by J. H. Croix
When I glanced up, I saw Janet at the counter, smiling at whoever was standing in front of her. Even though she wasn’t smiling at me, my heart eased. I didn’t know what Willow Brook would do without Janet. She was the heartbeat of the town.
Since I’d last seen her, her dark hair had a few more streaks of silver in it. Her smile was still wide, and I could see the warmth of her brown eyes from here. It was midday, so the place wasn’t completely packed. I imagined it would be shortly, when the workday ended and people filtered in.
The café looked just as I remembered. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t been here at all since I’d been away; it just felt like a long time. My eyes scanned the space, taking in the stained blue concrete flooring, the cheerful curtains, the bright pink windowsills, the artwork hanging on the walls, and the fireweed flowers painted on the old fire pole. The area that had once served as the garage for the fire trucks was now seating for customers. The back of the space held an open kitchen with a deli counter and then a bakery through a door behind it.
The warm scent of baked goods and fresh coffee filled the space. Although I was here for a very specific reason, there was no way I was walking out of here without a cup of coffee. I strode to the counter as Janet finished ringing up the customer there.
She looked to me, her eyes widening with another smile, and she paused in whatever she was saying. “Jasmine! So glad you’re here.”
Without missing a beat, her focus returned to the customer as she handed them some change. When they moved away, she gave me her full attention as I stepped up to the counter, curling my hands over the edge.
“Oh my goodness! Get back here,” she said, waving me around the counter.
It was impossible to say no to Janet, not that I wanted to. As soon as I rounded the counter, she tugged me into her embrace. She smelled like cinnamon cookies and coffee.
When she stepped back, she gave my shoulders a squeeze. “How are you, dear?”
“I’m good.” I paused, twisting my mouth. “I think.”
Janet was, of course, a friend of my parents. I assumed she heard what happened with Glen, what had spurred me to finally come home. But now certainly wasn’t the time to cover that topic. She lifted her chin. “I know you’re glad to be home, and we’re glad you’re here,” she said firmly. “Come on, let’s go next door.”
She must’ve picked up on my confusion and continued, “I’m in the process of renovating the place, so I’m not renting it out this summer as a B&B like I usually do. I’ve got several people interested in the suites upstairs. There’s no construction going on up there, but it’s loud downstairs, so I didn’t want to rent to tourists. When your mother mentioned you were looking for a place, I wanted to give you the first shot. Do you want to go take a look?”
At my nod, Janet called into the back bakery. “Daniel!” A young man poked his head above the swinging half-door.
“Need me?” he asked.
Like myself back when I was in high school, plenty of kids still worked here when they could catch a few hours. Janet was a good boss and the tips were great.
“Yes, please. I’m taking Jasmine next door. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be back, okay?”
He pushed through the door and stepped up to the counter, throwing a smile in my direction. He was tall and lanky with brown hair and blue eyes.
“Before we go, can I grab a coffee?” I asked, as Janet hooked her hand through my elbow.
Janet grinned. “Of course. Hang on.” Within a minute, she was handing me a cup of the house coffee with a dash of cream.
With her hand tucked back into my elbow, she tugged me outside. The B&B she rented in the summers occupied a house next door to the café. Back when the original firehouse was built, the home was where the Fire Chief lived. Janet and her husband had bought both buildings when the town built the new fire station. After her husband died in a car accident on an icy highway up north, Janet had weathered her way through the grief and was a mainstay in Willow Brook, running the businesses on her own since then.
We hurried next door because Janet was perpetually in a state of rush. She led me through the downstairs, which was definitely under construction. Framing was exposed, sheetrock was torn out, and it looked as if all the cabinets had been removed.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said you were renovating down here,” I commented.
She flashed a grin over her shoulder. “If you remember when you were in high school, I renovated the upstairs. I meant to get around to taking care of the downstairs sooner, but one thing after another delayed it. Then last winter, there were some frozen pipes down here, which burst and made a mess. I figured if I was going to have to pay for all the repair work, I might as well do the whole project. Well, I’m not doing the project but I’m paying for it,” she said with a laugh.
She opened the door to the stairwell, gesturing for me to follow. A set of glossy hardwood stairs led upstairs where there was a short hallway with two guest suites. Even though I’d seen the outside of this place many times, I’d never actually been in here.
Opening the door on one side of the hallway, we stepped into a lovely suite. It opened into a shared living room and kitchen area with a tall ceiling and two skylights. Sun filled the space. The living room windows looked beyond the buildings across the street to Swan Lake. The kitchen was tucked in the corner with two counters running along two walls and a small circular dining table. It might have been small, but it had everything I needed.
There was a large bedroom suite with a bathroom to the side, which included a luxurious soaking tub.
“Wow,” I said as I turned to glance at Janet, “this is really nice.”
Janet grinned. “Of course it is. I make people pay me a fortune to stay here in the summer.”
I bit my lip, wondering if I could even afford what she would be charging for rent here. “How much is it?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “For you, nothing.”
“Janet, I have to pay something,” I protested.
“Hon, you’re like family to me. I know that once you get a job and you’ve got some money coming in, you’ll be able to pay rent. I don’t want you to drain whatever savings you have right now, just to pay me rent. Don’t even argue with me about it,” she said firmly. “Just let me know if you want it. If you do, it’s yours until next summer, or until you make other plans.”
I wanted to argue, but she was more stubborn than I was, and I knew that look in her eyes.
“Well, of course I’ll take it. I’d be crazy not to. It’s beautiful. I promise you’ll be getting some rent within a few months.”
“Perfect,” she said, spinning around and striding out of the room quickly. “I’ve got to get back to the café. Oh, and your neighbor …”
She paused when her phone blared out in song, specifically Prince’s “1999.” She glanced down. “I need to take this, this is one of our suppliers. Hang on, let me get the key.”
Before I could reply, she answered her phone, tucking it between her ear and her shoulder as she fished in her pocket and handed over a key. Already deep in conversation, she hurried off before I had a chance to say anything else.
I stepped back into the small suite, looking around again. It was perfect. It would give me time to get my bearings without feeling like I was underfoot at Lucy and Levi’s. Aside from not wanting to mooch off anyone, the freshness of my blown-up engagement stung being around Lucy and Levi so much. As much as I loved them, it was almost painful to see them together. Levi so clearly adored Lucy, and there was absolutely no question she returned the feeling.
It made me wonder if I would ever find someone who loved me like that and illuminated how wrong I’d been about Glen. Even before I’d walked in on him being ridden like a horse by my friend-slash-sort-of-boss, he’d never looked at me the way Levi and Lucy looked at each other. They were, simply put, crazy for each other.
With a swift mental shake and metaphorical kick in my ass,
I forced my thoughts away from that line of thinking. I closed the door behind me and headed back out to Lucy and Levi’s, intending to pack up and let them know where I’d be staying for now.
Despite all my worries and not really knowing my plan, it felt like I had a little island for myself right now.
Chapter Eight
Jasmine
Later that night, after a game of cards at Wildlands with the girls—the girls being Lucy and her friends, Amelia, Susannah, Maisie, Ella, and Charlie—I walked along Main Street, relieved I’d only had a few glasses of wine. I wasn’t much for drinking. In fact, I was such a lightweight that I was tipsy even from that. I let myself into Janet’s B&B and headed up the stairs.
When I got upstairs, I dropped the key as I tried to fit it into the lock. I accidentally put it in upside down next. When I wiggled it out, it flew loose from my fingers and clattered to the hardwood floor. The door across the hallway swung open. I jumped and spun around. I’d completely forgotten that anyone other than me could be in the building.
Donovan Ryan stood before me, in all his glory. Glory didn’t quite capture what he looked like. The man was obscenely handsome. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, for starters. Which meant I was staring at a wall of muscle. His chest was all hard planes with a dusting of black hair that narrowed to a point and disappeared behind the waistband of his jeans. My eyes—naughty, disobedient eyes that ignored my brain’s warnings—followed that trail of hair down, wishing I could see further south. His jeans hung low on his hips, so I had a perfectly good view of the deep V of his muscles as they disappeared behind his jeans.
My mouth watered while heat bloomed through me and my channel clenched. Dear God. This man took the concept of hot to new levels. I was surprised I didn’t simply melt into a puddle at his feet. I forced my eyes up to his face, feeling the heat on my cheeks.
I was hot and bothered all over.
His eyes darkened when my gaze met his. I swallowed, trying to will my pulse to slow down. After a weighted silence, a brow rose in a dark slash, his gaze skimming down my body and back up again, searing me everywhere his eyes landed.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Only then did I realize my mouth had dropped open slightly. I snapped it shut and gestured over my shoulder. “I’m staying here. What are you doing here?”
His eyes narrowed and then closed as he shook his head side to side. When he opened them, his expression was slightly pained. “Ah, I see. I’m staying here too. I guess we’re neighbors then.”
“Don’t you have your own place?” I asked.
His mouth curled at the corner in a lazy grin. Damn, his grins were dangerous for my sanity.
“It’s just temporary. I’m in the middle of getting a new house built, so Janet offered to let me stay here. I’m helping her out with the renovations downstairs. You’re not staying at Levi’s?”
I shook my head. “No, I wanted my own place. Janet offered and, well, it’s a really nice place.” I paused, uncertain what else to say and feeling restless. My body’s response to him made me feel half crazy. “Anyway, I should go,” I said quickly. “Good night.” I shoved the key into the lock, breathing a silent sigh of relief when it slid in easily this time.
I hurried through the door, slamming it shut behind me and then leaning against it. I gulped in air, my heart thudding wildly in my chest.
Oh hell. I didn’t know how I was going to do this with the unholy temptation of Donovan right across the hallway.
Chapter Nine
Donovan
The following day, I woke after a shitty night’s sleep. The last person I’d expected to see last night was Jasmine. Having her mere feet away was going to be torture.
I’d taken Janet up on her offer to stay here for the summer in the midst of the construction on my house. I’d started building my place last summer, but this year, I’d hired on a crew to finish it. Janet had offered for me to stay here at no cost in exchange for handling the renovations downstairs. It worked out for both of us. My house was a major project, more than I could handle and get done in any decent time in between fires. Yet, the renovations Janet needed were small and manageable. I could easily fit them in when I was in town and save the money on trying to find a rental.
I’d known Janet might rent out the space across the hallway, yet it never occurred to me to even worry about who it was. Laying eyes on Jasmine had sent me into a cold shower last night. A mechanical release had done little to slake my need.
I did not need to lust after Levi’s little sister. Nor did I need her living across the hall from me.
I vividly remembered the sight of her long amber hair cascading down her back, her sapphire blue eyes flashing, and the sweet curve of her breasts.
Fuck me.
I woke up, my cock hard, after she’d spent the night sashaying through my dreams. I usually had better control than this. I’d convinced myself I could forget the feel of her lips on mine. Perhaps I could have, yet chances were I’d see her often now. For all intents and purposes, we were practically living together.
With a groan, I kicked the sheets back and headed for another cold shower. Yet again, my hand didn’t do justice to what I imagined it would feel like to sink inside of Jasmine.
For no rational reason, I was annoyed with Janet. Why the hell did she have to rent that space out to Jasmine? Of all people. Even though she had no clue the two of us knew each other. And now I feel ridiculous for being irritated with Janet. It wasn’t like she’d done anything wrong.
After my cold shower, I tugged on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and headed over to Firehouse Café. I couldn’t give Janet a piece of my mind, but I could see if she had any clue how long Jasmine would be staying there.
I was here at least through autumn. That left a few months of torture in store for me if Jasmine was here the entire time.
Pushing through the door into Firehouse Café, the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods assailed me. As usual, the café was busy, a low hum of conversation mingling with the music playing in the background. Most of the tables were full. As I glanced around, my eyes landed on Jasmine, sitting at a table by herself in the corner.
Her hair was tied up this morning in a ponytail. It swung about halfway down her back. She was looking out the window, her thumb tracing circles on the top of her coffee mug.
The moment I laid eyes on her, my body tightened again. Damn. If this kept up, I’d be becoming best friends with my hand. Forcing my gaze away from her, I stepped to the back of the line. Within minutes, I was at the counter with Janet smiling at me.
“Good morning, Donovan,” she said. “I was next door the other day, and it looks like it’s coming along. Thank you so much for your help.”
“Not a problem,” I replied. I was considering whether to ask her about Jasmine staying there when she answered my question for me.
“I meant to give you a call, but it just got away from me. Jasmine”—she paused, her eyes flicking over to where Jasmine sat in the corner—“she’ll be staying across the hallway for now. I’m sure you won’t mind, right?”
Janet couldn’t know that the mere sight of Jasmine sent lust jolting through me. I didn’t mind Jasmine living across the hall, except for the fact she might make me crazy. I kicked those thoughts to the curb.
“Of course not,” I lied. “How long will she be there?”
Janet shrugged. “As long as she needs for now. As it is, I won’t be renting out those suites to tourists until next summer. I’m not worried about it. I’m sure you two will be good neighbors,” she said with a satisfied nod.
I bit back a laugh. As long as Jasmine stopped being such an unholy temptation to me, I was sure it would be fine.
“I’m sure we will. Anyway, I could use a Shot in the Dark,” I said, referencing my preferred house coffee with a shot of espresso, and handed over a five-dollar bill.
“You got it,” Janet said, whirling away to get my coffee started. I stepped
to the side, waiting until she slid it over to me. She attempted to hand me some change, but I tossed it in the tip jar.
As I turned away from the counter, coffee in hand, it so happened Jasmine looked up, her eyes catching mine from across the room. That same jolt of electricity I felt whenever I looked at her flared up and before I knew it, my feet were walking in her direction.
What the fuck are you doing, dude? Just being a friendly neighbor. It’s not like I can ignore her.
I kicked those thoughts away as I reached her table, glancing down.
Her thick lashes curled against her cheeks as she glanced up at me.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” I replied, my voice coming out gruff.
Standing close to her did not help matters. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how I looked at it, I had an excellent view of the sweet curve of her breasts from above. She was wearing a blouse, and though it was loose, I could see into the valley between them. Her blouse was a deep blue, and my eyes landed on the navy-blue lace teasing me along the edge. I’d have given just about anything to flick those buttons undone and cup her breasts.
The air felt electric around us as I stared at her, noticing her nipples were pressing against the thin cotton of her blouse.
Fuck me.
I forced my eyes up, keeping them trained on her face. That should’ve helped, but it didn’t. Her lips were slightly crooked, plump and full. She caught the bottom corner in her teeth, quiet for a beat. “So, I guess we’re neighbors.”
“I guess so,” I replied, ignoring the thud of my heart against my ribs and the swell of my cock. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“How long are you staying?”
“Another few months, at least. I’m doing renovations downstairs in between jobs. I’m there because I’m also finishing up building my own place.”
