eyond Desire Collection

by JS Scott, M Malone, Marie Hall, et al

  “I’ll talk to Durham and you can do whatever the hell you want with that land, but I’m still going ahead with our plans to overhaul the inn.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  ***

  Thorsen could feel Riley’s anxiousness pouring off of her, her grip on his hand like a steel vise. But until the meeting was over—with a deal or without—there was little he could do to comfort her.

  Ethan slid the paper back to the Teagues’ lawyer. “I’m sorry, but it’s like we said yesterday—we’re not interested in haggling. After the run-in we had with Durham’s men, Holt is cutting their ties with them and is no longer interested in the land. Feel free to call Mark Windham if you’d like—or check your email. I’m sure you’ll have received something in the last few hours.”

  The Teagues’ wide eyes and furtive glances at one another meant they understood exactly how precarious their situation now was. They waited while Moore quickly checked his email on his phone, and then with pursed lips, looked to his clients and nodded.

  Ethan took a final glance at the contract he’d drawn up. “Prior to this, the house and land had been on the market a significant amount of time, with little to no interest due to the remote location of the island and the lack of any legal access roads to the property. We are still interested in purchasing the land and farmhouse, but given that we are now the only ones interested, I hope you’ll appreciate the fact that Mr. Black is a generous man. Going against my counsel, he’s still willing to honor his original offer.”

  Ethan handed over the contract as the Teagues let out a collective sigh of relief and nodded to their lawyer. “We’ll accept the offer.”

  Riley grabbed at his arm, vibrating at his side with barely contained energy as Moore looked over the contract and then had each of the siblings sign. Ethan riffled through the pages to make sure everything was in order, and then pointed to where Thorsen should sign.

  And just like that, he was one step closer to saving the inn.

  The moment the Teagues left the room, Riley threw her arms around Thorsen’s neck, his heart racing to see her so happy, even if he knew their problems were far from over. With the appropriate papers signed, Thorsen was now the owner of the land adjacent to the inn and the farmhouse that went with it.

  “Does this mean it’s over and the inn’s safe?” Riley looked up at him with those big green eyes filled with so much hope.

  He hated to be the one to crush her optimism, but he wouldn’t lie to her or give her half-truths. That was one lesson he’d learned too well.

  He brushed the hair from her eyes, letting his fingers tangle in her mahogany locks as he cupped her face. “We’re one step closer, but that still leaves the Siren in the hands of Holt. I don’t know that they’ll leave any of your programs intact, love. Not when the board will want to maximize the profit margin on their investment.”

  Her smile faded as she let out a weary sigh. “Is there anything we can do? You can have whatever money I have saved.”

  “I’m sorry, love, but it won’t be enough. Not even my savings would have been enough to buy the inn prior to the land deal, or I would have done that to start with rather than involving Holt.” However, there was one last option, though it would mean sacrificing everything. And he couldn’t go down that road until he knew there were no other options available to them. “Let’s get back to the inn. I’ll speak with Mark and see if we can come to some sort of agreement.”

  Ethan gathered their paperwork and locked it away in his leather briefcase. “I’ll need to file the paperwork on the sale, but I can meet up with you on Mermaid Isle once I’m done. Or I can go to Boston to deal with Holt. Whatever you need.”

  “I’ll let you know once I have a better idea where we stand. I’ll also make a few calls. There are a few board members who I can count on to be on my side—good friends of my father’s.” He needed to figure out a way to make sure the inn turned a healthy profit while holding onto what made the inn and the island special—or he’d have to find a way to buy it from Holt outright. And that would not come easy.

  They parted ways with Ethan, but truth be told, Thorsen wasn’t in a huge rush to get back to their problems at the inn. Things were going well with Riley and he just wanted a little more time to shore up what they had before risking it all. At the moment, there weren’t any issues that would be any different a few days from now.

  Riley leaned against her car and pulled Thorsen close, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I don’t want to go back just yet. It’s all so complicated and I don’t know if I can deal with it when my emotions are still such a mess.”

  “I had the same thought.” He gave her a quick kiss, relieved that he could do so once more. “Besides, I’d like to go over everything we know about the inn and your programs and come up with a plan that’ll keep both you and Holt happy—if at all possible.”

  She looked up at him, the sun making her green eyes sparkle. “Those guys…they won’t come after us again, will they?”

  “No. I spoke with Mark—I don’t think he realized Durham would take things to such an extreme and now that the land is ours, they no longer have any reason to be involved.”

  She looked at him, a little confused. “Not ours, Thorsen…yours. You wouldn’t take any of my money.”

  “I love you, Riley. I guess I’m still hopeful that we’ll get through this mess.” Though he should keep his mouth shut, he desperately wanted her to know just how much she meant to him. “The way I feel about you…I know there could never be anyone else. I’d marry you today if you’d have me.”

  And he meant it. There could be no other for him. And he wanted it all—Riley at his side, a house, children, pets. Hell, he even wanted a white picket fence.

  With a glare, she pushed out of his arms. “Why did you have to say that? I’m not even sure we should be together and you’re talking about marriage?”

  “Och, love…come here.” He grabbed her hand and swung her back into his embrace, stealing a kiss before she could protest. “I’m not going to apologize about the way I feel, Riley. And I’m a patient man. I know we’re meant to be together and now that we’ll be neighbors, I’m happy to wait until you’re ready.”

  “You mean, happy to wear down my defenses.”

  “Tomatoes, tom-a-toes. Call it what you will, darling.” He stole another kiss, happy to see she didn’t pull away, even if she was still glaring at him. “Come on. I’m starving and I think a celebration is in order.”

  “You can’t possibly be hungry. That diner nearly had to close their doors by the time you got through with them.”

  “I wasn’t talking about food, darling.” He pulled her close and nuzzled her, wanting her once more.

  “You’re incorrigible.” She slapped his chest, but there was a smile tugging at her lips and there was no anger in her gaze. “And you’re damn lucky I fell in love with you before you became a pain in my ass.”

  “Lucky indeed.” He kissed her slow and sweet this time, savoring the moment before finally pulling away. “Come on, then. We have an inn to save and I’d like to have a plan ready before we head back there. Does that work for you?”

  One of her eyebrows perked up as she pursed her lips. “It does, though saving the inn doesn’t mean I’m going to marry you, Thorsen.”

  “Of course not, darling.” Biting back a laugh, he couldn’t help but tease her. “I’d have to propose first.”

  ***

  Thorsen lounged across the bed, tapping his pen on the pad of paper. They’d found a cute little bed and breakfast to stay in while traveling through the White Mountains of New Hampshire on their way back home to Maine. Because already, that’s how he thought of the island…as home.

  “What if we keep the artist programs affordable by bundling the room and breakfast with the classes, and then requiring a minimum stay? Let’s say ten days. That way the price won’t increase from what they’re currently paying if they stay at the inn long enough.”
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  “That could work. Most of the artists stay longer than that anyway—and maybe we could offer bigger incentives for off-season bookings.” She chewed on her bottom lip, clearly mulling something over. “We could do the same for families who want to stay—offer discounts if they book a minimum of days, with greater discounts during the slower months.”

  “Those staying for less than the minimum, especially during the summer months, will have to deal with a price hike. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way to keep the profit margin up.” Unfortunately, Thorsen knew they’d have to make even more changes if they had any hope of getting Holt to agree to this plan of theirs. “We’ll probably have to offer more luxury options too, but those can also be incorporated into packages. I’m sure your romance writers wouldn’t mind being spoiled with massages and days at the spa. Maybe even select a handful of rooms to get more of a high-end look, so those looking for that sort of thing will have it as an option.”

  “And those will be at a higher price and profit margin.” Riley chewed her bottom lip for a moment before jotting down some notes on her pad. “I guess we’ll just have to hope that the people looking for that high-end vacation won’t mind that the inn accommodates a variety of guests.”

  “It won’t be the entire inn that’ll be catering to that sort of clientele, so it should be easy enough to fill the luxury rooms we’ll have. I can speak with a few marketing professionals I know—maybe market the inn and the island as a place to discover the ‘new you’ sort of thing. Discovery and relaxation. That might even allow us to increase certain types of artistic offerings.”

  “That would be perfect, Thorsen. And you think the board members will agree to this?” She looked both so hopeful and worried at once.

  “I’m hoping they’ll agree to give me control of the Siren if I promise to turn over a healthy profit, but if not, I have a backup plan that might work. I just hope it won’t come to that.” His mother might not ever forgive him for it, but he’d do what he had to.

  “Thorsen…what are you thinking?” She grabbed his hand, looking even more worried now.

  He let out a weary sigh. “I’d have to buy the inn—and the only way to do that would be to sell my shares in Holt.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You can’t do that, Thorsen.” Riley was horrified that it had come to this—and touched that he would make such a sacrifice in order to keep the inn safe. “As much as I love the inn, I can’t let you sell your shares. It’s just too much. If there’s no other alternative, then we’ll just have to let Holt do what they want with the Siren and hope for the best.”

  “Riley…you can’t mean that.” When he cupped her face, she leaned into his hand, grateful for his touch.

  “And you can’t mean to sell off your share of the company your father started and left you. You’ve already done so much to try to make things right between us—and you have.” She leaned in and kissed him, her lips lingering on his with the realization that she truly did mean it. He’d never meant to hurt her or have things go awry.

  “It might be our only option, Riley.” He ran a hand across his stubble, the sound of it like sandpaper. “I’d probably get to keep some of the shares, but I’ll need to speak with Ethan to get a better idea as to what amount would need to be sold off in order to buy the inn. He’s got a better sense of the financial details.”

  “I want you to know that I truly appreciate everything you’re doing, Thorsen. And…I think…” Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out, hoping it’d settle her nerves, because she couldn’t quite believe what she was about to say. “I think I want to pick up where we left off—before everything went to hell.”

  “Are you sure?” His smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, making her want to kiss him again.

  “I’m sure.” She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, the feel of his erection impossible to ignore even through their jeans. Rocking her hips, she slipped up his length, her breath catching when he sat up and wrapped a strong arm around her waist. “But I swear, Thorsen…if you make me regret my decision, I’ll never forgive you.”

  “I promise, darling. You have my word.”

  And just like that, all the stress and anxiety of the last few days melted away so it felt like she could really breathe again, the knot lodged in her chest finally gone. Pulling him close, she nuzzled him, breathing in his scent as she trailed kisses along his neck until she could resist him no more. She kissed him hard and desperate, able to think of nothing but him.

  As his hands slipped down to her hips and grabbed hold of her, he pulled her against his hard length and deepened his kiss, making her want to get him naked and erase any remaining traces of their problems.

  And then her cursed phone rang.

  “Ignore it, Riley.” He pulled her top off and cupped her breasts through the thin lace of her bra, pinching her nipples into hard nubs that sent a direct jolt south.

  “I wish I could, but that’s Logan’s ringtone and he wouldn’t be calling if it wasn’t important.” Her words were a mumble against his lips as his kisses continued and she attempted to dig her phone out of her pocket.

  “Logan…” Riley tried to control her breathing and failed miserably since Thorsen had yet to stop playing with her nipples and was now nipping at her neck, sending a wave of goose bumps over her skin.

  “I’ll admit, I miss hearing you say my name like that.” Humor laced his voice even as Riley cringed and swatted at Thorsen. “Listen, I wouldn’t normally interrupt, and I honestly don’t know if there’s anything you can do about it, but that woman from Holt is wasting no time. She’s already let some of the staff go, and I’ll probably be next on her hit list for calling you.”

  When Riley put a hand on Thorsen’s shoulder, he stopped his attentions as if realizing the seriousness of the situation. “I’ll tell Thorsen. Maybe there’s something he can do. Just stay clear of her if you can.”

  She didn’t know what they’d be able to manage. Anna sure as hell wasn’t going to listen to anything she’d have to say. Thorsen might manage something, but he was already putting so much on the line.

  Logan was silent for a moment and then let out a barely audible sigh. “Even after everything he put you through…you’re back together with him, aren’t you?”

  “Logan...” Given that the men’s last interaction could have been friendlier, this wasn’t exactly a conversation she wanted to be having, especially when Thorsen was right in front of her. She closed her eyes, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “He’s made things right.”

  “And you love him.” Another sigh, though he didn’t try to mask this one.

  “I do.” She wouldn’t apologize for it. “Let me see if there’s anything that can be done about Anna, and I’ll get back to you.”

  They said their farewells and she hung up, wondering if that could have gone better and deciding that it was doubtful. When Thorsen pulled her into his arms and leaned back against the headboard, she was grateful that she had him to comfort her.

  “He’s not happy with you, is he?” He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly, though she thought there was an underlying tension there.

  “No, he isn’t. And Anna’s not making things any better by firing the staff.” Riley didn’t know who’d been let go, but nearly everyone who worked at the Siren was like family. It wouldn’t be easy to see them leave.

  “I’ll make a few phone calls and see what can be done about their jobs. If we manage to get control of the inn or buy it outright, we can try to hire them back.” He ran a hand down her back, reminding her that she was partly naked. “Riley, I hate to ask this, but…the night that I came to see you, and he was there…”

  “Nothing happened, if that’s what you’re wondering.” She looked up at him, wanting to make sure he believed her. There was nothing worse than distrust in a relationship and they’d already had a rocky start. “What Logan and I had was in the past. We’re great friends and he was going to spen
d the night because I was upset and he was consoling me—but it was nothing more. We haven’t slept together in months.”

  “Months, eh?” He shook his head and laughed. “That makes me feel better.”

  She shrugged, refusing to feel guilty. “The winters are long and cold and cabin fever has a tendency to set in. You need to find ways to keep entertained or risk going nutty, especially once you throw a few power outages in the mix.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have to do my best to keep you warm and in my bed.” His eyebrows perked up playfully and he gave her a quick kiss.

  “You won’t hear any complaints from me.”

  ***

  Riley tried not to let her nerves get the better of her, but found it impossible when Thorsen was trying to work out some sort of deal to either buy the inn or get Holt to give him full control of it.

  He’d started making calls soon after Logan contacted her, and it was now a day later and he’d spent the entire morning on the phone, trying to convince the board members to go along with his plan. Yet he was also getting ready to try to buy the inn if his first plan didn’t work, and that involved another slew of phone calls to Ethan, who was trying to crunch the numbers.

  Some calls he’d taken privately, but others he’d taken with her present. And from what she could tell, things could be going worse—but they could also be going better. She tried not to get discouraged, though. With luck, there’d be enough board members backing Thorsen to get the majority vote.

  Finally off the phone, Thorsen sat down next to her. “The vote’s close, but Mark holds too big a percentage of the company to pull this off. I’m going to have to talk to him, Riley.”