by Debra Kayn
Or, he could take Janelle up on her offer and prove that the kiss he’d shared with Crista was nothing more than a weak moment in his life. Everything would go back to being normal, and he’d have his best friend back. Then they could both stop wigging out about their shared kiss. He kicked at the sand. Shit.
He no longer wanted Janelle. He couldn’t even come up with one reason why he’d wanted her in the first place. What was he supposed to do?
He walked up the stairs out of the sand, across the boardwalk, and keyed in the entrance code to the building. At the door to the apartment, he blew out his breath. He hoped Crista was in a good mood and would forgive him.
He walked inside, and Crista whirled around with a smile on her face. He set down his shoes, glad to see they were back on friendly terms.
“Hey,” he said.
Her smile faded and she looked away, busying herself folding clothes on the couch. “Hey. Grayson called, they’re about five minutes away. I thought you were him.”
He ran his hands through his hair, surprised it was already dry from using one of the outdoor showers on the beach after his run. He must’ve stayed out longer than he thought.
“I washed your dirty laundry and folded the clothes.” She shoved a stack of shirts at him. “There’s a bran muffin on the counter and some oatmeal in a bowl on the top shelf in the refrigerator. All you have to do is put it in the microwave for ninety seconds. There’s milk and honey, too.”
“Thanks, but I’m good.” He set the clothes down on the coffee table and grabbed her wrist. “Hey, can you talk with me for a second … ”
She flinched and her body went stiff. “Grayson and Shauna will be here any minute. I need to put things away and make sure everything is out of Trevor’s reach .”
“I need to talk to you.” He let her go. “About yesterday.”
She waved him off. “No big deal. It was nothing.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say it was nothing,” he muttered. “We kissed.”
She wrinkled her nose at the same time the doorbell rang. “They’re here. Hurry, put your clothes away, and don’t say a word about … you know. Nobody needs to know what happened, especially Shauna. She’ll blow it all out of proportion, and we both know it was nothing.”
Nothing?
It was a hell of a lot more than nothing. Nothing was kissing her with a closed mouth on her birthday. Nothing wasn’t even part of the equation when he had his tongue shoved in her mouth and a hand cupped over her breast. His gaze followed Crista across the room. She wasn’t wearing a sports bra today. How come he hadn’t noticed how plump her breasts were before now?
She had a slim, tight body, muscled and contoured. Yet, there was nothing about her breasts that hinted at muscle. Those beautiful globes were soft, free moving, and right there for him to enjoy.
“Get the door, Bruce.” Crista slipped into the hallway, disappearing from view.
He glanced down at the front of his sweats, adjusted himself, and went over and let his friends in.
“Coldwell.” Grayson removed his arm from around Shauna’s shoulders and shook Bruce’s hand. “How’s the vacation going?”
Grayson, past Wimbledon tennis champion, current owner of Schyler’s Tennis Center, and one of his good friends had remained a constant in his life ever since they met years ago at a celebrity dinner. He’d married Shauna, who’d grown up stalking the athlete, and lived a good life in Cottage Grove, California.
“Decent.” He grinned at Grayson before leaning over and kissing Shauna’s cheek. “Hey, gorgeous. How’s mommyhood treating you?”
Shauna smiled and the absolute contentment was contagious. “Trevor slept all night, and I’ve realized eight hours of sleep is better than any vacation.”
Two-year-old Trevor used that moment to launch himself in Bruce’s direction. Shauna laughed. “I think he remembers you.” She thrust the kid at him. “Here you go, baby, time for some male bonding with your Uncle Bruce.”
Bruce scrambled to keep from dropping Trevor. He gazed down at Grayson and Shauna’s son. The blond hair, blue eyes, and outgoing spirit captured the best of both his parents. The town of Cottage Grove better be ready when this kid grew up.
“You made it,” Crista said. “Welcome to southern Cali. Only a hop and skip from northern Cali.”
“I know.” Shauna inhaled deeply. “We don’t get down this way often enough, but we’re here.”
Crista hugged everyone but Bruce and then stood beside him, holding Trevor’s hand and making cooing noises at the boy. Bruce checked her out while she was distracted. She’d changed clothes while in the bedroom and brushed her hair.
The white tank showed off her tan, and the mini-mini-mini skirt hugged her body. He leaned over, dipping Trevor in a playful game of whee, I’m going to drop you, aren’t you a lucky kid and used the movement to ogle Crista’s legs.
“More, more.” Trevor giggled.
Bruce straightened, coming up and having three sets of eyes on him with matched expressions of confusion—except Grayson who slowly grinned. Guilt flashed through him at getting caught looking at Crista’s legs. He glanced at Crista and Shauna, who stared back at him as if he’d made a social blunder. “What?”
“Girl time.” Shauna tugged a shocked Crista into the living room.
Grayson stepped over into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “So … ?”
Hooked and tossed up on the sand like an undersized fish, Bruce did the only thing he could. He changed the subject. “How’s the tennis center doing?”
“Good.” Grayson rubbed his hand across his jawline. “What’s up with you and Crista?”
“I’ve been staying with her before I have to head out next week.” Bruce put Trevor on the floor, looked around for something to give the kid, and found the muffin Crista left him for breakfast. He held it up for Grayson’s okay, and with his approval, he gave the boy the food.
Trevor held the muffin in the air and ran off into the living room. Bruce sagged in relief.
“I doubt if Crista wants him eating all over her apartment,” Grayson said. “He hasn’t learned how to contain the messes he makes yet.”
Bruce blew out his cheeks. He couldn’t do anything right. The kiss with Crista was a huge mistake. Looking at his best friend in front of his other friends was a mistake. Even feeding an innocent kid a healthy snack was a mistake. Until he could straighten out his problems with Crista, he was on a capsized boat and going under.
“Since you’re ignoring my question, let’s make this simple.” Grayson crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you have the hots for Crista?”
“You mean as a man and a woman have the hots for each other?” Bruce shook his head. “No, of course not.”
“Did something happen between you two?” Grayson continued.
“No … yes.” He tapped his fist on the counter. “It was nothing.”
Nothing? He was an ass. Crista told him as much earlier, but it wasn’t true. It was the best damn kiss he’d ever had. The longer Crista kept believing it was a mistake, the more pissed off he was getting.
“I fucked up,” he whispered. “Last night, I kissed her. I’m not talking any old kiss, we were having sex.”
“With Crista?” Grayson whistled softly. “Sex with Crista … ”
“No, not sex. Her mouth was that damn good it might as well have been sex,” he said.
Grayson chuckled. “A little advice, bro to bro. Don’t fuck with her, man. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, and it’s not worth it. Tell her the truth about how you’re feeling and what she means to you. If you’re serious about Crista, being upfront right from the beginning will save you a lifetime of hell.”
That’s what he’d do when Crista decided to finally speak to him about what happened yesterday. He nodded. “I’m serious … more serious than I’ve ever been. I’m trying to do the right thing, but she keeps changing the subject, and then you guys showed up. I haven’t had time to straighten things out between
us.”
“Sorry.” Grayson chuckled, not a bit apologetic. “After the girls talk, we’re planning on heading up to San Jose to see Dominic for dinner. It’s a quick trip this time around because I have a crew coming into the center for an interview.”
“Another tournament?” he asked.
Grayson shook his head. “It’s for Shauna. She’s hosting a gala for the senator next month.”
“I can’t believe how far she’s come. Ever since her success with the fundraiser at Cottage Grove, she’s put on some huge events.” Bruce slapped his hand on Grayson’s shoulder. “I envy you your family. That’s what it’s all about. A good woman who loves you. A son. Success. Wimbledon status. Retirement in the bag. Not to mention sex whenever you want it. I want to be you, bro.”
Grayson’s lip twitched and he lifted his chin, motioning behind Bruce. He glanced over his shoulder at Crista, holding Trevor, and Shauna. Going by Crista’s imitation of an endangered spotted owl in an Oregon forest and Shauna’s crinkled eyes as she tried unsuccessfully to hide her amusement, Bruce concluded that both of them heard what he’d said to Grayson.
“Just pumping him up and making him feel better.” Bruce winked at Shauna, trying to save his reputation.
Crista continued to stare at him without making any comments. At a loss for words, he stood there and looked back at Crista, willing her to understand. But how could she when he didn’t even understand what he was talking about?
Eventually, Trevor broke the awkward silence when he squirmed to get down and Crista looked away.
“Go.” Trevor caught himself when he tripped over the rug in the kitchen and headed straight to Bruce. “Go.”
Bruce laughed and Trevor wrapped his arms around his leg and sat down on his foot. “You remember, huh?”
Two months ago, he’d shown Trevor how to sit on his boot and then proceeded to take him on a ride. To keep him entertained at the Schylers’ party, he walked around with Trevor glued to his leg. He felt like an idiot at the time, especially when his leg needed a rest after awhile. But he could hardly tell the little boy to get off because Trevor was not only content but was also giving his parents a needed break.
“Why don’t you give him a ride to the elevator? We need to get out of here if we’re going to beat the traffic up the coast.” Grayson stepped over to Crista. “Sorry we’re only dropping in to say hi. We were afraid we wouldn’t get to see you before you left for Hawaii, and Shauna thought it was better to have a short visit than no visit at all.”
“No, I’m glad you did. I just wish we had more time together, and we, uh, I could take you out to eat and show you the town.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll fly to Cottage Grove soon and catch up with you then. The girls are all due for a night out, anyway.”
“Sounds like a plan. Bring Bruce along, and I’ll call Dominic and Gary. We’ll make it a party … say in a couple of weeks.” Grayson stepped back and opened the door. “Get your Uncle Bruce moving, Trev.”
Trevor squealed and bounced on Bruce’s bare toes. He led the way, feeling stupid but knowing he’d do anything for the kid. No wonder Grayson looked so damn happy. Who could be pissed off at the world when the guy had everything he could want?
Halfway down the hall, Janelle’s door opened and she posed in her doorway. Bruce hesitated. Not because he looked forward to another verbal spar with her, but because Crista didn’t deserve to have to put up with the girl’s shit. He glanced down at Trevor. The kid didn’t need to have his Uncle Bruce introduce him to the shadier side of life.
Janelle stuck her nose up at him and smiled in Crista’s direction, though her eyes went straight to ogling Grayson. Bruce held his arm out and motioned for them all to keep walking.
“Crista … I noticed you have more guests visiting.” Janelle stepped in front of Shauna, completely ignoring Crista. “I’m Janelle, supermodel for Sports Illustrated and the top runway model for Pierre Duponte in Paris.”
“Shauna Schyler.” Shauna gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Janelle turned her attention to Grayson, but before she could take one step toward him, Shauna blocked her way. “I don’t think so.”
Janelle batted her lashes. “Excuse me?”
“Back off.” Shauna glanced behind her at Grayson. “Honey, can you get our son and I’ll meet you at the elevator?”
Grayson smacked Shauna’s ass as he walked by and whispered loud enough everyone heard him, “That’s hot, baby.”
Crista bit down on her bottom lip to keep from laughing, and the sight of her happy warmed Bruce’s chest. He scooped up Trevor and passed him to his dad. He not only wanted to find the contentment Grayson had found in his life, but he’d also pay big money to see Crista go toe-to-toe with Janelle the way Shauna had.
He glanced behind him at the girls, who stood facing each other off. Crista tugged on Shauna’s arm and whispered something to her. Bruce turned back around. For some reason, Crista backed off from confronting Janelle, even with Shauna there as back up. It was long past time she put a stop to Janelle being a bitch to her.
Crista’s lack of confrontation when it came to Janelle bothered him. What stopped her from standing up to Janelle if the bitch made her miserable?
Chapter Seven
Between the training class Crista was teaching and Bruce running down to Cabella’s to autograph fishing poles to sell to the customers, he hadn’t had time to talk to her in the two days since Grayson and Shauna’s visit. He’d tried, but Crista kept the few minutes they had together before running in different directions all about what food was in the fridge and occasionally kidding him about cleaning the bathroom while she was gone.
His frustration level exceeded anything he’d ever experienced. Even disasters during a fishing tournament bothered him less. At least out on the water, he was in control. In Crista’s apartment, he seemed incapable of finding a solution to put their friendship back in order.
He lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. Hell, he didn’t want to go back to being only friends. He wanted more with Crista. She consumed his thoughts, and his feelings toward her had grown. Looking back, he’d always had his best moments when she was with him. Their kiss had simply multiplied how much he wanted her in his life. Now he wanted more than laughs and companionship. He wanted to experience everything with Crista.
One thing was for sure: if he couldn’t kiss Crista again, he’d rather go fishing. Out on the water, he’d be able to clear his mind. He sat up. Hell, that’s what he’d do. He had equipment in the rental car. All he needed was a boat.
Pumped to do something to keep his mind off his troubles, he grabbed his cell phone off the coffee table and dialed his friend Allan. Then his answer to his problems hit him. He’d find out if Crista wanted to move forward or if she wanted to remain just friends. If he could get her alone out on the water, she’d focus on him, and he could convince her to give him a shot. Whatever happened, he’d take it because he wasn’t going to lose her.
He’d ask Crista to go along with him. No, he’d demand she take the time to go fishing. She’d never be able to tell him no because she always enjoyed going out with him. He’d have her alone, no one around … secluded.
“Hey, Coldwell,” Allan said. “It’s been a hell of a long time since I talked to you.”
“Hey … ” He chuckled, hearing Allan’s booming voice over the phone. “I know, man. It has been a long time. I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Name it,” Allan said.
“I’m in town and need to borrow your boat. Just for tonight.” Bruce ran his hand through his hair and continued. “Nothing big, just me and a friend.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Allen said.
Bruce grinned, excited that his plans were falling together. “Great. I owe you.”
“Dinner. Next time you’re in town.” The phone beeped. “Hey, that’s Chuck. He’s here to take me to the airport. The keys for the boat are tucked inside the left cabinet, bottom
drawer. Take care of yourself, and I’ll catch you next time, ’kay?”
“Yeah, sure thing. Bye—and thanks.” He disconnected the call, tossed his phone in the air, and caught it. “Perfect.”
Thirty minutes later, he had a picnic basket—okay, a plastic sack full of food—and the poles and tackle box they’d need in the car. He only needed the girl.
Ten minutes later, Crista came through the door and stopped. He waylaid her by blocking her off from walking down the hallway to her room. “Change your clothes, we’re going fishing.”
She set down her gym bag. “Now? I just got out of the shower.”
“Did you shower at the gym?” He cocked his head. “Why didn’t you come up here and shower?”
“Uh … ’cause it’s safer.” She rolled her eyes.
“Right.” He had to get her onto a different subject and stop bringing up what he referred to as their naked kiss. “Great. Then let’s go. I have a boat on reserve, and we can spend the rest of the afternoon floating on the water, enjoying ourselves.”
“Go ahead and go without me.” She squeezed the ends of her damp hair. “I have to … ”
He waited for her to finish, but she looked away. “You’re avoiding me. I get that, but we’re friends. This will be good for both of us. We’ll do something normal and get back to not worrying if I’m going to kiss you again.”
“Ha! You probably think about it, but it hasn’t entered my thoughts. It was nothing, just a kiss. You know you’re not the only man I kiss. There are hundreds of men, some I barely know, who I end up kissing.” She flounced away. At her bedroom door she said, “Give me five minutes to change.”
Yes. He grinned and headed for the door. Not only was he going to go fishing, he was going to prove her wrong. She might’ve kissed a few men in her life, but she hadn’t experienced everything he could do with a kiss.
She was lying—she’d been right there with him when they kissed. He’d had her practically climbing his body. She couldn’t deny what they’d done. He’d let her believe her lies and then prove her wrong. First, he had to make sure Crista understood that nothing was going to come between them. Not the kiss, not what he planned to do with her in the future, and definitely not Janelle. From now on, Crista got all his attention.
