“What kind of stuff do you sell?”
“Like, replacement screens for iPods and things.” He shrugged again. “It’s not very interesting. Mostly just lot of packing and shipping for me.”
“But you’re making a good amount of money with it?”
“Oh, yeah.” He met her eye, then. “Definitely.”
“How long have you been doing it for?”
“A few months or so.”
“And you think this might turn into something big?”
“Maybe. That’s what I’m hoping.”
A light went on in Sandra’s head. “Is that why you’re considering not going to college?”
“I guess.” Josh kicked at a rock on the street. “It’s just, I don’t see the point of going if I already know what I’m going to be doing in the future.”
“And that is?”
“What I’m doing now.”
“Makes sense, I guess.” They’d reached the beach, and Sandra sat down on the seawall, motioning for Josh to join her. “Did you know I graduated with a degree in premed three years ago?”
“Really? You never told me that.”
“Yeah. Cassie is the only person here who knows.” Other than Brandon, she added silently. But she didn’t think mentioning her boyfriend to Josh was a good idea.
“So then, how come you work as a receptionist?”
“Well, I haven’t told this to many people… but I think I can tell you. I can trust you to keep my secret?”
Josh smiled. “Of course.”
“Alright. I moved here because I was trying to get away from something in my past. Long story short—it didn’t work. Living in Ocean Shores was supposed to be a temporary thing, but it slowly became more and more permanent. I never thought of this place as home, really, but I guess that’s what it became.”
“It’s small, but it’s not a bad place.”
“No, it’s not. Anyway, the reason I’m mentioning this now is because the whole time I was here, I thought the four years I spent in university were the biggest waste of time—and money. I have banks after me for student loans, outstanding debts, and ridiculous things like that. But I realized—”
“I could help you, you know,” Josh interrupted. He spoke quietly. “I could give you some money if you need it.”
Sandra’s eyes widened. “Josh, no! Why would you even think that?”
He shrugged. “I’m just saying. My business is taking off pretty well. I don’t have to buy the bike. If you want, I could give you what I’ve saved up…” He trailed off, looking at her, letting the implication sink in.
Fifteen thousand dollars. With that much money… Sandra shook her head. “Josh, I appreciate the offer, but there’s no way I can accept.” She knuckled him in the arm. “Come on, you’re like a kid brother to me. What kind of sister would I be if I robbed you of your savings?”
“You wouldn’t be robbing me,” he insisted. “It would be a gift. You should take it if it helps you. I’ll make more.”
“No. And I’m not being stubborn, either. Let me finish what I was saying, and you’ll see. For the longest time, I thought undergraduate was a waste. But just a few weeks ago, I looked at the response letters I got from the med schools, after leaving them untouched for three years. I found out I got accepted. To a lot of schools, actually. But even better, I realized that I enjoyed what I studied. So the four years in college weren’t a waste, and the bank loans weren’t useless. Going to school opened up a whole new avenue of opportunities for me, and though I didn’t appreciate it for the longest time, I do now.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you shouldn’t throw away your options ahead of time. You can still go to school and work on this business of yours, right?”
“Maybe.”
“That’s what you should try to do, I think. That way, if one fails, you’ll still have a backup plan.”
He made a face. “You sound like my high school counselor.”
Sandra grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Besides, it’s what an older sister is for.”
He grimaced. “I don’t know why you keep saying that.”
“It’s because I care about you, Josh.”
“Thanks, I guess.” He exhaled. “I care about you, too, Sandra. You’ve been a good friend for a long time, even if we don’t hang out all that often.”
“We’ll make sure to do it more often from now on then, okay?”
“Yeah. That’d be great. So, how about those medical school acceptances? What are you going to do?”
“I’m thinking of going. The school year starts in a few months. Who knows? Maybe this’ll be the last summer in Ocean Shores for both of us.”
“Yeah, I guess it might be. But whatever happens, I’ll miss having you around.”
“I will, too. Oh!” Sandra remembered. “Did you tell Cassie about your acceptance?”
“Not yet.”
“Do it. I think she worries about you.”
“Why?”
“She said something about keeping a close eye on her employees.”
Josh laughed. “She has a tendency to do that. Alright. If you want me to, I’ll let her know.”
“And tell her about your new business, too. She said you’ve been taking some extra shifts off. She thought something might be wrong.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I owe it to her to explain why I’ve been away. She’s taken care of me for so long, sometimes I take her concerns for granted. I’ll let her know, I promise. Thanks for the heads up.”
“Any time.”
They spent the next hour or so talking. Sandra avoided mentioning Brandon, and Josh didn’t say anything else about his business. Sandra told Josh a little bit about college, spoke of growing up in Chicago, and even admitted to being engaged in Dallas. Josh shared some things about his mother, who worked night shifts at the hospital. He also told her what little he remembered about his dad, who had left when Josh was only three.
For the most part, their conversation touched on these things in passing. They spoke more of living in Ocean Shores, of the tranquility of life on the west coast, and vaguely of their plans for the future. When the clouds started rolling in and the tide began to rise, Josh said he had to go. Sandra gave him a hug and watched him stroll away.
When he was gone, Sandra thought of going home. Instead, she decided to see Cassie and tell her how it went. By the time she reached Cassie’s Blend, the sky had darkened overhead, threatening rain. She walked into the bustling coffee shop and spotted Cassie behind the counter, working frantically to keep up with the horde of customers. Sandra saw Doctor Baker carrying hot chocolates over to a busy table occupied by his wife and their four kids. One of his daughters noticed her, called out her name, and before Sandra knew it she was sucked into a maelstrom of laughter, giggles, and the inevitable insanity of a sugar high.
When Doctor Baker and his family finally left, Sandra discovered a good chunk of two hours had whisked by. She looked around, and found Cassie smiling at her from behind the counter. The bustle of the café had died down. It was just Sandra and Cassie, plus an older man sitting to one side, reading the newspaper.
“I saw how much fun you were having over there,” Cassie accused Sandra as she sauntered over. “Those kids love you.”
“They’re fun,” Sandra admitted.
“Oh no! It’s more than that.” Cassie waggled a finger in front of Sandra’s face as she sat down. “You haven’t been the same since that man of yours came into your life. I swear, he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You’re so much happier now.”
Sandra felt her cheeks warm a little. “Is it really that noticeable?”
“Hun, it’s like night and day! Do you like him?”
“Of course! Isn’t it obvious?” Sandra sighed. “Although, I think it might be a little more than that at this point.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean…” she looked around, lowere
d her voice, “…the four letter word?”
Sandra couldn’t contain the excited squeal, nor the growing smile, as she nodded.
“Oh!” Cassie clasped her hands together and leaned way back. “Honey, that’s wonderful! What I would do to be young and in love again…”
Sandra scowled at her. “Cassie! You’re only a few years older than me.”
Cassie gave her an obnoxious wink. “I know, I know. I’m just saying.” She sighed, her remorse genuine this time. “Robbie wanted to take me out tonight. He said he’d been planning something all week. I told him yes at first, because Josh usually closes on Wednesdays.” She shook her head. “But then Josh tells me he can’t come in later today, and all my other staff is busy, so I had to cancel on Robbie.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Cassie shrugged. “That’s one of the downsides of owning your own business, I guess.”
Suddenly, a bit of inspiration struck Sandra. “Hey. Wait a minute. I have an idea. Why don’t you let me close up?”
“You?” The surprise on Cassie’s face was evident. “Why would you…? No, Sandra, I can’t ask that from you.”
“No, no, I want to. Come on, you’ve been so kind to me for so long, it’s the least I can do. And you deserve to have a night out with Robbie. You work yourself too hard here.”
Cassie narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Who are you, and what did you do with the real Sandra?”
“It wasn’t me,” Sandra said slyly. “It was Brandon. Come on, it’s what, almost eight? If you call Robbie now and tell him you’re coming home, I’m sure he can manage whatever he had planned. I’ll have no trouble here. I worked as a bartender for a few weeks in college, and I closed that place just fine. How hard can it be?”
“You’re really serious?” Cassie looked at her as if uncertain how to react.
Sandra gave a small nod, complete with a comforting smile.
“Oh!” Cassie exclaimed, so loud she drew the attention of the man reading the paper. “Oh, my God! I’m so excited. Thank you, honey!” Sandra squawked as Cassie inhaled her in a giant hug. “If there’s anything you need from me in the future—anything at all—don’t be afraid to ask! Oh my, I can’t believe you, Sandra. You’re really serious! Robbie is going to be so thrilled. Here, here, come, come, I have to show you the back of this place so you know what to do…”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cassie wouldn’t stop gushing about what a savior Sandra was, to the point that Sandra had to chase her out with a reminder to have fun with Robbie. When the last customer left, Sandra turned off the glowing ‘Open’ sign, picked up the washcloth behind the counter, and squatted down, set to work on putting the displayed pastries away and cleaning up the crumbs.
Just as she was getting started, she heard the door opening. She tsked to herself. She had a tendency to forget to lock things, it seemed.
Wiping her hands on the washcloth, she stood up, ready to apologize to whoever had come in and say that they were already closed. Then she saw the most magnificent man leaning against the doorframe, regarding her thoughtfully with deep, green eyes.
“Brandon!” she exclaimed, excitement bursting within her. “What are you doing here?”
“The better question is: What are you doing back there?” He smiled, and cocked his head to the side to continue his thorough examination of her.
“Helping out a friend. Cassie had a date with Robbie tonight, and Josh was supposed to have the last shift, but he canceled at the last minute—”
“Josh, the kid with the curly hair?”
Sandra nodded. “Yeah. How do you know?”
“I remember him from the first time I came here. He took my order before Cassie came over. I remember,” he lowered his voice, “because that was the first time I laid eyes on you.” Brandon pointed to the counter as he started walking toward her. “You were sitting right over there. Your hair—” he made a face, “—was tied up, stretched back, like you were ashamed of it.” He was right in front of her, now, and reached out to tuck a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “I like how you keep it down now. It suits you better.”
“Thanks.” Sandra drew a shuddery breath, overcome by the amazing, masculine scent of Brandon’s cologne. Even after more than two weeks together, seeing him always had this effect on her.
“And the reason I remember,” Brandon continued, his tone soft and dangerous, “was because I couldn’t stop thinking about how badly I wanted to fuck you against This. Very. Counter.” Sandra had no time to gasp as Brandon put one hand on the granite and leapt over, clearing it to land on her side without a sound. He put his arms around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her, right there for the whole world to see.
“Brandon, stop!” she giggled, his rough stubble tickling her cheek. “Stop it! Somebody might see!”
“Let them.”
“No!” She gave Brandon a hard shove. “I promised Cassie I’d close up.”
“I’ll help you. Ooh. You’re so tight. Long day?” He slipped around her, and his thumbs began to knead slow, deep circles between her shoulders. Sandra let out a long breath as his fingers worked away the built up tension in her muscles. “Better?” he mused.
“Much.” She shuddered the word. Then she stepped away from him, turned around, and crossed her arms. “But I’m not letting you fuck me here.”
“Is that so?” That same knowing smile was back on Brandon’s lips. He didn’t step toward her, but his eyes trailed down her body to focus on her breasts. His searing gaze made Sandra feel as if she was already naked—but she wouldn’t let him see that. Although heat clenched in her middle, she was determined to ignore that, too.
“Nuh-uh,” she said, shaking her head. “No way in hell, cowboy. And I’m up here.”
Brandon lifted his eyes to meet hers, then. His voice was soft. “Is that why your nipples are so hard?”
Sandra gasped and spun around, cursing herself for wearing the thin velvety bra that came with her from Seattle. Brandon pounced like a tiger. One second he was a good five feet away. The next he was on top of her, his mouth pressing against hers with barely-constrained violence.
How did he move so fast? She thought in alarm, still refusing to open her lips. It’s like he didn’t even bother with the space in between! She started to push him off, but then his tongue found a way through her lips. Suddenly, she was kissing him back with all the passion he was directing at her.
When Brandon released her, he exhaled and spoke, a deep growl. “I’ve been waiting to do that all day.”
“And that’s all you’re going to get from me here,” Sandra retorted, trying to sound steadfast. The way her voice cracked in the middle of the sentence, though, ruined the illusion. Brandon chuckled, and was on her again in a flash.
This time, Sandra had no choice but to give back. She found her hands tangling in his hair of their own accord, while his moved up and down her back. She moaned into him as he gripped her ass and squeezed tight, and she pressed her hips into him without restraint.
When he let her go that second time, his ragged, deep breathing mirrored her own. She didn’t need to look at his pants to tell he was already hard—she’d felt his cock pressing against her stomach when they kissed.
“Get on the counter,” Brandon commanded, sliding out of his blazer. “I want to fuck you right where you sat when I saw you the first time, three weeks ago.”
“Brandon, no!” Sandra admonished, glancing over her shoulder at the dark windows opening to the street. Anybody passing by would have a clear view of anything they did here. Even though her heart fluttered from need, even though she was so turned on she thought she might have an orgasm if he so much as touched her, she couldn’t—could not!—have sex inside her friend’s coffee shop. Kissing was one thing; sex, another entirely.
“What did you say?” A dangerous quality entered Brandon’s voice.
Sandra hesitated. “I said,” she repeated, feeling some of her resolve falter under hi
s scrutinizing glare, “not… here.”
She trailed off as a new look appeared on Brandon’s face. She didn’t know quite what it was, but it was hard. His brows knit together and he tilted his head forward so that all the emphasis was on his eyes. His jaw was clenched. “Say that to me one more time.” His words were almost inaudible over the ventilation system running in the kitchen. “And this time,” he added, stepping so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, “don’t lie about what you want.”
“Brandon,” Sandra started, breathless. She found it excruciatingly hard to think, much less form a coherent sentence, with his attention so focused on her.
“Tell me what you want,” he rumbled, curling his finger around her earlobe before sliding it down her jaw and into the curve of her neck.
“I want…” she started, but the words died half-formed in her throat. All she could think of was the strength of the man in front of her… and the pulsing need between her legs.
“Yes?” Brandon urged. “Tell me, Sandra… tell me what you really want.”
“I want…” she tried again. “I want…” But she didn’t know what she wanted anymore, not with her emotional circuitry so jumbled up by Brandon. “I want—”
“Me,” Brandon finished for her, and suddenly his hand was pressing against her stomach, dipping past the waist of her jeans, and sliding under her velvet panties. Sandra tried to push him off, but his other hand grabbed her throat and turned her head to the side. “You want me,” he whispered, his fingers rubbing tight circles while his tongue danced like a serpent around her ear. “You say that you don’t, or you can’t, but your body tells me otherwise.” One finger slipped inside her, and she sucked in a breath and shuddered. “You see?” he rasped. “You can’t lie to yourself, Sandra. Don’t deny what you really want. Listen to your body.” A second finger joined the first, moving in and out of her in rhythm with the pace of his speech. “What does your body tell you, Sandra? What does it tell you now? What do you want?”
Yours to Savor Page 27
