Fortunes

by Tina Gallagher

  Chip glanced over the top of his menu. “I’m a veterinarian.”

  “Did you hear that, Megan? Chip’s a doctor.” Laura obviously hadn’t forgotten Madame V’s words.

  “I heard,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “He also has blond hair and brown eyes,” Laura said, then sipped her iced tea.

  My face heated. Rebecca and Chip looked at us like we were crazy. Which, considering the conversation, wasn’t far from the truth.

  With a brittle smile, I turned to Laura and said, “Regardless, there were three requirements. Remember?”

  “What are you two talking about?” Rebecca asked.

  “Personal joke,” I said quickly, before Laura could answer.

  Chapter Four

  As we walked home, Laura and Rebecca stopped numerous times to window shop. I’m sure they were more interested in getting Chip and me alone than anything displayed in the windows. Instead of getting angry, I decided to go with the flow for once in my life. After all, the man is a walking, talking god, and for some reason he’s decided to focus his attention on me.

  “You and Rebecca seem so close,” I said. “Why haven’t I met you before?”

  “I’ve been busy with college, then vet school,” he paused and shrugged. His brown eyes looked everywhere but at me. “And then getting my practice started.”

  I figured there was a broken heart somewhere in that pause, but if he didn’t want to share, I wouldn’t ask.

  Chip and I talked all the way home, sharing bits and pieces of our life stories. I felt I’d known him longer than a mere twenty-four hours. When we reached his and Rebecca’s house, I admitted to being sad that our conversation was coming to an end.

  “Why don’t you guys come in for a drink?” Chip suggested when Laura and Rebecca finally caught up with us. “It’s too early to go home.”

  “We’re going to hit the new club over on the boardwalk,” they said in unison.

  “How about it, Megan?” Chip said. “I make a mean margarita.”

  Laura and Rebecca looked like they’d scream if I declined, so I nodded. “Why not?”

  I uttered the last two words, even though I could come up with several reasons not to stay.

  ****

  Once Laura and Rebecca left, Chip disappeared into the kitchen. I settled into a weathered green Adirondack chair and admired the ocean view. The whir of a blender mingled with the sounds of the surf, and seconds later, he returned with a frozen drink in each hand. He handed one to me and sat down in a chair identical to mine, our knees a mere breath apart.

  I took a sip of the frozen drink. “Mmm, this is delicious,” I said. “You weren’t lying about your margarita-making skills.”

  “I worked my way through school as a bartender. It was a great job because it left my days open for classes.”

  “I always wanted to be a bartender. I love mixing drinks and creating new concoctions.” I licked salt off the rim of my glass and took another sip of the tangy drink. “Plus, it seems like a lot of fun.”

  “It is and isn’t,” he said. “You’re working while everyone else is out having a good time, but you do meet a lot of interesting people.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Judging from his expression, my tone was a bit too sarcastic.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Chip asked, a frown marring his near perfect features.

  “Nothing.” I wriggled in my seat.

  “No.” He shifted closer. “You obviously meant something. Spill it.”

  I traced the condensation on the glass with my index finger, concentrating on the action instead of Chip’s angry face.

  “I’m sure most of the people you met were female.” I felt foolish saying the words out loud. It’s really not any of my business.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “It’s just…I mean, I know how girls are when they’re out for a night on the town. A good-looking bartender is always a prime target,” I stammered, hoping he’d let it drop. I waited for him to say something, anything, but he simply stared at me for a long while.

  “I learned how to deal with that the first week,” he said around a smile. “Women can be pretty persistent when they want to be, especially after a few cocktails.” He took a sip of his margarita and set it on the arm of the chair. “But I don’t think we need to be talking about this right now. How about a subject change?”

  “No, please explain.”

  His brown eyes studied me for a long moment and my pulse raced. “You’re sure?”

  I nodded not wanting to risk speaking in the breathless voice I was sure would emerge. “Some of them drove me nuts trying to get personal information, and when I wouldn’t give it, they’d try to pry it out of my boss.”

  “You probably drove them crazy with your teasing.”

  “I wasn’t teasing. I just wasn’t interested.”

  “Why not?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not a casual guy. I like dating one woman at a time and only if I’m really into her.”

  His gaze met mine as he uttered the last phrase and the intensity made me shiver. I rubbed my arms to ward off the goosebumps.

  “Did your boss tell them what they wanted to know?” I managed to ask.

  Chip’s forceful stare turned me into a puddle of want. Imagine what he could do if the rest of his body joined in. I sipped my semi-melted drink and once again concentrated on tracing designs in the condensation.

  “No,” he said.

  The single word was followed by a silence that vibrated between us. I shifted in my seat, not sure what to say or do. Chip’s hand touched mine, and my pulse jumped.

  “Megan.” His voice was low, intimate. The husky sound was arousing in its intensity. My gaze met his and I lost myself in his chocolaty depths. Part of me wanted to look away, but I was too mesmerized. He moved closer and continued to speak.

  “I really like you. I can’t explain it but, from the moment we met, I felt drawn to you.” He stroked my cheek, using just his fingertips. “I’d like to get to know you better, see where this can go.”

  From anyone else, that would’ve sounded like a pathetic line, but for some reason, coming from Chip it seemed sincere. I didn’t know what to say.

  I put my head down to escape his gaze. Chip leaned closer still. My heart raced. The arousing combination of his warm skin and cologne mingled with the salty sea air drifted to my nose. He took the drink out of my hand and placed it on the deck floor. Placing a gentle hand under my chin, he lifted my mouth to his.

  The quick, powerful kiss nearly melted me in my seat. I wanted more. He must have read my mind, because in the next instant, his mouth covered mine again. Lime and salt lingered on his palate, but as our tongues tangled, I finally got to taste his true essence. The man was delicious.

  I knew I should stop before I lost all sense of reason, but all I could manage was to take my now empty hand and wrap it around the back of his neck. My fingers still felt chilled from the margarita, so I threaded them through his hair, seeking warmth.

  Chip moved closer, pressing his mouth more fully to mine. I felt him shift and stir, heard his chair creak. In the next instant, he was on his knees directly in front of me.

  He eased between my thighs and wrapped his arms around my lower back, pulling me forward in the chair, closer to his heat. Our thighs, hips, and chests touched and sizzled.

  Chip broke the kiss and looked directly into my eyes, seemingly asking permission to continue. I ran my hand down the side of his face, relishing the feel of the five o’clock shadow that rasped the soft skin of my palm. The corners of my mouth lifted in a small answering smile.

  His fingers plowed through my hair and tilted my head back and to the side. I had expected a full-blown, tongue-tangling kiss, but instead he nibbled my bottom lip before placing his mouth over mine and applying a wonderful suction that nearly brought me to my knees.

  My mind whirled as Chip’s mouth opened and closed in a steady rhythm. Long and
hard, soft and gentle, our tongues tangled in a hot, sexual assault. He literally made love to my mouth and I didn’t want him to stop. A groan emerged from Chip’s chest and he pulled back.

  “Wow,” he whispered, before dipping his head and starting all over again.

  I couldn’t say how long the kiss lasted or how long it would have gone on…or God forbid, what else would have happened right there on the deck…if the distinct sound of footsteps didn’t break through our sensual fog.

  If I want to be totally honest—and I’m not sure I do—I didn’t actually hear anything until Chip broke the kiss. His head cocked to the side as he listened, but his burning brown eyes never left mine. In their depths I saw his desire so clearly I couldn’t turn away.

  The steps moved closer and Chip squeezed my waist before he sat back on his heels and stood. His gaze was still on mine, but when I licked my lips, it dropped to my mouth. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose, letting it slowly out his mouth.

  Part of me was terrified of the desire I saw etched on his face, but the other part felt thrilled. My body hummed with a need I haven’t felt for years, if ever. And if the fit of Chip’s shorts was any indication, he was pretty turned on, too.

  He sat in the chair next to mine just as Laura and Rebecca turned the corner on the wraparound porch and came into view.

  Chapter Five

  Laura and I walked the six blocks home in complete silence. I could tell she was brimming with questions, but she didn’t ask one. I hoped she’d continue to respect my privacy. Of course, history has taught me that wouldn’t be the case. And later, when I settled into my favorite chair with a book, Laura proved that history usually repeats itself.

  “So,” she said around a sly smile, drawing out the word and raising her voice at the end, turning it into a question.

  I looked up from the mystery novel I’d just started.

  “What was going on with you and Chip?” she asked in an annoying sing-song tone.

  “Nothing.” I returned my gaze to the book.

  “Megan. You were both flushed, and your lips looked like they’d been stung by bees.”

  “So what do you want me to say?” I asked. “It’s obvious you know what went on.”

  Her teasing smile was replaced by a more genuine version. “Why are you being so defensive?” she asked. “This is a good thing.”

  I closed my book and tossed it on the coffee table. “I don’t know if it should have happened,” I said.

  “Why not?”

  I didn’t want to sound like a pathetic fool and mention Kyle, so I offered a half-truth. “I’m not ready for a relationship.”

  “You don’t have to marry the guy, Meg.” Laura rolled her eyes. “Just go out and have some fun.”

  Put like that, it sounds like something I could do. Chip is a nice guy, and I’m definitely attracted to him. Unfortunately, I knew myself too well to think I could get involved with him in any way, shape, or form and keep it casual.

  The phone rang, saving me from having to comment.

  I immediately recognized the sexy voice that flowed through the phone line. My entire body blushed, remembering his mouth on mine.

  “Sorry about the interruption before,” Chip said.

  “Not your fault.”

  “I guess not, but I’m still sorry.” His voice dropped to a husky timbre on the last few words and I broke out in goosebumps. “I’d like to see you again.”

  Part of me wanted to say no. It was too much, too soon. But the other part…the more persistent part…wanted to shout “yes, yes, yes” into the phone.

  I decided to take the middle ground. “That’d be nice.”

  As the words left my mouth, I realized I wasn’t just saying them to be polite. I really wanted to see him again.

  Laura was right. I’m having trouble getting over Kyle because he’s been my only serious relationship up to this point. I’ve dated in between our break-ups but never allowed any of the men to get past the first date…or first base, for that matter.

  I like Chip, and I’m willing to spend the rest of my vacation getting to know him.

  “Are you available tomorrow night?” Chip asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at six. Dress casual.”

  Chapter Six

  Promptly at six, Chip strolled up the walk to where I sat waiting on the front stoop. He looked me over and smiled. An adorable single dimple deepened his left cheek. “Nice outfit,” he said.

  For a moment I was afraid I’d taken his “dress casual” statement too literally and made a major fashion faux pas. But when I saw what he was wearing, I smiled, too. We were practically identical in faded denim shorts and New York Yankees T-shirts.

  “Yours too.”

  Chip held out his hand and I grasped it. His lips brushed against mine so softly I thought I’d imagined it, but the tingle that lingered told me the kiss had been all too real.

  My hand still wrapped securely in his, he said, “Let’s go.”

  I had no idea where we were headed, nor did I care. I fell into step beside him, not feeling the ground beneath my feet.

  “So tell me about yourself,” Chip said.

  I glanced over at him. His features looked perfect even in profile. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything.” The intense look in his eyes, not to mention that single word, startled me. I inhaled sharply, and he smiled. “But right now I’ll settle for the basics. What do you do for a living? Any hobbies? Interests? That kind of thing.”

  “My sister and I run a public relations company that specializes in social media.”

  “Where’s your office located?”

  “Brooklyn.”

  “Is that where you live, also?”

  I chuckled. “I’m surprised Rebecca didn’t fill you in on all this.”

  He swung our joined hands playfully.

  “She tried to, but I wanted to hear everything from you.”

  “Yes, I also live in Brooklyn.”

  The words had just left my mouth when he said, “We’re here.”

  I looked up, amazed. We were at the boardwalk fun park located seven blocks from my rental. I couldn’t have told you what route we had taken or what scenery we’d passed. Chip had a way of monopolizing my attention until everything faded but him.

  “But I did ask Rebecca whether or not you liked amusement parks,” he said around a mischievous smile.

  ****

  I don’t remember when I had such an amazing time. Chip and I raced to the rides, all of them, doubling up on the rollercoasters. I felt like a kid gone wild, eating enough hot dogs and cotton candy to make me sick. I laughed so much, my sides hurt. I didn’t want our fun to end, but the crowd thinned and the rides shut down one by one, leaving us no choice but to head home.

  We walked in contented silence, heading toward my house.

  “Would you like to come to my place and have a nightcap?”

  I’d never heard that term in real life, only in old movies and daytime soap operas. Yet Chip managed to make it sound charming instead of hokey.

  “I’d like that.”

  Rather than turning toward my rental, we continued the two blocks to his. The house was dark, and Chip left my side to turn on the various lamps scattered throughout the parlor.

  “Where’s Rebecca tonight?” I asked.

  “She had to handle an emergency at work.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure what kind of an emergency an accountant would have, but regardless, she’ll be back tomorrow night.”

  That meant we’d have his place to ourselves for at least twenty-four hours.

  “What would you like?”

  It took a moment for his question to register. Once it did, the answers that popped into my head were shocking. Shocking to me, at least. After all, I’d just met the man. I’ve never felt so attracted, so fast.

  “Whatever.”

  “Is there anything you don’t like?”


  “Coconut.”

  “Okay then. Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll see what I can mix up.”

  My eyes trailed his ass as he walked through the parlor. When he disappeared into the kitchen, I sighed and sank into an oversized chair. Propping my feet on the matching ottoman, I thought about our date and one word came to mind…wonderful.

  The man is the whole package. He has looks and personality and can kiss like there’s no tomorrow. Just the thought of his mouth and hands on me started my body tingling.

  I jumped out of my seat and wandered around the room, trying to clear my head. I grabbed the remote control off the coffee table and clicked on the TV. Sitting on the couch, I settled in for some serious channel surfing. After flipping through the usual infomercials and reruns, I stopped on a classic rock music channel. I was humming along with The Long Run by the Eagles when Chip emerged from the kitchen, a glass in each hand.

  He handed me a peach-colored drink and sat next to me, far enough away that I wasn’t crowded but close enough so I could feel his body heat. I looked down at his thigh, mere inches from mine, and my fingers itched to touch the sun-kissed skin.

  I took a fortifying sip of my drink and sighed. “Mmm, this is delicious. What is it?”

  “A Creamsicle.”

  I took another drink of the orange-and-cream concoction and nodded.

  “It tastes just like the Creamsicle pops I used to eat when I was a kid.”

  “Except with alcohol.”

  “True.” I took another drink and licked my lips. “I used to eat Creamsicles by the box. And Fudgsicles. Oh, and vanilla Popsicles.”

  “I could probably concoct a Fudgsicle drink, but I’m not sure about the vanilla Popsicle. Nothing tastes like those.”

  “You like them, too?”

  He nodded. “And root beer pops.”

  “Mmmm, I forgot about those.”

  “There’s a place near my house that still sells them. My freezer is always stocked. You’ll have to come over and have one sometime.”

  I didn’t know what to say to that, so I simply took another sip of my drink and smiled.