by Addison Cole
“You’re pretty cute.”
“You won’t think I’m so cute when you’re picking up the pile of laundry for the seventeenth time, or when I turn all your clothes into jam rags, or—”
He captured her words in his mouth with a passionate kiss.
“Let me determine how long I’ll think you’re cute.”
“Okay,” she said dizzily.
BELLA COOKED CHICKEN on the grill, and Jenna and Amy made a salad. Leanna brought out homemade bread and jam, and Kurt shared the wine he’d brought with him for the evening. They ate dinner by the fire in the grass behind Leanna’s cottage and talked. The air smelled sweet and ashy, and Leanna’s cheeks were pink from the warmth of the fire. Her friends were warm and in good spirits, and Kurt noticed how comfortable they were with one another. They passed knowing looks like inside secrets, and they welcomed him into their tight-knit fold seamlessly. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent time relaxing with friends. In fact, he wasn’t sure he really had friends who were as close as these friends were to Leanna, and he wondered if he was missing out on something. But friendships like theirs took nurturing and time, and time was something Kurt hadn’t been able to spare—until he met Leanna. He thought about the time he spent with his siblings and the family dinners with his parents. Those were events he enjoyed, but they were different from this. Sitting by a bonfire under the moonlight, enjoying the company of people other than his family, with his arm around his girlfriend? Another first.
He was surprised that Bella hadn’t razzed them for disappearing earlier in the evening, but he assumed that although she was brazen, she also knew when not to embarrass Leanna.
“So, Kurt, can you tell us about the book you’re working on?” Jenna asked.
“It’s darker than my others, set in an old mining town in West Virginia.” And I don’t really want to talk about it because then I’ll start thinking about the next chapter, and then I’ll want to write it. He pulled Leanna closer to him. She wore a sweatshirt and shorts, and when her leg pressed against his, her skin was hot from the bonfire.
“Do you base your characters on real life?” Amy had on sweatpants and a sweatshirt, and her feet were tucked beneath her on the bench where she sat.
“Only the ones I don’t like. Then I kill them off.” That brought a round of laughs, as was to be expected. He needed to change the subject. “So, how long have you known one another?”
The women exchanged smiles and glances.
“Years,” Bella said. “There are other people who own here in the community, but this summer has been weird. It’s been so empty here. Jamie Reed’s grandmother owns that cottage.” She pointed to the cottage on the corner. “She’s eighty, and Jamie’s our age, but he usually comes down to take care of his grandmother, and Vera hasn’t been well this summer. Then there’s Tony, who owns the blue cottage that faces the pool.”
“Tony,” Jenna and Amy said with dreamy smiles.
Bella continued. “He’s the community hottie, and he’ll be down in a few days, I think.”
Kurt made a mental note about Tony being the community hottie.
“Yeah, that’s right. He had that thing in Maui this week, remember?” Leanna said.
“Maui?” Kurt asked.
“Yeah, he’s a motivational speaker and a pro surfer.” Leanna ran her finger in circles over Kurt’s thigh, and he silently noted her nervousness.
“And, of course, Clark and Vanessa. They own that three-bedroom over there.” Bella pointed to the cottage next to Amy’s. “And Grumpy Gus, but he’s almost never here.”
“And Pete,” Jenna added. “Our maintenance and pool guy.”
“Yeah, we can’t forget Pete, can we, Jenna?” Leanna poked Jenna with her toe. “She’s sweet on Pete.”
“Oh, please.” Jenna swatted the air.
“Anyway, we’ve known each other forever. Where do you live, Kurt?” Bella asked.
“New York,” Jenna answered.
Kurt laughed. “Yes. I do live in New York, just outside the city.”
“Sorry. I Googled you,” Jenna admitted. “You have four brothers and a sister who’s a famous model. One brother owns a gaming company, another’s an Olympic skier, and then there’s a survivalist, and…” She snapped her fingers.
“You’re good at the PI stuff. My other brother, Sage, is an artist.”
“When do you go back to New York?” Amy asked.
“In about two weeks.” Kurt kissed the top of Leanna’s head.
“Gosh, if I had a house on the beach, I’d live in it year-round,” Amy said.
“That might be nice, but my life is in New York. My family, agent, all of my publishing contacts. It would be inconvenient to live here year-round.”
“That makes sense.” Amy moved closer to the fire to warm her hands. “Leanna? If you get these contracts, are you staying at the Cape or…? Where will you live?”
“I haven’t thought about it.” She sat up and yawned.
Kurt felt a pang of curiosity. Where would she live? How would he see her? He tucked the worry away. He’d make darn sure he saw her.
“I don’t know how you can not know where you’ll be living in a few weeks. I’d go crazy. I need to know where I’ll be and when I’ll be there.” Jenna joined Amy standing by the fire.
Leanna shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me.”
“That’s because you have a trust fund and we don’t.” Bella stood in her jeans and sweatshirt and stretched with a loud yawn.
Not that Kurt cared about her money, but this surprised him. “You don’t strike me as a trust fund kid.”
“That’s because I’m not. My great-grandfather left money to my dad, and he put it all in trust funds for me and my brothers and sister. I used it for college, and I’ve never touched it since. I figure I’ll leave it to my kids someday, and eventually, someone who really needs it will have it.” Leanna shrugged as if she’d just said what anyone might.
Kurt and each of his siblings were comfortably wealthy, though they’d each earned their way through hard work and dedication in their chosen fields. Knowing that Leanna relied on her own efforts endeared him to her even more.
“You’re remarkable.” He pulled her a little closer.
“Hardly.” Her cheeks flushed.
“Most people would use that money to kick-start their business, or to travel, or something else. People can always find reasons to spend money.” Kurt thought of his own finances. He didn’t spend foolishly, and he traveled only when it was thrust upon him. He owned his house in New York and the one on the Cape and kept one car at each. He gave generously to Sage’s company and to other charitable organizations, and beyond that, his money was well invested. He felt like another layer of Leanna was stripped away, revealing the empowered, determined woman beneath.
“I don’t think my great-grandfather worked hard so I didn’t have to.”
Leanna smiled up at him, and in that moment, he knew everything he needed to about who she was. It didn’t matter where she lived or what she did for a living. A person didn’t become as lovely as her by being pretty or owning the right things. Leanna might be beautiful on the outside, but she was stunning on the inside.
She stifled another yawn.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Kurt brushed her hair from in front of her sleepy eyes.
“I was going to make the batch of jam I made today, so I don’t have much on my agenda at this point.”
“Come home with me. Stay with me tonight.”
She sat up and searched his eyes. “You’re serious?”
“More than.”
“What about your writing?”
He loved that she thought of his schedule. “I’m going to do what I always do. I’ll get up and go for a run, and I’ll write, but I thought it might be nice to have you there with me. You can work on your presentation for Thursday, or hit the beach, or read, or do nothing but lounge around. I just want to wake up with you in my ar
ms.”
He realized Amy, Jenna, and Bella were watching them, and he cleared his throat. “Sorry. I don’t mean to take her away from you guys.”
“No, no. Take her, please,” Amy said, motioning with her hands for him to take her away.
“We’re just drooling.” Bella wiped her mouth.
“Geez, Bella.” Leanna looked down at Pepper, asleep by Kurt’s feet. “What about Pepper?”
“Package deal. Pep comes, too.”
“Okay, but are you sure I won’t interrupt your writing?” She traced the outline of his pocket on his shorts.
He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. “No. I’m about eighty percent certain that you will interrupt my schedule, but I want you with me.”
Chapter Fourteen
LEANNA AWOKE TO the sound of dishes clanking together downstairs. The pillow smelled like Kurt, masculine and earthy with a hint of something sweet, floral. She turned toward the window and saw a vase full of fresh wildflowers beside the bed. How did she get lucky enough to meet the kindest guy on the planet? By the time they arrived at his cottage last night, she was so tired she could barely stay awake, and he’d tucked her in beside him and held her while he read—and she slept. Like a log.
His bedroom, like most of the house, was outfitted in white—white walls with stained wood trim, white fluffy comforter. A breeze whisked the sheer white curtains from the open bay window. There was a thick and inviting tan seat cushion built into the bay window, with brown, tan, and red accent pillows. A thick, white throw rug covered the wide-planked oak hardwood floors between the bed and the window. A house that was primarily white might feel sterile to some, but it felt just right for Kurt. He was clean and neat, with a dash of pizazz in all the right places.
She buried her nose in his pillow and inhaled his intoxicating scent.
Pepper barked, and she pulled her nose from his pillow and found Kurt smiling down at her with a cup of coffee in his hands.
“I’m not sure if that was creepy or sweet,” he said with a warm smile.
She cringed. “Let’s go with sweet. You should bottle your scent. You’d make a fortune.” She’d slept in one of Kurt’s T-shirts, and when she sat up and crossed her legs, it billowed around her.
Pepper jumped on the fluffy white comforter and Kurt slid him a dark stare.
“Down.”
Pepper obeyed and lay down beside the bed.
“I’m not sure I want a bunch of guys smelling exactly like me.” He sat beside her and kissed her cheek, then handed her a cup of coffee. “I wasn’t sure how you liked it, so if it’s wrong, I’ll bring you a fresh cup.”
“Thank you, but I can come downstairs for coffee.” She took a sip of the hot coffee. “This is perfect.” She touched his wet hair.
“I went for a jog; then I took a shower, made breakfast, read the newspaper.”
“I slept through all of that? I’m not that lazy, really. I swear.”
He laughed. “No one said you were lazy. I loved waking up with you beside me, and if I didn’t have a word count to chase, I’d have stayed in bed with you.” He leaned over and kissed her.
She stuck her lower lip out. “Dang word count.”
He glanced at the clock. “I promise we’ll make up for it later. There are fresh towels in the bathroom. Make yourself at home. I’ll be out on the deck writing if you need me.” He kissed her again. “I’ve never had trouble getting out of bed and writing until today. For the first time in my writing career, I really want to climb back in bed and let the writing wait.”
She pushed playfully at his chest. “Go. Write. I can’t be responsible for the world not getting their next Kurt Remington thriller.”
After she showered and put on her bathing suit and shorts, Leanna looked out the bedroom window at Kurt on the deck below. It was a hazy morning, and there was a pretty yellow-gray glow over the water. Kurt’s hands flew over the keyboard, and she wondered what went on in his mind. He was careful when he spoke, and sometimes he looked like he was mulling over a complex equation in his mind. Other times, like this morning when he told her he wanted to climb back into bed with her, tenderness softened his eyes and mouth. She thought of the first night they met and the way he’d seemed annoyed by the disturbance. She knew now that he’d been writing, and she had interrupted him. She hadn’t pictured him as having a tender or romantic side. He was a wonderful surprise.
Leanna didn’t hesitate to open a drawer and see if he was as neat in the hidden parts of his life as he was on the surface.
“Yup.” She ran her fingers over the stack of perfectly folded shirts. Wanting to feel closer to him, she withdrew a navy blue tank from the top of the pile, slipped it over her bathing suit, and tied it at the waist. Then she set out to explore. She wandered down the hall and peeked into a nicely appointed guest bedroom. She peered into the next room and was surprised to find a full gym, complete with free weights and Nautilus machines. She tried to picture Kurt working out as he took breaks from writing. Then she modified the thought. Working out before or after he was done writing. She peered out the window and was surprised to see another cottage a short distance away. It was the size of her cottage, with weathered shingles, an arched front door, and shaded by the only trees on the property.
She heard Pepper bark and made her way down the wooden staircase, where she found Pepper panting up at Kurt outside on the deck. Kurt sat before his laptop, typing away. He shifted his head in Pepper’s direction, then turned back to his computer. Pepper barked again, and that’s when she noticed Pepper’s food and water bowls beside Kurt, and attached to Kurt’s chair was Pepper’s leash.
She watched as Kurt untied the leash from his chair and walked Pepper down to the beach. Leanna stepped outside and watched them walk along the water’s edge. Kurt’s feet were bare as the water lapped at his toes. His broad shoulders were relaxed, his stride comfortably slow. He seemed perfectly content, though she knew he had to be wishing she’d take over so he could write. She took another minute to drink in the sight of him. He was so handsome that he took her breath away, and walking beside Pepper, he warmed her heart. She realized that he looked like the type of guy she and her girlfriends would point out on the beach and stare at until he disappeared into the distance. Only Kurt was her boyfriend. She’d never managed her life very well, so it was no surprise that she’d never managed having a relationship well, either. This felt different. She felt different. She wanted this to work.
Leanna took the stairs down to the beach and caught up to Kurt. “Hey, want me to take over?” She reached for the leash.
He switched the leash to the other hand and draped his arm over her shoulder. “Nope. But I want you to walk with us.”
“But what about your word count?”
“I might have to work a little later into the evening, but I think you’re rubbing off on me. I don’t want to miss this. You. Us.” He kissed her cheek and glanced at his shirt, tied to fit her figure. “You look cute in my shirt.”
“I hope you don’t mind. I wasn’t snooping.” She put her hand on his stomach and leaned her head against his arm. “Well, that’s not true, exactly. I wanted to see how neat your drawers were. Weird, I know, but I wondered if you were a closet messy guy and the whole clean house and nothing-out-of-place thing was just for show.”
“Uh-huh. I have nothing to hide. I am who I am.”
“I like who you are. And now I know how you got those insanely big and sexy muscles. Arnold Schwarzenegger could work out in your gym.”
“I’m a private guy. I’ve never really liked public gyms.” They walked a little farther with their feet in the water. “Do you have to prepare anything for tomorrow? A presentation?”
“I told you, I don’t stress over this stuff.” But the more he talked about a preparation, the more she wondered if she should be preparing. She’d never really prepared for anything in life. She moved on a hope or a whim, and she assumed things would work out for her. Or they
wouldn’t. Now she wondered if that was part of her issue. Was she unfulfilled because she hadn’t taken the interest or put in the dedication that it might have taken to dig a little deeper in everything she’d ever done? She pushed the thought away. She couldn’t stress about the meeting now, and the last thing she wanted to do was worry when it was such a beautiful day and she was with Kurt.
“Yeah, but—”
“I’ve got it covered.” I hope.
“Okay, duly noted. But I’m pretty good at putting those things together, so if you ever want to put together marketing plans or presentations, I’m right here.”
“Thanks.”
“Maybe the jam business is just very different from other businesses. When my brother Dex takes a new PC game to distributors, they want to see everything—business and marketing plans, product specs. Even in publishing, forward planning is critical. We develop business and marketing plans for each new release. It’s different, but kind of the same thing.”
“I know that’s how things are usually done, but I guess I think I want to try it my way first. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not really the presentation and business plan type.”
He kissed her temple. “I think you sell yourself short. You’re the anything you need to be type, but you know your business best.”
“I don’t know best, but I know so little about marketing plans and all of that, that I think I’m better off going in as me. If I’m wrong, I’ll figure it out later.”
“That sounds reasonable. I have faith in you, but if you do need more, I’m here.”
Kindest man on the planet for sure.
Pepper ran toward a mother walking with a young boy. Kurt reined in the leash. “Come here, Pepper.”
“He won’t bite.” Leanna stopped beside Kurt as he crouched next to Pepper.
“I know, but kids get scared. This way we’re near Pepper in case he tries to jump up on them.”
The woman and child were walking toward them. She had kind, dark eyes and a friendly smile. Holding her son’s shoulder, they stopped a few feet from Pepper. “He loves dogs. Is it okay for him to pet yours?” She wore a floppy green hat and a black one-piece bathing suit.
