“Tonight, we’ll concentrate on the first three levels,” Paul said.
Carter leaned close to her ear and whispered, “What do ya say we make up some excuse to hightail it out of here? I can’t sit for another two hours and listen to this babble.”
“They seemed adamant we experience this firsthand so we’re better able to convey the attributes on their website.”
“Building friendships is integral, so you can then work on romance, passion, and good sex.” Paul paused while the couples spoke in hushed whispers.
Carter sat straighter. “Maybe we can stick around a bit longer.”
“Seriously.” Hailey snorted.
“We will be using the Intimacy Card Deck to aid you in improving the quality of your affection, romance, passion, and sex life,” Lenora said.
“Sex and cards? I’m in.”
The couple in front of them turned and stared at Carter. The woman frowned, and the man nodded in agreement. Hailey felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment.
For the next two hours, they listened and participated when necessary, learning about Love Maps—which Carter drew his own version in his notebooks—fondness and admiration, and the emotional bank account.
During the thirty-minute break before dinner, Hailey explored the resort, taking pictures of the workshop rooms, dining room, and common areas while they were empty. It was hard taking pictures while respecting the couples’ privacy.
Since the week wasn’t about building relationships with others, the couples kept to themselves and didn’t mingle much. Earlier, Carter had tried to make friends with a man who didn’t appear to be enjoying his stay, but Paul had come over and asked them to focus on their spouses instead.
Dinner was a quiet affair with little interference from the Freemans. Carter kept conversation light, and they might have turned a few heads with their constant laughter.
After dinner there was free time, which they used to discuss the resort’s website and what to feature on it. When they retreated to their room, Carter grew quiet. Hailey had learned over the years that the best way to encounter any situation was head-on.
Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it in her ears. Mustering up her courage, she plopped down on the bed and laid back. “We’ve been dancing around this topic all day. What happens at Acadia Falls Resort, stays at Acadia Falls Resort. No strings. No commitment. No expectations. I’m game if you’re game.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Carter stilled. All the mental talks he’d been giving himself throughout the day flew out the window and were washed away in the soft waves crashing on the shore. Their chemistry was not only hot, but it was fun. Usually it was one or the other with a woman, not both. It was inevitable they’d find their way in bed together, but Carter didn’t want it to be this way.
Hailey made it clear if they had sex it was just for the next few days, so how did he turn her down without her taking it as a rejection?
One hundred percent honesty was the only way. Reaching for her hand, he brought her to the edge of the bed where they both sat.
“As tempting as this offer is—”
“No, no, no, no, no.” She jumped from the bed and flattened herself against the wall on the furthest side of the room. “Don’t be giving me those pity eyes. You’re not going to hurt my feelings. It’s just sex. There are no feelings involved in this matter. You’re either interested or you’re not. Don’t make this out to be something more than it is.”
Ouch. So this was what it felt like to be on the receiving end of a one-night stand offer. “Hailey.”
She held up her hand to ward off his words. “Carter. Seriously. It’s fine. I’ll stay on my side of the bed. You stay on yours. I’m not going to accost you in the middle of the night.” She went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. A minute later he heard the shower go on.
He was a guy. A horny guy. He couldn’t help if he imagined her naked, water sluicing down her body. Those curves. Hell, a man could get lost in her curves. A body like a back road ... the country song by Sam Hunt played in his head.
Normally he slept in his boxer briefs, and he hadn’t thought about sleepwear while packing. He’d thought about not sleeping, and also thought about how he’d hold off on sex with Hailey until they decided what was happening with their relationship.
Digging through his backpack, he pulled out his gym shorts and tugged them on. He climbed onto the bed, resting his back against the headboard, waiting for Hailey to finish her shower. He fluffed the pillows behind him and reached for the notepad on the nightstand, jotting down a few ideas for the website. Thinking about work was the only way to settle the twitching below the waistband of his shorts.
They could have a page that outlined each workshop. Maybe a link to information about crystals. He picked up his phone and searched the internet with no luck. The service on the island was spotty at best, and they didn’t have WiFi.
When Hailey came out of the bathroom wearing yoga pants and a loose shirt, he set the notepad aside. “I wasn’t sure which side of the bed you’d want.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She slid under the sheets and rolled away from him, staying as close to the edge of the bed as possible. “Bathroom’s all yours.”
She smelled like soap, vanilla and brown sugar, and he did all he could not to wrap his arms around her and inhale her. Kiss her. Hold her.
“What do you think about adding a page about the crystals Paul and Lenora have?”
Hailey rolled over and then scooted herself into a seated position next to him. “That could be interesting. I’ll take some close ups of the crystals. Maybe out by the water where I can use natural light. Good idea.”
This was good. Them talking. Anything to keep the awkwardness at bay. “What about listing the workshops? We wouldn’t want to give too much information away, but we could mention the Seven House thing.”
“You mean the Sound Relationship House?”
“Yeah. That.”
“You didn’t listen to a thing they said, did you?” Instead of being accusatory, she sounded amused. “Typical male.”
“Hey. I listened. When we had to do our little practice activities, I knew what I was doing.”
“Only because I explained the directions to you each time.”
Which was true. He’d zoned out. A lot. Always thinking about Hailey. How she’d feel under his hands. How she’d taste. If she was assertive or shy in bed. Judging by her quick wit, he guessed she gave as much as she took. If not more.
Carter squirmed and pulled the covers higher over his crotch. Real bad idea to be thinking about sex when he was so close to her, with only his gym shorts and her leggings and T-shirt separating them.
“I did pretty well with my love map.”
“You didn’t take any of it seriously.”
“Neither did you. If you want me to, I’ll draw a serious love map right now.” He reached for his notebook and raked his memory for the instructions from earlier. They had to discuss their partner’s history, concerns, and hopes. That’s all he remembered. “You grew up in Belfast, went to college in Rhode Island, and have been a famous photographer for nearly a decade.”
“I wouldn’t call myself famous.”
“Well renowned? How about successful?” He wrote it down. “Your concerns are about continuing your success in Maine, and you hope ... for success. How did I do?”
“Wow. You know me so well,” she said with feigned enthusiasm. “But I’m not staying in Maine.”
His body tensed, and for a split second, he couldn’t breathe. Leaving? Pretending the news didn’t feel like a shot to his solar plexus, he cleared his throat and said, “So tell me more.”
Hailey took the notepad from him and flipped the page. “I’ll do you.” She bit her lip, and her cheeks reddened.
Funny that she had no problem propositioning him for sex twenty minutes ago, and now she blushed at her possible double entendre.
“You grew up on a
blueberry farm in Crystal Cove. Your father passed away when you were twelve, and you and your brother had to step up to run the place with your mom. After high school, you enlisted in the Army. Four years later, you returned home, worked the farm, and then started your own graphic design company.”
“I wouldn’t call it a company.”
“Business. You’re concerned about not being there for your family, so you help out during the busy season even though you’re busy with your own business. You hope your mother’s cancer stays in remission, that Brady can keep up with the family farm, and that no one will ever ask you to settle down.”
It shocked him how spot on she was about him. Instead of getting sappy about the family part, he did his usual M.O. and kept things light. “You’re pretty hung up on the lack of a wedding date, aren’t you?”
The smile on her lips was a nice change from the sadness he’d put on there a half-hour ago.
“Am I right or am I right?”
“You’re kinda right.”
“I usually am.” She turned to her side again and fluffed the pillow under her head. “Night.”
Carter got up to brush his teeth. When he returned, Hailey was asleep, or doing a fantastic job faking it. He slid under the covers and lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. He had no idea how much time went by, but when he heard Hailey’s soft, steady breathing he turned to his side, facing her back.
THE SUN WASN’T EVEN up yet and already she was squirming in his arms. His arms? Carter’s eyes flashed open, but he pretended to still be asleep. Hailey was nestled tightly in his embrace, spoon-style. His left arm draped over her middle and her ass was tucked nice and tight against his crotch.
Not good. He felt himself growing by the second. As discreetly as he could, he pulled his hips away from her until they weren’t touching down there. He kept his arm around her, and nuzzled his nose in her neck.
With her hair up in a bun, it wasn’t in his face, and he could breathe in her sweet smell. Hailey let out a soft moan and then stiffened. Like a bat out of hell, she shot up off the bed and stormed into the bathroom.
Carter lay there, motionless, and listened as she moved about the bathroom. A few minutes later, she came out, rustled through her bag, then left.
Left. Where the hell would she go this early in the morning? He reached for his cell. Five freaking ten and she said she wasn’t a morning person. She’d panicked when she felt him hard against her backside. But why would she flip when she was the one to initiate the sex—that didn’t happen, he sadly reminded himself—last night?
Not wanting her to get too much of a head start, he reached for his dirty shirt from yesterday. He dropped to his knees in search of his sneakers, tugged them on and tied them, then stormed out the door. The resort was quiet and mostly dark. The hallways weren’t lit up bright like at a typical hotel.
He rushed down the stairs and poked his head in the opened rooms, not seeing any sign of her. He passed through the dining room and then caught a glimpse of someone outside.
Hailey.
Carter let out a big sigh and went down the hall to the door that led to the back. He found her sitting in the sand, her knees close to her chest.
“Is this seat taken?”
She startled, tilting her head up. “What are you doing out here?”
“I came to ask the same question.”
“Look.” She pointed at the dark horizon, the sun barely making its appearance known.
“You came out here to watch the sunrise? You know, we have a pretty decent view from our room. From our warm bed, even.”
She picked up the camera draped around her neck and held it to her eyes. “I wanted to capture every stage of it rising.”
Oh, it rose, alright. There was a stirring in his shorts, and then he watched in amazement as the sky grew in color from near darkness to being painted in stripes of pink and purple, and eventually a burnt orange. When the entire sky was a kaleidoscope of colors, she stood panning the area with her camera.
“Oh, that’s good,” she said from behind him. He turned and cocked his head. “I wish there was another couple out here so I could get their silhouette. You’ll have to do for now.”
“Do you have a timer on that thing? We can be that couple.”
She hesitated for a minute and then took something out of her bag. A tripod. “Move to the right. No, too far. Back one step. Perfect. Now face the ocean.”
He did as she ordered, and then she rushed to his side. “Am I supposed to smile?”
“Wise ass.” She left as quickly as she came.
Carter joined her by the camera, amazed at how well she captured the sunrise. Their silhouette was nice, but something was missing. “Set the timer again. I want to try something.”
She did as he asked, and then he tugged her to the same spot, this time keeping their fingers locked. After a few seconds, they returned to the camera.
“Better, don’t you think? Especially if we’re promoting a couples’ retreat. I want to try one more thing. Can you set it up again?”
“The sun is rising fast. I need to readjust the position of the camera. Go over there.” She directed with her hands.
Carter moved on her orders, and then she came rushing up to him again. “Now what?”
“This.” He took her in his arms and kissed her.
He had no idea what came over him. The kiss wasn’t planned; even if he had been thinking about her lips and what she’d taste like, for weeks. She didn’t disappoint. She was as startled as he was when his mouth covered hers. He sipped at her lips gently until she molded into him. She was soft and warm in his arms, and he wanted to stay like that forever. Tempting as it was to trace her mouth with his tongue, he kept the kiss light, pulling away before he wanted the kiss to end.
Hailey stepped out of his embrace and touched her lips with her fingers. “Um, yeah. That was a great idea. Let’s see how the picture came out.” She rushed to her camera.
He needed a moment before joining her. Scrubbing his hands up and down his face, he contemplated his next move. Brush it off as a work thing, a posed kiss for the website, or let her know how much it meant to him? How much she meant to him.
Better to keep things light, or he’d be tempted to dump his damned gentlemanly behavior into the ocean, strip Hailey down naked, and not leave their room for the rest of the week.
“Can I see?” He sidled up next to her and peered over her shoulder, doing his best not to give into the temptation of moving her hair aside so he could kiss her neck.
“The angle wasn’t right.” She switched off the camera and unscrewed it from the tripod before he could see.
While he was disappointed the pictures didn’t come out well, he didn’t have an ounce of regret in kissing her. If she wanted to play it off as nothing, he’d oblige. For now. Sooner or later, though—hopefully sooner—he’d kiss her again.
Only next time he didn’t think he’d be able to stop at a simple kiss.
HAILEY WAS MORTIFIED, confused, and exhilarated at the same time. Carter’s kiss totally threw off her balance. Not that she’d been balanced. Waking up snuggled in his arms, feeling his erection behind her, had freaked her out.
She’d wanted more than anything to turn in his arms and make love to him, but he’d made it clear—sort of—the night before that he didn’t want anything more than friendship. Granted, he hadn’t exactly said those words.
In fact, Hailey thought, while she packed up her camera and hefted her bag over her shoulder, she hadn’t given him the opportunity to say much of anything. She’d been too embarrassed at his rejection, even though it wasn’t the first time she’d been turned down.
She’d offered her body freely, too freely, in the past. It wasn’t her figure men were after. Sex. Just sex, and she’d been okay with that. Sort of.
Carter followed her back to their room without saying a word. She wanted to crawl into bed and get a few more hours sleep, but that would be hard to do with tall,
funny, and sexy laying so close to her, and with the memory of his kiss still on her lips.
“Sorry I woke you up so early,” she said casually, setting her camera bag on the chair.
“I told you, I’m a morning person.” He turned on the light and kicked off his sneakers.
Seeing him for the first time in the morning light, she chuckled. His hair stuck up on the right side. A serious case of bedhead.
“What?”
“You look like you just rolled out of bed.”
“So do you,” he fired back with a glint in his eye.
“I wasn’t planning on running into anyone.” She ran her fingers through her hair, praying it didn’t look as silly as Carter’s. She really hadn’t planned on running into anyone, and hadn’t given her looks much thought.
All she thought about at the time was keeping her hands off Carter and catching the sunrise. One out of two wasn’t so bad.
“Speaking of running.” He stripped out of his shirt and headed to the bathroom. “Want to come?”
“To the bathroom with you?” She’d never showered with a man before. As sexy as Carter would be in a shower, she wasn’t sure she was ready for that level of intimacy.
“For a run.” He closed the door to the bathroom, not waiting for a response.
Running was her least favorite activity. She hadn’t noticed a workout room anywhere in the resort. Picking up the brochure, she thumbed through the day’s activities. Morning yoga. She chuckled picturing Carter in the class with her.
“What’s so funny?” He came out of the bathroom wearing only his gym shorts and socks.
Hell, it should be illegal to look so good. Natural beauty. Muscles earned through hard, physical labor and no cocky attitude behind it. Carter’s cockiness was all for show, unlike the men she was used to.
“Yoga at seven. That’s where I’ll be. Care to join?”
A pained expression crossed his face. “Is this a couples or singles thing?”
“It would look pretty bad if my fiancé didn’t attend class with me. But you did pick up that rhodonite crystal, so everyone already knows about your commitment issues.”
All of You (A Well Paired Novel Book 7) Page 12
