Heart Stealers

by Patricia McLinn

  “What do you suggest we do?” He snorted. “Pretend we’re still dating until after the ball?”

  “Would it be so hard?” she pleaded. “It’s only two weeks away, and you said you wanted us to still be friends. I could continue to help at the inn. Then, when the ball is over, I’ll find a way to tell Mom and Dad.”

  He turned away, disgusted to realize she was right. The circles in which they moved loved gossip and he couldn’t have picked a worse time to break up with her. “As much sense as your plan makes, it won’t work.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  “Because... it would be awkward for you to continue helping at the inn.” He glanced back at her. “I’m... seeing Aurora.”

  Paige’s face went blank for an instant before fury replaced shock. “You’ve been seeing Rory behind my back?”

  “No!” He struggled for a way to explain. “It’s not like that. I haven’t been seeing her all this time.”

  “Are you saying you two became an item overnight?”

  “I’ll admit, the attraction’s been there for some time, but I didn’t act on it while I was seeing you. I wasn’t two-timing you, Paige. I would never do that to you, or her.”

  Her brow dimpled. “Does Allison know?”

  He nodded, wondering what that had to do with anything, but Allison had to know, since Aurora had called home last night to tell her sister where she was staying.

  “Nooo!” Paige stomped over to the sofa and dropped to the cushions. “Why did you have to take that away, too?”

  “Take what away?”

  “My friendship with Allison and helping with the inn!” She grabbed a throw pillow, punched it a few times, then hugged it to her chest. “For the first time in my life, I felt useful.”

  His heart melted a little in understanding since he felt the same way toward the inn. Being part of it, watching it take form, fulfilled him in ways nothing else had. He went to sit beside her. Thought about taking her hand, but decided not to. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should be,” she said testily. “You realize that your seeing Rory makes everything worse, don’t you? Now people really will talk. And you can forget about Stacy hiring Adrian to cater her wedding, she’s going to be livid.” Paige glared at him. “If it weren’t for how all this will affect Allison, I’d almost be glad. You deserve it.”

  “Maybe I do,” he sighed. But Aurora doesn’t. “And I wish we could wait until after the ball to tell anyone, but I don’t see how. I won’t lie.”

  “Well, there is one way,” she said, sounding reluctant now to help him.

  “What?”

  “I could go to Corpus Christi to help get the Pirate’s Pleasure ready. If I’m not here, no one will question why we’re not seeing each other.”

  “You mean, work on a ship with a bunch of men?”

  She looked irritated. “Men aren’t the only ones who love working on old sailing vessels. I’m perfectly capable of pulling my weight as a crew hand. Besides, the captain of the Pirate’s Pleasure is a woman, so I won’t be the only female on board.”

  His gaze ran over her, taking in the sleek hair, diamond earrings, and delicate bones.

  “You don’t think I can do it, do you?” Her eyes narrowed.

  “I didn’t say that. It’s just... all right, I know you’re good with boats, but crewing on a Baltimore clipper?”

  “I’ve trained aboard the Elissa here in Galveston. I know my way around the rigging.”

  “Maybe so, but won’t your mother and the rest of the planning committee be upset if you take off two weeks before the ball?”

  Paige thought that over. “I’ll tell everyone I’m going to Corpus to be sure the ship arrives here on time. Since it’s our big attraction, no one will argue. All you have to do is keep quiet about us while I’m gone.”

  Which meant he’d have to be discreet about his relationship with Aurora. The thought didn’t sit well on his stomach.

  “It’s only for two weeks,” Paige said. “And it will make things a lot easier for all of us.”

  He tried to think of another way, but couldn’t. “You’ll tell your parents as soon as the ball is over?”

  She nodded, reluctantly. “I know I can’t put it off forever.”

  “Okay, then,” he agreed. He would wait—for the sake of Aurora and the inn, as well as for Paige. “I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Thank you,” she said in a sad voice. “For that at least.” They looked at each other a moment, then as if by mutual consent, leaned forward and embraced.

  “I really am sorry,” he said, closing his eyes and breathing in the innocent scent of baby oil.

  “Me, too.” She pulled back and gave him a watery smile.

  Moved by the sorrow in her eyes, he bent down and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Take care of yourself.”

  “I will.” Fresh tears welled in her eyes.

  His chest felt tight with empathy as he left.

  Driving to the inn, he tried to relax. He hadn’t lied the day before when he’d told Aurora he’d had his whole life planned out. Now everything was a mass of uncertainty, his emotions bouncing from the happiness he’d shared with Aurora to the gut-wrenching sorrow of the scene he’d just left. And through it all was the underlying fear that asked if he was doing the right thing. Or was he throwing everything away on a relationship that wouldn’t last and a venture that would fail?

  He knew what he felt for Aurora was more than lust. This turbulent blend of adoration, respect, and longing had to be love. But where was it headed?

  He tried to picture her fitting into his life long-term. The older he got and the higher up he moved at the bank, the more expectations there would be from the community. He knew if he asked Aurora to host parties, join clubs, and help organize fund-raisers, she’d do it. She was brave enough and determined enough to do anything.

  Unfortunately, the only way she’d fit in with the other wives was if she learned to talk, dress, and act just like them. If he asked her to do that, wouldn’t he be stifling the very spirit that had drawn him to her? And what right did he have to ask her to change? She’d be miserable, and she’d come to resent him for causing that misery.

  All those thoughts were still tumbling through his mind when he arrived at Pearl Island.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The inn seemed oddly empty when Chance walked in the front door, almost like a church with the sunlight streaming in through the tall, stained-glass windows of the stairwell to gleam quietly off the polished wood of the central hall. He took a moment to admire how much they’d done. How much he’d done. A good amount of his time and sweat had gone into transforming a neglected old mansion into a B and B on the verge of its grand opening.

  Victorian settees and high-backed armchairs sat in conversational groupings around richly colored Oriental rugs. Silk plants in brass pots had been added that day, giving the room its final finishing touch.

  In Henri’s old office, Allison had managed to set up the beginnings of a gift shop. A sampling of figurines, books, dolls, and porcelain tea sets filled the built-in bookshelves. She needed more display cases and merchandise, but the room already invited shoppers to browse.

  The inn was going to be so much more than he’d imagined in the beginning. Not just a place for guests to stay while visiting Galveston, but a small resort with elegant meals, a private beach, meeting facilities, and their own gift shop. He’d even heard Aurora mention ideas such as bungalows to increase their guest capacity and a hike-and-bike trail. Heaven only knew what else she’d dream up in that amazing mind of hers.

  A noise to his right drew his attention. He smiled, realizing she was in the office. He wished he’d been there to see her face when she discovered his surprise. Stepping toward the doorway, he pictured her seated at the desk working at the computer.

  It was not the image that greeted his eyes.

  He stopped short at the sight of Aurora bending over the desk, her bottom toward him, her shorts
rising high on her long shapely thighs. The position conjured thoughts that sent desire surging through him.

  “Is this how you plan to greet our guests?” he asked.

  With a shriek, she turned around. “Chance! You startled me.” She laughed, holding one hand to her chest. “When did you get here?”

  “Just now. Didn’t you hear me come in?”

  She waved a hand in dismissal. “The construction crew has been coming and going so much today, I’ve learned to block it out.”

  “Please tell me you haven’t been giving them such a spectacular view.”

  “Hmm?” Her honest confusion made him want to laugh.

  “Never mind. I take it the crew is gone since your Jeep is the only vehicle I saw.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess so.” She glanced around as if noticing the quiet for the first time. “Which means, other than the final walk-through tomorrow, they’re done.”

  “Oh, really?” he said, his mind veering back to her body. “So, we’re alone?”

  The realization sparked in her eyes, too, and her smile turned devious. “Completely. Adrian’s already left for work, and Allison won’t be here for at least an hour.”

  “You don’t say.” He moved closer. “In that case, why don’t you kiss me?”

  “Gladly.”

  When she slipped her arms about his neck, he lowered his head, fitting his mouth to hers as need pulsed to life. Both their hearts were pounding before the kiss ended.

  “God, I missed you today.” He rested his forehead against hers. The hum in his blood urged him to turn her around and bend her over the desk, to take her in a hard, fast rush. That image contrasted nicely with the simple pleasure of holding her in his arms. He lifted his head and brushed the hair back from her face. Questions flickered in her eyes: had he talked to Paige? Should she ask?

  Later, he told her silently, grateful when understanding registered in her eyes.

  “So,” he said, stepping back, “what do you think of the desk?”

  “I love it! It’s perfect.” She turned to admire it. “The desk, everything. I was just trying to get the scanner to work, but that can wait. First let me show you what I did today.” She bent forward to retrieve something. He couldn’t say what, since his attention swept down her back to the mesmerizing curves she presented.

  “See?” she said, straightening. “What do you think of something like this for our brochure?”

  Since she hadn’t turned to face him, he had to look over her shoulder. His mind took a second to clear of lust before admiration set in. What she held was a mock-up for a trifold pamphlet with a description of the house on the front and a brief mention of the legend.

  She opened it as she explained her idea. “On the inside we’ll list all the rooms with pictures and the rental rates for each. Contact information will go on the back.”

  “Good grief!” he said, admiring the professional quality of the typesetting. “You did all this today? But how?”

  “It’s easy. You just sit down and start playing.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “And you know how much I like to play.”

  “Play?” He ran a fingertip down her bare arm and felt her shiver.

  “Of course, I need to figure out the scanner so I can insert the pictures once we have some. I was wondering if you would...” She bit her lip.

  “Yes?” He trailed his hands up her arm, lifting her hair out of the way so he could nuzzle her neck.

  “If you would... mmm, that feels good... read the instruction book and tell me... how to do it?” She leaned back against him, all supple and warm and tempting.

  “You don’t know how to do it?” he teased as he tugged the tank top from her shorts and slipped his hands to the smooth skin of her stomach. “If I remember correctly, you slide flap A into slot B.”

  “Not that!” She laughed. “The scanner.”

  “You mean there isn’t a flap A involved in this operation?” He fit his hips more snugly to her bottom, letting her feel the ridge of his erection.

  “Mmm,” she purred. “Maybe I’m wrong. There could be a flap A.”

  “I think this bears further investigation.” He slid his hands up to cup her breasts. “If you think we have time.”

  “We have nearly an hour,” she assured him as she rested her head against his shoulder.

  His pulse leapt as he weighed the fullness of her breasts in his palms. Touching them wasn’t enough, though, he wanted to see and taste as well as feel. When the want became need, he pulled off her tank top, tossing it aside. Her bra quickly followed. She started to turn, but he held her in place until she settled back against him.

  With afternoon sunlight filling the room, he gave in to months’ worth of desire. His hands roamed freely over her, teasing her rosy nipples to hard peaks. The little sounds she made had his body straining to possess, to take her quickly and keep on taking her until she was a part of him.

  She rubbed against him and he bit back the driving urge to plunge quick and fast. His fingers fumbled as he undid the snap and zipper of her shorts. After he’d removed them, she turned and attacked the buttons of his shirt. Catching her urgency, he kicked out of his shoes and took care of his pants. In seconds, they were both naked.

  “God, what you do to me,” he rasped before he kissed her. His hands fisted in her hair as desperation surged through him, frightening in its strength. No matter how hard he loved her, no matter how often, it would never be enough. He’d die of this wanting before he ever had enough.

  “Chance,” she managed to gasp between greedy kisses. Her hands ran over his body, her eyes glowing with admiration, making his breath hiss in through his teeth. “I want you so much.”

  She started to climb on the desk, but he stopped her and turned her around, gripping her hips. “Lean forward,” he said against her ear, nipping her earlobe before she did as he asked. He nudged her feet apart until she stood with her hips thrust toward him, her legs braced. He closed his eyes to savor the sensation as he pressed into her warm softness and held. It would never be enough, he thought and gritted his teeth against the demands of his body.

  She pressed backward, taking him deeper. Her gasp of wonder nearly broke his restraint. But he held his control as firmly as he held her hips and pleasured her slowly, thoroughly. His nostrils flared with the scent of her excitement. When he felt the tension coiling inside her, straining to break free, he bent over her, slipping one hand to where their bodies were joined. His other arm held her close as he let himself go.

  They climaxed together in a flare of passion that left them both shaken and gasping for breath.

  * * *

  Somehow Rory managed to get her underwear on, Chance his briefs and trousers, before they collapsed on the settee.

  “We should finish getting dressed before Allison shows up,” Rory murmured against his shoulder. She sat on the sofa with her legs draped across his lap. He was sprawled out, half reclining with his head resting on the wooden edge above the velvet upholstery.

  Neither of them moved. His hand continued to stroke her back. A full minute passed.

  “Well,” she sighed, “I guess one of us has to be strong and make the first move.” She managed to lift her head.

  “Wait.” He slipped his hand around her arm. She turned back, and waited as he sat up straighter. “I need to talk to you about Paige.”

  She went perfectly still. “Yes?”

  He didn’t pull away physically, but somehow the space between them seemed to widen. “I told her about my decision, that marriage would be a mistake. She was... upset, naturally.”

  “I know. I’m sorry,” she said, empathetic to what he must have been through.

  “Yeah, well, the thing is, it didn’t go exactly as I expected.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He hesitated. “I didn’t understand why she wanted to marry me. And how much it meant to her.”

  “Oh?” A tremor of alarm moved through her belly. Had Chance chang
ed his mind about breaking up with Paige? No, he wouldn’t have made love to her just now if that were true.

  “It doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “What does matter is that Paige felt, and I agreed, that we should wait until after the ball to let anyone know we’ve split up.”

  “What do you mean, wait?”

  “I know it sounds awkward, but it’ll be better for all of us if Paige’s parents don’t find out until after the ball, especially with Marcy Baxter on the planning committee.”

  “Are you saying that you and Paige will pretend to keep dating for the next two weeks?”

  “No, I won’t outright lie about this. We just won’t tell anyone. Paige has even decided to go out of town until the ball. She’s going to Corpus Christi to help get the ship ready. Everyone will just assume our relationship is status quo.”

  “And what does that mean for you and me?” Her stomach tightened. “That we can’t see each other?”

  “No, we can see each other. We’ll just have to be discreet.”

  “Discreet,” she echoed numbly. Like a married man seeing his mistress.

  “I don’t like it, either.” He rubbed her arm. “But it really is best for you as well as Paige. And for the inn. If the news gets around before the ball, it will overshadow the whole event.”

  She would have scoffed if her nerves weren’t in knots. “Do you really think that many people will care?”

  “Oh, yes. I grew up around these people. I know how they can gossip and how much damage it can do.”

  “I suppose. It’s just...” She couldn’t help wondering if he was leaving a back door open. If things didn’t work out for them, he could always get back together with Paige when she returned and no one would be the wiser. Or maybe he was embarrassed for his family and friends to know about her.

  “What?” he asked.

  She searched his eyes, her heart racing. “You are certain about this, aren’t you?”

  “About what?”

  “Us. I mean, if you’re having second thoughts, tell me now. I can take it, I swear. I can take anything as long as you’re honest with me.”

  “Honestly?” He studied her, and her fear mounted with every second. Then his face softened with a sad smile. “I am sure of how I feel. I love you and I want to be with you. I hope... you feel the same.”