“It’s the dogs. What I do is simple. It’s the animals that rise to the occasion and show me how dedicated and special they are.” He shrugged. “What about you? How do you like your new job?”
She finished chewing, swallowed, and pointed her chopsticks at him. “I’m really enjoying it. I adore educating tourists about our community, and the support from the businesses has surprised me. I’m working on a secret project right now that I’m excited about, and can’t wait until everyone learns about it.”
“Hm.” He wiggled his brows. “A woman of mystery. I might have to see if I can convince you to share what you’re doing.”
She grinned and shook her head. The whole time she’d dreamed up a way to bring revenue to the town there was only one person she’s wanted to share the idea with — Grayson. Now that he’d agreed to help her, she was reluctant to share their secret.
“So, have you ever been to the country club?” She leaned back in her chair and pushed her plate away.
“No, I haven’t.” He wiped his mouth on a paper napkin from the bag. “You’ll have to direct me on what to wear. Is it suit and tie only?”
She nodded. “I think so. It’ll be best if we dress up, and not take the chance of them turning us away.”
They made small talk while John finished his dinner and then handed her a fortune cookie. She groaned, holding her stomach. They’d devoured the food, and she was beyond full.
“Go on. If you don’t eat the cookie, the fortune won’t come true.” John cracked his cookie open and pulled out the tiny slip of paper. “Your days are looking brighter.” He grinned. “Perfect. I’ve gotta believe that has to do with you. Now read yours.”
As soon as Shauna opened the wrapper, the cookie crumbled all over her lap and onto the floor. She snorted. “This isn’t boding well, is it?”
“Nah, that’s salt. You’re safe,” he said.
She leaned over and picked up her fortune. “Mine says … the truth lies deep in your heart.”
Horrible, soul draining regret flooded her. Her hands shook as she brushed the pieces of cookie into her palm and stood up to dump them in the garbage. She couldn’t eat another bite. Her throat had closed and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Any moment she expected a bolt of lightning to strike her dead.
She hated the way Grayson instantly entered her thoughts. He’d made it clear that she wasn’t woman enough for her. Her chest tightened and she forced air into her lungs. Fear of turning into her mother almost brought her to her knees.
I am not like her. I’m not.
What was she doing? The dinner with John was pleasant. He was attentive and smart and he had a zest for life that was apparent in everything he did.
Their conversation over dinner had been buoyant as they’d discussed their jobs, their goals, and teased each other, both skirting around the chance to grow more intimate. Still, Shauna couldn’t shake the odd feeling at the pit of her stomach that something wasn’t right.
The restlessness wasn’t coming from John, but her. She was trying too hard to forget what she already knew. She loved Grayson.
John stifled a yawn. “Let me help you do dishes, and then I better get home. I hadn’t planned to stay long, and I know we both have to work tomorrow. Is it okay if I pick you up at six o’clock on Saturday?”
“Sure. That’ll give me time to do some shopping I’ve been putting off.” She turned around and smiled. “I’m glad you came over, and I can’t wait to go to the country club with you.”
“Are you sure?” He set his plate on the counter, and studied her. “I’m not going too fast, am I? I’m sorta out of practice. I haven’t dated much the last couple of years while I was getting my business set up.”
“You’re doing everything right.” She patted his chest. “Don’t worry about the dishes. We only dirtied two plates. I can throw them in the dishwasher myself.”
She followed him to the front door and smiled when he turned around. He grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her fingers. When she didn’t protest, he pulled her close, holding her against his body. She still didn’t make any move to stop him as he lowered his lips to hers for a kiss.
By the time she pushed away all her doubts and concentrated on whom she was kissing, John pulled back. Breathless and shocked over kissing someone else when her mind was on Grayson, she put her fingers to her lips. “I’ll see you Saturday.” John leaned over and kissed her forehead before walking down the pathway to his car.
She stood in the doorway, watching him get in the vehicle and drive away. More confused than ever, she turned to go back in the house when the loud growl of a motorcycle roared down the street. She stepped forward, excitement filling her more than any kiss. The only person she knew that drove a motorcycle was Grayson.
A young man she didn’t recognize rode past the house. She sighed, disappointed. Of course it wasn’t Grayson. He was probably in bed with Stephanie, not even caring if she was dating John.
The long week Shauna suffered through accounted for the two empty glasses sitting in front of her. She tapped her fingers along with the music playing at the Quayside, and smiled over the crowd, half listening to Kate describe a rather kinky night of sex with Jackson.
“ … then the park ranger knocked on the window, and I thought Jackson was going to have a heart attack.” Kate wiped the corner of her eye. “Of course, Jackson’s body was covering me but his white ass was blocking the window.”
Shauna leaned forward. “Sex in the car? How high schoolish.”
“Hey, don’t knock it, mean girl.” Kate waved Gretchen, the waitress, over. “Another round of the same, please.”
“Sure thing, girls.” Gretchen eyed Shauna and crossed her arms. “You know, your message is still in the men’s restroom.”
“My what?” Shauna frowned.
“Call Shauna for a good time … over the second urinal.” Gretchen grinned. “You should’ve seen all the messages that the men started writing underneath.”
“Oh God.” She covered her cheeks. “I forgot all about that.”
“What did they write?” Kate leaned forward. “Maybe we should go in there and have us a laugh.”
Gretchen shook her head. “Too late. Grayson finally noticed the message a few years ago and hired a paint crew to come in and clean it up. Although, he gave strict orders not to cover your original message. Curious, huh? I wonder why he did that?” Gretchen shook her head and walked away without waiting for an answer.
“Why would he do that?” Shauna turned to her friends. She’d snuck into the men’s room, hoping Grayson would read the message but he’d left without going in there. Then she’d forgotten all about vandalizing the restroom.
Diana shrugged. “Does it matter? I thought you were all quivery for John.”
“Yeah. Forget about Grayson. Let’s dish John.” Kate pinned Diana with a look.
“Okay, I’ll ask. When are you planning on jumping in bed with John?” Diana whispered, but Shauna was sure everyone within a ten-foot radius could hear her.
“I-I don’t know.” She lifted her glass, remembered it was empty, and laughed self-consciously. Her vision blurred and she blinked. She probably shouldn’t have skipped lunch, because she was feeling good from the drinks she’d consumed. “I’m not even sure what the rules are for this type of thing. Third date, third week … I don’t even own a box of condoms.”
Kate reached over and patted her hand. “You’re worrying too much. John’s a responsible guy. He’ll have everything you need, and will make you comfortable. Although, you might not want to mention you’re a virgin too far in advance. That tends to scare a guy off.”
She folded her arms on the table and buried her head. “I should’ve lost my virginity in college with the rest of you.”
“College? Try senior year of high school. That’s how I kept Jackson happy,” Kate said. “I think we all need another drink if we’re turning this into sex talk.”
“We sure do. I’m going to the bar to see what’s taking so long.” Diana stood up and quickly left the table.
“Listen, hon.” Kate tugged Shauna’s hair and waited for her to sit back up. “It’s not something to be embarrassed about. You’ve spent the last five years finishing college and getting work experience. You’re driven. Everyone who knows you understands how sweet you are. You don’t fool around with people’s feelings. He’ll understand, and be happy to show you the ins and outs of sex. Besides, you need to get laid. You’re entering nun status. I’m afraid the next thing you’ll be doing is buying a cat. Don’t turn into a cat woman.”
“Promise me that you’ll shoot me first.” Shauna groaned and held up her hand. “Never mind. I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. I’m going to keep on believing that I’m so damn sexy, some man is going to think he won the lottery when I finally spread my legs and show him what I got. Besides, I haven’t been burdened in any way by not sleeping with anyone.”
“Probably not, but once you start there’ll be no stopping you.” Kate nodded. “Sex is better than thigh-high boots.”
“Mm.” Shauna grinned. “Maybe we need dessert. I’m hungry, and these drinks are going to my head. I’m about ready to get up and dance.”
“Lord help us.” Diana returned with a tray full of drinks. “Here, drink another one before you get out there and shake your thang. You’ll thank me in the morning.”
Instead of removing the straw, Shauna sucked at least half the contents up and sat back, smiling. “Have I ever told you both how much I love our nights out? You’re the bright spot in my life. I’m gonna be friends with you forever.”
“You’re dangerous when you’re drunk.” Kate leaned over and threw her arms around Shauna’s shoulders. “If I were a lesbian, I’d take your virginity.”
“I would too.” Diana drew a cross in the area over her heart with her finger. “Okay, if we’re all talking about some hidden sexual desire involving the opposite sex, that’s a sign that we’ve already drank too much. We’re going to have to figure out how we’re getting home. I’m not driving.”
“Got it covered.” Kate grinned. “I already called Jackson after the last round of drinks, and he’s coming to pick us up soon.”
Suddenly her two friends grew silent, and Shauna glanced from one to the other, then followed their gaze to find out what had caused them to stop all conversation. Grayson filled her vision. Afraid he’d caught her frozen in shock, she raised her glass in the air.
“Hey you, just in time.” She downed the rest of the drink and clunked the glass on the table. “Next round is yours.”
Grayson frowned, looking at the empty glasses on the table before looking at Kate for answers. “How many of those has she consumed?”
Shauna scoffed. How typical of him to judge her. She was of legal age, and if she wanted to go out with her friends and tie one on, no one could stop her. Tomorrow was Saturday, she had a date, and not with him.
“Three.” She grinned. For some reason, his anger pleased her, and made her feel vindicated. She’d show him how much she was over him.
“I’m going dancing.” She stood up, swayed, and ended up grasping Grayson’s arm in an attempt to keep herself standing.
“You’re not a drinker.” His eyebrows furrowed.
She grinned. “I wasn’t until tonight, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to start living life more. I’ve pushed aside my interests for a long time, and now I’m going to concentrate on enjoying myself — and I’ll start off by dancing.”
“Shauna?”
“That’s Ms. Marino to you. I’d invite you to dance, but you’re … you’re too cool and stuffy to be seen dancing with the town clown.” She poked her finger into his bicep. “So, I’m gonna go dance, and you’re gonna stay here and not dance.”
Was she making sense? She shook the thought away. It didn’t matter. She straightened her shoulders, stuck her chin in the air, and sauntered off.
She hadn’t even made it halfway into the crowd of dancers when Grayson wrapped his arm around her waist and ushered her out the front door before she could utter a protest. The moment she caught her breath, she whirled on her heel, a little unsteady, and tried to go back in. The ground tilted and the alcohol sitting at the pit of her stomach threatened to come back up. She stilled. One hand on her stomach and the other on her forehead, she weaved as the ground tilted.
“Whoa.”
Grayson came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her secure against his chest. “Slow down. Relax and take some deep breaths. You’ll feel better in a moment.”
The soft, cool breeze helped steady her. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. In her head, Grayson had come for her. He was here, embracing her in the night. His hand stroked the bare skin of her arm. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he whispered, smoothing her hair off her forehead.
She twisted around in his arms and linked her hands behind his neck, plastering herself against his hard frame. She gazed up into his eyes. “I’m not thinking. I’m feeling. Admit it, you can feel this … ”
“Stop it, Shauna.” He rolled his shoulders and tried to move away, but she wouldn’t let go.
“Kiss me, Grayson. Why are you so scared of one little kiss?” She tilted her head. “Let me prove how much I want you, how much you excite me.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s nothing between us. I’m thirty — ”
“I know how old you are, and it only makes me want you more.” She ran her finger over his lips. “You’re mature, sophisticated, and sexy — everything that’s made me love you over the years.” She took his hand and held it above her breast. “My heart is racing because of you. No one else makes me feel alive the way you do.”
“It’s the alcohol talking.” He stepped back, folded his arms over his broad chest, and ran his gaze up and down her body before settling on her chest. Her legs quivered. No one had ever undressed her visually the way he could, and she wanted to find out what he’d do if she took off her clothes.
She stepped forward and rose up on her toes. “Please, Grayson. Let go of the past, and see me for who I am today. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
In a move she never saw coming, he backed her up to the side of the building, pulled both of her hands above her head and pinned her to the brick wall. He stared down into her eyes as he rubbed his lips over her mouth. She trembled and moaned, arching her neck, reaching for him.