“And what are you going to do with all the leftovers?”
“I can eat them for dinner tomorrow.”
“Liar. You’ll be waiting for me outside of Sugar ’n’ Spice tomorrow, ready to take me out somewhere.”
Chance laughed. “You’ve got me all figured out.”
Summer rested her hands on his chest. “For the most part. Too much brains, too much money, too much looks, too much brawn.”
Chance’s dimple deepened. “Your grammar is atrocious, sweetheart, but I sure do appreciate the compliments.”
Summer blushed at the endearment. She gave him a quick peck on the lips and dropped her hands.
Chance reached for her, tugging her back in. “Hopefully you’ll never say too much kissing.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
Chance pressed his lips to hers, and she didn’t think anything about him was too much. The grill was burning hot by the time they pulled apart. Chance loaded the grill up with meat and vegetables while Summer watched him.
“So, are your other houses as beautiful as this rental?” she asked.
Chance nodded. “Byron thought I was crazy to come here when I could’ve gone and stayed in one of my other homes, but I wanted something different, something … amazing.” He studied her.
“Did you find it?” She could hardly catch a breath when he looked at her like that.
“I think so.”
“It is plural, then?” Summer needed to change the subject. Had he really found something amazing with her? Had either of them been looking for this? It was all too new and exciting to dissect and think about too much. Maybe talking or thinking about it would ruin the magic.
“Plural?” he asked.
“You have houses?”
“Oh. Yes, I do.” He didn’t say it like he was bragging, just a fact of life.
“Where are these houses?”
“Charlotte, Kauai, and Jackson Hole.”
“Yet you’ve never been to Costa Rica?”
“Nope.”
“I guess there are some things I can still show you.”
“There are a lot of things you can show me.” He arched an eyebrow at her and started her direction.
Summer backed slowly away. “You’ve got meat hands. No touchy-touch.”
Chance ran at her, holding his hands up like Frankenstein. “Bloody meat hands want to touchy-touch the pretty lady.”
Summer shrieked and ran across the patio and to the grass. She was almost around the side of the house and to the pond when Chance caught her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. “Meat hands, so gross,” Summer panted out.
“I didn’t know you were a germaphobe.”
“Just about raw meat.”
Chance didn’t release her. “Give me a kiss and I’ll let you go sanitize where I touched.” His hands were around her waist.
“Only if you promise to sanitize your hands too.”
“I promise.”
She kissed him good and long before squirming away. “Okay, now go wash.”
“Anything else I can do for another kiss?”
“You’re pretty willing to promise your life away.”
“For a kiss from you?” He grinned and his dimple was on fine display. “Definitely.”
Her phone beeped in her pocket.
“Check it while I go wash my hands.” He winked.
Summer pulled it from her pocket, wandering idly back toward the patio as she read the message from one of her recent boyfriends, Jerome.
I know you said you needed a break, but I think it’s been long enough. I miss you, beautiful lady. We’ve got a great group backpacking through Europe in August. I think Taylor and Lane are going to commit. Say you’re in. I’ll massage your sore muscles every night if you’ll let me.
Summer rolled her eyes and pocketed her phone. Her lips drew into a thin line. Jerome. He was a lot of fun to be with, but he took nothing serious. She’d been finished with him weeks before she’d finally admitted she needed a break.
Chance exited the house and smiled at her. Summer wondered if she’d ever tire of him like she had all the others. “Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, just an old … friend asking me to come tour Europe.” She gave him a wan smile.
“Friend?” Chance turned his back on her, lifted the lid on the grill, and started flipping meat and stirring the veggies on the metal tray. He glanced over at her.
Summer squirmed, then blew out her breath. “I dated him for a while.”
“Are you going?” Chance bit out.
“Of course I’m not going. Are you daft?”
His back stiffened, but he didn’t respond.
“I miss traveling and would love to go, but I’ve got to find a design job where I can work remotely so I can see the world again.” Traveling was spendy and flexible jobs like she’d had weren’t easy to come by.
Chance closed the grill and slowly turned. His usually warm eyes were chilly like the Arctic Sea. “If money wasn’t an option, you’d be off on your adventures with a different boyfriend every week?”
Summer blinked at him, not sure how to respond. The answer was probably an affirmative, but maybe she didn’t want a different boyfriend each week, if she could be with Chance.
“How many have there been?” Chance muttered.
“Adventures?” Summer asked, certain that wasn’t what he was asking.
Chance shook his head.
“What do you want me to say?” Summer folded her arms across her chest. “I’ve lived my life, Chance, and yes, I’ve dated a lot of different men. Like you haven’t dated anyone? Like you’ve just been waiting your entire life for me.”
Chance shrugged. “You’re right. I’ve dated. I just …” He glanced down at the concrete. “You’re special to me, Summer, and I can just imagine how many men have chased you throughout your life. It’s hard not to allow myself to be jealous.”
Summer walked across the patio and cupped his chin with her palm. He glanced up at her. “Not to inflate your hopes, big boy, but you’re pretty special to me too.”
Chance placed his hand over hers and kissed her gently. The meat sizzled behind them, and it was only when a distinctive burning odor rose up that they finally pulled apart, laughing and not certain if their relationship had gone to a better level or not.
Chapter Nine
Chance grinned as he walked down Crested Butte’s main street Monday afternoon, though his legs were a bit stiff from the bike ride Saturday and the hike Sunday.
He arrived at Sugar ’n’ Spice, walked in the open door, and glanced around. The shop was empty. It was a nice store, it just didn’t fit Summer. She was a free spirit who needed to design and wander. That made him worry about them almost as much as the uncertainty of being compared to a bunch of different men. Was she a female version of Byron? Now that was uncalled for. He couldn’t compare his fun, beautiful Summer to his brother.
Adding all the worries together, including his involvement in her family business demise, did the two of them stand a chance? Besides coming on this trip to escape, he was grounded and practical. He traveled a little bit, usually to one of his own houses, but for the most part he stayed close to home and worked hard. He didn’t want to capture Summer and pin her down, but he didn’t know how he’d fit in her life as a wanderer.
He shook his head. He’d only known her a few weeks. He was the one acting like Byron, thinking he’d found his soul mate after a couple great experiences with a woman. Summer really was something special, though, the most fabulous woman he’d ever met.
The back door of the shop, which led into a storage area, swung open. A man who dwarfed Summer both in height and muscles held the door and a large box. Summer’s arms were laden with boxes. The top box started to slip.
“Help,” Summer cried out.
Chance started forward, but the guy grabbed the box before Chance could reach them.
Summer looked
up at the burly guy and laughed. Jealousy ripped through Chance’s gut, and he froze mid-step. Who was this guy and why was he helping Summer? He knew she’d burned through men before him. Was she already moving on from Chance?
The two of them set the boxes by the desk and finally noticed Chance.
“Hi,” Summer offered. Was it his imagination, or did she look guilty?
The big guy gave him a friendly smile. Jerk.
“Who is this guy?” Chance bit out.
Summer’s mouth dropped open. Then her eyes narrowed. “Wow, really? You’re going to accuse me like that with no knowledge of the situation?”
The man smirked at Summer and folded his muscular arms across his chest. That’s when Chance noticed the wide white-gold band on his left ring finger. The guy was married? What in the world was Summer doing?
“Do you need any more help, sweetheart?” the man asked.
Summer shook her head and rolled her eyes. “No. Thanks for everything.”
“See you later, darlin’.”
Chance glared at the large man as he brushed past him, still grinning like this was all some big joke. He turned the force of that glare on Summer. True, they weren’t committed for life after three weeks, but he couldn’t believe the Summer he thought he knew would date a married man, and he felt nauseated at the thought of her dating anyone but him.
“Don’t look at me like that. I haven’t done anything wrong.” She bent down and ripped the packing tape off the box.
“Are you …” He swallowed, not wanting to verbalize it and tick her off, but she’d dated a lot of men. Maybe this was normal for her. “Dating a married man?” His stomach churned. All those feelings she’d given him—joy, passion, excitement. She was worse than Byron; his brother would never date a married woman. Chance needed to walk away now before he exploded.
“Oh, heavens,” Summer grunted out. She stood and faced him. “I’ve told you about Isaac. He’s married to one of my best friends, MacKenzie.”
“And that makes it better!” Chance shoved a hand through his hair and turned away, pacing in front of her. “I thought you were different. This amazing free spirit, beautiful, funny, and genuine. But you’re …” He couldn’t even spit it out, that would make it true.
“Chance!” Summer grasped his arm and pulled him to a stop. “Listen to the words coming out of my mouth, you imbecile! Isaac is married to one of my best friends, and even if he wasn’t, I would never date a married man. Isaac is a huge tease, and I’m sure when he saw you all defensive and the first words out of your mouth are, ‘Who is this guy?’ he saw a chance to give me a hard time.”
The breath rushed out of him and all Chance could do was stare at her. “Are you serious?” he finally muttered.
“Yes. He and MacKenzie are very happily married and he’s like a big brother to me.”
“I’m … sorry?” Oh, he was sorry, but he was also so relieved he could hardly stay upright.
“You should be. First of all, you insult me and think I would date a married guy. Second of all, you compliment me and say I’m amazing, beautiful, funny, and genuine. What am I supposed to do with all of that?”
“Go to dinner with me tonight?” Chance had to try to salvage this. He’d offended her, understandably. He didn’t usually have insecurities, but he wanted Summer all to himself—forever, if he were being honest. Letting himself dwell on her past had pushed him in the wrong direction. “Somewhere nice. Where I actually come and pick you up instead of just waiting outside the store and hoping you’ll say yes.”
Summer harrumphed. “Oh, yeah?” Her eyebrows tilted in a challenge and she took a step toward him. “And if I say no?”
“You’ll break my heart.” He reached for her hand and she gave it to him.
“Oh, that was cheesy, Judd.” She squeezed his hand and smiled. “You come by the house about seven and I’ll see if I can fit you in.”
“I’ll be there.” The anxiety over her dating some married guy disappeared, followed closely by anticipation to spend more time with her tonight. He knew a woman had never reeled him in this quickly before. He prayed she’d never let him go.
He left the shop, walked quickly back to the Land Rover, and drove to his rental house. After working for the next few hours on Byron’s requests, he finally forced himself to call his brother.
“Hey. How’s the chickie?” Byron greeted him with.
The name grated on Chance, but he didn’t take the bait. “She’s an amazing lady.”
“So you took my advice and lied?”
That hit him harder. He had taken Byron’s advice. “No, not really. I just … haven’t told her everything yet.”
Byron chortled. “You lied. I’m proud of you, bro. Going against the Judd moral code to get a woman.”
Chance’s stomach churned. He changed the subject quick. “Hey, I need your help. Remember that toy company you worked with a few years ago, where you dated the CEO?”
“Yeah, Marissa Yates is the CEO. KJ’s Fun Zone.”
“Do you have any contacts there that don’t hate you?”
“Like I’m so hateable.”
“You know I didn’t mean that. Everyone loves you, but I know you dated Marissa so she’s probably still mooning over you.”
“I wish.” Byron gave a loud sigh.
Chance was surprised at the longing in his brother’s voice. There was a story with Marissa, and he’d really like to hear it after he helped Summer out.
“Marissa and I have kept in contact. We’re friends,” Byron admitted. “She’s a … great person.”
“Wow. The maturity of that astounds me.”
“Thank you.” Chance could almost picture his brother bowing and smirking at him.
“Can you send me her contact info?”
“You’re trying to help out your new girl?”
“It’s the right thing to do.” Chance couldn’t wait to see her face if this all worked out.
“If you say so. But coming from someone with a lot more experience—ahem, me—women don’t generally like it when you try to take control of their lives. Just love on them and let them live, I say.”
Chance cringed. His brother’s theories were not his. Okay, so he had sort of taken Byron’s advice and not told Summer the entire truth, or any version of the truth. He would rectify that soon, but first he needed to set things up to find her a great job. If she decided to travel the world after she had the job, maybe he’d have to follow her.
Chapter Ten
Summer unpacked decorative yard signs and daydreamed about dinner tonight with Chance. Was she crazy to want to pursue this relationship? She’d be insane not to. He was a fabulous guy who treated her right, made her laugh, kissed like a champion, and was handsome and successful to boot. Most people would say she was crazy not to run into his arms, yet she still wanted to be successful on her own. She laughed at herself. As if Chance was proposing or something.
Her cell phone rang. She pulled it out and studied the unfamiliar number. She didn’t usually get telemarketers. “Hello,” she said tersely.
“Miss Anderson?”
“Yes.” Should she just hang up or let the person get their spiel out? They probably didn’t want to be working as a telemarketer so she always tried to be nice.
“This is Marissa Yates with KJ’s Fun Zone.”
Summer about dropped the phone. She knew exactly who Marissa Yates was: CEO of her father’s biggest competition. Summer had a lot of respect for the company and the woman running it. She’d debated emailing them her résumé, but they were a lot larger than the companies she’d approached so far and she’d had little luck with the other companies. Everyone either said they couldn’t afford her, they didn’t design their own toys, or they already had a designer on staff.
“Um, yes?” She had no clue how to respond.
“It’s my understanding that Magical Dream Toys did not keep you on as a designer after the buyout.”
“No, they did n
ot.” Was she just calling to rub it in? Sheesh.
“Have you already committed to another toy company?”
“No.” Summer paced the shop, not sure where this conversation was going, but her hopes were rising by the second.
“Would you be interested in working with me?”
“Yes,” Summer squeaked out, her throat dry and her heart pumping.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Marissa gave a warm laugh. “You probably know that we’re located in Hudson, Ohio. I don’t expect you to relocate; I understand you can design from anywhere, and we can make that work.”
“Thanks,” Summer breathed out. Holy cow, this really was a dream come true.
“Could you fly in next week and fill out the paperwork, share your designs with us, and get to know my team? From there we can figure out how often we’d need you to come in and set up a schedule with production.”
“Sure.” Summer glanced around the home décor store almost in shock. She’d just been offered the perfect job.
“Where are you located currently?”
“Crested Butte, Colorado.”
“Can you text your email and location to me at this number and we’ll set up the flights and hotels? Would Monday through Wednesday of next week work with your schedule?”
“Yes.” Summer realized she’d given pretty much one-word answers throughout this conversation. Luckily Marissa didn’t seem put off by it. Toy designers could be a socially reclusive lot, but Summer was excited to meet this woman in person and show her she did have some conversational skills. “Thank you for this opportunity,” she said.
“We’re excited,” Marissa said. “It’s perfect timing for us, as one of our designers is out on maternity leave and just informed me she might not be coming back. And if she does, it’ll only be a fraction of what she produced before.”
Summer didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky, but she wasn’t going to complain.
Chance pulled into the ranch yard and killed the engine. He hoped the good news Summer had gotten earlier today would have her throwing herself into his arms. A guy could dream.
He swung open the car door and stared into the wrong end of a shotgun.
The Daring One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Page 8
