by Julia Harlow
“Just let me write Ellen a quick note.”
“Couldn’t you text her on the way?”
“Ellen and I have this tradition of writing notes to each other. If we have time to write a note, we do.”
“Hmmm. I might want to be part of that tradition. Handwritten notes from you would be something very special.”
As she leaned over the kitchen counter, scribbling away on a pink Post-it, Ty came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He found his favorite spot on the back of her neck, planted a kiss, and then nibbled on her earlobe, causing her to shiver.
After she finished writing the note, she hugged Pilot and then moved to the sink to fill his bowl with fresh water. Ty collected her overnight bag, gave Pilot a rub on the head, and grabbed her hand. They headed out the door and toward a titanium-silver Mercedes 600 SL.
Isabel raised her eyebrows in surprise. “New car?”
“No. Just one of my cars you haven’t seen yet.” He helped her in and then stowed her bag in the trunk. As she sank into the soft, ergonomic seat, the rich smell of leather filled her nostrils.
Her heart began to race at the proximity to this man. She peeked a glance at his profile. That perfect blade of a nose, sculpted cheekbones, sensual mouth, and dark blond hair just this side of messy took her breath away. Her fingers itched to reach over and caress his thigh as he started the car and the powerful German engine purred to life. Not wanting to distract him from concentrating on driving, she grasped her hands in her lap.
He reached over to clasp her hand and pull it to his mouth where he slowly kissed the tips of each of her fingers. That simple gesture fueled her arousal, as if a flame had torched dry tinder. If she didn’t focus on something else, she’d be climbing into his lap any minute. She took a deep, steadying breath.
“Did you have a successful trip to Hong Kong?”
“Very successful. That’s one crowded place, and I felt like Gulliver among the Lilliputians the whole time I was there.” He chuckled. “But no one seemed to mind that I towered over everyone at the meetings. I only wish you could have come with me.” The sweet smile he bestowed on her made her dizzy.
She wanted to figure out where they were going. From the route he was traveling down California Avenue, it seemed as though they were headed to the Triple Five building. And indeed they were.
When he pulled into the garage, she was more confused than ever. She gazed over at him, and he just smiled his enigmatic smile. He hopped out and opened her door before she had a chance to unbuckle her seatbelt. He held out his hand and helped her from the Mercedes, giving her hand a little squeeze. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, and his sexy, muscular forearms made her lightheaded with lust.
At the sight of the chock-full trunk, Isabel realized she had no idea what he had planned for them. In addition to her overnight bag, there was a wicker picnic basket, a black leather attaché, and a high-tech Pelican cooler. She felt more perplexed than ever but also happy to simply be with Ty.
He slipped her overnight bag and his attaché over his shoulder and grabbed the wicker basket. She carried the cooler as they headed to the elevator. He punched the button for the roof level.
When the elevator doors opened and they stepped out onto the roof, wind buffeted them from one side of the roof while rotor wash from a helicopter blew their hair back and plastered their clothes against their bodies. Ty wrapped his free arm around Isabel as they made their way to the helicopter. They both ducked under the whirring blades as they approached. The noise from the turbo engines was deafening.
A tall lanky man with short gray hair stood at the side of the helicopter. Ty shouted over the sound of the engines, “Isabel, this is Sam Roberts, our pilot. Sam, Isabel Beachwood.”
Sam’s hand felt calloused when Isabel shook it. He acknowledged her with a business-like nod, took the cooler from her, and opened the helicopter door. Before he could help her up, Ty was at her side, gripping her around the waist, making sure she made it up and into the seat in the back. Sam and Ty loaded the remainder of their luggage. Ty slid into the seat beside her, helping her with the seatbelt and headset so they could hear each other talk.
“I’ve never been in a helicopter before. It’s a little scary.” Isabel hugged her arms around herself until Ty wrapped his arm around her shoulder and took her hand in his. It felt big and warm and comforting.
“No need to worry, sweet thing. Sam’s a former Marine pilot who flew the Super Stallion. Trust me. We’re safe with him. I wouldn’t risk your safety for anything in the world.”
At his words, the tightness in her shoulders began to ease. She caught sight of the mid-afternoon sun shining on the Golden Gate Bridge and craned her neck to get a good view of it out the window.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Ty asked as he edged into her shoulder to see the bridge himself, sneaking a kiss on her cheek while he did.
After she realized they weren’t going to plummet to Earth in a fiery ball of flames any minute, she exhaled a deep breath. “This is incredible, Ty. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“It’s time to show you the house I’m renovating in Pebble Beach. I had hoped it would be further along before you saw it, but I can’t wait any longer.”
Isabel drew her attention away from the incredible view to face him. He had this little smile on his handsome face that made her heart skip a beat. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“It’s a three-hour drive by car. Much faster by helicopter.”
In fact, it seemed as if the helicopter were landing at the Monterey Peninsula Airport even before thirty minutes had passed. As the helicopter touched down, she realized she’d been gripping Ty’s hand so tightly she’d probably cut off his circulation. He just grinned at her and shook out his hand when she finally let go, feigning pain.
They loaded everything into a waiting metallic silver Range Rover Sport Ty had obviously arranged to be there in advance. He drove with one hand on the leather-covered steering wheel, the other hand clasping Isabel’s.
“The house is only twenty minutes from here. It’s in Otter Cove. I think you’ll like it. At least I hope so.” His smile warmed her. The fact that he cared what she thought of this house that was so important to him made her tingle all over.
At that moment, she remembered that she hadn’t told him about meeting with Craig last night. It suddenly felt as if little lead balls were ricocheting off the lining of her stomach. She absolutely had to tell him. She wouldn’t keep secrets from him, even though she knew he’d be upset, especially when she remembered the way he’d reacted after Craig had approached her at the Grandin Financial celebration.
But how could she ruin this special time together by telling him? He was whistling some tune she didn’t recognize, happy and relaxed as they headed to Otter Cove. But she knew that, no matter what, she had to tell him as soon as they arrived at his house.
Before long, the road narrowed, framed on both sides by cypress trees, huge boulders, rock formations, and natural beauty such as Isabel had never seen. A driveway almost completely hidden by a dense forest of cypress trees appeared on the left. Ty smoothly turned the Range Rover onto a crushed gravel road. The tires crunched across the white gravel as they ascended.
Before she could take in the impressive house, a sea of trucks covering the driveway in front of the house caught her attention. There were mostly Ford and Chevy pickup trucks, but also a few work vans and flatbed trucks parked in every square inch of the space.
The high-pitched buzzing of power saws and the rhythmic hammering of many workmen could be heard echoing from the interior of the house.
Ty spoke up over the cacophony of hammering and sawing. “We’ll go around to the terrace and let the workmen finish up for the day. I’ve been pushing them pretty hard lately because I wanted the house to be further along before I showed it to you. Come on.” He lifted the back door of the Range Rover to retrieve their luggage and led her around to the
other side of the stone and timber estate.
The sound of ocean waves crashing against the rocky coastline and the smell of salty sea air hit her before they’d rounded the corner to the back of the house. It was then that Isabel glimpsed the Pacific Ocean. The ocean! Right there! The overwhelming sight stopped her dead in her tracks. Ty’s house overlooked the Pacific Ocean!
Whatever he was saying was lost on her. She walked to the edge of the fieldstone terrace as if drawn by an invisible magnetic force, breathing in the ocean air and drinking in the natural beauty of the rugged rocky coastline and gleaming viridian sea. She never wanted to leave. She felt Ty’s arm draping around her shoulders, pulling her tight up against the heat of his solid body.
“Well, what do you think?” Did she detect a slight insecurity in his deep voice? Could he actually believe that she didn’t absolutely love this exquisite property overlooking the ocean?
She turned to gaze up into those blue eyes clouded with concern. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life, Ty. I’m practically speechless.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Good. Now let’s eat.” He steered her toward one of the two umbrella-covered weathered teak tables situated at the end of the expansive fieldstone terrace closer to the house.
She couldn’t seem to drag her eyes away from the powerful lure of the ocean. “How will you ever get anything done living here with this view?” She spread her arms out wide as she faced the ocean.
Ty threw his head back and laughed. The sound was deep and rich, and she turned away from the waves to focus on his face.
“That’s one of the many things I love about you, Isabel. You’re not jaded. You truly appreciate beautiful and unique things and aren’t the least bit hesitant about saying so. Most of the people I know aren’t anywhere that genuine. Come here.”
He wrapped her in his arms, and she rested her head against his hard chest, breathing in the clean scent of soap and freshly laundered clothes. When he gazed down at her, he lifted her chin with his index finger and covered her mouth with his. At first it was a gentle kiss, but it soon changed into a passionate, almost desperate, kiss, his tongue dancing with hers in an erotic tango.
“God, I want to make love to you right here, my sweet Isabel, but I don’t really want to put on a show for the workmen.” He paused to suck in a deep breath and sighed. “So let’s eat. They’ll be gone soon.”
He proceeded to unpack the picnic basket and cooler, setting out spectacular red-shelled lobster tails, bright yellow lemon wedges, a baguette, bleu-cheese-stuffed olives, corn relish, wine, and butter. The lid of the picnic basket held linen placemats and napkins, silver flatware, white china plates, and crystal wine glasses. Isabel set the table while Ty struck a match to light the Sterno under a small chafing dish to melt the butter.
In the wondrous enchantment of the moment, Isabel had almost forgotten that she needed to tell Ty about Craig Nelson before any more time went by. She wrenched her hands in her lap, digging her fingernails into her palm.
As Ty poured wine into the stemmed glasses, she began, “I need to tell you about something before we eat.”
“Can we toast first?” His smile was so sweet that it wrenched her heart. She felt as if an exquisite fairy-tale castle were about to be obliterated by cannon fire.
“Sure.” She managed a weak smile while her stomach churned.
“Here’s to us finally together at Otter Cove.” He clinked his glass with hers, and she tasted the light, fruity wine. But she couldn’t enjoy it because a flaming match hovered just above the cannon fuse.
Chapter 19
“So, what did you want to tell me, sweet thing?”
Oh, crap. He was more relaxed and clearly in the best mood she’d ever seen him in. The way he leaned back in the chair, all worry lines around his eyes and mouth erased, made him appear years younger. How could she spoil everything? But she had to be honest with him. She twisted the napkin in her lap into a tight spiral and stared down at the fieldstone terrace. The ocean breeze picked up and blew her hair back from her face.
“Well, as much as I don’t want to ruin this magical moment, I have to tell you that I went to Randy’s Pub with my team from Baycrest last night to celebrate the end of our first week at Soter.com. Not an easy week for any of us, by the way.
“Craig Nelson had followed me to Randy’s from work and confronted me there. He wanted to know why I’d left him during our time together in college. We had a drink and I told him. That was all there was to it. Except that he said he wants another chance with me and isn’t giving up.” She paused, her heart pounding, eyes glued to Ty’s face, trying to gauge his reaction. “I’m really sorry.”
Instead of launching into a rage or crumbling into a state of insecurity or glowering at her in disappointment, Ty leaned farther back in his chair. The corners of his sensual mouth turned up. “Is that what’s been worrying you, Isabel? I could tell something was wrong because you’ve seemed so tense. Look. I really appreciate you telling me, and I’ll admit I’d like to wring his neck for following you from work. But, honestly, if it were me, I’d have done exactly the same thing.”
He leaned over and gently cupped her face in between his palms, meeting her eyes with an expression so soft she melted. “You don’t seem to have the slightest inkling about the effect you have on men, Isabel. It’s something I find both endearing and frustrating. Men’s eyes are automatically drawn to your lustrous dark hair, lush mouth, and incomparable hourglass figure—who wouldn’t want to feast his eyes on you whether simply in sheer appreciation or pure, cock-stiffening lust?
“So I can’t blame Nelson. And I believed you when you told me before that you have no feelings for him. I trust you, Isabel. As I said, it’s what I would have done if I were in his position.
“Although from here on out, I will be upset if you see him again. You’ve answered his question, and now you’re done with him.” He leaned across the table and kissed her on the lips. The kiss lingered, but after a moment, he pulled back, his eyes zeroing in on hers.
“You have to understand. I know what lies beneath your incomparable physical attributes. You’re intelligent, impossibly sweet, and classy; you have an unwaveringly strong character and a great sense of humor. Not to mention your surprising hidden talents—like dog training and baby cuddling. And you’re so damn much fun to be with.
“You also have an old soul, something very rare these days. And if all that weren’t enough, you make me feel totally relaxed. No other woman has ever done that. You’ve made me realize that succeeding in business isn’t everything life has to offer, by a long shot. For the first time in my adult life, you’ve made me want something more.”
She exhaled an audible sigh of relief, at the same time trying to digest the full extent of everything Ty had just said. It felt as if her head were spinning like a child’s top. But first she had to be clear about the Craig situation. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected from him. Not at all. “So you’re really not upset? Or angry?”
He reached over and stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb, continuing to meet her gaze with his warm blue eyes. “No. But if he comes near you again, I will be both upset and angry. I can understand why he wanted an answer from you. I would go bat-shit crazy if you’d left me and I had no idea why. But he knows now. End of story.”
“So we’re okay?”
“Yes. I’m totally okay with you, sweet thing. Now, I’m famished. Can we eat?”
Her smile seemed to go on forever as she gazed at him. “Yes. Let’s eat.”
He placed a succulent lobster tail on her plate and another on his plate. Her mouth watered in anticipation. Now that she could finally relax, her appetite returned with a vengeance.
“Help yourself to a baguette, stuffed olives, and corn relish. You’re going to need your strength later.” He winked at her, looking so adorable she almost melted on the spot.
That first bite of lobster dredged in warm drawn
butter with a squeeze of lemon, might have been the most delicious thing Isabel had ever tasted. Or maybe it was because she was sharing the experience with the most exciting and completely loveable man she’d ever known. Not to mention the beckoning views of the Pacific Ocean, rocky coast, wild cypress trees, and the chance of spotting otters, seals, and whales at any time.
She chewed slowly, closing her eyes momentarily while she savored the flavors of the sweet meat of the lobster contrasting with the tangy lemon and salty butter. At the sound of Ty’s deep chuckle, she opened her eyes. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that watching you eat is quite an . . . um . . . sensual experience.”
She took a sip of wine and this time enjoyed every drop she swallowed. “Okay, let me watch you take a bite.”
He obliged, dredging a piece of lobster in butter and then spritzing it with a lemon wedge. As he slid the piece off the fork into his mouth, he groaned and his eyes closed for a split second. “Oh, Christ, that is wonderful.”
“Watching you eat is pretty sensual too.” She felt the heat spreading over her face and knew her cheeks must be bright pink. Why was it so much easier for him to say things like that?
He threw his head back and laughed, the sound deep and throaty. He was obviously reading her mind. “Well, we could make love right now, if you want. Or we could finish dinner first.”
Isabel was certain her face turned a deeper shade of crimson at his suggestion.
“Eat, Isabel, please. You’re just so enchanting when you get flustered. I can’t resist teasing you.” He poured her more of the delectable wine.
The cacophony of banging hammers, rasping saws, and whirring drills emanating from inside the house seemed to have faded away at the same time the sun began to set over the ocean. Ribbons of deep orange, rose, and gold stretched across the horizon as they relished the few last succulent bites of their romantic picnic dinner. Ty rose, held out his hand, and Isabel took it, reveling in the warmth of his big palm.
They ambled to the edge of the terrace, hand in hand, to watch the waning moments of the spectacular sunset. Their silence was companionable as they stood in awe at the power of nature’s brilliance. At that moment, Isabel was overcome with the urge to kiss Ty, so she reached up on tiptoe to kiss the corner of his mouth.
