God, did I want to. Each time I’d held her this week, kissing her senseless in the shadowed corners of our job site, I’d wanted more. My dreams at night were becoming more excruciatingly detailed as my mind supplied the sound of her soft moans and the feel of her skin under my fingers. I hadn’t been this turned on without doing something about it since high school.
“There’s nothing I want more.” I slipped my hand under the weight of her hair, rubbing the back of her neck. “But if I go up with you now, I won’t want to leave. And I think we’re not ready for that yet.”
I felt the sag of her muscles as she relaxed a little. “I want to argue with you and say I am. But I’m not sure.”
“We’re running this train on your schedule, Donavan. It’s all you. You’ll tell me when you want me to come upstairs with you.” I trailed my fingers down her bare arm, smiling at her shiver, and then lifted her hand to my mouth. I kissed her knuckles before I turned it over and pressed my lips to her warm palm. “But I’m going to warn you: when you do tell me you’re ready, know that you’re not getting rid of me any time soon.”
“I’ll count on that.” She unfastened her seat belt. “Thank you for a wonderful date and a delicious dinner.”
She bent over to retrieve the paper bags of food at her feet, not realizing that she was giving me a tantalizing glimpse of her boobs as she did. Oh, shit. I started to wonder if I could backtrack on all my honorable-gentleman crap and get her to take me upstairs after all.
“I’ll take these up with me, but maybe later this week, you could come over and share the leftovers with me.”
“I’ll count on that.” I moved over toward the center of the seat. “I know I gave you a good-night kiss before dinner, but I’m thinking I should get another one now.”
Abby laughed. “Oh, really? And just what makes you think you deserve a second one, Mr. Kent?”
I growled and tugged her against me, leveraging my body to loom over hers. “Baby, you know what it does to me when you call me that? Makes me want to take that second kiss, and maybe even a third and fourth.”
She stilled under me. “No one has ever called me baby.”
I nuzzled her throat, nipping up to just beneath her ear. “Do you find it offensive?”
The thrumming pulse beneath my lips jumped a little. “I probably should, but no. Not a bit.”
“Good.” I sucked lightly on the same pulse. “Because when I do get you into bed, and I’m making you come, I can’t be held responsible for what I call you.”
She sighed, her arms going lax around my neck. “When you say things like that, I’m not sure whether I should run away or drag you upstairs after all.”
“I can tell you what my vote would be.” I worked my way to her lips. “But for now, I’ll settle for my second good-night kiss.” I pressed my mouth to Abby’s, then broke away. “And my third.” This time I nudged her lips open, tracing them with the tip of my tongue. “And my fourth.” Into her open mouth, I thrust my tongue, giving her a foretaste of what I was really dying to do.
When I knew I had to stop or risk never being able to, I released her, sitting up and moving back behind the wheel. “You’d better go in, Abby. It’s getting late.”
“Yes.” She was breathless, and I knew I’d made her that way. “I can slip in before anyone notices me.”
“No way you wouldn’t be noticed. You’re beautiful.” I brushed the hair away from her eyes. “Make sure you go right upstairs, okay? I don’t want to have to fight off any other guys.”
“I’m not interested in any other guys.” She stated it simply, matter-of-factly, but the words went straight to my heart. Without waiting for me to answer, she opened the truck door and slid to the ground, taking the leftovers with her. “Good night, Ryland. Sleep well.”
I watched her climb the steps to the door of the Tide and disappear within. With a groan of frustration, I dropped my head against the headrest and closed my eyes, trying to ignore the throbbing between my legs.
I had a funny feeling sleep wasn’t going to come easy tonight.
“WELL, IF IT ISN’T MY favorite tenant slash innkeeper. I haven’t seen you in a while, Abby.”
I climbed onto a bar stool and gratefully accepted the mug of coffee Jude slid my way. “I know. You’ve been busy, and so have I been.”
Jude laughed. “That sounds like an evasion if I’ve ever heard one.”
“Not at all. All my busy is with your work, getting the hotel ready. And you were away again. I haven’t left town.”
“True. I ran up to see Meghan and Sam for a few days. She insisted I had to visit in the fall, when Burton does its Harvest Fest.”
“Ah, and was it everything she promised?”
“It was. Logan and I had a blast. And I got to have lunch with Alex’s mom, too. Oh, and I saw Rilla and Mason’s baby boy. He’s adorable.”
I remembered Meghan’s friend and bridesmaid, whom I’d met briefly at Meghan and Sam’s wedding this past May. “That’s wonderful.”
“And apparently babies are going around. Sam’s sister is pregnant, due in April.”
I raised one eyebrow. “Oh, really? Anyone else have big news to share?”
Jude shook her head. “No, not Meghan. She claims she and Sam want to wait a few years. She loves her job, and I think they’re enjoying the relative freedom. The farm’s doing better every season. They have plenty of time.” She rested her elbows on the bar. “And how are things coming at the Riverside?”
I smiled almost involuntarily. “Everything’s moving on schedule. The weather’s been so nice this fall, we haven’t run into any issues there. Ryland and Linc think we can start planning the launch.”
She quirked an eyebrow at me. “Ah. So he’s Ryland now, is he?”
I glanced away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be unprofessional.”
“Abby. Really.” The note of reproach in Jude’s voice had me looking up in alarm. “I hope you know me better than that by now. I don’t care if you call him by his first name. You might remember, I was the one who suggested the two of you would make a good couple.”
When I didn’t answer—like Ryland with Linc, I wasn’t going to lie to Jude—she drew herself up slowly, a wide smile blossoming on her face. “Abby. You hooked up with Ryland Kent, didn’t you? Good for you, girlfriend!”
I wanted to disappear into the ground. “We didn’t hook up. We’re just—we’re seeing each other.”
“Is it serious?”
I hesitated. “I think it could be. But it’s still new. We’re not . . . we haven’t made anything official.”
Jude leaned over the bar and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I understand. But still, that’s terrific, Abby. I’m so happy for you.”
“Let’s not make too big a deal of this, okay? We’re taking it slow. And we don’t want anything between us to get in the way of the work we’re doing at the hotel.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She patted my arm. “I think I might swing by the Riverside today, if you think that’s okay. I’m just dying to see how it’s—oh, good morning. Can I help you?”
The bell over the door of the bar had chimed, and Jude smiled in welcome to whoever had just stepped in. But when I heard the answering voice, I nearly fell off my bar stool in shock.
“Good morning. I’m looking for Abigail Donavan. I understand she lives here. She’s my daughter.”
I turned in my seat, my feet tangling on the rung. “Mom? What are you doing here?”
As always, she was beautiful. Her hair was still blonde, though now it was a little darker, falling in soft waves around her face. Green eyes, so much like my own, shone above high cheekbones.
She lifted her hands, spreading them in front of her. “Geoffrey and I were in Orlando for a meeting last weekend. We fly back to California tonight, but I couldn’t be that close and not stop to see you.”
I shifted, uncomfortable. “You could’ve called me. I would’ve met you somewhere
.”
“Would you have, Abby? I didn’t want to take the chance that you’d be too busy.”
I felt the not-so-subtle rebuke and winced, remember how often I’d ignored texts or emails. “I’m sure we could’ve worked something out.”
“Well, I’m here now. Do you have a minute for some coffee? Or maybe even breakfast?”
Beside me, Jude cleared her throat. I pasted a smile on my face. “Mom, this is Jude Holt. She owns this restaurant, and she and her husband Logan own the B&B and the hotel I’m going to be running.” I cast Jude wide, pleading eyes. “Jude, this is my mother, Brooke Adams.”
As the two of them exchanged hellos, I managed to get to my feet without falling. “Jude, is it okay if we go get some breakfast? I’ll work later tonight.”
She rolled her eyes. “Abby, don’t be silly. Get a table over there, and I’ll make whatever you want. Take your time and enjoy the visit with your mother.”
Mom smiled. “Thank you, Jude. I appreciate it.”
Jude winked. “I have a daughter, too. I know how much we miss them when they’re grown up and on their own.”
For the next half-hour, I ate eggs and made small talk with my mother, telling her about the history of the Riverside, what we’d done to restore the building, and the plans I had for her future.
“A spa! Well, isn’t that a lovely idea. I’ll have to book a weekend there. Oh, you know what? Jessica could come with me, and the three of us could have a mother-daughter pampering weekend!” Her eyes lit up at the thought.
I bit back the surge of resentment. I loved my little sister, or at least I loved her in theory. But it never failed to hurt me that our mother was so much more comfortable with Jess than she was with me.
“I’ll have to see. Weekends will be difficult for me to get any free time.” I took a fortifying sip of coffee. “I won’t have a staff, like Daddy does. It’ll be just me at first, plus some part-time employees, until we get everything up and running.”
“I’m sure we can work it out.” Mom smiled, which meant she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was about to change the subject when my phone buzzed with an incoming text message.
Where are you? Everything okay?
Ryland. Of course he’d be looking for me, since I’d started coming in early enough to see him before the crews arrived.
“Excuse me, Mom. I need to answer this.” I tapped in a quick response and hit send.
Fine. I got a little held up but will be there within the hour.
I was being optimistic, hoping I could finish with my mother and be on the site by then. I felt her gaze on me.
“Sorry. I usually go in first thing each morning to talk about what we’re doing on the project. The con—uh, the restorations specialist was wondering where I am.”
“Oh, sweetie! I’m so sorry. You should’ve said something.” My mother pushed away her coffee cup and took a sip of water. “I don’t want to hold you up from work.” She looked disappointed for the space of a few breathes, and then she brightened. “Well, why can’t I go over with you? I’m dying to see the place now that you’ve told me about it.”
“Uhhh . . .” I tried to come up with a good, viable reason why my mother couldn’t be there. But the idea well was empty. “I guess so. But you have to remember it’s not finished yet. The walls aren’t painted and of course, there’s no furniture or window treatments.”
Mom tilted her head. “Abby, you might remember, I’ve seen hotels in various states of construction and disrepair. When your father and I were first married, I was the one in charge of what you’re doing now. I think I can handle it.”
“All right, fine.” I stood up and waved to Jude, who was chatting with her sister-in-law at the bar. “Can you just add breakfast to my tab, please?”
She shooed me away. “Don’t be silly, it’s on the house.” With a broad grin, she added, “It was a treat to meet you, Mrs. Adams. Come back again soon.”
My mother laughed, a bright tinkling sound that reminded me of my childhood. “Please, call me Brooke. Mrs. Adams makes me think I should be wearing a powdered wig and a bustle.”
“Okay, come on, Mom.” I stood by the door. “Do you want to follow me over? That way you could just leave from there, instead of having to drive back here.”
“Why don’t I ride with you? We can keep catching up.”
I stifled a sigh. “Sure. My car’s out here.”
I expected more of the same meaningless chatter on the way to the hotel, but instead, my mother turned to face me. “Abby, one of the reasons I came up here was to talk with you about Jess.”
My forehead wrinkled. “What’s going on?”
“She’s having some . . . issues. Geoffrey and I don’t know what to do.”
I snorted. “She’s, what, twenty-six now? I’d think it isn’t your problem anymore. She’ll find herself.”
But Mom only shook her head. “You don’t know the background, Abby. Jessica . . . she’s gone through some rough times.” My mother gripped the handle of her purse. “She’s been in and out of the hospital. We’re so worried.”
My mouth was dry. “Drugs?”
“No. She’s never done anything like that, to my knowledge, anyway. It’s better for her to tell you about it. Won’t you come out and see her? She misses you, Abby. She needs her big sister.”
I remembered the expression on Jessica’s face the day I’d announced I was staying with Daddy. She’d been so hurt. We’d never been as close as other sisters, even before that day, but still, I loved her. I wondered if it were time to try to mend that fence.
“I’ll call her.” It was the most I could do right now. “I can’t leave the Cove until after the hotel’s up and running.” An idea occurred to me, and I offered it. “She could come see me. Maybe it would be good for her—a change of scenery.”
Mom clasped her hands together. “That might be exactly what she needs.” She looked out the window at the passing scenery of the Cove as we made our way to the Riverside. “This little town is so pretty. I can see why you’ve settled here.” She let the hint of a smile curve her lips. “Quite a nice change after Boston.”
I didn’t answer right away. I hadn’t told my mother anything about what had happened in Boston; she hadn’t even known about Zachary, unless of course my father had spilled the beans during one of his occasional late-night drunken phone calls to her. After I’d gotten settled here, the only reason I’d given Mom and Jess about my abrupt move was that I was tired of working for Dad. I knew that was something they’d both easily accept.
“Crystal Cove is a pretty amazing place. I love what I do, I’ve made some good friends . . . and it’s mine, you know? I don’t have to answer to anyone but Jude and Logan.”
“I’m happy for you, Abby.” She covered my hand where it gripped the steering wheel. “And I’m proud of you for making the right decision.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to admit that I hadn’t so much made the decision as been backed into a corner, but in the end, I just swallowed and forced a weak smile.
Mom was duly impressed as we drove onto the grounds of the hotel and parked the car. I led her down the same path I took every day, nerves dancing in my stomach as I wondered what she’d think of Ryland. My mother wasn’t a snob by any means. On the other hand, I’d never introduced to her to any of my boyfriends, since they’d been so few and far between.
Of course, there was a good chance she’d never guess there was anything between us. Although Lincoln knew the truth, Ryland and I were careful to maintain a professional relationship in front of the crew. If I were honest, I’d admit it was kind of exciting to pretend we were still Mr. Kent and Ms. Donavan, all the while I knew that the minute we were alone in the hotel, Ryland would back me in a corner and kiss me until neither of us could think straight.
Each time he touched me, I knew I was closer to taking that last step with him. I still had a few Chinese food containers in my fridge, and when I saw them, the onl
y thing I thought of was sharing steamed dumplings with him between the sheets. I didn’t have a good reason for waiting anymore; I trusted Ryland, and there wasn’t any doubt that I wanted him as much as he did me. At this point, it was only a matter of logistics and timing.
But I had to admit that the build-up and anticipation were the sweetest torture I’d ever known.
I sighed a little, and my mother cast me a curious side glance as we climbed the steps to the porch. I refocused on getting through her impromptu visit. Time enough later to think about jumping Ryland’s bones.
“This is the main building, of course. Originally, this path from river was much wider, since most of the traffic came from that direction, and they used a little oxcart to transport luggage from the boats to the hotel.”
“I can just imagine it.” Mom turned in a circle, taking it all in. “It’s so wonderful you’re bringing her back to her glory days.” She shook her head and gave me a small, self-deprecating smile. “I know it sounds silly, but whenever I see an old building like this come back to life, I think it must be happy, you know? It’s so heart-breaking when something beautiful is left to fall into ruins, and such a kick to see it restored.”
“Who are you, and where’ve you been all my life? I’m pretty sure I want to marry you.”
I didn’t have to turn around to recognize the voice coming from the doorway. Rolling my eyes, I turned to shoot Ryland what I hoped was a look of warning. “Mom, this is Ryland Kent, the restoration specialist overseeing the Riverside project. Mr. Kent, this is my mother, Brooke Adams.”
Mom extended her hand, her eyes shining. “Of course I’ve heard of you, Mr. Kent. When we had some of the original buildings on my husband’s vineyards rebuilt, Geoffrey looked into your company. Unfortunately, you were already booked for the timeframe we needed. We used Leo Groff, and he spoke very highly of you.”
Ryland grinned. “Good old Leo. I started out working for him, many moons ago. Well, I’m sorry I couldn’t fit in your project, Mrs. Adams. Even sorrier now that I’ve met you.”
The Path Page 14
