Take Me All the Way

by Toni Blake

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  “I’ve known you for four years. Reece and Polly and other people around here have known you since you got here, eight years ago. And as far as anyone knows, you haven’t dated anyone since then. And it’s a long time, Tamra. Especially for someone who has as much to offer as you. So maybe we just think you should . . .”

  “Date any loser who comes down the pike?”

  Fletcher finished his thought in a different way. “Not be so picky.”

  And Tamra’s back went rigid. “Okay, now I’m bristling. Because you’re saying it’s wrong to have standards. Or that I can’t get a guy who doesn’t have major stuff wrong with him. Which is insulting. If you think I’m going to be into just any yahoo who happens to have a penis, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  At this, Fletcher let out a laugh. “That’s not exactly what I was suggesting.”

  “Well, it feels that way.” She raised her eyebrows. Then calmed down a little to add, “I have an idea.”

  Fletcher appeared relieved, probably at her less abrasive tone. “What’s that?”

  “From almost the beginning of our friendship, you and I have been pushing each other in romantic directions neither one of us seems to want to go in. So . . . maybe we should just stop. It’s never led anywhere anyway, except to getting on each other’s nerves. Agreed?”

  In the wicker chair next to hers, Fletcher pursed his lips, obviously thinking this over. “I guess you make a decent point,” he finally said. Then added a short nod. “Okay—agreed. No more unsolicited advice or suggestions between us in the romance department.”

  OVER the last year or so, much of Tamra’s pottery work had focused on fish. Fun, colorful, silly, happy fish. Some of them were plates, others bowls. Still others hung on walls. Smaller, more three-dimensional fish became knickknacks for tables or shelves, or were incorporated into windchimes.

  Before fish had taken over her art, she’d gotten into crabs—making red crab-shaped dishes Reese had commissioned for each room at the Happy Crab, and making more crab plates and bowls to sell. And before that, she’d been drawn largely to creating more abstract pieces that were reminiscent of the sun or waves, and her stained glass suncatchers had often followed that same general design dynamic, as well.

  But fun fish, it turned out, sold enormously well to the vacationing masses who patronized the Sunset Celebration at the pier each night, and she’d discovered they also made her happy. Something about just working on a silly smiling fish with big eyes or brightly colored fins made her feel uplifted. Sun and sea pieces had made her feel relaxed, calm, peaceful—and that was what she’d needed for a long while after coming to Coral Cove. Yet somewhere along the way, she supposed, she’d started needing less peace and more happy.

  She generally kept the cottage quiet when she worked. Sometimes, though, in the mild weather of spring or fall, she could open the windows and let the sound of the surf echo in, as it was doing on this September morning the day after making her new agreement with Fletcher. An added benefit of the art studio in her cottage was the large window above her worktable that allowed her to look out on her garden as she created new pieces.

  After using her string cutter to cut a fresh slab of clay for a new fish plate, she used a rolling pin, same as you would on cookie dough, rolling the clay out to about a quarter inch thickness. Then came the fun—the freehand design of a brand new happy fish.

  Mostly it was shaping it with her fingers, but once she accomplished that, she would smooth down the edges with a wet sponge, then use a knife or the tip of a small paint brush to carve in indentions and detail. And later, she would add in additional pieces of clay—a fin, a tail, a mouth—to make the plate three-dimensional.

  As the piece of simple clay became a fish in Tamra’s hands, she wondered how Jeremy was doing on the golf hut. As far as she could tell, the work had been looking good, but since that first morning, she’d only stopped by in her SUV a few times to check in with him, then driven away.

  It’s stupid to let that one uncomfortable-yet-heart-rippling event keep you from spending time on the jobsite. After all, since when do you let anything or anyone intimidate you?

  And yet, as she crimped one edge of clay with her fingertips to create a scalloped tail, she couldn’t not be honest with herself. The thought of going back to the jobsite brought about other feelings, as well.

  It’s stupid that you want to see him. You don’t even like him. And yet, the truth was, every time she thought about him, even when Fletcher had brought him up yesterday and she’d so vehemently stuck to her story of having no interest in him, she’d continued suffering a reaction. A tingling sensation that ran the length of her body yet was undeniably centered at the crux of her thighs, emanating outward in waves, like radio signals coming from a tower.

  Eventually pleased with the new fish she’d created, she placed it in a plastic container, where it would dry for a week or so before the first firing. Otherwise, it would crack or explode in the kiln.

  Three fish later, she decided to go up to the golf course and start behaving like an adult here. She had a job to oversee, after all.

  But this wasn’t because she wanted to see him. It was . . . to stop avoiding him.

  Part of Tamra was tempted to put on one of her long, flowy skirts. Because so far she didn’t think Jeremy had seen her looking her best. But that’s ridiculous. Especially since you’re not interested in him. Or so you keep claiming.

  Instead, she opted to just change the simple tee she’d been working in to a nicer top—perfectly casual but more fitted. There was no crime in showing off her shape a little, after all. Not particularly to him, but to just . . . anyone.

  As she parked her car in the mini-golf course’s recently paved parking lot, she spotted Jeremy in the distance. Working in the hot sun, he’d tied a dark bandana around his head as a sweatband and wore a snug white T-shirt, dingy and soiled from work, but which still managed to outline the muscles in his chest and upper arms. His khaki shorts were loose, and a low-slung tool belt draped his hips above dirty workboots. He appeared to be hammering nails into a large window frame. His skin, more tan than the last time she’d seen him, glistened with sweat. And the spot between her legs tingled hotly. Oh hell.

  Turning off the engine, she drew in a deep breath, let it back out. Looking again, this time she tried to focus on less pleasing aspects of his appearance—his longish, messy hair hung in unkempt waves and tendrils about his head. His pale beard remained gangly and ungroomed.

  Unfortunately, she still suffered an almost giddy sense of nervousness to know she’d be approaching him. It made no sense.

  Unless . . . this is what chemistry is.

  If so, it was . . . well, either something she’d never truly experienced before or she’d entirely forgotten what it felt like. Like yesterday, her mind flashed on past men in her life, from when she was younger. Maybe she’d felt this then—a certain need, a fathomless magnetism that defied logic—but had chosen to forget, given how those relationships had ended. Maybe she’d wanted to forget—maybe she’d decided nothing good could come from a feeling that stole so much of her control, in such a non-sensical way.

  Because, good Lord, if anything was non-sensical, it was that the man in the distance made her feel that. She barely knew him, she didn’t much like him, she found his unkempt hairiness unattractive, and she truly questioned whether he was a good guy or a bad one. And yet, under the surface remained a tingling that had intensified to a ridiculous degree since parking the car. Craziness.

  Okay, pull yourself together here and just go talk to him. Like a normal human being. And his boss, for that matter. And . . . see how things go. More of her conversation with Fletcher came back to her now—the part about being open, and about fun. Maybe . . . she would be open to letting Jeremy change her opinion of him. Maybe.

  One more deep breath and she exited the car and crossed the jobsite to where he still hammered nails into the l
ittle building, which appeared to be mostly done. He concentrated on his work as she grew nearer and made no indication that he knew she was there until he looked up and asked, “What do you think? Looking pretty good?”

  He didn’t smile, but sounded proud. Almost like a guy who cared about his work.

  Upon closer inspection she had to agree. “Yes, looks great. Good job,” she added. Trying to be nice. Even though it made her feel a little vulnerable with him. Maybe because they’d gotten off on the wrong foot. Inside, she supposed she feared seeming even the least bit weak to him—and sometimes in life, nice equaled weak. Sometimes, nice made you weak.

  “Be ready to start painting it soon. And gotta build the doors that’ll close over the windows when the course isn’t open. We’ll need to paint those and the trim boards before I put them on.”

  She nodded.

  “You have the colors picked out, right? Should I buy the paint or is that something you want to do?”

  The truth was, for someone who was usually on top of a project, Tamra hadn’t thought through any of the next steps—too waylaid by Jeremy Sheridan’s insertion into the situation. A realization that was all the more reason to get her head back in the game and just get used to having him around. Especially now that it actually appeared he was going to be a good, dependable worker, despite his other faults.

  “I can pick up the paint. I can start painting, in fact, while you work on making the doors and cutting the trim.”

  He returned his eyes to his work. “Never thought I’d say this, but might be nice to have some company.”

  And the comment begged the question, even if she asked it cautiously. “Um, why did you think you’d never say that?”

  He shrugged, looked solemn. “Been more of a keep-to-myself guy the last couple years.”

  Now she returned the nod. And wondered out loud, feeling a little braver, “What’s changed that?”

  For the first real time since she’d arrived, he fully met her gaze. Reminding her how piercing it was. She felt as pinned in place by it as a butterfly in someone’s collection case. “Maybe I like the idea of this particular company.”

  Her heart fluttered nervously. Lord, it had been so long since anyone had flirted with her—and here he was, at it again, this fast. She’d totally forgotten how to respond to flirtation. Perhaps she’d never really known in the first place. Her chest tightened as she drew in a tense breath.

  “Oh.”

  That’s what she said, what left her. She felt frozen in place. Socially inept. What on earth was wrong with her?

  His eyes. It was his eyes. The way they held on her, so intently. It was nearly unbearable.

  “Maybe,” he went on, “even though we didn’t exactly hit it off, I’m cool with giving somebody a second chance.”

  Okay, that was easier to deal with. And it was fair—they’d both been at fault in ways so far. So she managed to say, “Me, too.”

  “Second chances have been good to me lately,” he added, ending with a soft, deep laugh that seemed to vibrate gently all through her. And she could scarcely understand how she’d felt his laugh that way, as if it had somehow entered her, become part of her. And she was all into this second chances thing, but even this small exchange of flirtation had been enough to make her want to get away from him, just a little, so she could mentally regroup.

  “Um, it’s hot out here,” she said.

  A hint of amusement reshaped his eyes. He knows I’m nervous. “Yeah,” he said.

  She pointed vaguely over her shoulder toward the strip of businesses including the Hungry Fisherman and Gino’s. “I think I’ll walk over and get us both something to drink.”

  For the first time since her approach, he actually grinned. And just like his laugh, it moved all through her. “That’d be great—thanks.”

  And with that, she turned and made a beeline for Gino’s Pizzeria.

  Her heart beat too fast as she walked away.

  She still didn’t get it, this effect he had on her.

  He had a nice smile, when he chose to use it. And his blue eyes held a certain sparkle, along with those little crinkles around the edges that were always so much more attractive on a man who was beginning to age a bit than they ever seemed on a woman.

  So . . . you’re going to work a little more closely with him. And that meant one of two things would probably happen.

  Either you’ll start getting to know him and ultimately decide you really don’t like him in that way and all the weird, tingly feelings will disperse.

  Or . . . the weird, tingly feelings will stay and you’ll want to act on them. A thought that didn’t do anything to calm the frantic beating of her heart.

  But you’re getting ahead of yourself. What you need to focus on right now is just . . . acting normal with him. Pleasant when warranted. And not nervous. After all, you can’t go dashing away for a Coke every time he smiles at you.

  By the time she had two cups of Coke in her hands and began making her way back up the street, she felt more like her usual self. In control. Normal. Ready to communicate with him like a regular human being, even when he flirted. It was something of an art, flirting. And it had caught her off guard. But I can learn to flirt back. Or at least be pleasant about it while I’m trying to learn.

  And . . . maybe Fletcher and her friends were right. Maybe she needed to loosen up and be more open-minded. Maybe after the bad experiences of her youth, she’d put up some sort of invisible wall—not only about not getting too close to people, but one that didn’t let men in. And maybe it was time to slowly, carefully begin taking that wall back down.

  But when she crossed the street toward the jobsite and Jeremy came back into view, he wasn’t alone anymore. Two younger women stood talking to him, wearing sexy little shorts and bikini tops. And every cell in Tamra’s body went on red alert.

  The three of them were laughing. Clearly flirting. So flirting with her was nothing special. He was one of those men. He flirted with every woman.

  Though . . . as Tamra grew closer, she realized that one of the girls was actually Christy. And she remembered that Christy had known Jeremy growing up. And of course she was getting married soon, too. But still . . . who was the other one? She was tall, thin, a pretty brunette with bright eyes and a confidence Tamra could never hope to muster. And not a day over twenty-five.

  Tamra never considered her actions—simply followed her instincts.

  Marching right up, she shoved one of the drinks into Jeremy’s fist and said, “Here’s your Coke. Now I’ll thank you to get back to work. We’re paying you by the hour, and not to stand around flirting with pretty girls.”

  “You are a selfish thing!”

  Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

  Chapter 6

  AS SOON as she said it, Tamra realized her mistake. She was mainly tipped off by the three people standing in a semi-circle, looking utterly dumbstruck, as if they didn’t know what had just hit them.

  And she knew she should say something—something nicer, something to smooth things over—but she couldn’t think of what. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen victim to sudden jealousy. Over a man she kept telling herself she wanted nothing to do with. And that she’d attacked him for it.

  It was finally Jeremy who spoke, directing his words to the dark-haired girl. “Well,” he said pointedly, “it was nice to meet you, Bethany, but looks like I’m a slacker who needs to get back to work before the boss fires me.” And the roll of his eyes indicated his sarcasm, just in case Tamra could have possibly missed it.

  And so this was Bethany. Christy had never mentioned her being so striking. And despite herself, Tamra still remained a little jealous, even if this was Christy’s friend.

  Then Jeremy switched his gaze to Tamra and said, “Thanks for the Coke,” so harshly that it managed to embarrass her yet a little further.

  After which he was gone, heading back toward the little building he’d constructed across the lot from
them.

  Okayyyyy, time for some damage control.

  “I’m sorry,” she said quickly to the other two women, flicking her gaze from Christy to Bethany. “It’s just that . . . he’s been in some trouble since he got here, so I’m just trying to keep him focused on his work, walking the straight and narrow.”

  Bethany looked uncomfortable, understandably, as Christy spoke softly, clearly not wanting Jeremy to hear. “He’s really not a bad guy, Tamra.” She looked put out, and Tamra felt like an ogre.

  “I know,” she said, letting out a breath. “And I don’t mean to seem so rude. It’s just . . .” Just what? What on earth could justify her bad behavior? The fact that he’d nearly dropped a root ball on her foot a couple of weeks ago was water under the bridge. Even his arrest before that was old news now. “There’s just been a lot of weird tension between us.” That was true. And the best explanation she could come up with at the moment without revealing things that felt too personal.

  “Well, you might have just made it worse for no reason,” Christy told her.

  And . . . wow. This was Christy. Sweet, cheerful Christy. If she was scolding Tamra, that meant her actions had been pretty inexcusable.

  “You’re right, I know.” She shook her head, ashamed, and getting more honest. She supposed what it boiled down to was just . . . fear. It was scary for her to be attracted to a guy who seemed like trouble. It was scary to let down her guard, even just a little.

  Then, awkwardly, she remembered that she and Bethany still hadn’t been introduced. “Hi Bethany, it’s nice to meet you,” she said. “I’m Tamra and I’m really not as bad as I seem right now.”

  She was relieved when Bethany actually laughed. “We all have our moments. I can go from relatively nice to bitchy in a heartbeat.”

  Okay, even if she was striking in that tall, confident way, Tamra had to like her. If for no other reason, because she was kind enough to try to put Tamra at ease right now.