“So beautiful,” he murmured before his mouth touched hers with a slow, thoughtful kiss, which sent a tingle down her body. She embraced him and could feel muscles ripple along his back beneath his sweater. She pressed her hands against them, traveling higher and lower, wanting to discover more of him. His tongue traced the edges of her mouth, and she shivered again, parting her lips just enough to taste him.
When he stepped back, she felt adrift and almost moaned. He smiled. “That was the appetizer.”
She was ready for the meal.
♥ ♥ ♥
The wind had whipped up, and clouds covered the sky. Neither moon nor stars could be seen. Brandon shut the engine of his SUV and jogged into the restaurant. Maybe it was fortunate he and Kathy were staying in that night. Living at the beach, in a beach town had made him more aware of weather than he’d been in Boston, where a landlord was responsible for shoveling the sidewalk and fixing whatever broke. In Sea View House, it was up to him and Kathy and a group of retirees. His cell rang and he looked down. Speaking of…
“Hey, Uncle Ralph, just thinking of you and your cronies.” He held on and shook his head once or twice while his uncle spoke.
“A nor’easter, you say? I did buy several flashlights and batteries, but I hadn’t really been checking the forecast.” He should have been, and listened again while Ralph brought him up to date. Until finally, “Yep, I’ll keep an eye on Kathy. Don’t you worry about that! You stay safe, too. Love to Aunt Linda.”
Chuckling, he hung up. His uncle wasn’t stupid. He’d found out what he really wanted to know about the Sea View House residents. Brandon, however, now had more concerns about the potential storm. He’d lived through enough nor’easters to know they were serious business and could be unrelenting for several days. He started making a mental list of what to check on when he returned home.
He noticed his rescue poster still in the waiting area and waved to Maggie Sullivan, who was visiting from table to table, presiding over an almost full house. A mid-week New Year’s Eve at the Lobster Pot seemed as busy as a regular Saturday night. Good for you all. He appreciated the hard work of a family business where it was front and center to the owners twenty-four seven. Very similar to his business, except for one major item. When it came to making decisions, every decision was his own. He threw back his shoulders and stretched. It had worked so far—in fact, he was finally loaded with work once again. He hadn’t lost talent, skills, or a good list of clients. He’d lost time.
Hmm…and now he had to make time for Kathy’s new website. The design would require an in-depth interview so he could understand the image she wanted to convey. He also wanted to redesign the cover of her first book to create a brand that carried over to the second one. Ideas kept coming, and it wasn’t until he paid for the dinner and stepped into the ice-cold wind, which hit him in the face, that he was recalled to practical matters—a defensive game plan for Sea View House.
♥ ♥ ♥
“A traditional division of labor,” Kat said, standing in front of the sink in Brandon’s apartment, tossing a salad. “I’m in the kitchen, and you’re gathering wood. We could be cave people.”
“Whatever works is good for me,” he replied, hefting several logs and kindling in his arms as he walked down the center hall toward the living room near the front of the house. Despite the threat of weather, he whistled as he arranged the wood. A fire set the stage for romance. Right?
Hold that thought, fella. In the end, he was New England born and bred and went to check on supplies. Extra blankets? Yes, on the top shelves of each bedroom closet. Something he hadn’t noticed before. He gathered them up and brought them to the living room.
“Have you got any matches hiding in these drawers?” he asked on his way back through the kitchen to get more wood.
“Don’t you have enough logs yet?” asked Kathy when he returned with the next load. She held up an old-fashioned box of wooden matches for him to see.
“All depends.”
Her brow rose in question.
“A cozy evening or a freezing night? Or a freezing three days? You never know with this kind of storm.”
“Oh, my…right…if the electricity goes, or rather when it goes.” She frowned and bit her lip. “Yeah, you’d better bring in more. And I’ll put on my jacket and help you pile some logs right outside the kitchen door.”
“Thanks, but I can handle that. How about feeding the hounds now? An earlier schedule for walking them.”
“Good idea.”
“And one more thing—how much food do we have between us? Enough for at least three days?”
“Are you kidding? I can feed us for a week or more—as long as you like hot dogs toasted in the fire.” He gave her a thumbs-up and left.
By the time he came in with the next load of logs, the dogs were happily munching, each with an individual bowl. He paused on his way back out, just inhaling the sight of his own kitchen, inhaling the sight of a busy Katarina in a bright red turtleneck sweater, with her dark wavy hair scrunched behind her neck. Focused. Always involved, always trying to make things better.
“Hey,” he said softly.
She glanced up immediately.
“We’re a good team.”
He didn’t need an outside storm. Her smile had the power of an electric jolt. And it got him every time.
♥ ♥ ♥
The kitchen would have to do. She wasn’t going to disturb the potpourri of Brandon’s work and materials covering the large dining room table. She found a tablecloth in the linen closet and spread it out. Plates, silverware… She searched for champagne glasses and settled for wine goblets. She’d bought some frozen spanakopita for an appetizer. Salad was done; lobster waited in the fridge for rewarming. She’d throw a couple of potatoes in the microwave. Everything was in order.
“I’ll be back in a few,” she called to Brandon.
“Back? Where’re you going?” he asked, meeting her in the hallway, crumpled newspaper in his hand.
“My place. I want to clean up a bit.” She batted her lashes. “After all, it’s our second real date.”
His gaze swept over her, returning to her face. “You look beautiful,” he said quietly. “No need to go outside.”
Her hair was a mess, and she’d worn the same clothes all day…but the way he looked at her, the way he devoured her…he’d spoken the truth. His truth.
“I guess it really is in the eye of the beholder,” she whispered, admiring his broad shoulders and pecs outlined in his navy-blue thermal tee shirt. She could smell the cold air that clung to him from his forays outside.
His gaze darkened, then softened. His arms came around her, and his lips caressed hers. Like a match to kindle, she burst into flame. Intense desire raced through her, so unexpected at that moment, but so delicious. She shivered.
He felt her reaction. She knew he did. Tilting his head back, he questioned her with his eyes.
She raised to her tiptoes, kissed him, and whispered, “Forget the lobster. I’m ready for dessert.”
“It’s about time!” he replied. “I’ve been ready since we met.”
An honorable man. How lucky could a gal get?
♥ ♥ ♥
“We both must have been more than ready,” Brandon said with a rueful laugh thirty minutes later.
Kathy rolled on her side, one arm across his chest, her fingers interlacing with the wiry hair she found. “I won’t argue that.”
“Good, because you’d be lying if you did.”
“I’d also be lying if I said that this”—she gestured across the bed, encompassing them both—”meant nothing. It’s been quite a while…” Her voice trailed off.
His finger gently closed her lips. “It means more than you can know. You’re so different, so real.”
“Oh, I’m real, all right. In my family, you can’t dream your life away. Feet are definitely on the ground. Maybe you hung around the wrong clubs, with the wrong people, and now you’re w
ising up.”
He tucked her against his shoulder. “You could be right, but maybe it’s this place.”
“The magic stuff?”
One brow lifted. “I won’t go that far, but staying here gets you off the old treadmill. Shakes up your life.”
“How quickly they forget,” she quoted airily. “Brandon, your life was already topsy-turvy by being evicted and having to rebuild your business.”
He flipped his hand at those remarks. “Fixable. Both situations. My life was rocked from the foundation as soon as I met my unexpected housemate. Every day since then has been an adventure.”
She bestowed a line of kisses along his jaw. “Have I rattled your life, Brandon?”
“Come here, and don’t ask silly questions.”
“I’m already here,” she whispered—just as her stomach growled.
She couldn’t have decided who laughed harder, but just then, the dogs began to howl outside the bedroom door. And the laughter began again.
“Like I said before,” Brandon offered, getting out of bed, “it’s never boring around here.”
“It’s just…life,” Kathy said. For the first time, she wondered if that’s the way her own mom viewed their family gatherings. Not a crowd of disparate people creating chaos but the embodiment of family enjoying one another. Enjoying life.
♥ ♥ ♥
They leashed the dogs, stepped outside the front door, where Kathy was blown three steps back by the wind. “I hope they all take care of business now,” she said, feeling for the plastic bags in her pocket. “I sure don’t want to come out again in an hour. This mist is turning into icy needles.”
“Not a problem,” said Brandon, nodding at the canines. “They don’t like it out here, either. They’re almost good to go back.”
She produced the plastic bags and gave one to Brandon. “The first year I took Sheba for the winter, I never even thought about the details of dog sitting. Welcome to the club.”
“No problem. Rocky’s a keeper, and I’m still amazed I took him in.”
And she was amazed he hadn’t realized what a loving heart beat in his chest. “I’ve got to go upstairs and get some clothes, Brandon. I really do.”
“We’ll both go,” he said, “after we put the dogs inside my place. C’mon, they’re ready.”
They started walking up the driveway, the pooches leading the way. “I’m perfectly capable…” Kathy began when Brand interrupted.
“I know you are, but I want to check the windows and slightly turn the spigots in the sinks. Prevents freezing.”
“The ROMEOs will be happy to save on a nasty bill. How do you know these things?” asked Kathy.
He opened the back door, let the dogs into his place, and they both headed upstairs.
“I come from a family in the building trades. Ralph’s the electrician. My dad’s a plumber, carpenter, general contractor… He can do anything that needs doing.”
“Wow. Did you trail around after him when you were little, like a father-son duet?”
He shook his head. “When I was a kid, he worked for other people, and kids didn’t hang around. Liability stuff.”
She nodded. “Right. It’s called risk. I calculate those things.”
“I know. So now I’m wondering…do you include relationship risks in your data?”
Shocked at the question, she twirled to see him better and relaxed. His grin and gleaming eyes said everything. She tossed her head. “Personal relationships are incalculable. It’s a risk you have to take.”
An hour later, Brandon wondered if he could risk standing up without embarrassing himself. Did Kat have any idea how sensuous she made the art of eating a lobster? Her lips glistened after she dipped each morsel of meat in butter and brought it to her mouth. Her tongue peeked out to taste before she savored each piece, chewing slowly as though it were her last meal on earth. He glanced at his own plate. Only a claw remained, and he couldn’t remember eating the rest.
“Oh, this is delicious,” she said while tearing off one of the antennae that he’d ignored. He watched her lips purse around it as she nibbled the meat from one end, broke it, and worked the other end.
“Geez, Kat, there’s nothing in those spikes. What are you doing besides driving me nuts?”
Her eyes half closed. “I guess I didn’t tell you that lobster was my very favorite treat. Even better than steak, and I absolutely l-o-v-e steak.”
Steak had to be easier than this.
“And I guess I never mentioned that it takes me an hour to get through one lobster. I waste nothing in these babies.”
He glanced at the third innocent crustacean waiting for them and groaned. She’d be at the table forever at this rate. He sat back in his chair. Might as well enjoy the show.
Two more antennae and then the second claw. Butter, lips, tongue…oh, jeez Louise, this was tough.
She tilted her head and leaned forward. “Didn’t you like your food, Bran? I followed the warming directions exactly—wrapped them in heavy foil with butter, low oven for no more than ten minutes. Do you want to trade? Mine tastes really good.”
“My plate’s empty.” His voice sounded gravelly, even to him.
“But did you enjoy it? You’re so…quiet.”
“Loved every bite, but you take your time, Kat.” He nodded toward the serving dish where the extra lobster waited. “I’ll be right back.” He went to the dining room, grabbed some markers, colored pencils, and paper, and returned. In moments, he lost track of time while a rendering of Kat and Her Prey took shape. Full face, chin up, lips shiny, a forkful of lobster meat approaching her mouth. Her eyes shone back at him.
The room was quiet except for Kathy’s occasional sighs of contentment. And her complaints thrown in from time to time. “I hope you know what you’re doing. I’d better like it, but if it’s a caricature, it’ll be fine. No more Avenger girl, though. Those days are over.”
“Stop worrying and enjoy the poor lobster. I’m surprised you didn’t move to Maine and fish for them yourself.”
“Very funny. I drive my brothers crazy, too. They hate eating seafood with me. Maybe it’s a man thing.”
And maybe she was nervous about his sketch. She eyed the extra lobster. “Let’s save it for tomorrow. I can chop it with celery and make salad for sandwiches.”
A wonderful reprieve for his libido. “Great idea! You wrap it and I’ll clear the rest away.”
She grabbed a napkin, wiped her hands, and walked over to him. “Not until I see what you’ve done this time.”
He positioned the picture in her line of vision and watched her absorb it. Not a caricature, not a cartoon or superhero style. Simply the real Katarina.
To his horror, her mouth trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s not fair,” she whispered. “You could see what I feel, and it wasn’t about the lobster. I was staring at you the whole time, and it’s right there! On the page.”
He took another look at what he’d rendered. Good lord, she was right. She’d revealed herself, and he’d captured it. Her truth.
Standing up, he put the picture aside and wrapped her in his arms. “But it’s all good, Kat. Because I feel the same.”
Her Roadside Rescues: Chapter 11
A unique awareness permeated the air as they cleaned the kitchen. A tingling that bordered on electric. Whenever their hands touched, Kathy glanced up and received a quick kiss. She couldn’t stop smiling. Like lightning in her blood, she was alive to his presence. Was this what love felt like? If she could carry a tune, she’d sing. The only music she heard now, however, was nature at its most raw. The wind moaned and whipped around the house, stronger with each gust and—she listened harder…
“Brandon? I hear the ocean. It’s roaring. Something’s happening out there.” She ran to the back window.
“High surf probably.” He joined her, the dogs at his heels. “It’s pitch-black. I can’t see anything at all, can you?”
“Nope, not even our own
porch right outside this window.” She stroked his arm. “I’ve been through many storms, blizzards, and hurricanes. All in town. I’ve never witnessed a nor’easter right on the ocean, at the coastline. Oh, my.”
“Don’t worry, Kat. This house is solid, and you’re not alone.” He wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll be fine. But I have a notion the beach won’t look the same afterwards. Those heavy waves we’re hearing are going to affect this coastline and cause some erosion.”
The lights flickered, and she startled. His arms tightened around her. “I’m not scared. This is just…eerie.”
“Good word. Did you ever think of writing?”
She chuckled, and he loosened his hold. “But let’s take that flickering light as a warning,” Brandon said, reaching for the matches. “It’s time to build the fire. I waited as long as possible to preserve supplies, but waiting’s no longer an option.” He walked toward the living room and Rocky followed immediately. Sheba and Cleo looked from her to Brandon.
Kathy waved her arm. “Go ahead, girls, I’ll be right there.” And off they went.
She did a last check of the kitchen, found some plastic cups, and took the open champagne bottle with her. I feel bubbly and happy even without the champagne.
“Wow. You’ve got enough blankets to keep Alaska warm.”
“It might feel like Alaska if the power blows. Hopefully, this baby will keep us from freezing.”
The kindling had caught, and Brandon was feeding it with a couple of smaller logs to get a true fire blazing. A lock of dark hair curled over his forehead while capable hands manipulated the materials.
Kathy reached for her phone. “Look at me, Bran.” Click. Click.
“Is turnabout fair play?” he asked with a wink.
“You have no competition from me. I’m hoping they come out halfway decently.” She checked the phone for the result. “Halfway it is,” she reported with a sigh.
“You know what they say about practice?”
Cupid to the Rescue: A Tail-Wagging Valentine's Day Anthology Page 36
