Charleston Harbor Novels: Books 1 - 3

by Debbie White

  “Thanks for sticking around and helping us tear down the party,” Jack said.

  “I bet Grandmother and Auntie Patty are exhausted,” Annie said, covering her mouth as she yawned.

  “I think our work is done here. Let’s go home. We have an early flight tomorrow,” Jack said, helping her up from the chair.

  He carried her over the threshold even though he’d told himself he’d do it again when they checked into the villa. Annie wrapped her arms around his neck and the corners of her mouth turned up. He took her straight to the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.

  “How about we conserve on water and take a shower together?” He began to loosen his tie and pull his dress shirt out of his pants.

  Annie closed her eyes. “Sure, that sounds good,” she said barely audible.

  Jack went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He poked his head out of the doorway to let her know that the water would be at the right temperature soon and she could begin undressing. “Annie, dear, the water …” He grabbed a towel off the rack and covered himself while walking over to the side of the bed where he’d left her. He gently shook her. Her eyes fluttered but she never opened them.

  Jack sighed. “I love you, Annie.” He chuckled as he moved to the bathroom where he then stepped inside the glass enclosed shower and turned the temperature to cold.

  But don’t feel too badly for Jack. In book two of the Charleston Harbor Novels, Jack and Annie are having a grand time on their honeymoon in beautiful wine country, California, and when they return, Jack begins to build their dream home. Grandmother Lilly and Auntie Patty will be there, as well as Mary and Danny, along with a few more surprises, of course. I hope you’ll follow us along in the Charleston Harbor Series. While each book is a stand-alone, it’s always best to start with Sweet Indulgence.

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  Letter From Debbie

  Thank you so much for reading Sweet Indulgence, book one of the Charleston Harbor Novels. I really hope you enjoyed it.

  If you did enjoy Sweet Indulgence, I’d love it if you’d write a review. It helps to get the word out about my books to readers. So, thank you in advance for helping me do that.

  If you’re looking for book two, Sweet Magnolia, follow this link.

  For my other books, please follow this link:

  https://www.authordebbiewhite.com/books/

  Happy reading!

  Debbie

  Books By Debbie White

  Romance Across State Lines

  Texas Twosome

  Kansas Kissed

  California Crush

  Oregon Obsession

  Romantic Destinations

  Finding Mrs. Right

  Holding on to Mrs. Right

  Cherishing Mrs. Right

  Charleston Harbor Novels

  Sweet Indulgence

  Sweet Magnolia

  Sweet Carolina

  Others

  Perfect Pitch

  Ties That Bind

  Passport To Happiness

  The Missing ingredient

  The Salty Dog

  The Pet palace

  Billionaire Auction

  Billionaire’s Dilemma

  Coaching the Sub

  Christmas Romance – Short Stories

  Copyright © 2017 by Debbie White

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized by, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Acknowledgments

  Cover design by Dana Lamothe from Designs by Dana

  http://www.facebook.com/designsbydana1

  Editing by Daniela Prima from Prima Editing & Proofreading Services

  http://www.primaeditingproofreading.weebly.com/

  Chapter 1

  Thoroughly exhausted, but happy to be sitting in first class sipping cocktails, Annie rested her head back on the cushiony pillow that hung from her seat. She casually turned her head and smiled at Jack.

  “I’m sitting here worried about, of all things, those darn porta potties,” she said, knitting her brows together.

  Jack patted her leg. “Don’t worry about anything. We’re on our honeymoon now.”

  Annie let out a sigh. “I know it’s only a couple of days, but it will be heaven sitting on the veranda overlooking vineyards and sipping on chardonnay.”

  “On our next anniversary, we’re going to Europe and will have a proper honeymoon,” Jack said, leafing through the magazine he pulled from the seat pocket in front of him.

  “This is a proper honeymoon, Jack.” She nuzzled his arm and pulled him down, whispering in his ear.

  Jack’s eyes widened. “I like the way you think,” he said, kissing her on the lips.

  Their flight lasted about six hours and they were tired but eager for all things cool, like chardonnay, and all things warm and bubbly like a hot tub. They gathered their bags from the baggage claim area, picked up their rental car, and off they went in search of the quaint villa Jack had reserved.

  It was dusk by the time they had landed and making their way through San Francisco proved to be a bit challenging. Suffice to say, neither of them had seen traffic quite this bad before. Thank goodness for Google; Annie was able to guide Jack through the snarled roadway of cars, and soon the orange architectural icon known as the Golden Gate Bridge came into view.

  “Oh, my. This is absolutely gorgeous,” Annie said as she peered out the side window, looking up, down, and all around. “Look at the height of this bridge.”

  “It’s so high up that it’s shrouded in fog and looks like it goes on forever,” Jack said, trying to keep his eyes on the lane ahead of him.

  Leaning forward and looking out the windshield with her mouth agape, Annie said, “I know, right? It’s like it dissolves into darkness. Wow, truly magnificent.”

  “This is one long bridge,” Jack said as they crept along, in what they figured out to be the tail end of commuter traffic.

  “I guess most of these people work in San Francisco and live in towns on the other side of the bridge,” Annie said.

  After they’d traveled the length of the bridge, they soon entered a tunnel. When they came out the other end, she noticed houseboats tied up. “Wow, look at that. There are lights on, so people are living in them,” Annie said, nodding toward the anchored boats. Her eyes followed the sign until they passed it. “Sausalito,” she said out loud.

  “I think I read somewhere that due to the outrageous rents here, many do live on houseboats,” Jack said.

  After they’d driven about ninety minutes, they began to look for signs that would lead them to the villa.

  “Let’s see. Not this exit but the next one,” Annie said. “After this light, it looks like we make a left, drive about three miles, and then make another right.”

  Jack pulled up to a light colored stucco building. A motion light came on when he parked in the driveway and lit up the place.

  “Oh, Jack, it’s beautiful. It really does look like a villa in Italy somewhere.”

  “I picked it because of its location—we’re close to many great wineries, the view, according to the website, is fabulous, and well, you know about the hot tub,” he said, pulling her in and sneaking a kiss.

  Jack took her hand in his, and they walked to the front door. “The key is supposed to be under the
mat.” He crouched over and pulled up the corner. He rolled his head to the right and smiled up at her as he presented the shiny metal key. “Ta-da,” he said, waving it.

  He put the key in the door and gave it a quick turn, pushing the door out of the way. Annie started to step forward, but he caught her around the waist. “Nope. Not yet,” he said, picking her up in his arms. He stepped across the threshold and took a few steps before putting her down on the king-size bed. “I’ve been waiting to do that.” He kissed her on the mouth.

  Annie bounced a little and then giggled. She patted the bed beside her. “Come here, my darling,” she said with a look of sheer desire in her eyes.

  Jack stumbled and then collapsed next to her, pulling her on top. She placed her hands on his chest and gazed into his warm eyes. “Mrs. Powell. I’ll never get tired of saying it.” She lowered her mouth to his and kissed him deeply, dipping her tongue between the seams of his mouth.

  “Ahem.”

  Jack and Annie bolted straight up from their loving embrace. Annie smoothed down her clothes and hair, as Jack scooted off the bed and crossed over to the door. “Jack Powell,” he said, extending his hand.

  “Kenton Montego,” he said, shaking Jack’s hand.

  “Kenton, it’s nice to meet you. We’ve spoken on the phone. This is my wife, Annie.” Jack motioned toward her still on the bed with her face flushed.

  “I trust you’ve found the accommodations good,” Kenton said, smiling.

  Jack looked over his shoulder toward Annie. Annie nodded fiercely. “We only just got here, but yes, I think everything will be just fine.”

  “Great. Well, as you know, we live on the property just down the road. There are nice restaurants within walking distance of the villa. Also, within a short jaunt are a couple of very nice wineries, and I’d be happy to set up a wine tasting tour for you. Just ask.”

  “That all sounds great. So you say there is a restaurant within walking distance?” Jack glanced at his watch. It was eight o’clock. “We had lunch on the plane, but we could use a bite to eat.”

  “Yes, a lovely bistro, serving a lighter fare such as paninis, soups, and salads.”

  “Okay, thanks for the information.”

  “I’ll leave you two to enjoy your accommodations. And please, let us know if we can be of service to you during your stay.” Kenton took a few steps backward, turned around, and walked away.

  Jack watched him leave and then shut the door. He turned to face Annie with a wide smile broadening on his face.

  “That was close. We forgot to close the door,” Annie said, snickering.

  Jack crossed over to her and held out his hands. Annie pulled up from the bed and slid into his arms. “Let’s get out of these traveling clothes and head down to the bistro.”

  “Why don’t you turn on the hot tub so it can be heating up while we’re gone?” Annie suggested, motioning toward the garden-style doors that lead to the private portico.

  Jack winked. “I’m on it.”

  They decided to walk to the bistro since it was such a gorgeous evening. The wind blew softly across the vineyards, requiring just a light sweater for Annie. They snuck kisses in as they walked, and soon, after a few minutes, they were front and center of a small and very old bistro. Jack opened the door, and the two entered the dimly lit eatery. It housed only six tables, and all of them were empty.

  A young woman looked up from the counter and made eye contact with them. She glanced at her watch and then smiled. “Please have a seat. Anywhere you’d like.”

  Jack crossed over to one near the window, pulling out a chair for Annie before he sat down.

  The young woman with light brown hair and doe-like brown eyes handed them each a menu. “Something to drink?” she asked.

  “Yes, we’d like water and a couple of glasses of wine. What would you suggest?” Jack asked.

  “Red or white?”

  Jack turned to Annie. “I think I’d like red,” Annie said.

  “Two glasses of red wine. Something that will help us relax after a long day of traveling,” Jack said with a hint of sexiness in his voice that made Annie shiver.

  “Do you know what you want to eat?”

  Jack glanced down at the menu and surveyed the items. “Oh look, they have wood-fired pizza here. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds wonderful,” Annie said.

  After two glasses of wine and a small pizza, it was time to head back to the villa. They really picked up the pace as they talked about the warm hot tub and what they wanted to do to each other once they got in it. Between feeling toasty inside from the wine and the magnetic pulses that ran throughout her body, Annie was on fire.

  They changed out of their clothes and into the fluffy white robes that hung on hooks in the bathroom and headed to the veranda. The warm glow from the moon was their only light, that and the flicker from a candle Annie lit on a nearby table. Jack got in first. Annie didn’t let her eyes settle in any one place. She pulled in her bottom lip as he helped her in. She slowly eased down to a molded lounge chair. The jets pulsed and streamed, hitting her in all the right places. She leaned back, resting her head on the rim of the tub. “This is so relaxing. We have to have one of these on our property,” she said, raising her head slightly, only to drop it back into the tub.

  Jack touched her with his foot, causing her to lift her head once more. He rubbed her leg with his foot, and even though it was dark outside, the moon provided just enough light that she could see the burning desire in his eyes. She pulled herself up from her resting spot and joined him on the seat he’d claimed. She found his mouth, slipping her tongue between his lips. He pulled her on to his lap, kissing her hungrily and touching her as he did.

  “Either the water is a tad too warm, or you’re making me hot,” he said under heavy breathing.

  She continued kissing him and pulling him closer. “I love you, Jack,” she said between kisses.

  He pulled away from her, sliding her off his lap. He rose from the steamy water and stepped outside, holding his hand out to her. She watched his every movement, shuddering at the thought of them together. She extended her hand to him, and dripping wet, the two entered the villa.

  Annie stepped into the tiled bathroom and pulled the two large towels from the rack, tossing one to Jack. He looked at it peculiarly and then tossed it onto the bed. He walked over to her and grabbed the towel she still clenched in her hands and tossed it to the floor. He led her to the big four-poster bed, and Annie not only followed him, but melted in his big strong, loving arms.

  Chapter 2

  The temperature had dropped during the night, making the valley a bit on the cold side. Now the fluffy white robes had a purpose. Snuggled in the deep downy fabric, Jack and Annie sipped on coffee as they looked out onto the vineyards. She drew the cup to her lips and took a sip. “This view is gorgeous.”

  “Our view is gorgeous, too.”

  “I know. It’s a different kind of gorgeous,” Annie said, laughing at their back-and-forth assessment of gorgeous vistas.

  “I can’t wait to start building,” Jack said.

  “I know we’ll be a bit cramped in my apartment, but it’s only for a short while.”

  Jack furrowed his brows.

  “What?” Annie said.

  “You do know it will take a better part of a year to build the house, don’t you?”

  Annie shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I guess I thought it would only take a couple of months.”

  “It might take a contractor that long, but with my job, I’ll only be able to devote weekends and vacation time to building it.”

  Annie drew in another sip of the hot coffee. She picked up the basket of croissants that had been delivered to their room by Kenton’s son. She pulled back the checkered cloth and lowered her nose to the baked crescent-shaped bread. “These smell delicious.” She took one and then offered Jack the basket.

  He plunged his hand into the basket, retrieving a croissant. “Jam?
” he asked as he opened the small jar of preserves that Kenton’s son said were homemade.

  “Yes, please.”

  “What about hiring someone to help us? Just so it won’t take a year to build?” Annie asked as she smothered her croissant with grape jam.

  “I’ll hire someone to do the electrical and plumbing, but these hands,” he said, rotating them back and forth, “are going to build our home board by board.”

  Annie giggled. “Your motivation and drive are very admirable, dear.”

  “But …” Jack said as he took a bite of his breakfast.

  “Well … It’s just that I think sometimes we can be a bit naïve about how much we are able to do. I include myself in that as well,” she said with her eyes all aglow.

  “You didn’t doubt yourself for a second that Sweet Indulgence would become as profitable as it did, did you?” he asked with half-closed lids and furrowed brows.

  Annie reached for the coffee carafe and topped off their cups. “I had my moments. But, yes, you’re right. I didn’t give up.”

  “Maybe you should have had more of that backbone when it came to telling your grandmother and auntie to get out of your love life.” Jack stared at her intensely.

  Annie put her cup down. “Now, just a second, I’m not trying to start an argument here. I was just merely making an observation. Sometimes we do take on more than we can possibly accomplish. It’s very commendable, as I said, but I just don’t want to be disappointed.” Annie shook her head, and a tear appeared on her lower lid.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. That was uncalled for. I love your grandmother and auntie, and I know you were only appeasing them because you love them so much.”