Summer at the Shore (Seashell Bay Book 2) (19 page)

Despite her pleasure at the feeling of his hand on her arm, anxiety stirred. What did he want to talk about now?

“Let’s go down to the beach,” he said. “I’d like to say hello to my kayak. She must be thinking I’ve abandoned her again.”

His joking words had her wincing with guilt. “Oh, dear. Well, if you’re talking about a plastic boat like it’s a woman, I’d say she must hate my guts since I’m the one keeping you two lovers apart.”

He interlaced his fingers with hers as they strolled down the path to the dock. It felt so comforting, so
right
. Why couldn’t he see what she did? That what was happening between them was more than just simple friendship spiced with a healthy dose of hormones.

“I’ll make it up to her eventually,” he said. “Once we start to get this place in some semblance of shape, I’ll have a paddle in my hands every day until I leave.”

And there it was—the answer to her unspoken question. Ryan was always going to leave.

“I hope so,” she said, forcing a smile. “Otherwise, I won’t survive the self-imposed guilt trip from hell.”

He squeezed her hand. “There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Whatever I’m doing, it’s because I want to.”

She squeezed back, too touched to say anything without bursting into stupid tears.

He guided her off the path, and they walked hand in hand across a strip of grass to the narrow beach, where the seaweed-strewn sand was exposed at low tide. “I’ve been thinking hard about the money we need for repairs.”

“Me too.” She pulled on his arm, forcing him to stop. “I’ve decided to call my bank in Pickle River and see if there’s any way I can get a second mortgage on my house. Maybe I’ll be able to get enough to cover the shortfall from the insurance.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t have all that much equity yet, but it was worth a shot.

Ryan stared at her as if she’d told him she was going to rob the bank, not ask for a loan. “A second mortgage? Seriously? After you told me you were going to have a hard time making your current payments until you go back to teaching?”

“Ryan, what other options do I have? We obviously have to get the damage repaired and get back in business. After that, if the debt load is just too high to manage, Sabrina and I will have to put Golden Sunset up for sale.”

Morgan dreaded the conversation she was going to have with her sister about that. But Morgan was the one who would have to absorb the loans and the debt, and she couldn’t afford to ruin her credit rating—especially since she would probably be supporting Sabrina for the rest of her life.

“That’s not going to happen,” Ryan said. “We don’t need to let it happen. That’s what I wanted to tell you,” he added in a patient voice.

She scrunched her nose at him. “I’m sorry. I should shut up and listen.”

He dropped a kiss on her nose, pulling back before she could react. “Yeah, Miss Bossy, you should.”

She smiled back. “Bossy? Me? You must be talking about some other hard-up innkeeper. I’m the mildest-mannered person you’d ever want to meet.”

He snorted, pulling her down with him onto the sand. She sat close to him, letting her shoulder touch his, and hugged her knees.

“Look, I get it,” he said. “Maybe because we’ve both spent so much time away from the island, we think we have to do everything on our own.”

“Maybe,” she said tentatively.

“And that’s nuts, because if there’s one place in the whole damn world where you can count on folks, it’s Seashell Bay. Nobody here wants to see Golden Sunset close down, and everybody loves you and Sabrina.” He bumped his shoulder against hers. “Everybody.”

Her heart practically leapt into her throat.

Ryan carried on like he hadn’t just brought her to her emotional knees. “People want to help, Morgan. All you have to do is reach out and let them in on how much trouble you’re in. Until you do, people are going to think you’ll be okay because of the insurance.”

She fastened her gaze on the beach, poking around a bit as if searching for sea glass hidden amongst the pebbles and sand. “I’ve never been too good on that score,” she finally admitted.

“No, all you do is help other people,” he said gently. “Now it’s time to let them help you.”

That sounded good, but what did it entail? She couldn’t
bear the thought of being indebted to the people she’d grown up with.

Ryan shifted to look directly at her. The tenderness and open warmth in his dark gaze seized her breath. All she could do was stare back at him as her insides went soft with love and her brain went stupid with longing.

“Morgan, there’s a good chance we can get the B&B back up and running without it costing you anything more than what you’ll get from the insurance,” he said. “And you won’t have to owe anybody a dime.”

That jolted her out of her goofy, romantic haze. “How, by selling lottery tickets?” She widened her eyes at him.

He laughed. “We can manage better odds than that. For starters, I’ve put together a crew to help me do a lot of the basic construction work. Aiden’s on board and so are Micah, Josh, and Brett. Even Roy’s offered to help with demolition.”

Any moment now she
was
going to burst into tears, so she resorted to lame humor. “Jesus, no,” she said, pretending to clutch her chest. “I can’t be responsible for Roy’s untimely demise. But seriously, I can’t tell you how much that means to me—and what it will mean to Sabrina too.”

“We’re all happy to do it. The only work you’ll have to pay for is the electrical repairs and a little plumbing. Aiden’s pretty sure that Brendan will donate his time to do the finishing carpentry we need.” He gave her a look that said she didn’t have a choice in the matter. “We’re not going to stand around and let the B&B shut down or see you buried under a mountain of debt.”

She sucked in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down and think. As awesome as this all was, it wasn’t
nearly enough. “But the cost of the materials, the electricians, the plumbers, the upstairs furniture . . .” The figures she’d added up a few hours ago remained fresh in her mind. “I’ll still have to get a second mortgage—if somebody will give me one.”

“No you won’t. Free labor is only half the answer,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “Fund-raising is the other half.”

Uh-oh.
She knew it was too good to be true.

“A lot of folks on this island are going to be happy to open their wallets to support you and make sure Golden Sunset stays alive. Miss Annie’s already agreed to head up a fund-raising drive, and you know how persuasive that lady can be.”

“Um, okay,” she said cautiously.

Morgan didn’t know what to think. She’d taken part in dozens of fund-raising drives over the years in Seashell Bay but had never for a moment thought she might one day be the subject of one. She instinctively rebelled at the idea of being reduced to a charity case. But it wasn’t just about her. There was Sabrina to think about, along with the trust her father had placed in Morgan to make things right. If there was ever a time to swallow her pride, it was now.

Ryan patiently waited her out.

“You were the one who came up with all this, weren’t you? With everything.” It was almost too much to comprehend all that he’d done for her. How could she ever repay him?

And how could she ever find the strength to keep it together when he finally walked away?

He waved a dismissive hand, now starting to look a bit uncomfortable. “Aiden was all over it too.”

She sensed his discomfort with all the emotion and did a pullback. “So, while I was screwing around in the city, eating sushi and, yes, having a beer, you were putting together a plan and enlisting an army. Nice morning’s work, Butler.”

He gave her a crooked smile. “Don’t give me any medals just yet. If I hadn’t done it, I’m sure Lily and Aiden and Miss Annie would have been right there anyway.”

“Well, you do deserve a medal,” she said. “I’m so grateful. I don’t even know how to begin to repay you, but I’ll find a way. I promise.”

When his gaze turned dark and smoldering and one big hand came up to cradle her cheek, Morgan blinked up at him in surprise. It looked like she’d been wrong after all. Ryan didn’t look the least bit interested in pulling back—or pulling away.

In fact, he leaned in even closer. “As a matter of fact, I have an idea about that.”

G
ood Lord, they were finally going to do it. And she was more than ready. She’d spent weeks resisting her endless, impossible desire for Ryan, and suddenly that seemed like it had been the dumbest thing in the world. If there were any lessons to be gleaned from that awful fire, it was that life was both precious and random all at once. That being cautious and careful couldn’t always protect you from the bad things, which she should have learned in the wake of her father’s death. That being too cautious and careful could cut you off from the things you wanted, the things you loved.

That she loved Ryan was beyond doubt. Morgan knew with absolute conviction that saying no to him now would be a missed opportunity she would regret forever, whether he stayed in her life or got on the ferry at the end of the summer and sailed away.

He took his time, gently resting his forehead against hers, inhaling deep breaths as if drawing in her scent. She thought he was giving her one final chance to say no.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, Ryan.”

She wouldn’t have been able to say anything more, even if she’d had the words, because he dipped his head and claimed her mouth with a searing kiss that stole every ounce of strength from her body. His hand spread wide over her back and drifted down to settle at the base of her spine. He loomed over her—big, brawny, and muscular—his very presence making her feel protected and cherished.

And turning her on like crazy.

She reached up and sank her fingers into his hair as he deepened the kiss. Boldly, she pushed her tongue between his lips, sweeping inside and claiming him the way he’d claimed her only a few weeks ago. She let her hunger drive her, pulling back to trace the edges of his firm mouth with her tongue before stealing back inside for a deeper taste of him.

Finally, Ryan eased his grip and broke the kiss. She felt a slight tremor in the big hands that wrapped around her upper arms. “Jesus, Morgan, if you don’t want to go any further, say so right now. If you’re not ready . . .”

“Does it feel like I’m not ready?” she said in disbelief. “I’ve been ready since we were in high school. Probably since junior high, although it’s probably really tacky to admit that.”

“You’re sure? Because I don’t want this if it’s just a gratitude thing,” Ryan said, frowning. “That’s not why I’ve been trying to help you. You know that, don’t you?”

She let out an exaggerated sigh. “You are such a dope, although I guess I can’t totally blame you. I’ve been Mr. Dithers for weeks about this.”

A smile eased his lips up. “You’re way cuter than
Mr. Dithers. But I get it, and I just want to make sure that you’re sure.”

She rested a hand on his chest, then slid it down to his waist, letting her fingers drift along the top of his cargo shorts. “Oh, I’m sure, big guy.”

Ryan’s dark eyes lit up. He dipped to nuzzle her neck, trailing soft, hot kisses as she arched into him. It felt like heaven to finally give in to what she’d been fighting for so long. Relief had her wanting to jump up and spin around in crazy circles, like a kid high on sugar.

Or rip his clothes off and do him right on the beach.

Classy, Morgan. Real classy.

Honestly, at this point she almost didn’t care. She felt liberated from something that had been wearing her soul down for the longest time.

“Kevin told me just before you got back that they were finishing up for the day.” He slid his lips onto hers for a short, hot kiss. “They’ll be gone any minute now, and if not, we’ll tell them to get lost.”

“Well, that might get some tongues wagging around town,” Morgan said.

“Do you care?” he murmured as he moved to her neck. His breath was hot against her sensitive skin, making her shiver deliciously.

“Let them wag,” she managed.

“I like the sound of that.” He nibbled gently at her ear. “It looked pretty dry to me in the downstairs bedrooms. Especially that big bed of yours.”

“I don’t mind getting wet if you don’t.” She winced when he laughed at the unconscious double entendre.

“Actually, it sounds like a great way to kick off the new and improved Golden Sunset, don’t you think?” he said.

“Yes, and I’d challenge you to race me back except for the fact that my legs are feeling a little weak right now,” she said, smiling up at him. “Thanks to you.”

“I have a solution for that.” He pulled her to her feet and scooped her up in his arms, then started for the path.

“I’m too heavy for you to carry me all the way back,” she protested with a giggle.

A giggle. Morgan couldn’t remember the last time she’d giggled.

“Babe, my army gear and pack weigh more than you do.”

He must have been telling the truth, because he was practically jogging back to the inn, carrying her as if she didn’t weigh anything at all.

And like he couldn’t wait to get her into bed.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him, nibbling at his ear. A few lingering doubts tugged at her, demanding she pay attention. But that was just habit, her tendency to always worry about the future instead of living in the moment. Right now, she wanted only today. She would leave tomorrow to bring what it would bring.

Carrying Morgan, Ryan practically jogged up the path to the B&B. Fortunately the workers’ truck was gone, because he probably looked like a teenage boy about to get laid for the first time. He’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Morgan. It was crazy how much he wanted her—almost scary. But it also felt better than anything had in a long time. It felt right—deep down in his bones right, and that was a feeling he never took lightly.

“Hey, Soldier Boy, don’t drop me,” Morgan said. “I guarantee there will be no nookie if I end up on my ass.”

He stepped onto the back porch of the annex, pausing for a moment to kiss her cute nose. “A very fine ass it is, and I’m not about to let any harm come to it.”

She grinned back at him, so clearly happy that his heart soared. The look on her face when he’d told her about his plan to fix the inn had made him feel like a freaking hero, as ridiculous as that sounded. He didn’t want hero worship from Morgan; he just wanted to make her life easier. In fact, that was now a mission, as important as any he’d ever undertaken.

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “Because I’m quite attached to my ass.”

He groaned. “Merrifield, that was bad, even for you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, kind of lame. I guess I’m a little nervous.”

Ryan paused outside the screen door, shifting her so he could reach for the door handle. “You’ve got nothing to be nervous about, babe. I promise.”

She rested a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. A smile tilted up the edges of her mouth, but her eyes held his in a serious, steady gaze. Her vulnerability came through, and it was like she’d just wrapped her hand around his heart and squeezed.

“Aren’t
you
nervous?” she asked.

He turned the question over in his mind. “Not really, but then I have such a raging hard-on that I can barely see straight.”

She dropped her head and laughed. “Butler, you can be such a guy sometimes. It’s kind of appalling.”

He finally got the damn door open and strode into the
kitchen with her. “I bet you’re pretty happy about that right now though.”

She brushed a stray lock of silky, blond hair out of her eyes and smiled at him. “You have no idea.”

“Well, there you go. I’d say this is turning out to be a very good day.”

He carried her down the short hall to her bedroom.

“And I hope it’s about to get even better,” she said, her voice dropping to a husky purr.

Man, didn’t that just make his dick want to stand up and salute?

He set her down and shoved the door shut. Sabrina was staying at Lily’s, but he didn’t want any surprises. Not when he finally had Morgan exactly where he wanted her. If he had anything to say about it, they wouldn’t be leaving this room for several hours.

Morgan crossed to the window and opened it wide. There was a hint of smoke in the room, but it wasn’t a problem. The white lace curtains framing the window fluttered in a breeze coming off the water, bringing with it the tangy hint of ocean air. She braced a hand on the post at the head of her bed as she balanced to kick off her sandals.

Ryan studied the old four-poster bed. It was obviously an antique, beautiful and in great shape. It was clear that Morgan loved it. She’d draped a gauzy, almost transparent swath of white fabric over the top to create a canopy that cast soft shadows. The duvet was gold colored and looked thick and soft, piled high with lots of satiny white and pink pillows. It was a total girlie bed, perfect for her and perfect for making love.

He strolled to the foot of the bed and leaned a shoulder
against one of the posts. “I’ve fantasized about doing you in this bed since the moment I saw it.”

She choked out a laugh. “Isn’t that just the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard?”

He shrugged. “Like you said, I’m a guy.” He eyed the posts, then glanced down to look at the frame. “This is strong enough to support us, right? I do not want to break your bed.”

She nodded. “Trust me, it’s very solid. I know.”

When he raised an eyebrow, she flapped a hand at him. “Not because of
that
. Ryan Butler, you have the dirtiest mind.”

He moved a few steps to rest his hands on her shoulders. “Oh yeah, and I bet you know what I’m thinking this very moment.”

She smiled, her cheeks flushing a faint pink under her tan. She looked a little shy and incredibly cute.

“I bet I do. And speaking of which, what’s next on the agenda?”

“The first thing is to get you out of those clothes,” he said, starting on the buttons of her blouse.

“What about you? Don’t we have to get you out of your clothes?” She reached for his zipper.

He brushed her hands away. “You first. Besides, it’ll only take me a few seconds since I’m only wearing shorts and boots.”

“Commando, eh?”

“Are you complaining?”

“Heck, no.”

Ryan slipped her blouse off and pretty much lost his breath. She was gorgeous, a spectacular combination of toned and curvy, with smooth skin kissed golden by the
sun. And she had great breasts. As far as he was concerned, all breasts were great, but hers were in a league by themselves—full and pale, with rosy nipples barely concealed by the lace of her simple white bra.

“Babe,” he said, “you’re gonna kill me.”

“I hope not,” she said with a self-conscious laugh.

Then she surprised him by reaching back and unhooking her bra, dropping it to the floor. Her nipples were already tight—gorgeous, hard little points he couldn’t wait to sample.

Fully recognizing what a lucky bastard he was, he cupped both full, perfect weights in his hands and thumbed her peaks. Morgan sucked in a breath, her blue eyes going soft and heavy-lidded.

“Let’s get you undressed all the way,” he murmured, reaching for the snap on her short denim skirt.

A moment later, she stood before him, clad, God help him, in a lacy white thong. Ryan contemplated leaving it on, but decided to leave the games for later. He hooked his thumbs into the elastic waistband and skimmed it down over her slender legs. Morgan rested a hand on his shoulder and stepped out of the thong.

His heart almost stopped. She was unbelievable, glowing golden in the sunlight pouring through the frilly lace curtains and washing lovingly over her body. Morgan was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, from her flaxen blond head to the sweet golden curls at the notch of her thighs to her neat painted toes, glittering with a nail polish that seemed to match the rest of her.

She lit up the room, and she sure as hell lit up his heart.

He must have looked like a moron standing there gaping at her, because she propped her hands on her hips.
Ryan was almost tempted to laugh at her schoolmarm expression. She was without doubt the hottest schoolmarm on the planet.

“Well, Soldier Boy,” she said. “What the heck are you staring at? Get those clothes off and get to work.”

He did laugh at that. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get right on it.”

As Ryan hopped around on one leg, hauling off a boot, Morgan swallowed a giggle. It was mostly from nerves, which were making her a bit light-headed. And no wonder—she was standing here stark naked while the guy she’d been crushing on for years had practically eaten her up with his eyes. It was heady, empowering, and truly scary to think that she and Ryan Butler were finally going to do it after all these years.

And in broad daylight too, which somehow seemed to make it even more official. No sneaking off for a furtive coupling on the beach late at night. Clearly, Ryan had no problem with what they were doing, which meant she shouldn’t either. Not even if that tiny voice in her head still whispered a warning that she was risking a world of hurt.

When Ryan unzipped his cargo shorts and skimmed them down, every remaining thought in Morgan’s head fled.

Oh. My. God.

He was amazing, every muscle cut, his body bronzed by the summer sun. Totally jacked. She knew that already, of course, but to see him stark naked just made everything seem . . . more muscular. And even bigger.

And boy, when it came to his equipment,
big
was exactly the right word.

Ryan gave her a salacious grin. “Now that you’ve had a good look, would you like to touch?”

“Uh, you first,” she answered inanely.

Honestly though, she didn’t even know where to start. Morgan wasn’t a nun by any means, but no guy she’d ever dated came close to Ryan’s physical presence. Her soldier boy was definitely in a class by himself.

“That would be my pleasure,” he said.

He prowled over to the bed and pulled her close, sliding his hands over her butt. Morgan quivered at the feel of all that hot, hard flesh pressed against her. His erection lay thick and heavy between them, and she couldn’t help squirming a bit, rubbing it against her belly. Ryan made a noise low in his throat, halfway between a hiss and a growl. Then he dipped down and took her mouth in an openmouthed, deliciously wet kiss. He clamped his hands on her, massaging her butt as he slowly rubbed against her.