Unexpectedly You (10 page)

“You mean
we
have plans tonight.”

She cursed under her breath. “I’m having friends over. It’s our monthly book club.”

“A book club? How very mature.” Amusement filled his eyes.

“Good, then we agree it’s not your thing.”

“Wrong. I love books.”

Liar
.

“You got your hair done.” His eyes narrowed and his gaze trickled down her body, stopping at strategic spots and leaving no doubt as to what was on his mind. “Is Bruin coming?”

“Yes.” The heat of his gaze left cinders in its path, scorching her skin where his eyes touched. She was suddenly self-conscious of the change to her appearance. Did he think she was trying to look good for David?

He clenched his jaw. “Perfect. This should be interesting.”

She gripped the banister. “If you don’t mind, I’m going up to change. Why don’t you make yourself useful and start the grill. Do you think you can handle that?”

“I can handle whatever you dish out.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Emma.”

She was halfway up the stairs when his voice called out. She looked down at his intense gaze. “What?”

“You look beautiful.”

She expelled a short breath, her heart hammering against her chest, before she floated the rest of the way up.

* * *

In her bedroom, Emma called herself every name in the book for being so effected by Mitch’s compliments. She had to remember he was playing a role. It was all for show to benefit him.

So why was her heart knocking against her ribs? And why, when she studied her face in her armoire’s full-length mirror, was her complexion flushed a coral pink?

Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.

How was she going to pull this off? She wouldn’t get the chance to talk with David in private with Mitch here. She knew Mitch would be watching their interaction. He’d expect her to use tonight as an opportunity to get David on board with his plans.

But there was no way she’d be able to pull one over on David without inciting suspicion. Not when he knew firsthand how hard she’d worked the past six months to stand in Mitch’s way.

Ripping open the resale boutique shopping bag, she brushed her fingers across the silky yellow fabric of the cotton sweater she’d bought. She’d gotten to be quite good at bargain shopping. She knew the sweater would look awesome paired with the cream-colored slacks Lorraine had given her for Christmas.

In the bathroom, she spurt a nickel-sized amount of foundation and smoothed it over her face before applying nude lip gloss. She grabbed a hairbrush but held it in midair, her gaze stuck on her reflection.

What am I doing?

Like a yo-yo, her gaze went from her reflection to her bedside table and back to the mirror as she fought the despair that had plagued her since Stefan died.

With leaded foot, she made her way to the bed and picked up the silver-plated frame. She caressed the lines on her husband’s gaunt face. The photo, taken a few weeks into his treatment, was of their last Christmas together. The goofy, lopsided tree Sammy had picked out poked its tinseled spine behind Stefan’s smiling face.

Her eyes welled with tears as she held the photo against her heart.

I’m still here
,
where you left me.

Her husband had only one thing on his wish list that Christmas. Stefan had made her promise him that she wouldn’t let his death stop her from living high, laughing hard and, one day, even loving deeply again. But she’d been such a coward.

Her throat tightened and her heart contracted with a different kind of pain, a hollow kind that stole her breath.

Her fingers trembled as she replaced the frame. She sighed deeply and started toward the closet to change her outfit but stopped short when Bogie barked by the door. She quickly wiped the tears from her face.

Chapter Eleven

Outside on the porch, Mitch leaned back against a vine-covered pillar and observed his crew’s handiwork. The wooden shutters around the windows shone clean and bright with new paint. The cedar siding on the southwest corner of the home had taken a beating from the gusty winds whipping in from Canada. More than a few of the shingles had warped. He’d replaced them and asked Nestor to power-wash the exterior. Mitch admired the way it gleamed proud against the crimson sunset.

He was sure Emma hadn’t noticed the changes yet. He’d give up beer for a year to see again the shocked expression on her face when he’d boldly stood naked in her bathroom. He grinned. He had to give it to her, she hadn’t been as rattled as he’d anticipated. He hadn’t intended to surprise her with his presence, but Dorinda had been unable to reach her and finally took pity on him when he came back in the store and begged her to let him have a hot shower to get rid of the grease. He was sure she’d give Dorinda an earful from her surprised eyeful.

When a car pulled up, Mitch plastered a ready smile until he recognized David Bruin. From the look on Bruin’s face, the building official wasn’t excited to see him either.

“McKenna, what are you doing here?”

“Same reason you’re here.”

Disbelief flashed on David’s face. Though they exchanged the obligatory handshake, Mitch knew it was less a greeting and more a feral baring-of-teeth warning for him to get off what David Bruin perceived to be his turf.

David squinted, his face contorting into a grimace. “Where’s Emma?”

“She’s upstairs getting changed.”

As he had expected, the intimacy implied in his answer earned him another constipated expression. “I didn’t realize you and Emma were...friends.”

Mitch smiled. “Imagine that.”

“I didn’t take you for a book-lover either.”

“Oh, yeah? Why not?”

David looked sheepish. “You just don’t look the type.”

“Even trailer-park boys read books.”

David shoved his hands into his back pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. “I hear you’re getting to be quite the celebrity around town.”

“How’s that?”

“I’ve received more than a few calls today regarding your new plans for the site. I was surprised, to be honest, that some of our folks are warming up to the idea of an upscale condominium complex on Mrs. Madsen’s old property. Then again, your rock star status may change if they realize what you propose if your plans don’t get approved.”

Mitch kept his face impassive, even though his heart rate surged up a knot. “The revised plans I provided you have significant changes from the original. I gave in on some very important concessions the task force had asked for. There should be no reason why the plans don’t get approved.”

“I haven’t had a chance to review it. In any case, this isn’t the place to discuss it. As you know, Emma’s not so big on the idea.”

“I think you may be wrong on that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think she’s warming up to the idea of having me as a neighbor.”

An angry red blotch stained David’s cheeks. “Neighbor? You’re not seriously planning on living here? I thought this was strictly a business investment for you.”

He regarded Bruin with a pointed look. The man was probably hoping he’d build his project and get the hell out of Bella Del Mar so he’d have a free path to Emma. The intention on Bruin’s face was as plain as day.

“It sounds to me like that’s what you’re hoping I do. Now why do you suppose that is?”

Their gazes locked until they both heard the door open and, in a split second, Bruin’s face softened like a gummy bear. “Em, my God, you look amazing. I love the new hairstyle.”

Emma grinned and ran her fingers down her silken-smooth hair. The stylish cut lifted the heavy veil off her face and heighted her youthful features. Mitch had a hard time believing she had a seventeen-year-old daughter.

Especially when she was blushing like a teenager.

“Lorraine’s a miracle worker. You don’t think it’s too much of a change?”

“I thought you were lovely before, but now, my God, you are breathtaking. Why the change?”

The flirty interplay grated on Mitch’s nerves, especially since Emma had still to acknowledge his presence.

She shrugged. “It was time for a change.”

“Maybe the sunshine teased out your wild side,” Mitch interjected, finally earning him a direct look from her.

Bruin was right, Emma looked stunning. His eyes trailed down her chosen outfit. The pale, yellow sweater brought out her hair’s rich, darkened hue and the golden flecks in her eyes. The square neckline barely contained what truly was a gift to mankind, and matched with slacks that hinted at the shapely curves, she looked good enough to eat. His mouth dried like he’d just sucked on a bowl of sawdust. It was her expression, though, that had him wanting to bolt and drive as fast as he could the other way. He recognized the look. Hell, he’d recognize it even if he were blind. It was primal, sexual, and it nearly buckled his knees.

Adrenaline circumvented his brain and pumped directly into his dick. He felt the familiar tingle and knew he was seconds away from having an embarrassing and unwanted erection.

David snickered. “Emma doesn’t have a wild side. Except, of course, during Pirate Fest when she gets up on—”

She cleared her throat. “Um, why don’t we wait for the rest of the gang inside? It’s a bit chilly out here.”

David smiled at Emma. “After you. The sun went down, and we’re back to the cold.”

With their back to him, Mitch adjusted his jeans until he was sure he was decent or at least less noticeable. Sweat formed on his upper lip.

In the family room, David made himself comfortable on the couch, propping his feet on the coffee table and stretching his arms wide like a peacock. “I came a bit early when I got your cryptic voice mail. It sounded serious. I was hoping we’d get a chance to talk before everyone got here.” The not-so-subtle hint that Mitch’s early arrival was surprising and unwelcome.

“I didn’t have far to go,” Mitch said, his tone suggestive.

Emma’s eyes widened and she shot him a warning look.

David forehead crinkled in confusion, his gaze moving from him to Emma. “I guess that’s true.”

Mitch grinned and shrugged, his hands in his pockets as he studied Emma’s flushed face.

“I could use a drink. Can I get you guys anything?” Her voice sounded hoarse.

David smacked his hands against his thighs and then jumped up. “You still have that bottle of Pinot Noir from our wine-tasting trip last summer? Let’s open that. Do you remember that guy we met at the winery...” His voice trailed off as they headed to the kitchen, leaving Mitch alone in the family room.

Mitch swallowed a chuckle. This was going to be a blast.

* * *

Exhausted, exhilarated and with her head about to explode, Emma stared at the three empty bottles of wine and about a half dozen spent beer bottles on the coffee table. She peeked over at Mitch, who was boldly studying her, as he’d done most of the night. She hugged her knees tight against her chest.

There was no use denying it. She had feelings for Mitch, and it terrified and excited her at the same time. Despite her best effort to remain immune to his charm, she knew she’d failed. The energy humming inside her chest flared hot every time she turned and found his gaze on her. Did everyone else notice the tension in the air or was it just in her mind?

Other than the forced interactions with David, she watched him blend naturally with her friends and tried not to laugh when he almost dropped David’s steak on the floor in his haste to get it off the grill and on his plate. It would have served David right. He hadn’t stopped with his ’em, what about the time we did this’ crap, obviously to make Mitch feel like an outsider. It wasn’t long before everyone else noticed what he was doing and maneuvered the conversations elsewhere.

Nonetheless, David’s petty attempt to alienate Mitch had Emma’s shoulders cramped in a painful knot. She worried Mitch would lose his patience and snap, thereby making it that much harder for her to convince David to be on his side. But Mitch’s expression never wavered from amusement.

But because she’d been on the other end of his fury many times, she recognized the strain around his eyes and the angry way he clenched his jaw.

Emma looked around the room at her group of close friends. Jack had one of his elusive nights off from the Surf & Sand. He sat next to her on the woolly rug, his legs stretched out and a bottle of Pabst Blue Ribbon in his hand. Lorraine and Dorinda were stretched out on the couch behind them, while David sat across on the rocking chair. Mitch stood by the fireplace, maybe wanting to be somewhat separated from the group.

With everyone satiated and with the fire crackling, Lorraine asked the question that was on everyone’s mind. “Mitch, where you been all my life? You planning on staying around after your project’s done, right? Because I love a man who can grill a mean steak.”

Mitch’s eyes crinkled at the corners. He slugged a mouthful of beer before answering. “I’ve been right here.”

“No, really, where are your folks from?” Lorraine persisted.

Emma sipped her cabernet and observed Mitch from beneath her lashes. Would he choose to avert the question? She’d figured out he didn’t like to talk about himself or his family.

“I grew up in Bandon, just south of here. My father and my brother still live there.”

“You have a brother? Is he older or younger?” Lorraine asked.

“Who cares? Is he single?” Dorinda chimed in.

“Down, ladies, please. Give the rest of us locals a chance.” Jack laughed and toasted Emma with his glass.

“Sorry, ladies. Shane’s divorced and has sworn off relationships. Besides, he’s out on his rig more than he’s on land anyway, so I doubt he’s on anyone’s top list of eligible bachelors,” Mitch said.

Lorraine frowned. “What does he do?”

Mitch downed the rest of his beer. “He owns McKenna’s Deep Water Charters.”

“No shit,” Jack said. “Heard of that operation from some of our customers who have gone out on charters. Came back with some serious catch. Nice. Didn’t know he was your brother.”

David cleared his throat. “Is that where you’re headed once you’re done here? Back to Bandon?”

Mitch expelled a long breath before turning his focus on Emma. “Maybe.”

Emma’s heart thundered and she averted Mitch’s pointed look by staring into the smoldering flame.

Lorraine’s singsong voice filled the air. “If you need something to convince you to stay, I’d suggest indulging in our favorite pastime.”

Leave it to Lorraine to ignore subtlety and go straight for the throat. Emma turned her head to face her friend, hoping her telepathic message to shut up came through loud and clear.

A long silence filled the air before Mitch chuckled. “I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but we have that pastime in Bandon too.”

Emma groaned inside.

Lorraine laughed, a mischievous belly laugh Emma recognized that meant her friend had had one too many glasses of wine. “Not that pastime, but I bet that might do the trick as well.” When she’d managed to catch a breath, she continued, “I’m referring to beachcombing. There are jewels, one-of-a-kind gems out there buried deep in our sand. You might just get lucky and find the one you’ve been searching for.”

David rolled his eyes. Instead of commenting, he leaned in toward Mitch, his expression smug. “What’s the story with the mug shot? Did you really get arrested?”

David’s question quieted the room.

“I did. It was a long time ago.”

“What was the charge?” Apparently, David was on a mission to ruin the evening.

After a lengthy silence, Emma forced a laugh, the effort painful. “To be fair to Mitch, why don’t we switch the subject from him to the plans for this weekend?” Her words suspended the staring match between the two men. “Jack, you still need me to help out, right?”

“If you can, that’d be great,” Jack said before turning to David. “You think you gonna win again this year or are we going to get someone to challenge you?”

David smirked. “I’m a sure bet, my friend.”

Emma’s gaze moved from David, who had a smirk on his face, to Mitch, who simply raised a brow. “David has been the logrolling champion for the last two years,” she explained, realizing Mitch didn’t know the subtext of Jack’s challenge.

“Three years,” David corrected and then turned to Mitch. “Years of surfing have honed my skills.”

“What about Sammy? Will she be back from San Diego? How will she get to the festival if you’re not around?” Lorraine asked, adeptly changing the subject.

“She’s not sure what time she’ll be back, but she can always catch a ride with one of her girlfriends.”

“Sammy is growing up right before our eyes. I bet she’ll turn into a hot babe, like her mother. Boys will be tripping over themselves to take her out,” Jack said.

Heat rose up her neck. “Why, thank you, but unlike her
mother
at that age, I rather prefer Sammy focus on school rather than boys.”

Dorinda laughed. “Girls grow up so fast nowadays, but Sammy’s always been so shy around boys. Poor kid.”

Lorraine rubbed her hands together. “This weekend should be very interesting. Mitch, are you planning on joining us?”

Emma’s gaze flew to Mitch’s face. She hadn’t thought to ask him to go. By the weekend, she was hoping David would have already made up his mind and their deal would be over.

“My brother and I are one of the sponsors for the event. So, I’ll be there.”

“You’re a sponsor?” Emma asked.

Mitch gave her one of his crooked grins. “That’s right. Don’t sound so surprised. It’s good exposure for Shane’s business and positive press for me. For a change,” he added, causing her to look away awkwardly before she straightened.

Taking Mitch’s cue, the rest of the group unwound from their respective nooks.

David offered Emma his hand. “Here, let me help you. What time should I pick you up on Saturday morning?”

“You’re picking me up?” She glanced awkwardly at everyone, whose eyes were strategically averted.