Priscilla looked confused for a moment until she spotted the dog. “Oh, don’t worry about him. Snake was probably just making sure you weren’t my sister. Don’t worry, buddy. Jacqueline is already in bed for the night next door.”
Dean stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “So, you’re not too crazy about Jacqueline either, huh,” he said to the dog directly. “Looks like you and I have finally found some common ground.”
Priscilla and Dean both laughed as Snake seemed to nod his head before he went back for his pillow, this time burrowing inside what looked like a miniature sleeping bag until the only thing visible was his tail.
“Does he always sleep like that?” Dean asked.
Priscilla nodded, looking at her dog. “It’s strange, but it works for him.”
“Lucky you. Daisy shares my bed. Lately she’s taken a fancy to my pillow.”
Priscilla laughed again and then moved into the sitting area of the large room, taking a seat on one end of the small couch. “How did things go with Holly?”
Dean smiled. “We had a good time. We went to Sherry’s for dinner, a place her and her dad visit often when he’s home. She really got a kick out of the buggy ride, and when that hot-air balloon left the ground, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a kid squeal so loud. But in a good way.”
“I’m sure she’ll remember this evening for the rest of her life.”
He hoped so. He’d put in a standing order for the entire Warren family to take a balloon ride once Kevin got home. Not to mention he planned another buggy ride in the near future with the pretty lady in front of him.
“I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but are those for me?”
Dean looked down at the flowers in his hand. How could he have forgotten about them after he’d lucked out and found the owner of the local flower shop working late tonight? He thrust them at her. “Yes, of course.”
She stood again and took them, her fingers grazing his. “They’re so beautiful. Thank you. Let me find something to put them in.”
Dean moved to one side as she walked past and disappeared into the bathroom. His gaze followed her as she passed the four-poster bed and the only light in the room, which was coming from the bedside lamp. The blankets were pushed back on one side, a paperback book lying near the pillows, and an awareness that she had been in bed caused his body to tighten. He was glad he’d worn his shirt untucked. Just the same, he sat down as she came back out into the room carrying the flowers in a vase.
Priscilla crossed the room and set the flowers on the desk in front of the windows. Her fingers lightly moved over the individual buds before she pulled a single yellow rose free and lifted it to her cheek, brushing it against her skin. “You didn’t have to do this, but thank you again.”
“Yes, I did. Like you said when you gave me Holly’s corsage, all girls love flowers. Besides, my nonni always told me that when a man is going to apologize he should bring flowers.”
She smiled and joined him on the couch, bringing the rose with her. “Your grandmother’s a very wise woman. But no apology is needed.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Dean shifted closer and took her hand. “I am sorry for the way I treated you at the auction. I didn’t know what was going on, and instead of listening to you, I was a stubborn jerk. I should’ve trusted that you knew what you were doing, just like you’ve done ever since you’ve been here.”
Priscilla’s fingers curled around his. “Well, I wouldn’t say that. There have been many times in the last few weeks that I had no idea what I was doing.”
“Not when it came to the auction.”
“Even then. I’d never done a fund-raiser like that before, and I’m not just talking about the smaller scale.” Priscilla smiled and brought the rose to her lips. “And I was certainly at a loss when it came to knowing my way around the camp.”
“Except for the stables,” Dean said, determined to make her see all the good she had done in the short amount of time she’d been in Destiny. “And it didn’t take you long to find a way to leave your mark on Camp Diamond with all your great ideas. You’ve made it a better place, Priscilla. I’m sorry if I ever did anything to make you doubt that.”
Priscilla stared at him, her blue eyes wide, and it was all he could do to keep from reaching for her. Desire clawed at him, urgent and hot and sharp. His jeans were suddenly too tight and even the cotton material of his button-down shirt felt too restrictive. He brushed his thumb back and forth across the ridge of her knuckles before he finally gave in and brought her hand to his lips.
“Dean...”
His gaze locked with hers as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. He then gave a gentle tug and suddenly she was there in his arms. Pulling her up hard against his chest, his hands slid over the cool silkiness of her robe. Her arms encircled his shoulders, her hands caressing the back of his head as their lips met. He leaned back against the couch, dragging her into his lap as he kissed her with all the pent-up emotions from the past two weeks.
This was what he’d wanted from the moment that first kiss had ended. Hell, this was what he’d wanted from the moment he’d first seen her. Their mouths were demanding and greedy, their kisses hungry and breathless. He finally released her, but only so he could trail his lips down her neck and across her collarbone. She tipped her head back, granting him access, and he took it as one hand encircled her waist while the other rode low on her hip and pressed her even harder to him.
His lips found the curve of her breast at the same moment his hand moved to the knot of her belt. He found himself wanting to ask permission, but then Priscilla’s delicate fingers covered his and she tugged at the material. In one smooth motion, her robe parted and he slipped his hand inside, something erupting within him as his thumb scraped across her hardened nipple.
Her breath exited on a moan as she pressed herself into his touch.
Yes. This.
She did a little shimmy with her shoulders, and the robe floated down and away from her shoulders, catching in the crooks of her arms.
He took a moment to stare at how unbelievably beautiful she was, before giving in to what his body craved. Groaning, he drew her breast into his mouth, a heady sense of relief filling him as she directed him, her fingers tunneling deep into his hair.
He finally lifted his head, watching her face as he whispered, “I want you, Priscilla. I want to make love to you.”
She slowly rose from his lap until she stood directly in front of him. When she reached for her robe, a sinking feeling filled his gut. Then he realized she was loosening the belt completely, and seconds later the material slid to the floor and she stood before him gloriously naked and utterly perfect.
She held out her hand and Dean grasped it with his as he tried to stand. Not an easy thing for a man in his condition to do. A soft giggle escaped her lips as she made quick work of the buttons on his shirt and seconds later released the top button at the waistband of his jeans.
“Is that better?” she asked in a soft whisper.
Despite the need still pulsing through his body, he loved the humor he saw shining in her eyes. “You have no idea.”
“Well, cowboy, you still have on more clothes than I do.”
“I think that’s a problem we can take care of quickly.”
He picked her up, enjoying her squeal of surprise as he carried her over to the bed. As he laid her down, she pushed her book to the floor and then scooted beneath the covers. She watched him undress, her smile turning brazen when he pulled a trio of condom packets from his back pocket and laid them on the bedside table. “Feeling ambitious?”
“You have no idea.”
“Well, then, let’s put that ambition to work.” She then beckoned him with a simple curling of her finger and welcomed him home.
* * *
The morning sun streamed through the lace curtains, causing Priscilla to stretch as she tried to wake up, but the heavy weight of an arm around her waist, not to mention the wall of muscle pressing against her from her shoulders to her backside, reminded her that she hadn’t slept alone last night.
“Good morning,” Dean’s deep voice murmured in her ear, sending a wave of shivers across her naked skin. “Sleep well?”
Priscilla smiled. She had, even though it had been for only a few hours. They had made love through the night, and in between talked and laughed and shared stories of everything from their childhoods and romantic pasts to Dean and Holly’s adventures, until Priscilla had finally closed her eyes. And yes, they’d used all three of those condoms. “I could always use more beauty sleep.”
Dean’s arm tightened around her, pulling her close before he placed a whiskery kiss on her shoulder. “Says who?”
Her heart swelled, overflowing with emotions that she couldn’t label or at least didn’t want to yet. She’d been overwhelmed with the way Dean had responded to the surprise that Holly was his date yesterday evening. And while she’d admitted to a wee bit of jealousy as the two of them rode off in the horse-drawn carriage, it had been the tears in Bonnie’s eyes as she talked about emailing the photos she’d taken to her husband in Afghanistan that made Priscilla realize that all the madness on Friday night had been worth it.
“Hey, I can feel the wheels turning in your head,” Dean said. “What are you thinking about?”
Priscilla smiled and wiggled her hips, loving the rumble of laughter from deep in his chest.
“Forget it. I don’t have the strength.”
“Is that a challenge?” she asked.
“No, it’s a fact. Hey, what time is it?” Dean rolled away from her toward the alarm clock on his side of the bed. He groaned and said, “Damn, it’s almost seven o’clock. Don’t hate me, but I’ve got to get going.”
Priscilla turned to face him, holding the sheet to her breasts. “Do you really?” Had that come out sounding as desperate as she thought? “I mean, of course not. I don’t hate you. It is, after all, Monday morning.”
“That it is. Hey, I’ve got a few in-home visits to do around town this morning. I should be done close to noontime. How about I pick us up some lunch at Doucette’s Bakery and meet you back here?”
Priscilla smiled, that mushy emotion she refused to label returning. “Sounds wonderful.”
“It’s a date.” Dean leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her nose. He then sat up, threw his legs over the side of the bed and froze. “Umm, hello.”
Priscilla rose up on one hip and scooted behind him, letting out a laugh when she spotted Snake looking up at them as he sat on the pile of clothing that belonged to Dean. “Well, look at it this way. He didn’t pee on them or chew them up.”
“Very funny.” Dean reached back with one hand, tunneling his fingers into her hair and bringing her face to his for another kiss, this time on the lips. “Is he going to give up his spot so I can get dressed?”
“He probably has to go outside.” Priscilla moved back to her side of the bed and got out from beneath the covers. “I guess I’m getting dressed, too.”
She walked over to the sitting area and picked up her robe from the floor where she’d dropped it last night. She slipped it on and then turned around to find Dean standing next to the bed, tugging his jeans up over his hips, a sly grin on his face while he watched her.
“I certainly hope you’re wearing more than that when you take him out,” he said. “Or you might find yourself flat on your back again, despite my weakened condition.”
“Just give me a minute to put on some clothes and the two of us will walk you to your truck.”
A flicker of an emotion she couldn’t read danced over his features, but then he turned away and pulled on his shirt. “Okay.”
Five minutes later they were outside, with Dean insisting he had time to walk into the woods with her and Snake. When they were done, he ushered her back to the side entrance of the inn and pulled her into his strong embrace, his face buried in her hair, his mouth at her ear.
“Last night was incredible.” His words were soft, but they ignited a fire deep within her. “I’m glad I ignored my inner demon and came over.”
“What does that make me? One of your better angels?”
“You are an angel.” He pressed his lips to her ear and then to her neck. “Now get back inside. I’ll see you later.”
Refusing to allow any doubt to get in the way of her happiness, Priscilla was downright giddy as she and Snake headed to her room. She took a shower, unable to stop thinking about where things might be headed with Dean as she stood beneath the hot spray. Was it just a fling? No, it was more than that. At least for her. And she still had another month before her leave of absence was over and she had to make a decision about her next step.
Could that step be one that took her away from Beverly Hills altogether?
The camp still needed more funds, more promotion. The auction had been fun. While support from the town was important and a yearly event of some sort could be done, she still believed her plan to bring in wealthy individual supporters was the best way to secure long-term funding for the camp. It only made sense for her to work on that right here in Destiny, which meant more time with her new friends and with Dean. Of course, she needed to clear her plans with Bobby and Leeann, but they had been on board with her ideas from the beginning.
She got out of the shower, dressed and thought about breakfast, but the dining room wouldn’t be open for another hour. Her gaze caught on the safe in the bottom of the armoire. Deciding to create a spreadsheet of the auction receipts, she removed the cashbox and walked to the desk.
Strange she hadn’t heard from Jacqueline yet. Oh, well. Her sister normally slept late.
While waiting for her laptop to power up, she opened the box and a sudden coldness washed over her. She reached out with shaking fingers to tunnel through the paperwork, personal checks and credit-cards receipts, but deep inside she knew what her eyes refused to believe.
The cash was gone.
Chapter Thirteen
Priscilla scraped at her eyes, the tears making it hard for her to see as she drove back from Laramie to the inn. She’d been at the local branch of her bank when it opened and, after waiting through an interminably long computer glitch, withdrawn the necessary amount to replace the $4,800 missing from the cashbox.
After discovering the money was gone, she’d immediately raced to find Jacqueline, even though she’d known the room would be empty. Repeated phone calls had gone unanswered. Priscilla had then tried her father’s secretary, who said she hadn’t heard from Jacqueline since last Friday and, of course, her father was in a business meeting and couldn’t be disturbed.
Despite her recent vow not to play rescuer anymore, Priscilla had to replace the missing cash before anyone found out. She’d calculated the amount needed and left for Laramie, all the while trying to figure out how Jacqueline had managed to get access to the money. Priscilla had gone over the contents of the cashbox on Saturday, but then hadn’t touched it again until this morning. She had been at the camp most of the weekend as they had welcomed a new group of campers, and she and her sister had actually had dinner together Saturday night.
She was sure Jacqueline had come up with some reason for Minnie, or whoever had been manning the front desk, to allow her into Priscilla’s room when she was away, but there was a four-digit security code that opened the safe.
However she’d pulled it off, Jacqueline wasn’t going to get away with this. Priscilla would eventually find her sister and deal with her for this unthinkable act, but she refused to allow all the hard work of everyone involved with the auction to be tainted by her sister’s immature behavior.
And if she was being honest, sh
e had to admit that the idea of revealing what Jacqueline had done to anyone—especially to Dean—shattered her heart. Just a couple of hours ago she’d been daydreaming about what the future might hold for the two of them....
She refused to think about that now. Minutes later, she jumped out of her car after returning to the inn and raced upstairs to her room.
* * *
Dean stood at the counter of the bakery and realized he had no idea what kind of sandwich Priscilla would like for lunch. He always got the Doucette Deli Special, loaded with four different kinds of meat, cheese, some veggies and a spicy sauce that had quite a kick. He supposed they could split the sandwich, but then he spotted the Tanya Veggie, a healthy vegetarian option, and decided to go with that.
“Welcome to Doucette’s. How can I help you?”
Dean placed his order with the teenager behind the counter, paid for it and then stepped aside to wait. The bakery was busy, but he found a quiet corner and started to think about the same thing that had been on his mind all morning.
Priscilla.
Things were moving pretty fast between them and he had no idea what was going to happen next.
If anyone knew he was thinking this way, they’d laugh. Dean had to admit he’d dated—and slept with—a good number of women since moving to Destiny, despite how much Daisy hampered his social life. He’d always made sure that every lady he got involved with was aware from the very beginning that he had no interest in settling down. A determination he had made after things with his ex had ended so badly.
The mantra had been working for him, but ever since he woke up today—no, from the moment he’d made love to her the first time last night—something had changed in him. When she’d gotten out of bed this morning and casually walked across the room to retrieve her robe, he’d had a sudden vision in his head of watching her do that every morning for the rest of his life.
And, yeah, it had freaked him out. So much so that he’d decided he needed to get away to think for a while.
Destiny's Last Bachelor? Page 18
