Finding Haven

by Foster, T. A.

  “But you didn’t even know me.” She sniffed. “Why would you stock boxes and waste your time in a stupid kayak stand?”

  He had done a lot of things to impress girls before, but truly, a summer as a clerk had to be at the top of the list. He wished she could grasp the significance.

  He smiled at her. “Come on. You know me. I like to make you smile.”

  “I don’t know if I do know you.”

  “But you do, Haven. I swear, you know the real me that none of those people out there do.” He pointed to the door. “I was me when I was with you. I know you don’t believe it. I don’t deserve for you to believe it, but I was me with you.”

  Other than the hum from the ferry, the room was quiet. She was too quiet. He could only hope it meant she was thinking through his words.

  “Evan.” She said it calmly.

  “Yes, it’s Evan.” He searched her eyes for any clue as to what she was feeling. He felt lost and desperate, knowing the time was ticking on the ride.

  “Evan Carlson.” The name whispered over her lips slowly, as if she was saying them for the first time.

  Patience wasn’t his strong suit. If she made him sit here one more second without telling him how she felt, he knew his heart would break free from his chest.

  “Haven, please look at me.” Her eyes drifted to his. “I will do anything and everything for another chance with you. I am so sorry.”

  She stared, her eyes tearing at his soul. “Did you make me fall in love with you as part of the charade?”

  It was as if she had pushed all of the air from his body. “God, no.” How could she think that? He couldn’t take it anymore. He reached for her neck, his hands tangling in her hair, and he crushed his mouth against hers.

  She pushed against his chest and her warm lips fought the kiss, but he wrapped his arm around her tighter and felt her relax into his hold. The pain in his chest eased as he inhaled her scent and took her mouth with deeper, more urgent kisses.

  She climbed into his lap, her hands tugging on him in all directions. Nothing had ever felt like this. His hand slid along her back. Their arms twisted and franticly grasped at any part of each other they could touch. He never wanted her this badly.

  Haven sat up, breaking the kiss and pushing against his chest. No, he didn’t want her to stop. He needed those lips. They felt so much better when they were touching and reaching for each other.

  “I-I— We can’t. We do this too quickly. It’s too easy to start making out like everything’s normal. When I know it’s not normal. You are a movie star. This is not normal.” She pulled her leg from around his waist, and braced herself on his shoulder to stand. “You can’t seduce me back to you.”

  Evan’s chest heaved and his stomach tightened. He stood to catch her before she made it to the door. This wasn’t over.

  “You don’t think that’s what this is, do you? We have something that goes way beyond sex.”

  She leaned against the door. “I thought we did.”

  “How about the poem I wrote for you? Or the beach glass I saved from the hurricane? And seriously, I wore the ugliest apron on the planet for you. I wouldn’t have done any of those things for a summer hook up. You mean more than that.”

  He watched her biting her bottom lip, and he saw her resolve slipping. But she turned for the door.

  “Haven, stop.”

  She twirled on her heels. “You don’t have that control over me now.” Her eyes burned into his.

  “But you do.” He reached for her wrist.

  “What?” Her eyes darted back and forth.

  “I am only on this damn ferry because I thought it was what you wanted. I don’t want to leave, but I will do anything to make you happy again. If that means leaving or if that means staying.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “You, Haven, are the one in control.” He left his hand on her neck, caressing the side of her throat.

  Her eyes were closed, and he didn’t know if she was fighting off the feeling or taking it all in. What else could he say? What else could he do to prove that he had messed up, and if she would let him, he would make it up in every way possible. He had given her the control and the power to do what would make her happy. Regardless of the outcome, he was going to have to live with her decision.

  He was about to try to kiss her again, when her long lashes fluttered open. He saw the fire in her blue eyes. The fire that kept him up at night, the one that distracted him when he least expected it.

  Her hands reached behind his neck, and she drew him toward her, bringing his mouth on hers. He groaned as her tongue played with his. It was urgent and primal, the way she clung to him as if she couldn’t taste enough of his mouth.

  “Wait. Wait.” He couldn’t believe he was actually prying her off him, but she had to know he hadn’t brought her up here for this. Even though, it was a hell of a way for things to turn around.

  “I missed you.” He held her face between his hands.

  “I know.” She fisted her hands in his hair, sighing against his cheek. “Me too.”

  He growled, burying his head in her shoulder. He had missed everything about this part of her body—the way it felt on his lips and how her shampoo smelled as he nuzzled into the warmth of her neck. She was like the sun. His own summer surrender.

  “Tell me.” She moaned.

  “What?” He kissed her ear. He thought he had said it all.

  She pressed her palms against his chest and rubbed the rigid muscles. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do. But you have to tell me.” She grinned wickedly, and for a second, Evan thought he might pass out.

  He looked at the clock over the door, the closed blinds, and the chair under the door.

  He pulled her against him and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Take me.”

  Inching his T-shirt up, she ran her fingertips along his stomach. “Right here? Right now?” she teased.

  He nodded. His eyes urged her to do what she wanted with him. He was hers.

  She shook her head. “Uh-uh. You have to tell me,” she purred as she dipped her hand below his waistband.

  He sucked in sharply. She always had this effect on him—taking him to the edge with the things she could do. “Haven, you can take me now, here, wherever you want.” He rocked his head back. “Just take me.” He had never given control up like that. Power and anxiousness coiled together as he realized how vulnerable he felt asking her for what he wanted. He was baring it all for her.

  As he felt his body come alive under her command, he knew there was something else he had to tell her. He had waited until it was too late before, and he wasn’t going to make that mistake a second time. He would never risk losing her again. Maybe she hadn’t completely forgiven him, but he knew this was her way of saying there was still something there—it wasn’t over. He needed to take the next leap. He had to tell her.

  “Haven?” He tried to focus. The burning in his belly was intense and her hands were all over him.

  “Mmm-hmm?” She gripped his hands against her waist, shimming her skirt up around her waist. Her shoulders flattened against the wall, and he watched her breasts rise as her breath quickened.

  His eyes met hers. He didn’t whisper; he didn’t make her guess. “I am in love with you.”

  The light he loved so much, the one he was afraid he had dimmed with his idiotic stubbornness, glowed and radiated when she smiled. “Evan.” His mouth descended on hers and everything else faded away.

  “AND WHY are we taking a private plane again? I had an airline ticket.” I tried to relax into the leather seat as a flight attendant handed me a glass of champagne. I had missed my scheduled flight.

  “Because, I don’t want to put you on a plane alone, and I think you’ll like this much better.” Evan winked as he buckled in across from me.

  One thing on a private jet is that there aren’t rows of seats. This one was set up like a living room. He was directly in front of me, where I could keep my eye
on his perfect face. I couldn’t argue with him that the plane was beautiful. I’m sure it was a struggle for him to squeeze into regular airline seats. He looked comfortable on his mini-couch.

  He raised his glass. “To first trips.”

  “To first trips.” I tasted the bubbly. It was cold and smooth. “So, when we land in Austin, what are we going to do?” My meeting with Blue Steel Records was tomorrow afternoon, and except for that one, all of my other plans had gone right out the window the minute I let Evan kiss me again.

  “We are driving to the ranch. I want you to see where I live. It’s no island, but I think you’ll like it.” He looked excited.

  “Do they serve cowboy steak there?” I teased. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a fire pit. He loved building a fire with the driftwood he collected. I wondered what kind of wood they used on the ranch.

  “Lenny will make anything you want.”

  “Lenny?”

  “Yeah, ranch chef.” He said it like it was well-known fact.

  Of course he would have a ranch chef. That’s what famous rich people had, right? I didn’t have any idea how many people worked for Evan or how big his umbrella was. What I had learned about his famous life took place over the week we spent apart. It was my crash course into Hollywood gossip. I searched for articles, pictures, and anything with his name on it. It wasn’t my best decision. I learned more than I wanted to about his bachelor status, and about the girls before me.

  Today was a whirlwind. Evan had left his Jeep with one of the ferry attendants, paying him to drive it back to my house. Then he hopped behind the wheel of my car and drove us all the way north on Highway 12. True, there was a bit of a commotion when we emerged from the lounge, but we had to hope it wasn’t enough to make a blip on the social media radar.

  None of it made sense, but what makes sense when you realize you’re in love with the one person who keeps you breathing, who simultaneously spins and stops your world. You don’t close the door on that person—not a second time.

  “What are you thinking about over there, pretty girl?” He flashed his killer smile. I didn’t want to fall for it the first day I saw it on the docks, but I did—right into the creek.

  “I’m thinking about my meeting with Bruce and Carly tomorrow, and how I’m going to tell my parents I’m on a plane with you right now, and I’m wondering—”

  He was out of his seat and his hands planted on either side of my head. “Am I going to have to kiss you all the way to Texas to keep you from worrying?” He brushed his lips against mine.

  I couldn’t help but sigh and drink in the kiss that tasted like champagne. Private planes were even better than I thought. “No, but it’s a lot to sort through.” I raised my eyebrow.

  He slid back into his seat. “Yes, it is.”

  After he had started driving, we started talking. It was as if we were never apart. We fell back into our same dance moves, only this time it felt like they were stronger and sharper. We were going to Austin together. We were going to be together. There wasn’t a label or a promise tagged to the conversation, but our hearts understood.

  The captain announced that we were about to take off. I watched as the runway peeled past us and we shot into the air, headed for the Lonestar State. The state responsible for creating Evan Carlson.

  Evan was reading something he had pulled from his bag. I bit on my lower lip. Just watching him made me happy. When he was gone, everything hurt. In only eight hours, all of the ache that had circled and clamped on my heart had removed its talons. It was beating again, wildly and hurriedly for him.

  “What are you reading?” I asked, noticing his hands were stretched over the title.

  He blushed and his fingers moved to the side.

  “You’re reading Red Lines?” I giggled. It was a chick book. The kind that girls at school couldn’t stop talking about. It was popular, erotic, and hot. I had read it before graduation.

  “Should I not read it?” He folded it in his lap.

  “Oh no, read it. Definitely read it.” Evan didn’t need pointers, and he certainly didn’t need any creative suggestions in bed, but there was always the chance it might inspire him. My chest tingled with the idea.

  The captain announced we were at a safe altitude to move about the cabin. I smiled as the flight attendant appeared to refill my champagne.

  I wondered what Evan would be like in Texas. Could he be more cowboy than he already was? He had told me he didn’t want to make any more movies for a while, but he still had responsibilities with a staff, and he had loose ends to tie up with the latest press fiasco.

  He had made it abundantly clear that he would do anything and everything I needed for my music. I loved that about him; he was filled with more good than I had ever seen. He helped everyone, and put him or her first—always.

  I felt my shoulders relax. That protective nature kept him from telling me the truth. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done if I had known who he was from the beginning. I didn’t care that he was a celebrity, but it might have kept me from giving him a chance. It would have been too intimidating to know I was dating the World’s Sexiest Bachelor. I giggled, realizing I had caught the biggest fish of the summer.

  I unbuckled the belt around my waist and moved next to Evan. He reached for a pillow, shoved it at the end of the loveseat, and laid down, giving me the perfect nook to cuddle into.

  I nestled on his chest, settling into the rhythm of his breath. He held the book up with one hand. I loved the way he felt under my palms. I loved his cologne. I loved his hand resting on my hip. I loved everything about him.

  He might have been cussing about something he read, I wasn’t sure. I closed my eyes and let my body melt into his. Nothing felt better in the world than sleeping next to my very own movie star. And he was mine.

  Read other books by T.A. Foster

  (On Safe Sex)

  The author would like to note that the characters in this book are extremely responsible and practice safe sex measures: condoms, birth control, and annual physicals. In the interest of maintaining the appropriate pace of the storyline, some of these details are left to the assumption of the reader. All characters would like you to know they are responsible and promote the safest of sex ;-)

  Keep reading for previews of Cover Spell, when the world meets Evan Carlson for the first time, and Kissing Eden.

  Cover Spell

  T.A. Foster

  Description

  Trying her best to mend a broken heart, Ivy Grace travels to hot and sultry New Orleans, the set of her latest novel turned movie. There, she does her best to focus on polishing the screenplay when the film’s lead actress goes missing. A budding romance with the movie’s heartthrob and the reappearance of an old flame, test Ivy’s strength, resolve, and heart as she works to solve the mysterious kidnapping. The undercover witch, who craves a regular life, learns she will need more than her Time Spell to fight the evil plaguing New Orleans. New spells, new adventure, and new love take Ivy on a whirlwind journey of magic that unlocks more questions than answers.

  CHAPTER ONE

  WHEW! I didn’t remember New Orleans being this hot on my last trip. I pulled my shirt away from my chest and fanned myself. The sun scorched my skin. I looked around for a cold drink.

  “Cut! Cut! Cut!” The director’s voice boomed overhead. “You’ve got this all wrong. Let’s take a break and start over in thirty minutes.” The mob holding lights, microphones, and fans scurried like ants in all directions.

  I jumped up from my seat, and made a dash for the drink cart tucked under one of the few umbrellas on the set. I let my hand linger a little too long in the ice bucket of sodas.

  “Darlin’, you need some help cooling off?” The deep sexy voice and Texas drawl ebbed over my ears like a slow wave.

  Startled, I pulled my hand out of the ice bucket, and with it, a Diet Coke. I laughed. “Yes, you caught me. I didn’t know it was going to be so hot today.”

  He
laughed and reached in front of me to grab a water, his arm barely grazing my stomach. “I take it you’re not used to being on a movie set? We’re in for the long haul today, darlin’.” He twisted the cap off the water bottle and chugged the sixteen ounces.

  I watched him wipe the water off his full lips. “That obvious? Yeah, it’s my first time. I’m Ivy. Ivy Grace.” I smiled at the tall actor who had me smitten about five movies ago.

  “The writer? I know who you are. I was just waiting for the director to yell ‘cut’ so I could walk over and say howdy to you.” His perfectly white teeth peeked through his lips.

  I was smitten just a little bit more. It was the combination of the Texas accent and the perfect-teeth smile. He had warm gray-green eyes that lit up when he smiled. I liked the way he paused between his words and wasn’t afraid to look into my eyes, even if we were only talking about the weather.

  The sweat trickling down the back of my neck was my cue to step away from the drink cart and America’s heartthrob, and perform a quick outfit change.

  “Well, it was nice to meet you, Evan.” I wiped the palm of my hand off on my hip and held it out to him.

  His hand clasped around mine. “Nice to meet you, Ivy. Catch you around?”

  “Of course, looking forward to it.”

  “Stay cool.”

  I smiled at him again and watched him saunter over to the rows of talent trailers bordering the side of the set. I squealed on the inside. I couldn’t believe I had just met the Evan Carlson, hottest movie star, playing the lead in my movie. I looked down at my shirt and saw water droplets bleeding through the cotton fabric.

  Great—movie star encounter with a wardrobe malfunction. I grabbed my leather bag with the loose pages of the script I was working on, and found a makeshift ladies room. The talent had individual trailers, where they could escape from the oppressive New Orleans humidity, equipped with air conditioning, televisions, and cold drinks, but the rest of us on set had community lounges.