HOOKED ON YOU (Paradise Cove)

by Wilton, Patrice

  Kayla sighed. “I know you do, and that’s half the problem.” She reached out a hand and squeezed Taylor’s. “I like Colt a lot too. But unless he’s ready to commit to you, I’d stay away. You aren’t built that way. You’re a very passionate woman, the kind that will probably only truly love one man in her life. Don’t rush anything. Your time will come. Just wait.”

  Taylor looked down at their joined hands. She knew Kayla was probably right. She was the most sensible woman she knew. But still she wished just for once, that she could be wrong. It was why she’d wanted to talk with Juanita and Brittany instead—she and Kayla were the most alike.

  “So I can’t have Colt? Not even a little bit?”

  Juanita pushed her way through the beaded door. “Why don’t we all have a chocolate almond croissant instead?”

  “Juanita? Have you been listening?”

  “I couldn’t help but hear.” She put her hands on Taylor’s shoulders, and kneaded them to soothe her stress. “Colt is a good man. Like my Miguel. Do what your heart tells you.”

  Tears blurred Taylor’s vision but she swiped them away. “My heart is not speaking, and my stomach is churning.”

  “Everything will turn out as it should. Warm chocolate croissants will help you feel better. Just wait and see.” She put a tray in the center of the small table. “Eat up now. You drink too much coffee.”

  “I like coffee,” Taylor retorted, but too tired to argue she picked up the croissant. Sinking her teeth into the rich chocolate center, Taylor had to agree. There was nothing like a little chocolate to make a woman feel better.

  Before she had a chance to finish the delicious pastry two couples entered and she returned to work. For the next few hours the three women were kept busy, and Taylor was happy for the distraction.

  There was a lull between the breakfast hours and lunch, but it quickly picked up again. Taylor had made crab quiche with Gruyere cheese which was selling well, and flatbreads with various toppings. She had an assortment of wraps and salads, and a large pot of clam chowder. Plus her best selling luncheon special offered quiche and a side salad, or a cup of soup and half a sandwich.

  The afternoon flew by—with no sign of Colt—and then Anna came in with Meri. They all took turns giving her hugs and kisses, and the little girl’s bright smile and happy giggles warmed the cafe.

  After Juanita and Meri left, Taylor saw the longing on Kayla’s face, hoping she didn’t wear that same look. “She’s a sweetheart, isn’t she?”

  “Too precious for words. I love her to death,” Kayla said, putting a hand to her heart.

  “Me too.” Taylor nodded with understanding. “I want a dozen just like her.”

  “Oh, Tay, I so hope I can too,” Kayla said with a catch in her voice.

  “You will. The one you are carrying will be just as precious, I’m sure.”

  “To God’s ears,” she replied.

  Anna had heard the brief exchange, and sent her a sympathetic glance. They didn’t say anything more on the subject, not wanting to jinx their luck.

  “What time is Sean getting home tonight?” Taylor asked. “You need to take half the leftovers home for him. Save you from cooking. You’ve been working all day.”

  “It’s not hard work. Not like the weeding I used to do before Miguel took over.” Kayla made a face. “Or prepping the cabins for the paint job. Now that was hard work. Waiting on tables? A piece of cake.”

  “Still, we need to divide this up every night. Mom and I can’t eat it all, and Juanita takes all the food her fridge can handle. I would hate to throw it out.”

  “I know, but I have a wedding dress that I need to fit into one month from now. So I’ll take home lean leftovers. And the soup for Sean. He loves clam chowder.” She yawned. “Sean might like one of the quiches too. I am feeling a little tired.”

  “I’m just about finished packing up your food,” Taylor said, working quickly, “then you can go home and rest. You want to be lively when your fiancé returns from saving lives all day.”

  She laughed. “I am so proud of him. How did I ever get so lucky?”

  “He’s lucky too. You saved him, Kayla. You really did.”

  “Oh, Taylor, I think I gave you bad advice earlier today.” Kayla put her arm around Taylor’s waist. “Remember when Sean first came to stay? I knew he was hurting and that he didn’t want me, or anyone, bothering him. He just wanted to be alone to grieve. But I couldn’t let him hurt like that. I refused to leave him alone. I was afraid for him. His heart was broken beyond repair, but there was a spark between us, and slowly he responded to my nurturing. He opened up a little more each day.”

  “I know.” Taylor found a quart size plastic container and filled it with the chunky clam chowder soup. “But if you’re relating this to Colt, it’s completely different. He didn’t suffer a tragedy. I mean, I know his wife had an affair but I don’t think it destroyed him or anything.”

  “Maybe there is something else in his past. Some hurt that holds him captive. I could be wrong but I do feel as if the endless parade of girls is a telltale sign. He doesn’t want to let anyone in. He’s afraid to love.”

  Anna sighed. “I agree with Kayla. Something’s holding him back.”

  “That doesn’t help me much.” Taylor grabbed her water bottle and gulped half of it down. She knew her mom and sister wanted to help, but really, they were way off base here. Colt didn’t love her the way Sean did Kayla. He might not even be capable of that much love.

  “That something is the fact he’s enjoying his freedom. For now. Maybe one day he’ll remarry, but Jamie is still hurting over the divorce. It wouldn’t be fair to him.”

  Kayla considered this, then she shook her head. “I agree about Jamie, but I still believe that Colt is holding back emotionally. You just have to break through his guard one day at a time. Show him that loving you is worth it.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “By just being you. Open your heart to him and see what happens. I took the plunge, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “You and Sean are completely compatible. Perfect for each other. Colt and I are very different. I’m driven. He’s not.”

  “Then find out why,” Kayla suggested. “He’s hard working and is always helping us out here, without being asked.”

  “He’s certainly not lazy,” her mom put in, helping Taylor sort the remainder of the food. “And I must say he cleaned up very nice last night for happy hour.”

  “If it bothers you, make a point to find out why he doesn’t push his charter business more.” Kayla started stacking the containers to take home, and put them next to the door. “He doesn’t even have a website. He’s moored here instead of one of the bigger marinas. I thought it was because of you.”

  “He was here before he even met me,” Taylor answered.

  “Well then, dig a little under the surface and see what’s holding him back.”

  “Not sure if he’ll talk to me. You know Colt. Likes to keep things light.”

  “So do you, Taylor.” Anna found a large brown bag to put Kayla’s food in, then left to put it in her car.

  “I know you’re both trying to help,” Taylor said, “but really, it’s okay how things stand. I don’t want to be digging around, pulling out old family secrets.” Still she did wonder what he was hiding. She’d had no idea he was from New York, or that his family had an art gallery. Why would he keep that information secret?

  “Depends how much you want it, I suppose.”

  Taylor thought of the way he’d kissed her last night, and how much she wanted that again. She did want him, but how much was she willing to fight for it?

  “If I keep after Colt the way you did Sean, well, he’d probably never speak to me again.”

  “Well, then you have your answer. You’ll know he’s not worthy of you.” Kayla smiled with reassurance. “But you have a lot more to gain by taking a chance.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Colt was up early, the cr
ack of dawn. He was taking the three men from the Panhandle out fishing at seven, but he got to the marina early, while it was still dark. Had a lousy night anyway. Couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about Jack and Taylor and how things might have shaped up if he hadn’t gone down to the beach on a hunch. The idea of them together had plagued him all evening, and he knew they were out for dinner. He’d walked by Rhapsody several times. No lights were on, and no sounds were coming from the bedroom. He knew because he had shamelessly listened. If that was to be their love nest, he damn well had to intervene somehow.

  Instinct had taken him to the beach. He knew Taylor was a Pisces and how the moon and the water could influence her moods. If she was conflicted at all about whether or not she should go to bed with Jack, she’d head for the beach to search her soul. He’d seen her wandering the beach at night many times, always when she was troubled.

  Luckily she did last night too—she’d been so fragile when he’d held her in his arms. What had that asshole done or said to her to shake her up so bad? A part of him was glad that Jack had shown his true colors. Might make her think twice about going out with someone else. On the other hand, he felt sorry for her.

  Taylor worked hard, day in and day out, and didn’t have any stress release. No one to hold her in his arms, to kiss her and make her feel better. She didn’t go out drinking or dancing or dining. She spent every night with her mother and entertaining their guests, before retiring alone to bed. He knew. He’d kept tabs on her over the past year.

  Had she been dating, he’d have played his cards. Swept right in, and taken her away from any asshole who tried. He’d have been successful too. She had a soft spot for him, and if he was truly a heartless jerk, he’d milk it for all it was worth. But where would that get him?

  In deep shit. He couldn’t do it to her, or himself.

  There was something about Taylor that made her different from every other girl. She was special. Incredibly beautiful inside and out. He’d never known such a pure, good-hearted person.

  Perhaps it was his fault. Ever since he’d discovered the truth about his father, he had a hard time trusting anyone. He listened to people’s words, their actions, and didn’t take any of it at face value. How did he know if they were being honest, or feeding him a line of bullshit? Every girl he met, every guy he could have become friends with, he kept at bay. At the age of sixteen, he’d become skeptical, cautious, a cynic. If his own father could have fooled him and his own family for all those years, how could he possibly trust a stranger?

  The scandal after his father’s death had shaped his life. He didn’t regret it. Matter-of-fact, he was grateful that his eyes had been opened, and his youthful innocence stripped away. He’d be nobody’s fool.

  And yet when it came to Taylor, he was a fool. He wanted her, but couldn’t have her. What kind of man was satisfied with friendship from a woman like that? If he was gay, sure, they could hang out and have some laughs together, but every day it was getting harder to be around her without touching her.

  He let her push him away last night, because she was right. He didn’t want a relationship or another wife. He’d made an error in judgment once, trusting Sharon, thinking that she was different too. Only to find out years later that she’d wanted a better life, a material world, more than she wanted him.

  Taylor might not be like that, but how could he be sure? She worked hard, too hard, and something drove her. If it wasn’t money, then what was it?

  Colt had the engines on the Hatteras running when his crew showed up. He’d asked them to stop and buy the food for the charter this morning. There was a market that catered to the charters and stayed open all night. Colby and Cody, his regular mates, picked up sandwiches for everyone and a bucket of fried chicken.

  He took the packages of food out of their hands as they jumped on board.

  “Hey, boss,” Cody said. “What time did you get here this morning?”

  “’Bout an hour ago.” He nodded hello. They were in their mid-twenties and had lived in the Keys their whole lives. Fishing was all they knew, and besides girls, all they wanted to know.

  “You guys get any sleep?” The two young men had a way with the women, and got more action than he did.

  “Not much,” one answered. “New girl in town. Didn’t want to miss my turn.”

  Colt laughed. As men outnumbered the women by far, the saying in town was that you didn’t lose a girl, you just lost your turn dating her.

  “Want some coffee?” He gestured to the inside of the cabin where a percolator brewed.

  Colby rubbed his trim abdomen. “Naw. I’ll stick to my Red Bull.”

  “Did you see three men hanging around out there? They can’t miss the boat. It’s the only one this size here.” Colt drank from his coffee mug.

  Cody pointed to the far end of the dock. “I think I hear them now.” Colby jumped off the boat to greet them.

  If the marina hadn’t bordered on Paradise Cove cottages he wouldn’t have any business during the slow summer. But they always directed their guests to him, so he had that steady income—small as it may be.

  “Good morning,” he shouted out as the men neared. “We’re ready for you. Come aboard.” Colt offered his hand as they stepped off the pier and onto his boat. He knew their names, Ken, Martin, and Jerry, but wasn’t sure who was who.

  “Morning, Colt.” They shook his hand and introduced themselves to the crew, and accepted the offer of coffee.

  They were avid fishermen, and wanted to fish for dolphin—the fish, not the mammal. They’d leave the marina at seven sharp, and were booked for four hours.

  Once they set out to sea Colby and Cody put on some music. The upbeat sound blared from the indoor speakers as they sprinted to the popular fishing spot near the reefs. The two young mates boogied to the music as the boat tore up the waves.

  Martin was hanging on tight to the side of the boat, and Jerry and Ken were seated in the fly bridge with Colt.

  “You been doing this awhile?” Jerry asked, making easy conversation.

  “I’ve lived here fifteen years. Had my fishing license all that time, but got my own boat and a captain license about ten years back.”

  He cut the engine as they neared the reefs, and watched as Cody and Colby got the reels in place and captured the live bait from along the blue edge of water. As the muck from the bottom lifted, the water turned green, making it difficult to see the patches of bait fish.

  The two men climbed down and took their reels, and within a short time Colby shouted, “line three,” and the action started. Within the next two hours the men had caught their legal limit of ten apiece. They weighed about two to three pounds each, but were good eating fish. His clients were happy, knocking back a few iced cold beers as the two mates drank their Red Bulls and took selfies.

  After Colt dropped the guys back at the dock, he saw Carole down at the beach. She was in her snorkeling gear and making her way into the water. He waved and called out to her. “Hey, Carole. Come on board. You want to snorkel, I know better spots than this.”

  “Really?” She splashed out of the water, and sat down in the sand to take off her flippers. Then dangling them at her side she ran up the pier. “Do I need anything? I could run back to the cabin. It wouldn’t take long.”

  “You can if you want to, but I have lots of sunscreen and you can borrow a t-shirt and a hat of mine.”

  “Awesome. This is so kind of you, Colt.”

  Her light blue eyes gazed up at him and she wore a big smile. In the two weeks he’d known her, he’d rarely seen her happy and the smile transformed her from plain to pretty.

  He took her face mask off the top of her head, careful not to get it tangled in her long brown hair. Then he directed her into the cabin. “My berth is in the front. Help yourself to a tee and a cap, while I turn this boat around.”

  “This is so cool. Can’t believe you’re doing this. I could pay you, of course,” she added hastily as an afterthought.

/>   “Of course not. I’m inviting you out for an hour or two. No big deal. And we have sandwiches left over from the guys this morning. So lunch is on them.”

  “Even better.”

  When she returned to the aft of the boat, he was on the bridge and called down to her. “Come on up.”

  When she did, he noticed the light blue t-shirt she’d chosen with the big sailfish in the middle. It was loose and fell down to the middle of her thighs. Under it she had a conservative black one piece, but the woman was much too thin, her hip bones protruded and her legs looked like twigs. Standing next to him, she barely came to his shoulder. She must have been about five two or three, and a hundred pounds, if that.

  He couldn’t help but think of Taylor who was close to his own height of five eleven. Her mouth reached his chin. He barely needed to dip his head to taste those luscious lips of hers. But he could forget about kissing her. Wasn’t going to happen again. Not unless he totally lost his senses, anyhow.

  “The top’s a bit big, but it’ll keep the wind and the sun off of you.” He squinted behind his glasses. “There’s some beer and cold drinks in the cooler. Help yourself.”

  “You want a beer?” she asked.

  “No, thanks. Not yet. Toss me a Coke.”

  She pulled out two, and popped his lid. “Here.” She toasted him with her diet soda. “Cheers.”

  “This snorkeling area is one of the best in the Keys,” he told her. “Matecumbe has better reefs than either Key West or Key Largo. Their reefs might be better known but they’re not nearly as spectacular. That’s a fact. And ours can only be reached by boat. We have a lot of tours during prime season.”

  “Great. My own private boat tour.” She flashed him a look. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “You’re an important guest of Anna’s, and I can’t let you spend your vacation snorkeling around the pier. The water’s murky there. Wait until you see the spot I’m taking you. Crystal clear, with coral and fish.”

  “How can you tell where you are out here? Doesn’t it all look the same?” She grabbed a bottle of sunscreen and started rubbing it on her arms and legs. The scent of the lotion always reminded him of summer days on the beach growing up. The salt air and the clean scent of the Hamptons.