Sweet Heat at Bayside

by Addison Cole

  “This is why we need a rooftop deck on the community center at the resort,” she said as she lay with her head in his lap.

  He leaned down and kissed her. “Let’s not talk about work right now. This is our time, and there’s something I’ve been wanting to do for way too long.”

  “I’m not stripping naked on this dock.”

  He cocked a brow with a seductive glimmer in his eyes. Gosh, she’d do anything with him.

  “Maybe,” she relented.

  “No wonder I love you.” He pressed his lips to hers and said, “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about that until you said it. Sit up beside me.”

  He helped her up and handed her the guitar.

  “When we were supposed to sing that duet, you asked me to teach you the guitar,” he said as he helped her position the guitar properly. “It was such a weird time, and I knew if we got that close, I’d have an even harder time keeping my hands off you.”

  She ran her fingers along the neck of the guitar, remembering how brokenhearted she’d been when he’d said he didn’t have time. “I was so awkward back then, and even though I had no idea what to do with the body I’d developed, I was hopeful it might have caught your attention.”

  “It did, and that was the problem. You weren’t awkward at all. You rocked those curves under those secondhand shirts and shorts you dolled up. You could have had any guy you wanted.”

  “There was only one I wanted.” She cradled his guitar. “You’re really going to teach me to play?”

  “Yup. Then maybe you can play me those songs you wrote when you were a teenager.”

  Her eyes widened. “How do you know I wrote songs?”

  “Do you really think you and Mira were quiet when you’d spend the night? Two thirteen-year-old girls hunkered down around your notebooks giggling about lyrics. And at night, when you thought no one could hear you, you sang so loud, I bet the neighbors heard them.”

  “No way! And there were only three songs.”

  “Way, Supergirl, and I know there were only three, but you sang them endlessly. I think my favorite line was ‘boyfriends with big muscles and lots of brains.’”

  She snort-laughed and covered her face. “I forgot about that!”

  “I assume that was me, and if it wasn’t, then lie to me, okay?”

  “They were all about you,” she gushed. “Because they were about the love of my life, so even if I didn’t know it then, you were always on my mind.”

  He moved closer, angling himself so he could put his arms around her from behind, and repositioned her hands. “Be loose. Get comfortable with the instrument.”

  “If you say ‘make love to it,’ I’m going to bite your neck.”

  “Oh, baby. Make love to it,” he said in a raspy voice.

  She turned and bit his neck, then sucked, leaving a tiny mark that she knew would fade, but the groan it earned was one she’d not soon forget. She tenderly kissed the red spot, then leaned against him and said, “How did you know I needed this?”

  “Because I love you, and when you care about someone, you usually know what they need.”

  “If only all life’s answers were that easy.”

  “Maybe we can find whatever answers you’re looking for in the music. Now, make love to the guitar.”

  She nudged him with her elbow. “Watch it, buster.”

  He taught her the basics, and later, when they were back at his place and she was getting ready to leave, he set his guitar in the back seat of her car.

  “I can’t take that to Boston. It’s always been with you.”

  “I want you to learn on the same one I did. Besides, you’re part of me now, so in a sense, it’s still with me.” He brushed his lips over hers and said, “Thank you for arranging for Boone to fly in and for fighting traffic and coming home last night. I’ll come see you next weekend so you don’t have to drive back again.”

  “I would love that. We can knock a few things off of our explore-Boston list. Thank you for today. It was just what I needed. Now the week won’t seem so long. I’m going to practice the guitar, but you know I have no music for my ridiculous thirteen-year-old-girl songs.”

  “Ah, but I do.”

  “What?” She was stunned. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope. They’re written by my ridiculous teenage-boy heart.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He held her tighter. “Because I can’t reveal all my secrets to you at once.”

  “Yes, you can! If you wrote them back then, then we really are meant for each other.”

  “You doubted that?” He looked perplexed.

  “No, not at all. But you know what this means. When you come up next weekend, we’ll have to play your music to my songs.”

  “There’s nothing I’d rather do.” He nuzzled against her neck and said, “Except maybe make my name come off your lips in the throes of passion.”

  She clung to his shirt, wishing they had another night together. “That does not make me want to leave. I want to spend all my nights in your arms.”

  “I’m far more selfish than you are. I want you in my arms at night, I want to see your beautiful face every morning, and I want to monopolize every minute of yours in between.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “DO YOU THINK it’s possible to have a happiness hangover?” Serena asked Chloe over the phone more than a week later. She leaned back in her office chair Tuesday afternoon, looking out at the cloudless sky and thinking about how busy last week was and how glad she was that Drake had driven up for the weekend. He’d brought buckets of sand and a baby pool, just as he’d mentioned the first weekend she’d moved to Boston. They’d sat on the rooftop deck Saturday evening with their feet in the sand, and later, they’d lain on the sand stargazing. It was heavenly.

  “I think you mean an ecstasy hangover,” Chloe corrected her. “You said you didn’t even leave the apartment Sunday until he left to come home.”

  “But we went out on Saturday,” she reminded her. “We had breakfast in the café downstairs—”

  “After hours in bed, I’m sure,” Chloe interrupted. “It’s totally unfair that my baby sister gets more action than I do.”

  “Let me just enjoy this moment of achievement.” Serena listened to Chloe’s heavy sigh. “Anyway, we spent most of Saturday out. Remember the list I told you Drake made? We went to the Institute of Contemporary Art and hung out at the bar the show Cheers was based on. That was cool. And after lying out under the stars on the rooftop deck of my building, we had Insomnia Cookies. It was a perfect weekend. So maybe it’s a duo hangover of happiness and ecstasy.”

  “Okay, before I choke on my jealousy, how’s work these days? Any more confrontations with your boss?”

  “Kinda sorta, but last week was amazing. The clients I told you about, Seth and Jared, loved my team, of course, and our concepts, and everything I showed them at the design center. I think they’re my favorite clients, although the Wilkinsons are close. They’re the home-library remodel project. The husband is hilarious, and the wife rolls her eyes at him, then asks me to do whatever he wants anyway. They’re really cute together. It’s like she just wants him to be happy.”

  She told Chloe about going out with Laura, Spencer, Chiara, Carolyn, and Gavin for drinks and karaoke last night. She’d had a good time, but with the exception of Gavin, it wasn’t anything like going out with her friends from home. The others were nice, but a little too buttoned-up for her taste.

  “That’s a bummer,” Chloe said. “But hopefully you’ll meet other people.”

  “I do like the girl who runs Kane’s Donuts, Abby Crew. She’s divorced, and she bought the doughnut shop on her own. I’m a little envious, to be honest. She doesn’t have to report to anyone.”

  “Oh geez, Serena. How many doughnuts are you eating that you know this woman’s entire life story?”

  “Probably too many, but it’s more fun to eat doughnuts and talk to her than eat din
ner by myself. Besides, I like her. She’s easy to talk to. Oh my gosh. I almost forgot to tell you! Remember my first client? The attorney, Muriel Younger? She decided she wants glass in her conference rooms after all.”

  “The woman who wanted no creative input? She reminded me of the Devil Wears Prada boss.”

  “That’s the one. Her assistant called last week to tell me. I was afraid her architect, Drew Ryder, was going to chew me out for even suggesting it, but he was really cool. I actually think we might use him for Seth and Jared’s project.”

  “Aaaand…? The kinda sorta run-in with your boss?” Chloe pushed.

  “It was nothing, really,” she lied, because she didn’t want to hear Chloe tell her how she needed to take a step back and play the corporate game, like Mira had. She was still having a hard time wrapping her head around doing things in order to eke out billable hours when it seemed a waste of her time.

  Serena’s office phone rang, and she said, “Chloe, I’ve got to take that.”

  “Okay, go. And, sis, don’t get too big for your britches,” Chloe said. “You need that job.”

  “I know. Gotta go. Love you.” She ended the call and picked up her office phone. “Serena Mallery.”

  “Serena? This is Crystal Bernard returning your call.”

  “Yes, thank you.” She flipped through her notebook and found the notes on the client Suzanne had referred to her yesterday. “I’ve been trying to reach you about remodeling your pool house. I’ve got some time available later this week if you’re free.”

  “Actually, we’re in the Hamptons until late Friday night. We were hoping you could come by Saturday.”

  Uh oh. She didn’t want to miss the tasting for Desiree’s wedding and going tubing with her friends Saturday afternoon. “I have a prior appointment on Saturday, but I can do any day next week.”

  “That won’t work,” Crystal said sharply. “We’ll be in town for only the one day, Saturday. We’re leaving Sunday morning for my niece’s wedding, and then we’ll be gone for two weeks. We know exactly what we want, and I’m sure it will take only a few minutes.”

  Nothing ever took only a few minutes, especially if Serena was going to gather enough information to actually start working on the job. “Perhaps it would be better to do this when you return in two weeks and aren’t pressed for time?”

  “No. We must do it now,” Crystal said, and listed a litany of reasons why she had to meet Saturday or move on to another designer.

  Serena was this close to telling the snooty woman to do just that when Suzanne peered into her office. She waved Suzanne in and reluctantly told Crystal she’d be there Saturday morning. “How is eight o’clock?” Maybe if they met early enough she could still make the tasting.

  “That won’t work. I have an appointment at the salon. We can do eleven o’clock, and please don’t be late. My husband has a difficult time with people who aren’t punctual.”

  Despite her frustration, Serena feigned a smile and agreed, quickly ending the call.

  “Sorry, Suzanne. That was Crystal Bernard. I’m meeting with her Saturday at eleven.”

  “Good. The pool house project.” She crossed her legs and flicked an imaginary piece of lint from her skirt.

  “Yes.” Serena wrote the appointment in her calendar beside Desiree’s tasting session, trying to ignore the tweak to her heart. “Was there something you needed?” Like maybe giving me more difficult, time-sucking clients?

  “I just received a call from Seth Braden. It appears he and Jared Stone are quite pleased with you.”

  “The feeling is mutual. They’re a joy to work with, and their project is coming along nicely.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Muriel Younger also contacted me. It seems she’s taken your advice for a change in her new offices. Kudos to you.”

  Serena sat up a little straighter, soaking in the compliment. “Thank you.”

  Suzanne rose to her feet and said, “I know we have our differences of opinion, but when it comes to professionalism and quality, I’m glad to hear we’re on the same page.” She headed for the door and said, “Good job,” as she walked out.

  Serena’s mouth was still hanging open when Gavin wandered into her office.

  “What are you gaping at?” He sat down in the chair across from her.

  “A compliment from Suzanne.”

  “Nice. Pocket it away. They’re few and far between. You’re heading back to the Cape again this weekend for that wedding-cake thing, right?”

  “Nope. Thanks to the Bernards, I’m stuck here checking out their pool house.”

  “Aw, that bites.”

  “No kidding,” she said with a sigh. “We were all supposed to go tubing, too. I haven’t gone tubing in forever. Why do I feel like my life is passing me by while I make everyone else’s life prettier?”

  He gritted his teeth. “Because it is?”

  “Thanks,” she said sarcastically. “You want to know what’s worse?” She lowered her voice and said, “When that new client said she would take her business elsewhere, I was ready to let her. Until Suzanne walked in.”

  “I have something that might make you feel better. Be right back.” He left her office, and when he returned, he placed a big chocolate chip cookie on her desk.

  She snagged the cookie. “Where’d you steal this from? Are there more?”

  Gavin closed the door.

  “Oh no. You’re not going to get all creepy on me, are you?” She couldn’t resist teasing him. They’d had lunch together a few times and had become close, sharing the trials and tribulations of their days and getting to know each other better. He was not the least bit creepy, but his confused expression was hilarious. He reminded her of Rick and Dean, funny, a little protective, and he never crossed lines with her. She had a feeling he missed his own family and friends back home, because he loved hearing about her trips home and about her friends.

  “What do you think it is? A nookie cookie?”

  She laughed. “If it is, you should know that I have a mean knee.”

  He sat down again and shook his head. “I bet you do. Eat the stupid thing. I want to tell you something.” He leaned forward, elbows on knees, and said, “A headhunter contacted me last week about a job with Taylor, Fine, and Rickter.”

  “Shut up!” She couldn’t hide her surprise. “They’re our biggest competitor.”

  “I know. I met with them yesterday, and today they offered me the job.”

  “Great. So my best friend in Boston is leaving.” She shook the remaining cookie at him. “Can you please go steal about five more of these for me?”

  “Relax. I’m not taking it.” He sighed loudly and sat back.

  “What? Why not?” She came around the desk and sat in the chair beside him. “They’re bigger. They have more awards. It would be a step up.”

  “Listen to Cape girl go all bigger is better on me.”

  Her mouth dropped open again. “I don’t understand.”

  “If you got an offer from them, would you take it?”

  “No, but that’s because I haven’t decided if I’m cut out for this type of company. I love the work, but it’s very…prestige driven, and I’m not like that.” She waved at his designer suit and said, “You fit right in, and you never go head-to-head with your superiors. You know how to play the game.”

  “That is why I’m not going. I’m not prestige driven. Or maybe I’ve become that way, but it’s not who I want to be, and that’s on you, girly. You reminded me of the person I used to be, and now I’m determined to get back to being myself.”

  “Oh, no, no, no.” She got up and paced. “You cannot put this on me.”

  “I’m thanking you.”

  “Thanking me? For what? Making you think you’re too good?” She flopped back down into the chair and covered her face with her hands. “I need more cookies. I can’t take this. First I have to miss out on the wedding-cake tasting of one of my closest friends and a day of tubing because of some sn
otty client. And now this is just the guilt icing on the messed-up cake.”

  He grabbed her hand and moved it away from her face. “Stop. This is a good thing. I called my old man this morning and had a long talk with him. I haven’t made the time to do that in months because of this ridiculous job. This is a good thing for me. Like I said before, I don’t know my path yet, but I know I’m finally heading in the right direction. I think we should go out and celebrate.”

  “Oh, good. Maybe I can find a small dog to kick along the way.”

  “Serena, stop it,” he said with a coaxing smile. “I’m being serious. This is all good.”

  “It won’t be when you realize you just turned down your only opportunity to earn more money than you’re earning now. Then you’ll hate me for opening my big mouth at all.”

  He looked at her like she was being ridiculous. “I have enough money. I’m taking my cue from the rational girl I met a few weeks ago. You might know her. Stubborn, mouthy, refuses to let anyone walk all over her?”

  “Didn’t you get the memo? That girl got trampled over and is missing Desiree and Rick’s wedding-cake tasting.”

  “Then let’s get out of here and go find her before word gets out.” He pushed to his feet and hauled her up to hers. “It’s time to celebrate new directions.”

  She grabbed her things from her desk and parroted, “New directions. Desiree and Rick are starting a new direction; they’re getting married.”

  “Great. Let’s celebrate their upcoming wedding.”

  “Drake has a new music store, and Emery and Dean are getting married.” There were lots of reasons to celebrate, but she worried about Gavin making the wrong decision.

  He grabbed her arm and headed for the elevators. “We have to get out of here before Suzanne comes back and corners us into discussing something boring.”

  “Mira, my bestie, is having another baby. That’s another new direction.”