“Oh. Wow.” Her eyes widened. “Then I’m sure it’s going to be the prize-winning float.” Claudine doesn’t do anything half-ass .
Evan chuckled. “How could it not be, with you on it ?”
God, she was even prettier when she blushed. “I meant because of the decorations .”
“I know exactly what you meant. But who cares about a boat when you’re this pretty?” He had to stop staring. He knew he was falling harder and faster than he should, and this was only the first date. If they didn’t have to board for the parade and they weren’t wearing layers of coats and scarves, he’d take her back inside her apartment and give her more orgasms than she could count. But not right now. He’d have to wait until after the flotilla .
He extended his hand to escort her down the stairs. Her fingers clutched around his .
“I think I’m a little nervous,” she admitted .
“Why?” They reached the bottom landing and headed toward the marina .
“It’s silly really. It’s nothing .”
She threaded her arm through the crook of his elbow, and her pulled her tightly to his side while they strolled to the boat .
“Tell me,” he urged. “If it’s not about a town ordinance to demand white lights for everyone, or to ban the use of holly over mistletoe at Christmas, I’m sure I won’t think it’s silly .”
Cami giggled. “Are those actual problems you deal with ?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He pressed his lips together. “People are fucking crazy around here .”
“Ok, then maybe it’s not that silly .”
He stopped her in the parking lot and planted his hands on her shoulders. “What’s going on ?”
She sighed. “Ever since I came back I feel like people are watching me. And it’s different than singing on a big stage, or going to an awards show. These are people who’ve known me since I was born. It’s like they don’t trust me anymore, but they can’t help but have to accept me. And tonight it’s on display. It’s on your boat.” Her eyebrows knitted together .
“I wasn’t expecting that. I thought maybe you were worried about getting seasick during the flotilla .”
She dropped her head. “I’m sorry. It’s a big night for you. This is what I have to deal with, right? I’m the one who left. I have to regain everyone’s trust .”
“Hey.” He tipped her chin toward him. “If I can trust you again, so can they .”
“You think so ?”
He nodded. “I know so.” He paused. “People like to pretend that I came home from my last deployment and there was some kind of welcome home hero parade, or that I was just automatically named as mayor, but it wasn’t like that .”
“That can’t be. You’re the town golden boy .”
He shook his head. “Far from it. They didn’t know how to act around me. They didn’t know what to say. They couldn’t relate to what I had been through. Who could? And instead of embracing me, I think it made everyone uncomfortable so they left me alone. Not to be malicious or rude, but no one leaves Harpers Point. And even though I was fighting for my country, I couldn’t help but get the feeling they thought I somehow abandoned them .”
“Then how did you end up running for mayor?” she asked .
Evan redirected Cami out of the way of a truck that was trying to pull in the parking lot .
“It was my grandmother .”
“Miss Lilly? But how ?”
“It wasn’t like she convinced me to do it. She wouldn’t have thought of it,” he tried to explain. “When I came back, I couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different for her if she had access to medical specialists or a study or therapists who specialized in memory loss. She was only the beginning. This town needed first responders. As much as we like to pretend it’s the safest place in North Carolina, it needed law enforcement.” He sighed. “I knew the status quo couldn’t go on any longer. I don’t think I saw it when I lived here. No one does, but after being gone so long it was clear. Hamp and I talked about it one night at Ben’s bar and we hatched a plan He ended up helping me run my campaign .”
There was a long silence .
“I think you’re the best mayor this town has ever seen,” she whispered .
He huffed. “I don’t know about that .”
“I do .”
He wanted to lean down and drink in her lips, but a crowd had started to gather on the docks. They were being watched. Instead, Evan grabbed her hand .
“Come on. We need to board and get this flotilla started. Feeling any better?” He didn’t know if he said anything that would ease her anxiety. It wasn’t easy coming home. He could relate. He hoped he had at least explained that much to her .
She nodded. “I think so .”
“Good. We’re going to have fun tonight. I mentioned the oyster roast, didn’t I ?”
They walked along the boardwalk toward the Peddlestone Realty boat .
“What oyster roast ?”
“Hamp, Ben, and some of the guys are having one at the point after the parade. I thought we could join them .”
She grinned. “I haven’t been to an oyster roast in forever. It would be fun .”
They stopped in front of Claudine. Lexi Hale from the Cove Courier was next to her, a camera draped around her neck .
“Oh look at you two,” Claudine practically squealed .
Evan cleared his throat. “Evening Claudine. Lexi .”
“Your float is beautiful,” Cami added. “I love all the greenery .”
“Thank you, honey. I designed it myself and Lottie did the work. With you two onboard, I could get first prize.” She squeezed her hands together. “I’ve been chasing that first place ribbon the past three years .”
Evan ignored the comment and stepped on the bow, carefully walking to the stern where he could better help Cami board the boat. She was wearing boots with high heels. Not exactly what he considered ship wear .
She took his hand and he helped lower her to the floor .
“Good evening, Mayor,” Kyle Collins greeted them. “I’m your captain this evening .”
“Thanks, Kyle.” He slapped him on the back. Kyle ran the marina’s boat shop .
“Hi, Kyle.” Cami smiled .
“Haven’t seen you in a while. Not since you ran off to be a big singer .”
Her eyes lowered, and Evan quickly took her hand. “We’ll sit up front, Kyle.” He pointed to the bow. “Just take her slow .”
“Got it, Mayor .”
Claudine shouted from the docks, “There are lots of blankets and a full thermos of hot cocoa .”
“Thanks, Claudine.” They waved as Kyle shoved them off and backed out of the slip .
The breeze off the water was frigid. Cami shivered next to him .
“Here, let’s get you wrapped up .”
He dove into the bag Claudine had packed and pulled out a red and white plaid blanket lined with fleece. He placed it over Cami’s lap .
“And some hot chocolate?” He held up the thermos and a couple of mugs with reindeer on them. He saw Claudine’s logo on the opposite side .
“Yes, please.” She rubbed her hands together .
He sat next to her, wrapping an arm against her shoulder. “Better ?”
She nodded. “I think I can at least pretend I’m warm now .”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. Kyle has to take it slow for the flotilla. It will barely feel like we’re moving .”
“Holy shit .”
“What? What is it?” he asked .
Cami pointed. “Look .”
As they steered away from the marina on their way to the flotilla line up beyond the point, they passed rows and rows of piers. People were already waiting for the parade to start, huddled on the docks with blankets. Kids were laughing and twirling in front on anxious parents. Neighbors waved as they sailed by .
“I thought everyone would be watching from the marina .”
Evan squeezed her arm. �
��I think people like to watch the flotilla from wherever they can find a spot .”
He didn’t care where other people watched the parade. He knew he had the best view in Harpers Point. He was next to Cami .
Seventeen
Cami
“Y ou’re a pro at this.” Evan threw a wave and a smile at the crowd gathered under the pavilion at the marina. She thought he did a pretty good job on his own of capturing fans. It was that killer smile of his and the dark smoldering eyes .
They were quickly approaching the judges’ table. Kyle slowed the boat, stalling it by the pilings .
Cami spoke through her teeth, smiling widely. “Lots of practice in Nashville.” Her wrist moved back and forth. She wasn’t sure how much people could see of them in the dark, but she kept waving and smiling anyway .
“What’s that?” Cami saw a group of kids at the edge of the boardwalk throwing something toward them .
Evan leaned forward over the railing, watching whatever it was skimming the top of the water .
“Are they throwing rocks?” She held her breath. She thought everything was going well until now. Had they turned on her ?
“No.” He shook his head. “Not rocks. It’s boughs of mistletoe .”
“What?” Her voice squeaked .
“I think they want me to kiss you .”
Her heart pounded in her chest. The boughs kept splashing in the water around them. Did he know her stomach was doing somersaults? Did he have any idea how heavy her lips suddenly felt? Was he going to do it? Was he going to give in to the taunting requests of a bunch of kids ?
Evan didn’t give her much time to think. He scooped her up in his arms and his lips crashed into hers. His mouth was warm despite the cold circling them. He tasted like peppermint. She sighed as he broke away .
“I think they stopped throwing things,” he whispered .
She nodded. She was completely off-balance now and had to grab Evan’s arm to steady herself. That kiss had tipped everything off its axis. The boat rocked gently .
“Kyle’s pulling us into the slip. Ready to go?” he asked .
All she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck and get lost in another kiss. She didn’t care anymore who was watching. She didn’t care if mistletoe was involved or not .
“Yes.”
“I need to stop by the judges’ table and watch the rest of the boats come in. We can head to the oyster roast as soon as this wraps up. The guys know this takes a while .”
She nodded, understanding Evan had responsibilities tonight. They had passed by oyster roast when they rounded the point on the way in. Cami had seen the small fire pit from the boat. She couldn’t make out how many people were at the party .
Kyle cut the engine and tied up the boat .
“Thanks so much.” Cami shook his hand as Evan helped her to the dock .
“Sure thing, Miss Cami. It was nice having you aboard tonight. Think you two might make this an annual thing ?”
She saw the crease on Evan’s forehead .
“Thanks, Kyle.” His voice was gruff .
She sighed and followed Evan to the end of the marina where the judges could watch the boats and give them a score based on creativity and wow factor. It wasn’t that Evan was unkind, but something about his abrupt answer made her uncomfortable. Every time they found their own rhythm. Their own tiny piece of happiness, something from the outside blew in and made them start over. She was determined that wasn’t going to happen tonight. This town could pressure them all it wanted. She knew they had Christmas magic, and she’d hold on to it no matter what. She was still earning everyone’s trust, and that included Evan’s. She wasn’t going to let something as small as grapevine gossip put him in a bad mood .
“Who do you think is going to win?” she asked as they approached the table .
The judges sat under a propane heater. They drank hot cider and checked off each boat on a clipboard as it sailed into view .
“I’m not sure. There were some elaborate floats this year .”
She leaned toward his ear. “I’m slightly partial to the gingerbread house .”
He chuckled. “You would be. You always loved that gingerbread house in your aunt’s shop .”
“Maybe next year I’ll have one too. I didn’t have enough time to build an entire replica of Harpers Point. I don’t know how she did it. I’m barely fixing the kinks in the fudge recipe .”
Evan stopped. “Wait. I just thought of something .”
“What?”
“My grandmother .”
“Oh no. Were we supposed to stop by ?”
He shook his head. “No. She has a box of recipes in her kitchen. She and Sophie shared everything, right ?”
Cami nodded. “They did. You think she has the fudge recipe ?”
He shrugged. “It’s possible. We should see her tomorrow and look through the recipes. Maybe it’s there .”
“Do you know how happy that would make me ?”
He grinned. “I think I do know .”
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her snugly to his chest. She couldn’t feel the cold coming off the water any more. All she felt was the strong beat of his heart and his hands at the small of her back. Evan’s massive shoulders blocked everything, even the flash from Laney’s camera. There was no doubt what the story in the paper would be tomorrow .
* * *
B y the time they arrived at the oyster roast Cami knew she and Evan were behind a few drinks. Hamp and Ben had rosey cheeks. She wouldn’t say they were drunk, but definitely on the toasty side .
“You made it!” They hopped up and walked over to shake Evan’s hand .
“Hey, Cami.” They each circled her in a hug .
“Hey, guys .”
They hadn’t been together like this since high school. She wished Samantha and Jamie were here too, but Samantha had to tuck her children in, and Jamie said her fiancée was coming down with a cold. They both left as soon as the flotilla ended .
“Want a beer, Mayor?” Ben offered. “It’s the holiday brew .”
“And strong,” Hamp chimed in .
“I’ll take one. Cami?” He looked at her .
“I will try one of Ben’s famous home-brewed beers .”
Ben jogged to a cooler near the small bonfire. “It’s not home-brewed. I have a brewpub .”
“I’m only teasing.” She smiled as he twisted off the top and handed her one. “Congratulations on your business. That’s great, Ben .”
“It’s pretty dead around here in the winter. So thank God we have Christmas to fall back on. The crowd for the flotilla looked huge .”
Evan smiled. “Sure was. Might have been the biggest turn out in five years .”
“Who won first place?” Hamp asked .
Cami giggled. “I think the judges were biased.” She looked upward toward Evan .
“Don’t tell me you two won .”
Evan sat on one of the logs by the fire. “I had nothing to do with it. What can I say? Claudine and Lottie put a lot of work into their float .”
Hamp and Ben laughed. “Sure. And the fact that you and Cami were on the float together, didn’t influence the judges ?”
Evan held his hands in the air. “I didn’t put my boat in this year, for this exact reason .”
“Do you still have your dad’s boat?” Cami asked .
“Yeah. I keep it in the creek behind the house .”
She nuzzled next to him while the fire crackled and popped. “Maybe we could go out in her sometime .”
“When it’s warmer.” He smiled. “How does spring sound ?”
That was everything she needed to hear .
Eighteen
Evan
H e tried to move his arm, but there was a beautiful woman sleeping on it, tucked into his chest. “Hey.” He tried to rouse her, but Cami wasn’t budging. She only nuzzled in closer .
They had stayed at her place last night. It was easier for him to
come and go either from the inside staircase or outside, depending on if anyone was nearby. Evan walked everywhere, so it made sense to keep Cami’s car parked behind the shop .
He traced the lines of her gorgeous naked body. He saw a smile on her face. She had to be faking it .
“I want to sleep,” she pouted .
“I want to go get coffee.” He tried to roll her off him .
He leaned into the pillow and her eyes flashed open. “What’s that look?” He watched her as she disappeared under the white duvet. All her bedding was white. Every pillow. Every sham. The sheets. It was like sleeping in the clouds .
“Oh fuck,” he growled when he felt her tongue slide along his cock. It sprung forward, ready for more. “I have to see this.” He pulled the covers back. She tried to throw them over her head again, but he growled. “I’m going to watch .”
She licked her lips and settled over his cock with a hungry gaze. “If you insist,” she purred .
“Oh I do.” He folded his hands behind his head .
Her tongue began at the top, swirling to the base of his shaft, licking a line against his throbbing vein. He jerked under her touch. It was fucking sexy as hell what she could do with her tongue. She made another pass with her tongue before her pouty lips latched on the top of his head .
“I want to fuck your mouth so badly,” he groaned. He wanted to hit the back of her throat and fill it with come. He wanted her sweet lips wrapped around his cock while his balls swelled with every thrust .
She grinned. “Oh you get to .”
And like that, her mouth slid over his dick and he was in fucking heaven. She bobbed up and down, licking and sucking. She palmed his balls, bringing him to a state of wild craving as she took him to the back of her throat. How the fuck did she do that ?
His hips jerked upward as she moved faster and then he growled when she slowed down, torturing and teasing him .
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