laughing at the jokes and stories everyone was telling.

Marcus ordered her a very large, very delicious piece of key lime pie after he found out that she’d already eaten. She had to admit, it was the best time she’d had in a long while.

*******

It was killing Marcus to watch her. He’d seen both Roman and Cole eyeing Shelly as she nibbled—a little too seductively—on that pie. He was just thankful they were sitting in a large booth, or he would have been tempted to go over there and knock his brother’s heads together for staring at her so.

Then again, he too found it hard to concentrate on the conversation.

He wanted to taste those lips of hers again but had to settle for reaching under the table and holding her hand instead. He half-heartedly listened to his family talk about good old times and chuckled at some of the stories. He joined in the story telling, making sure to add some of his siblings’ most embarrassing moments into the mix. But his mind kept wandering back to getting Shelly alone.

Finally, Cole stood up and excused himself and his latest catch, claiming their flight left early and they had to get some rest. Marcus knew that his brother had more than sleep on his mind.

Shortly after, Cassey and Luke disappeared as well, but he knew that his sister wouldn’t call it quits for the night, either.

He squeezed Shelly’s hand and whispered close to her ear, “What do you say to a walk on the beach?”

She smiled and nodded and he felt his heart skip just thinking about being alone with her again.

They excused themselves and he took her hand as they stepped outside. The evening air was a little chilly, but at least the wind that had caused havoc earlier that day at a job site had died down. He smiled when he saw that she’d worn a light jacket.