“Okay.”
“You don’t mean that, do you?”
“I’ll agree to not direct Blu’s gaze toward Travis. Maybe Emile. Or Blake.”
I choke on a laugh. “Mom, you are the worse town gossip, so I’m sure you know about them.”
“Of course, I do. Maybe that’s what Blu needs to get over you.” She grins and disappears after a kiss.
She pops back in. “I forgot. Can you have a look at the faucet in the kitchen? The pressure isn’t what it should be.”
“I’ll come over when I can.”
“Thanks, son.”
Alone once again, I’m tempted to go and talk to Blu now. Get it out of the way while it’s quiet. She lives above her flower shop, which is a door away. This is the reason why I tend to spend the night at Louisa’s cottage. We didn’t want to risk Blu seeing Louisa leaving my place.
We’re adults and need to finally get on with our lives without interference from others.
I need to talk to Louisa and set a firm timeline, and then tell Blu.
4
Louisa
“Why don’t you have a headache?” Blu moans, resting her head on the desk in the middle of the bookstore.
“Because I didn’t drink that much.” I raise a brow.
“I’m never drinking again.”
“Until next time.” I chuckle, then I clear my throat, and say, “I saw you dancing with Emile and Blake.”
Blu ignores me.
“Mm-hmm. Your silence speaks volumes.”
“No, it doesn’t,” she mutters.
“They seem nice.” I frown at her bent head.
I want to push her toward them so it won’t be such a hard blow when she finds out about Shep and me. She’s one of my best friends and I feel guilty.
Blu lifts her head and stares at me with tears hovering in her eyes. “They are nice,” she says quietly. “You know I like a bit of fun now and again, but not with two, if you know what I mean.”
Trying to hide a laugh with a cough does not work on Blu, so I let her see my amusement. “Two men at the same time sounds…”
“Not going there.” Blu stands and presses a hand to her stomach. “What’s wrong with me?”
“There is nothing wrong with you. Where is that coming from?” I take her hand and squeeze. “You can talk to me, or Bea. You’ve become good friends with Emma and Vivien too.”
“It’s not that,” she says. “Why doesn’t Shep like me?”
Blood pounds through my veins and it takes me a few seconds to be able to hear again. “We’ve known him all our lives… Maybe he thinks of you as a sister.” I inwardly wince, wondering what she’ll say now, and when she discovers I’m the one who Shep loves.
“I don’t want to be a sister!” she hisses before pulling herself together, and if I’m not mistaken, a blush coats her cheeks.
I look closer and hold her gaze. “Why are you blushing?”
She clears her throat. “I’m not.”
I snort and then laugh. “Oh yes, you are!” I rub my hands together. “This is going to be good. Are you sure you didn’t learn firsthand just how ‘together’ Emile and Blake work?” I wiggle my brows.
“You have sex on the brain.” Blu shakes her head. “I was thinking about Travis.”
I pause. “Travis Tremayne?”
Blu rolls her eyes while my heart races.
This is good. Very good. If Blu turns her attention elsewhere, then she won’t be upset about Shep and me. “He’s handsome in a rugged kind of way. Badass. Hardworking. Wicked smile.”
Her eyes narrow. “You like him?”
“Hell no!” I chuckle. “I mean, no. I am not interested in Travis. I promise.” I smile. “I think you should offer to help when the construction crew has finished.”
“He hasn’t looked at anyone since he’s been in town. You know that.”
“True, but I saw his eyes on you at the wedding.” I smirk.
“We’ll see.” She sighs. “I’m going to check on Beatrice. She’s hot and uncomfortable with the bump going on.”
“Not long now before we have a baby to dote on.”
The bell jingles as my mother comes into the store.
“I’ll talk to you later.” To my mom, she says, “Have a good day, Mrs. Ryland.”
“You too, Blu.” Mom’s gaze follows Blu out the door before she turns to me. “You left without saying goodbye last night.” She raises a brow and her lips are in a tight line. “You know I do not like hearing gossip about my own daughter from Maureen, Louisa Marie Ryland.”
I wince at hearing my full name on her lips. “What gossip would that be?” I move behind the counter and straighten the note cards Blu had messed up.
“You left with a man! Spent the night with him. I checked your house, and you weren’t home. Maureen didn’t know who it was. I’m asking…”
Feeling a blush start to coat my cheeks, I say, “Mom, I’m a grown woman. I don’t live at home under your rules. I’m free to do what I want. So, please stop gossiping about me.”
Mom as usual completely ignores me. “That does not answer my question.”
“And I’m not going to answer because it’s none of your business.” I move out from behind the counter and start to straighten up the children’s section.
“I can’t believe you’d keep something like this from your mother.”
Sighing, I quickly hug her before continuing with my task.
“You really are not going to tell me?” Mom says, sitting on the cozy chair in the window of the store.
“No. I am not.”
“Does Amber know?”
“No, my sister does not. Don’t tell her either.” If Amber knows I’m seeing someone, she won’t give up until she knows who it is and will be annoying. “I mean it, Mom. I won’t tell her either.”
“It’s a small town, so I don’t know why it has to be a secret.”
“Because it’s my life and his. So leave it alone.” Cross, I end up having to redo the children’s fantasy section. “Don’t frighten my customers away,” I warn.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’s done that when she’s wanted information and I’ve refused to give it to her.
“I mean it. This is my business.”
“I apologize about before.” Mom moves toward me and kisses my cheek. “I’ll find out.” She smiles and leaves the store.
Silently cursing, I put the “Open” stand outside the store and wedge the door open. It’s a glorious day and I love the fresh air. It might get too humid later, but for now I’m going to enjoy the weather.
I glance across to the coffeehouse, and wave when I see Shep in the window. He glances around and then blows me a kiss. I grin and wave again before I head inside. Blu’s store faces mine, so it’s not as though I can blow kisses across the street. I wish I could though.
Smiling, I putter about the store until my first customer of the day appears.
5
Shep
More distracted than usual, it takes me a few minutes to notice three firefighters standing at the counter. Zeke grins, and Emile and Blake are focused on—I track their gaze—Teagan. Zeke notices and nudges them away.
“I wouldn’t even look in that direction.” Zeke shakes his head. “Travis is more than a bit possessive of his sister.”
Emile and Blake glance at each other before they all give me their orders. I raise a brow. “Hungry?”
“My future wife, her sister, Valentina—who I’ve been told to call Tia, Emma, and three other firefighters are awaiting lunch,” Zeke says. “Can I admit that I’m scared the three girls are left in the office. Heaven knows what trouble they’ll get up to.”
Blake snorts. “Knowing Tia, she’ll be up in someone’s grill.”
“Geary’s,” Emile says, and grins. “However, as she’s going to be Zeke’s sister-in-law, we have him to keep an eye on her.”
Zeke laughs. “When I moved to town, I had no interest in women. Now l
ook at me. I have a gorgeous girl, and I’m inundated with her relations. It gives me the sweats trying to make sure Tia doesn’t cause trouble. I’m not sure she likes me much.”
“From what I’ve heard, she’s overprotective of her sister.” I shrug. “Maybe she’s lonely though. Her brother is married, and Kennedy has you. Who does she have?”
Rob, my assistant, takes the order from my hand and starts preparing their food while I get their drinks. They talk among themselves as I only half listen, my mind wandering back to the beautiful woman I’m in love with. Then I remember who I’d left Blu with at the wedding.
I place the drinks on the counter in a multi-cup holder, and ask, “So, how’d it go with Blu?” I hadn’t given them the choice but to take Blu off my hands last night and now I’m curious, and hopeful.
Blake winces and Emile shakes his head. Zeke laughs and moves away.
“She was drunk,” Blake says. “Even so, she was more than aware you dumped her on us.” His eyes narrow. “Nice one by the way.”
“My time had been monopolized throughout the day by Blu. I’d had enough and didn’t want to be an asshole by upsetting her at a wedding.”
“You need to grab it by the balls and tell her the fucking truth, Shep,” Emile states. “She’ll get over you lovin’ someone else.”
I sigh. “I wish it were that easy.”
“It is.” Blake leans against the counter, his eyes keep sweeping over Teagan as he adds, “If you want to be with your girl, then you don’t have a choice. Think of her instead of your friend.” He shrugs and turns his attention back to me with a frown on his face once he sees Ezra Jenkins, the new doc, joining Teagan. “Don’t wait too long; otherwise, someone else will cut in.”
Amused, I glance at him then Teagan before turning my attention to the cousins. “I’m talking to Louisa later. We’ll decide together when to tell Blu. It’s not something I relish, but I want to move forward. Louisa does too.” I grin. “Teagan isn’t interested in Ezra,” I whisper and pass the food order over to them.
Travis is not going to be amused when he discovers both Emile and Blake have their eyes on Teagan.
“Hmph,” I mutter to myself. All this talk is giving me hives. I cast my eyes across the street and decide a bit of a break is required. “I’m taking ten minutes,” I say to Rob. “You take your lunch when I get back.”
“Okay.” Rob smirks, knowing exactly where I’m going.
To be honest, I don’t know how Blu doesn’t know what is going on between Louisa and me when it appears the whole town does.
The moment I step on to the sidewalk, the sweltering heat hits me in the face. Ninety-six degrees today. Cool weather is expected in four days, and I’m praying for that. Rain would be good right about now too. Snow even. God, after the summer Blossom Creek has had, I’ll never complain about snow again.
The bell over the door jingles as I enter the bookstore, and my heart thuds at the smiling woman behind the counter as her eyes meet mine. She finishes ringing up a sale and hands the customer her purchase.
“We’re alone,” she says once the door closes behind the customer.
“Good.” I stride toward her, and taking her hand, I tug her to the back of the store, behind the aisle of travel books. “I’ve missed you.” Pressing my lips to Louisa’s, my head spins when she opens her mouth and slides her tongue along mine. I grab on to her bottom and squeeze, then pull her against me. My cock floods with need, pressing against Louisa.
“You’re sexy,” I mumble against her neck, running my lips along her skin before I claim her mouth once more.
I can’t get enough of this woman, and I realize we’re heading for trouble when Louisa wraps a leg around my hip. I groan and press her hard against the ache in my groin. Her hips wiggle until I’m positioned right between her legs.
“Shep, I need more.”
“Fuck.” I grab her dress and pull it up around her waist, my hands return to her butt as I haul her up. Her ankles lock around my waist as I hold her and look for something solid to rest her against.
There isn’t anywhere.
Louisa slips a hand between us and makes quick work of getting into my jeans. Her hand wraps around my dick, pumping quickly.
“I can’t breathe.” I gasp. “I’m going to come… My legs are about to give way.”
Louisa giggles. “Put me down.” She wiggles and gets her feet under her, my hard as fuck dick on display for anyone to see. Not for long. She drops to the floor and sucks me inside her sinful mouth. A hand dips to my ass while her other slips between my legs and begins massaging my balls.
My throat bobs as I swallow around the lump of lust stuck in there. I thread my fingers through her long hair and gently caress her scalp while trying not to thrust into her throat. She’s fucking amazing at this.
Tension coils in my lower belly as I go deep. “Lou, stop. I’m going to come.”
Ignoring me, she sucks harder and strokes that sensitive spot between a man’s legs. I have no chance. Her mouth is warm and wet, and she’s loving what she does to me. I can’t even pull out with her hands and fingernails clenching and holding me tightly as my release gets sucked out. My cock jerks with each hard spasm, squirting semen. She makes sure she has every last drop while I’m wondering how the fuck I’m still standing.
Her eyes meet mine as she licks me clean before tucking me back into my jeans. I hold a hand out and lift her from the floor. I smirk and drop to my knees, her eyes going wide in surprise.
Sliding my hands along her legs and up her dress, I grab handfuls of her butt. “Put a leg over my shoulder.”
“Oh!”
Her right leg comes over me and I don’t waste any time. I press my face between her legs and inhale. “Louisa,” I groan as her scent reaches me. I pull her panties to the side and wiggle my tongue between her lips. “So wet,” I murmur, kissing and licking because I can’t get enough of this woman. The woman I love.
Her excitement coats my chin and lips as I dip lower and fuck her with my tongue. Her fingers are nearly pulling my hair out, but I don’t quit. I want her to feel the pleasure she gave me. Her hips start to writhe on my face; she’s close. Then the bell over the door jingles, announcing the arrival of a customer. My eyes shoot to hers as she clutches my head to her pussy and comes on my tongue. Her mouth is clamped tightly shut as I lap her up.
“Louisa?”
“Oh God,” she moans, quickly trying to right herself.
I smirk from my position on the floor and make sure she watches me lick my lips. I get to my feet and whisper, “You taste fucking amazing.” I take her hand and press it over my dick.
“Louisa, you here?”
Inhaling and quickly exhaling, Louisa steps into the aisle and moves toward the front of the store where her sister waits.
I can’t hear what’s being said, but after a few beats when I think I’m presentable in the groin area, I leave my hiding spot and sneak out of the store. Louisa and Amber are in conversation on the opposite side, but I’m more than aware Amber sees me leaving.
Smiling, I head toward Blossom Creek Inn to have a look at my mother’s kitchen faucet, and narrowly avoid a conversation with Blu.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow I’m going to tell Blue.
6
Louisa
My sister, Amber, stares at me until my cheeks heat. It doesn’t help that I’m wet and uncomfortable after what Shep just did to me. I think I have whisker burn on my thighs too. It sure had felt good with his face buried down there.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Amber narrows her lids.
“No.”
She laughs. “Oh yes, you do! It’s written all over your face.” Tilting her head, she asks, “What was Shep doing to you back there?”
“Oh!” I cover my burning cheeks with my hands and grin. “What do you think he was doing to me back there?”
Giving a dirty laugh, she says, “Considering you haven’t stopped twitching, I�
��m guessing he had his face buried in your—”
I slam a hand over her mouth. “Do not say that aloud.”
Her eyes dance. “Say what?”
“You are impossible.”
Amber laughs. “It’s about time you both got together.”
“Why?”
“He’s had his eye on you for years. Why do you think he came back here after college? And you, you’ve loved him forever.” She shakes her head sadly. “Blu has always claimed him as hers when he’s always belonged to you. I admire you both for trying to respect your friendship with Blu, but it has to stop.”
“We’re hearing that a lot these days,” I mumble. “Shep has more or less decided enough is enough, and I happen to agree. Blu is our friend. Hopefully she’ll still be our friend after the fact.”
“Hmm,” Amber mutters to herself as she moves around the bookstore. “I thought we could hang out at the lake tomorrow and relax.”
I watch my sister while I ponder her idea. She never likes sitting and doing nothing at the lake, especially when it’s the town’s annual family day. Me, I can enjoy the peace and quiet any day of the week. “Why?” I give in and ask.
“No reason.”
“Ha! Yes, there is. You won’t meet my gaze, which tells me you’re hiding something.” I wiggle my finger as I move toward her. “You figured out what I’ve just been up to, which was mortifying by the way, so spill.”
Her cheeks are rosy when she turns and faces me. “I have it on good authority that the Scotts will be there.”
I snort with laughter. “The animal doctors.” Wiggling my brows, I hip bump her. “Whom do you have your eyes on?”
“That would be giving you too much information.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Are you kidding me? After—” I wave my hands toward the back of the store.
“May I remind you, that the only reason I know what went on back there is because I guessed.”
“Oh, shut up. I’d have told you anyway.”
Secret Love in Blossom Creek Page 2
