by Milan Watson
“And Scarlet,” Alice said rubbing her hands together. “She’s coming too. Although I trust you with my life, when it comes to dresses I’m a little skeptical.”
Burke swallowed past the discomfort that rushed through his veins. He couldn’t face her today, not yet, not until he figured out why he didn’t want to stop kissing her.
She was Alice’s best friend, she was too young for him, and last night when he kissed her it had felt too right. “Why don’t you make it a girl’s day? I’ll give you my credit card to pay for what you need, that way you don’t need to trust me with the choice of your dress?” Burke asked hopefully.
Alice shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. I want you there.” She moved closer and sat down on the Adirondack chair beside him. “Ma mentioned you talked?”
Burke’s eyes flew to meet his sister’s gaze. “We talked.” He didn’t elaborate; Alice didn’t need to know what happened that last night. Some skeletons were better left in the closet.
“Good, so you can come to Denver and have some fun. Believe me, Scarlet and I are pro’s at it.”
Burke nearly spat his coffee over the porch. If only Alice knew what kind of fun he and Scarlet had had last night. “When did you get home?”
“Last night. Tom brought me home. I knew Ma would worry if I stayed over at his place.”
“Oh.” Burke said with a nod. “What time do you want to leave?”
“Now?” Alice asked hopefully. “Alright, when your coffee’s finished.”
Burke glanced at the cold coffee and sighed. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
A while later he pulled up in front of the house he didn’t want to leave the night before. He kept his gaze on the large willow out front, refusing to watch the door only to catch a sight of Scarlet this morning.
When the back door opened her scent reached him first. “Good morning. Headache Alice?” Scarlet asked with a teasing chuckle.
Alice shook her head as she turned in her seat to look at her friend. “Nope. Tom made sure I drank lots of water and Ma gave me two aspirin. Fit as a fiddle and ready to go find my dress.”
“Why don’t you two go? I’ve got a few things I want to do around the house?” Scarlet asked.
Burke glanced in the rearview mirror and caught her gaze. There it was … the regret of kissing him. She couldn’t stand to be around him this morning. A cocky grin tugged the corners of his mouth as he turned to look at her.
She started it and she’s wasn’t going to make him feel crap for it. “Come on, it’ll be fun, besides what’s more important than your best friend’s wedding dress?”
The moment their gazes met Burke felt the heat, the need, and the curiosity rush through his body. When did he start thinking about Scarlet as more than just Alice’s friend?
“If you insist,” Scarlet said, holding Burke’s gaze.
“Great!” Alice said turning back in her seat. “Denver, here we come.”
The girls talked about the difference between princess and off-the-shoulder designs, along with different shades of white. Burke didn’t talk at all. Besides the fact that he had no clue what they were talking about, it was best if he kept his gaze ahead – or rather, tried to.
Every now and then he would glance at the rearview mirror just to get a look at her. Every time he did he caught her watching him as well before she would quickly turn away.
By the time they reached the third bridal boutique, around lunch time, Burke couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t mind the tulle and the lace after all; it was the deafening silences between him and Scarlet whenever Alice stepped into a dressing room.
His baby sister had tried on about a dozen different designs, in different shades of white, and still hadn’t found the dress she wanted to marry Tom in. When she disappeared into the dressing room again Scarlet let out a huff before glancing at him.
A frown etched Burke’s gaze. “Something wrong?”
She shook her head with disbelief. “Only what happened last night,” she said in a whisper, but her regret was clear.
Burke wouldn’t let her see that he didn’t regret the kiss, only that she was Alice’s best friend. “Yeah, it was wrong,” he whispered back. Her eyes widened and Burke almost laughed. Clearly she didn’t expect that from him.
“It shouldn’t happen again. It can’t happen again. I’m not into you at all,” Scarlet said, although Burke wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or him.
“Yup, shouldn’t happen again.” He agreed as a smile curved his mouth. Why, instead of being grateful that she was making light of it, he couldn’t wait to break her resolve and feel her body melt against him.
“I’m serious, Burke. I don’t do flings and you don’t do anything else. So don’t kiss me again,” she added with a fierce whisper when Alice stepped out of the dressing room.
Burke turned to her. “I promise I won’t kiss you again… If you don’t kiss me first.” He turned to his sister just as Scarlet’s cheeks pinked up. “Alice…” words failed him. She looked like the fairy princess she always tried to be when she was little.
“I know, this is the one, isn’t it?” Alice asked, twirling in front of a mirror.
“It’s beautiful. The bodice hugs your frame perfectly; the skirt is billowy without being too big….” Scarlet stood up and walked to Alice. “It’s you, and I’ve got the perfect design for a necklace, one that will make you a showstopper.”
While they talked hair and makeup, Burke zoned out. Since last night he had been certain kissing Scarlet was a mistake, but now… he couldn’t wait to kiss her again. It was clear she liked it, especially because she blushed just talking about it. But Burke would stick to his word. He wasn’t going to kiss her ever again.
Unless she kissed him first…
“Burke, what do you think of this one?” Alice asked, needing his confirmation.
“That one,” Burke said with an approving smile.
What felt like hours later after getting the right shoes, underwear, and of course a few things for the wedding night Burke didn’t care to know about, they were all piled back in the car before heading back to White Horse Creek.
The conversation turned to Scarlet’s shop and how she could expand. “I’m not complaining, business is really good. But I just think some of my pieces are a little too contemporary for the folk of White Horse Creek. If I could get an offset point in a few big cities it would really make a difference.”
Alice nodded. “Have you tried contacting some stores to find out if they’d be willing?”
“Waste of time,” Burke heard himself thinking out loud. With Scarlet’s curious gaze watching him in the rearview mirror he continued. “Most stores only stock what they know, or who they know. Especially in the big cities. If you want to extend your reach you should get a website and sell online. That way you can reach even the furthest corners of the country, and advertising your jewelry will be much easier if it’s done on the internet.”
“You mean like an etsy shop?” Alice asked, intrigued.
“Yeah, something like that,” Burke confirmed.
Before Burke could expand, or give Scarlet a few names of whom to contact to get things started, Alice nearly bounced out of her seat. “Burke can do it for you Scarlet, or at least help you with it. He’s a SPO wiz now. He has a business doing online marketing for big companies, think red and yellow fast food, think sports brands…. He has confidentiality agreements so I can’t name them but you know who I’m talking about.”
Burke saw Scarlet’s eyebrows rise with surprise. “What is SPO?”
Burke sighed. “It’s SEO. Basically it means making sure if people punch unique hand crafted jewelry into a search engine your site will be right at the top.”
“You can do that?” she asked, baffled.
Burke shrugged as he met her gaze. A cocky grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That… and a few other things…”
“Perfect, you can help her,” Alice
barraged ahead, but Burke noticed Scarlet’s gaze had clouded, she wasn’t thinking about anything jewelry related at all.
Chapter 15
• ---------------------------- •
It was Monday evening, exactly seven days before Alice’s wedding. Everything was ready except for the last few things that needed to be checked and double checked.
Scarlet had planned on spending Sunday lounging on the couch with a few good movies to suit the cold weather, instead she did chores. Not because they were needed, but because she couldn’t stop thinking about Burke and hoped the chores would take her mind off him. It didn’t help. Just like it didn’t help that she told him she wasn’t interested; she was very interested.
Seeing him with Alice on Saturday once again confirmed he wasn’t really who she thought he was. He was so much more.
That was the problem. Ever since that kiss on her porch, Friday night, she couldn’t seem to think about anything but him. He made her forget about everything, and everyone, in that moment. Her heart had nearly jumped out of her chest when he simply walked away.
Saturday she had planned on making it clear that it wasn’t going to happen again, instead he agreed before flirting with her. What was she supposed to make of that? She had considered a few excuses to get out of tonight, but they were nearing the finish line of the wedding and any excuse would make Alice worried. So instead of hiding in the comfort of her home she was sitting in the saloon waiting for Burke, Alice, and Tom to join her for the testing of the wedding menu.
Lacy had gone beyond and above with the options she had sent over. They finally settled on finger food for appetizers, but it was the entrée that needed to be chosen. Why Alice and Tom couldn’t come on their own she didn’t understand. She sat by the window at one of the keg tables and kept her eye on the Main Street for Alice’s car.
But it wasn’t Alice’s car that pulled up outside the saloon first. It was the sexy little red number that Burke drove. Her heart began to race even as her cheeks flushed bright crimson.
What was it with her body that betrayed her whenever Burke was close? She watched him as he entered the saloon. She couldn’t help the smile that spread on her face as he waved to a few familiar faces before meeting her gaze.
There it was. That panty-dropping smile of his. She had lived and breathed that smile during high school, how was it possible that it still had an effect on her?
“You’re early,” Burke said, sliding onto a barstool.
“You’re late,” Scarlet retorted simply because she could.
He had just taken a shower and the scent of his aftershave reached her, making her mouth water. “Where’s Alice?”
“Went to Tom’s so they don’t come in two cars.”
“Pal?” Scarlet asked, needing to talk about anything except what happened on Friday night. It was the first time they were alone since he robbed her of her senses after the bachelorette.
“My mom’s puppy-sitting. Should’ve given her the damn pup but she insists she can’t take him. He adores her.”
“Lucky woman, he hates me,” Scarlet said, with a hint of a smile as she reached for her glass of wine.
“He doesn’t hate you. I just think he’s intimidated by you.”
Scarlet laughed. “Really, nice try, but it’s alright my ego can handle one dog not liking me.”
Burke’s phone rang and he answered it with a curt hello. Scarlet could deduct it was Alice on the line. Her eyes widened until she realized Alice wasn’t coming. When Burke hung up she cocked a brow.
“They’re ditching us, aren’t they?”
“Yeah,” Burke said, shaking his head. “They drove to Denver this morning to get a few last things for Tom – and had sushi for lunch. Either the sushi didn’t agree with Tom or it’s a tummy bug. He’s sick as a dog. Alice is going to stay back and take care of him.”
“But what about the dinner? Lacy’s prepared everything.”
“I’m sure we can handle it,” Burke said conspiratorially. “Besides, when was the last time you got to pick what you wanted to eat at a wedding?”
Scarlet sighed. “I guess you’re right, I just didn’t plan on…” She trailed off and shook her head.
Burke’s mouth tilted into a grin. “Spending the night with me?”
Her gaze darted to his, that mocking smile was in place, his blue eyes filled with mischief. “That won’t be happening.”
Lacy approached them with a beaming smile. “As soon as the bride and groom arrive I’ll bring the options for the entrée.”
“They’re not coming,” Scarlet informed her with a sad smile.
Burke nodded. “It’s just us.”
When his gaze met hers Scarlet quickly turned back to Lacy. “You can bring the food. Since they’re not coming, I’d like to get this over with quickly.”
Lacy nodded, a little confused, but hurried away.
Burke laughed. “Nice one, make the hostess feel as if you hate her saloon.”
“That wasn’t my intention.” Scarlet shook her head. “It’s your fault. You with your smile and blue eyes… it confuses me.” Her hand reached for her mouth when Burke grinned at her. Why in the seven seas did she just admit it that to him.
“Don’t worry, feeling’s mutual,” Burke said, taking a sip of the beer he had ordered. “So I’ve been playing around with a few ideas for that Etsy shop we spoke about. I think it can really work. There aren’t a lot of similar products available online. It might really work.”
Scarlet frowned. “You looked into setting up an online store for me?”
“I miss my job.” Burke shrugged. “Besides, it can work. I’ll need pictures of your designs and your logo to set it up. I can set it up so you can upload any new products yourself.”
“You can do that?” Scarlet shook her head. Why did it baffle her that he’d become a wiz at internet marketing? More importantly, why was he going through the trouble of trying to help her?
“I can do that, I think we’ve confirmed that.” He leaned closer and smiled. “I can do a few other things as well... But I promised I wouldn’t show you those.”
Scarlet felt her blood heat and quickly glanced around to find Lacy. Where was the food? The sooner she could leave, the sooner she could try and build up the defenses Burke seemed to break down with a few words.
When she turned to look at Burke she found him watching her intently. There was so much about him she didn’t know and yet it felt like she knew him. “How did you come to do the SEO thing?”
She listened while Burke told her about his rodeo days before playing around with SEO keywords and campaigns. “So this is like a full time thing. A business you profit off?”
Burke chuckled. “You sound surprised. Yes, it’s a full time thing I can do anywhere. It’s paid for my house in Tampa and that red little number. I enjoy it, and it gives me freedom to work when and where I want to.”
Scarlet shook her head. “Fascinating.”
“Just like you…” The words were barely more than a whisper but they made Scarlet remember his promise on Saturday. He wouldn’t kiss her again unless she kissed him first. Why did she already feel as if she was going to lose that deal?
Lacy arrived with four different entrées and set them on the table before giving Scarlet a curious look. Scarlet took a sip of wine before glancing at the options. Basil and bacon wrapped chicken breast, grilled steak, carbonara, and a vegetarian salad.
“This looks amazing,” Burke said, slicing a piece off the chicken. He took a bite and moaned softly. “It is amazing.” Slicing another piece off he held out his fork to her. “Taste this.”
It was too intimate, it was too sexy, and yet Scarlet leaned forward and took the bite. A moan escaped her as the heavenly taste flooded her mouth. “You’re right; amazing.”
“Do we need to choose one?” Burke asked, going for the steak.
“Lacy said we could have the guests order their preference, or just choose one. What do you think?”
Burke sighed contently before meeting her gaze. “I think let the guests order. That way I can get the chicken, you get the steak, and we can share.”
When his eyes searched hers Scarlet wished they would be sharing more than dinner. She quickly took a sip of wine hoping to clear her mind, but it was hopeless. She remembered his touch, his taste, and already yearned to explore it again.
When the plates were taken away Burke leaned over and his mouth tugged into a cocky grin. “I don’t think I need to taste dessert. I’ve got another type in mind.”
Scarlet’s breath quickened. Why did she have that type in mind as well? She blinked and cleared her throat, trying to remember all the reasons she shouldn’t be responding to Burke, but her mind went blank.
“I can’t pay you for setting up the online shop,” she blurted out, trying to talk about anything but dessert.
Burke shrugged. “Didn’t ask for payment.”
“Good. I’ve got to get going, it’s going to be a busy week.”
She reached for her bag and Burke stood up. Please don’t walk me out, my defenses are already on the ground, she thought to herself.
“I’ll walk you out, gotta get home myself. Before my Ma bakes Pal a cake and doesn’t leave me a piece.”
A smile curved her mouth. For a ruthless bad boy he had a soft heart and was a great dad to Pal. “Better get home then.”
After thanking Lacy they walked out of the saloon. Scarlet glanced at her car and wondered if she was going to kiss him. She wanted to; she wanted to kiss him more than she wanted a piece of the chocolate cake he was talking about. But it would only make things complicated. She slipped her key into the door and opened it, using it as a shield between them. “I’ll text Alice our choices.”
“You do that,” he drawled, his country accent back in full swing – making her blood heat even more.
She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth and waited for him to go, but he didn’t. Instead his gaze traveled over her face, down to her mouth. Scarlet felt her heart begin to race even as need pooled in her belly. This was a mistake, she knew it even as she stepped out from behind the car door. She shook her head and whispered against his mouth. “This is a mistake.”
