Chapter 11
“You!”
Elijah stepped out of his car after returning from the Pack ‘n Save to buy Jasmine a bouquet of flowers. If he’d planned ahead, he would’ve made it to the florist before closing time. At least the mixed bunch of roses and asters looked pretty, and the bright colors reminded him of her personality and smile.
Glancing around the parking lot, the bulky frame of Jasmine’s brother stepped out of the shadows. Had he been waiting for him to return?
“I have a bone to pick with you.”
Remaining on guard, Elijah swallowed. What had he done wrong? For some reason Jasmine’s brother had taken a dislike to him from the day he arrived in Serenity Bay and parked in front of the fire hydrant. “Jackson. Is there something I can help you with?” He offered a small smile.
“Yeah.” Jackson stood with his feet planted wide apart, his thick arms folded across his chest. “You can help me by turning around and going back to where you came from.”
“Why?” What Elijah lacked in muscle, he made up for in astuteness. He was relentless in the boardroom, using tact and invaluable insight to win reluctant clients over. Surely he could do the same with Jasmine’s over-protective older brother.
“Because I know your type, and I will hurt you if you even try to mess with my sister.”
Water seeped through the paper wrapping on the bouquet as Elijah’s grip tightened on the stems. What was this meathead’s problem? What was with the threats? For the head of the fire department, he certainly needed to learn some communication skills.
“I’m simply taking her to dinner as a thank you for all she’s done for me over the past few weeks.”
Jackson tilted his chin. His eyes blazed wildly in the light shining from the front porch. “Yeah, she doesn’t need your thanks. She needs jerks like you to leave her well enough alone.”
Fire burned through Elijah’s veins, yet his heart beat in a steady rhythm. He was good under pressure. Able to remain composed despite the internal rage. He mustered as much calm as he could. “You don’t know me. I’m only going to ask you to step aside once more.” And then what? Pummel Jasmine’s brother to the ground? Like that would be a good choice.
Jackson straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest.
“I am not letting you take her to dinner, have your way with her and break her heart, and then head back to the city like it meant nothing,” he sneered.
“What makes you think I’m going to do that?” Elijah glanced towards the front door of the B&B. If Jackson kept him out here any longer, Jasmine would think he stood her up.
“I know your kind.”
“Really?” Elijah scoffed. “Successful? Kind? Generous? Not a meathead?”
It was too late to take back his words. Jackson’s right fist swung towards him. Elijah ducked out of the way, but was too slow to duck the second punch that connected with his cheek bone. Pain shot across his face and momentarily blurred his vision. He tossed the flowers and ducked away, holding his fists in a boxer’s stance. Shaking his head, his vision returned to normal in time to see Jackson charging him. Before he had a chance to think, Jackson had tackled him around the waist and knocked him to the ground. Gravel sliced through his skin as the two men tumbled around.
“Stop! Stop!” In the midst of their melee, he hadn’t heard Jasmine run over to them. With his face squashed against the ground, he could only make out her red painted toenails in a pair of strappy sandals and her bare legs. Jackson’s bulky frame pressed over his ribcage, squeezing all the air out of his lungs.
“Get off him, Jackson!” He heard slapping, and suddenly the pressure lifted off his chest. He sucked in lungfuls of air and coughed. Lifting his hand to his cheek, his fingers smoothed over the swelling as a result of Jackson’s fist.
“Are you all right?” Curls cascaded around Jasmine’s shoulders as she appeared beside him. Her forehead creased in concern as she examined his face.
Elijah licked his lips, his mouth tasting like dirt.
“Fine,” he croaked. Humiliation washed over him. He’d been beaten up by her brother, and she had witnessed some, if not most, of it. He’d never considered himself a wimp or a loser. But he wasn’t about to fight his host’s brother. He was a gentleman. Jackson obviously wasn’t.
Delicate fingers smoothed over his cheek, before stroking the hair away from his face. “You’ll need some ice to that. Do you hurt anywhere else?”
“Only my pride.” Elijah chuckled and pushed himself to a sitting position. Brushing off the small stones and dirt, he stood. Jasmine strode over to her brother who had given them some space, and poked him in the chest.
“What the heck is wrong with you? How dare you pick a fight with a guest!”
“I think you know what we were fighting over.” Jackson wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and glanced down. “If you can’t make a good decision, then I’m here to help.”
Elijah bent down and picked the trampled bouquet up off the ground. So much for trying to surprise Jasmine. As the siblings spoke, he caught snippets of their murmurings; Jasmine’s ire evident as she berated her brother.
Elijah brushed the dirt from his trousers and straightened his collar before he started walking towards the steps leading to the front porch. Whatever family dramas were going on with Jasmine and Jackson were none of his business. Perhaps he’d jumped the gun with her. Perhaps he’d dared hope for something he couldn’t have. Obviously Jackson was protective of her, but she was also a grown woman. He had no intention of hurting her. He couldn’t stand the thought of someone breaking her heart. He never would, that was certain.
Opening the front door, Elijah placed the crumpled flowers on the reception desk and caught sight of his reflection in the mirror above the armchair. His hair stood upright, and his right cheek was swollen. Small grazes covered exposed areas of skin. He certainly didn’t look like the well-groomed man he knew.
“Are you okay?” The front door slammed shut, and Jasmine walked over to him. She averted her eyes, but not before he saw she’d been crying.
“I’m fine,” Elijah replied. “What about you? I’m sorry you witnessed that out there.”
“What are you sorry for? My brother is the one who needs to apologize. Gah!” She folded her arms and paced across the floor. “I am so mad at him right now.”
“Perhaps it’s best I go.” Elijah was torn. He desperately wanted to stay. To see what possibilities there were with Jasmine. But he couldn’t come between the siblings. He wasn’t there to destroy a family.
“No!” She whirled to face him, her white spaghetti-strap dress flaring above her knees. “No. I don’t want you to go. Please. I’m sorry Jackson was such a pig. He had no right to attack you. I’m just so sick of his overbearing ways about every decision I make.”
Elijah remained silent, watching as she entwined her fingers together and sucked in her bottom lip, mulling over her next words.
“I should sell this place just to spite him.”
“I wouldn’t let you.”
Jasmine glanced up. “What? Why?”
“Can we talk about it over dinner? That’s if you still want to be seen with me?” He gestured over his face and gave his best grin without causing too much pain.
“Of course I do!” Jasmine gushed before toning down her excitement. “Let me grab my bag.”
Elijah smoothed over his hair and willed his racing heart to still. Was he being impulsive? No. He’d had plenty of time to think things through, and although he hadn’t discussed anything with his brother, he knew what he needed to do.
Chapter 12
A tingle ran along Jasmine’s spine as Elijah’s hand rested lightly on her back. They were led to a table by a window overlooking the bay. Lights twinkled along the esplanade, while the inky waters of the ocean rippled in the silver moonlight. Jasmine placed the cloth napkin from her place setting over her lap.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” She glanced a
t the swelling under Elijah’s eye and the other grazes marking his skin. “He didn’t punch you in the head, did he? I don’t want you losing consciousness on me.”
“I’m fine, really.” Elijah’s eyes were an incredible mix of green and dark blue, with flecks of gold reflecting the candlelight flickering on the table. The dim lighting in the empty restaurant bathed his skin in a warm glow. “I’m just a little sore.”
Jasmine ran her fingers over the stem of her wine glass. “I’m sure the whole town will know about your scuffle by the time we finish dinner. That’s one of the negatives about small town living.”
“I really don’t mind. It’s not such a bad thing.”
“What?” Jasmine glanced up. “Having everyone know you were in a fight?” How could gossip be a good thing?
Jasmine eyed Elijah’s long fingers as they smoothed over his jawline, wondering what they would feel like tracing over her skin.
“I used to think it was a negative when I first came here. I never understood how people could stand to live in a place where no one rushes around, and everybody knows everyone else’s business.”
Jasmine nodded in agreement. It irritated her at times. Some days she dreamed of going somewhere where nobody knew her history or the details of her life. But she appreciated people looking out for each other and everyone having her back.
“But the more time I’ve spent here, talking with the townsfolk, and …” he cleared his throat and cast a glance her way, “watching you, the more I’ve realized that there is more to life than money and chasing after the next deal.”
Jasmine picked up the menu and gave a short laugh. “Really? Because I’m pretty sure that could solve some of my problems at the moment.” She didn’t want to think about the mounting pile of invoices that were due.
A soft smile curved on Elijah’s lips as he shook his head. “It doesn’t solve everything.” Leaning back in his chair, his tanned forearms stretched on the table. “I’ve never been so relaxed and peaceful before. This is the first time in as long as I can remember that I’ve actually slowed down and stopped to smell the roses. I feel like a completely different person to when I arrived several weeks ago. Speaking of roses, I’m sorry your flowers were ruined in my little ruckus with your brother.”
Jasmine frowned, trying to keep up with his train of thought. “You seem a different person.” She placed the menu on the table, her fingers bumping into Elijah’s outstretched hand, eliciting a zing of electricity along her bare arm. She quickly lowered her hand to her lap as their gazes met and held. She moistened her lips. “But I knew you were different when I first saw you walk through the front door.” Heat flamed her face. Was the wine going to her head already? When was the last time she’d eaten?
“Didn’t you say you’d seen my kind before?”
“I did. But you’re nothing like them. You’re not brash or pushy. I saw that you were genuinely interested in my town, and not just here to make a quick buck.”
“How did you know that? I didn’t even know that myself, until recently.”
Jasmine shrugged and gazed out the window to where the white caps were barely visible on the vast expanse of ocean stretching out from the shoreline. Woman’s intuition perhaps? It hadn’t served her well with Scott, but then she wasn’t to know how years of combat would change him into a complete stranger.
Elijah’s warm hand encompassed hers. She turned her head, her breath catching in her throat as he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles. Butterflies took flight in her stomach at the tenderness in his gesture, the warmth in his soft smile, the desire in his eyes.
Elijah lowered their hands and entwined their fingers on the table. “I’m definitely not here to make a quick buck.” His voice was husky. The simple kiss had affected him as well.
After ordering and eating their meals, they made their way along the boardwalk and stepped down onto the beach. A warm breeze blew across her bare arms, and the skirt of her dress fluttered around her knees. Jasmine removed her sandals and threaded the straps over her fingers. The sand was cool between her toes. Her other hand had somehow managed to find its way into Elijah’s, and she basked in the sensations from their skin to skin contact.
He would be returning home soon and she wanted to enjoy this time with him, whatever this was, and tuck it away to remember on the lonely nights she found herself pining for something more. Romantic, moonlit strolls with handsome men were only in her dreams. Things like that didn’t happen in real life. Not to her, anyway.
“I can see Eloise running the B&B one day when she’s older,” she murmured, breaking the silence as they walked along the beach. “I thought I could do it all myself until I retire, but I just don’t know anymore.”
“You’re a strong woman. I’m sure you can do whatever you put your mind to.”
“I know I can. I’m not sure I want to.” She wasn’t sure what she wanted any more. She loved the B&B. She was proud of her efforts of making something out of nothing. She enjoyed getting to know the guests that stayed. She loved Serenity Bay. So why did she feel something was missing?
They stopped walking and Elijah turned Jasmine to face him, his hands cupping her shoulders. With one finger, he gently tucked wisps of windswept hair behind her ear. “What if I stayed?”
His words ignited a flame of hope in her chest, but as soon as it sparked, reality set in and damped it down. “You can’t stay. You’ve got a business to run. You’ve got deals to make and contracts to sign.”
Elijah ran his hands over her arms. “Not right away. Besides, I think I’d like to stay here and explore some options before I return to the city.”
Jasmine frowned, tilting her head to look up at him. “What options?”
“You.” His breath was warm against her ear as he nibbled on her earlobe and trailed feathery light kisses along her neck.
Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded against her ribs. She was thankful his hands were supporting her, otherwise she would’ve fallen ungracefully onto the sand.
Waves crashed behind them as Elijah’s mouth lowered to hers. Warm and gentle before their lips parted and they melded as one. Desire flooded through Jasmine. Everywhere Elijah touched, burned. Her arms entwined around his neck as their kiss deepened, and she ran her fingers through his hair as her body pressed against his.
Breathless, Jasmine finally pulled away. Pressing her lips together to savor the light taste of wine and remnants of ginger and spice from dinner, she gazed into Elijah’s emerald greens reflecting the same amount of desire she knew were in hers.
“I’d like you to stay, too.”
Chapter 13
SIX MONTHS LATER
“I was thinking,” Elijah called over the clanging of pots and sizzling of steaks on the grill. The Saturday evening dinner rush at Vista on the Bay had turned into just that - a rush. What had once been a quiet evening in the B&B, was now a thriving place to be in Serenity Bay on Friday and Saturday nights. “We could head down to the esplanade when we’ve finished here.”
Jasmine glanced across the kitchen, waving away the steam wafting up from the plate of vegetables she’d set on the counter. Elijah’s permanent presence around Serenity Bay had been accepted, and the town had welcomed him warmly, just as they had when she’d returned with Eloise as a babe in her arms. He’d moved out of guest room number three and was living in one of the spare rooms on Frank’s farm.
Adjusting his work title and description, Elijah had stepped down from being John’s co-partner in Rineholt Enterprises. The brothers decided to withdraw their business interest in Serenity Bay, turning their focus towards other pursuits in newly developing areas. Elijah worked remotely when John needed his input, and for the rest of the time, he worked alongside Jasmine at the B&B while also helping Frank with repairs on the farm.
In the time Elijah had become a permanent presence in the town, Vista on the Bay had turned over its biggest profit. Elijah was a pro with the guests, welcoming the
m, chatting to them and even offering them business advice if the topic of conversation ever arose. The pair made a good team.
The best part of all was night time, when Eloise had gone to bed and a lull descended over the B&B. It gave them some quiet moments to sit on the porch, cuddling on the love seat, or strolling along the shore, watching the waves break on the sand. Never did Jasmine imagine she’d find herself here, working alongside someone who had wholly captured her heart.
“Sure, if you’re up to it.” She finished plating the meal and pushed through the kitchen doors to the dining room where she served a couple seated by the front window.
“Enjoy.” She smiled warmly, and paused by the window, gazing out to the black velvet sky sprinkled with tiny diamonds as it stretched across the waters of the bay. It didn’t seemed that long ago that Elijah had stepped through her front door. Or that long ago when she’d stalked him on the internet. Those green eyes still stole her breath, and she had to pinch herself to make sure that his presence in her life was real. This high-flying businessman had given everything away to stay in Serenity Bay.
As the last of the dishes were loaded into the dishwasher, Jasmine wiped over the counters and removed her apron. She dashed up to her room, checked on Eloise and ran a coat of lip gloss over her lips.
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be home. Feel free to sleep in the spare room.” She poked her head into the lounge where Tara was reading.
Tara waved her away. “I’ll be fine. Go on. Enjoy yourselves. You deserve it.”
Elijah was leaning against the railing by the front steps. Jasmine’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him in a white button-up shirt rolled up at the sleeves and navy trousers. How had he managed to clean up so well? Still wearing her uniform, she glanced down at her black trousers and white blouse and felt completely underdressed. She brushed away a light smear of flour on her thigh.
Reclaiming Her Heart (Serenity Bay Series Book 1) Page 6
