Tempting Love on Holly Lane (Island County Book 5)

by Karice Bolton

  “Thanks,” I hollered back, sliding a box of brown paper sacks under a workbench and organizing the Christmas giftwrap we’d just received. “But we’re just neighbors. If he wants to bang an ex, it’s none of my beeswax. I’m not looking for a relationship, unless it’s a temporary one to impress my parents. I might even convince Nick to help me with Tinder. Maybe he’s got the right approach about relationships. Although hearing he’s that good in bed isn’t what I need right now.” I shoved the bows in the corner.

  “But it might be fun to take him for a spin,” I muttered under my breath.

  I took a step back and admired the bright greens, sparkly reds, and silver Christmas paper waiting for us to wrap presents for the next thirty days.

  “You ready?” Nick asked from the doorway, and my heart literally fractured into a million little mortified pieces.

  “You’re here?” My eyes widened in horror as I turned around to face him.

  “Wasn’t I supposed to be?” He slid his phone out of his pocket. “Did I miss a text or something? Did the plans change?”

  “No. Yes. I mean . . .” I sputtered, took a deep breath, and stood up straighter. “Yes, you’re right on time.”

  He suppressed a grin, and I knew for certain he’d heard every word.

  “Awesome. Well, I’m gonna go help Natty take her stuff to the store and grab one of her pastries, and I’ll meet you at my truck. I parked right out front so I can easily take you out for a spin. You want anything?”

  Please, oh please, can I be swallowed into the earth never to return?

  I opened my mouth to say something.

  Anything.

  But when that didn’t happen, his smile widened.

  “Ready, Natty?” he called behind him.

  “Sure am,” she replied. I looked through the door and saw that she only had a small bag. I brought my gaze back to Nick’s, and I could tell he loved every second of what just happened. In fact, I was certain he was looping the words over and over again in his mind.

  “Croissant,” I blurted out, still frozen.

  “Croissant coming up.” He gave a slight nod and headed out with Natty.

  Chapter Ten

  “Wow.”

  “Wow what?” I asked my sister.

  “I swear he’s into you.” Maddie wriggled her brows.

  “Not exactly my cup-o-tea if he spent the night with Andrea,” I nearly growled. “You know, her car was there for hours after you left.”

  “Maybe they were just talking.”

  “First of all, does that look like a man you just want to talk to? And second of all, she said it herself. She wants Nick.”

  “That doesn’t mean he wants her.”

  “True, and the good news is that it doesn’t matter either way. I’m old enough not to put too much stock into a kiss or a flirt.” I grabbed my purse. “And now, I’m off to pick out furniture with a man who is turning into quite the sidekick.”

  “Fling some of that fire in his direction and you’ll get really far.” She laughed as she turned off the laptop and lights. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bright and early.” I waved and walked outside to the crisp air.

  Nick was already at his truck, smiling, as I adjusted my red wool sweater.

  “Red’s a good color on you. Between that bra and this . . .” He opened the door for me and I climbed in. “You’ve got a lock on the color.”

  “I don’t think that’s how it works.” I flashed a smile. “But thanks.”

  He shut the door, and I watched him walk around the front of his truck. He seemed so laid back and confident. He reminded me of one of those guys who just sits back on a bench, relaxed, watching the world go by. Nick didn’t strike me as a city guy, regardless of how much time he spent in Seattle.

  I looked around the cab. It was a nice truck, probably less than a year old because it still had that new-car smell. Nick opened his door and climbed in. Once he shut the door, it was like this tiny space magnified his maleness, if that was even a thing, but I wasn’t going to fall for it. If there was one thing about Nick, it would be that he needed to work for something in his life when it involved the female species. He’d obviously had it too easy.

  “So did you get everything you needed from Andrea last night?” I teased.

  He’d just pulled the truck onto the main street.

  “I didn’t need anything from her. I didn’t want anything from her.” He smiled and glanced at me.

  “Well, I’m sure she’s going to be hurt if you don’t invite her over for Thanksgiving. She’s been looking forward to this island trip for quite a long time, by the sounds of it, and she certainly wasn’t shy about expressing her need at our tea shop.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yup.” The cab was getting hot. I looked at the dials for the heat, but they were centered in the middle, so I opened the window.

  “What were her needs?” he asked, purely amused.

  “You. You seemed to be the need she had. I personally can’t imagine needing something so badly, but at least you were on hand to meet it.”

  He laughed, which only annoyed me. I half expected him to give me a one-liner.

  “What? It’s not like her visit was only a few minutes long once you got to your house. I know what happened behind those closed doors.” I winked at him.

  He pulled into the parking lot and found the last empty spot in front of the store.

  “This is so cute,” I said, trying to change the subject.

  Blinking twinkle lights in the thousands had been wrapped around the two front posts, and a rustic bench sat by the front door. The window displays made me think of nestling in my cabin with a piping-hot cup of tea and a blanket. This was going to be my splurge for sure.

  Nick unbuckled and turned in his seat.

  “Believe it or not, I don’t make a habit of sleeping with exes.”

  “It’s honestly not my business whether you do or don’t. I’m happy for you or anyone who can make a love connection.” I wiggled my brows.

  “There is no love connection with Andrea. We just talked.”

  I tapped his knee sympathetically. “I’m sorry.”

  He let out an exasperated groan.

  “I explained to her that whatever she’s been spreading around town isn’t appreciated.” His expression softened as he watched me.

  “It took you two hours to explain that?”

  He frowned. “No. It took two hours to get her to stop crying.”

  “It did not.”

  “Seriously.” He shook his head. “The kicker is that she doesn’t even like me. They were crocodile tears.”

  “How could someone not like you?” I asked in surprise. “You’re one of the most likable people I’ve ever met.”

  “Thanks for that, but it’s true.”

  “So she just wants you for your body?” I joked. “The pressure.”

  “Appears to be the case,” he said, completely deadpan.

  “The life of a playboy.” I shook my head. “Must be exhausting, fighting ‘em off with a stick and breaking hearts right before the holidays.”

  “You’re not upset?” he asked.

  “Why would I be upset?” I slid my hand to the door. “You’re a sexy neighbor with a sordid past. It makes for interesting spying and good conversation at the store. You’re not mine to claim.” I cleared my throat. “Or vice versa.”

  “You talk about me at the store?”

  “Only when you give me something to talk about. Anyway, let’s get inside. I’ve got a house to make presentable and only days to do it. Sophie said her team was ahead of schedule and the walls will be done tomorrow. That girl knows how to get things done.”

  “That is the truth.”

  I slid out of the truck and waited for Nick, who was moseying on over in his gray plaid flannel shirt and loose jeans without a care in the world.

  This guy had it made.

  “If you find something you want, w
e can always take it home tonight, and I can keep it in my garage until your place is done tomorrow,” he told me as he opened the door for me.

  “That’s sweet of you.”

  I walked inside and was immediately hit with the smell of hot apple cider. The store was like a winter wonderland. I’d never seen a store like this in my life. Room displays stretched as far as my eye could see, but they were so realistic and inviting it felt like I was in someone’s home for the holidays already.

  I wanted everything.

  “Wow. Can I just have it all?”

  “It might get a little crowded.” He grinned. “Sophie’s a talented lady. To top it all off, all the signs, wreaths, and arrangements are her own designs.”

  “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven. This is exactly how I imagined my cabin to be.” I walked over to a beautiful oversized chair that looked like it could fit two to three people comfortably.

  Nick laughed as I sank into the overstuffed red velvet cushion. The light pine armrests were lightly distressed.

  “What?” I asked, sinking in deeper.

  “You like it?”

  “Like it? Gotta have it. Wouldn’t it be perfect in the main room?” I asked, slowly getting up from the chair.

  “It would look pretty great,” he agreed, nodding with a sparkle in his eyes as I grabbed a few throw pillows resting on a coffee table.

  “And these are the perfect pillows,” I said, searching for the price tag. The white and red plaid was so crisp and clean.

  “Hi, you two,” Sophie said, coming from somewhere in the back.

  “I’m in love and I’ve only made it in ten feet.”

  “That’s what I love to hear.” She eyed the pillows I was holding. “Wouldn’t those look cute in that chair? I could see this in your place.” Sophie eyed a silver vase that came up to my waist. “And this with some curly willow right by the window would really set the corner off and the view of the woods. Don’t you think?”

  “I can hardly contain my excitement.” I hopped on my toes. “I’m in love with that chair, and it’s the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat on.” I glanced at Nick. “No offense.”

  “None taken.” He held up his hands and Sophie laughed.

  “I wanted to show you this dining table. It seats four but also has a leaf that extends it to six.” She walked over to a rustic table with thick planks of weathered dark wood. “It’s compact but versatile.”

  “I love it. I wasn’t thinking about the dining table yet, but it matches that chair perfectly.”

  “It does.” Sophie nodded.

  I slid my hand along the wood, feeling the nicks and grain of the wood. “I definitely want this table and that chair.”

  I turned to Nick. “I think that will be enough for when my parents come out. What about you?”

  “Totally. Just enough to give them the impression they can find a place to sit until you steal the one chair.”

  “So maybe a couch too?” I laughed.

  “Only if you want them to be comfortable.”

  “Not sure I do.” I scowled. “That’s what my sister’s house is for.”

  “I can’t wait to meet these two.” Nick chuckled.

  “Who said you were going to?” My brow arched.

  “You can’t turn away a neighbor who’s trying to make a pie and needs sugar, right?”

  “That’ll happen.” I shook my head and followed Sophie through the store, stopping every so often to admire one of her designs.

  By the time I left, I’d managed to purchase the oversized chair, a dining set, a small brown leather sofa, end tables, a coffee table, a tall vase, and several items for the walls. Sophie insisted on throwing in the pillows, which was certainly sweet of her. By the time Nick loaded up the truck with the chair and coffee table, I was fully prepared for my parents to come to town. In fact, I was kind of looking forward to it.

  Nick and I were going to come back for the rest of the stuff tomorrow, and I was thoroughly excited about making my house a home.

  He dropped me off at my car at the shop, and when I got home, I saw him in my driveway already unstrapping the chair and coffee table from his truck. He’d gotten a dolly from his house to move the furniture in.

  I pulled in front of my cabin and saw my twinkle lights already blinking away.

  This really was home.

  Nearly jumping out of the car, I felt my pulse race as I watched him move the coffee table onto the dolly.

  “I’m not kidding when I say you’re the best neighbor in the world.”

  “Sophie said they only have the bedroom and hallway left, so I thought we could put this inside so you don’t have to hang out on your lawn chair anymore.”

  “Hey, the lawn chair is only for special occasions. Usually, I just sit on the floor.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’m so in love with this chair,” I said, caressing the wood.

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Like it? I’m not kidding when I say love it. I’ll probably sleep in it until I pick out a bed.”

  “You don’t have a bed yet?” He asked, surprise filling his face.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’ve been sleeping on a cot.”

  “And you’re still this perky?” He began rolling the coffee table toward the door, and I jogged in front of him to open my door.

  “Yup. What can I say?”

  “Anthony did your bedroom while I hung the Christmas lights so I’ve never been in it.” I watched him maneuver the coffee table up the steps, attempting to lend a hand when I could as he wheeled it by me.

  “Are you looking for an invitation?”

  Amusement shined through his eyes as he wheeled the coffee table by.

  “So since you’re not making Andrea’s Thanksgiving dreams come true, what are you up to?” I asked as he placed the coffee table in the room.

  “Natty and Cole are hosting, so Sophie, Anthony, Jewels, and Jake are all going to be there. It should be fun.”

  “That’ll be nice.”

  “Should be.” He nodded, standing with the dolly.

  “Think about us while you’re enjoying your meal. We’ll be trying to entertain my parents and their bird.”

  “They’re bringing a bird?”

  “I didn’t even know people could travel with them, but yeah. Muppet will be joining us all while we eat turkey.”

  “I would like to see who your parents are.” He studied me.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I placed my hands on my hips.

  “Just curious.”

  “Hmph. Do you want a hard apple cider?” I asked.

  “Sure. I might need it to get the chair inside. It was a real bitch getting it to Sophie’s.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, the realization slowly dawning on me.

  “You somehow beelined to all my furniture in her store.” He grinned proudly. “There are a lot of other manufacturers, but I’m happy to say you’ve got amazing taste.”

  I warmed instantly.

  “Wow, and you didn’t say a word?”

  “I didn’t want to influence you, but I’m pretty happy you’re the one who wound up with some of my favorite pieces.”

  I shook my head. “Incredible.”

  I took two ciders out of the fridge and handed him one.

  “You know what I think is incredible?” he asked.

  “What’s that?”

  “That kiss the other night.”

  “It certainly made an impression,” I muttered.

  Nicks eyes narrowed on me as he took a slow sip of his cider. His dark hair fell across his brows and I couldn’t handle it anymore.

  “Just tell me this.” I folded my arms across my chest. “Do you realize how sexy you are, or is this nonchalant act just that? An act?”

  “You think I’m sexy?” A smile slid across his lips.

  “Doesn’t the world?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “So does th
at mean you liked the kiss? Because I haven’t been able to get it—or you—out of my head since.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “But we want to see your cabin. We’ll be at Maddie’s the rest of the week. We’ve got plenty of time to settle in here.” Muppet was sitting on my mom’s shoulder, and my dad just nodded in agreement. “I just want to see why you chose to be in the middle of the woods instead of in a town, like your sister.”

  And so it began.

  My parents had arrived at my sister’s right on time. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and the week already went into slow motion.

  It didn’t help that I couldn’t get Nick out of my head. He’d helped bring home the rest of the items, and Sophie came over last night to help me arrange my furniture, hang the décor, and add a couple of rugs I’d picked out. I actually wanted nothing more than to be in my cozy little cabin with a nosy neighbor popping in now and again.

  “Mom, the island is pretty small. It’s not like I’m three hours from here.” I glanced at my sister. “What is it? Like fifteen minutes away?”

  “If that.” My sister nodded, smiling painfully.

  “Maddie even has an early dinner for you guys since you’ve been traveling all day. Why not just stay the night and come over in the morning?” I suggested.

  “Nonsense. The dinner will keep, won’t it, Maddie?”

  “Whatever you want to do.” Maddie sighed. “But the breadcrumbs will get soggy.”

  “I always thought breadcrumbs were a waste anyway.” My mom flung her hands in the direction of the kitchen.

  “Mom, I think you’re kind of missing the point. The mac and cheese is extra tasty right out of the oven, and the oven is about to ding in ten minutes.”

  “Well, if you didn’t live so far away, we could come and go and get back in plenty of time. Isn’t that right, Barry?”

  My dad nodded.

  I bit my lip and blinked slowly. My mom’s blonde hair skimmed her shoulders and a pink headband secured any loose strays. She wore a matching pink cardigan twinset and ivory slacks. The bird turned its head and stared at me.

  I glanced at my parents’ suitcases still in the entry.

  “I’ll take your bags upstairs,” I muttered.