Her Maine Attraction: A Small Town Romance (Pine Cove Book 1)

by Rebecca Gannon

  “Uh, um, what?” I stutter.

  “You were seen out with Jake, dear. Catch up.” She laughs.

  Oh my god.

  “Well, yes, I guess we were seen out. He and I are…I don’t know.”

  “He’s handsome, no?”

  I feel my cheeks heat as she studies me. “He is, yes.” I smile. But handsome doesn’t even begin to describe him.

  She chuckles softly. “Yes, he’s a nice young man. Jake’s a bit stoic and reserved, and doesn’t let many people close to him. But he’s always a sweetheart to me. My husband and him met in the hardware store when Jake was just a teenager, and then after that, he was around all the time. He was always asking questions and wanting to learn, so my husband decided to take him under his wing. There used to be a workshop here next to the cottage, but I gave it all to Jake when my husband passed.” The look on Dottie’s face shows the love she has for Jake. “I just want him to be happy. I love that boy like he was my own.”

  “You don’t think he’s happy?” I ask, curious.

  “No, not for many years now.”

  “Why?”

  “I think he should be the one to tell you that.”

  “Right, of course.” I nod, wishing she’d just tell me, even though I know she’s right.

  “Oh my, did you paint that?” Dottie asks, looking at the sunset painting I did. Shit, I forgot I had left it out here, leaning next to the chair she’s sitting in.

  “Yes, I did that the other day,” I tell her, looking away. Please don’t ask me about the couple in it. Please.

  “It’s beautiful, Ally. You captured the colors perfectly. I feel as if I was there. And this couple – so romantic.”

  I clear my throat, not feeling comfortable with the praise.

  “You’re very good, dear. A true artist,” she adds, a wistful tone to her voice.

  “Thank you,” I say shyly.

  “Do you have any others?”

  “No. That’s my first one in a very long time. But I’m working on a larger one that I just started yesterday.”

  Reaching over, she puts her hand on my knee. “It’s this place, isn’t it? It inspires the soul and shows the truth in your heart.”

  I look into her light blue eyes and see a wise old woman who’s seen and done a lot in her life to know the truth of her own heart.

  Swallowing, I look down into my cup. “Yes, I felt it right away. I think I was meant to come here. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a very long time.”

  “I’m glad.” She smiles sweetly at me. “Now, let’s go check on our pies.”

  Chapter 11

  I really hope this doesn’t blow up in my face.

  I’m driving to Jake’s house to bring him the second pie I made with Dottie this afternoon, and I’m seriously second guessing myself. He hasn’t called or come over since he dropped me off on Sunday, and I don’t know what’s going on in his head or if he even wants to see me.

  But as I turn into his driveway, I think about how he let me into his home and into his space when he said he doesn’t ever do that. It gives me a little more confidence in what I’m doing, but not much.

  Parking, I pull the mirror down and check my makeup. I can do this.

  Grabbing the pie, I get out and head up his front steps. I’m so nervous, my hands are shaking. When I knock tentatively, the door swings open only a moment later like he already knew I was here.

  Damn, he looks good in his jeans and t-shirt. It’s only been a few days, but looking at him now, it feels like much longer. His hair is messier than usual, like he’s been running his hands through it all day, and his beard is longer. I like it, though. He looks all rugged and mountainy.

  “Ally,” he says, his voice a little rough, and his eyes distant.

  “Hi.” I smile nervously. “I wanted to bring you this.” I hold the pie out to him. “Dottie taught me her secret recipe today.”

  “She did?”

  “Yeah, so uh, here.” I shove the pie at him and turn to walk back to my car. He doesn’t look happy that I’m here.

  “Wait.” He grabs my hand before I can even take a step away from him. “Where are you going?” I turn back and meet his eyes, seeing that they’ve gone softer. “Are you hungry? I was making dinner.”

  “What?”

  He tugs on my hand and I step towards him. “I said are you hungry?”

  “Yes.”

  “Come in, then.” He tightens his grip on my hand and pulls me inside. “Thank you for this,” he says, looking at the pie.

  “You’re welcome.” I take a few steps into his house, and a delicious aroma fills my senses. I hold back a moan, my stomach grumbling on cue. “Oh my god, Jake, it smells amazing.”

  Putting the pie down on the counter, he goes over to the stove to stir something in a pot. “It’s my mom’s famous sauce. I’m making spaghetti and meatballs.”

  “That’s one of my favorites.” I smile.

  “Good.” He nods. “Do you want a drink?”

  “What do you have?”

  “Water, whisky, wine.”

  “I’ll have wine,” I tell him, and watch as he opens a new bottle and pours me a glass. Taking a sip, I let it calm me. Just being near Jake makes me nervous and excited, and right now, all I can think about is ripping his clothes off.

  I need to shake those thoughts away. I have to focus. I came over to talk to him, not jump him.

  “Jake?” I say tentatively, taking a deep breath.

  “Yeah, darlin’?”

  “I…um…never mind.” I chicken out.

  Turning fully to me, he studies my face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” I shake my head, staring down at my wine, really hoping he’ll drop it. I was going to apologize for Sunday and upsetting him, but I can’t seem to get the words out.

  “Let me take you out this weekend,” he says, saving me from explaining myself.

  I look up at him. “What?”

  “Let me take you out on a date.”

  “Okay,” I say instantly. Like I’d say no?

  Smiling slightly, he returns to stirring the sauce. “I’ll pick you up Friday at seven. Now, come and taste this, let me know if it’s good.” Looking over his shoulder at me, he holds up a spoon with sauce.

  Hopping down from my stool, I walk over to him and take a tentative lick, and an explosion of flavor bursts in my mouth.

  “That’s amazing,” I moan, licking my lips and watching his eyes go dark as he stares at my mouth.

  Jake swipes the spoon across my lips, and I go to lick it off, but he shakes his head no. Leaning down, he slides his tongue over my mouth, licking the sauce off before kissing me softly.

  Sighing, I sway on my feet, grabbing the counter to steady myself.

  “Yup, it’s good,” he says, stepping away. “Sit down, and I’ll make you a plate.” In a dazed state, I walk back to my stool and sit, watching him dish out two plates of spaghetti and meatballs for us.

  We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jake clears his throat. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  Caught off guard, I start to choke on the meatball I was chewing, and cough violently. Grabbing my wine, I take a huge gulp to wash it down, sucking in ragged breaths.

  “Are you okay?” he asks, a hint of a smile on his lips.

  “Yes. You just surprised me.”

  He smiles wide, his dimple making an appearance. “I surprised you by saying you look beautiful? Darlin’, that’s a fact the world already knows. I was just pointing it out.”

  “Oh.” I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. Damn, he’s smooth.

  “What did I do to earn Dottie’s blueberry pie?” he asks.

  “I owed you one for helping me. And she taught me this afternoon, so now I can make you one for every time you have to rescue me. Which seems to be quite often for some reason.” I laugh.

  “I may just have to come over and break some stuff so you can call me to fix it.”
r />   “That’s not necessary, I’ll make it for you whenever you want. All you have to do is ask.”

  His eyes go dark again, and I don’t think he’s thinking about pie anymore. A blush creeps up my neck and into my cheeks. Looking away, I tuck my hair behind my ear.

  When we finish eating, Jake clears the dishes and serves up two slices of pie, but I wait for him to take the first bite. I really hope he likes it. That freaking crust better have received my love.

  “Darlin’,” he groans after a forkful.

  “Yeah?” I answer, unsure which way this will go.

  “It’s amazing, babe. I’ll be coming to you for this all the time now. Dottie only gave it to me when I helped her.”

  “I’ll give it to you whenever,” I say without thinking.

  Oh my god.

  “Good to know.” He smirks. “I’d love for you to give it to me whenever.” Smiling, he finishes his pie and leans back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. I watch his arms flexing with the movement, and I’d love to give it to him right now. My eyes rake over his body and I feel my core clench, needing him.

  “You can’t look at me like that, darlin’, unless you want me to strip you down and lay you out on this counter.” His voice is deep and gravely, and shoots through me like lightning.

  Holy fuck. I want that.

  My eyes meet his and he has a wicked smile playing on his lips. “Is that what you want?” he asks.

  My mouth has gone dry and I take a big swig of wine, licking my lips, hoping ‘yes’ will form. But it doesn’t.

  Standing, Jake walks around the counter and pulls my stool out so I’m facing him. With heated eyes, he steps between my legs and slides his hands up my thighs as wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down to my mouth. I need his kiss like I need my next breath.

  The moment our lips meet, a fire rushes through my veins and I instinctively wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him as close to me as I can. Using that to his advantage, Jake lifts me up and sets me on the counter, deepening our kiss.

  He kisses his way across my jaw, finding the sweet spot behind my ear that has me begging him for more. His hands come between us to roughly pop the button open on my jeans and slide the zipper down, shoving his hand inside.

  “Darlin’,” he growls, feeling the effect he has on me with a simple touch, before thrusting two thick fingers inside of me.

  A strangled moan is torn from my throat, and I claw at his neck, needing him to do more. Capturing my lips with his, Jake takes every sound I make as he moves inside of me, his thumb making circles on my clit. I can feel the storm building in me, but I still need more, I still need more of him.

  Answering my unspoken pleas, Jake inserts a third finger, and I go blind. He pumps in and out of me, over and over. Pressing hard on my clit, he curls his fingers inside of me and I scream, exploding into a million pieces, coming apart on his kitchen island.

  My body goes limp and I cling to Jake’s neck, breathing hard. Peppering him with kisses, I slowly make my way up his jaw to his lips, showing him how I feel because I can’t find my voice.

  Jake slowly removes his fingers and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. There’s a shift in how we kiss each other. I curl my fingers in the ends of his hair, and he spreads his hands out on my back as we both moan into the kiss.

  He has to feel it too.

  “Darlin’…” Jake breathes against my lips, resting his forehead against mine. I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. “Go for a walk with me?” he asks.

  I lean back and look into his beautiful ocean eyes, seeing something new there. “Sure. I may need some help standing and walking, though.” I feel my cheeks flush, and a wicked grin flashes on his face as he buttons and zips my jeans back up for me.

  Helping me down from the counter, Jake takes my hand and intertwines our fingers, walking us out the back door. It’s dark, but the moon and stars light our way down the stone path to the dock. The night air is filled with the gentle lapping of water against the dock and crickets talking to one another as the moon illuminates a reflected path across the water to us.

  Jake takes a seat in one of the Adirondack chairs and pulls me down onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me – shrouding me in his warmth.

  “You know, I’m fully capable of sitting in my own chair,” I say, tilting my head back to smile up at him.

  “I know, but then I wouldn’t be able to hold you,” he answers, tightening his arms around me.

  “Aren’t I too heavy?” I ask, slightly self-conscience.

  “Not at all, baby. That ass feels like a pillow.”

  “Okay, whatever you say, mountain man.” I laugh. “I guess your big muscles can hold me up.”

  He kisses my cheek and I snuggle back into him, letting myself get comfortable. Staring out at the water, I lose myself in thought. It’s so calm here. The ocean at the cottage is beautiful, but there’s something about the still waters of this lake that makes me feel centered.

  “What’re you thinking?” he asks after a minute.

  “Just that I feel so calm here.”

  “That’s why I picked this place. The moment I walked out here and saw the lake, I knew this was where I needed to be. I bought it when I came home after my last deployment. I needed my own space. And since then, this place has given me what little peace that life can offer me now.”

  “I see that. You belong out here in the forest and in your workshop.”

  “Yeah, I can be a bit of a recluse sometimes.”

  “That’s how I used to be with painting. When I was in school, I would shut myself in my room or the studio, put on some music, and just let myself go. I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone. I just wanted to be.”

  “Why did you stop?”

  “Life,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “When you heard me say artists feel deep because they have to…well, I think I felt too much. And what I was feeling wasn’t good. It was a dark place I found myself retreating to more and more often, and I had to stop. I had to put myself back together and know I wouldn’t go back there if, and when, I tried again.”

  “Why were in the dark, darlin’?” he whispers in my ear.

  “I just was. I was made up of only pieces of myself. And there came a point where I had to be the one to save myself and mend the pieces back together. It took me seven years, but here I am.”

  Tightening his arms around me, Jake doesn’t say anything, he just holds me. I don’t want him to say anything. There’s nothing to say. The quiet strength he’s giving me resonates more than any comforting words ever could.

  We stay quiet for a long while, just listening to the sounds of the night.

  “There are so many stars,” I whisper. “I’ve never seen so many.”

  “Another reason why I love it here,” he whispers, sending a shiver down my spine. Feeling it, he squeezes me, shrouding me in his warmth.

  As the minutes pass, I start to feel my eyes droop, and I sigh. “I should probably get back. I have work in the morning.”

  Kissing my hair, Jake stands and places me on my feet. Taking my hand, we walk back up the dock and into his house. “You know,” he says, “I may like your pie better than Dottie’s.”

  “I know you’re just saying that so that I’ll be flattered enough to make it for you again.”

  “Oh, you’ll make it for me again,” he says seductively, pulling me in for a quick kiss. “I see myself saving you a lot in the future.”

  “Is that so? I’ll have you know I am plenty capable of saving myself, thank you very much.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt. But it’s always nice to let us men think you need us every so often.”

  I smile and lean up on my toes to kiss him goodnight. “Deal, mountain man,” I whisper.

  Jake opens the front door for me, and when I reach the bottom of the stairs, I turn back, a flirty smile playing on my lips. “I’ll let you earn your pie, don’t worry.”
r />   Jake’s deep laugh fills me, and follows me as I get in my car and drive back to the cottage. It’s wrapped around me as I lay down, falling asleep to images of Jake saving me. Because sometimes a girl needs a break from saving herself.

  Chapter 12

  Digging through my closet on Friday night, I try and find something to wear for my date with Jake. All day yesterday and today, I’ve been on edge wondering how tonight will go. Where is he taking me? Should I dress up? Dress down? Will we do an activity? Just go to dinner?

  I haven’t been on a date since college, and I’m freaking out. Going on a date is official. It’s public.

  Grabbing my phone, I quickly send out an SOS text in the group chat, and hope one of them is free to help me.

  My phone rings a few seconds later, and I see Elizabeth’s name flash on my screen. “Ally, what’s up?” she asks right away.

  “Ellie, I need help! I have a date with Jake tonight.” I’m about ready to go into full panic mode.

  “Whoa, calm down.” She laughs. “Ally, it’s just a date. You two aren’t strangers.”

  “I know that. It’s just that–”

  “No. Don’t think about all of your horrible dates and guys from college. This is different. Relax. It’s just you and him, okay?”

  “Okay, but what do I wear?”

  “Oh, that’s the problem?” She laughs. “Go with something simple but pretty. How about that short flowy skirt with the blue flowers on it, a white tee, and your jean jacket if it’s cool out? Then wear a pair of cute sandals.”

  “How did you do that? You’re like, hundreds of miles away.”

  “I know your closet, bitch. We’re best friends. Now go get dressed. And you should curl your hair in waves and do your makeup natural, but play up your eyes. Let those baby blues seduce him.”

  “I’m glad you know me so well.” I laugh.

  “Duh.”

  “Thanks, you’re the best.”

  “I know. And I expect a full report later.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of not telling you how it goes,” I say, sarcasm dripping from every word.

  “No need to be bitchy.” She laughs. “I just hope Jake knows how wonderful you are. He should know that you giving him the time of day is rare and special.”