Ask me to Stay

by Osburn, Terri

  Liza’s smile remained in place as she held her chin high in the breeze. “I know, but then I’d miss the serenity of the island. Since I’m only here for two more weeks, I want to soak in as much as I can before going back to the chaos of New York.”

  Her response soothed his indignation and served as a reminder that their time together had an end date. Unless, like Ray’s Essie, Liza might be patient enough to wait until Kendall was free to live elsewhere.

  Sunlight streamed through the trees as they approached the landing. Kendall had called ahead to make sure the smaller boat would be waiting. After finding an empty parking spot, he escorted Liza down the walkway to find Chester waiting on them.

  “A private boat?” Liza asked as they approached the smiling boat captain.

  “No, this is just the one we use when there are fewer passengers.” He held her hand as she climbed aboard the swaying vessel. “Watch your step.” Both feet aboard, she waited for Kendall to get on. “Do you want to sit inside or up at the front?” he asked.

  Swiping the hair from her eyes, she replied, “Inside would be better.”

  “Works for me.”

  As she disappeared inside, Chester cut off Kendall’s entry. “Larimore called with a suggestion.” The gray beard twitched as he winked. “Said you can thank him later.”

  Thank him for what? Kendall started to ask, but a cry from inside provided the answer.

  “Champagne?” he heard Liza say, and rolled his eyes as the captain shuffled off to his post.

  Kendall couldn’t imagine where Chester had found the bubbly on such short notice, but he wouldn’t put it past Larimore to have recruited other conspirators for his mission. First Aadi’s gentle nudge, and now this. Shaking his head, Kendall stepped into the boat’s interior, the prospect of moving away from his meddling neighbors growing more attractive by the minute.

  This was starting to feel like an honest-to-goodness date.

  Liza couldn’t remember the last time she’d had one but knew for certain it had not included a relaxing ferry ride and champagne. Though, according to Kendall, the fancy drink had supposedly been a lucky break at the expense of a honeymooning couple who had canceled their reservation earlier in the day. She hoped because they hadn’t wanted to leave the bedroom and not due to trouble in paradise.

  They made the twenty-minute ride sipping bubbly and watching the scenery roll by. Sometimes open water, sometimes densely forested islands, but every shifting image as beautiful as the one before. Despite the mostly enclosed cabin, the wind still whipped through Liza’s hair, cooling her cheeks and calming her worries.

  “This is a lovely ride,” she said, laying her head against the back of the cushioned bench seat. “The other ferry isn’t nearly this comfortable.”

  Sitting across from her, Kendall swirled the drink around his plastic cup, seemingly distracted. “No, it isn’t.”

  Assuming he was still concerned about Ray, she tried to distract him. “Is this a nice place we’re going to?”

  “Pretty nice, yeah.”

  His eyes lingered on the horizon, while his mind floated somewhere else.

  “Do you take all your dates there?” Liza asked, hoping to snap him back to the moment.

  Kendall turned her way, eyes narrowed, and she added, “I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. I know this isn’t a date.”

  With slow movements, he slid the drink into a cupholder to his right and scooted forward on the seat. “We could make it a date.”

  Liza couldn’t tell if he was teasing her. “Are you serious?”

  He held her gaze. “Yeah, I’m serious.”

  The possible ramifications of her next response raced through Liza’s mind, providing an endless array of reasons why crossing this line would be a bad idea. But as she stared into Kendall’s eyes, recognizing the vulnerability that matched her own, she chose to ignore her head and listen to her heart.

  “Okay, then. We’re on a date.”

  His smile was slow and sensual as one capable hand reached her way. “In that case, you should come sit over here.”

  Tamping down the flutter of nerves lighting through her system, Liza slid her palm against his and joined her date on the opposite bench, snuggling close as one strong arm slid across her shoulders.

  They were on a date. Not how Kendall had pictured the evening going, but he certainly wasn’t about to complain.

  She’d caught him off guard with the four-letter word, but then he’d picked up the inkling of interest in her expressive face. Not the lust that had darkened her eyes the night in Ray’s kitchen, but something different. Something more.

  When Liza had taken him up on the offer, Kendall felt as if he’d won a prize. And then she’d pressed against his side, and the world seemed to snap into place. As if the missing puzzle piece had been found.

  A dangerous idea that he’d shoved to the back of his mind, in favor of simply enjoying the night ahead. Once they reached Isle of Palms, Liza headed for the tree-covered parking lot adjacent to the landing, but Kendall tugged her to the right.

  “Aren’t we driving?” she asked.

  He pointed to the restaurant thirty yards away. “We’re here.”

  She smiled with brows arched. “That’s convenient.”

  Inside Morgan’s, they were seated immediately, the hostess taking their drink orders before leaving them to peruse the menu.

  “I’m starving, and this all looks so good.”

  “Is Ray not feeding you?”

  She turned a page. “He wasn’t hungry today, so we worked through lunch.” Lowering the menu, Liza said, “Did you know that Ray ran with the bulls?”

  That was news to Kendall. “Sounds like a stupid thing to do.”

  “Not to Ray. He makes it sounds like a great, joyous adventure.” The menu lifted again. “Of course, he talks about everything that way. I’ve never met anyone with so much enthusiasm for life. He raved about eating crepes in Paris, pizza in Naples, and schnitzel in Frankfurt.”

  Kendall chuckled. “No wonder you’re hungry.”

  “I’m serious. Why would a man so in love with life and adventure spend thirty years on Haven Island?”

  For the love of something else was the true answer, but he wasn’t at liberty to share that information. “Maybe he’d had enough adventure and wanted something more peaceful.”

  Liza considered the possibility. “I guess. He was in his sixties by the time he came here.”

  The waiter arrived to take their orders. Liza went with sliced ahi tuna to start, and the fried flounder for an entree. Kendall stuck with the usual—gator bites and the flounder po’boy.

  “That might be the most southern meal I’ve ever heard anyone order,” she whispered as the server walked away. “Please tell me gator bites are not really alligator.”

  “Yes, they are. And don’t knock ’em until you’ve tried ’em.”

  “I’ll stick with my tuna, thanks. Can I ask you something?”

  Afraid another fib on Ray’s account would be needed, Kendall braced himself. “Go for it.”

  “Is Aadi Patel single?”

  Not the question he expected. “Yeah, why? Am I failing at this date thing already?”

  A blush danced up her cheeks. “You’re doing fine,” she said, spreading the napkin in her lap. “I’m asking because I think Aadi and Francine are dating.”

  Now that was a new development. “What gives you that idea?”

  Liza leaned forward and twirled the straw in her soda. “When I called Francine to tell her about Ray’s episode the other night, it was late, and I could have sworn I heard Aadi’s voice in the background.”

  Less than conclusive evidence. “She could have been watching television.”

  “I thought that, too, but when he showed up this morning to check on Ray, he smelled like Francine.” She whispered that last part like a southern woman sharing gossip in church. “Like he’d used her soap or something.”

  If h
er assumption was correct, Kendall and Liza would not be dominating the gossip lines for long.

  “Then I say good for them.”

  Her face lit up. “Right? They’d make an adorable couple. Francine is a sweetheart, despite what she pulled on Wednesday, and Aadi seems very nice.”

  Kendall paused with his beer halfway to his lips. “What happened on Wednesday?”

  “Oh,” she said, rolling her eyes, “let me share this fun story.”

  Liza recounted the Haven Island book-club meeting with full hand gestures and a detailed list of every disparaging word that was said about her book. Kendall had no doubt the conversation included plenty of positive comments as well, but Liza didn’t share any of those.

  “Could have been worse,” he said once she’d run out of air.

  “How?”

  Kendall took his drink and set down the beer. “They could have hated it.”

  Liza’s mouth snapped shut. “I just told you all the negative things they said. How do you know they didn’t hate it?”

  This was an easy one. “Because Francine would not have invited you to an all-out roasting of your book, and you dismissed three positive comments while telling that story.”

  “I what?”

  “Bernadette loved it, but . . . ,” he repeated, counting on his fingers. “Kathy said she couldn’t put it down, but . . .” Kendall ticked off. “And Carrie let her kids run amok because she was too engrossed in the book to put it down. I don’t remember how you dismissed that one, but I can spot a pattern when I see one. You, Liza Teller, cannot take a compliment.”

  Crossing her arms on the table, she slid a finger around the rim of her glass. “I can take a compliment.”

  “Okay, then.” He went for the obvious. “You’re beautiful.”

  Pink lips flattened. “Very funny.”

  “I’m not trying to be funny. You are beautiful.”

  The blush inched up her slender neck. “I’m okay-looking. On a good day.”

  Kendall sat back. “I rest my case.”

  “Come on,” she said, defending herself. “You could have called me smart or kind or generous. Instead, you went with looks. That says more about you than it does about me, my friend.”

  She could deflect all she wanted, but Kendall wasn’t giving up. “Why don’t you think you’re beautiful?”

  “I didn’t say—”

  “Okay-looking is not the same as beautiful.”

  Glancing around to their fellow diners, she made a circle with one finger, eventually landing on her nose.

  “You don’t like your nose?” he guessed.

  “Now you’re getting it.”

  Kendall set down the beer and leaned forward. “Liza, there’s nothing wrong with your nose.”

  She scoffed. “Easy for you to say. You don’t have to wear it.”

  It wasn’t the smallest nose he’d ever seen, but the centerpiece fit with her other features. “I like it.”

  “Well, I don’t.”

  Trying a different approach, he said, “Fair enough. I don’t like my ears.”

  Liza laughed, as he’d hoped she would. “There’s nothing wrong with your ears.”

  “Look closely.” Kendall tucked his hair back and kept his head straight.

  Blue eyes narrowed as she studied him, and he knew the moment she saw it. “One is higher than the other.”

  He quickly covered them again. “Yep.”

  “Oh, Kendall. That isn’t even noticeable.”

  “It is when you have a crew cut.” He’d been tortured on the playground as a kid. Nicknamed Sloth at an early age after the character in The Goonies. And in a lady’s company, he wouldn’t repeat the jokes he’d gotten in the military. “So you don’t like your nose, and I don’t like my ears. That makes us even.”

  “Not even close,” she argued. “I can’t grow my hair long enough to cover my nose.”

  “Sure you can.”

  Her laughter drew the attention of other diners. “I could do what that pop singer does and hide my face behind wigs.”

  Kendall didn’t know who she meant, but he went with it. “There you go. Problem solved.”

  The waiter arrived with their appetizers, and Liza caught her breath. Kendall liked her this way. Relaxed with an easy smile. Even a bit audacious, with the right encouragement. But what he really liked was how he felt when he was with her. A sense of peace mixed with the sudden urge to do better. To be better.

  Once the waiter left, Liza cut into her starter but seemed to sense him watching her. “What?” she asked, checking for something on her face.

  “You’re good for me, Teller.”

  She blushed yet again, and the smile brightened her eyes. “That’s a compliment I’m happy to accept.”

  Progress made, Kendall dug into his gator.

  Chapter 16

  Kendall James was living proof that first impressions could be overcome.

  Dinner had passed with pleasant conversation and enough laughter to leave Liza’s cheeks aching. Between the humorous stories about his fellow islanders and the earnest compliments on her appearance, Kendall had charmed her into almost forgetting his earlier behavior.

  They’d shared a little more champagne on the ferry ride back, though just enough to tickle her tongue and not put her to sleep. After the filling meal, she was already feeling sleepy. But the best part of the evening had been the moonlit stroll along the water behind Ray’s house.

  At first, she’d been reluctant to venture into the dark—that is, until Kendall retrieved a flashlight from Ray’s storage room and showed her there was nothing to fear. A gallant thing to do, but not nearly as gallant as how he’d carried her to the beach.

  She’d removed her sandals and left them at the bottom of the stairs leading to her apartment, still trepidatious about what she might encounter in the brush between the house and the edge of the sand. When a twig snapped, causing her to leap backward after a single step, Kendall swept her into his arms, eliciting a yelp from Liza as she struggled to keep from flashing her panties to the world.

  Clinging to his neck, she enjoyed the ride, feeling as if she were being saved by a dragon-slaying knight. Liza had never thought much of the damsels in distress portrayed so helplessly in books and movies, but cradled in Kendall’s strong arms, she began to think those damsels were onto something.

  Once they’d cleared the brush, he set her gently on her feet, keeping her hand in his as they strolled toward the water. Though not quite as bright as the week before, the moonlight reflecting off the waves was enough to illuminate their path, turning the sand a glistening shade of silver.

  “As far as dates go,” she said, “this one easily ranks in the top five.”

  “Top five? I was shooting for top three.”

  Liza squeezed his arm. “We can’t score it too high. Then there’s no room at the top for the next one.”

  Kendall moved a shell out of her way with his boot. “So there’s going to be a next one?”

  She hoped so. “That’s up to you.”

  Without hesitation, he asked, “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

  “Hmmm . . . A typical Saturday night would be painting my toenails while watching a House Hunters marathon,” she answered honestly. “Do you have a better idea?”

  Stopping at the water’s edge, he pulled her against him, locking his hands at the small of her back. “I can think of a few things, though I bet you look sexy painting your toenails.”

  He did know how to make a girl blush. “If you really want to earn bonus points,” she teased, “you could let me paint your toenails. I have an adorable shade of pink that would go perfectly with those work boots of yours.”

  Laughter rolled through his chest, stirring the night creatures from their hiding places. “If I agree to that, what do I get to do to you?”

  A weighted question that brought several ideas to mind. None that she had the courage to mutter aloud. “What do you want to do to me?”
>
  “Everything,” he breathed, before locking his mouth over hers.

  In an instant, Liza was lost. Kendall lifted her off the ground, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, desperate for an anchor in the storm. His lips were sweet and hot, pecan pie mixed with raw need, and Liza would never look at dessert the same way again.

  She whimpered when his mouth left hers to drop a trail of love bites across her jawline. Fingers deep in his hair, her toes curled when he nibbled her earlobe and whispered something she was too lost in desire to comprehend. Liza moaned as she tugged on his thick locks, and Kendall understood her plea.

  Lips met once more, his tongue licking and teasing until one word echoed through her mind. More. More touch. More taste.

  More Kendall.

  Lungs burning, they both came up for air, panting as if they’d sprinted down the beach. Pressing his forehead to hers, he held her tight, her feet still hovering above the sand.

  “I’ve been dying to do that.”

  Since the night she’d discovered him shirtless in the kitchen, so had she.

  “I’m glad you did. I wasn’t going to survive much longer, either.”

  His chuckle forced her to hold on tighter. “Good to know we’re on the same page.”

  Liza slid a finger over his dimple. “Kendall?”

  “Hmmm?” he mumbled.

  “You can put me down now.” Without warning, he twisted her sideways and slid his arm beneath her knees. “I said down, not up.”

  “Quiet, Teller. You’re ruining the moment.”

  She squealed with laughter, tossed her head back, and spotted a sea of stars above. “Such a beautiful sky.”

  Kendall ducked a low branch to stop beneath the hanging palmettos. “Not as beautiful as you.”

  Staring into heavily lashed eyes lit only by the light of the moon, Liza’s heart landed at Kendall’s feet, leaving her incapable of stopping the flood of emotions crashing through her defenses. When they reached the house, instead of setting her down, he carried her all the way up the stairs.

  At her door, he dropped Liza slowly to her feet before pulling her close. “Was that a yes on tomorrow?”