Leveled

by Cathryn Fox

  Uh, hello, Dad, you strong-armed me into working at your firm, but no way, no how will I allow you to force me into an arranged marriage. Not going to happen. Ever. Trevor was the one who told Dad about Blue Bay. He grew up in Atlanta, but apparently he and his family summered here every year when they were younger and still have a cottage on the ocean. I guess maybe he’s hoping we can summer here together when we’re married. Like hell.

  As I think about my overbearing father and working in his office, under his thumb, it dampens my mood and kicks my arousal to the curb. I look around the gorgeous beachside mansion my father bought me—a consolation gift as far as I’m concerned—something to appease me after I agreed to go work for him instead of following my dreams.

  Seriously, you’d think I had it all, right? A college degree: check. A position at Daddy’s law firm come fall: check. A gorgeous house in Blue Bay to summer in: check. But what I—the obedient daughter of a very powerful man who controls my every move—don’t have is a smoking hot, tattooed carpenter in my bed. I’ve had my whole life mapped out for me, and if I have to spend it in criminal law instead of pursuing a career in fashion design like I want, then just once I want to be bad, want to do something just for myself.

  Like seduce the carpenter next door.

  There’s no denying the attraction between us. When he walked into my room and found me naked, need, want, and something dangerously dark flashed in those gorgeous green eyes of his. I’ve never seen eyes that color before. I’m guessing the two guys who came to my rescue are related, since they both have that same rare color.

  Anyway, while there was a spark between Jamie and me, he did seem rather anxious to get out of my place. I hope he’s not taken, because if I’m going to be bad this summer, I want to be bad with him. I’ll have to do a little digging. He might not have a girl’s name inked on his body, but that doesn’t mean he’s single. If he is, however, I’ll need to find a way to entice him into my bed—a naughty way to get him to break that steely control he exudes.

  I pull on a sundress, slip into a pair of sandals, and look at the business card again. I’m not exactly sure where Blue Bay Construction’s home office is, but I’m heading to town, and since everyone here seems to know everyone, I’m sure someone can point me in the right direction.

  Outside, I take another glance up and watch Jamie as he picks up a load of shingles. His big muscles bulge and I go all jittery inside. He seems lost in thought, a dreamer like me. I chuckle. Maybe we have more in common than I think. As if sensing my staring, he angles his head my way, and I give a finger wave. He doesn’t wave back, instead he looks at me with those gorgeous, murderous eyes of his. Like he doesn’t know whether to take me to bed or put me over his lap.

  I wouldn’t be opposed to either.

  I climb into the car and back out of the driveway, leaving my cottage in my rearview mirror as I drive through the town. It’s late May, and from what I understand, things don’t really get under way here until the end of June or early July, once the kids are out of school. Since I was called to the bar last month, I decided to come early, get settled in, take some much-needed time to myself before the crowd rolls in.

  I park my car at a metered spot and make my way to Benny’s for groceries. This town is unlike any other I’ve ever been in. So quaint. It sort of reminds me of Lake Winnipesaukee in that old nineties movie, What About Bob, starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. Yeah, old movies are a weakness of mine—scary ones too, although I usually end up hiding under my covers after watching them. How many times did my father berate me for my foolishness and overactive imagination? Thinking of my father reminds me that this town is a far cry from where I come from, and I actually really like it.

  I walk along the streets, check out all the cute shops, and smile as I momentarily suspend reality and picture myself living in this town, my own specialty boutique full of designer clothes made by my hands. A car horn honks, and I’m jolted back to the present, but as I think of my designs, I consider Jamie’s ink. The man does have talent. A hell of a lot of it, actually. Why did he leave his shop in New Orleans to pursue construction?

  I have no idea why, but I wonder if he still has his equipment. If so, would he give me a tattoo? I laugh, and when someone passes by and looks at me strangely, I cover my mouth. I don’t need anyone thinking a crazy lady just moved to town. But seriously, wouldn’t a tattoo send Father Dearest over the edge. I’m not eighteen anymore. I’m twenty-six and if I want ink, I should damn well have ink. I open the door to Benny’s as a naughty, delicious idea begins to form.

  The irresistible scent of cinnamon and apple pie hits and my stomach grumbles. I wave to Benny Monroe as I grab a cart. I met him a few days ago when I stopped in to pick up a few necessities. I fill my basket and take it to the front to unload. Benny looks like the kind of man who knows everyone’s business.

  I pull the card Jamie gave me from my purse and show it to him. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find Blue Bay Construction, would you?” He opens his mouth to speak, but closes it and smiles as someone shuffles in beside me.

  “I’m headed there right now,” a woman says, and when I turn, I find an elderly lady with those same green eyes looking up at me. “You can follow me.”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you.”

  She stares at me longer than is comfortable, like she’s trying to figure out who I am. “Where did you get the card?” she asks.

  “Oh, Jamie Owens. He’s doing work on a neighboring house.”

  “You’re new in town.”

  It’s a statement, not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes, just bought a property on the water. I’m looking to have the deck replaced, which is why Jamie gave me this card.”

  She purses her lips and looks down for a moment, like she’s remembering something from the past, then she says, “Well, I’m his Grandma Nellie, and I personally greet every newcomer to Blue Bay with a dinner invitation.”

  “That’s so kind of you, but—”

  Benny’s chuckle has my words falling off. I turn to him and he has a gleam in his eyes—one that says, no way, no how am I getting out of Sunday dinner. Then again, maybe it won’t be so bad. Maybe I can get a glimpse into Jamie’s life and figure out if my naughty plan will actually work.

  “You’ll come this Sunday night,” Grandma Nellie says.

  I laugh. I’ve only just met her and in two days I’ll be seated at her table. The people move fast in a town that moves slowly. “Okay.” I nod toward the door. “Jamie told me to find Sean, and he’d give me a quote on the deck.”

  “Oh he did, did he? Didn’t want to give you one himself?”

  “No, he told me to check with Sean, and that Sean would find the right man for the job.”

  Her lips purse, and she goes quiet, like she’s thinking of something. Her body language reminds me so much of Jamie, it’s not funny.

  “Interesting.” I’m about to ask why that’s interesting when Benny laughs again, and Grandma Nellie fires another question. “How long are you in town?”

  My, my, for a little grandmother, she sure is a nosy one. “Until the end of the summer.”

  “That’ll do. Follow me,” she responds abruptly.

  That’ll do?

  We both pay for our groceries, and I make a move to help with her bag. She swats me away and points a finger at me.

  “Don’t be fussing and treating me like an old lady who can’t do things for herself.”

  I pull my hand back, and she struts past me, carrying her own bag. Alrighty then!

  “See you later, Benny,” she says and shifts the bag to open the door.

  I grin at Benny and he just shakes his head, the look in his eyes warning that I’m about to go down the rabbit hole and never come out the same. Maybe I should heed it.

  The bell over the door jingles, pulling my focus, and I decide nothing ventured, nothing gained. After playing by the rules for so long, I deserve a break from reality
with hot carpenter guy—so I follow her out. I see a motorcycle and a big pickup truck parked outside and as she heads in that direction, I wonder which one she’s driving. I chuckle to myself. She’s not like any grandma I’ve ever known. I guess they grow them tough and sturdy in Blue Bay, and I’m also betting she played a major role in raising Jamie, considering he seems as obstinate as her and has the same mannerisms.

  She hops into the big-ass truck, and I jump into my Lexus and follow her down the road until we’re a little bit out of the town. She turns down a long driveway, and a big house looms in the distance. I park and hop from the vehicle.

  Beneath the warm sun, I smooth my hair back and take in the massive homestead. “You have a beautiful home.”

  She smiles, and it’s so warm and friendly I feel an instant camaraderie with her. “My grandfather built it when Blue Bay was a whaling community,” she explains.

  “You must have grown up in a big family.”

  “I did, and I also raised a lot of boys in that house.”

  “All boys?” I ask.

  “Sons and grandsons.” Her green eyes glisten. “I’m hoping for a great-granddaughter soon.”

  My throat dries. Dammit, I hope it’s not Jamie she’s talking about. I’m still holding out hope that he’s available.

  “This way.” She leads me along a path and points to a door. “You’ll find Sean in there, and don’t forget, Sunday dinner, six sharp.” I reach for the door handle when her voice stops me. “And just for the record, Jamie is the deck expert.” She gestures with a nod toward her front deck. “He fixed that for me when he came home last year. It’s good and sturdy. Just like him.”

  I angle my head. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Grandma Nellie was doing a bit of matchmaking. Should I tell her I’m not interested in long-term and kids aren’t on my horizon? As a lawyer who is going to work eighteen-hour days, no way would I bring a child into this world. Even though I barely saw my father growing up, he still managed to control my life, and I don’t want to be an absent or controlling parent like him. Mom is gone now but she was no different, a busy district attorney, and too caught up in her position in society to be there for her kid. And of course I can’t forget the fact that my past relationships have left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Apparently I’m a magnet for selfish jerks who are too focused on themselves and their own successes, most wanting to date me to get closer to Daddy. Ugh, I’ve yet to meet a man who wasn’t self-centered or would even dream of putting my needs before his.

  But before I can say any of those things, a big, slobbering Labrador retriever rounds the corner and darts toward me. I gasp, but when the animal starts licking me, I realize I’m not in any danger.

  “Well hello there.” I bend to pet the dog’s head. I always did love animals, but they were messy and required a lot of attention, and with everyone working so hard, away for such long hours, I never thought it was fair to bring one home. Not that I thought my parents would ever let me while I was growing up.

  “Scout, wait,” someone yells, and when a girl around my age comes around the corner with a very big belly, I stand back up. “I’m sorry,” she says and puts one hand on the wall as she gasps for breath. “I’m not as fast as I used to be, being twelve months pregnant and all, and Scout likes to run.”

  “Twelve months?”

  She laughs. “Eight really, it just feels like twelve.”

  I laugh, and when I hear a screen door clang shut behind me, I turn to see a flash of Grandma Nellie’s skirt as she enters her house.

  “I see you met Gram,” the girl says.

  I nod. “She brought me here. I met her at Benny’s and she told me to follow her.”

  Her eyebrows rise. “Oh, really?”

  “I’m looking for Sean.”

  “Then you came to the right place.” She angles her head and narrows her eyes. “Do I know you?”

  I pet the dog again. “Do you walk Scout on the beach every morning?”

  “I do.”

  She smiles at me and I instantly like her. I could use a friend in Blue Bay. “I thought I recognized you, too. I’m Kylee Jensen, just bought a cottage on the water.”

  “I’m Summer Owens. I’m married to the man you’re looking for, and I’m your neighbor. Sean and I live a few doors down from you.”

  “You’re married to Jamie’s brother,” I say, a statement, not a question.

  Her eyes flash to me and open a little wider. “You know Jamie?”

  “He’s doing roof repair work on the cottage next to mine. When I asked about deck repairs, he gave me this card and told me to talk to Sean. He said Sean had the right man for the job.”

  She grins. “Oh he did, did he?”

  Why is her reaction so much like Grandma Nellie’s?

  “Yeah, he told me I should use a composite. It’s more permanent.”

  Summer opens the door to the office, her grin widening, and I can’t help but think, Foot, meet rabbit hole.

  “Well, come on in. Let’s talk about permanent and see about getting the right man for that job.”

  Wait, she’s still talking about my deck, right?

  Chapter Three: Jamie

  What the fuck is she doing here?

  I’d given her Sean’s card two days ago, and she’s at Gram’s for dinner already. Shit. I never should have let her drive out here. I should have just given her a damn quote on the deck myself and called in one of the guys to do the work before Sean had the chance to give the job to me, ignoring the fact that I told him I didn’t want it. Fucker.

  Leave it to Gram to invite her to dinner right after meeting her. But so help me God, if she tries to pair the two of us up, I’m fucking out of here. Ever since Sean and Summer got married, proving the Owens boys do have monogamy in them—well, some of us anyway—Gram has been trying to match us all up. She’s damn determined to get a brood of great-grandkids. But she has to know I’d never, ever go for a girl like Kylee. Not that I know a lot about her. I don’t need to. She’s rich and pampered and that’s enough for me. It should be enough for Gram, too.

  “Hey,” I grumble under my breath when I enter the kitchen to find Gram, Summer, and Kylee sipping on wine and whispering fuck-knows-what about fuck-knows-who. As long as it’s not about me, we’re good. All eyes turn to me.

  “Jamie,” Gram says. “Come here, sweet boy. Give your grandmother a hug.”

  Fuck, I wish she wouldn’t call me that, especially in front of Kylee. I step up to her, but I’m full of dirt and grime from the roofing job, which Ryan and I just finished up an hour ago.

  “I’m dirty, Gram.”

  As soon as those words leave my mouth, I hear Kylee suck in a fast breath. I look over Gram’s head, my gaze going to hers, and when I spot big blue eyes moving over my body, there is a part of me that would like to show the girl next door just how dirty I am—just how sweet I’m not, despite what Gram thinks. I clear my throat and give Gram a peck on the cheek.

  “What time is dinner? I need to shower.”

  “Me too,” Jared, one of the twins, says, coming in behind me looking like he had a hell of a day too. His boots scruff the floor then come to a resounding halt when he sees Kylee, and it takes every ounce of strength I possess not to shift and put my body in between them to cut off his line of vision. Jared will fuck anything that moves, and if he thinks for one minute I’m letting him near Kylee, he can forget it.

  Jesus Christ, what am I even thinking?

  Oh, I don’t know, maybe that deep down I want her in my bed.

  Fuck that.

  “I don’t think we’ve met,” Jared says.

  I clench down, and Gram says, “Everything okay, Jamie?”

  “Fine,” I bite out.

  Ignoring me, Jared walks up to Kylee. “I’m Jared, and we couldn’t have met because I’d never forget a girl like you.”

  “Real fucking original,” I mumble under my breath.

  Gram does the introduction, and I lean against
the doorjamb, trying to ignore the way Summer is smirking at me, like she fucking knows what’s going on inside my head—and inside my pants. I love my sister-in-law, I really do, but she needs to stay the hell out of my business.

  “Of course you don’t need an introduction, Jamie,” Gram says. “Kylee told me you two met at the beach, and that’s how I came to know her.”

  Well done, dude.

  I make a move to go, but my feet still when Gram says, “Jared, why don’t you refill Kylee’s wine glass and give her a tour of the property. Take her down to the lake. It’s so pretty this time of night. Supper will be a little while yet.”

  “Sure,” Jared says and grabs the bottle to refill Kylee’s glass.

  “Not too much. I’m a lightweight,” Kylee says.

  “No worries. If you have too much, I’ll see to it that you get home safely.”

  I’m going to fucking kill him.

  The screen door bangs shut as Jared leads her outside, and I don’t stick around to let Gram or Summer see the shit storm going on inside me. I make my way upstairs, tugging my grimy shirt off as I go, and step into the bathroom. Because I’m a goddamn masochist, I step up to the window in time to see Jared put his hand around Kylee’s back and carefully lead her out to the wharf.

  I kick off my pants and turn on the water. I should probably take a cold shower. No one needs to see my boner at the dinner table. I climb in, grab the soap, and lather up. My cock refuses to cooperate and continues to swell as I think of Kylee. I grip the base and give a hard tug. Fuck, that feels good. Unable to help myself, I close my eyes, envision Kylee in here with me. What I’d do to bend her over the edge and drive my cock into her. I keep stroking as I picture her spread wide open for me, and it doesn’t take long before I’m shooting a load off into the stream of water. Good, that should help clear my head and get me through a meal unscathed.