“So are you.”
I glanced out the window and shrugged. “I suppose so. I’m really proud of what my little store has managed to achieve, but it just goes to show you that if you get knocked down, stand right back up and clobber whatever comes at you head-on.” I could feel Chance’s gaze on me and I pulled my eyes back to his. “Of course, I’m a firm believer in setting goals, organizing life to reach those goals, and then allocating some time in between to enjoy those goals.”
“Sounds absolutely thrilling.” He grinned.
“Doesn’t it?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m slowly starting to loosen up a bit. Like, I’m even reconsidering my little plan. I’m surprised I even told my sister about it.” I studied him for a few seconds. “So you haven’t told anyone my bright idea?”
“It’s your test to share, not mine.”
“Test?” I asked surprised.
“That’s basically what this is, isn’t it? If I fail it, then you’ll give up on us all together.”
“Us as in us or us as in the male population?”
“You tell me.” He sat back in his chair and pushed his empty hot dog basket to the side.
I knew people met and dated every day of the year, but I’d done a marvelous job of ensuring that didn’t happen to me. I even moved to a somewhat secluded island to escape the madness. Now, here I was sitting on an island that wasn’t even mine searching for answers from a man who I was on the verge of falling for.
Okay, who was I fooling? I fell for him the moment he saved my little store from burning down.
“I don’t even remember why I thought it was a good idea in the first place,” I confessed.
His lip tugged up on one side. “Does that mean it’s over?”
“It’s over.”
“So does that mean if I kiss you again, I don’t have to worry it will be the last time?”
“I don’t know. With your rep, it might be better to keep you on your toes.”
“I never showed you my place.” His eyes darkened with desire, and every cell in my body felt like it was on fire with need for him. It was like my switch was permanently stuck in the on position around him. Everything about him was such a temptation.
“Don’t you have to get back to work?” I teased.
“I think I can get away for a few hours.”
“A few hours to show me your house?” My smile widened.
“It’s a big house.”
“I bet.” His gaze stayed on mine and I felt my cheeks flush.
It felt so good not to think about tomorrow beyond a day, but I did need to check on orders for the morning just in case.
“Let me make sure Holly is okay for the rest of the day and that no overnight shipments need to go out.”
“Are you worried you might not make it back tonight?” His brow quirked up slightly.
“I mean . . .” I smiled and pulled out my phone, waiting for the email to pop up. “I’m trying not to think about much beyond the moment. It’s a new thing.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I glanced down at my inbox and saw an email from Mark Minchester. I inhaled sharply as horror spread through me, and the peace of mind I’d finally claimed was torn to shreds in an instant.
Chapter Seventeen
I wasn’t going to let this jerk ruin my trip to Portland, but I wasn’t in any mood to go to Chance’s house. I’d felt bad for making up an excuse as to why I had to catch the next ferry home, but I had to get this problem squashed immediately. The idea of dragging Chance through any of my drama was mortifying.
My sister was on her way over as I sat in my dining room, glaring at the subject of the email.
I need to see you. I’ve already booked a flight to Seattle
The fury that was running through my blood was indescribable. Part of me wanted the chance to bring down the wrath of Maddie on him, but the more sensible part knew he wasn’t worth any wasted breath. I wasn’t big on referring to myself in the third person, and if he brought that out in me, things would only get worse.
The fact that I even had to deal with this situation was infuriating. Who did he think he was telling me he already booked a flight? Despicable.
I heard my sister’s car door slam and I leaped off the chair to greet her. She knew what this man brought out in me and it wasn’t pretty. I certainly didn’t need Chance seeing this side of me. It wasn’t pleasant.
I hurled open the door to see my sister shaking her head and opening her arms. Without realizing what I was doing, I dove right in and began crying.
“Who does he think he is?” I sniffed.
“He’s not worth these tears,” she whispered, giving me a big hug.
“Oh, I know.” I sniffed again. “I know. I think they’re tears of frustration.”
I let go of her and shut the door.
“It’s like he has a happiness radar.” I shook my head, pieces of my hair falling from my ponytail.
She motioned for me to hand over my phone, which I happily did.
Holly began reading aloud the email I’d read countless times on the ferry. The pompousness each word carried made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to write a seething letter, but he’d probably show off my response to everyone in Illinois, forgetting to show the email that set me off. I’d just sound like the crazy girl he was lucky to avoid. That entire family were masters at twisting the truth.
Dear Maddie,
I miss you. So much of my life has been constructed by my family and lived out by me. I should have been more of a man and stood up to them. I know that now and am asking for your forgiveness. I think the only way to gain forgiveness is to see you in person. I need to see you. Maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
I’d love nothing more than if we could put our past behind us and start new again. The hurt I’ve caused is something I know will take a long time to heal, but my hope is that you’ll give me a chance to begin the process. I’m a different man.
I’ve never been able to forgive myself. I’m coming to Seattle in a few days, and I’d like to come out to the islands to see you. You’ve never been far from my heart.
Forever in your debt,
Mark
“Wow.” Holly shook her head in disbelief. “That’s nuts. He’s let years and years go by without a word, apology, or—”
“I heard he was engaged again.”
Holly’s eyes connected with mine.
“Are you serious?”
“That’s what I heard. Maybe she left him stranded at the altar and he got a taste of his own medicine.”
“We could be so lucky,” she nearly grumbled.
“See what I mean about timing? It’s like he knows I’m leaving him.”
“I think that ship sailed a long time ago.” Holly’s eyes stayed on me as I moved into the kitchen to bring us each a cup of fresh coffee.
“You know what I mean. I’m finally leaving it all behind, and I’m open to the possibilities of dating.”
“You are?” Surprise covered Holly’s face.
“Yup. My drought is about to be over.”
Holly giggled. “Well, good.”
“I think Portland will be an amazing trip for many reasons so I’m not about to let this creep intrude on my well-laid plans.”
“For once I agree about you and your plans. Stick with this one.” Holly chuckled. “It’ll be fun.”
“As long as I can push this scumbag out of my head. I just can’t believe the audacity of him to think an email and a visit will suddenly have me kissing his feet.”
“So he’s trying to blame everything on his family?” My sister’s brows knitted together as she handed back my phone.
“That’s what I got out of it too.” I rolled my eyes. “It has been years. Years.” I threw up my hands. “I swear he has some sort of psychic ability that senses when I’m starting to find happiness.”
Holly narrowed her eyes on me. “What do you mean? Has this happened before?”
“It didn’t occur to me until I was on the ferry that this same cycle happened when we were together. It was like whenever he knew I was going to call it off between us, he started showering me with affection and distracting me with stories of how life could be, and then the moment he thought he’d gotten over that hurdle, he’d go back to his old ways.” I shook my head. “He always knew when I was about to skedaddle.”
Holly chuckled.
“I almost should have suspected this would happen.”
“So there were times you thought about leaving him while you were engaged?” She brought me back to my previous statement. “I didn’t know that.”
“Even before I was engaged, but I told myself that what I had was a form of love. There were never any sparks. You know . . . it just kind of grew out of a friendship.” I twisted my lips into a smirk. “I kept telling myself it was fine. Although, the problem was that I now don’t even think what we had was a friendship.”
“Do you know different now?” Holly asked softly.
I nodded. “I now know I was never in love with him and what happened was both the worst and best day in my life because I wouldn’t be spending a lifetime with a man I could never love.”
I sat on the couch in the living room and put both of our cups on the coffee table as Holly made her way in and sat down next to me.
“So you never had sparks with Mark?” Holly asked, taking a sip of coffee.
“Not even one spark.” I shook my head and let out a deep sigh. “I kind of thought all of that was just manufactured nonsense scriptwriters wrote into their movies.”
“And now?”
“I’ve never experienced anything as wondrous and confusing in my life.” I scooted back on the couch. “Just the thought of being with Chance is enough to uncork me, and I’m a grown woman.”
My sister laughed. “When you find the right person, it changes the complexion of everything.”
“The guy can come up behind me to grab a handful of mushrooms and I about lose it.”
“It’s about time.” Her eyes fell to the phone I still had in my hand. “So do you want me to take care of Mark? I’d love to write him a reply.”
“I always thought he was smart because he was so conniving. I mean he worked at his family’s bank for cryin’ out loud.”
“Just because someone can add and subtract doesn’t make them smart,” Holly said, laughing.
“True. The good news is that I’ll be in Portland when he’s in Seattle.”
“So you want me to take care of him?” she repeated.
“All of a sudden it sounds like we’re in the mob.”
“Well . . .” She wiggled her brows. “I do have a shovel.”
“I can’t believe how much better you’ve made me feel. All the way over on the ferry I was dreaming about how I could pick him up from the airport and torture him.” I cleared my throat. “Only kidding, but I was so worked up I couldn’t see the beauty in what had actually happened.”
“And what’s the beauty?”
“I’ve moved on.” I sat back on the couch. “I’m surrounded by great friends, family, and a cute man, at least until he moves to Portland.”
My sister stiffened. “About that, is he moving for sure?”
“I think so. It’s a great opportunity, and it’s a dream he needs to fulfill. He got there once and I know he can do it again.”
“And you’re okay with that?” she asked. “You have your tea store here, me, mom and dad . . .” her voice trailed off.
“I’m not moving. I’m too happy with my little set of islands. And am I okay with him going to Portland? Absolutely. He has every right to live out his dream, and in the meantime, he’s changed my life in so many ways just by being decent.”
“He’s not only decent,” Holly corrected. “He’s perfect for you.”
“He’s perfect for me at this particular moment in time. I will never stand in the way of someone’s dreams.”
“You’re an incredible woman and Mark will be wallowing in misery that he let you go.”
“Ick.” I took a sip of coffee just to get the bad taste out of my mouth. “He’s pathetic really. He needs to wallow in Illinois.”
“No doubt about that,” my sister agreed. “So how are you going to handle Mark?”
“I’ll send him a short reply telling him apology accepted and there’s no reason to come out. I’ll keep it simple.”
“Nice and classy.”
“Exactly.”
My sister’s gaze dropped to my shirt. “Did you have a pretzel or something?”
“Why?” I asked.
“You have cheese sauce on your shirt.”
I started laughing and instantly felt close to Chance for absolutely no reason.
“Funny Chance didn’t mention it at lunch.”
Holly smiled and stood up to take her empty coffee cup to the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
“You don’t think he came out early, do you?” she hissed.
My blood turned to ice as I thought about all the decent, polite, calm things I’d planned on writing to him.
Suddenly, all of those pleasantries were out the window, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands around his neck.
“Would you mind checking?” I whispered, and Holly nodded, creeping slowly to the foyer.
My pulse was pounding so hard, I swore I could hear it outside of my body. The thought of being civil to Mark had completely flown out the window. The guy left me at the altar, took away my business, home and . . .
“Chance, oh my gosh. It’s so good to see you,” Holly nearly squealed in relief.
“Good to see you,” Chance told my sister.
“Maddie’s in the living room.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he began as he strode into the living room.
“Not at all. I was just about to leave. I’ve got dinner plans with Nick in a little bit.” Holly wiggled her brows seductively and I rolled my eyes, laughing.
Holly gave me a quick hug and like that she dashed out of my house, leaving Chance and me alone.
“I wanted to find out if I said something or did something to make you bolt.” His voice lowered and he took a couple steps toward me. “I didn’t mean to come on so strong.”
My stomach tightened and I shook my head. “You didn’t. It wasn’t you. It was completely me and this whole thing that—”
“Good,” he interrupted, kissing me.
I let out a little moan of delight as his kisses, gentle at first, began to demand more.
Chance’s fingers tangled in my hair while my body molded into his as he kissed me harder. Feeling his strength as he pulled me deeper into his embrace made me light-headed as I thought about all of the nexts of what we were about to do.
“I don’t want to wait until Portland,” I murmured between kisses.
He growled in return. “I didn’t know we were supposed to.”
The electricity charging through my body as his tongue parted my lips had me begging for more.
Everything about this man was perfection. The way his fingers circled my cheek, the softness of his lips combined with the determination of his kisses, his beautiful blue eyes darkening with desire with each passing second.
His tongue pushed deeper, and every worry escaped me as he picked me up, still kissing me and making me feel things I’d never imagined. I wrapped my legs around his waist and looped my arms around his neck, as he began moving me up the stairs to my bedroom.
I wasn’t exactly a feather, but the way my body draped into his made me feel secure and with each step closer to upstairs, I felt weightless with desire.
When he reached my bedroom, he laid me down on the bed and stood over me, caging me in with his arms. I unlooped my arms from his neck and settled in underneath him.
“You’re sexy as hell,” I giggled, feeling light as air.
“So are you.” He smiled as his fiery gaze lit up my entire body.
Without thinki
ng twice, I tugged his sweater over his head. He stood up, shaking it off his arms before coming back to me.
“Getting right to it?” He smiled, his gaze dropping to my mouth.
I slowly licked my lips.
“I haven’t been able to get you out of my head for weeks.”
“Is that so?” he murmured, sliding his open mouth along my neck.
“Mmhmm.” My hands ran over his bare skin, dipping lower to his hard abdomen and jeans. Skimming my fingers between his pants and waist, I felt him shudder and loved that I could make this man weak for me.
Chance peppered kisses along my neck, and I let out another moan as I began kissing his chest. He inhaled sharply, and I ripped my lips away from his chiseled chest and immediately missed the sweetness of his skin.
He tugged my sweater over my head. Before giving me a chance to unfasten my bra, his hands already ran underneath me and he unhooked the straps. His mouth immediately encircled my left breast, pulling and tugging as my mind and body unraveled with desire.
I arched my back and felt his lips move lower and lower until he reached my panties. He peeled the lace away, his lips grazing the tender, exposed flesh as he ran his hands up my sides.
Chance let out a low, needy growl as his fingers slid up my thighs and every cell in my body ached for him to be inside of me. It was as if all the parameters, lists, and rules I’d lived my life by had finally found a way to be tossed aside. There was no manual for what I was feeling with Chance, but I knew it was something I’d never once experienced before.
The whiskers of his chin tickled my thigh as my world spun into an unbelievable ecstasy with each flick of his tongue. I tangled my fingers through his hair, slowly guiding him up to me. I unbuttoned his jeans, and he quickly shook off the rest of his clothing.
His breathing was charged with longing as he hovered over me teasing my senses and making me realize what all I’d missed out on for so long. But I knew I wouldn’t have experienced this with anyone else. My body trembled with desire as his eyes stayed on mine and he nudged my legs open.
Chance at Love on Mystic Bay (Island County Series Book 6) Page 14
