by Aurora Rey
“In here.” The voice came from the small powder room.
“Ah.” The door opened a crack and Will’s arm came out. Nora stepped close enough to hand her the pants. Through the opening, she caught a flash of leg and what appeared to be striped boy shorts. God, why did she have to look? “Here you go. Hand me your things and I’ll get them going.”
Will handed her the khaki work pants and a pair of very wet socks. “Thank you so much.”
Grateful for another task, Nora went to the small laundry room off the kitchen. Although part of her wanted to wash them first, that would only prolong the time Will had to stay. And it was already getting late. She threw them in the dryer and set the timer. She then turned her attention to her phone and finding someone who would bring her a new water heater. She started with the company who’d installed her garbage disposal and replaced the kitchen faucet a few years prior. She dialed the number and said a prayer that they had an after-hours service.
“Richie’s Plumbing, this is Shirley.”
Thank God. “Hi. I’m Nora Calhoun. I own Failte Inn here in Provincetown and my water heater just died.”
Fifteen minutes later, Nora had learned all about the advances in tankless water heaters and had chosen a brand new energy efficient model. It cost twice as much as merely replacing what she had, but would more than pay for itself within a year. And she’d never have to worry again about running out of hot water when she had a full house. “So, can you come tonight? I’m willing to pay extra.”
“Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but we pulled our guys from the road an hour ago. The storm is getting bad.”
“It is?” When she’d checked the weather that morning, the worst of the Nor’easter was supposed to bypass them.
“I can squeeze you on the schedule tomorrow. I think that’s the best you’re going to get.”
“Yes, okay. That’s fine.” Nora’s mind raced. She could go without hot water for twenty-four hours, especially with no guests scheduled for a few days. But if the snow was bad enough for a business to close, what the hell was she going to do about Will?
“Should be around two in the afternoon, but we’ll call you when someone is on their way.”
“Great. Thank you.” Nora hung up the phone, but remained standing in the dining room. She couldn’t send Will out into a blizzard. Especially since Will had stopped the disaster in her basement from becoming truly catastrophic.
Will came into the room, looking adorably awkward in Nora’s pants. She looked out the window and sighed. “It’s getting bad out there.”
Nora came up beside her. “Worse than bad. The plumber can’t come until tomorrow because they don’t want any of their crew on the road.”
Will turned toward her, breathed in her subtle perfume. For probably the millionth time, she fought the urge to lean in, find the exact places on Nora’s skin where she’d dabbed it. “Oh, man. That’s not good.”
“I feel bad sending you out in it. The snow is probably up to your knees already.”
Was Nora flirting with her or being conscientious? Will turned to face her and cocked a brow. “Why do I feel like we’re having a ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ moment?”
Nora flushed and looked away, but didn’t deny it. After a moment, she brought her gaze back to Will’s. “You really will freeze out there.”
Will had no idea what Nora was offering, or what she had in mind. But whatever it was, Will didn’t hesitate. “Are you asking me to stay?”
The question came out in a more suggestive tone than she intended and Will hoped she hadn’t scared Nora off. Nora cleared her throat. “I mean, I’m offering. If you don’t want to venture out in this. I have plenty of rooms. Obviously.”
Although her words denied any trace of desire, the stilted delivery gave Will hope. At this point, what did she have to lose? Even if nothing happened, staying meant more time with Nora. It also meant not having to go out in a blizzard. “I would love to stay.”
Nora nodded, all business. “Good.”
Before Will could decide what to say next, the dryer buzzed. “Wow. That was fast.”
Nora went to retrieve Will’s things. She handed them to her. “You’re welcome to keep the sweats if you’d like.”
Will smiled and looked down. The pants left a good four inches of Will’s long legs exposed. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure high waters are my best look.”
Nora angled her head. “I don’t know. I think they’re sort of cute.”
Okay, that had to be flirtation. “I’ll be right back.”
Will changed pants again and returned to the living room. Nora looked her up and down, quirked a brow. “I guess that’s better.”
“I…uh.” Will’s usual confidence abandoned her. The prospect of venturing into uncharted waters with Nora thrilled her, but stirred up nerves in the process. “Since I’m staying over, I could start sanding the stairs.”
Nora shook her head. “You’ve already put in a full day of work. I don’t expect you to do any more. You relax and I’ll make dinner.”
“I appreciate the offer.” Will crossed the room and put a hand on Nora’s arm. “You don’t need to take care of me like one of your guests, though. What if I made you dinner?”
Nora’s face was incredulous.
“I can cook, you know. As a matter of fact, I enjoy it.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“I know. I’m offering anyway. You’ve fed me plenty of times since I started working here. It’ll still be your ingredients, but at least let me prepare them for you for a change.”
Will could see the wheels turning in Nora’s mind. Was she deciding whether or not to trust Will in her kitchen? Or was it something more? Eventually, she said, “Only if you really want to.”
Will smiled. “I do.”
“Do you want help? Or me to show you where things are?”
The idea of a supervisor made Will nervous. It also defeated the purpose of her taking care of dinner. “I think I can manage. I promise it won’t be anything fussy, since boiling water for dishes is no one’s idea of fun. Why don’t you go relax for a little bit? You’ve been working today, too.”
Nora looked at Will, considered arguing with her. Will had worked circles around her. Yes, she was getting paid, but still. She didn’t want to seem contrary, though, or like a control freak. Knowing she had those tendencies was her best defense against them. “I suppose I could build a fire. Especially since no one will be getting a hot shower.”
Will’s eyes lit up. “I would love that. We can eat in the sitting room, at the little table.”
It did sound nice. Not romantic. Cozy. She could do with a little cozy. “Okay.”
Will started toward the kitchen, but turned back. “You don’t mind me in your kitchen, do you?”
Nora shook her head. Even if it freaked her out a little, she had no intention of owning it. “Not at all.”
Will smiled. “Just checking.”
Will disappeared down the hall and Nora went to the fireplace. She meticulously laid the wood, set kindling underneath. She got it going, then stood and looked around the room, wondering if it was too ambitious a project to replace the wallpaper. Maybe she’d talk to Will about it over dinner. Whether or not they did it, it would be good to have something to talk about.
The idea of a leisurely meal with Will made her uneasy. Even though they’d shared more lunches than she could count. Even though Will had confided in her and somehow got Nora to confide in return. It was because she knew Will would be staying over. And unlike New Year’s Eve, they’d be in the house alone.
Annoyed that she was getting herself all worked up, Nora sighed. Maybe a glass of wine would help her relax. She went to the small cellar she’d created under the stairs, then realized she had no idea what Will was preparing for them. She’d just pop her head in and ask.
She was almost to the door when she caught the strains of music. She stilled so she could make out
what it was. Billie Holiday. And Will was singing along, badly. A flutter swept through Nora’s chest, catching her off guard. Willing herself not to be charmed, she pushed through the swinging door.
She found Will standing at the stove, stirring a pot and swaying to the music. Her hair was a mess and her work pants hung on her hips in that ridiculously sexy way. Nora swallowed. No, she wasn’t charmed; she was something far more dangerous. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Before she could find her voice, Will turned, jumped, then dropped the wooden spoon she was holding.
“God, you scared me.” Her tone was more amused than annoyed.
“Sorry. I—” Nora cleared her throat. “I was going to open a bottle of wine, but decided I needed to know what we were having.”
Will picked up the spoon and carried it to the sink. “No worries. I sort of forgot I wasn’t alone.”
Great. She couldn’t get Will out of her head and Will lost track of the fact Nora was even there. “Smells good.” It did smell good, like garlic and bacon.
“Carbonara.”
“Impressive.”
“It’s one of those dishes that seems fancier than it is. And it doesn’t make too many dishes.”
Nora nodded. She’d made it once or twice. It wasn’t part of her regular rotation because of the calories, but she did always have the ingredients on hand. “I approve. I also think a nice oaky chardonnay is in order. May I pour you a glass?”
Will’s smile seemed shy all of a sudden. “That would be nice.”
Nora busied herself with getting a bottle from the cooler, glasses from the buffet in the dining room. She pulled the cork and poured two glasses. She handed one to Will. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Just waiting for the pasta.”
“Okay. I’ll…I’ll get out of your way, then.” Nora retreated from the kitchen. She stopped in the dining room to pick up some napkins and utensils from the sideboard. Back in the sitting room, she set them out. She’d pulled out candles and was striking a match before she caught herself. She blew it out quickly. This was not a romantic dinner.
She’d just tucked them back away when Will walked in carrying two plates. “I see you set the table. I just need to grab my wine.”
“I’ll get it.” Nora hurried from the room, using the moment alone to take a deep breath and center herself. By the time she returned, Will had angled the table so they both could enjoy the fire. Nora took the seat opposite her. She set down the glass, as well as the rest of the bottle from the kitchen, and picked up her own. “This looks delicious.”
Will shrugged. “It’s nothing special, but it tastes good.”
“I’ll take that any day over fussy and bland.” Nora smiled. See? There was nothing wrong or weird about this. Just dinner. Even if her cheeks were flushed and she had a hard time taking her eyes off Will’s hands.
“Agreed. Thank you for letting me putter around your kitchen. It’s much nicer than the one in my apartment.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for making me dinner. It’s not often that happens.”
“I’m extra glad I stayed, then.”
They ate in silence. Will seemed uneasy. It made Nora feel badly, thinking her coolness toward her had a lot to do with it. Will hadn’t actually done anything to warrant suspicion. If anything, she’d proved herself hardworking and good-natured. Thinking that she’d jumped to conclusions, and treated Will unfairly, gave Nora a pang of guilt. She shouldn’t have been so quick to judge, even if she’d never said a word about it to Will. “So, are you glad you stayed in P-town? Nor’easters notwithstanding?”
Will smiled and shifted her shoulders in a way that seemed more artless than world-weary. “I am. I didn’t realize how much I missed being close to my sister. And my life here isn’t anything spectacular, but it’s my own. That’s more than enough for me right now. Even with Nor’easters.”
The choice of words gave Nora pause. Had circumstances been different, had she not had her own family to rely on in difficult times, she could be no better off than Will was now. No, she could be worse. The idea threatened to make her sentimental. To give her hands something to do, she picked up the wine and refilled their glasses. “I’m glad it’s working out for you.”
After finishing their meal, Nora tried to do the dishes, but Will insisted on helping. When they were done, Nora looked around the kitchen. Dinner had calmed her nerves some, but a certain electricity remained in the air. More than anxious, it left her with a lingering sense of anticipation. “I’m thinking this weather might call for one more glass of wine. Can I interest you in joining me?”
“I think you could talk me into it.”
“Red this time?”
Will nodded affably. “That would be great.”
Nora went to the cellar and pulled out a Pinot Noir. She poured glasses and, without any sort of verbal exchange, they moved to the sofa facing the fire. Nora sat, tucking her feet under her. “I hate to admit it, but I don’t often build fires when there aren’t any guests in the house.”
“I know what you mean. I’m like that with cooking. It feels like a lot of effort just for one.”
Whether it was being hunkered down against the storm or the third glass of wine in her system, Nora felt strangely uninhibited. Free. “That and it feels self-indulgent.”
Will angled her head and studied Nora. “Not good at pampering yourself, are you?”
Nora rolled her eyes, but chuckled. “Something like that. Let me guess. You have it mastered?”
Will laughed. “Not even close. I was always the girl who couldn’t sit still, couldn’t relax.”
“Really?” Not what she expected. The idea of having such a trait in common left Nora unbalanced, even more than she already was.
“Moving here was a turning point for me. I’m trying to slow down, appreciate each day.”
Nora struggled to do that herself. “And it’s working?”
“Like I said earlier, I think P-town is good for me. Not to mention all the great friends I’ve made.”
Nora swallowed. “Graham, you mean.”
“Graham is beyond great. On her own, but also because she’s the reason I met you.”
The look in Will’s eyes told her they were no longer talking about friendship. “Will.”
Will glanced away, then back, locking eyes with Nora. “You’re an amazing woman, Nora. I love that I’ve gotten to know you.” She paused, as though choosing her next words carefully. “Of course, that’s only made me even more attracted to you.”
Nora’s pulse quickened. She felt like she was on the precipice, with her body screaming one thing and her brain another. Jump or scramble back from the edge. “I…”
Will reached over and took her hand. “I’m just putting it out there. You don’t have to do anything with it. Unless you want to.”
Chapter Fourteen
Nora didn’t speak for a long moment and Will began to fear she’d read the signals wrong. She’d meant what she said. She didn’t want Nora to feel any pressure to reciprocate. But, God, did she want Nora to reciprocate.
Nora reached for her wine just as Will did. The movement brought their faces close. No more than two or three inches separated them. Will’s gaze moved from Nora’s eyes to her mouth, then back. She swallowed, unable to initiate the kiss she wanted so badly, but equally unable to pull away. Nora seemed to be under the same spell. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. Her skin grew warm. A swell of anticipation rippled through her.
And then it happened.
Slowly, Nora closed the space between them. Will leaned in. She’d waited for this moment, wanted this moment, for so long, almost couldn’t believe it was happening. She placed a featherlight kiss at the corner of Nora’s mouth, half expecting to be swatted away. But Nora didn’t swat her away. She didn’t pull back. Instead, she turned her head slightly so that their lips were in perfect alignment. Will took that as an invitation and kissed her again.
This time, she traced her tongue along Nora’s bottom lip.
It was just as soft as she imagined and tasted faintly of wine. The combination invaded her senses, made her want to slow down and speed up. She wanted to find a way to stop time, commit each and every detail to memory. Because she had no idea where it would go or how long it would last.
Nora, however, seemed to have other intentions. She fisted one hand in Will’s shirt, placed the other on the back of Will’s head. She angled her mouth and took the kiss deeper. Will allowed Nora to take the lead. She reveled in being wanted, taken. It still felt a little unreal and she wanted to soak it in, make sure she wasn’t imagining it.
When Nora pulled away, Will felt the absence sharply. She blinked and found Nora’s green eyes searching her face. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Asking seemed preferable to begging her not to stop.
Nora licked her lips, swallowed. She tried desperately to sort out what Will might be thinking, or feeling. Although her mind had the soft edges of a couple of drinks, her thoughts were clear. Will had kissed her. She’d started it. But then she seemed to back off. It left Nora feeling like maybe she’d imagined it. Or, perhaps worse, that Will had thought better of it once they’d started. “I need to know what you’re thinking right now.”
“I’m thinking about how long I’ve waited for this moment. And I’m thinking how it’s even better than I imagined.”
Could that be right? Despite her own attraction to Will, she’d not imagined it would be reciprocated. Sure, Will had flirted, but she’d been focused on the idea that Will might be interested in Graham. She’d not allowed herself to really think about there being anything between them.
“I’m also hoping you’ll let me do it again. And again and again after that.”
Nora shook her head. This had to be a terrible idea. She couldn’t believe it to be anything else. Even if she wanted it more than anything in recent memory.
“Okay. I’m sorry if I read the signals wrong,” Will said.
“No.”
“No?”
“No, you didn’t read the signals wrong.”
