And I had to know. I had to know how he felt about them before I let myself get in any deeper here. I lifted my head to look at him. “Did you love them? Do you still?”
Roane studied the ceiling as he replied, “When I was with them, I thought I did.”
What did that mean? “But you don’t think so now?”
His gaze returned to mine, and my breath caught at the raw emotion in them. His voice was gruff as he replied, “Now I know I didn’t, Evie.”
Nineteen
Without saying those three little words, Roane had just implied them. I was sure of that. Even more so when he rolled into me to make love to me once again.
When his phone rang just as we were snuggling in the aftermath, I insisted he answer, knowing it could be some important issue about the farm. Whoever it was on the end of the line, whatever it was they wanted from him, Roane asked them to “deal with it.”
“I might as well take the rest of the day off,” he said, grinning as he got out of bed. “Now.” He turned to reach for my wrist. “We shower.”
Showering with Roane was the perfect experience to follow an afternoon of sex. As we soaped each other up with his citrusy-smelling shower gel, we touched and petted and explored. When he spread kisses across my breasts, I confessed, “I love your beard.”
I did. I loved the way it felt against my skin. There was something so appealingly masculine and rugged about it.
Roane lifted his head, his grin pleased. “Then the beard stays for however long you want it to stay.”
Forever.
But I was too afraid to say that out loud.
Once we were done with the shower, we dressed and hurried downstairs to Shadow, who got up from his cool corner of the kitchen to greet us with lethargy.
“These hot days are no good for dogs, are they, baby,” I crooned, scratching behind his ear with one hand while I gave him a rubdown with the other. He swiped me with his warm tongue in thanks. “You need to drink more, gorgeous.”
I straightened from petting the dog to find Roane smiling at me. “What?”
“I love that you love my dog.”
“He’s very easy to love.”
“True.” He stroked a hand across Shadow’s head. “Dinnertime, boy?”
His sudden wagging of the behind suggested he was up for that.
Not long after, all three of us jumped into Roane’s Defender and we drove back to Alnster. After parking outside the bookstore, Roane rounded the SUV and took my hand as I let us inside. Shadow ran ahead, his claws clattering on the wooden staircase, and we could hear Caro upstairs greeting him in delight.
I squeezed Roane’s hand. “Are we telling people?”
His eyes narrowed. “Considering I can’t keep my hands off you, I think it’ll be more than obvious. Or do you not want to tell people?”
At the slight irritation I heard in his voice, I tried not to smile and failed. “I think keeping it a secret hardly goes hand in hand with giving us a real shot.”
“Agreed.”
To my surprise, I didn’t feel nervous about telling people. I already knew that mostly everyone wanted us to get together.
My building was almost as stuffy as the farmhouse, but as early evening hit, it grew somewhat cooler. There was a slight break in the air because Caro had opened all the windows and had the electric fan from the shop rotating in the corner of the living room.
I expected Caro to take one look at us and know.
However, she was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter with her head buried in her laptop. “I’ve seen some flats and houses I’d like you to look at,” she announced without lifting her head. “Some of them are pretty decent but I don’t know how much I should pay in rent. I need advice.”
“That’s your cue,” I said to Roane. “I’m going to change out of these clothes.”
His eyes flashed at my words, and I sauntered down the hall to my bedroom with a smug swing in my hips. There was nothing like getting thoroughly laid to put you in a good mood.
When I returned in a fresh pair of shorts and a T-shirt, Roane was sitting on the side of the counter adjacent to Caro, looking at the laptop.
“What do you think?” Caro asked, chewing on her bottom lip.
I rounded the counter to Roane’s side to see what he was looking at and, without thinking about it, slid my arm around his shoulder and rested my chin on his other. “What are we looking at?” I murmured.
He curled his fingers around my hand, absentmindedly caressing my skin with his thumb. “Two-bed flat in Alnwick.” He clicked through the photos with his free hand, and I frowned at the images.
“It’s a little dingy.”
“That’s what I think. It’s overpriced.”
“And Alnwick?” I frowned over at Caro. “You’re not staying in Alnster?”
Her gaze moved between Roane and me, her smile widening as she said, “There’s not a lot of options in Alnster, I’m afraid, and when did this happen?” She gestured to us. “Because it’s happening, right? You haven’t progressed to torturing my cousin?”
Laughing, I slid into the stool next to Roane. “Do you think I’m that evil?”
“Yes,” they answered in unison.
I made a face at Roane and he winked at me.
God, he was sexy.
And yes, I’d always thought so, but over the last couple of months this man’s appeal had grown exponentially. It was true what they said. When you started to care for someone, they became infinitely more attractive to you.
“So you’re together?”
“Yes, we’re together,” I replied.
Caro’s whole face lit up. “Oh, I’m so pleased for you. This is wonderful news. We should go out to celebrate. And to let everyone know so you can get that part over with.”
“Over with?”
“You know they’ll tease you mercilessly for a while.”
True. “Yeah, sure, why not.”
“Don’t sound so thrilled about it,” Roane said drily.
“Are you thrilled about the teasing coming our way?”
“I can’t answer that how I really want to answer it, because my wee cousin is sitting right there, but they can tease all they want. It’s worth it.”
“I’d hate to think how you’d put it if I wasn’t here,” Caro grumbled, her cheeks flushing as she hopped off the stool. “Why don’t I make us some dinner while you look at those other listings for me?”
Thanking her, I pulled my stool closer to Roane so I could look at the apartments and rested my hand on his knee. I couldn’t seem to be near him without wanting to touch him. He turned to look at me, and when our eyes met, I could tell by his expression he understood. His hand covered mine, and we returned to looking at the apartments.
“I like this one,” I murmured ten minutes later.
All I’d seen so far just wasn’t good enough for Caro, and I realized how spoiled we were by the apartment above the bookstore. Not just by its size and views but by its open-plan living space.
Finally, however, we’d come across a house in Beadnell. Roane and I had taken Shadow to Beadnell Bay a few times. It was this long stretch of beautiful sand twenty minutes north of Alnster. A lot of surfers and kitesurfers hung out at the bay.
The house was set back from the beach surrounded by a small development of matching homes. This one sat at the western tip, so it had views of the sea. It had been designed so that the living spaces were transposed. The two bedrooms were on the first floor, along with the bathroom. Upstairs on the second floor was the open-plan kitchen and living space with its vaulted triangular roof. French doors made up the entirety of the sea-facing wall and led out onto a covered balcony so the owner could enjoy the views.
The place was furnished in a beachy look with a comfortable sofa and armchairs, a light oak
six-seater dining table, and a modern white glossy kitchen.
“They’re holiday homes,” Roane said. “We do the maintenance on a few of these. It’s unusual to see one of them come up as a year-round rental.”
“The living space is beautiful, and that view . . .”
He squeezed my hand. “Aye, that’s true. But I’m not sure about the security. Caro’s bedroom would be right next to the only way in and out of the building.”
“Which is great in the awful event of a fire.”
“Not so great if someone breaks in.” He scowled at the laptop.
“Is he pooh-poohing the Beadnell property?” Caro asked from her place by the stove.
I shot her a commiserating look. “Yup.”
“Damn,” she muttered.
Seeing her crestfallen expression, I nudged Roane with my shoulder. “Surely we can make certain it’s safe for her.”
He exhaled slowly. “It’s not just safety. I don’t know what kind of heating system is in these homes. They’re rented out less frequently in the winter months, and part of that is not just down to demand. It’s about high running costs.”
I frowned at the screen. “It says they were built less than five years ago. Surely they’re built with better insulation than the building we’re in right now.”
“Maybe,” he murmured.
Realizing what the problem was, I cuddled into him. “She has to move out on her own at some point.”
Roane nodded slowly. “Aye, I know. Doesn’t mean I’m happy about her living alone.”
“I’ve lived alone for years. She’ll be fine.”
He heaved a sigh and looked over at Caro, who was pretending not to listen. “If you like the Beadnell house, you should make an appointment to view it. But I’d like to be there.”
“I’d like you to be there too.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Both of you.”
Warmed from her inclusion, I smiled. “I’d be happy to.”
As we sat down to eat at the dining table that night, Shadow lying beneath an open window, we dug in to the delicious satay sweet potato curry Caro had thrown together, and I felt a contentment I couldn’t remember ever feeling.
It scared the crap out of me.
Not because I was afraid of it.
But because it meant there was a very, very difficult decision looming ahead of me.
* * *
• • •
No one at The Anchor noticed that Roane and I walked in holding hands. Milly and Viola were run off their feet behind the bar, and the locals hadn’t spotted anything unusual as we stood with Shadow at our side. The tables by the fire in the dog-friendly area of the pub were occupied. Thankfully we waited only a few minutes before the two occupants of the smaller table departed. We grabbed it and borrowed an unused seat from another table for Caro.
It was cool. Roane and I were happy to be smooshed up together.
Still, for Caro’s sake, I tried not to be too touchy-feely with her cousin. No one enjoyed feeling like a third wheel. It was just after Roane bought us a first round of drinks that the bar started to quiet down a little. We grabbed the larger table when it emptied, and Viola was soon able to join us.
While she and Caro began chatting about the house Caro was interested in renting, Roane leaned in to whisper in my ear, “When can we leave?”
I shivered at the feel of his lips brushing my skin and turned to smile. “Why?”
Except I knew why as soon as I saw his expression.
This time I shivered with a deeper longing. “Oh.” My eyes rounded. “Again?”
His teeth flashed. “I’m sore from wanting you all the time, angel.”
I moved closer to him, my lips almost touching his as I murmured, “An angel you’ll corrupt by turning me into a sex addict.”
Roane’s reply was low and gruff. “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me.” He brushed his mouth against mine and I leaned in to deepen it.
“What. The. Fuck?”
The high-pitched question halted us, and we drew apart, amusement dancing in our eyes before we turned to Viola. She was half grinning, half gaping.
“No way!” She gestured excitedly to us. “You’re together?”
I giggled at her exuberant response. “Yeah, we’re together.”
Viola turned toward the bar. “Mam!” she yelled, drawing every eye in the place, including her mother’s.
“Jesus Christ, what is it, lass?” Milly lifted the bar to exit it, her eyes wide with concern.
“Roane and Evie are together! Together together!”
A rumble of response slowly built among the locals until we started to hear, “Well, who wins the pot then?”
“Is it Dex?”
“It’s not Dex.” Milly shook her head. “It might be Jed.”
“Who’s got the list?”
“It’s on Vi’s phone. Where’s your phone, lass?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I cut in.
Viola grinned mischievously. “I started a pot for everyone to guess how long it would take for you and Roane to get together. There’s nearly a thousand quid up for grabs.”
Full of disbelief, I turned to Roane, but he was struggling to contain his laughter.
“You’re okay about them betting on us?”
His answering grin turned into a chuckle. “Evie . . . they were betting on the eventuality of you in my bed. I can’t be mad about that kind of support.”
I smacked his arm as those in our vicinity laughed. “You’re lucky I liked what you did there, Roane Robson.”
That caused a round of wolf whistles and that adorable flush across the crests of Roane’s cheeks. It wasn’t embarrassment that caused it, I knew. I knew it in the dark look of want he sent my way. The flush was arousal.
It felt heady, I discovered, to be so openly lusted after by a man you wanted desperately in return.
Unfortunately, there was no way I was having sex with Roane while Caro slept in the bedroom down the hall. I whispered this in his ear, and he immediately buried his head in my throat with a groan.
I laughed, trying to ignore the feel of his lips and beard against my skin, and failing. When he lifted his head, I kissed him. Roane clasped my face in his hand and deepened the kiss as another round of wolf whistles met our ears.
I broke the kiss with a chuckle and shook my head. “Please tell me that will stop once they get used to us?”
Roane grinned. “It’s hard to say with these people. This could happen every time they see us until the day we die.”
Although I laughed, as I turned to Viola to answer her question of “when did this happen?” inside I was thinking, Until the day we die?
Had Roane just implied forever?
First those three little words were implied and now “forever”?
I tried not to get too excited about it and failed.
“I’m so happy for you, Evie, but I have to admit I’m jealous too.” Viola gave me a sheepish smile. “I’d love a little romance in my life.”
“Well, look no further than the Romeo across the street,” I replied quietly so no one else but our table would hear.
Roane groaned. “Ah, angel, you just can’t help yourself.”
I really couldn’t. I shot him an unrepentant smile and turned back to Viola.
Viola’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Across the street,” I repeated. “A certain someone who uses antagonism to cover how he really feels.”
“Oh, fuck,” Roane muttered.
Viola’s frown cleared and turned to something between confusion and, dare I say, hope. In fact, it was a very similar look to the one on Lucas’s face this morning. “You cannot be serious. Did he say something to you?”
“He didn’t need to.”
<
br /> She scowled. “What does that mean?”
“It was written all over his face. And he’s way too interested in you. When a guy is indifferent, you know he’s not interested. When a guy goes out of his way to bother you, he’s interested.” I raised an eyebrow at Roane. “Am I wrong?”
He glowered at me, his answer gruff. “No.”
I tried not to be too smug. “See.”
Rolling her eyes, Viola pushed her chair back and stood. “That’s hardly evidence, Evie. Come on, Caro. I’ve got my laptop upstairs. You can show me the house you’re going to look at.”
As soon as the girls had left, Roane leaned into me. “You’re right. She likes him.”
“Told you.”
“Don’t push this.” He curled his hand around my arm, his expression serious. “Just because she likes him doesn’t mean something should happen between them. There’s too much history there. I don’t want Viola hurt.”
His protectiveness was something I adored about him. I kissed the tip of his nose and promised, “I won’t push it. I’m not going to do anything more. I was just . . . planting a seed.”
“Well, let’s hope that seed doesn’t take root under two houses and cause the earth to shift beneath them.”
I grinned. “Very Shakespearean. I think you’re a poet who doesn’t know it.”
Gentle amusement lit his dark eyes, but he said, “I’m serious, Evie.”
“Yes. And I hear you. But you’re also very sexy, so why don’t we stop talking about this and hurry back to the bookstore for a quickie before Caro comes home?”
Roane’s chair screeched across the floor before I’d even finished the sentence, and as he hurried out of the pub, my hand in his, shouts of good-natured but mortifying encouragement followed us.
Normally I’d be disconcerted that an entire pub full of people knew I was about to commence having hot sex with my boyfriend.
My boyfriend.
However, due to the aforementioned boyfriend, I was too happy to care about anything but him.
Twenty
Much Ado About You Page 22
