Dating by Design Series - Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

  “I can’t wait.” He shut the door and sauntered around.

  And we were off, heading down his long, hidden drive, the sunshine bearing down on us in his convertible. Frank Sinatra was on the stereo and I was falling deeper and deeper.

  The roads were windy, but Nick handled them with ease while holding my hand.

  “I forgot to ask you how your conference went.” He had to use a raised voice to combat the wind whipping through his convertible.

  “It was good. I have a lot of studying to do and organizing my notes, but I think I gleaned some good information for both my jobs.”

  “Did they talk about narcissists?” he teased with a smirk.

  “You have to admit that’s how you came off, but as matter of fact, they did.”

  He glanced my way. “Are you going to tell me what they said?”

  “You really want to know?”

  He squeezed my hand. “I want to know everything about you.”

  I took a moment to appreciate that sentiment and him. He didn’t know how much that meant to me, especially after being with someone like Douglas, who only cared about himself.

  “There is some new research that indicates when treating NPD as a therapist, you should work together with the patient to examine their problems from their perspective and to especially focus on their self-esteem.”

  “Don’t narcissists have high self-esteem?”

  “They portray that on a grandiose scale, but really they’re vulnerable and struggle with it.”

  “Interesting.”

  “It is, but I don’t want to talk about narcissists today. When are you coming back to Georgia?”

  He stretched his neck from side to side. “I’d like to go back with you tomorrow, but I have a lot to get done in a short amount of time and you are—”

  “A distraction?”

  “The best kind.”

  “I feel bad I’m taking you away from your work right now.”

  He pulled my hand up kissed it. “Don’t. I hated being away from you this week, and don’t think I wouldn’t drop work for you in a second if you asked me to.”

  I smiled over at him. He had a way of making me feel wanted.

  “You know, you could stay here.” He tossed that out there not so casually.

  That gave me something to think about. “I appreciate the invite, but like you, and because of you, I have a lot of work to catch up on. I’m going to be interviewing new clients 24/7 when I get back.”

  He grimaced. “Let’s not talk about work today, yours or mine.”

  I tilted my head. “Nick, is there something you want to tell me about Binary Search?”

  “Not today.” His voice wasn’t curt, but he made his point.

  “Okay.” I took in the magnificent coastline coming into view. The aquamarine water played at the shoreline, darkening to the deepest blue the farther out it went.

  Nick released my hand and rested it on my cheek. I naturally leaned into it.

  “Kate, I’ve been waiting to have you to myself for so long. I only want to focus on us.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. I hated unresolved issues.

  Nick must have clued in. “I promise you, there is nothing to worry about. My agreement with Binary Search has nothing to do with us.”

  “Promise?”

  He pulled into a metered parking spot near the beach before turning his head toward me. His eyes bore deeply into mine. “Yes.”

  I took a deep breath of I’m going to trust you.

  He decided to take my breath away by leaning over to kiss me. He capably cupped my face with his hands before pressing his lips against mine. He held them steady and simmered there. I took in his scent and taste. It had to be the best natural aphrodisiac known to humankind.

  “Let me show you my world,” he whispered.

  I bought a first-class ticket for his tour.

  I was surprised how normal it was being with Nick. I mean, he used public metered parking and he was right—no one stopped him. A few people may have glanced at him more than once wondering if he was someone they should be interested in, but there were no interruptions or phones pointed our way.

  Nick held my hand, and we behaved like any couple would walking down a crowded sidewalk. We smiled at each other, well, I smiled, he did his half-smile thing. Nick weaved us deftly in and out of people to our first destination while I took in the storefronts and boutiques that lined downtown Laguna Beach’s main thoroughfare. I was already half in love with it. There were eclectic beachy boho shops that blended with small café’s and higher priced boutiques. Palm trees lined the path, and there were several independent vendors selling everything from jewelry to handmade artwork.

  Nick led us into what looked like an alleyway, but instead it was a quaint cluster of shops, complete with a fairytale-looking tree growing in the middle of the courtyard that connected them. The knotty branches were sprinkled with green leaves that danced in the light breeze.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, fascinated with my surroundings.

  “Right in here.” He opened a door with a sign that read, Swirls of Silk.

  We stepped into a world of colorful silk scarves in all sorts of patterns, shapes, and sizes draped on lines and hooks as far as the eye could see. Standing in the middle of it all were several wooden basins filled with water and bottles and bottles of paint surrounding each basin.

  A woman with an ethereal presence appeared from the back. Her hair was blindingly white. It contrasted with the brightly colored paint smattered across her smock. She glided when she walked, and when she spoke, she sounded otherworldly. My mom would love her.

  “Nick,” she elongated his name when she pronounced it. “It’s been forever, darling.” She opened her arms wide.

  Nick briefly left my side and hugged her. “Zabrina, how are you?”

  She stepped back and surveyed me first before answering. “Not as well as you, I see. Who is this?”

  Nick took my hand and tugged gently until I was by his side. “This is Kate.”

  Zabrina walked around me, eyeing me carefully, making me feel self-conscious. “Your mother would approve.”

  “I know,” Nick responded to her, but zeroed in on me. “Kate, Zabrina was my mom’s best friend.”

  “Since we were girls.” Zabrina took my other hand and led me to one of the basins. “I take it you came in to make a scarf?”

  I looked at Nick, not sure what to say.

  “If you have time,” Nick answered.

  “For you, I always have the time.”

  “Did you make all these scarves?” I looked around. “They’re beautiful.”

  “Yes, but not as beautiful as the one you will make.”

  “I’m not that artistic.”

  “You don’t need to be.” She placed her hand on my heart. “I can tell you have a good one of these.”

  “You can?”

  “It reflects in your eyes. The windows to your soul are clean and pure. Exactly what this man has needed.” She nodded toward Nick.

  Seriously, she and my mom were meant to be best friends. And I was touched Nick wanted me to meet his mother’s best friend.

  I smiled at Nick. “I hope so.”

  Nick kissed my cheek. “I know so.”

  “Lovely, lovely. But let’s get to work. I have a group coming in an hour.”

  Nick helped me pick out some colors. We went with classic blues, reds, and cream. Nick also helped me drop the paint in the water. There we watched it swirl. Then we used combs that were really pieces of wood with nails hammered into them and skewers to fine-tune our design. It was so fun to watch the pattern take shape and to listen to Zabrina talk about Nick’s mom, Barbara. I knew from Jack she was an angel, but Zabrina told some stories about their wilder single days of skipping school and using fake IDs to get into bars. That’s how Jack and Barbara met. I didn’t see that one coming. Or the fact that they eloped.

  “Please don’t tell Skye those
stories,” Nick begged.

  Zabrina waved him off. “She’s a good girl. You worry too much.” Zabrina carefully dipped the long silk scarf into the colored water, making sure it was straight. Within seconds, she pulled it out. I was amazed how easily the pattern transferred onto the scarf.

  “So lovely,” she admired it before rinsing and hanging it up to dry. “You can come back later and pick it up. I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to an old woman ramble about days gone by.”

  I could have stayed all day. I hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “Yes, you’re a good one.” She squeezed right back. “Be sure you deserve this one,” she admonished Nick.

  “I’ll do my best.” He kissed Zabrina’s cheek. “We’ll see you later.”

  And we were off on our adventure. The next stop was an amazing gelato place that was next door to Zabrina’s place. We shared a cup of raspberry gelato with chocolate chunks as we walked toward the car and the beach where we would spend the rest of our day.

  California beaches were different from the Gulf beaches with fine white sand and warm water that I was used to. The sand here was coarse and rough on the feet. The water was frigid. But the cliffs and coves here made up for it. And the view on the beach blanket was well worth the price of admission.

  Did I mention I got to slather Nick in sunscreen? Touching each defined muscle and his taut skin. His poster never did him justice. It was almost as good as him bathing me in sunscreen with his strong hands and light touch, repeating over and over again how beautiful he thought I was.

  Best. Day. Of. My. Life.

  And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, while we lay there soaking in the rays and stealing kisses, Nick pulled out a fourteen-year-old copy of Les Misérables, purchased on the recommendation of one cheeky twenty-year-old in a ball cap.

  “Shall I read to you?” Those were the most seductive words ever.

  Yes, please. For the rest of my life.

  Chapter Forty

  Bronzed, euphoric, and feeling like I’d been soaked in sea salt—I suppose I had been; the cold water was worth it with Nick by my side—we returned to his place to get ready for dinner. We walked in with my legs and arms around him while he easily carried me. Our lips and tongues were as tangled as my limbs around him. I could still taste the lingering mango nectarines we had eaten for lunch. It was my new favorite fruit.

  “It would be so easy for me to walk you to my room,” he said between labored breaths and kisses.

  I pulled away abruptly. “Nick.” My hands moved to his cheeks. “I don’t want easy.”

  His penetrating eyes fixed on mine. “I promised we would build the anchor first, and I meant that. At least tell me you want me, too.”

  “So much . . . but I need time and commitment.”

  “I’m committed,” he countered.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “How long do you think that is all going to take?”

  “As long as it needs to.” I pecked his lips.

  He groaned and returned the kiss, but it was much less passionate this go around. “Maybe several states between us is a good idea.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Not at all. We’re going to have to work out a plan.”

  “Agreed, but I need to get ready first so I don’t smell like an aquarium.”

  “I like the way you smell.” He buried his face in my neck.

  His breath tickled, making me laugh. In between, I got out, “Nick, thank you for today. You have a beautiful life here.”

  He stopped and looked up. “I want you to be a part of it.”

  I swallowed hard and blew out a heavy breath. “That’s um . . . I mean . . .” I couldn’t articulate a thing.

  “I know we’re just getting started, so we have time, but think about it.”

  I would be, for hours and days. That was a huge, life-changing decision that necessitated a commitment. I slid down his tall frame. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to get in a few lines before I jump in.”

  I nodded and walked off numbly. Did Nick Wells just ask me to think about moving here? I turned around quickly. “Nick?”

  He stopped and turned.

  “What if I—”

  “We would make it work in Georgia.” He didn’t say another word. He didn’t need to. Those were the exact right words. I needed to know he was willing to make the same sacrifice. It meant all the world to me. Douglas never would have.

  I hurried to get ready because I didn’t want to waste a moment away from him. I was even considering changing my flight to a red-eye and going straight from the airport to work Monday morning. Anything to prolong my time with Nick and Skye, who I was anxiously awaiting to return. She’d texted earlier to say she had some news. My assumption was it was boy related.

  I wore the cream sundress with my new silk scarf draped around me. I let my hair fall loosely in romantic curls. It reflected my mood. With the last swipe of lip gloss, I headed out to find Nick. Our reservations were in an hour.

  He was easy to find; he was already headed my way, firmly gripping his laptop. He stopped in his tracks and perused me. “Mmm. I have a sexy girlfriend.” He pulled me to him for a kiss.

  “You haven’t showered yet.” Which was fine by me. I could still smell the ocean air on him. And mixed in with his natural scent of amber, it was intoxicating.

  “I got lost in my screenplay. You’re inspirational.”

  “I am?”

  “Very.” He stepped back, still in his swim trunks. “As much as I would like to continue here with you, my partner, Simon, is dropping by in fifteen minutes. He insisted on bringing over the studio contract with our lawyers’ mark-up on it. He wanted to discuss a few points in person, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.”

  “Just in case he shows up early, don’t be shocked if he walks in without knocking. I’m still trying to house train him.”

  “Okay,” I laughed.

  “And Skye’s running late, so I changed our reservations,” he called, hurrying to his room to shower and change.

  I didn’t even make it to the kitchen where I was going to grab some water when I heard a strange man’s voice. “Nick, man, it’s me.”

  I walked toward Nick’s grand entryway. “Nick’s in the shower. He should be out in a few minutes,” I said nervously. I realized how this represented a footstep into Nick’s world.

  Simon was a walking stereotype of what you thought Hollywood people looked like. He was tanner than tan, with sparkling white teeth, dark hair slicked back, wearing sunglasses in the house, and his shirt could do with being buttoned up a bit. As nice as his chest was, it looked ridiculous hanging out of his dress shirt graced with gold chains. Their company name, Wilder than Wells, was making much more sense now.

  Simon whipped off his glasses, revealing his grey eyes alight. “What do we have here? Nick’s muse in the flesh.”

  I tilted my head and held out my hand. “I’m Kate.”

  He took my hand and kissed it instead of shaking it. “You are the muse then.”

  “Muse?” I pulled away my hand.

  “Yes. And thank you. This screenplay is going to be huge for us. It’s brilliant, and we have you to thank.” He hardly took a breath. “Here I was sending him out to Georgia to pretend to use a dating service—like he needed one—but we needed an inside man. Filling out that questionnaire was hilarious, but it fit the whole romantic comedy idea we originally had.”

  Suddenly I couldn’t breathe and my legs felt like jelly, but I had to stand there to hear the ugly truth of it all.

  Simon didn’t care that I was probably pale as a ghost or that I wasn’t responding. He kept on going.

  “But then,” he waved his hand up and down, “he met you and BOOM!” He made me jump. He grinned at my reaction. “It was like Oscar gold. Psychological thriller wrapped up in a romance about a b
eautiful but broken psychologist being hunted by a serial killer. Even the working title is genius, Narcissistic Tendencies.” He smiled to himself as if he had thought it up himself.

  I felt everything I’d eaten today bubbling up in my stomach.

  “And you were not only the muse, but a built-in reference. You’re one smart cookie, from what Nick says.”

  Every conversation we’d had all summer now became vile and twisted. He was using me. This entire weekend was probably a setup to get more information out of me. No wonder he asked about narcissists in the car. I don’t know why he needed to ask. He could look in the mirror and get all the answers he needed.

  When I could finally catch a breath, I eked out, “I’m sorry, will you excuse me?”

  “Sure, sure. I know my way around. Hey,” he did the finger-gun thing, “it was nice to meet you. I’m sure we will be getting to know each other better. Nick has big plans for you.”

  I’m sure he did. Too bad for him I refused to be used.

  I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed my purse and phone. I looked down at my beautiful scarf. It suddenly felt caustic against my skin. I threw it on the counter and backed away as if it would bite me like a snake. I would take off the dress and shoes and get back into the outfit I’d come in, but leaving was the most important objective.

  I hustled past Simon, who was loitering in Nick’s office, but stopped with a thought. “Do you know the address here by chance?” Uber typically used GPS to find you, but occasionally they required an address.

  He gave me a funny look but didn’t ask why I wanted to know. He spouted off the address.

  “Thank you.”

  “Sure thing.”

  I ran out the door, pulling up my Uber app as I went. It was proving difficult due to how hard I was shaking. Once I was able to type in my destination—my hotel’s address—the tears began to fall, first one-by-one then by the dozens as they streamed down my face. I could hardly see the name of the driver when his name popped up for how blurry my eyes had become. I traversed Nick’s stupidly long driveway haphazardly, only caring to be as far away from him as possible. If I tripped, so be it. It couldn’t hurt worse than the pain I was feeling inside.