Bode glances over with a wink and a hopeful look on his face. There’s no way I can hold the laughter in. “You know you’re messed up, right?”
“A man can hope. So where are you headed?”
I should be angry with Bode, but he is making it impossible. “Just over to Wilmington. I need to look some things up and, well, you know without the island having internet connection…”
“Yeah, it sucks, but we’ve all gotten used to it, or moved away. Do you really think you can come up with a solution to our problem?”
My crazy idea makes sense in my head. “I don’t know, but I can definitely do better than a wife contest.”
Our heads turn and we share a smile. “Will we be flying back tonight?” he asks.
“No. I’m going to get a hotel room for the night. I’ll be able to do what I need from there. So maybe a return flight tomorrow afternoon. Or if you are already booked, I can take the ferry back.”
“Oh, no, it’s no problem. I don’t have to be back until tomorrow anyway. I can stay with you.”
My stomach flutters at the thought of spending the night with Bode. That isn’t a good idea. I start to tell him there’s no way he is staying with me when the plane’s nose tips downward and the motor slows. I grab the armrests again and am surprised the landing is actually smooth. Bode floats the plane right up to the dock. A young guy grabs a rope and ties the plane down. Bode carries my suitcase into an office and then out to a hangar.
I hurry to catch up to his long strides. “Bode, you don’t have to stay with me. I’ll just call an Uber.”
“Oh it’s no problem and calling an Uber isn’t necessary. I keep a truck here. I can take you where you need to go. The Waverly Motel is about a mile down the road. It’s nothing special, but it’s clean and cheap.”
I wince when he tosses my Gucci suitcase in the back of an old rusty truck.
He walks around and opens the passenger door. I can’t quite make it up and he puts his hand on my ass and pushes. I try to ignore the way his touch on that part of my anatomy affects my nipples. “Hey!” I squeal, but he’s already closing the door and walking around to the driver’s side. “Fine. You can take me, but you aren’t staying with me. I actually have a reservation already.” Thanks to a quick message to my dad’s assistant.
He starts the truck and I’m impressed that the motor fires up. “Okay, great. Just tell me where to go.”
Kimmie would reply down. On me. But Kimberly says, “I think it’s downtown on the corner of Easley and Main.”
He nods and puts the truck in drive. “No problem. My brother has an office near there.”
I can’t help but notice his hands on the steering wheel. This isn’t the first time I’ve been turned on by them. They aren’t well manicured like those of the men I’ve dated in the past. Bode has the hands of someone who puts in a hard day’s work. Strong, capable, worn hands. Such a turn-on.
I need to break that train of thought. “How many brothers do you have?” I ask, trying to occupy my mind with thoughts that don’t involve those hands and me naked.
“You’ve met Case. Adan is the oldest. He’s a realtor and businessman extraordinaire. He started out buying houses that were falling apart, flipped them, and sold them at a premium. Over the years, he advanced to buying businesses and doing about the same thing. Then there’s Gage. He’s in the Marines and we only see him a few times a year. What about you, any siblings?”
“I have four brothers too. They are all in the family business.”
Bode chuckles and glances my way. “So they kept trying until they got a girl. I bet your mother was happy when you were born.”
This time I laugh because that so isn’t what happened. I imagine Marjory Westmoreland wasn’t happy at all when I was born. Well, not at first, at least. “No, that’s not quite what happened. It was more like my father made a bad mid-life crisis decision with a co-worker, and nine months later, I was born.”
Bode’s jaw drops and, with a wince, he says, “Ouch.”
Most people don’t understand our family dynamic. I wonder if Bode will. “Yeah, and do you know what’s even more astounding? I call my dad’s wife ‘mother.’”
“There’s a story there,” he says, and he is correct.
“My biological mother, Rose, was in a car accident when I was two and died, so I went to live with my father. I always knew I had another mother, but never put it together until I was older. Marjory has been my mother in every way but blood. I don’t know if I could have been as selfless as my step-mother if faced with the same thing. There’s never been a day in my life that Marjory didn’t make me feel loved and like I belonged.”
“Does your father have lots of affairs?”
“I don’t think so. There were extenuating circumstances to how it happened. Kinda like Ross and Rachel, they were on a break. I’m not saying my father wasn’t at fault, but now they obviously worked through it because Mom and Dad are crazy in love with each other.”
The truck slows and Bode looks out the window at the approaching hotel. “Hey, are you sure this is where you want to stay? The Westmoreland is a five-star hotel.”
Will he make the connection? Do I want him to? “I’m sure.”
Bode parks in the underground parking deck and pulls my suitcase from the back of the truck.
“Well, thanks for the flight and the ride.” I try once again to get him to leave.
“No problem,” he says, and doesn’t release my case.
I attempt to take the handle, but he still doesn’t let go. “You aren’t staying with me.” Again, the thought of spending the night with Bode makes me tingle in certain places.
“I’ve got it. Just lead the way.”
Does he really think he’s staying with me? I hate that I find that thrilling. “You don’t have to go in. I’m sure you want to get back home.”
He dismisses my politeness and heads for the double glass entrance doors. “No. I’m good.”
Frowning, I scurry along behind him. Once I get to the check-in counter, I’m greeted, “Good afternoon, Ms. Westmoreland. We’re happy to have a member of the Westmoreland family stay with us. I have your suite ready and had a computer and printer sent up as well. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to ask.”
I take the electronic key card and smile. “Thanks, Kathy. I’m sure everything will be perfect.”
When I turn around, Bode is a bit pale. He looks down at me and stumbles when he asks, “You…you’re the hotel Westmorelands?”
I glance around the lobby to see if anyone is close enough to overhear. Having the media catch wind that I’m in town is all I need. “I am,” I say softly.
Bode’s brows pull together in confusion and I can see the hurt in his eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
I head to the elevator because I don’t want to have this conversation in the lobby where anyone can eavesdrop. Bode follows me to the elevator and I use the penthouse key to start the car moving upward. I chance a glance his way and, by the set of his chin, don’t see this ending well.
Bode allows me to exit first and follows me down a short hallway where I use the key card to enter the suite. He comes in quietly and drops my case, and a duffle bag I hadn’t noticed. I guess he is staying. His eyes travel over the accommodations. I know what he’s seeing. This suite isn’t even as opulent as some of the other Westmoreland locations. The outer wall of the living area is floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the city. Two large white leather couches face each other and two chairs are grouped around an electric fireplace. A fully stocked kitchen with white marble countertops and a large eat at island are open to the living space, making it an open concept.
Fresh flowers are in the middle of a dining table that a dozen people could eat at comfortably. A hallway connects two bedrooms, each with its own spa-like bath. The sheets on the beds are thousand count and the towels Egyptian cotton.
I’ve never been to this location before, but I know t
he expectations of all Westmoreland locations—luxury at its most decadent. That’s even their catch phrase.
He turns to me with an accusing eye. “Kimberly, you are angry I didn’t tell you about the contest, but you never said a word about being a member of one of the richest families in the world. Why didn’t you just buy an island and build your own Inn? What are you even doing on Faire Island? Is this all just a game to you?”
“A game? No. I’m doing exactly what I said. Running the Inn is very important to me.” I hold my arms wide. “This is my family. This is not me. Before I moved here, I lived in a small thousand square foot walkup. Other than my father paying for college, I’ve supported myself since I was eighteen. My first job was as a waitress, which I will admit didn’t go well. I had so many jobs through college to make enough to buy books, pay for food.”
“But why? When you have all of this?”
I sigh. Would Bode even get me or my life? “I didn’t earn this. My friend Lili and I did pretty well with a business we developed, but that was her baby. The Inn, that’s all mine. And it’s going to be on my terms and with money I have worked for and saved. It’s going to be a success. My success.”
“That’s… very commendable,” he admits, but he doesn’t sound convinced. Then he looks up from his inspection of the rooms.
Our eyes lock and a shiver runs through me. My heart starts beating wildly. This is it. I ask, “Are you staying the night?”
He doesn’t answer right away. I can see a wall beginning to go up in his gaze. “I don’t know if I should.”
I’m disappointed that he could change his feelings so suddenly. Over something so meaningless. “Because of my family?”
He raises his shoulders and removes his cap. Those incredible hands move through his sun-streaked hair. I wish they were my hands. “Maybe a little. I thought we had a lot in common, but maybe we don’t.”
How would he know; he doesn’t know the real me. Very few people do. “I’m still the same woman I was this morning. Nothing has changed.”
“Yet everything has,” he says and turns and heads toward the door.
It’s important to not let him leave like this. “Do you know I was sixteen the last time I stayed in a Westmoreland hotel? I don’t like to make employees think I’m checking up on them. And I hate it when people treat me differently, like I’m entitled or something.”
I give a sigh when he stops and turns. “Why stay here now?” he asks.
“Because I knew I’d find what I need to help Faire Island. It was the quickest way to have worldwide access. Come on, let’s go down to one of the restaurants for dinner and we can talk. Maybe you’ll decide I’m worth taking a chance on, even if my last name is Westmoreland.”
He bends to pick up his duffle bag. “I’ll just…”
“Bode, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but stay. There’s two guest rooms and I would appreciate your help. This doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.” But I suddenly realize I want much more than that from him.
Chapter 11
Bode
“Can something like that even be done?” I ask.
Kimberly shrugs. “My father says anything can be done if you know the right people and you throw enough money at it.”
What she’s outlined is about as crazy as an Inn contest. “Well, that answers that question. We obviously don’t know the right people and I think the town may have a few thousand dollars in the bank.”
I have been trying to pay attention to Kimberly since we got back from dinner. She changed into a pair of pale pink sleep shorts and a white tank and fuzzy socks. I can see the imprint of her round nipples through the shirt and the expanse of smooth tanned skin of her legs makes my cock twitch, but it’s those fucking socks that really turn me on. They’re pink and fuzzy and cute and look nothing like what a billionaire Westmoreland would wear. Those socks…yeah, they do it for me.
I’m failing at not noticing these things. I just don’t know if I’m setting myself up for a fall to pursue something with a woman who could fly away in her personal jet at any moment.
“Bode, are you listening to me?” Kimberly asks.
I jerk my eyes away from her feet. “Oh, yeah, no, what did you say?”
She gives me a curious look and repeats, “I said we have to think big. How can we get thousands of people to Faire Island every week? How do we entice large numbers of new residents? You said at one time the population was over three thousand.”
I fixate on the movement of her mouth. I want to kiss her badly. After only one kiss, I’m addicted to her lips. I lick my lips and my eyes move downward and I watch her nipples pucker into rigid peaks. A rush of blood turns her chest and neck a pretty rosy shade. She adjusts herself on the couch and presses her knees together. She is every bit as turned on as I am.
Her nostrils flare and her breathing speeds. “Bode, are we going to do something about this?”
My brows pull together I really wasn’t listening. “What?”
She tips her head toward my crotch. I look down and the athletic shorts I’d pulled on are tented. Not surprising since I get hard just from being around her.
“Yeah, that. Are we going to do anything about it?” she asks again with a smirk on her face.
There’re parts of me that are totally on board. I want her. But is it wise? Isn’t this history repeating itself? I don’t think I care. “We really shouldn’t.”
She slowly nods and presses her lips together in disappointment. “Is it because of who I am?”
I don’t bother to sugarcoat my answer. “I suppose partly. I just don’t see things ending well between us. I could fall so easily for you, Kimberly. Hell, I’m already halfway there.”
She flashes those startling blue eyes at me. “I feel the same, Bode.”
I watch her face as understanding dawns. I’ve frightened her. “Don’t think about that. Think about now. What do you want to happen now? At this very moment?”
She looks up at me through her lashes and answers, “I want you to make love to me.”
I let out the breath I’ve been holding. Had she asked me to leave, it would have been hard, but I would have.
I pull her up from the couch and into my arms. Her arms go around my shoulders and she tucks her head under my chin. I kick the bedroom door open and walk inside, kicking it closed behind me. Setting her on her feet, I caress her cheek with my thumb. “Are you sure about this, sweetheart?”
I can count the beats of her heart from the pulsing vein of her neck. It’s the same as mine. Fast. Wild. In harmony.
“I want you, Bode,” comes softly from her lips as she rises to her toes and gives me a tender kiss. This is more. I can see it in her eyes and feel it in her touch. She may not realize it yet, but she is mine. I ignore the taunting voice in the back of my head. You thought Mandy was too.
I force the thought away and stare deeply into her eyes. I want to remember every moment of this night. The only thing that could make this night more special is if we were in my home and in my bed. But we will be. We work to rid each other of our clothes with stolen kisses in-between. I walk her back one step at a time until her legs hit the edge of the bed. Falling backwards, she holds her arms out wide, calling me to her better than any siren song.
The longing desire on her face undoes me. I’ll never last. I run my thumb over a nipple and she arches into my hand, wanting more. “Tell me what you need.”
“More of that,” she says breathlessly.
I pinch the hard peak, and her eyes flutter closed when I take it in my mouth to soothe with my tongue. She moans.
“You like that?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
“Hmmm,” she mumbles. “I’d like your mouth in other places too.”
I lift my head and let her nipple slip from between my lips. I like a woman that isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants. It just so happens that I’m in total agreement. I cup her breasts, rolling her nipples between my
fingers. She squirms as I leave a trail of kisses down her ribs, over her stomach, and lower. I stop before going further and raise my head to meet her dazed gaze.
Emotions I’ve never before experienced rush through me and I don’t know how to deal with them. Sex has always been easy and mindless. But with Kimberly, every touch, every kiss, every sound is different. Special. Everything is more intense and amplified times a thousand.
As we stare at each other, the warmth of her smile reaches inside me and wraps around my heart. A heart that I thought I’d closed off from emotions and hurt.
She lifts her hips to get my attention. “More, please.”
I slide off the side of the bed onto my knees. I take one of her legs in each hand, pulling her to the edge. I lift a leg and drape them one at a time over my shoulders before reaching my hands under her ass and lifting her closer. I open her with my thumbs and pause to appreciate her beautiful pink lower lips. Her bud is swollen and distended, begging for my tongue.
“Oh God, Bode, would you just suck me off before I die of need?” she says with frustration.
My stunned eyes look up from my exploration and narrow. Could she be any more perfect for me? “I’m taking my time. I’m not going to rush this. You deserve to be worshiped and you’re not taking that away from me.”
I rub my thumb over her clit and she sucks in a breath of air. “Proceed,” she mutters, letting her head fall back on the bed.
I chuckle and get back to what I was doing. My cock is hard and weeping, but he’s just going to have to wait. I must have her taste in my mouth. I continue rubbing her clit while I lick down the middle of her slit. Delicious. I knew she would be.
“So gorgeous. So delicious. So wet,” I mumble and I feel her shiver under my hands. I plant my lips over her clit and thrust a finger inside.
Her head thrashes from side to side. “God, Bode. Your mouth…”
I keep thrusting a finger in and out of her depths and then add a second while I work her clit with my tongue. I have her so worked up that when I ask, “Tongue or cock?” she screams for my cock.
Going All Inn (Faire Island Bride Series Book 1) Page 9
