An Inconvenient Plan (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 10)

by Kylie Gilmore

  From there, they took a brief walking tour of Main Street as she pointed out the different businesses, shops, and restaurants. Josh was probably behind the bar at Garner’s. Even if he didn’t notice her giving the prince a tour, she was sure some of the locals would be sure to spread the word. She wasn’t about to risk a confrontation at Garner’s between the two men, so she didn’t stop by.

  “And that’s basically everything,” she said. “Beyond Main Street it’s just houses, a few churches, and the schools.”

  “It’s all very charming,” Phillip said. “Like you.”

  “Oh.” She laughed. “Thank you.”

  “My car’s parked behind Ludbury House.” They headed back that way. “Are you single, Hailey?”

  She glanced up at him, surprised by the question. Was he interested in her? He was very warm and friendly. Not that long ago she would’ve been over the moon that her fantasy man might want her, but now she was all tangled up with Josh. Could she say Josh was her boyfriend? She wasn’t sure where she stood with him. They’d had one date, sex, another fight, and a half-hearted apology, where he acted like he was in the right and she was being difficult. She mentally shook a fist at Josh. Why are you such an impossible man?

  “I’ve stumped her,” Phillip said with a smile.

  She laughed. “It’s complicated.”

  “Then we’ll keep it simple and just enjoy each other’s company. I’m done with meetings this week. I’ll be staying locally so I can fully experience your charming town. I booked an entire bed and breakfast for me and the guards. It’s not far from here.”

  She pasted on a smile, wondering what in the world she was going to do with him if he kept popping up all week. “Wow. You must really love it here.”

  “Truth is, I’m bored in my hotel room in the city, and you’re a delight.”

  She flushed at the compliment. “You’re good company too.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The week flew by. She only got a few texts from Josh saying, Sup!!! and then they abruptly stopped. He remembered to use an exclamation point—three for extra sarcasm—to indicate excitement with her. Not exactly a love sonnet. It was weird that she hadn’t heard from him much this week, but she figured he was busy with the plans to take over Garner’s and start construction. She was busy too. She saw Phillip every day. She’d worried at first how she was going to get any work done, but he made it easy by showing up at noon to take her to lunch at some posh restaurant or another. After lunch, they’d take a walk with Rose, and then he’d drop her off back at work. His guards went everywhere with them, blending into the background. It was all very pleasant and friendly. Today was Friday and they went together to visit Princess Silvia at Yale to firm up the wedding details. It was only a forty-minute drive from Clover Park. Now Phillip had to return to the city.

  She told him goodbye as they left Yale, heading to where they’d each parked. “I hope you enjoyed your visit.”

  Phillip took her hand and kissed the back of it in his gallant way. “It was lovely. The fun doesn’t have to end just because I’m going back to the Big Apple. I booked the private top floor of a club for Saturday night in the city. Invite your friends. It’ll be a blast.”

  “Is it okay if they bring someone too? A lot of my friends are engaged or married now.”

  “Absolutely. Everyone needs a night out to let loose, even those old married fogies.”

  She laughed. “Okay, I’ll spread the word.”

  He leaned down and kissed both her cheeks in his European way. “See you tomorrow. Eight o’clock for cocktails.”

  She bobbed her head, smiling, and went to her car, tucking Rose into her Sherpa-lined bucket seat in the back. Excitement got the better of her and she pulled out her phone for a group text to her friends inviting everyone to the club. She loved dancing. A few texts came in right away from her friends, saying they had to check with their guys and get back to her. Well, for once she was happy not to have someone to check in with whenever she wanted to go out. Except…Josh.

  She shook her head at herself, got in the driver’s seat, and headed for home. She hadn’t heard from Josh all week besides his sarcastic Sup!!! He hadn’t asked her out, hadn’t called, hadn’t bothered to walk across the street to say hi. She kept telling herself he was just busy, but it still stung. Was this how Josh treated Clarissa? She made me a better man. Somehow she couldn’t imagine Josh ever saying something that amazing about her.

  Why did she feel like she had to check in with him before joining Phillip at a club? Everyone was invited. It wasn’t like Phillip had asked her on a date. The real problem was she needed more from Josh than this if what they had was a relationship. She debated calling, texting, or just showing up to clear the air with Josh. He worked weekends at Garner’s. Finally she just decided to show up.

  She confided in Rose as she drove. “I know, I’m a sucker being the one to go to him first, but if I don’t, this is all going to turn into a big thing. I need to show him I’m a mature adult capable of having a prince for a friend. I also have to feel him out to see what the frick he’s thinking.” She tried never to curse in front of Rose. Dogs were sensitive to harsh language.

  She sighed. Why were men so confusing? Mixed signals much?

  She’d already finished at work, so she parked in the lot behind Garner’s and headed inside. She spotted Josh right away behind the bar, serving up some beer with a smile playing over his lips. He turned unexpectedly, his intense gaze locking on hers, giving her a jolt. She hadn’t seen him in person since they’d hooked up four days ago. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him until she saw his familiar features—his always rumpled dark brown hair, his scruffy jaw, his old faded T-shirt that stretched across his strong chest and shoulders, his dark eyes that gleamed with knowing. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to kiss him or yell at him.

  She took an empty seat at the end of the bar and set a sleeping Rose by her feet. “Hi, Josh.”

  Josh crossed over to her. “Hailey.” His tone was cool.

  She leaned across the bar. “Don’t even tell me you’re mad at me. I’m mad at you.”

  He placed his palms on the bar and got in her face. “How’s your prince? Everyone’s talking about you spending the entire week with him. I saw you strolling down Main Street. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

  “Is that why I haven’t heard from you?”

  His voice dropped, low and deadly. “I was so pissed I didn’t trust myself not to bash his face in or worse.”

  “He’s a friend,” she hissed. “You could’ve called me or asked me out or something. What the hell am I supposed to think, especially after that huge wad of cash you dropped in my purse after we fucked!”

  He straightened and looked around. Several people at the bar snickered and looked over at them. Shit. She might’ve gotten a little loud there.

  “My office,” he ordered.

  She silently seethed, not liking his tone or imperious command.

  “Please,” he said through his teeth.

  “Fine.” She stood and tucked her doggie purse over her shoulder. “I was going to suggest a private conversation anyway.”

  He rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone, probably calling for backup, because a moment later a guy stepped out of the kitchen and went to the bar. Josh gestured for her to follow him back to his office.

  The moment the office door closed behind her, she said, “What the hell, Josh!” at the same time as he said, “What the hell, Hailey!”

  Rose barked at Josh ferociously.

  Josh retreated behind his desk, pulled a small twisted rope toy from his drawer, and offered it to Rose. The anger drained from her, watching him give her fur baby yet another gift. How could he be so thoughtful for Rose and not for her?

  She set Rose on the floor to play with her new toy and took the chair across from Josh’s desk. “So here we are again. Enemies.”

  “We’re not enemies. You’re so dramatic.”
>
  “What are we, then?”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I don’t know.”

  She blew out a breath of frustration. “There’s nothing to be jealous about. I told you Phillip is a friend.”

  “Is he buying you Ludbury House?”

  She looked away, unsure how to answer that. She met his eyes again. “He’s considering it as a business investment, but it’s not a definite thing. I’m not holding my breath.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Mind telling me why you spent the entire week with him?”

  “He wanted a tour of Clover Park.”

  “For a week?”

  “He was staying nearby.” She went on the offensive. “You know, this jealousy thing is getting old. It’s not like you and I—”

  “What? We’re not together? Because it sure felt like that when you were screaming my name like a fucking halleluiah.”

  She flushed hot. “I wasn’t screaming. Don’t talk about that.”

  His lip curled. “So you like to be dirty, but you don’t want to talk about it. Spoken like such a prissy princess.”

  She leapt to her feet. “Don’t call me that ever again!”

  He slowly stood to his full six feet, glowering down at her. “If she acts like a princess and she spends all her time with a prince…”

  “You never called!” she cried. “All I get is sarcastic texts. And, by the way, I counted that money and you paid me extra like some kind of fuck bonus!”

  “That was interest! You’re welcome.”

  She seethed. Once again he acted like he was in the right and she was wrong, wrong, wrong.

  He walked around the desk to stand in front of her, took her hand, and placed it on his chest right over his heart. “And those texts were from the heart.”

  “Sup!” she spat. “You’re nothing like my romantic dream of a boyfriend.”

  “You’re nothing like my wet dream of a girlfriend.”

  She huffed. Great, just great. Why had she ever gotten involved with him? She should’ve known they were a disaster waiting to happen.

  His fingers slid under her hair, and her heart beat a frantic beat, knowing his move now, this was his prelude to a kiss. Her hands went to his chest, about to push him away, when he said, “You’re better than any girlfriend I could dream up.”

  She stared at him, speechless, once again floored by the unexpected sweetness that popped out of his mouth. And then his hand curled around the back of her neck, drawing her in for a rough, demanding, all-consuming kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck, a hot rush of desire carrying her away.

  He shifted, lowering her to the desk, hiking her dress up around her waist, settling between her legs, on top of her. Oh God. They were animals. She wanted him more than her next breath. She wrapped her legs around him, her hands on his ass, pulling him closer. He rocked against her, giving her friction, but it wasn’t enough.

  She tore her mouth away. “Josh,” she half-begged.

  He shifted to her neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin along the side, his hands reaching back to shift her legs off him to rest on the desk. She thought he was about to step away, but then his fingers slid her thong to the side and delved inside her. She gasped at the sudden intrusion, her hips arching up. He pushed her back down with his free hand while his fingers thrust in and out. The heel of his hand ground against her and she saw stars. Pleasure built and built and built. Fever hot. Intense.

  She writhed under him mindlessly, soft moans escaping. He increased the rhythm, more pressure—too much—and everything in her coiled tight. His mouth covered hers, swallowing her sharp cry, and then she broke, her release ripping through her, on and on and on. Fu-u-uck yes.

  He lifted his head, still holding her firmly between the legs, his heated gaze intent on hers. She panted, beyond words, staring back at him, half in shock. One minute they were fighting, the next…

  A sharp knock on the door made Josh jerk away, pulling her dress down and her up so fast she got light-headed. She sat on his desk and tried to breathe normally.

  He went to the door and opened it a crack. “Yeah?”

  “That special delivery came in. You asked me to tell you about it.”

  “Thanks. Be out in a few minutes.” He shut the door and turned to her with a regretful expression, his lips pressed together. Well, he wasn’t the only one with regrets. She couldn’t believe she’d let him do that to her in his office. They were in the back of a busy kitchen in a busy restaurant.

  She stood on quivering legs and smoothed out her dress, still not sure where she stood with him. All she knew was the sex was out of control. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

  He banded an arm around her waist, pulling her close, and cradled her jaw with one hand, gazing into her eyes. “Probably not. But if Pete hadn’t knocked on the door, I would’ve bent you over the desk.” His teeth sank softly into her lower lip, and her stomach dipped. “And you would’ve chanted my name, begging for more.”

  She throbbed at the words as his erection pressed into her belly, making her ache for what he promised. Focus! “Josh, I came here—”

  “You sure did.” He grinned, his thumb stroking her cheek.

  “To talk.” She stared at his mouth. “You’re very difficult to talk to.”

  He tipped her chin up. “Just because I’m not acting the part you expect me to play doesn’t mean we don’t belong together.”

  She swallowed hard. Maybe her expectations were skewed by her love of all things romance. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a squeeze. Then she took a deep breath and met his eyes. “Okay, now don’t get mad, but Phillip has invited me and my friends to a club in the city tomorrow night.”

  His jaw went tight, his dark eyes hard.

  She shivered as shades of his warrior side emerged—strong, calculating, deadly. Not that he’d hurt her, it was Phillip he had it in for. “I just wanted to let you know. I’m trying to head off a jealous fit.”

  He spoke against her lips, his hand cupping her ass possessively. “How can I be jealous when you come every time you see me?”

  She was suddenly breathless. “Maybe I should see you more.”

  He dropped his hold on her. “I’ll be there tomorrow night since your friends are invited. You could call me a friend now, right? Lover too obviously.”

  Her mind raced with everything that could possibly go wrong. The brawl potential. The possibility of losing the princess’s stateside wedding, losing her place at the royal wedding in Villroy Island and all those connections she’d hoped to make. The fact that she and Josh had not yet gone public as a couple, and it would surely get back to their parents through Mad or any one of the many people connected to the Campbell family. Their parents didn’t approve of the match. Maybe for good reason.

  Josh’s hand slid under her dress, cupping her between the legs. Her mind blanked. “Is it possible you didn’t really want me there?” he asked in a silky voice.

  Her lips parted. “Josh.” She couldn’t seem to form a coherent thought. Desire clouded her brain.

  “So hot and wet,” he growled. “It seems you want me everywhere.” He gave her a swift kiss and left the office.

  She just stood there in a daze for a few moments. Something rough rubbed against her ankle and she yelped, heart racing. Oh! It was just Rose with her rope toy in her mouth, wanting to play. Oh my Lord, the things Rose had just witnessed. She scooped her up and rushed out of Josh’s office, avoiding eye contact with his staff, and took the back exit to avoid Josh too.

  The cool night air brought her back to her senses. One thing was for certain—tomorrow night had the potential for a royal showdown. She just hoped Phillip didn’t get hurt.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Josh took the time to do the deep-breathing relaxation exercise Clarissa had taught him, not once, not twice, but three whole times before his drive to the city on Saturday night. He couldn’t get away from work as early as he’d hoped, so Hailey had go
ne ahead with her friends. A night at a club was not his idea of fun—too many people too close, fast dancing, the stupid prince—but he had to show up to let everyone, especially the prince, know that he and Hailey were now a couple. He hadn’t wanted to go public so soon on account of his dad’s warning to stay away, but hell, these were desperate circumstances. Somehow he hadn’t gotten the couple thing across to Hailey; otherwise she wouldn’t be pulling shit like this. That really burned after all the trouble he’d gone through making her dinner, kissing up to her dog, fucking her senseless. He’d even taken the time to text her using her suggested exclamation points. He took her direction to the letter and what did he get? Nothing but grief. From now on, she’d be the one taking direction from him.

  He gave his name to the bouncer at the door, and a security guard escorted him inside to a bass-thumping club. The first floor was mostly a dance floor teeming with people bumping and grinding away to the beat. Strobe lights, a disco ball, and various multicolored spotlights highlighted the bodies of the beautiful, the drugged, the sexually aroused. He suppressed a shudder. He’d better not see Hailey writhing with the playboy prince. Alcoves on the sides with round tables were filled with even more people. Red velvet rope blocked access to the stairs, along with a huge bodyguard. The security guard with Josh spoke to the huge bodyguard, and the rope was removed for him.

  He was left to his own devices, the velvet barrier closing behind him. Be cool. Show your place with Hailey, and everyone else will know their place. He scanned the room for her. The upstairs had more alcoves with tables on two sides, plenty of space to peer down at the dance floor below, and in the back, a smaller dance floor. Same music as downstairs, of course; it was so loud the floor vibrated from it.

  He spotted a tall man with dark brown hair, his back to him, dancing with a bunch of women. He closed the distance, picking out the blond heads of Hailey’s friends Carrie and Ally. They were dancing with Prince Phillip, naturally. The prince bent his head to say something to someone shorter, and he glimpsed her unmistakable strawberry blond hair. He moved to the side of the dance floor next to some of his friends, Zach and Ethan, who’d clearly been dragged along with their women, Carrie and Ally.