by Marie Carnay
Holly shrugged. “But I didn’t and I followed everybody’s orders. Between the doctor and Trent I swear they’d turn me into Rapunzel and trap me in some ivory tower. I’ve been sitting around for days doing nothing. It’s halfway through the week already and it’s about time I’m back to work.”
“What does Ian have to say about all of this?”
Holly frowned. “I don’t get why everyone is making such a big deal out of this. My brakes failed. That’s it. There’s no reason to think someone tampered with my car. It’s an old piece of junk. I’m sure the line just broke.” She pulled a plate out of the dishwasher and fished a danish from a bag sitting on the counter. At least living with Ian she’d have fewer pastries to resist.
She reached for a fork but Hillary slammed the drawer shut. “Nuh-uh. No way. No cream cheese and cherry goodness until you answer my question.”
“Fine.”
Best friends could be so determined. Holly waited until Hillary dropped her hand before reaching into the drawer for a fork. “He thinks it was intentional. Apparently he’s been getting hate mail. He thinks it’s connected.”
Hillary raised her eyebrows. “Ian Knowles getting hate mail? That’s ridiculous. He’s the nicest rich guy I know.”
Holly stabbed the flaky crust and shoved a bite of the pastry into her mouth. Butter and sugar and fruit filling all swirled together and she closed her eyes until the bite was gone. So good. At last, she turned back to Hillary.
“He didn’t say much. Just that it had to do with his shipping business. Someone’s been threatening to sabotage it.”
“Whatever for?”
“He didn’t say.”
Hillary grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee. Steam rose up from the blue ceramic and she cupped her hands around the warmth. “Is that why he’s got a bodyguard?”
“Trent’s not a bodyguard. He a friend who happens to do security and investigation work.”
“Could have fooled me. All those muscles. Mmm. Serious man candy. Not that Ian’s that bad, either.” She grinned and took a sip. “You’ve kind of lucked out, you know. Living in a mansion with two hot guys. It’s better than Cinderella.”
“Pfft. I don’t need a Prince Charming.”
“Need and want are two very different things.”
Holly’s cheeks colored and before she could turn away, Hillary pounced on it.
“What? Did something happen? Tell me something happened.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“If it’s got your cheeks turning bright red and you doing that thing with your lip, then it is too. Now spill.”
Holly sighed. She had wanted to keep the night at the pool a secret. Kissing both men? Back to back? It was crazy. She focused on the remnants of pastry as Hillary reached into the drawer for a spoon. “I might have kissed Ian…and Trent.”
The utensil clattered to the floor. “Are you serious? When?”
“After the party the other night. We ended up in the pool and it was dark and Ian got this silly idea to play Marco Polo.”
“Let me guess. It wasn’t the G-rated kind.”
Holly shook her head. “We were acting like teenagers. It’s embarrassing.”
“No. It’s awesome. I can’t believe you kept that a secret.”
“I’m sorry. But it doesn’t matter because it was a one-time thing.”
“Is that what they want?”
“It’s what I want. I can’t get involved with one guy, let alone two. I’m only here for a few weeks. Then I’m back to LA.”
Hillary bit her lip.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Holly frowned. No way was her best friend holding out on her, not after she’d just confessed to being a pool party bimbo. “Talk.”
“Well, it’s just…if you did date the two of them, it wouldn’t be the first relationship like that in Midnight Cove.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know that artist I told you about? Summer Crenshaw? She’s engaged—to two guys.”
Holly blinked. She couldn’t have heard right. “I’m sorry I had a brain malfunction. Did you say two guys?”
Hillary grinned. “I sure did. And guess who her best friend is?”
“Bigfoot?”
“Ian’s little sister, Mandy.”
Holly’s mouth fell open. Mandy’s best friend was in a relationship with two men. “Does Ian know?”
Hillary laughed. “Blake and Devin are two of his closest friends. He definitely knows.”
The phone rang and Holly jumped up in the air.
“Cove Catering, Hillary speaking.” Hillary listened to the caller and grabbed a notepad and pen. After a few minutes, she hung up and grabbed Holly by the arm. “Hope you’re free to work next week. We just scored a huge job!”
Holly nodded, but her head was spinning with thoughts of her, Ian, and Trent in the pool. She knew it wasn’t just the thrill of skinny dipping. Or Ian’s charm. It was both men. The thought of doing way more than kissing one at a time had her antsy and off-kilter and acting like an idiot. Her fingers found her lower lip and she wondered.
Did the two of them want more than just a fling? Was it even something she could handle?
* * *
TRENT
After pulling the SUV into an open space along the road, Trent turned it off. From the outside, the surf shop looked like any other place along the street. Innocuous and quaint. Why Ian thought Trent could find answers there, he had no idea.
He’d been wandering all over Midnight Cove for three days, looking into leads, but coming up empty. He’d interviewed all of Ian’s friends. Former girlfriends. Acquaintances. This was the only spot left.
He hopped out of the car and beeped it locked. Glancing up and down the street he surveyed the passersby. A man with a dog. A woman carrying a sack full of flowers. No one unusual. He turned and tugged open the front door of Surfed.
A bell jingled and he let the door shut behind him. The surf shop boasted everything you’d expect—boards of all sizes, wetsuits, eyewear. The only thing out of place? All the art. It might as well have been a gallery. Paintings of all sizes filled every available inch of space.
As Trent stared at a seascape full of turbulent waves, the door to the back opened and shut. He turned to see a man walking toward him. A short beard covered his jaw and from his lack of wrinkles, Trent had to guess he was in his twenties. Mandy’s age, probably.
He’d have been a kid when Trent left town. Too young to know him.
The man smiled. “Can I help you?”
Trent nodded. “I’m looking for Blake Turner. Ian Knowles sent me.”
He held out his hand. “You’ve found him.”
Trent gave Blake’s hand a brief shake. “Trent Malone.”
“Are you a surfer? We’ve got everything you’d find down the coast, but with our choppy water, the boards are a bit different.”
“I’m not a surfer.”
Blake paused. “Then how can I help you?”
Trent sized him up. From what Ian had said, Blake would be able to give him an idea of who in town might be targeting Ian. But Trent didn’t get that vibe. He seemed like more of a laid-back beach bum than anything. “I run a security firm. I’m in town to help Ian with some trouble he’s been having.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Threats. Mostly over e-mail.”
Blake ran his hand over his hair. “Really? Why would he send you to me? He can’t think—”
Trent held up his hand. “He said you might know who in town might have a bone to pick with him.”
Blake frowned. “Everybody loves Ian.” The man glanced up at the ceiling as he thought. “He’s been a bit absent the last year with his shipping business, and maybe his restaurants have suffered, but that’s no reason to threaten the guy.”
“His restaurants?”
Blake nodded. “He runs the Inn with his brother-in-law Richard, and then
there’s Knowles on the beach and After Dark on Boulevard. He was going to open a bar with us upstairs, but that didn’t work out.”
Trent raised an eyebrow and Blake chuckled.
“It’s not what you think. We, um, decided on a better use of the space.”
“You’re damn right we did.” Another man joined them in the middle of the shop. He was about the same age as Blake, with a mop of dark hair and matching eyes. He had to be another surfer. “Devin Rogers. I own Surfed with Blake.”
Trent shook his hand. “Trent Malone.”
Devin cocked his head. “Are you from here? That name sounds familiar.”
Trent frowned. He didn’t want this meeting to be about him. “I lived here as a kid, but it’s been a long time.” Enough chit chat. He stood a bit taller. “I’m running security for Ian Knowles. He sent me here. Said you might know who in town might have a problem with him.”
Devin glanced at Blake. “Is this about Summer’s gallery? He can’t think we’re mad about the bar.”
“Who’s Summer?”
Devin smiled a mile wide. “Our fiancée.”
Trent blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“You heard right. I’m engaged to them both.” A stunner of a woman with long hair and vibrant eyes swept into the store. “Summer Crenshaw. I see you’ve met my two awesome guys already.”
Trent nodded and forced the shock not to show. He’d heard of threesomes in the bedroom and sister wives from TV, but one woman engaged to two men? Never.
Blake filled her in on why he was there and Trent tried to focus. “Any chance you can help?”
Summer held up her hands. “I wish I could, but Blake’s right, I’ve no idea why someone would want to hurt Ian. He’s so nice.”
“No old business partners he’s on the outs with? Someone who knows his shipping business?”
Summer shook her head. “I don’t know anything about Ian’s business. Mandy might know. She’s in Seattle with Richard for the week, but I’m sure you can track her down.”
Trent asked a few follow-up questions about the gallery and the surf shop and how they all knew Ian, but he got nowhere. It was a wild goose chase.
He thanked the trio for their time and headed back out into the crisp coastal air. Damn that man. Trent beeped the Range Rover and fell into the front seat. He slammed the door and stared out at the picture-perfect street.
Ian didn’t send me here to ferret out a threat at all. He’s still thinking with his dick.
He glanced back at the surf shop. Ian had hinted at the possibility of a threesome the other night. Trent had to admit it had intrigued him. He could see it now—Holly’s sexy curves and long hair trapped between their bodies. Crying out as they both claimed her. He bit the inside of his cheek.
From the meeting he’d just had, they wouldn’t be the first in town to try it. But it was crazy. Holly had run away after just a kiss. And Trent wasn’t that kind of guy. He didn’t kiss and run or do one-night stands. He’d rather be lonely than have a throwaway fling that never went anywhere.
Trent shook his head and started the SUV. Even if Holly was into more than one kinky night—even if the three of them could make fucking magic—none of it mattered. There was a potential killer on the loose. They needed to focus on the threat, not romance.
He revved the engine and pulled out onto the street. Ian just set them back hours. Trent needed to find the source of the threats and get them locked up, and Ian needed to get his head out of the bedroom and into his business. If he didn’t, they’d be lucky if someone didn’t wind up hurt. Or worse.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HOLLY
THE DOOR TO Hillary’s shop opened and Holly glanced up. The grin that spread across her face came with a blush. “Hi, Ian.”
Tailored dress shirt, sleeves rolled up. Pressed wool pants. He walked up to the counter and rested his hip on the stainless steel edge and Holly clamped her lips together. A single flex of his bare forearms had her imagining the what-ifs. The possibilities.
Ian caught her eye. “You’re looking as gorgeous as ever. Flour suits you.”
Holly wiped at her cheek and a smear of white stained her fingers. Note to self—wipe your face before you ogle. She shrugged. “I’ve been baking all day. We just got a rush tea party. Lots of petit fours.”
The back door opened and Hillary came through carrying an armful of pink cake boxes. “Ian! Good to see you. How’s Mandy?”
He smiled. “She’s good. Spending most of her time in Seattle, I think.”
Hillary set the towering stack down and her smile faded. Oh, no. Holly shot her a don’t-you-dare glance, but Hillary pretended not to notice. “Holly told me about the e-mails.”
Ian straightened up. “And?”
“Are you sure you’re taking it seriously?”
“Of course I am.”
Hillary knitted her brows. “Holly was almost killed. Probably because of you.”
Ian pushed off the counter and ran a hand through his hair. The long strands caught on his fingers and he glanced at Holly.
Was that nerves? Couldn’t be. Holly needed to end this line of questioning. She took a box from the stack and opened the lid. “Lay off, Hill. If was probably a fluke accident.”
Her best friend frowned. “I don’t think you should go making assumptions.”
“Hillary’s right.”
What? Holly blinked and turned toward Ian. “You think there’s something to it?”
Ian shrugged. “I don’t know. But that’s why Trent’s here. He’ll get to the bottom of it.” All at once his face cleared and he smiled at Hillary. “With Holly staying at the main house, she’ll be safe. I’ve got top-line security and Trent’s like a pit bull. Once he’s started a job, he doesn’t finish until it’s done.”
“Promise?”
He made an X on his checked button-down. “Cross my heart.”
Hillary stared for a minute before nodding in approval. “Good. Because if anything happens to her—”
“I know. I’ll be banned from ever using Cove Catering again.”
Hillary smirked. “I was going to say you’d be dead.”
Ian grinned. “Missing out on your potato salad is a million times worse.”
Holly shook her head. She was never going to get Hillary to back off, but at least they’d avoided an argument. She picked up a tray of petit fours and nestled them into a box. “All right you two. That’s enough fighting over me.” She closed the lid and turned to Hillary. “I’m a big girl, remember? I don’t need protecting.”
Hillary frowned. “You can’t ever be too careful.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine.” She untied her apron and set it on the counter. “You sure it’s okay if I take off? I can stay and finish if you need me to.”
Her best friend shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’ve just got to box these up and cart them out to the van. No biggie. Besides, you’re forbidden from carrying anything cake-related out the front door.”
Holly blushed as Hillary turned to Ian. “You’ll bring her by tomorrow morning?”
He nodded. “Bright and early.”
Holly hustled over to Hillary and gave her a quick hug. As she squeezed, she whispered in her ear. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Hillary nodded into her shoulder. “You better be.”
Holly pulled back and flashed Ian a grin. “Ready?”
“As always.” He held out his arm and she slipped hers into it. “I was thinking, instead of going home, how about we hit the beach? I bet you haven’t had a chance to take in the view since you’ve been back.”
Holly waited as Ian pushed open the door before following him out into the afternoon sun. He was right. It’d been years since she’d stood on Midnight Cove’s beach. Years since she’d listened to the ocean and felt the water lap over her toes.
What he didn’t know was that she’d stayed away for so many reasons. Fear. Hurt. Regret. She glanced at him, and his strong ja
w and angled nose had her making up her mind. Maybe it was time to get over old wounds and make new memories. Starting with the view.
She smiled as he glanced her way. “The beach sounds great. Let’s go.”
* * *
IAN
Ian pulled into a parking spot overlooking the beach when the first raindrops hit the windshield. Before he could turn the engine off, the drops became a torrent. Water sluiced over the windows and turned the view into a blur of tan and blue. Gone was the ocean and the beach—everything. It was just the two of them. Alone.
Holly shifted in the seat. “I guess the ocean will have to wait.”
“I guess so.” Ian killed the engine. He should be chivalrous. Leave her alone and concentrate on her safety and protection. But that’s what Trent was for, right?
Holly turned to stare out the passenger side window as the water poured down and Ian bit his cheek. Her dress had ridden up to expose a dangerous amount of thigh. All that creamy skin. Luscious and ripe for plunder. She crossed one leg over the other and the cotton of her dress caught between her legs. It formed a deep V and he wanted to dive into the chasm and lick away every single worry. Taste her desire and bring her over the edge.
Fuck. He’d never expected her to come back into his life. And now that she had…Ian cleared his throat. “So why’d you stay away for so long? Ten years is a long time to never come home.”
Holly snorted. “Midnight Cove isn’t home anymore. It’s just a place I used to live.”
“How can you say that?”
She turned to him and he could see the pain in her eyes. Dull and old, but still there. “Because my mother made it perfectly clear how much she wanted me to stay. It wasn’t much.”
“But she’s gone, Holly. You shouldn’t let the past dictate your choices.”
“I’m not. That’s why I’m back.”
Ian wanted to believe her, but she’d made a point of staying away for so long. “So you two never patched it up?”
Holly shrugged. “Not really. She married that rich guy. Forgot all about me. I didn’t even find out she’d died until after the funeral.”
