by Allie Burton
Except Paul didn’t have an answer.
“Is that what they’re calling it nowadays? Talking?” His brother wiggled his eyebrows.
“It’s about time.” Keaton sat in the chair beside the hospital bed and gave him a knowing smirk. A hat flopped on her head.
Paul drew back. He and Vivi had gone to such lengths to not demonstrate their attraction. “You knew?”
Colby’s giggle released his surprise. “We all did.”
Ryder’s confused expression showed he thought they were nuts.
Maybe Paul was crazy. Flying to Miami to see a woman he’d only encountered a few times. A woman who’d not even said goodbye. Yet he needed to know if she’d experienced the same connection between them.
“And we can visit you in sunny Miami!” Colby clapped her gloved hands. Her enthusiasm put a damper on his last minute, no last second, decision.
Because he didn’t have any plans. He wanted to see Vivienne, talk to her. With other women he was a one-step-at-a-time type of guy. Except everything was different with Vivi.
Keaton placed a hand on his arm getting his attention. “You could ask your firefighter friend who lives in Florida about a job. He’d have connections.”
“Whoa. Who said anything about moving to Florida?” Paul wished things were simple. He loved Vivi and believed she loved him. They had to consider the fact they came from different worlds and he wasn’t referring to Castle Ridge and Miami.
She was a career-focused professional who enjoyed warm weather and big cities.
He was a small town paramedic, who loved being close to his family. Although, from what he knew of his siblings’ plans they wouldn’t be hanging around Castle Ridge for the rest of their lives.
“Take a chance, bro.” Jay sat up in the hospital bed with a positive attitude. He believed in himself and his recovery.
Paul needed to believe in himself and planned to take a hell of chance. He was going to find her and convince her they could make their relationship work. But applying for jobs in Miami before talking was putting the rescue before the accident.
Ryder coughed. “I don’t know what’s going on, but life is about taking chances.”
The ski coach would believe taking risks was easy. He took risks on the mountain and in his personal life. The man had billions of dollars backing him up. Ryder had never had to worry about where his next meal was coming from, or how to pay the bills, or take care of three teenagers.
Except they weren’t teenagers anymore. Jay would be traveling the world to take his shot at professional skiing. Keaton planned to move to Denver for her fashion career. And Colby would graduate and get a job who knew where. Paul would be left in Castle Ridge alone. Melancholy stabbed with each realization. He wouldn’t be alone if he had Vivi. Whether in Castle Ridge or Miami. “I’m going to Miami. Although, I can’t leave now with Jay in the hospital.”
Even if Jay was an adult, he was in high school and Paul’s responsibility.
“I can stay in Castle Ridge while you’re gone in case Jay needs anything.” Keaton moved her hand from his arm to his hand gripping it tightly. Pleadingly. “You can’t sit on this. You need to go after Vivienne now.”
Colby nodded. “I’ll do anything I can.”
Paul’s melancholy fizzed into rightness. It was no longer him making the decisions and providing support. His siblings were there for him, too.
“I can help out with Jay,” the ski coach butted in. “I’m the one who put you both in contact with the agent.”
“I’m fine.” Jay tapped his thigh and winced. “As soon as I’m permitted to use crutches, and can get around on my own, I’m out of this hospital.”
Paul’s stomach twisted. He couldn’t stop worrying about his brother, and yet Jay was well taken care of in the hospital and well-loved. Better to go now than later. Taking a deep breath, Paul took a leap of faith. “I’ll book a flight out of Denver tomorrow.”
Anticipation tingled. The first night he’d met Vivi, she’d promised no hearts would be broken. He’d hold her to the heartbreak contract by making her sign on the dotted line for a permanent relationship.
* * *
Vivienne’s heels clacked on the tiled hospital floor. The short hallway lasted a mile. The entire cab ride from Castle Ridge Airport her nerves had frayed one at a time, plucking similar to strings on a harp.
What if she was wrong about Paul?
That didn’t matter. She was right about her feelings. Her love was not a fleeting emotion. It was real and pure and forever-lasting. She had to believe he felt the same. And once they both confessed their love, they could work out the details.
Pushing open the door to the hospital room, she scanned around. Jay sat up in bed wearing a hospital gown and sheet. His one leg was elevated and the other in a cast. No Paul.
Her lungs deflated. Pasting on a smile, she moved closer to the bed. “Hello, Jay.”
“Vivienne. What’re you doing here?” His eyes rounded, and his brow furrowed. “Paul said you left early this morning.”
Had she missed him visiting his brother? She scanned the room searching for a hint Paul was nearby. No coat hanging on the chair. No extra glass near the bed. Every time she’d called his phone went direct to voicemail. “I changed my plans. How’re you feeling?”
Jay studied her oddly. “Good. I meet with the physical therapist tomorrow.”
“Great news.” The urge to rush the pleasantries and ask about his brother itched. “I’ll be cheering for you.”
His head moved up and down in slow motion watching her, as if knowing why she was really here and waiting for her to admit it. His smug patience reminded her of his big brother.
Her pulse thumped, and she squeezed her hands together. To hell with patience. “Do you know where Paul is? I’ve been trying to call him, and I go straight to voicemail.”
Jay beamed with satisfaction. “The real reason for your return.”
“No.” The immediate denial sprang to her lips. Yet, she’d come to grips with this negative behavior. She wasn’t going to deny her emotions for Paul any longer. Not to anyone. “Yes. I need to talk to him.”
“It’s about time.” Jay’s mouth looped upwards.
She tilted back, unsteady on her pointy heels. “What do you mean?”
“It’s obvious to everyone you two are in love.” At the wise-old age of eighteen, Jay had realized it before she had. “You’re both too stubborn to admit it.”
The insult rang true. She’d been stubborn throughout life. Perseverance had helped in her success. It was why she’d hidden behind a harsh and business-only demeanor. It was why she hadn’t recognized love right away.
She was done hiding behind her pride. Her mulishness wouldn’t help her win Paul over. She’d prove to him how much she loved him, and no matter where they lived they’d make their relationship work.
“How did you get so smart?” She ruffled Jay’s hair already feeling like part of this family.
“Because of my big brother.” He quirked his chin as if he was looking up at his brother with admiration.
Her spirit filled with even more love. For Paul, and for his family. He’d done a great job raising his brother and sisters.
“Now go get him.”
“I don’t know where to find him.” Her shoulders lowered in dejection.
“You said when you call you go straight to voicemail?” Jay angled his head, and she nodded. “Paul’s at the scenic overlook on Holy Smokes Road.”
“How do you know?”
“Because there’s no reception there and it’s where he goes to brood.”
“How do you know he’s brooding?”
“Because he’s been brooding all morning.”
Jay’s comment soothed some of the worry. She would go to Paul and tell him, prove to him how much she loved him.
After a quick call to borrow Luke’s car, Vivienne found herself driving the road where she’d first met Paul. She faced two fears. Her fear o
f driving the mountain and her fear of emotionally exposing herself. Because following him to his private thinking place was showing her cards. Except that’s why she’d returned, and she wasn’t going to back down.
With white knuckles, she arrived at the scenic overlook and pulled into the small parking lot. There was only one other car. Paul’s.
The view was much different from the night they met. The sun shone instead of it being the dark of night. The snow had started to melt giving way to green hillsides. The road barrier had been repaired.
She got out of the car on shaky legs. Birds tweeted a welcome. A gentle breeze cooled her skin.
Paul leaned against a short stone wall peering over the edge. His long blond locks blew with the wind catching the sunlight like streaks of fire. Even from the back, he looked so good. So hers. A force tugged her closer. She took a step, holding her breath. Afraid of what he might say. More afraid if she didn’t say anything.
He turned sensing her presence. The jeans he wore hung low on his hips. A plaid button-down shirt was untucked beneath a puffy vest jacket. His shoulders appeared broader than before, his chest more welcoming. His strong chin tipped in defiance and the intensity of his gaze caught her in a spotlight. He glowered, and his mouth went flat.
“Vivienne?” Not his more casual Vivi. He spoke as if he wasn’t sure she was real.
Agony ricocheted around her midsection. She wanted to show him how real she was. Moving closer, she wobbled an uncertain smile. “Hi, Paul.”
Stupid thing to say to the love of her life. To the man she wanted to be with forever.
He glanced behind her toward the parking lot. “How’d you get here?”
Nerves spurt out a giggle. “Believe it or not, I drove.”
“Is everything okay?” If he was concerned about her, he must care. “You hate driving this road.”
“I do.” She was more scared of what she was going to do next.
She was taking a flying leap. A leap longer than over this wall and deeper than the mountain.
“Oh?” His gaze flashed with a light. She couldn’t be sure if it was a flash of anger or desire.
Her jumping nerves danced, and her heart beat a fast tattoo. “I needed to talk to you.”
“Long way to come to have a conversation.” His lips quirked in an endearing way.
He had no idea how far. It wasn’t the miles going the distance, but her change in attitude.
“I’m hoping the drive will be worth it.” She smiled, and lightness burst through her body.
Even if this doesn’t end the way she hoped, confessing would be worth it because she needed him to know. Expressing her real self for the first time in her adult life was a maturing process. She’d grown since meeting him. Confidence bloomed. Not a business-savvy confidence, a knowing-herself-inside-and-out confidence.
Moving toward him, she twined her fingers into his jacket. “I missed you.” Being this close, smelling his scent, she couldn’t help herself. She pulled him toward her and kissed him.
His lips didn’t respond. They firmed beneath hers.
The lightness dimmed. What if she was wrong about everything? She leaned back and looked into his eyes. A coldness lurked behind the blue.
It didn’t matter. She was going to tell him how she felt no matter the outcome.
He grasped both her arms in a painful grip. “Why did you sneak out this morning? I thought you went back home.”
She’d been heading back to Miami, she wouldn’t call it home.
“You’re my home.” Her chest filled with hope and her head hummed awaiting his response.
His stern expression paused and the muscles on his face relaxed. His head tilted, and his gaze went from hard to soft in seconds. Realization of what she said, what she meant, dawned.
“I snuck out because this thing between us terrified me. Not anymore.” The ba-bumping in her chest grew louder, thundering in her ears. This was the moment. The right time. The right guy. “I love you, Paul. I want to be with you.”
His eyes went deep blue, resembling gentle waves in the ocean. “I love you, too.”
The sweetness of the words flowed through her like sugar. She melted into him and her lips tasted his. Tasted his sweetness.
“I’ve got a ticket to fly to Miami tomorrow.”
His confession dazed her more than the loving kiss. “You do?”
“I planned to sweep you off your feet.” One arm went around her back and the other behind her thighs. He picked her up and swung her around.
Pure, joyous laughter bubbled. She loved this man and he loved her. The steady, sure beat of her heart told her so. “You’ve already swept me off my feet.”
“We haven’t even gone on a proper date yet.” So like her Paul wanting to do everything in order.
Too bad there were no rules, regulations, or contracts to describe their relationship. At least not yet. “Where should we have our first date? Miami or Castle Ridge?”
“I don’t care as long as we’re together forever.” He ran his hand down her cheek and the softness of his caress told her she’d be treasured.
“Should we agree to another contract?” A smile bloomed remembering their initial negotiation. She’d been joking that night, but now she wanted the negotiation to be serious.
He kissed her sound on the mouth. “As long as it’s the contract that ends with us both say I do.”
Thanks so much for reading The Heartbreak Contract! If you enjoyed the novella, please consider leaving a review at your place of purchase. Word of mouth is crucial for any author to succeed so she can continue bringing you more stories you love.
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Allie
Did you miss books in the Castle Ridge series?
Excerpt from
The Romance Dance
A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance
Book 1
by Allie Burton
A slow sashay to desire.
After being abandoned by his fiancée and his fans because of a disfiguring accident, former classical pianist Reed O’Donnell returns home to hide. He’s pieced his life back together becoming a landlord and remodel construction specialist but shies away from a social life.
Ex-ballerina Quinn Petrov moved to Castle Ridge and invested her money to start a dance studio with plans to put down roots. She wants to get involved in the community to promote her business and make real friends, not the acquaintances she’d made in New York. When she meets her secretive and sexy landlord, she’s intrigued but he always seems to be hiding behind a mask.
Reed can’t stop the attraction he feels toward his new tenant, but she’s beautiful and outgoing, while he is not. When his younger brother begs him to help impress Quinn, Reed can’t say no. Using the musical language of love, he woos Quinn for his brother, but when his own mask slips will he reveal his secrets?
In this modern take of Cyrano de Bergerac meets Beauty and the Beast, Quinn and Reed dance their way into each other’s hearts.
Excerpt:
Quinn lay on her back and scooted farther under the sink. The warmth from her body slid along Reed’s skin, sending tingles of attraction to his loins. Her long leg lay next to his damaged one. Perfection next to destruction. Reed was a grotesque monster next to her doll-like body.
“What do you need me to do?” The soft lilt at the end of her question sent a shiver up his spine.
“Point the light at this joint.” He handed her the flashlight and the beam swung around. He’d have to show her the joint. Reluctantly, he took her hand and guided it into position. Locked together, her delicate hand hid the scars on his. He didn’t appear so hideous.
“Is this good?” Again, the sexy lilt playing to his lust.
“That’s what she said.” His brother Dax chimed in, and pounded on the top of the sink. “Ba-dum-bum.”
Fever flushed through Reed at his
brother’s lame joke. He hadn’t heard his brother come in. He dropped the wrench again.
The tool fell and smacked Quinn on the forehead.
“Ouch.” She held her other hand at the spot.
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” He stroked her forehead where the angry bruise formed. “Dax! What’re you doing messing around? I wanted your help, not a comedian.”
“I’m fine.” Lifting her arm, she rubbed her forehead. Her upper arm smashed against her breasts, making them jiggle and pushing them up higher in the low-cut camisole.
His cock noticed, hardening into a bigger shaft. He tightened his muscles, trying to control the anger surging inside him. As well as other things. He didn’t want this attraction, and he certainly didn’t deserve a woman so beautiful. And he’d hurt her. “I’m sorry. My idiot brother surprised me.”
“You asked me to come. What’s going on down there?” His brother peered under the sink. “Is this a new, kinky way to—”
“Dax, dammit.” Reed shoved himself out from underneath the sink. Reaching back around, he held his hands out for Quinn. She placed her slim hands in his. Like a monster, his ugly, scarred hand swallowed her tiny one. The earlier image of her hand making his look better slipped away. He had too much ugliness to cover up.
He helped Quinn out. “Thanks.”
“You called me.” Dax took her elbows and helped her to her feet. A knight helping an injured princess being held captive by a monster. His sexy smirk enhanced his handsome face. “Who is this beautiful—” His gaze traveled the length of her body. “—and wet woman?”
Reed stiffened and clenched his hands into fists. His little brother shouldn’t be ogling her. Not with her perky breasts sticking out of the soft silk material, not with the way the wet cloth clung to her slight curves and hugged her hips. He grabbed Quinn’s wet robe and held it in front, covering most of her. “Here.”
