Seized by Love at Seaside

by Addison Cole

  She stifled a yawn, her long day catching up to her.

  “I kept you up too late last night.” Blue set down his paintbrush and pulled her in close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She loved the intensity of their wild kisses as much as the tenderness of his softer ones, and even though she knew they could only share this one date, she wanted to enjoy every second of it, of him.

  “No. I’m okay.” She looked at the painting and realized he’d painted two string gardens beside the vase. They were drawn in perfect perspective and looked strikingly similar to two of her favorites.

  “Are those mine?” she asked softly.

  “Yes. You told me they were your favorites the day I came in to buy the aloe vera plant.”

  “But that was months ago. You remembered?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, inhaling a deep breath before finally answering. “Lizzie.” He met her gaze with an intensity of heat and honesty that made her whole body warm up. “I don’t think there’s a thing you’ve told me that I haven’t remembered.”

  Her heart ached with desire and longing. Blue was, without question, the most honest man alive, and no part of her wanted to put distance between them again. But she knew she had to. She reached for his hand, wanting to enjoy their closeness for the rest of the evening. Even if she couldn’t have him forever, she’d take one night. One night of tender kisses that made her head spin, and the most perfect date she’d ever been on. And then she’d go back to the way it was.

  BLUE KNEW HE was in too deep the moment he’d first pressed his lips to Lizzie’s, and he had no desire to swim to the surface. When they left the restaurant, Lizzie climbed into the truck and moved beside him without his urging. Everything felt natural and right, just as he’d known it would. He felt closer to her than he’d ever felt to a woman, and as they drove away from the Paintery with their painting propped against the seat, he didn’t want the night to end.

  “I had a great time tonight,” Lizzie said. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date. I had forgotten how much fun it can be to connect with someone.”

  “Me too, and I knew we’d hit it off. No matter how many times you refused to go out with me, I always knew we’d end up together. I think that’s why I never told Sky that I’d asked you out and that you’d turned me down.”

  “Oh gosh.” Lizzie gasped. “You didn’t tell her either?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “You didn’t tell her? I thought girls talked about everything.”

  “Usually we do, but I never told her that you asked me out. I didn’t want to feel pressured into accepting.”

  “And I didn’t want her to pressure you.” He hugged her against him and kissed her again. He hadn’t worn his heart on his sleeve for years, but with Lizzie, there was simply no other way to wear it.

  “See how alike we are?” he said. “I know it’s late, and you’re probably too tired, but I have something else planned if you’re—”

  “Blue, I don’t want our date to end either, so whatever you had planned is great with me. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I usually take the day off, so I can rest then.”

  “Don’t you want to hear what I had planned?” he asked as he turned off the road toward his house.

  “It doesn’t matter.” She rested her head on his shoulder like they’d been dating forever. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be perfect.”

  Blue lived about as simply as a person could while still having creature comforts to enjoy. His modest cabin was set down a narrow and winding road, deep in the woods of Wellfleet on the way to Cahoon Hollow Beach. He parked in front of the one-story, cedar-sided cabin and helped Lizzie from the truck, holding her close and soaking in the feel of her as he set her on her feet. She surprised him again by snaking her arm around his waist as they walked up to the front door. Again he had to wonder how he’d gotten so lucky to finally break down her defenses.

  “I guess I should have warned you. My place is pretty small.”

  He unlocked the front door and flicked on the lights, illuminating the cozy cabin. He watched her eyes roll to the right, past the kitchen and up to the vaulted ceiling, then travel to the loft above his bedroom. There were no interior walls in the cabin, other than the ones separating the bedroom and bathroom. Blue loved the open floor plan. As he watched Lizzie running her fingers along the marble bar that separated the living room from the kitchen, he wondered what she was thinking.

  She smiled as she took it all in. “This feels very much like you. It’s rugged and gorgeously built, of course.” Her voice held a flicker of flirtation. “And it feels safe. Like you. You feel safe.”

  He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. “Just what a guy wants to be called. Safe.”

  She craned her neck to the side, giving him better access to nibble her soft skin. He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue and felt her shiver against him.

  “Okay, safe just went out the window,” she said, turning toward him. “You promised me just kisses, remember?”

  “That was like a kiss.” He took a step back and made a sweeping gesture with his hand as he bowed. “Your wish is my command.”

  She laughed. “My wish is definitely not to only kiss, but this is our first date…”

  He walked around the counter to put some space between them before he was unable to stop touching her and selected a bottle of wine from the rack.

  “I’m glad you like my place. I built this cabin when I first moved to the Cape.” He’d always loved his cabin, and although Sky had been there many times, he’d never brought a woman he was dating home with him.

  “But you just bought that lighthouse property. Are you going to move there?”

  “When I bought this land, I fell in love with it. It was one of those moments you never forget.” Like the first time I saw you. “I could smell the ocean coming over the ridge and the woods buffered me from the outside world. And when Duke and I went to see Bowers Bluff, I had that same feeling. I knew I wanted to be there.”

  He poured them each a glass of wine, and they went into the living room, where she looked over family photographs on the mantel while he queued up a movie.

  “So, you’ll move there?” she asked.

  He shrugged as he came to her side. “I’m not really sure. When I’m out on the bluff, it stirs another part of me. The part that’s ready to start thinking about the future, having a family someday.”

  “Aren’t most guys trying not to get tied down?” she asked.

  “I’m not most guys.” He drew her in close again, and her eyes darkened as she met his gaze.

  “No, you’re definitely not.”

  He set their wineglasses on the mantel and lowered his lips to hers, gently covering her mouth and taking her in a slow, drugging kiss. Her lips parted instantly for him, and every stroke of their tongues brought a thrum of desire.

  “I love your mouth,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. “I’ve dreamed of kissing you for way too long.” He didn’t want to stop kissing her, even as he sealed his lips over hers again, knowing he needed to pull back or he wasn’t going to be capable of honoring his promise. She kissed him hungrily, as if she couldn’t stop either. This was totally unfair. Why did he have to be the good guy? Being the good guy totally sucked.

  Tearing his lips from hers, he managed, “I made you a promise.” Lust laced each syllable.

  She pressed her hands to his cheeks, went up on her toes, and kissed him again. Her body fell against him, as if she’d lost her balance, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her there, aching to feel every inch of her softness with nothing between them.

  “Lizzie,” he warned.

  “I know,” she said between kisses.

  “Movie.” He forced himself to step back. They were both breathing hard, and he had no doubt that he could sweep her into his arms, carry her into the bedroom, and make sweet love to her all night long. But he’d promised her they’d on
ly kiss, and if Blue was one thing, it was trustworthy.

  He moved their wineglasses to the coffee table, and she settled in on the couch. How many times had he envisioned coming home with her, feeling her presence in his home? He slipped off his shoes, then helped her do the same, and as she tucked her feet beside her, he dimmed the lights. The movie started as he sat beside her and pulled her in close again, loving the feel of her against him.

  “You have Love Actually?” She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him with curiosity in her eyes.

  “Yeah, don’t tell any of my buddies or I’ll never hear the end of it.” She giggled, and he kissed her again. He knew that bringing her home to watch a movie wasn’t a big, exciting date, but he’d craved time alone with Lizzie for so long, and since he’d never brought a woman home before, it felt like a very big deal to him. And now that he knew how tired she was, he was glad he hadn’t planned a more exciting first date. “You’re dangerously addicting, Lizzie.”

  “Don’t go there,” she said softly.

  “Why? What’s so bad about my liking you?”

  She gazed up at him again. This time her eyes held confusion, and unless he was reading her wrong, a tinge of sadness. “There’s nothing wrong with you liking me. Just don’t get addicted to me. Addictions aren’t safe.”

  He kissed her again. “Well, as you said yourself, you’re safe with me. I made a promise, and even if it kills me, I’ll keep it.”

  She stifled a yawn and snuggled against him again. “Sorry. I think the late night and the wine are hitting me after all.”

  “You can lie down if you want to be more comfortable.” He knew she must be exhausted.

  “Why are you so nice to me after I turned you down for so long?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” He smiled. “I’m a nice guy. Don’t you know that yet? Do you really think I’d change because you agreed to go out with me?” He pressed his lips to hers again. “I only want to make you happy, make your life better, and be closer to you.”

  “That’s actually why I didn’t want to go out with you.” She dropped her eyes, and he lifted her chin so he could see her face.

  “Because I’m nice? I’m not that nice. There’s a huge difference between being beta and nice, you know.”

  She smiled at that. “You are so not beta. I didn’t go out with you because I knew how easily I could fall for you, and my life is complicated. I told you that.” She shifted her eyes away and asked quietly, “Will you lie down with me?”

  As Hugh Grant played in the background, they stretched out on the couch. Blue spooned Lizzie, one arm draped over her waist, his knees tucked behind hers, and her sweet rear pressed firmly against him. Pure. Torture. The fact that she’d just told him that she knew she’d fall for him only made it more difficult to hold back his emotions. She was painfully honest, even when she gave away her hand, and that made her even more lovable.

  She nuzzled in closer and whispered, “Thank you for being trustworthy.”

  For once in his life he wished he could break a promise, take her in his arms and love her like he wanted to. Instead, he did the right thing.

  “Always.”

  Chapter Seven

  LIZZIE AWOKE WRAPPED securely in Blue’s arms. It had been so long since she’d felt the hardness of a man’s body touching hers that she reveled in it. She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, telling herself that their date could go on a little longer before she pulled the plug. It was Sunday, after all, the one day of the week she didn’t need to film or edit her webcast, or even go into the flower shop if she didn’t want to. And what could be nicer than spending the next few minutes snuggled up against Blue?

  From her horizontal vantage point, she took in his cabin. It was small but tidy. The cedar ceiling and hardwood floors gave it a masculine, rustic feel. She was surprised to see plants from her shop on top of the refrigerator and on the small kitchen table. Blue was always in and out of her shop, but she hadn’t realized that some of the plants he bought were for himself.

  Blue stirred behind her. His unshaven cheek brushed over her skin, and his lips followed. Oh, how she loved his lips and the feel of his stubble against her skin. He pulled her flush against him and kissed her neck again while his hands pressed flat against her stomach and ribs. She loved his big, strong hands, and his sexy moans were heating her up in places that hadn’t heated without her help in a very long time. She couldn’t resist turning to face him. His eyes were heavy with sleep, and his thick dark hair was tousled. He looked too delicious not to kiss. He still tasted faintly of wine, and the second their tongues touched, shivers of electricity rippled through her. He pressed a hand to the small of her back.

  “Do you know how long I dreamed of holding you like this? Kissing you like this?” He kissed her again, and she slid her hand over his muscular back, taking pleasure in the firmness of him, the surety and safety of him.

  “Tell me,” she whispered against his lips.

  He kissed her again, then pressed scintillating kisses along her jaw as his hands smoothed down her back, over her hip, sending ripples of awareness through her with every touch.

  Blue whispered, hot and lustful, in her ear, “Every night since the first day I laid eyes on you.”

  When he shifted his weight, bringing one thigh over hers, she moved further beneath him, wanting to feel the weight of him, to feel what it would be like if she had a normal life and could allow herself to give in to her feelings and fall for such an amazing man. Her fingers traveled down his back, trembling by the time they reached his firm behind, which she couldn’t help but hold on to.

  “You’re beautiful in the morning. Sorry about the morning breath.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of gum, then ripped it in half, placing one piece on her tongue and the other on his.

  “I love a man who’s prepared.” She wanted to stay right there all day long.

  He sealed his lips over hers, and she tried to tuck the gum between her cheek and teeth, making them both laugh. He plucked it from her mouth and set it, and his piece, on a magazine on the coffee table.

  “Now we taste minty.” He pressed his lips to hers. “But just for the record, that gum was so I didn’t gross you out. I love the way you taste in the morning. No gum necessary.”

  “You’re such a sweet talker.” She pulled him into a greedy kiss, wanting to feel more of him, to forget that she had to go back to real life—which she’d already decided could wait another day—and just disappear into him.

  His mouth was hot and commanding, his hands were heavy and possessive as they played over her hips and waist. She could only imagine how good it would feel to make love with him.

  “Blue…We should slow down.” She panted, arching her neck, giving better access to his skilled mouth while she tangled her hands in his hair and held him in place, his teeth grazing over her skin, sending chills down her spine.

  “Okay.” He started to pull away.

  “No.” She pressed his mouth to her neck again. “Yes.”

  She felt him smile against her skin, and when his lips met hers in another soul-searing kiss, she melted against him, her mind blurry with desire.

  “Blue,” she whispered urgently.

  He lifted lust-filled eyes and met her gaze.

  “I’m sorry.” His hand slid from her chest. “You said only kisses. I shouldn’t—” He tried to pull away again, but she covered his hand and held it on her chest.

  “I wasn’t saying, Blue, like stop. I was saying, Blue, like, Ohmygosh, Blue, you feel so good.”

  He smiled and touched his forehead to hers. “Still. I got carried away. You trusted me, and—”

  “And I want this. I want you.”

  “Lizzie, if we keep going like this, there’s no turning back.”

  She held her breath, trying to grasp her fraying resolve and come back down to earth, trying to make a decision she didn’t want to make. Her heart was pleading for more. Her head was tee
tering between doing what she knew she should and ending this right here and now and doing what she so desperately wanted and what felt so very right that it couldn’t be wrong. She searched his eyes for answers he couldn’t possibly have, and her heart overruled her head.

  “Kiss me, Blue. Touch me.”

  He hesitated for only a second before a flash of unbridled passion burned in his eyes and their mouths crashed together, shattering their last bit of restraint. Even through their clothes she could feel his heat penetrating her skin. She shouldn’t do this. Couldn’t do this. She had to stop.

  But he felt oh so good!

  He gripped her hips, pressing against her, and searching her eyes for approval before taking her in another heated kiss.

  She loved the way he was careful with her, making sure he had the green light, and then he took control. This wild, unbridled man could have whatever he wanted. She loved the way he claimed her mouth as if he were branding her as his—and boy, did she want to be his. She was on a bullet train and she wanted to ride it all the way to heaven. He lifted her shirt over her head and stripped off his own. The skin-to-skin contact was almost too much too take.

  “Blue. Goodness, Blue.”

  “Too much?” He pulled back. He was so thoughtful it made her want to give even more of herself to him.

  “No.” She pulled his mouth to hers. “Maybe,” she said between kisses. “No,” she corrected herself. “Definitely not.”

  “You’re gonna give me whiplash,” he teased, and kissed her so long, they both came away breathless. “Lizzie, we can stop. I don’t want you to regret this.”

  She felt another pang of guilt about hiding the Naked Baker, and she couldn’t be sure if that guilt would lead to regret or not, but she wanted Blue more than she wanted to figure it out right now, so she answered with hope. “I’m not going to.” She pulled him into another kiss.

  Being together felt so right, she didn’t want to stop. Time failed to exist as they kissed and touched, greeting the morning in the sweetest way she ever had.