With that, he turned a smoky gaze on her, and it dropped to her mouth. “I was wrong.”
Not what she expected. “Um, about what?” Wrong to trust her? Wrong to bring over dinner? Wrong not to kiss her? Wrong about what? WHAT?
“The changes you’re making are really good for the resort.” His look shifted to Ben, whose eyelids had grown heavy with sleep. “And you’ve been good for my son. Thank you.”
“I don’t deserve credit.” She nodded in Ben’s direction. “He does.” Ben’s eyes slid shut as he dozed.
Trace let out a hollow chuckle. “Trust me when I say, not everyone has parental instincts. You’ve been great with him.”
She could not take credit for being great with his kid. Not while she was hiding the truth from both of them. “I want to show you something.” She got up and found the color-coded list Ben had made for her about the ducks. “He did this for me because I can’t tell them apart. But he can. Without the bands. Without a chart. Without any help from anyone.” She glanced in Ben’s direction. “He’s extremely intelligent. Observant in a way that blows my mind.”
Trace’s eyes glistened at her when he looked up from the chart. “Not everyone sees that.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Maybe it’s easier for me to see because I’ve been lucky enough to find something in common with him.” She squeezed Trace’s hand. “Come with me.” She quietly retrieved a flashlight from the closet and led Trace outside. When they were behind the cottage, she shined the light on the pen. “Did you know your son built that? All by himself . . . with supplies he found in the boathouse.”
“No, I didn’t.” Trace’s shoulders sagged. “I feel like I’ve failed him.”
She put a hand on his upper arm, and a thick muscle flexed. “Failed him?”
“I’ve ignored him lately because of work. His science project slipped my mind, and that makes me just like his mother.”
“I don’t know what the deal is with Ben’s mom, but it’s your turn to trust what I’m saying.” Lily closed the space between them. “Not everyone devotes as much time and attention to their child as you. He’s an incredible kid. I’m no expert, but I doubt that happens by accident.”
Her heart punched against her chest.
Her father was in prison. Her mother drank to avoid reality. Together they’d produced a person willing to keep the truth from everyone.
Trace reached out and put a hand on her hip.
Heat rushed from his fingertips, up through her center, and hardened her nipples. God, but she wanted him to kiss her. She absolutely couldn’t lie about that any longer.
He hesitated like he was torn, then pulled her into his arms.
“Trace-”
His finger covered her lips. “Shh.” He caressed her lip with his calloused finger, sending a shock wave of desire rioting through her. “Don’t say anything, or I’ll change my mind.” His hand slid around to the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. He grazed his lips gently across hers, then went in for more. His other hand settled on the small of her back just firmly enough to hold her in place.
She should step away. End the insanity before she made a terrible mistake. For the second time in her life.
Her feet didn’t move. Instead, her lips parted, and his tongue found hers. Soft yet unyielding, it coaxed a moan from her.
His grip tightened, and he pulled her flush against him. And oh, the hardness pressing into her belly was impressive and frightening at the same time because this was a man she shouldn’t want.
His strong arms closed around her, and she melted into him with a soft sigh of pleasure. Her hand coasted up his back. His firm, muscular back. Her arms encircled him, pulling him into a red-hot openmouthed kiss that rocked her world. It must’ve knocked his world off balance too, because he did a little moaning of his own.
A branch snapped somewhere near them, and all six-feet-plus of him went rigid. He broke the kiss, and they stilled. Except for the pounding of their hearts. Their quickened breaths swirled a thin mist of fog around them as Trace stared over her head into the darkness.
She leaned her cheek against his chest and listened. Finally, Trace’s fingertips moved against the back of her head to gently caress her hair.
“Probably a raccoon,” he said.
She looked up at him, and he let his nose skim hers. Let his mouth linger just a hair above her lips.
His fingers moved to her throat, and he caressed the sensitive skin with small circles.
Another tremor of need slid through her.
“My situation with Ben is complicated.”
She understood complicated far better than Trace could imagine.
“But I had to do that just once.” His voice was full of disappointment.
“Just once,” she repeated.
He nodded. “I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep since you got here because I lie awake every night wondering what you taste like.” He ran the back of one finger down her cheek.
The roughness of his fingertip against her skin made her quiver, and her nipples shouted for her to demand that he do her against the tree. Her common sense told her he was spot-on, and one kiss would have to be enough. “Now maybe we can both sleep better,” she said. “Because I think about you too.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Lily. It’s so damn hard to be around you and not kiss you. Not touch you.” The pad of his thumb brushed across her bottom lip. “But . . .”
He drew that one word out in a way that arrowed straight to her pounding heart, making it flatline.
“This isn’t fair to you. Ben needs all my time and attention,” Trace breathed out.
He was right, and the rejection shouldn’t hurt. But it did.
His thumb swept over her mouth again. Her lips parted to tell him it was okay. She understood. She agreed. But the words didn’t come.
She had to hand it to her father. He’d always told her everything that came before the but was total bullshit.
And he’d been right.
Chapter Twelve
LILY’S LIFE LESSON #12
When bad habits won’t die, use a sharper knife.
Saturday evening, Trace stood under the shower, bracing his weight against the tiled wall with both hands. The hot water washed over him, and the tension in his tired muscles relaxed. He’d already lined up half the island’s business owners as clients, all of whom were just as frustrated as he was with the inconsistency of their current deliveries. The solution had been right in front of him, but it took Lily’s creative business mind for him to see it.
Same way it took Lily’s involvement with Ben’s science project for Trace to realize what a crummy father he’d been lately. Something he couldn’t allow to continue.
He hadn’t been completely honest with her. Work wasn’t the only thing distracting him. He wanted her. Badly. And if he’d thought one kiss would be enough to get her out of his head, he’d been terribly wrong. She’d tasted like the ocean breeze that blew in the tide on a warm summer evening.
Ocean breeze? Tide? Dudes didn’t use words like that to describe a woman.
He’d damn sure pump iron—or something just as manly—as soon as he got out of the shower. Elliott had a weight bench set up at his place. Trace would pay him a visit and bench-press a few thousand pounds to get his manhood back.
He stood under the water so long, it ran cold. Trace didn’t move. First time in his life he’d hoped for shrinkage. Did absolutely no good.
That kiss had only stoked his flames of desire, making his nights more restless while he thought of how soft and sexy she’d felt molded against him . . . of how much he wanted her against him again with his mouth exploring every crevice.
A thump sounded from the den, and Trace leaned back out of the stream of water. A swipe of a palm over his face wiped the drops away, and he listened.
Another thump sounded.
Trace slowly reached for the knobs and shut off the water. His father had taken Ben and
Sophie to the mainland for the night, leaving Trace alone in the house. Either the raccoon that’d interrupted his kiss with Lily was back and making himself at home in the den, or the Remington had a prowler on the grounds.
He draped a towel around his waist and snuck down the hall to peek around the corner into the den.
Thing One and Thing Two had their feet propped on the coffee table and were helping themselves to beer. Far worse than a raccoon.
Trace relaxed. “Sure. Make yourselves comfortable.” He walked through the den to the kitchen to get a beer for himself.
“Hey, asshat,” Elliott said.
Spence took a swig. “We’re going to the Fallen Angel for a beer. Get dressed. You’re going with us.”
Trace sank into the chair and popped the cap off the bottle. “Too tired. I’m gonna catch up on sleep.” It had been in short supply lately. “Get your feet off my table.”
“Wuss.” Elliott uncrossed his ankles and put his leather all-weather boots on the floor. “Ben’s gone, and you want to sleep?”
Maybe he’d be a better father if he were well rested by the time Ben got home. “Yup.”
Thing One and Thing Two gave each other eye rolls.
“I’ve been working long hours, which you two slackers wouldn’t understand.” Trace took a long pull from his beer.
Spence snorted. “While you’ve been flying the friendly skies, Lily’s been working our tails off.” He still had his feet on the table. “I’ve done more painting and repairs the past two weeks than I did all the years I was in the building industry.”
“It shows.” Trace stopped razzing his brothers. “The place hasn’t looked this good since . . .” Since Mom was alive. He didn’t finish because of the pain that sliced through his brothers every time her name came up. “What do you guys think of Lily so far?” He studied the label on his bottle.
“I think she’s fucking smart,” Elliott answered without hesitation. “A few days ago, she asked to sit down with me to discuss the budget. I thought she’d ask for more money because of the list of repairs and upgrades she wants to make.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t even close. She’d already figured out a way to acquire the materials we need to complete her entire list without spending an extra dime.”
Trace frowned. “How?” He’d approved Lily’s list but told her to prioritize, tackle the most important items first, then ask Elliott when the resort could afford the rest.
“She went to Howard’s Hardware and convinced them to barter supplies.” He took a drink. “In exchange, she’s organizing a community improvement month after the summer season is over to bring in extra business for them. Howard’s will give a discount to any business on the island that starts a renovation or building project during that month.”
Howard’s was one of the businesses already signed up for Trace’s delivery service. If their demand increased, they’d need more supplies delivered. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Trace nodded, impressed but not surprised by Lily’s skill.
“And that’s not the best part.” Spence chuckled. “She asked me to pick up the materials because she couldn’t haul them on her bicycle.” He punctuated that with a moment of silence. “Talk about self-sufficient.”
Lily had agreed to ask one of them when she needed a ride, but she was keeping everyone so busy she’d managed on her own. Again. The woman had crazy stamina at work and a real knack for winning people over. Trace had slipped in to observe the training session when she’d introduced the new booking system to the staff. By the time she was done, the employees were so enamored, Trace was surprised they hadn’t carried her around the grounds on their shoulders.
“Have you heard any more from Megan?” Elliott changed the subject.
The question pulled Trace back to the present, and he shook his head. “No. My guess is she’s already lost interest in having Ben stay with her over the summer.” One less thing he had to worry about. “But I’ve been screwing up with Ben the same way she does.”
His brothers both gave him a look that said, “Really?” So Trace rattled off the whole story about the ducks and the forgotten science project and kissing Lily because of how amazing she was with his son who’d never had a real mother.
“You forgot a science project. Ben’ll get over it,” Elliott said.
“He’s had to get over way too much already.” Trace stabbed his fingers through his tangled wet hair. “He didn’t pick Megan to be his mother. I did. I can’t help but wonder if he’ll hold it against me someday.”
“He’s a kid,” Spence said. “Not a Mafia foot soldier bent on revenge.”
“You’re nothing like your ex-wife,” Spence said, “which is why we’re dragging your ass into town tonight for a beer. You deserve to unwind while Ben’s gone.” He snapped his fingers in a hurry-up gesture. “Get dressed, or we’ll be forced to do the public a disservice and carry you out of here in that towel.”
Trace pushed Spence’s feet off the table and stood. “I’d like to see you try.” He strolled toward his room. “Give me ten.”
Maybe his brothers were right. He could use a break. And he doubted unwinding over a beer at the Fallen Angel would cause him to screw up any worse than he already had.
The Fallen Angel was the most unusual bar Lily had ever seen. That was saying something, considering she’d worked in the French Quarter and spent a lot of time on Bourbon Street.
She followed Charley and Briley through a glass door on Marina Boulevard for her first official girls’ night out in Angel Fire Falls. The door led to a set of dark wood stairs that descended into a basement. Basements weren’t common where she was from, so the light streaming in from small horizontal windows close to the ceiling was interesting, especially since the only thing visible through the windows were people’s feet as they walked past on the sidewalk.
Retro rock-and-roll music played in the background as they commandeered a small table with barstools around it.
“Thanks for inviting me out. I needed a break from work.” Lily had even dressed up for the first time since she’d changed out of her flashy clothes in the airport restroom. The white-and-aqua paisley miniskirt was comfortable and fresh looking with a pair of platform flip-flops. She added a jean jacket since the nights were cool in the Pacific Northwest. “So how’s the new restaurant coming?”
“I thought you were taking a break from work?” Charley asked.
“Habit, I guess.” Lily shrugged.
“Well, you are kicking butt and taking names, so I guess you’re entitled,” Charley said.
Briley tried to flag a server. “The menu will be on your desk by Monday. We’re starting fairly simple.”
“Wise. We’re promoting a family atmosphere, so simple works.” Lily nodded. “I have another favor to ask,” she said to Charley. “Can you hook me up with Ben’s teacher? I need someone to help develop our children’s activities calendar for the summer.”
“Sure thing,” Charley said. “Ride with me to pick up the kids from school next week.”
“Great. Thanks.” There was something gratifying about scratching items off her to-do list, and it grew shorter each day.
Finally, a blonde waitress stepped up to the table and offered to take their order. They all asked for a beer.
“Can I see IDs?” asked the server, who looked barely old enough to drink herself.
Fear pierced Lily’s chest and nearly stopped her heart. “Um.” She patted the front pocket of her jacket, then withdrew some of the cash she’d been rationing. She still hadn’t cashed her first paycheck because the name on it didn’t match her license. Would that be a crime? She wasn’t sure. Working on the small island where employers seemed to be pretty lax about requiring identification had allowed her to keep her identity a secret so far. She wasn’t about to start flashing her license around now. “I must’ve forgotten mine.” She thumbed through the bills and smiled at the server. “I’ll just have a Coke.”
“Never mind.” Charley hop
ped off the stool. “My cousins are friends with the owners, who happen to be tending bar tonight. Let me see if I can fix this.” She tugged Lily over to the bar. “Hi, Mason. This is my friend. She’s new to Angel Fire Falls.”
His black hair tapered perfectly to his neckline. It took a minute for his smoky gray eyes to leave Charley and greet Lily. “Lily Barns.” He drew out her last name with an exaggerated air of familiarity. “Nice to meet you.”
Lily creased her brow. “You know my name?”
“Everybody knows your name. Your ideas could mean great things for the entire island.” Mason tossed a towel over one shoulder. “The Fallen Angel signed up for Trace’s new delivery service, which he credits to you.”
Oh. No. She had no idea anyone outside the resort knew she existed, except for maybe Howard’s Hardware. And that was because she’d visited them personally with a business proposition. She forced a smile. “Nice to meet you, Mason.”
“Lily forgot her ID. Can you help us out?” Charley asked.
He gave Lily an appreciative look, then turned smoky eyes back on Charley. “Beers are on the house tonight.”
“Thanks, Mason.” Charley picked up two mugs.
Lily grabbed the third and followed Charley back to the table. As they talked, the bar filled up. Without them having to ask, Mason sent fresh mugs to their table as soon as the first round was empty.
“Charley’s got an admirer,” Briley teased, the beer already loosening them up. They had to dial up their volume as the chatter of the full room had grown loud.
Charley swallowed a mouthful of brew and shook her head. “Not interested. I’ve been burned. Fool me once and all that.”
“Me too,” Lily chimed in. “My ex was a jerk.”
Dare Me Once Page 14
