His Kiss (Summer in New York Book 2)

by Jolyse Barnett

  She lifted his hand to her breast. “It’s going to be alright. Let me help.” She stroked his hand across her body, her nipples pebbling beneath his touch, a telling flush spreading across her chest.

  The bulge in his jeans begged for release. “Elizabeth.” Her name was a plea that fell from his lips, but he couldn’t hide anymore. He may as well be the naked one, standing in front of her.

  The rational part of his brain recognized the truth. She was the brave one. She stood there, baring it all for him, begging him silently to trust in her, moving his hand over her body with her own, letting go of her inhibitions, her contented sigh a gift just for him. He accepted her present, his gaze traveling across her flushed chest, to the sensual dip of her abdomen, and lower still to the scrap of silk covering her before he tore his gaze away and locked eyes with her once more. His breath caught and his heart stalled.

  She gazed at him with an expression fiercely tender.

  An expletive ripped from his soul, and her eyes widened as he stood and enveloped her in his embrace, determined to make her happy.

  The only way he could.

  He grasped her head gently between his palms and brought her open mouth to his. She may not be his tomorrow, but she would be his tonight.

  *

  She felt the change in him, the moment he made up his mind to have her, the instant he gave in to their mutual desire and accepted all she freely offered. Heat emanated from his body to hers, through the smooth fabric of his denims against her bare stomach, his thick hardness pressing and insistent. But he wasn’t rushing things. It was as if he meant to drag out every moment, measured and careful, intent on making their first time perfect. She squirmed, eager to get closer. She wanted this man, more than she’d ever wanted any man. Ever.

  She didn’t need to know what would happen next. Let the future take care of itself. For now, she just needed Jeremy.

  Inside. Deep. Loving her.

  If only with his body.

  A moan escaped her at the image of them together, of all that was about to happen, all she wanted to experience with him.

  He dipped a hand inside her panties and groaned.

  He knew how much she wanted him. She was soaking wet for him.

  *

  “How do you like your toast?” It seemed odd to ask the woman standing across from him in his kitchen such a normal question. Nothing about sex with Elizabeth had been ordinary.

  “Medium’s fine,” she answered between sips of coffee as she gazed out his kitchen window.

  Damn, she looked good. She had thrown on one of his black tees and it fell to her mid-thigh, exposing just enough leg to make his mouth water. He set the toaster and moved to erase the distance between them.

  She leaned her head back onto his chest, her back nestled against his front. “I have to get going soon. Hate to.”

  He inhaled her sweet scent. “I liked having you sleep over.”

  She laughed, turning her head to look up at him. “Bet you say that to all the girls.”

  He shrugged. “You’re the first.”

  She turned in his arms to face him. “What’d you say?”

  “You’re the first woman who has ever seen my home. Even my mother hasn’t seen it.” The admission spilled out before he thought of how pathetic it sounded. Now she’d only feel sorrier for him. It was embarrassing enough that he’d had to go to such lengths to feel safe, to protect himself from slipping into addiction again.

  Her brow furrowed. “Oh. That seems lonely.”

  He wiped a hand across his brow. “Please, like I said last night, I’m not looking for anyone’s pity.”

  Her eyes grew even larger with compassion.

  She was too good for him. How could she understand that he’d brought it all on himself with his poor choices? “I can take care of myself just fine.” Damn, why did he sound so harsh?

  Hurt crept into her eyes. “You trusted me enough to bring me here. Why can’t you accept my affection?”

  “Awww. Shit.” He moved to her and kissed the top of her tousled hair, pulling her close. They’d had sex into the late hours of the night, even without the stamina of coffee, then woke later to see the sun rise over the edge of the lake. They talked and enjoyed each other again, slow at first then heated and frantic, almost as if their bodies had been looking to connect for an eternity and were intent on making up for lost centuries. “I guess I’m a better writer than talker.”

  She glanced up. “You talked to me last night.” Her voice was wistful.

  He shrugged and backed away, ignoring the twisting sensation in his chest. “Don’t know what to say.” What the hell was he doing? He was pushing her away. He was acting like such a dumbass, but he didn’t know what else to do. She asked all the hard questions he wasn’t prepared to answer. If he ever would be.

  This time it was she that wrapped him in her embrace. “I realize this was a hook up for you, but I’d thought, or at least I’d hoped we’d get together again. I care about you.”

  He felt his body go stiff. He relaxed again within milliseconds, but it was too late. The damage had been done. She’d felt his reaction. He knew because she dropped her arms that had been holding him warm and close.

  The toast popped and she moved to take care of the chore.

  Jeremy watched her buttering. How could he make her understand? It was one thing to enjoy her company and quite another to start making plans for the future. He lived in the moment, part of his personal motto he’d adopted from AA meetings—one day at a time. Maybe having sex with her had been a mistake. He glanced toward his office and sighed. “I’ve got so much work, too. Calls to make, revisions to do.”

  She glanced at the kitchen clock. “Be careful what you wish for, I guess.”

  “I hear you.” In more ways than one. He’d wanted Elizabeth in his bed so bad and now that she’d been there, he only wanted her more, but if he kept her around life was going to get a lot more complicated. If he let her walk away…no, he didn’t like that alternative any better. He took a breath, decision made. “We need to talk.”

  She turned and looked at him, patient.

  “I’m not good at this, but I’m willing to try.” He smiled grimly. “It was part of the deal. Right?”

  “You don’t have to tell me what happened last night at the restaurant if you don’t want to. I’m not going to hold anything over your head. Last night was fantastic. I think you’re pretty great, too. So we’re even.”

  She amazed him, no guilt trip, no barbs thrown after he’d hurt her. Just acceptance. She was as far from Ashleigh Warrington’s caliber as he could imagine. He sat next to her at the kitchen table and she placed eggs and toast in front of him.

  Later, as he filled a travel mug and handed it to her before driving her home he could almost fool himself into thinking they could be a couple someday. It felt nice. Too bad it was too good to be true.

  *

  Elizabeth closed the door to her office at the back of her shop. “Yes, I’m still here.” She moved the phone to her other ear and grabbed a folder off her shelf. “Is it okay if I put you on speaker? I have so much work I need both hands.”

  “Sure,” Tory said on the other end of the line. “So, what’s the verdict on Mystery Kisser?”

  “Jeremy? I like him.”

  “Yeah? How was it?”

  “Incredible. You wouldn’t believe how sweet he is.” She smiled just thinking about their night together. She’d experienced more with him than with all her previous boyfriends combined.

  “Oh, my god, Elizabeth. I was only teasing. You two actually hooked up?” Tory’s voice boomed in the small office.

  Elizabeth snatched the phone up and hit the speaker button before holding the cell to her ear. “It was our third date. Sort of.”

  “Second.” Tory snorted. “I can count and I have a memory. I can’t lie. I’m a little shocked. You’re one of the most conservative, slow-to-get-to-know-people person I know. Wow. Just wow. But I g
uess it’s about time you let loose. Good for you.”

  “Maybe you all rubbed off on me.”

  “Sounds to me more like Jeremy was the one doing the rubbing.”

  Elizabeth bit back a laugh. “If you were here, I’d smack you.”

  “Haha. So, when are you going to see him again? He did ask you out again, right? He’s smart enough to recognize a good thing when he sees it, I hope.”

  “We’re getting together later.” She didn’t tell Tory how he’d waited until they were stopped in front of the house a half hour after she’d made it clear she wanted to see him again.

  “Where?”

  Elizabeth rifled through the bills on her desk. “My place. He says he wants to talk.”

  “Is that a euphemism for more sex?”

  “I don’t think so. This guy’s deeper than he appears, Tory. I mean, he drives a rusted out Ford and his property looks like the Addams family lives there, but inside the house it’s cozy and crisp and clean. And the kicker of it all, he told me this morning that no one’s ever been there before me.”

  “Guys always say that.”

  “I’m not talking about other women, Tor. No one visits his house, as in no friends or family have ever set foot there.” Her head still reeled from that revelation. She had a strong feeling he hadn’t meant to tell her either, considering how defensive he’d become immediately after.

  “That’s a red flag if I ever heard one. The guy must have some baggage.”

  “That’s what I thought. But really, who doesn’t? I don’t exactly have a picture-perfect personal history either. When he said we need to talk, I think he wants to tell me whatever it is that’s causing him to be the stereotypical reclusive author.”

  “That reminds me, did you ever find any links to his books?”

  “No, but I didn’t have a lot of free time to check, been kind of busy with the shop.” She peeked around her office door to ensure everything was under control out front.

  “He could be an indie author. So much competition out there he may be getting lost in the shuffle.”

  “To be honest,” Elizabeth replied, “I’m more hung up on the fact he doesn’t invite his own family to his house. How would there ever truly be room for me, a woman he’s just met?”

  “Maybe it’s easier to be with you. You don’t have any expectations or know all about his past. Remember how you said everyone in Starling knows everything about everyone else. With you, he can recreate himself.” Tory paused. “Just a thought.”

  “You may be onto something. He refuses to talk about his past.”

  “Like I said, baggage.”

  “Oh, and one more thing I wanted to bounce off you before I go.” She paused. “Jeremy said something last night about not wanting my sympathy.”

  “What was that about?”

  “Well, I kind of felt sorry for him when I saw his truck. It’s really beat up, and his house has zero curb appeal. But the biggest contradiction, besides the inside of his house, is that when he told me he could afford to pay for the meal last night, he said he could afford a bunch of them. So, if he can afford to buy nice things, why doesn’t he?”

  “Hmm. I think maybe the real question you should be asking yourself is why should he?”

  “So you think I’m judging him?”

  “Hey, everyone judges. It’s part of being a human, right? It’s not your fault. You’ve never had the change to go outside of your life and see the world from a different perspective.”

  “And you have?”

  “Peace Corps, remember? What a wake-up call.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I forgot.” Tory had been pretty selfish and all about the hair, nails, and clothes before she spent that year after university in Haiti. Elizabeth had chalked it up to her little sister growing up.

  “At first I told myself that those people with nothing were happy because they didn’t know what they were missing out on then I realized I was the one missing out. Rich has nothing to do with money, it’s about the intangibles.”

  A knock sounded at her door. “I think Shannon needs me. I have to go.”

  “Talk later. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.” She hung up, more confused about her life than ever. Had she fooled herself into believing she was being compassionate when she really was being judgmental?

  Chapter Nine

  ‡

  Jeremy patted the golden retriever on the head.

  “Sadie’s missed you. Glad the book is done.” Jade handed him a Pepsi and plopped on the other end of the leather sofa.

  He nodded. The feeling he got when writing The End never got old, and he doubted it ever would from what more experienced authors in the business told him. “How was the honeymoon? Good weather?”

  She grinned. “It was like a modern fairy tale.”

  Ben returned from the kitchen and stood behind the sofa, hands gentle on his wife’s shoulders. He glanced down at her upturned face. “It’s all about milady.”

  Jeremy rolled his eyes. “I stopped by to go over the dates for your next project, but if now isn’t good…” He let his voice trail off, having no intention of leaving but happy to bust his best friend’s balls over a girl, even when that girl was his older sister.

  Jade laughed, onto his tricks. “No, you two go hash out the details.” She stood. “I promised Mr. Van Salzburg I’d stop by and show him all the photos.” She grabbed her purse and iPad off the coffee table before kissing her husband goodbye. “Love you.” She waved to Jeremy. “See you at Mom and Dad’s Sunday.” She whistled to the dog. “C’mon, Sadie. Want to go for a ride?” The dog barked once, wagging her tail, following her mistress out of the room.

  His distraction gone, Ben pulled out his electronic planner and took the seat vacated by his bride. “Okay, let’s get this done so we can enjoy these drinks on the patio.”

  Ben’s comment reminded him of his need to tell Elizabeth the truth. It had been on the tip of his tongue the whole ride home from the restaurant last night but then he’d lost all focus once she’d entered his home. He could have told her this morning, over breakfast or on the drive to drop her off at her summer house, but the moment had never seemed quite right. He had to be content with the fact that they’d be seeing each other again tonight. If only he wasn’t stressing over her potential reaction. “I’d like to visit the site before I begin writing the script. I’ve done the research but still have a few questions that can only be answered by visiting the place.”

  “That’s cool. I’ve got the third weekend free next month. How’s that sound?”

  “Isn’t that the same weekend as the clambake?”

  Ben muttered a mild obscenity. “Yup. You’re right. Scratch that.” He jotted on his tablet with his stylus. “Speaking of, you want to go with?”

  Jeremy scrubbed his chin. “I might have other plans.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re begging off. The girls are nice enough, but I’m still a bit nervous around Bree and Cass after the way they gave me the runaround when I was searching for Jade that Christmas. It’d be real nice to have another guy in my corner.”

  “Oh, I plan on going. It’s just…I’m thinking about bringing someone.” If she still wanted in after hearing the truth, and that was a big IF.

  Ben leaned forward and clapped him on the back. “Well, good for you, my friend. I thought you were acting different today, more comfortable in your skin or something. I should’ve recognized it.”

  Jeremy nodded. He was one of the few who’d been privy to Ben and Jade’s journey to love after his sister returned home from Florida to celebrate the Christmas season in Starling two winters ago. He had been as surprised as anyone when he learned Ben and she had a friends-with-benefits set-up at Jade’s insistence, since she was dead set on leaving town after the holidays. Ben had thought otherwise, however, determined to show her he was the perfect man for her even though many in town, including Jeremy, had their doubts about whether she deserved a second chance
with her former childhood friend.

  Ben always confided in him, stuck up for him, and gave him a job when everyone else thought he was a lost cause. How had he repaid Ben’s belief in him? He looked away with guilt and began to pace the room. He had kept the real reasons behind his accident that night six years ago sealed inside him. He stopped in front of Ben’s floor-to-ceiling window facing Starling Lake.

  “What’s wrong?” Ben’s voice held genuine concern.

  He turned around. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Okay, but you got to tell me this right up front. You’re healthy, right?”

  “Yeah, but there’s this woman that’s gotten me started thinking about how I’ve been living these past years, and what I need to do to move forward.”

  His friend’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Ahh, okay. I get it. Shoot.”

  Jeremy motioned to the chair. “This may take a while.”

  Ben leaned back with his beer in hand. “I have all afternoon. Whatever you need to get off your chest, I’m all ears.”

  He scooped the three coins from his pocket and waited for his friend to settle in the chair opposite his. “I never told you why I was out on my motorcycle that night.”

  Ben leaned forward. “I always wondered why you drove your bike on those back roads that night when it was raining to beat all hell.”

  Jeremy clenched his hands together holding the warm coins between them. “My fiancé had just broken off our engagement.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, but Ashleigh asked me to wait until she had a chance to tell her parents in person. She was from one of those rich families with a summer home on the north side of the lake and she let me believe they were traveling somewhere in Asia when they were really only a handful of hours away in Manhattan.”

  “Sounds like you lucked out that she broke it off.”

  “In the long run, yes, but I was crazy about her, and she knew it.”