Ashlee’s view was blocked by the balusters, so she didn’t catch sight of Beau until he’d made it through the group of men giving him a hard time about the hot girl here to see him.
When he stepped up to the railing, the air in her lungs felt trapped. He looked incredibly sexy in a fitted black tee, worn-out jeans, and a tool belt that hung low on his hips.
“Sorry, Ash,” he said, unbuckling the tool belt. “I lost track of time and need to grab a quick shower.”
“Dude,” another guy said from beside Beau. “How do you lose track of time when you have a date with a beautiful girl?”
“Yeah, I would never forget,” another guy called out. Then he leaned around Beau’s legs so he could see Ashlee. “I can give you my number if you want to dump him.”
“Shut up, Monroe,” Beau said, dropping the tool belt. “I did not forget her.” Then his eyes locked on hers, giving her a smile that messed with her breathing again. “I really didn’t forget you or our date, I just got carried away with finishing up the screen porch.”
“I’m fine, Beau.” She made a quick perusal of him. While he looked hot as in sexy, he also looked hot as in sweaty. “But you probably do need to shower,” she teased, wrinkling her nose.
Some of the guys in earshot started to laugh and razz Beau about being sweaty and stinky. Ashlee doubted he was that bad, but it was fun teasing him.
“I’m going,” he said, bending down to pick up the tool belt. “But I’m not leaving you out here with these animals.” He motioned for Ashlee to come inside. “I’ve got iced tea or lemonade in the fridge if you want to wait for me in the kitchen while I shower.”
“Sounds delicious.” That was the wrong thing to say around a bunch of guys. Beau looked like he was going to hunt down the man who’d made a suggestive comment, so she quickly amended her words. “I meant the lemonade sounds delicious.”
Beau cut a fierce look over his shoulder, daring anyone else to make a comment. When the men were silent, he marched to the front door to open it.
“Sorry again,” he said as Ashlee climbed the porch steps. “About being late and for the hired help.”
“I’m fine,” Ashlee said as she stepped over a few screws scattered on the top of the stairs. She crossed the threshold, catching his masculine scent that was not in any way foul. The warm spicy deodorant he used was doing its job very well.
“Wow, it looks so different,” she said, glancing around the entryway. The walls were void of any pictures, and none of Miss Barbara’s knickknacks were on the corner bookcase.
“I know,” Beau said, looking around the foyer. “It feels different too.”
It did feel different, and Ashlee didn’t like it because she knew what it meant.
“You can go on back to the kitchen. It’s the only place I have any chairs left,” Beau said, taking a step back from her as he closed the front door. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
She watched him as he took the stairs two at a time until he disappeared from her view. All day, she’d imagined what it would be like when she saw him again, and all of her fantasies had involved him sweeping her into his arms and kissing her senseless. Maybe that was coming later. She hoped.
Turning, she made her way to the kitchen, pausing to look at the living room. Having once been filled with lovely antique furniture, welcoming carpets, family photos and more of Miss Barbara’s knickknacks, it felt as bare as Taylin’s room after she’d moved most of her stuff to Luke’s house.
Ashlee continued down the hallway, briefly peeking inside the den. Nothing but a large overstuffed beanbag was in the room. Without furniture or floor coverings, the house felt empty and hollow, exactly how her chest felt whenever she thought about Beau moving to Savannah. She hated the idea of him going away so soon after finally noticing her.
She’d already tried a long-distance relationship with Grayson, and it hadn’t worked out very well. What if Beau found someone else too? There’d be plenty of women working at the firm. Professional women with college educations.
Pushing the thought away, she continued down the hallway to the kitchen. The last thing Beau needed was for her to be needy and demanding. She kept telling herself this over and over as she studied the computer monitor sitting on the small dining table. Beau was working on a house design, most likely for his new firm.
Despite the pep talk she’d just given herself, Ashlee had the urge to start looking for a job in Savannah. Maybe she could even find a job where Beau worked. After all, she had experience as a receptionist.
She dispelled the notion the moment it entered her mind. She needed to let things happen naturally, even if their time together was limited. He’d seemed both surprised and pleased when she’d told him that just because he was moving didn’t mean they had to stop dating. Perhaps over time, Beau would make the suggestion for Ashlee to try and find a job in Savannah.
Hearing the sound of the shower, Ashlee crossed the floor to get a glass from the cupboard. When she opened it all that was on the shelves were stacks of paper plates and plastic cups.
Reminders that Beau was leaving were everywhere, making her stomach feel as empty as her gas tank had been the other day. Grabbing a plastic cup, she poured herself a glass of lemonade and walked over to the large picture window that overlooked the back yard. She was surprised that the small deck had transformed into a beautiful screen-in porch that was nearly completed. The intricate design of the framework matched the Victorian trim the rest of the house had.
It was a shame that Beau had gone to all this work only to have to turn around and sell it to a complete stranger. Had he even considered her suggestion to talk to Jackson about developing the surrounding property? With Jackson out of town, and Beau so busy with moving and the porch renovation, she doubted he’d been able to do anything about it. She wished she could at least get the ball rolling by talking with Jackson herself. Would Beau view it as her taking a vested interest in his talents or would he think she was being a needy girlfriend who didn’t want to let him go?
The floor above her creaked, and she realized the water was no longer running. Then the steady tread of Beau’s footsteps coming down the stairs echoed in the empty hall. Feeling guilty for all her insecure thoughts, she pasted on what she hoped was a confident smile.
“Hey,” she said, resisting the urge to throw herself into his arms. The light blue T-shirt molded to his well-defined torso, accentuating the impressive size of his biceps. His hair was slightly damp, the natural curl looking artfully disheveled.
“Hey yourself,” he said as his gaze swept over her briefly.
“Am I dressed okay for our date?” she asked, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Yeah, but what I have planned requires my full attention.” His smoldering eyes did another slow perusal of her as he moved closer. “I may have to reschedule, and we can find something else to do.”
His focus shifted to her mouth when he said this, making Ashlee’s legs feel as wobbly as a newborn colt. “Something else might be interesting.”
He started to lean toward her, but a knock on the kitchen door startled them both. “Be right back,” he said and let go of her hand to open the door.
Mr. Dearden apologized for the interruption, handing Beau a clipboard with an invoice that required his signature. “We’re heading out now, but we’ll be back early in the morning to finish up,” the contractor said, taking the clipboard back. “Then I’ve got my painting crew scheduled the day after that.”
“Sounds good.” Beau shook the man’s hand and closed the door behind him.
Alone again, Beau turned and started back toward Ashlee. As if on cue, her cell phone pinged two text messages in a row. She should ignore it, but it could be her mother texting. She didn’t want to worry her further.
“I hope that’s not another guy from Flirt,” Beau said, stalking toward her.
“Can’t be,” Ashlee said, liking this possessive side of him. “I deleted my profile last night.”
<
br /> That stopped him in his tracks. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she said, pulling the phone from her back pocket. She read through the messages and then met Beau’s gaze. “But our plans just changed, soldier,” she said with a wink. “Ready for our first covert mission?”
Chapter 22
Doing a makeover on Miss Nora had not been on Beau’s radar as an alternative to the activity he’d planned. Not even close. He had planned on taking Ashlee to the shooting range outside of Macon. Every time he and Chase had gone to the range, she had begged to come along. Beau knew she’d love it, and he knew he’d enjoy teaching her how to properly hold a gun. Not only that, it was far enough away from Mitchel Creek that they wouldn’t have to worry about running into anyone they knew. But his Nana’s urgent text message had changed all that.
After checking the time again, he looked across the room and waited. He and Ashlee had been casting longing looks at each other for the past hour. Each time their eyes met, his temperature spiked, leaving him more and more edgy. He wanted her to himself. If only he could drag her off to a dark corner to kiss her like she’d suggested the other night.
She laughed at something her elderly client said, and he found himself gazing at her with another longing look. Something had been unleashed in Beau after he’d kissed her that first time. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he’d been restless all day and anxious to see her again.
“Don’t worry, Miss Nora,” Ashlee said as she reached up on her tippy toes to apply the last of the hair dye. “I promise you’ll like this auburn shade more than the hair color you’ve been using.” Ashlee set the bottle down and put a plastic cap over the older woman’s hair. “But if not, then we can easily change it back.”
Not tonight. Beau had already endured the impromptu fashion show of possible clothes Miss Nora could wear on her first date with a man she’d met on Twilight, the dating website for seniors. It had been pure torture. He was not going to sit through another hair-coloring session. The only redeeming thing about tonight was getting to watch Ashlee work her magic. She had a way with people that made them feel important. Miss Nora had been a wreck about her date tomorrow, but Ashlee used her sense of humor and kindness to calm the Irish woman down. She’d even searched through Miss Nora’s wardrobe, pairing different combinations that flattered the older woman.
Ashlee moved to the sink and pulled off the plastic gloves, dropping them into the wastebasket before washing her hands. Her position gave Beau a perfect view of her tan legs that were peeking out from under the oversized T-shirt Miss Nora had given her to protect her clothing.
After she dried her hands, she tugged on the end of the shirt and peeled it off, revealing the fitted light blue tank that hugged every single one of her curves. His mouth went dry and he quickly looked away before he did something crazy like kissing her right here and now. That would for sure blow their cover that they were only friends.
Actually, he was fairly certain his grandmother and her neighbor had already guessed his and Ashlee’s relationship had changed. Still, the two women kept up the pretense by asking Ashlee about her date with Kade and if she planned on going out with any of the other men vying for her attention. Ashlee’s covert answers hadn’t fooled anyone.
“Okay, so your hair needs to process for thirty minutes.” Ashlee plucked her phone from her back pocket and tapped on the screen. “I’m setting a timer right now.”
“Almost done?” his nana said, coming out of the restroom down the hall.
“Yes,” Ashlee said, placing her hands at her lower back to stretch. “I’ll check the color when the timer’s up.” She straightened up and studied his grandmother. “Are you sure you don’t want me to color your hair too?”
Beau was about to protest, but his nana did it for him. “Not tonight, sweetheart.” His grandmother looked at him and winked. “I think my grandson could use a bit of fresh air. Why don’t the two of you go for a little walk?”
“Sounds great,” Beau said, popping up out of the seat.
“Okay, I’ll be back in…” Ashlee glanced at her phone. “Twenty-eight minutes.”
Nana suggested they go out back and walk by the small stream that ran behind the condos. It sounded perfect, especially if it afforded them a chance to be alone for a few minutes.
Beau opened the door and held it for Ashlee. “Thank you,” she said, a hint of laughter in her eyes. Her bare arm brushed against his as she sauntered past him. Anxious to finally be alone with her, he closed the door and hurried to her side.
“You’re being a very good sport about all of this,” she said, glancing over at him.
“I’m trying, but please don’t make me sit through another fashion show again,” he said, capturing her hand and threading their fingers together.
“I won’t,” she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.
He loved the feel of her hand in his. Loved being with her. She stirred something inside of him that he’d never felt before. He also loved kissing her. It had surprised him how easily he’d adapted to that part of their relationship. Now he felt like an addict in search of his next fix.
They continued walking along the side of the stream, and the restless feeling he’d been experiencing intensified with each step. Ashlee was trying to guess where he’d planned to take her for their date tonight. He’d decided to keep it a secret, so they could go another night.
She squeezed his hand. “Beau are you listening to me?”
The pout on her perfect lips was his breaking point. Need shot through him, as he pulled her behind a large oak tree, pressed her back up against the trunk, and kissed her. He took his time, kissing her long and slow, savoring the feel and taste of her. All the pent-up tension that had built up morphed into something much more satisfying, yet just as powerful.
When it became necessary to draw in a full breath, he broke away to trail little kisses along her jaw. The sweet scent of her skin enticed him for more, and he quickly made his way back to her mouth, kissing her deeply. Ashlee made a small noise of pleasure as her fingers tunneled through his hair, and Beau knew he had to stop.
He slowed the kisses and, after one last drawn-out kiss, he drew back and looked into her eyes. The color had deepened to a hazy hue of blue. “You were right,” he said, his breath ragged. “Longing looks don’t cut it.”
“No, they don’t,” she said, circling her arms around his neck and nuzzling her face in the space between his face and shoulder. “By the way,” she whispered against his skin. “This isn’t a dark corner.”
Chuckling, Beau wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “You don’t say.”
The alarm on her phone chimed, and Beau was shocked how quickly twenty-eight minutes had gone by. At least it was time well spent.
“We need to head back,” she said, pulling away from him.
“And then can we leave?” He loved his grandmother and was growing fond of Miss Nora, but he’d planned on a perfect evening with Ashlee. This hadn’t been it.
“Yes.” She took his hand, dragging him back to finish Miss Nora’s hair. When they reached Nana’s backdoor, Ashlee dropped his hand.
“You know they already know we’re into each other, right?” he said, holding the door open for her.
“Yep.” She darted a look inside the house then popped up and kissed him on the mouth. “But it’s still fun trying to be sneaky.”
He laughed, something he did a lot around her, and followed her inside.
While she rinsed Miss Nora’s hair, Beau checked his email to see if Jackson had replied yet. Last night, he’d sent him a tentative business plan just to see if developing the property was something his father-in-law might be interested in. He was disappointed there was still no answer.
Pocketing his phone, Beau tuned in to what his grandmother was telling Ashlee. Most of the amenities promised to the residents had fallen through over the past month, including the on-site salon. He already knew about the cafeteria and th
e lack of a maintenance crew, but now another service had been dropped. Maybe it was time for him to look into the status of the new management to make sure they were being honest about the transition.
“So, you have a full beauty salon that isn’t being used?” Ashlee asked as she towel dried Miss Nora’s hair. “I think I might have an idea that will help y’all out until the new management figures things out.”
Beau was impressed with Ashlee’s idea. She was going to talk to one of the instructors at the beauty school she’d attended for a short while. The students needed a set number of hours in order to get their licenses. Typically, the hair school held free clinics on certain days, but not everyone could do it on the same day. Ashlee hoped some of the students could get their hours by coming to Peach Tree once or twice a week.
With the hair color a success, it was finally time for them to leave. Beau hugged his grandmother goodbye. “I’m so happy you finally opened your eyes,” she whispered before kissing him on the cheek. “Don’t let her go,” she added before stepping back.
Beau didn’t confirm or deny anything. He just smiled and waved goodbye. Once he and Ashlee were outside, he reached for her hand. “So, because Nana hijacked our date, what do you want to do now?”
“Hmm, since you won’t tell me what you’d planned, I guess we could watch a movie or something.”
“I pick the or something,” he said with a grin.
They decided to watch a movie. She made Beau leave the room while she chose which movie to watch. She wanted it to be a surprise. He figured that was code for a chick flick. There was a box of microwave popcorn in the pantry, so while he popped it, she used his laptop and logged into her parents’ cable account to access their saved movies.
It wasn’t a chick flick. It was an animated movie by Disney.
Beau groaned. “First a fashion show, and now a princess movie?”
“Stop complaining. Now when I tell you that I’m dressing up as Rapunzel, you’ll know exactly what I’m talkin’ about.” They were in the den, sitting close together on the oversized suede beanbag with the laptop on one of the kitchen chairs. “Besides,” she said, leaning in so their mouths were nearly touching, “Flynn Ryder is kind of hot, and he reminds me of you.”
Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3 Page 21
