His Kiss (Summer in New York Book 2)

by Jolyse Barnett

  She sat up straighter. “Don’t you think that’s a little narrow-minded?”

  He shook his head. “Just calling it how I see it.” He turned to look her in the eye. “I worked hard to get where I am today. It took me a decade to write that first book in between odd jobs so I could support myself and renovate my home. But they won’t see all that. All they’ll see is some fly-by-night hack they think got a lucky break.” He paused, getting to the crux of his dilemma. “The bottom line is, I don’t want you to have to choose between your family and me, but I have a strong suspicion they’ll force you to choose. I refuse to be the cause of any fallout between you and your family.” He wiped a hand across his face.

  Her voice was quiet. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe they will judge you. Maybe they won’t think you’re the right guy for me.”

  He felt his back go stiff at her words but stood his ground. “Don’t get me wrong, Elizabeth. I’ll go to your dinner party and give it a hundred percent. I hope like hell they all prove me wrong. But when it comes right down to it, I doubt they will.”

  She gazed at him with sadness. She looked so tired. She needed sleep. It had been quite a day.

  He kissed her cheek. “I should go. Sleep well and I’ll see you in the morning.” He moved to the door, exhausted from the roller-coaster of emotions he’d experienced the past hour.

  “Jeremy?” she called out in a quiet voice that tore at his heart.

  He turned.

  “Promise me you won’t give up on us just yet.”

  He nodded and slipped out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind him, his mind swirling. His life had changed in six short weeks. Before Elizabeth, he’d been happy to write and draw the day away, without a worry for anyone else in the world. Now, all he could think about was her happiness.

  Damn, he loved her.

  Settled in his makeshift bed downstairs ten minutes later, he lay there, just thinking, until the darkness lifted and a hazy grayness covered the room. In what seemed like the blink of an eye but what must have been at least three hours, Jeremy’s stomach growled in response to the mouthwatering scent of bacon and coffee. The women’s voices filtered into the den from the Gervais’s kitchen, as they chatted and prepared breakfast for the still-sleeping crew. He threw off the blanket and stood. He might as well get moving before the little ones clattered down the stairs seeking before-brunch entertainment, either in the form of jumping on his bed and tickling him or turning on the TV for their daily cartoon fix like yesterday morning. He didn’t mind. It had been fun yesterday. But Elizabeth and he had a long day ahead.

  He’d showered, eaten brunch, and was enjoying a second mug of coffee on the home’s quiet front porch with Ben by the time Elizabeth peeked her head out the front door.

  He held out his hand. “Feeling better?”

  Moving to sit on the arm of his chair, she smiled. “What a beautiful day. Did you hear that Ryan has invited all of us for a ride on his boat? Sounds like fun. What do you think?”

  Jeremy smiled, imagining Elizabeth’s reaction when she saw his cousin’s boat. Hat Trick was more like a yacht. She’d be sure to feel right at home. “Why not? We don’t have to leave until late.”

  “Great. I’ll go tell the girls.” She gave him a peck on the check and disappeared into the house.

  “She fits right in.” Ben observed.

  “Mmm.” That wasn’t his worry, but it was nice to know his friends and family approved.

  If only Elizabeth’s family were a sure bet, too. He set his mug on the table between them and relaxed into the chair. Next thing he knew, the cousins were pouring onto the porch and Ben was no longer sitting next to him. Must have dozed. He stretched and stood.

  “We’re on our way to the dock,” Bree said. “You gonna wake up and join us?”

  He mumbled his agreement and for once in his life, followed the crowd.

  Chapter Fifteen

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  “I’m running late.”

  Jeremy clicked his laptop closed and strode out of his office while he listened to Elizabeth’s explanation. Unlike him, she was her usual calm, in-control self. “Can you pick me up and I’ll give you directions from there?”

  He scooped his car keys off the hook in the kitchen. Well, if she wasn’t worried, why was he like a cat in a dryer? “I’m on my way.”

  “Thanks. I can’t wait to see you.”

  His response was immediate and sincere. “Me, too.” He’d been tempted constantly to tell her the truth, to confess his love for her, ever since he’d realized it on their getaway to Long Island last weekend. He was certain she loved him, too. But, as he’d asked himself over and over, would their love be enough?

  He checked his phone as he walked to the front door. Five-forty.

  He’d attempted to accomplish work all day but kept falling prey to the variety of scenarios that could play out at the dinner party—from good to bad to downright nasty. He chuckled. It was one of those rare instances when he regretted a fertile imagination. A persistent ache in his gut and a numb ass were all he had to show for his day’s work…staring at the blank page on his monitor while listening to the ticking clock in the kitchen, warning him of impending doom.

  Enough of the drama, he scolded himself, as he locked the door and headed for the car. They were going to enjoy a nice, low-key dinner with her family. He wasn’t looking for confrontation, but if anyone pushed his buttons tonight, he was in the mood to push back. He’d fight for the privilege to be with Elizabeth.

  Every time she looked up at him with those clear, loving eyes, he knew it. She was his soul mate. He knew what it felt like to be whole now, and if she loved him to the same depth, which he prayed she did, her family better not underestimate the lengths he’d go to make her happy and be the man she deserved.

  For the rest of his life.

  He revved the Lincoln’s engine. Yes, they were going to do this. Against all the odds, they’d be together. He glanced in the rearview mirror and began to back out of his driveway. His phone chirped with Elizabeth’s dedicated ringtone again. Was she more anxious than she’d let on?

  He blew out a breath before answering in a purposely upbeat voice. “Yes, dear.”

  She laughed. “Well, you sound happy. I forgot to ask you earlier. Did you get the flowers?”

  “Yes.” He shifted into drive and headed back up the driveway. Lost in his thoughts, he’d forgotten the roses in the fridge.

  “Gram will love them.”

  He jogged back into the house, spying the box of chocolates he’d left on the kitchen counter this morning upon his return from town. “Have the Godiva, too.”

  “Huh?” She paused then laughed. “Hmm. That must have been Tory’s request. I’d asked her to text you for me when I couldn’t find a moment to do it myself. Little brat,” she said, a smile in her voice.

  He grabbed the flowers and headed back to the door, his arms full. “So, business must be good.”

  “Super. It’s been crazy-busy with all the bike tours and races this week. It’s been an incredible season.”

  “I’m so proud of you. You make it seem so easy, and I know from other businesses in Placid that the competition’s fierce. You’re going to make it.” He stepped outside, retracing his steps to the car.

  “I hope so. I love it here.” She fell silent. “Well, I’ll let you get going. I’ll call ahead and tell them we’ll be there soon.”

  “Not a first good impression as a couple, being late,” he mused, placing the flowers and chocolates on the floorboard behind the driver’s side seat.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll be handing them chocolates and flowers. They’ll forgive us. They’ll all love you. How could they not? You’re adorable. See you in twenty?”

  “Yup.” He clicked his seatbelt and revved the engine.

  Fifteen minutes later, he stopped in front of her store, his heart racing.

  The woman he loved sped out of her shop in a pretty, peach silk blouse, her
trademark pencil skirt—this one black—and matching open-toed pumps. So classy, so beautiful, so full of life. Not that he cared what she wore, as long as she was comfortable in her own skin. She hopped into his SUV, her cheeks flushed. As she moved to secure her seatbelt he caught a glimpse of cream lace in the vee of her shirt.

  “You rarely give me a chance to be a gentleman.” He joked.

  “Sorry. Want me to get out and wait for you to open the door?” She teased, leaning even closer to grant him an even better view of those breasts he adored like the rest of her, inside and out. Her light, flowery scent competed with the fresh bouquet behind them.

  He reached out with both hands and cupped her soft face, kissing her, effectively shutting her up while releasing his pent-up energy that had built since leaving her bed late last night. He was hard and hot for her, their tongues and lips in sync with each other, his body already on fire for hers. Being with Elizabeth was amazing, every time. If only everything in life were as simple and perfect. Why tempt fate by seeking her family’s approval?

  She sighed and pulled back, her kiss-swollen mouth making him want her even more. It crossed his mind that he could change her mind with one well-placed touch, one whispered suggestion. Then they’d be headed back to his place instead of her grandparents’ house.

  “You’re a bad, bad boy. Look at you.” She smiled tenderly and traced the line of his jaw. “You make me want to call Gram right now and beg off. But we have to go. Please do this for me. You promised.” Her eyes adored him while her chin rose with determination. Giving him a quick peck on the mouth, she returned to her side of the vehicle. “We need to head north on Main Street then fork to the right to follow the curve of Mirror Lake. The rest are private roads. I’ll point them out as we go, okay?”

  Who was his kidding? He was putty in her hands. Shifting the Lincoln into drive, he threw a confident smile at her and they were on their way.

  Perhaps she was worried he’d change his mind or that she’d change hers regarding their evening plans, but she began chattering as he began the slow drive through the village, bringing back memories of their first real date at the drive-in when she wouldn’t shut up about the movie. At this time of the day, he needed to stop often for pedestrians crossing Main Street from one set of stores and restaurants to another and keep an eye out for the groups of bikers pedaling along Route 86.

  “I can hardly believe it. Tory told me my brother may be announcing his engagement to his longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend,” she said, staring straight ahead. “Did I tell you she’s also the daughter of my father’s old friend from when he was on the Olympic team? Her parents are the ones who rented me the house on Starling Lake. Of course, my mother will be ecstatic if the two are tying the knot. Then there’s the rumor Michael may have an even bigger announcement.” She turned to him with a smile. “So you see, we have nothing to worry about. The focus will be on my brother, not on you and me, and everyone will be in a mood to celebrate.”

  He nodded, peering up at the sky as dark clouds started to roll in. “Looks like we’re finally gonna get some of that rain they’ve been predicting.”

  “Hmm, did I remember to bring my umbrella?” Elizabeth looked on the floorboards in front of her seat shook her head. “I must’ve left it in the shop. Oh well.”

  He hooked a thumb over his right shoulder. “I’ve got one in the pocket behind your seat if we need it.” He looked at the trees lining the road. “But we should be fine. Wind hasn’t started to pick up yet.”

  Ten minutes later, they made it to the fork in the road. Elizabeth navigated since the private roads were ones he’d never had reason to drive, although he knew from living in the area his entire life that there were some incredible properties on the lake’s north side, the area settled by the social elite in the 1800s. They called them Adirondack Great Camps, and some were more extravagant than others. At first he assumed she’d fallen silent to let him focus on driving, but when he turned onto the final road, the tension poured off her in waves.

  “Hey.” He reached out a hand to cover hers folded in her lap. “Like you said, it’s going to be a fun evening. Don’t worry about me. I can handle the alcohol situation, just as you can handle the food.”

  “I know. It’s not that. It’s just, well, there’s something I’ve neglected to share.”

  He slowed the vehicle.

  “I hesitated to mention it because I really wanted you to come, and I was afraid you’d change your mind if you knew…” Her voice trailed off.

  His gut feeling was that tonight would be a turning point for them, but he’d been hoping his fears were unwarranted and all would end well. “Tell me, before we get there.”

  “Well, it’s just that my grandparents’ home is a little bit more than a typical summer house. It’s one of those properties on the National Register.”

  He nodded, absorbing her words. So, her family was wealthier than she’d let on. He’d misled her about his career too, couldn’t make an issue out of it when he was guilty of the same lie of omission. “That’s cool.”

  “Great, because there it is, straight ahead.” She pointed to the wrought iron gates separating them from an elegant estate at the end of a quiet, dead-end street. They hadn’t passed a house since turning onto this road about five minutes ago.

  He felt his eyes bulge. “Is all of this your grandparents’ property?”

  She nodded.

  He released a huge breath. Okay, so they were filthy rich. Old money rich. He glanced down at his off-the-shelf black polo shirt bought just for the party—so he wouldn’t embarrass her with another one of his black tee shirts—and his favorite pair of black denims with a new pair of black loafers.

  Elizabeth unfastened her seatbelt.

  “What’re you doing?”

  “I have to punch in the code so we can get in.”

  Why hadn’t he thought of that?

  She leaned across him and tapped a series of numbers, her expression sheepish.

  The gate swung open slowly and he inched his vehicle up the long driveway, eventually opening into an expansive circular drive. He whistled under his breath. Yep, this definitely was one of the more extravagant houses he’d ever seen. Images of a particular presidential compound popped into his head. He eyed the grouping of white bungalows with green shutters set far back from the main house, against the perimeter of towering Adirondack pines. Ben had once told him that buildings like that were called Cure Cottages, common in Saranac Lake and inhabited back in the day by the likes of rich people from big cities seeking fresh air as treatment for tuberculosis. His history buff brother-in-law would get quite a kick out of this place. The homes on this property appeared in great condition, unlike some he’d seen in other areas. “Why aren’t you staying in one of those?”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “It’s a long story, but the short version is that various extended family members already had dibs on them for the summer season before I received the go-ahead for the store.”

  “That’s too bad. This place makes the house you’re renting look like a shack.” He parked behind the red Mercedes in a line of expensive cars along the front of the ivy-covered brick mansion. The house had a red door, same as his parents’ home. That’s where the similarity ended.

  She gazed at him, her brow furrowed, twisting the string of pearls around her neck.

  “So this is why…” He didn’t have the words.

  “I don’t want this to change things between us. I’m still me and you’re still you.”

  “Money, or lack of, can’t help but affect relationships. If it didn’t, you would’ve taken me up on my offers to help when your grandfather fell a few weeks ago, or told me about this a lot sooner.”

  She nodded. “But I don’t want it to change us. It can affect people, those who allow it to rule their lives, be the driving force behind the choices they make. But I’m not like that, and neither are you. My family doesn’t lord their wealth over others. They’re good peop
le. Our ancestors worked hard and we profited. I work hard, too, made it on my own because that’s how my grandparents and parents taught me. We don’t take our good fortune for granted and we do what we can to make the world a better place.”

  What could he say? They both had erred, worried about how the other would react when learning about their differences. He stared at his hands wrapped around the steering wheel, tempted to restart the engine and drive her far, far away from here, from all they knew or thought they knew. They could make a fresh start, just the two of them.

  He and Elizabeth.

  “We come from different backgrounds. I know you’ve met some bad people who used their wealth to intimidate or demean others.” She wrung her hands in her lap. “Even some people in my family were like that, but they’re gone now. All I ask is that you don’t judge my family, as it is now, before you give them a chance. There are good and bad people from all walks of life.” She hesitated, her chocolate eyes imploring. “My great-grandfather started Starling Mines. My grandfather inherited it. There, I said it.”

  He processed that. Maybe he’d heard her wrong. “Your family owns the mining company my family has worked in for generations?”

  “I’m sorry. We don’t tell anyone,” she said. “It’s a huge family secret.”

  Nope. He’d heard her right. He had no words.

  She glanced toward the mansion. “They won’t be happy that I told you. My father’s friends don’t even know the truth, the people whose house I’m renting. My grandfather even changed the family name to protect us, to give us a fresh start. He didn’t approve of the way my great-grandfather treated some of his employees and has worked most of his adult life to undo the damage his father caused. But he couldn’t help everyone.” Her voice caught.

  He tried to follow her, still attempting to wrap his head around all she was sharing. “Like my great-uncle.

  She stared straight ahead now, as if determined just to get it all out in the open. “If he had tried to amend for everything, our lawyers told us he’d be forced to shut down the company altogether. Gramps knew that would cause even more harm, taking away the only major source of income for the residents.” She paused. “So, I’m guessing my grandfather may be worrying about what you think of him, too.” She turned to him, an earnest expression in her eyes. “Will you still come in?”