Irresistible Love at Silver Falls (Island County Series Book 7)

by Karice Bolton

  He kissed the top of my head and put me down on the pavement, yet I felt like I was still floating in the clouds.

  “Thanks for coming,” I told him, looking up through my lashes.

  It was like I was seeing Kyle for the very first time.

  My soul felt lighter.

  My mind quit running to an endless list of reasons why I should avoid him.

  I let myself exist like I had with all my other relationships, keeping my self firmly in the casual space whenever we texted or phoned over the last couple of days.

  “You look beautiful,” he whispered, his arms still looped around my waist.

  “I’m glad it doesn’t take much to get your blood pumping,” I teased, taking a step back.

  I’d only thrown on a pair of white chino Capri pants and a pink camisole with a matching hoodie.

  “So are you ready to put these muscles to use?” I squeezed his bicep and he laughed, shaking his head.

  “I should have known you only wanted me for my muscles.”

  “And your good looks.” I flashed a grin in his direction.

  “Well, at least you’ve got your priorities straight.”

  “I do now.” I bobbed my head, dropping my hand from his arm. “Should we get going?”

  “You’re the boss.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.” I walked to the passenger side and climbed in.

  He was already inside turning on the ignition.

  “So what changed your mind so suddenly?” He glanced at me before exiting the parking lot.

  “About hanging out?”

  He nodded.

  It was true. Last night, I called him out of the blue and asked if he’d want to grab dinner with me while I was in Seattle today. Once he found out I had some errands to run, he offered to take me around.

  “The reason is going to sound convoluted and—”

  “I’d expect nothing less,” he teased, and I pushed myself up in the seat. This harmless flirting was working out great.

  “Well, there’s a guy I used to date who’s coming to Hound Island over the weekend.”

  I saw a muscle twitch in his jaw and hid a smile.

  “I haven’t seen him in years and never expected to see him again, actually, but I just can’t seem to say no.”

  “Do you make it a habit keeping in touch with your ex-boyfriends?” he asked, pushing down a hard swallow.

  “You know? I’ve been thinking about that. I think I’m always worried about hurting people’s feelings so I get myself into really weird predicaments. It dawned on me that I really don’t want to see this guy Brent. That’s his name… but I never cut off the harmless emails so here he’ll be.”

  I saw a glint of satisfaction flicker through Kyle’s gaze.

  “But it got me thinking. Why in the world would I tolerate having to be around someone I don’t want to be around, yet the person I’d love to hang out with, I won’t let myself see? Makes no sense.” I laughed. “So that’s the short version, believe it or not.”

  “Oh, with that mind of yours, I believe it.” He grinned and let out a deep breath. “So, I take it this Brent guy will be at your event?”

  “In all his glory.”

  “So you said the print shop off Fifth Avenue, right?” He slid his hand to my leg and my breath caught merely from his touch. The muscle in his jaw twitched again, but this time it was for a different reason.

  “Yup. That’s the one.”

  I still had to approve the final proofs, and the files weren’t coming through via email or the dropbox. It seemed simpler to swing by the store and approve them at this point.

  We’d usually use someone on one of the islands, but we got all the signage for free if we agreed to put the print shop’s name on the banners.

  “Thanks again for being my chauffeur.”

  “Anytime.” He pulled in front of the store and slid his hand from my leg. I instantly missed his touch. “I’ll just circle around the block a few times.”

  “Deal.” I jumped out of the SUV and landed on the sidewalk with a thud.

  “You okay?” Kyle stretched over to make sure I hadn’t gone all the way down, and I hadn’t… just partway.

  “Totally fine,” I assured him. “Just didn’t account for the curb.”

  “Great in the woods. Not so hot in the city.” His smile deepened and I rolled my eyes.

  “It’s an abnormally high curb,” I argued.

  “Yeah. That’s it.” He winked and straightened up in his seat as I shut the door and crossed the sidewalk.

  I felt his gaze on me and swung around to see him watching me so I shooed him off with my hands. I could see the laughter in his eyes as he pulled away, and I congratulated myself on making it through the car ride without getting completely hot and bothered.

  Who was I kidding?

  I was a frazzled mess, which was why I nearly killed myself getting out of the SUV. My legs were like overcooked fettuccine noodles, and the fact that I could crawl inside a print shop for the next ten minutes was my only saving grace.

  I made my way inside and over to the counter where a small line of people waited to be helped. I looked on the wall at the price lists, cute puppy canvases, and Little League banners when out of the blue I heard my name.

  “Brooke Sahler, is that you?” The masculine voice jarred me right back to the time and place I’d met him. I didn’t want to turn around for fear my moving would make this real, so I stood frozen in line.

  Even though several of the customers already turned around to see the guy that I presumed was making his way over.

  “Hi ya, Brooke.” He sounded almost breathless coming up next to me.

  What did I do in this world to make the ghost of relationships past such an active part of my life?

  What could it be?

  I not only brake for animals, I try to take care of them in my off hours. I don’t make relationship promises I can’t fulfill. I listen to my parents. I pay my bills.

  So what in the world was going on?

  I closed my eyes briefly, took in a silent breath, and spun around to see Roger Philips staring at me excitedly. He hadn’t changed much since we dated.

  “It is you.” He gave me a quick hug, but I stayed frozen in my own personal hell as the line inched forward.

  “Sure is.” I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say, but that didn’t seem to be a problem Roger faced. He let go and let out a sigh.

  “It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” He didn’t even let me answer before he moved on to the next topic. “I saw you take a tumble out there. It could have been really nasty.”

  “Yeah. I bounce back pretty easily.” I smiled and prayed the line would move quicker.

  “You’re in Seattle now?” he asked, whipping out his cellphone. “I moved here like six months ago and am loving it. We should get together.”

  I noticed he’d yet to wait for my response.

  “I’m working over at the credit union on Second Avenue. Where are you working? At one of the hotels around here or?”

  The line moved up and I was next.

  “Uh. No. Actually over at one of the islands.”

  “Really? That’s great. Which one? I’ve yet to make it out to any of them.”

  Oh, dear God. Not. Again.

  “It’s one of the smaller ones. Not much there.” I waved my hand mindlessly in the air.

  Roger was a good-looking guy. He had a medium build, bronze skin, and hazel eyes. His looks weren’t the problem. His incessant need to fill every free second with his own voice was.

  “I’d love to come out and see where you’re living now. I’ve got a tiny apartment over on Capital Hill, but it’s all I can afford. Can you believe the prices out here?”

  “They’re pretty steep. I—”

  “It makes me think moving to the islands might be a good plan. Just take the ferry and…”

  “Miss?” I spun around, seeing the cashier waving me forward and I s
wore I wanted to kiss her.

  “I’ll wait over here so we can catch up.” He nodded with a sloppy grin on his face, and I moved toward the counter.

  “Hey, I’m here to check on the proofs for our event this Saturday?” I handed her my email with our information on it.

  “These turned out fantastic. The boss was really proud of them.” The cashier turned and grabbed the mockups of the banner and two pedestal posters. The banner had an image of a beautiful owl that one of our volunteer photographers took when we released the owl back into the wild, and the posters showed a squirrel and some sibling raccoons we’d rehabilitated.

  “They’re beautiful. I can’t wait to see them in full color on the glossy paper.” I did a quick check on the verbiage. “I think we’re ready to go on them. We can pick them up on Friday?” I asked, signing off on the proofs.

  “Saturday would be ideal.”

  “Ooh.” I grimaced. “I’m not sure someone will be able to pick them up in the morning with everything we’ve got going on.”

  “What’s this for?” Roger asked, wandering over. I internally recoiled as he stood next to me.

  “We can shoot for Friday,” the cashier added, noticing my discomfort.

  Roger read aloud the information on the charity event.

  “That sounds like a great cause. You know, I could come out and bring ‘em with me.” He beamed, and I knew it would be cruel to decline his offer.

  But I could put a roadblock or two in the way.

  “That’s so kind of you, but the ferry tickets are kind of spendy, and you wouldn’t really be able to find a ferry after the auction. They stop running from Hound Island pretty early.”

  “Nonsense. I can always camp in my car if needed.”

  I looked at the cashier and nodded. “Saturday morning would be fine.”

  I just didn’t have the heart to turn Roger down.

  “Great.” The cashier made a note in the computer, and I made my way to the door with Roger right next to me.

  “Things really have a way of working out, don’t they?” he asked, following me outside.

  I glanced around, not seeing Kyle, and said a quick “thank you” to the man upstairs. It was one thing to explain away one old boyfriend, but two?

  “So how do I purchase a ticket for the event?” Roger asked, raising his brows.

  “Since you’re bringing over everything, don’t worry about it. I’ll put your name on the list and you can just check in at the door.”

  “How early should I get there? You probably need the signs before it starts.” He looked determined to be my right-hand man come hell or high water. “I should probably get your cell number.”

  I looked down at his hand and realized he’d never put away his cell phone from when I was standing in line.

  “Right. Umm. I’d say if you got there a little after five that would be perfect. It’s a little tricky with the ferry schedule though.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  I told him my number and he dialed it.

  My phone rang in my purse, but I assumed he’d hang up.

  “Aren’t you going to answer it?” He smiled, and I suddenly remembered why I never had serious, long-term relationships.

  I slipped my phone out of my purse and answered.

  “Hello?”

  “What did you do that for? I’m standing right in front of you.” He laughed and hung up his phone just as I saw Kyle turn the corner.

  “Okay. Got me there…” I smiled. “Didn’t you need something in the print shop?”

  “No. I just followed you in there after I saw you fall out of the SUV.”

  My shoulders sank as Kyle pulled up to the curb.

  Ever the gentleman, Kyle quickly got out of the car and made his way over to us.

  “Howdy,” Kyle said, smiling and thoroughly amused.

  “Hey, Kyle. Just ran into a—”

  “Boyfriend,” Roger began. “We dated years ago and now we’re both in Washington.”

  “You're Brent?” Kyle asked.

  “Brent?” Roger knitted his brows together. “No. I’m Roger.”

  “Sorry. My bad.” Kyle kept in a chuckle and knocked my shoulder. “Breaking hearts all over the country, huh?”

  “Oh, it wasn’t like that. We both agreed we weren’t looking for anything long-term,” Roger revealed.

  My cheeks burned, but I kept my eyes straight ahead.

  “Yeah. I hear that’s a theme with this one.” Kyle rubbed my shoulders and I let out a grunt.

  “Are you dating?” Roger asked, looking a bit let down at this possible development.

  “No,” Kyle said, just as I said, “yes”.

  “Ah. A leopard and spots and all that.” Roger laughed. “Well, I’ll see you on Saturday. Take care.”

  I watched Roger wander off and refused to look at Kyle.

  “Well…well. Ain’t that something?”

  “Don’t start pretending you’re a cowboy or something, North. Let’s get in the car.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “So now you have two ex-boyfriends showing up at this auction?” Kyle couldn’t keep the grin off his face.

  “It does appear that I have two men I briefly dated coming to the auction. Yes.” I held my head up high and ordered a margarita.

  “Don’t you find that ironic?” Kyle’s brow quirked up slightly as he dipped a tortilla chip in the bowl of salsa.

  We’d found a Mexican restaurant overlooking the Sound near the ferry terminal.

  “I suppose I do.” I crunched on a tortilla chip. “Now do you see why I tend to shy away from commitment?”

  “Because you keep picking the wrong men?” He smiled and flashed a bemused expression my direction. “I wouldn’t want a commitment out of Roger if he were the last man on earth.”

  Hearing those words come out of Kyle’s mouth nearly made me choke on my chip.

  “But I must know how in the world Roger got an invite to your shindig.” He wiggled his brows, and if he hadn’t been so dang cute, I might have thrown a chip at him.

  “I didn’t want to make him feel bad.” I sank deeper into the booth.

  “Is that so?” Kyle seemed intrigued.

  Too intrigued.

  “He saw the posters and had already made reference to wanting to come over to visit the islands.” I sighed. “I’d tried to sway him against wanting to see the islands, but once he overheard the cashier telling me that getting our items by Friday might not be possible. I was toast. Roger volunteered to bring them over on Saturday.”

  “And he has your cellphone number now too, right? Just to make sure he can contact you in case anything goes wrong.” He dipped another tortilla chip in salsa.

  I let out a groan and tipped my head toward the ceiling.

  “I don’t know whether to be offended or flattered that you seem to be able to turn me down so easily.” He thanked the server as our drinks were delivered and turned his attention back to me. “I’m starting to think I should be flattered.”

  “Whatever helps you get to sleep at night, North.” I took a sip of the drink and let the cold liquid cool me off.

  “Oh, I can think of plenty of things that would help me to sleep at night.” A devilish expression spread across his face, and I wanted to melt into whatever fantasy he was pushing, but I knew better.

  “So can I.” I kept my gaze on his and tried as hard as I could to flirt with him the way I’d flirted with others. “In fact, I bet I can imagine better than you can.”

  But the difference was I felt every single second of this flirting.

  Every smirk.

  Every smile.

  Every nod of the head.

  I felt it deep in my bones like never before.

  It was as if Kyle’s words had power over me and I couldn’t wait to see where they led next.

  I never cared about the meaning of words before Kyle.

  Now, I wanted there to be something behind every inflection,
every word choice.

  I took another couple of swallows of my margarita. It had to be the world’s smallest.

  “Is that a challenge?” He propped his elbow on the table and kept his gaze on mine. “You think you can imagine better than I can what it would be like if I slowly ran my hands down your bare belly, down to your thighs.” Kyle lowered his voice, and sensuous chills cascaded through me.

  “Where I might stop to tease you before my hands slide along your hips and my mouth finds yours.” He stopped talking, and I hadn’t even realized I’d shut my eyes.

  I blinked them open and slowly licked my bottom lip. His eyes followed the path of my tongue, and I took in a deep breath.

  He smiled.

  “Do you think I’d be able to stop myself from just kissing your lips?” He shook his head. “I’d want more of you, Brooke. I’d want to taste every square inch of your body, feel your hands running up my back as—”

  Damn him!

  I’d shut my eyes again.

  “Another margarita?” the server asked.

  Blushing crimson, I opened my eyes and muttered a quick “no” as Kyle sat back in victory.

  “I think we both won with that exercise.” He looked extremely satisfied as he relaxed into the booth, and I was left reeling with sexual frustration I didn’t even know was possible. I crossed my legs, uncrossed my legs, scooted forward, leaned back, and then just glared at Kyle.

  “Little antsy over there?” he asked.

  “Not in the slightest.” I cleared my throat. “I think I’m going to get the enchilada and burrito combo plate.”

  “Sounds good. Chicken or beef?”

  “Chicken.”

  “Good choice.”

  “Thanks for putting up with me.” I slid my menu to the end of the table.

  “Putting up with you?” He shook his head. “I’d gladly spend my days escorting you around.”

  The server came back and we both placed our orders.

  “If you’re wondering why my feelings aren’t hurt for not getting an invitation, it’s because I’m already headed to Idaho for the weekend.”

  My hands flew up to my mouth in horror. Here Roger got an invite, and I didn’t even extend an invitation to a man who donated a trip probably worth well over five-thousand dollars. Maybe ten.