Hooked on You

by Cathryn Fox

  “Just browsing,” Kira says. I follow her around the store and find myself looking at her, a sight far more interesting, in my opinion. She has the smallest smile on her face as she browses, and once she’s taken in every painting, pondered each a moment, she gives a little finger wave to the owner.

  Outside, we walk some more, go past the distillery, and then toward the wharfs. “Maybe I should have taken Doug up on the ride. I forgot how much I loved this place,” she says.

  “It’s not too late.”

  “Maybe another time.”

  “Want to head to the city?” She nods, and we walk past the fisheries museum and back to our vehicles parked at the cemetery. “Do you want to take your car back home first, or we can pick it up later. I’m sure it’s safe here.”

  “Later,” she says and climbs into the cab of my truck. As I maneuver through the town, until we reach the highway, she pulls her phone from her purse. “Do you think we could visit Dalhousie University’s campus?”

  “Sure. We can do whatever you want.”

  “I don’t want to bore you, but I’d love to meet up with a colleague I’ve been exchanging emails with.”

  “You never bore me, but how about this—you go check out the university with this colleague, and I’ll go run some errands. I might even get a haircut.” While she’s touring, I’ll have the opportunity to talk to my lawyer face-to-face.

  I turn the heat up and flick on the radio as we drive. Kira looks off into the distance. What is going through that pretty head of hers? I leave her in peace. This morning was hard on her.

  “I can’t believe you’re going to participate in the auction,” she finally says. Ah, so that’s where her thoughts have been.

  “Apparently, it’s causing quite a shakeup,” I inform her.

  “Really?”

  “There are a lot of wealthy widowed women in the area, and they’re all eager to help out Gram, although rumor has it that’s not the only reason.” I give her a wink. “I think it’s actually going to bring in good money.”

  “You know I can’t really stay, right? I mean, I only said I’d consider it because Sam looked like he was going to cry.”

  “I know. I didn’t want to break his heart, either. He had a special bond with Gram, and I think he just needs to do this, they all do. In the end, Kira, I don’t think they’re going to raise enough to put a down payment on the place. I mean, how high are the women really willing to bid on a bunch of crusty fishermen?”

  She laughs at that, and I’m glad that I made her smile. “They can put the money toward something else for the town. I don’t think we can save Gram’s place, but I have to let them do this. Maybe they need it for their own closure.” A pause and then, “I’ll talk to the mayor about the funds raised. I’m sure they can be used for the town somehow.”

  “It will all work out in the end, Kira. It always does, and we’ll all be where we’re supposed to be.”

  “You sound like Gram. She used to say something similar.” She sits back in her seat and stares out the window, and we make the forty-five-minute trek to Halifax. Once we arrive, I head to the first Starbucks I see, and her eyes go wide as I pull up to the drive-through window.

  “Can I take your order?” a girl says through the speaker.

  “A grande mocha latte, and a grande dark roast,” I say, and Kira practically squeals beside me.

  “You remembered.”

  “I remembered,” I say, and take in her soft, appreciative smile. My pulse hammers a little harder in my neck. It breaks my fucking heart that she never got to say goodbye to her grandmother. A latte to brighten her day is the least I could do. She deserves that, and so much more.

  I’m just not the guy who can give her more—and that’s something I keep having to remind myself. I meant everything I said at the graveyard. And a woman like Kira needs a better man than me. I still have no idea why she’s off relationships. She’s a precious commodity, and someone should have snatched her up ages ago. But the thought of her with another man doesn’t sit right with me. Hell, I nearly went caveman on Sam when he was joking around with her at the pumpkin races. The sight of her lying on top of him roused the jealous beast in me, which is fucking insane. Sam was only playing, and what’s between Kira and me is physical only.

  Bullshit.

  Heart beating a little faster, I head to the drive-thru window, pay for our coffee, and hand Kira hers. She breathes in the scent.

  “Nate,” she moans, and my dick tightens. “Oh my God, Nate.”

  “Ah, Kira, can you not moan like that?”

  “Why?” I tug on my pants before I rupture something, and she chuckles. “Oops, sorry.”

  “I am glad you’re enjoying it, though.”

  “I guess you did know what I needed.” She shifts in her seat and brushes my hair back from my face. I’ve been busy working and hanging out with Kira that I haven’t had a chance to cut it.

  “Your hair is getting long. I like it,” she says.

  “I thought you’d prefer a clean-cut kind of guy.”

  “Usually, but this…” She twirls her finger in my hair. “It’s kind of sexy on you.”

  “Sexy?”

  “I think you’ll bring in a lot of money from the auction.”

  “Please bid on me,” I say and give her my best sad puppy dog look, but all I get in return is a laugh.

  “And deny all those women a chance? No way.”

  “I take back what I said to Gram. You’re evil.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I turn my attention back to the streets when the light goes green. I sip my latte, and she savors hers as I pull up in front of the campus.

  “It’s huge,” she murmurs.

  “You’ll be okay, or do you want me to come with you?”

  “I’m a big girl. I’ve got this.”

  “I know you do. Text me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up right at this spot.” I lean into her and place my lips on hers. From her expression, she, too, is surprised at the public display of affection. I’m not sure what possessed me to kiss her, other than I just wanted to. But kissing each other hello and goodbye isn’t something people in a sex-only relationship do, right? It’s something people do when they’re invested in the other—physically and emotionally.

  Jesus, I’m fucked.

  She exits the car, and I stare after her until she disappears into the building. I put the vehicle back in gear and head to Pratt and Whitney law office. I circle the small lot until I find a place to park and take the elevator to the twelfth floor. A middle-aged woman sitting behind the receptionist counter invites me to have a seat, as Oliver is currently in a meeting.

  Close to forty-five minutes later, the receptionist ushers me into his office. The smell of leather and old books fills my senses as Oliver stands, smooths his tie, and gives me a firm handshake.

  “Nate, what brings you into the city today?” He gestures to the leather chair, and I sit across from him.

  “Just had some things to do and thought I’d check on progress.”

  He opens a file, takes his time to read through it, and finally says, “I can’t say the news is good.”

  Shit.

  I rub my damp palms on my pants. “Still can’t find the owner?” I could always ask around town, but I don’t want to raise suspicion. Rumors start pretty fast in small towns where the folks are already suspicious and worried about their jobs.

  “Worse. The owner filed papers with the Lunenburg Heritage Society. If it goes through, you won’t be able to touch the property.”

  I sit up a little straighter. “How do we keep that from happening?”

  “Not easily. I know a guy who knows a guy at the Society. I’m trying to dig up information on the owner and to put a stop to this. Right now, our hands are tied. The committee meets the first Sunday of every month, and we shoul
d find out more then.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. If we can’t break ground within the next couple of weeks, the project will stall until spring. While I’d like to go to the meeting personally, I don’t want to raise any flags with my presence. We’ve been hush-hush on our expansion plans for a reason partly because we don’t want the town up in arms, and because if we can’t secure the land, we can’t move forward.

  “We need to find the owner and throw more money at him.” I pick up a notepad and pen from his desk and scribble a price on it. I slide it across the table, and Oliver’s brow rises. “Everyone has a price.”

  “I’ll do what I can. We should have more information after the meeting in December,” Oliver says. He stands and checks his watch. “I don’t mean to rush you, but I have an appointment.”

  I stand, shake his hand, and head outside. My phone rings and I pull it from my pocket, expecting it to be Kira, but I curse under my breath when caller ID informs me it’s my oldest brother. I shove the phone back into my pocket and jump into my truck. I head to the downtown core, and when I finally get a text from Kira, I make my way to the campus.

  I park, climb from the cab, and lean against the passenger side as I wait for her. Crossing my legs at my ankles, I scan the crowd, and my heart beats that much faster when I find her coming my way. Waving, she hurries to me, a huge smile on her face. Her happy mood is the polar opposite of mine, but the second she reaches me, throws her arms around me in a hug, and says, “I had such a great time. Khloe is amazing. She’s going to visit us tomorrow,” a lot of the frustration melts away.

  Which isn’t good. Not good at all. Holding Kira in my arms shouldn’t make all my problems disappear into the ether. But goddammit if that isn’t exactly what it does.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kira

  Outside in the driveway, gravel crunches beneath tires, and I glance out the window to see that it’s Khloe pulling up. I hurry to the back door to open it for her and tug my sweater around my waist. My smile falls as she darts toward me like the devil himself is chasing her.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask when I see the worry on her face.

  She glances over her shoulder. “I think there’s a cow following me. She doesn’t seem very happy.”

  I laugh at that and usher her in. “That’s just Bridgette. She’s in love with Nate,” I say, matter-of-fact, and a part of me can’t believe how this all seems so normal now. “She doesn’t like it when strange females come around.” I was lucky enough that she took to me and didn’t chase me away.

  Khloe tugs her hat off and shakes out her gorgeous red hair. “Ah, am I in the Twilight Zone or something because nothing you said makes sense to me.”

  “I thought so at first, too,” I say, and then go on to explain about Bridgette’s crush.

  “I definitely need to meet this Nate guy,” she says.

  “Did someone just say my name?” Nate asks as he comes around the corner, tugging on his jacket.

  “Nate, this is Khloe. I told you all about her yesterday.”

  Nate smiles and reaches for her hand.

  “I heard all about you, too,” Khloe says.

  Nate arches a brow. “Oh yeah? What have you heard?”

  I roll my eyes. “He’s always fishing for compliments.”

  Sam comes skidding into the kitchen. “Who heard about who…whoa,” he says when his gaze lands on Khloe. “How come I haven’t heard about you?”

  “You must be Sam,” Khloe says with a laugh.

  Sam scratches his head. “Wait, how come you know me, and I don’t know you?”

  “Sam, this is Khloe. She’s a grad student at Dalhousie working on developing quantum computers.”

  Sam scratched his head. “Damn, I knew I should have paid better attention in school.”

  Khloe chuckles. “It’s nice to meet you, Sam.”

  Sam steps closer to her. “We’re out of rooms in this B&B,” he says. “But since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll let you share mine.”

  “Oh my God, you weren’t kidding,” Khloe says, as she adjusts her glasses and we all laugh.

  “Ignore him,” I say. “Come on, let me show you what I’ve been working on.”

  I brush up against Nate as we pass, and he says, “I’m headed out on a few errands. Need anything?”

  My heart jumps in my chest. I’m always so used to doing things on my own, and I’ve never had anyone think about me the way Nate does.

  “No, I’m good. We’re going to head to town in a little while anyway.”

  “Careful driving. Temperatures dropped last night, and we’re supposed to get a light dusting today. Lots of ice around.”

  I nod, and Khloe follows me into my small den. “That’s Nate?” she whispers. “I mean, you said he was good-looking, but seriously…” She shakes her hand like it’s on fire. “Hot.” I blush, unable to help myself. “Are you two, well it’s obvious you’re sleeping together—”

  My body stiffens. “It is?”

  “Ah, yeah. But is there more going on?”

  “No,” I say quickly, maybe a little too quickly, judging by the dubious look on Khloe’s face. Nate and I are not a thing, we’re just having sex, and it comes with a timeline. I redirect the conversation by booting up my computer. For the next hour, we review my research and don’t look up until Sam pokes his head in.

  “Jason and I are headed to the fish shack. You guys want to join us?”

  I glance at my friend. “Khloe?”

  “Sure. I could use a bite.”

  Oh no! As soon as she says it, my gaze flashes to Sam, grinning as he hovers in the doorway. No way is he going to let that go.

  “Wouldn’t you know it. Biting is my specialty,” Sam jokes. “Just let me know when and where.”

  “How many women have you picked up with that line, Sam?” Khloe asks, her green eyes sparkling, but it’s easy to tell she likes him.

  He arches a hopeful brow. “One?”

  She folds her arms. “Try again.”

  “Zero?”

  “Bingo,” Khloe says, and Sam hangs his head, and honest to God, he couldn’t look any more adorable if he tried.

  “Don’t worry, Sam. I still love you.” I say.

  “Yeah, only because I’m your brother and you have to.”

  “Wait, what?” Khloe asks, glancing back and forth between the two of us.

  “Twilight Zone,” I say like that explains everything, and Khloe just nods.

  I power down my laptop, and Khloe asks, “Hey Sam, how do you feel about getting your hands dirty?”

  Grinning, he opens his mouth, and she holds her palm out to stop him before he comes back with something crude. I can’t help but think he might have met his match in Khloe.

  “I’m asking because I need to get gas on my way home, and my fuel cap keeps sticking. Would you be able to loosen it for me? I won’t make it home if I don’t fill up first.”

  “Well, if you get stuck, the offer to share my room is still open. Black Friday is coming up, and I’m having a sale. Clothing, one hundred percent off.”

  Khloe shakes her head. “How long have you been waiting to use that one?”

  “All fucking year.”

  “Worth it. It’s pretty funny.”

  Sam grins. “Does that mean you’ve decided to stay?”

  “Gas tank, Sam,” she says.

  “Right.” Khloe tugs her coat on. “Speaking of gas, I think they should show porn clips at the pumps,” he begins, and I chuckle as they disappear outside. Once I get everything powered down, I grab my purse and coat and head out to meet them. It’s cold, but the sunshine warms my body and my soul.

  “Was he able to loosen it?” I ask.

  Sam flexes. “What do you think?”

  As Khloe rolls her eyes, I lift my face to the
sun. “Let’s walk,” I suggest. “Wait, where’s Jason?”

  “Meeting us there. It would be my honor to escort you two beautiful women,” he says, holding his arms out for us to take them. He takes a step toward us, and the next thing we know, he’s flat out on his back.

  “Motherfucker,” he mumbles.

  “You okay down there?” Khloe asks and leans over him, but her feet go out from underneath her, too. She lands on him, and he slides his arms around her body.

  “I am now,” he says.

  “I leave the house for one hour, and this happens?” Nate says, coming around the corner.

  I smile when his eyes meet mine. “Careful. It’s icy.”

  “I bought salt,” he says and gestures toward his car. “You okay?”

  “I am, but not too sure about these two,” I say and glance at Sam and Khloe. Neither one of them appears to be in a hurry to move.

  “Hang on. Don’t move, Kira.” Nate disappears for a second and comes back with the bag of salt. He helps Sam and Khloe to their feet and sprinkles the walkway.

  “We were just headed to lunch. Join us?” I ask.

  He shrugs, and ignoring his ringing phone, says, “Sure.”

  We leave the driveway, and Nate and Sam walk behind us. Khloe puts her arm through mine and whispers, “What’s Sam’s story?”

  “To be honest, I don’t know. He’s funny and really sweet, but his personal life. He never really talks.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Do you mean, interested?”

  She chuckles. “Maybe.”

  We stroll toward the waterfront, and I spot Chester and Edna making their way toward Hazel’s coffee emporium. Her coffee is good, but I haven’t been able to convince her to add a mocha latte to the menu. She’s weakening, though, and if she does decide to buy the machine to make them, I’ll have everything I need and never have to leave Lunenburg again. Wait, what?

  “When I was young, I used to come here for ice cream with Mom, Dad, and my brother Peter.” Khloe laughs and looks off into the distance as if she’s recalling those times. “Mom said Pearl’s had the best ice cream around. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but I think it was the drive and the family time with the ocean in the backdrop as we chowed down that drew her.”