Her hair flew around in the wind, and she let her hand catch the spray from the wake of the boat.
She looked at Brian standing behind the wheel. He was concentrating on the water straight ahead, even though there wasn’t a soul on the lake. The sun made his face and hands look almost ruddy, as if he spent his days outdoors. She liked this casual Brian as much as she liked him in a suit.
“Remember when we used to paddle our canoes out here? It took us all day,” she said. “But we were explorers discovering a new world. And whenever we were just about to set foot on Mr. Yeller’s island, he would appear.”
“He once told me that, in retrospect, he should have just invited us over, and we could have gotten it out of our system.” Brian laughed. “Then it wouldn’t have held such mystery.”
He skillfully pulled up to the dock and cut the motor. In one swift motion, he was out of the boat and tying it up.
“I would have helped,” Mari said.
“I got it.” He held his hand out, and she handed him a tote bag and a backpack. Then she held out her hand to him. “Step on the seat cushion. I got you.”
His grip was strong, and he made sure that she was steady. He slipped his arm around her waist, and they walked down the dock. It felt natural, as if they’d walked like this a million times, but he knew different. He was waiting for her to pull away from him soon.
She was swaying a little, but it subsided. “I’m okay now.” Looking up at a log structure mostly hidden by trees, she smiled. “Who’s living there?”
“No one.” She was still in his arms, and he liked how they fit together like two puzzle pieces. “I rent it out during the summer. The same family comes back year after year.”
“Can I see the house?” she asked.
“Sure. That’s where we’re going.”
Surrounded by pines, Canadian hemlocks and white and yellow trilliums that were in bloom, they walked up a worn path strewn with rusty-colored pine needles to the cabin.
Mari stopped and looked at the simple structure. “It’s much bigger than I’d thought.”
“Wait until you see the inside,” Brian said, lifting several large rocks until he found a key. “And the gazebo.”
He opened the door and they went in. Mari stood in the middle of the place, her mouth gaping in awe. It was rustic and grand at the same time. Knotty pine planks covered the walls. Brightly striped Hudson’s Bay blankets and authentic-looking Adirondack pack baskets hung from the rafters. Log furniture was positioned around a floor-to-ceiling river-rock fireplace. The mantel looked like a slab of pink granite. A stone stairway led upstairs to a loft where more striped blankets hung like tapestries on a castle wall. A modern kitchen was tucked into a back corner.
“This is just magnificent, Brian.”
“I knew you’d like it. Now, prepare to be surprised,” he said, taking her hand. He led her to a sunporch. When he opened the big French doors, Mari could see a gazebo made of hewn logs. Stone steps large enough for sitting surrounded a similar stone platform that circled around what looked like a small pool. Brian flipped a switch, and Mari could hear the bubbling of water.
“A hot tub?”
He looked deep into her eyes and gave her hand a squeeze. “Are you interested?”
Her stomach fluttered in nervous excitement. “Yes.”
Mari walked back into the house. It didn’t take her any time at all to change into her suit. When she walked into the backyard, she noticed Brian’s clothes hanging from a tree. He had on a pair of swim shorts that weren’t too loose or too tight, but clung in all the right places.
He studied her body, too, and she was glad that she’d bought a new bathing suit. It was a generously cut two-piece and she liked the bright fuchsia color.
He gave a long, low whistle, and she chuckled. That sounded good.
“No pink bikini?” he asked.
“A what?”
“I think it might have been the summer when you were fourteen.”
“Ah. I remember it now,” Mari said.
“Obviously, not at much as I do.”
Finally, Mari set her tote bag down on a tall table within reach of the hot tub. “I have wine and some cheese.”
“Sounds good.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
He waited as Mari walked up the stairs and into the tub. Then he joined her.
She sat down and stretched out, letting out a deep breath. Jets bubbled up from everywhere. “I could do laps in this tub, it’s so big.” She sighed as the warm water relaxed her body. “I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve done anything like this.”
That was a loaded statement.
Brian sat next to her. “Me, either. There’s not enough time in the day. But maybe we should make time. Maybe we only think we’re indispensable.”
“You’re probably right,” Mari said, noticing how the breeze ruffled Brian’s hair. “You know, I should have taken more vacations. I wouldn’t be so burned out. What about you?”
“I’ve never been burned out. I went to the stock car races a few times to catch Jack racing, but that was just a couple of overnights—nothing longer than a few days. Tons of people.” He sat down lower in the tub. “Not my idea of a vacation.”
“But I’ll bet the two Hawkins men attracted a lot of women.”
He shrugged. “Jack seems to have his share of groupies.”
“Oh, I’m sure they swarmed around you, too.”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t say swarmed, but I’ve dated my share.”
“I’ll bet you did.”
“How about some wine?” he asked, changing the subject.
She started to get up, but he put a hand on her arm. “Relax, Mari. I’ll get it.”
He walked up the steps, and Mari noticed that his wet swim trunks were clinging to him, distinctly outlining a well-endowed bulge. She splashed hot water on her face. It did nothing to cool her down. She really should be doing laps in the cold lake.
He returned to the hot tub and Mari tried not to look—but that was like trying not to breathe. He handed her a cup of wine.
“Thanks.” She barely croaked out the word.
“A toast,” he said, holding up his plastic cup. “To you, Mari. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
She held up her cup. “I’ll definitely drink to that.” She took a sip. “Thanks for this, Brian. You know, I think that Mr. Yeller did have a treasure up here—this hot tub and this incredible location. I’ll bet he regrets giving this up.”
“He did.”
That was shocking, coming from him. “I’m right? Aren’t you going to say something like it was a good decision that he finally got out of Hawk’s Lake?”
He met her gaze. “You know, Mari, I owe you an apology.” He set his cup down, took her hand and looked into her eyes. “I keep trashing Hawk’s Lake. I didn’t mean to spoil your experience, your reunion with the place. That was inconsiderate of me.”
She didn’t know how to answer him, but she didn’t have to. Without a word, he took the cup from her hand and put it on the edge of the tub next to her. Then he leaned over, slipped his arm around her waist, bent his head toward her and kissed her.
Mari returned the kiss, letting her hands explore his warm, wet chest. She traced a rivulet of water with her index finger as it dripped from a strand of his hair, down his nipple, until it disappeared on the surface of the water. She felt him shiver.
“Forgive me?” he whispered against her lips.
She could barely concentrate on what he was apologizing for. “Yes. Of course.”
He watched her every movement, his turquoise eyes at one with the sky. They seemed to scorch her already warm skin. She could hear his deep intake of air as he pulled her to straddle his lap, where his arousal was obvious.
All she wanted was to feel Brian’s hands on her.
She felt his fingers brushing her back and untying the string of her bathing suit top, then the tug of the wet material. Hi
s gaze lingered for the longest time as a sexy smile teased his lips.
He tossed the top of her bathing suit on the top step of the tub, and she felt the cool air on her skin—then the warmth of his hands as he cupped her breasts. His thumbs teased her nipples, and a shock of pleasure coursed through her.
With the steam floating around them, she felt like they were in their own little world. On this island, they were.
She reached for the waistband of his bathing suit and slid it down his slim hips. He tucked his fingers under the waistband of her suit bottoms. Then she felt his splayed fingers on her hips, on her buttocks—teasing her.
She couldn’t stand it any longer—she had to feel his touch without the confines of the fabric, so she gripped his wrists and helped him take it off. Stepping out of it, she kicked it to the surface of the water, then added it to the wet pile.
They held each other, legs tangled, steam coming from their bodies as their hearts pounded in unison. He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the length of him pressing against her.
“Mari?”
She knew what he was asking, and nodded. But he turned away from her.
“I’ll be right back.”
What?
With a quick vault, he was out of the tub and rummaging through the pockets of his jeans. He yanked out his wallet, flipped it open and pulled out a couple of foil packets.
She’d been so caught up in the moment, she hadn’t even thought about protection. Thank goodness Brian remembered.
Instead of sitting in the tub, he stood on the seat and opened the foil packet with his teeth. She could see him—erect and hard—and beautiful to look at.
“Don’t move, Brian.” She held out her hand to take the packet. “Let me.”
She slipped it out of the wrapper. Ever so slowly, she rolled it up his length. Thick and ready, he looked down at her through hooded eyes. He cupped her chin and winked—a hint of things to come.
Then he was in the water, pulling her onto his lap again, so that she was straddling him. He kissed her breasts, taking each nipple into his mouth. His erection rubbed against her core, teasing her, tormenting her.
“Now, Brian. Please. Now,” she whispered.
He slowly entered her.
“More. I want more.”
He filled her completely and waited. Tracing her jawline with a finger, he gazed into her eyes and began a slow slide, in and out. Picking her up, he moved to the middle of the hot tub, her legs around his waist, and buried himself inside her. The water bubbled around them, their bodies clinging.
She kissed his neck, his forehead. He moved faster, faster still.
“Mari, you feel so good, so tight.”
“I knew it’d be like this. Wonderful.” Her voice didn’t even sound like hers. “Perfect.”
He was still holding her to him, his strong arms surrounding her. He was breathing heavy, his eyes closed. She met his every motion. Hard. Harder still.
She felt her release coursing through her body, and Brian soon followed.
When the last wave of pleasure passed, she opened her eyes. Brian was smiling at her. She smiled back. While he was still hard within her, they hugged, content to stay in each other’s arms.
No regrets, she reminded herself. All she wanted was to savor this day, this moment, this man.
Chapter Ten
What a day, Mari thought as they pulled into the boathouse at Sherwood Lodge.
She’d wanted a fling with Brian—a brief romance—to get him out of her system. Well, she was well on her way.
A twinge of guilt settled in her gut. She didn’t know if she could keep things light with Brian. Even though they’d been apart for a long time, there was still something about him that she…liked.
She didn’t want to use the word love. That was traveling into dangerous territory—and she didn’t want to go there. Not again. Not yet. Maybe never.
It would be less complicated just to be alone, be by herself. Yet even as those thoughts penetrated her mind, her mouth opened and she found herself asking, “Would you like to watch the sun set with me?”
“Sounds good.”
They walked hand in hand to the water’s edge, and soon got comfortable in lawn chairs.
“This is so nice,” Mari said. “So relaxing.”
“The next time we do this, we’ll need to have another bottle of wine.”
“Deal.”
Brian put his arm around her shoulder, and they sat in comfortable silence, watching the light show of the setting sun. Listening to the water lap gently against the shore, until he worked up the nerve to break the silence.
“Have you decided to take the CEO job yet?” he asked, a little too eagerly.
She’d been procrastinating about her decision. Why did he have to bring it up now, and bring her back to reality?
“It’s been on my mind.”
“But no final decision yet?” he asked.
“No.”
“What are the pros and cons? Why don’t you run them by me?”
A tiny tingle of doubt tickled the back of her neck. Why was he so anxious to hear her answer? As soon as the thought popped into her head, she pushed it away. She needed to learn to trust again, to let down her guard and believe that people cared for her and not her company or what she could do for them. She wanted to believe that the man who sat beside her was that person.
“Let’s not talk about it now,” she said quietly.
He shrugged. “I was just trying to help.”
Maybe Brian was just making conversation, and she was making a big deal out of nothing.
She hoped that was his intention.
Please don’t let Brian be like the others.
But it was impossible to trust him. Just like deciding what to do about Sherwood was impossible. And instead of coming to Hawk’s Lake to be alone to think and relax, she was making things worse by getting involved with Brian.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to bed. I feel a headache coming on,” she said.
That was almost the truth.
Stupefied, Brian watched as Mari’s slender figure slipped away and disappeared into the gathering dusk. What the hell happened? One minute she seemed fine, the next she developed a headache. And her headache started when he’d asked if she’d made a decision. Then she’d become quiet and guarded.
That harmless little question had obviously made her upset and uncomfortable.
Confused, he picked up the two bags that he’d left on the patio, walked up to the cottage and set them on a chair inside the porch. The house was quiet.
He let himself out and locked the door behind him.
It was then he noticed that he hadn’t picked up the shutters. Not knowing when he’d be back, he decided that he’d better put them in the barn.
Maybe he’d head back to his office and catch up on some work.
But he never went to the real-estate office. On his way home, he saw that The White Dove Gift Shop was still open. He parked the car, grabbed the two mugs that Mari had given him and climbed the stairs.
Mari took a bite out of the warm sugar cookie that was cooling on the new rack that she’d bought at Clancy’s. She’d made three batches this morning, and they were stacked everywhere. The first batch had burned, so she’d tossed them and started over, being more vigilant with the old oven.
But there was no one to enjoy them with.
She thought of inviting Melanie over for coffee, but she was probably busy with her baby or working at the garage.
She opened the windows, sat down at the kitchen table and looked at the turquoise blue of the glittery lake. Taking a sip of red raspberry tea that she’d bought at Cathy’s Tea Cozy, she deliberately tried to concentrate on her beautiful surroundings and not think of Brian or Sherwood Enterprises.
The smell of the cookies filled the air and mingled with the fresh, sun-warmed morning breeze.
The phone rang, startling her as it
always did. It was such a foreign sound in the peace and quiet.
She hoped it wasn’t Brian. She just didn’t want to deal with the whole situation anymore.
“Hello?” she said cautiously.
“How are you doing in the wilderness, dear?”
“I’m terrific, Mother. How is everyone?”
They made small talk for a while, and Mari wondered why her mother had really called.
“Have you met anyone interesting?”
“Do you remember Brian Hawkins?” Just saying his name reminded her of their day together yesterday.
“I do. I always found him to be very studious and polite. He’s from a fine family, and if my recollection is correct, he’s a descendant of the founder of the town.”
Mari smiled without amusement. That made Brian a blue blood in her mother’s eyes. As if that was all that mattered.
“What’s he doing now?”
“He has a real-estate office and is the business manager for his family’s auto shop. He’s also a volunteer fireman and a member of the chamber of commerce here. Seems like he has his hands in all kinds of ventures.”
And he can do wonderful things with his hands.
Her face heated as she thought of their time in the hot tub. She had to calm down. If her mother even suspected anything was going on between her and a man, she’d be picking out her mother-of-the-bride dress.
“Brian even has stock in Sherwood.” Mari took a sip of tea. “He told me that he’s had an interest in the company since he’s known us, and has followed it throughout the years.”
“Sounds like the two of you have reconnected.”
If she only knew.
“He sounds like a good catch. Are you two serious?”
Her mother always knew how to cut to what she really wanted to know. But Mari wasn’t ready to admit how much Brian meant to her—or how she was still guarding her heart, trying to trust him.
“Nothing serious, Mother. And I realize that I’m not getting any younger and there needs to be more Sherwoods to carry on the legacy.”
“Marigold, you know that’s not what I meant. I just want to see you happy. That’s all your father and I have ever wanted for you.”
The Tycoon's Perfect Match Page 9
