by Marie Force
“You’re sure?”
Thanks to the haircut she’d given him, he was even more devastatingly handsome than he’d been the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Had that really been only two hours ago? It seemed longer than that.
“Excuse me.” A woman behind her needed to get to the tomatoes, which snapped Chloe out of her Finn-coma.
She moved to let her in. “Sorry about that.”
“What’s for dinner?”
He’s talking to you. Stop being so weird! “Ah, salad and chicken that I’ll share with my dog.”
“You have a dog? Boy or girl?”
“A boy named Ranger.”
“I love dogs.”
That clicking noise was the sound of him going up a few notches in her estimation. Men who loved dogs were the only ones worth bothering with.
He gestured to his handheld basket. “I’ve got pasta, sauce and garlic bread. I make the best garlic bread around. Ask anyone. If you let me meet your dog, I’ll make some for you to go with your salad.”
Dear God. Every hormone in her body was on full alert and screaming YES at the top of their lungs. Did hormones have lungs? Hers did, and they were screaming.
Then he made a little pout face. “I haven’t seen my dog in months. He lives on the mainland with my mom. I sure do miss him.”
A stronger woman would be able to resist this handsome, sexy man who also loved dogs and garlic bread. Apparently, he was her kryptonite, because she was incapable of saying no to him. “I’ll let you meet him in exchange for the garlic bread.”
Again with that lethal, panty-melting smile. It ought to come with a warning: May cause panties to spontaneously combust in the produce aisle. “Deal. Lead the way.”
She walked toward the checkout counter, aware of him behind her, probably watching her every move because that’s what she’d be doing if she were following him. Chloe didn’t make a habit of inviting men she’d just met home with her, but she knew his family and respected the fact that he had gracefully taken no for an answer when he asked her out.
Plus, she was trained in Krav Maga and wasn’t afraid of any man. If anything, they ought to be afraid of her, not that they ever realized that until it was far too late. The foster father who had raised her had been an instructor and had taught her to defend herself. Her skills had come in handy more than once with men who didn’t understand the word no. Instinct told her that wouldn’t be an issue with this man, but in a world in which she was almost completely alone, she’d learned to be wary of all men until they proved themselves worthy of her trust.
Chloe paid for her groceries and then waited for Finn to pay for his.
On the way out of the store, he stepped aside for her to go ahead of him. “Did you really turn me down for a drink because you had plans with a dog?”
“What if I did?”
“That’s one lucky dog.”
Oh, she liked him. So many guys would be offended that she’d chosen her dog over them, but Finn found it amusing and had turned it into an opportunity to compliment her. He was racking up the points, and she hadn’t even tasted his garlic bread yet.
“Should I follow you?”
Chloe nodded while trying to think about how she’d left her house that morning. Messy but clean. It would do, provided Ranger hadn’t left any surprises for her. He had the run of the place during the day, and she left the dog door open for him to get in and out. She’d even built a ramp to help him down into the yard from the deck since stairs were difficult for him these days. Whatever he needed was fine with her.
She got into her battered Toyota sedan and waited for Finn to follow her.
He drove a big dark-colored pickup truck that suited him. She couldn’t picture a big guy like him in a small car like hers. No, he needed a big truck, which led her to wonder what the hell she was thinking. He needs a big truck? Who needs a truck? I’ve taken leave of my senses since he came strolling into my salon. That was the only possible explanation for the ridiculousness circulating through her mind as she led him to the house she rented on the island’s west side where he would be treated to her stupendous view of the sunset.
Sometimes Chloe couldn’t believe she paid only seven hundred dollars a month in rent, because the sunsets made her little house worth a million times that. The saltbox house was more of a home to her than anywhere she’d ever lived, and she loved it. In fact, she dreamed about someday saving enough money to buy it, but that was more of a pipe dream than anything. Real estate on the island started in the hundreds of thousands, and she’d have to cut a lot of hair to be able to afford a fraction of that.
She pulled into her usual spot and heard barking from inside. Ranger welcomed her home every night—and every night, she exhaled with relief when she heard that bark. She feared coming home to silence one day.
Finn parked next to her and waited to help with her bags.
He followed her inside, where Ranger greeted her with his usual enthusiasm until he spotted Finn lurking behind her. Then he went into protector mode, barking and growling.
“Easy, boy. He’s a friend.” At least I think he is…
Finn squatted and held out his hand for Ranger to sniff. “Hey, Ranger. I’m Finn. It’s nice to meet you.”
Swoon.
Ranger cozied up to Finn, sniffing and kissing him. Lucky bastard.
Jealous of a dog. That was what it’d come to. Amused by her thoughts, Chloe went into the kitchen and reached for the medication she took every night at this time to alleviate the pain in her joints after a long day at work. Today had been a relatively good day. She’d learned to appreciate the good days and dread the days when the pain took over, drowning out everything else. She subtly took the pills while he continued to chat with Ranger. She’d kill for a glass of wine, but alcohol didn’t mix well with the powerful meds she took, so she avoided it. “What can I get you to drink?”
“I stopped to pick up beer before the grocery store. Hope that’s okay.”
“Sure. Whatever you want.”
From his perch on Ranger’s level, Finn looked up at her, brow crooked. “Is that right?”
“You must’ve gotten an A-plus in flirting when you were in school. You’re rather accomplished at it.”
“Am I?” He stood to his full, imposing six-foot-something height.
She rolled her eyes. “You know you are, because women have been falling at your feet from the minute your voice changed.”
“It was actually before that.”
Chloe laughed, and Ranger started barking, as if he thought Finn’s comment was funny, too.
For a long, charged moment, she and Finn stared at each other, and Chloe wondered if he felt as off-balance as she’d been since he walked into the salon. She’d heard of these sorts of things happening to other people but had never experienced it herself. And, to be honest, she’d always been skeptical about the idea of instant attraction. In the course of one evening, he was changing her thinking on the subject.
Desperate to find her missing equilibrium, she got busy preparing Ranger’s dinner, cutting up enough chicken for him and a salad for two. As she worked, Finn leaned around her to grab a knife from the butcher block on the counter, his arm brushing against hers as he backed away.
She felt that subtle touch everywhere and then immediately dismissed it as a side effect of the dry spell. What else could it be? She didn’t do foolish when it came to men. Out of necessity, she’d been forced to be practical when other girls were frivolous. That practicality had followed her into adulthood, and this was no time to start acting like a silly, simpering girl just because a ridiculously sexy man had paid her some attention.
He would move on to the next willing female as soon as he realized she was going to be far too much work. It’d happened before, and she’d learned not to get invested. She’d been on her own so long, she didn’t know it any other way. Looking out for herself, first and foremost, was second nature because she hadn’t had anyone else to
do it for her.
While her high school friends had been actively—and successfully—trying to land husbands, Chloe started a business and nurtured it into a modest success that allowed her to live in her favorite place year-round, far away from the madness of her childhood. She avoided drama like the plague and kept to herself most of the time. Sure, she had friends she enjoyed spending time with, but she was happiest at home with Ranger.
Chloe put his bowl down and watched him drag himself across the tile floor, her anxiety spiking. His struggles tugged at her heart and filled her with panic. What would she do without him? He was all the family she had left.
Chapter 3
Chloe was unlike any woman Finn had ever known. Quiet, self-contained, unimpressed with his flirting game and more focused on her dog than she was on him. Finn was officially intrigued. He’d grown tired of women who threw themselves at him simply because they found him attractive. Sure, he’d enjoyed the attention at one point in his life, but he was past that now.
Seeing Riley madly in love with Nikki had stirred something in him, a restlessness he’d never experienced before. That restlessness had led him to the conclusion that it was time to go home and figure out the rest of his life. But he didn’t need to think about leaving tonight when he had the intriguing Chloe to dine with.
He loved her small, colorful, eclectically decorated home that combined old and new pieces to create a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. Whereas he simply existed in the rental home he’d once shared with his father and brother, her house was truly a home. “Have you lived here long?”
“More than five years. I came out for my friend’s bachelorette party and fell in love with the island.”
“Was that your first time here?”
“Uh-huh. What about you?”
“I was here all the time as a kid, visiting my aunt, uncle and cousins. This time, I’ve been here almost two years. Came out for my cousin Laura’s wedding and got bamboozled into staying to work for Mac. My parents had just split, and my dad was in a bad place, so after he decided to stay for a while, my brother and I did, too.”
“That was nice of you.”
He shrugged off the praise. “We like him. He’s a good guy, and he got kind of a raw deal from my mom.”
“How so?”
“After thirty years of marriage, she left him for another guy. He’d tell you now she did them both a favor, but at the time… It was ugly.”
“That’s shitty. Why couldn’t she just ask for a divorce?”
“That was our feeling, too, but we’ve moved on. He got remarried last Christmas, and his wife is expecting a baby soon.”
“Wow. How do you feel about a new sibling?”
“I’m excited.” That was the one major downside to his plan to move back to the mainland. He would miss out on seeing his younger brother or sister grow up. But he planned to be a frequent visitor. “My dad is really happy with Chelsea. That’s all that matters to me and Riley.”
“Chelsea is an amazing person. I love her.” Chloe cut the vegetables for salad while he prepared the garlic bread. “She’s crazy about your dad.”
“Yes, she is and vice versa. I suppose you know everyone on this island as the only one who cuts hair.”
“Not everyone. I didn’t know you before today.”
Finn laughed. “That’s true. I got my hair cut the last time I was home, which was about six months ago. I was long overdue.”
“I do know most of the women, though. They keep me busy.”
“Do you work by yourself?”
“I have one stylist who comes out for the summer. She likes it out here but can’t do the winters. That works out well because I’m much busier in the summer anyway. She’ll be here in June.”
“It’s cool how you managed to corner the market on something the island needed.”
“As soon as I realized they didn’t have a salon, I started making plans to open one.”
“That’s really amazing. I dream of owning my own business, and you made it happen at twenty-something. Very admirable.” He opened a box of pasta. “Do you have a couple of pots I could borrow?”
“Yep.”
While Ranger and his full belly lay off to the side, watching their every move, Chloe and Finn worked together to prepare dinner. When it was ready, they took their plates to the small kitchen table.
Finn opened a second beer while she refilled her water glass.
“This is nice. Thanks for inviting me over.”
“It was the garlic bread.” She took a bite, and her beautiful violet eyes lit up with delight. “Damn, that’s good.”
“Told you so.”
“Where’d you learn to cook?”
“Um, well, calling me a cook is being really, really generous. I know enough to survive, but I learned how to make garlic bread when I worked in an Italian restaurant in high school.”
“You learned well. Cut me another piece.”
Smiling, Finn did as directed.
“So much for my low-carb diet.”
“The low-carb diet goes against everything I believe in. Do you think anyone lies on their deathbed thinking ‘I’m so glad I stayed away from bread, pasta, potatoes, beer or my aunt Linda’s doughnuts’? I say no. No one wishes they had less of any of those things.”
“You’ve given this some significant thought.”
“Yes, I have. I don’t believe in deprivation. Moderation, sure. But deprivation—no.”
“Easy for you to say when you’re not carrying a single extra pound.”
“Neither are you.”
“Whatever you say.” Her tone dripped with disdain that delighted him.
“It’s true. Contrary to what popular culture wants us to believe, it’s actually quite sexy to have a little flesh on your bones.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh. I’ve never been attracted to super-thin women, especially if they are super thin because they starve themselves. Life is too short. We need to eat, drink and be merry.” He cut another piece of garlic bread and nudged it in her direction.
“Easy, Satan. I’ve already had two pieces.”
“Awww, you gave me a nickname. Does that mean we’re going to be friends?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you have plenty of friends.”
Finn loved her sarcasm, her dry wit, the way her eyes sparkled. He liked the purple streaks in her dark hair, her amazing tattoo, the sparkling stud in her nose and her sassiness. “Tell me about your ink.” The last thing he wanted to talk about with this woman was other women.
She looked down at her colorful arm. “I’ve always loved to draw and paint.”
“Wait, you drew all that?” There was everything from birds to angels to demons and landscapes folded into a mosaic of color and conflict.
“Yes.” She seemed embarrassed to acknowledge her significant talent.
“That’s incredible. I’m truly impressed. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler.”
“Yes, you can.”
“No, I really can’t.” He leaned in for a closer look and extended his hand. “May I?”
She eyed his hand warily. “Sure.”
He took hold of her left wrist and moved her arm so he could see the full sequence of images that depicted an angel running from a demon and prevailing after an epic battle. “This,” he said, trailing a light fingertip over her biceps, “is amazing. What inspired you to draw that?”
“Life.”
Finn wanted to unpack the baggage that came with the one-word answer, but he didn’t have the right to ask. Not yet anyway. “You’re very talented.”
“Thank you. I’m hoping to get the other arm done when I can afford it.” She withdrew her arm from his hold, got up to clear the table and began handwashing the dishes. “Check out the sunset.”
Finn stood to look out the kitchen window. The sky had exploded in a riot of pinks, oranges and purples. “Wow.”
“My favorite time of day on Gans
ett Island.”
He picked up a dish towel and began drying the dishes after she washed them. “Have you drawn it?”
“Many times, but I never seem to be able to capture the full beauty of it.”
“I’d love to see your drawings. I bet they’re fantastic.”
“They’re okay.”
Finn’s phone rang. He retrieved it from his pocket and saw Riley’s name on the caller ID. “Excuse me for one minute.”
“Go ahead.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
“What’re you doing? We’re all at the Beachcomber. Niall is playing. Come on over.”
“I’ve got some other stuff going on tonight.” Finn glanced at Chloe, who was focused on the dishes. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I thought you wanted to go out? What other stuff do you have to do?”
“Night, Ri.” Finn ended the call before his brother could get pushier. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. If you got a better offer, don’t decline on my behalf.”
“I got the better offer a couple of hours ago. I can hang out with my family any time.”
She used a dish towel to dry her hands, wincing.
“Are you okay?”
“My hands ache after a busy day at the salon.”
After noticing her swollen knuckles over dinner, Finn sensed there was more to it than that, but he didn’t ask. He wanted to, though. He really wanted to.
“Look, you seem like a nice guy, and this was fun—”
“But?”
She looked him dead in the eye. “I’m not interested.”
Stunned by her blunt comment, Finn could only stare at her for the longest time. In that moment, he realized he was very interested. Figured, right?
“I don’t mean to be rude.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I’ll, ah, just get going, then.” Finn grabbed his jacket from where he’d dropped it over a chair.
“Let me pack up your leftovers.”
“You can have them. No worries. Thanks for a fun dinner. I’ll see you around.” After giving Ranger a pat on the head, he went out into the cool air, zipping his coat as he walked to the truck. As he drove into town, he replayed everything that’d happened from the minute he walked into the salon until the second he exited her home. This had been one of the more interesting and exhilarating evenings he’d ever spent with a woman, which was telling.
