by McCoy, SJ
She was so unsure of herself, he wanted to know why. She'd talked about never having had much fun, even in high school. She was obviously bright, incredibly attractive, despite her attempts to look otherwise, and she had a witty side to her—when she dared show it. He grinned, or when she inadvertently let it slip out, as she did quite often. He'd loved that naughty, guilty little smile she'd had when she'd talked about sharing his sausage. He'd also loved how shamefaced she'd looked when she realized that she'd actually said it.
She'd thought he might want to go home earlier because she wasn't fun enough. She had no idea how badly he didn't want to go home at all tonight, so he could find out just how much fun they could have together. He wasn't going to go anywhere near that, though. Not yet. The way she'd opened up to him tonight was better than he'd hoped for, but he knew he'd have to take it slow.
He looked up as she came back out onto the patio. She smiled, but it was the shy smile again. He realized she was probably nervous about what might come next.
“This is my third time asking, so are you going to let me walk you home?” he asked when she sat back down. Yep, that was definitely the problem. She was blushing again.
“That's okay, thank you. We should pay for this and then I can see myself home.”
“I already got it, and you know I can't let you walk the dark and dangerous streets of Summer Lake by yourself late at night.”
She was flustered now. “How much was it? I need to give you my half.”
He shook his head. “Nope. This one's on me. No arguments.”
“But....”
“If that's a problem, then you'll have to take me out next time. Come on.” He stood up and grinned at her. “And you can't stop me from walking down the street beside you either. So let's go.”
She laughed. It was such a sweet sound. He wished she'd do it more. “You don't take ‘no’ for an answer do you?”
He shook his head. “Not from you, I don't. I've learned I just have to keep working my charm till you tell me yes.”
It wasn't what he'd meant, but the shocked look on her face told him what kind of ‘yes’ she thought he was after—it also told him that she'd say it in the not too distant future. It was his turn to take a deep breath as he adjusted his pants and followed her out into the street.
By the time they reached her front gate, he'd already decided how to handle it. It was pretty clear to him that the slower he took it, the faster he'd get there. So when she stopped and looked up at him, he deliberately kept his distance. “Thanks, Meggie. I had a great time tonight.”
That smile worked all kinds of crazy on him. “I did too, Michael.”
Wow. She admitted it! “Can I get a hug good night then?” He opened his arms but didn't move closer. It had to be up to her to come to him. He knew he was grinning like an idiot when she did step towards him. She put both hands on his chest and smiled up at him as he closed his arms around her. “You were wrong about one thing.”
“What was that?”
“You are a lot of fun.”
She met his gaze. “You seem to bring out the best in me.”
He couldn't help it. He found the clip in her hair and unfastened it. Her eyes grew wide as long blonde curls fell around her shoulders and down her back. Blimey! She was gorgeous! “It's time to let your hair down, darl'.” He curled one arm around her waist and drew her closer. He tangled his other hand in her hair as he lowered his mouth to hers. She was trembling against him, but her hands kneaded at his chest as she lifted her lips to meet his. Michael fought every instinct he had and managed to keep it tame. He placed a slow, sweet kiss on her lips, then lifted his head and smiled. “You'd better get inside while I still have the self-control to let you go, little one.”
She searched his face. Then reached up and touched his cheek with a smile. “Goodnight, Michael.”
He closed his eyes for a second when she stepped away from him. He wanted to pull her back into his arms and kiss her the way he needed to. Instead he watched her walk up the path. She opened the front door and turned back to give him a little wave.
“G'night, Meggie.”
Chapter Five
Megan sat in the kitchen watching Ollie chase his breakfast around. He pushed the bowl into the corner where the cabinets met. Instead of staying still to eat, he barked and pawed at the bowl until he moved it out and then continued on his way. She laughed. He was certainly a character. She'd only had him for a few months, just since she'd moved out here to Summer Lake. She had stopped at a rest area and he had been running around loose. He had come to sit with her while she ate her sandwich and refused to leave her side. When she'd said goodbye to him and gone back to her car, he'd followed her and jumped right in. He'd sat there in the passenger seat grinning at her and refused to budge when she tried to get him out. She'd gone and asked the guy who was emptying the trash cans and he said the dog was a stray who had been hanging around for weeks. He'd come over to Megan's car with her and had laughed when Ollie started barking and threatening him. “Looks like you just got yourself a new dog, lady. I haven't been able to get near him since he showed up. He won't let anyone get close. A lot of people have tried.”
It was probably the most irresponsible decision Megan had ever made, but she'd driven away from that rest area with an unknown—reputedly aggressive—dog in her car, on the way to move into a house where she had no clue if he would be allowed. As he finished his breakfast and came to put his paw on her knee, she knew it was also one of, if not the best decision she'd ever made. She loved him and she knew he loved her. He was the first living being in her life who just loved her, and looked out for her. She felt guilty at the thought. Kenzie loved her too—in her own way.
“Do you still want to go for that walk then, boy? We're a bit late this morning. I'm sorry.”
Ollie grinned at her and wagged his backside even as he sat there.
She laughed. “Okay then. Let's go.”
They were only late because she'd stayed in bed this morning, not to read, for once, but to run over in her mind her dinner with Michael last night. She smiled and hugged herself. It had been such a wonderful evening! He'd brought her flowers! No one had ever given her flowers, even when she was sick. She laughed as she looked at them, remembering how clumsy she'd been, letting the water go everywhere. And laughing? She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed. He was so funny, and he made her feel funny too—in good ways. Even when she'd blurted out things she shouldn't be saying, he'd laughed with her, not at her. He'd seemed to like it. She blushed as she remembered telling him she wanted to share his sausage. She definitely shouldn't have said that! But it was true. She looked nervously over her shoulder, as if someone might be around to hear her improper thoughts, and to humiliate her for being so ridiculous. It made her feel guilty, but she couldn't help wondering what it would be like, how it would feel to....In her experience, sex was just a lot of pushing and shoving, discomfort and embarrassment. She had a feeling it wouldn't be like that with Michael. He did funny things to her insides. Even now her body was heating up at the thought of.....She hugged herself tight, crossing her arms across her chest. Her nipples were tingling at the thoughts and images filling her head.
The first time he'd hugged her had felt comforting, as if she'd finally found a safe place where she could relax. But she'd still been hyper aware of how close their bodies were, how good it felt to have his arms around her. When they'd come home though, that had been a very different kind of hug. He still felt like a safe place, but his body had been telling hers all kinds of things. Things she didn't have words for, but things she wanted him to teach her about.
She shook her head and went to fetch Ollie's leash. The way Michael had kissed her goodnight, had made her wish she was someone else. Someone who would have invited him to come in with her and continue the conversation their bodies had started. Of course, she would never do that. Of the many things she wasn't good at, sex was way up at the top of the list. And he
no doubt could tell. At Giuseppe's he'd said he wanted to hang out again, but then after he'd hugged and kissed her, he hadn't said anything when he left. She probably wouldn't even see him again, unless she bumped into him around town, and if she did, she'd make herself invisible. She was good at that.
Ollie pulled on his leash as they started down the road to the beach, making her stumble. It seemed neither of them had the hang of walking like this yet, but she didn't dare let him off it while they were around people. She just hoped there wouldn't be anyone down there yet, so he could have a good run. Her phone rang in her pocket and she dug it out.
“Hey, Kenzie. Good morning. You're up early.”
“Hey, sis. I'm two hours ahead of you, remember?”
Megan laughed. “I know, but that still only makes it ten thirty on Sunday morning, and that's not like you.”
“True, but I thought I'd catch you before you get lost in a book for the day. See how you're doing.”
“I'm fine thanks. Just taking Ollie to the beach.”
“You've still got that dog then?
Megan sighed. Kenzie had given her such a hard time over Ollie. “Let's not talk about that, can we? I'd rather hear your news. How's it going? Are you getting to play anywhere?” Megan was afraid she already knew the answer. If Kenzie had had a gig last night, she wouldn't be awake this early. She'd still be sleeping—or partying.
“Hunter has an audition with a band lined up for me. They need a female vocalist.”
Megan said nothing. She didn't like Kenzie's boyfriend, or manager, or whatever she called him. Didn't like him one bit. She and Kenzie had been sharing an apartment in LA, until Kenzie met Hunter. He was supposed to be some country music producer and Kenzie had been thrilled when he asked her to move to Nashville with him. Megan had refused to go with them. She didn't want to, and she knew Hunter didn't want her around anyway.
“Are you still there, Megan?”
“Yes, sorry. Do you think anything will come of it?”
“I don't know. I'm more worried about you, out there all by yourself. Why don't you move down here? You'd love Nashville.”
“No, thanks. I'm happy here.” Kenzie asked every time they spoke, and Megan always told her the same thing. Though she realized her answer was slightly different this time. She usually just said she was okay here.
Kenzie didn't seem to notice the difference. “Just think about it, will you. We could get a place together again. Just you and me, like it was in LA. We had fun there, didn't we?”
Megan frowned. Kenzie had had fun there, but why would she want to share a place with her again? That had been to get each of them through a tough time. Now she was settling in here and Kenzie was living with Hunter....Oh dear! “Is everything okay with Hunter?”
“Of course! I'm just worried about you.”
Megan didn't believe it. “I told you, I'm happy here, but I'll come there if you need me.”
Kenzie laughed. It sounded forced. “I'm the big sister, remember? I'm just trying to look out for you.”
“Thanks, but I'm fine.” Megan let it go, hoping that would be the end of it. She didn't want to leave Summer Lake, but she'd go if her sister needed her.
“Why do you want to stay there, Megan?” Apparently Kenzie wasn't ready to let it go. “It's a dead- end little backwater. You've been there for months and you don't even know anyone yet.”
“That's not true! It's a lovely, small community where people know each other and care about each other. And you're wrong! I'm making some very nice friends—and I've even been out on a date!” She looked around, hoping no one could hear her. It was kind of true. Missy had offered to be her friend, and Ben was already kind of one. Michael might not want to see her again, but it had been a real date. He'd given her flowers, bought her dinner, and kissed her goodnight!
She wasn't surprised that Kenzie was laughing. “I've told you a million times, the characters in books are not real. They're not really your friends, you know, and no matter how good the story is, you didn't go on the date, you just read about it.”
“It wasn't in a book, Kenzie. I am meeting some lovely people, and last night I had dinner with a very handsome man.”
“What's his name then?”
Why didn't anyone believe her about men? “His name is Michael, Michael Morgan.” Her little burst of indignation was fading now. “And I doubt I will see him again, but I had a very nice time.”
“I'm sorry, Megan. But, you know, if you move here we could find you a man.”
“No thanks.” She wanted get off the phone now. The thought of not seeing Michael again and of maybe having to move to Nashville were making her sad. “I have to go. We're at the beach. I'll call you soon, okay? Or you call me, if you need me.”'
“Okay, but think about it, sis.”
“I will. Bye.”
Megan ended the call. There was no one around, so she let Ollie off his leash and watched him run down the beach and straight into the water. Great! Now she wouldn't be able to settle down with her book until she'd given him a bath. She trailed after him, wondering what was up with Kenzie. She'd told her she would think about it, but all she would really be thinking about was how much she didn't want to leave this place. The house wasn't much, but it was furnished, and she could afford the rent. And they had been cool about Ollie. For the first time in her life she was living alone, and she was doing just fine. She kept having thoughts about maybe buying some furniture, slowly switching out what was there. The little front yard would be lovely if she planted some flowers. Maybe she should put some bulbs in soon, for the spring. She decided to stop by the little nursery on the edge of town and ask. It was all new to her, but she'd like to learn—if she would still be here by the spring. She hoped for Kenzie's sake, and her own, that she wasn't going to have to move to Nashville.
She caught up with Ollie, who was happily chasing birds along the water's edge. Even he loved the little life they were building here. She might not have a man, but she didn't need one, she had Ollie. She smiled. She also had the memory of her lovely night out with Michael, and that one kiss. That was enough. It was more than she'd ever expected.
She heard a piercing whistle and watched Ollie race back up the beach, barking and wagging as he went. What on Earth? She turned in time to see him throw himself at....Michael! What was he doing here? She started up the beach to them. At least he and Ollie were wrestling for fun. She'd been terrified for a moment that Ollie might go after someone.
Michael was grinning when she reached them. He was quite breathtaking. His brown hair was brushed back, the dimple on his cheek was too sexy for words, and the stubble that covered his face made him look kind of rough and ready. She knew she was smiling stupidly; what she didn't know was whether she'd be able to make any words come out. She waited for him to go first.
“G'day, Meggie. I brought you breakfast.”
She stared at him. “Why?” Oh dear. She'd made a word come out, but it hadn't sounded very friendly.
His smile faded a little. “I came down here earlier, thinking I might catch you again. Then I went to meet the guys for breakfast.” He came towards her and she froze. He put an arm around her shoulders and turned her around. He pointed out across the water. “Can you see the Boathouse?”
She squinted through her glasses and could indeed see the restaurant, and all the people sitting out on the deck. She looked up into smiling green eyes.
He surprised her by dropping a quick peck on her lips. “I spotted you and Ollie. So I grabbed you a sandwich and came right over. Are you hungry?”
She nodded. She was.
“Come on then.” He kept his arm around her shoulders and walked her up to his truck. He reached into the cab and pulled out two coffee cups. He handed them to her and grabbed a large paper bag, then went around to the back and let the tailgate down.
Megan just watched him. She had no idea what to say.
He took the coffees from her, set them down with the bag
, and sat up on the tail gate. He patted the space next to him with a grin.
She laughed. This was too wonderful—and too ridiculous! No way on Earth would she be able to climb up there. That was one big truck.
He looked at her, puzzled when she didn't join him. Then it dawned on him. He jumped down and stood in front of her. “May I?”
She nodded and closed her eyes as he took hold of her waist to lift her up. But he didn't lift her. He pulled her against him. She opened her eyes and looked up at him in time to see his lips before they landed on hers. Her hands clung to his strong arms, and she kissed him back. It was only a peck, no tongue invasion, or teeth clashing, but good grief! Promises, promises was the only way to describe it! He lifted his head, but still didn't let her go. He was holding her close against him, and that conversation their bodies had started last night was a lot more intense this morning. Heat was rushing through her, and it seemed to start and end at the place where the part of him that had the most to say was pressing into her. She reached her arms up around his neck, deliberately pushing her breasts against his chest. Every part of her was pressed against him as she smiled up at him, and it felt sooo good.
He held her even closer and looked down into her eyes. “I need to lift you up there now, before I have to have you for breakfast, little one.” He pulled her hips against his, making a little gasp escape from her lips, before he swung her up onto the tailgate and got up himself to sit beside her.
***
So much for taking it slow! It was all Michael could do to stop himself from laying her down in the bed of the truck right now. She was hiding herself in the same outfit of sweatshirt and jeans again and he was getting desperate now to get her out of them. He wanted to get to know the tantalizing figure underneath.
