California Waves: The Davenports, Book 2

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mila couldn’t believe she had actually done a pinkie swear with Erin, like they were twelve years old. But then, secretly maybe she was happy to have a reason to be forced to give Herschel a chance.

Erin knew her as well as anybody did, and if she could see that there was something special between Mila and Hersch, maybe Mila should listen. Besides, it wasn’t difficult to imagine spending a little more time with the sexy astronaut. She couldn’t stop fantasizing about getting wild with him again in bed. He had surprised her in every possible way. He could take charge in the bedroom while also making sure to check in with her, and he was unbelievably sensitive to her needs.

A couple of times, she found herself just gazing out of the office window, forgetting what she was working on. She was that blissed out.

When Hersch called her a little later, she was shocked at the way her heart jumped when she saw his name flashing on her phone. Instead of putting on her professional greeting voice, she just answered with, “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” he said, his voice all low and sexy. “I want to ask you a favor.”

“Okay.”

“Archer put me in touch with your dad, and he’s lined up some local painters for me. I’ve got some paint samples like you suggested, but I don’t know which colors I like. Do you think you could give me a hand today?”

Mila laughed. “Wow, you work fast.”

“I like to be efficient.”

She respected that. But still, he wasn’t wasting any time. She checked her schedule and said she could be there by four. Then she plowed through her to-do list so competently that she did everything she needed to do by three-forty.

When she drove up to Hersch’s place, she was surprised to see her dad’s truck sitting in the driveway. She recognized a low stab of disappointment as it reached her belly. Part of her had hoped that the painting call was more of a booty call than an interior-design emergency. But she should have known better. Hersch was a man of his word—if he’d been calling for hot sex, he would have just said, Come over and get back in my bed.

She rang the bell, and after Hersch let her in and gave her a quick peck hello, he led her to the living room, where she found Howard Davenport admiring the view. When he saw her, he came over to give her a hug.

“I know she’s my daughter, Herschel, but I have to say Mila did fine work finding you this beautiful home. It just seems to suit you.”

“She’s the best Realtor I’ve ever worked with,” he agreed.

Mila felt a glow of pride because her dad wasn’t the kind of person who gave out compliments he didn’t mean. She was glad he’d noticed, too, that this house was perfect for Herschel. While her dad was going on about the fine bones and the quality construction, she snuck a glance at Herschel and saw that he was gratified by the Howard Davenport stamp of approval. It was all feeling a little bit too mutual-appreciation-society for Mila, who had to break the tension by cracking a joke.

“Dad, are you doing the painting now too?”

He shook his head at her. “I admit I wanted to get a gander at this place. I’ve always admired it. So I brought the paint samples over myself, and Herschel was kind enough to give me a tour.”

She couldn’t believe him. Was it the house he’d wanted to see, or had he just wanted to meet the famous astronaut? Either way, he was as nosy as she was. Or maybe she’d inherited that trait from him. Still, her dad also had a good eye for design and color, having worked on so many homes over the years, and somehow the three of them found themselves on Hersch’s couch discussing color palettes and possibilities.

Mila was surprised that spending time with her dad and her new lover didn’t feel weird at all. In fact, it felt entirely natural, the conversation easy and warm, as though Hersch was already part of the family. Between them, they came up with a color plan that she thought would work. Her dad opened the tiny paint cans and took the time to paint sizable squares of three colors on the wall. He did the same in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the hallway. All of them had agreed that it would be best to keep all the hallways the same color and add a little more variety to the main living rooms.

After Howie was finished, Herschel offered him a beer to say thank you, but after shooting a far too scrutinizing look at his daughter, he said he’d better not. Betsy wanted him home in time for dinner. And with a cheerful good-bye, he left.

As his truck disappeared down the drive, Mila watched with a mix of pride for having such a cool dad and happiness that she was finally alone with Hersch.

“I like your dad,” Herschel said, coming to join her at the window.

She grinned at him. “Everybody loves my dad. He’s the best.” Then she sniffed the air. “Something smells really good.”

He looked slightly bashful. “It’s lasagna. I made dinner in case you wanted to stay.”

She felt her nose wrinkle in disbelief. “You made lasagna? Like, from scratch?”

“Sure. I told you I like to cook.” Then he paused, and she felt there was something he wasn’t going to say. Then he changed his mind. “Actually, I have a confession.”

Mila’s heart began to thud. Obviously, all this was too good to be true. Was he about to put another caveat on their time together?

“Your dad told me it was your favorite meal. That’s why I cooked it.”

She laughed, relieved. And then her eyebrows rose of their own accord. “Wait—that came up in conversation how?”

Hersch looked bashful again. “I may have asked him. In the context of my wanting to make you dinner to thank you for finding me this perfect house.”

“Right. Because he doesn’t know about the housewarming party for two.”

“That would be correct. And if I have anything to say about it, he’ll never find out.”

“Well, as it turns out, I am free tonight.” She sighed blissfully. “And lasagna is my fave. I guess I have no choice but to hang around a little while longer.” She shot him a coy smile.

They ate in the kitchen, and not only had he made possibly the best lasagna she’d ever eaten, there was a gorgeous salad bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables to go with it, along with crusty bread from her favorite bakery. This was a man who knew the way to Mila’s heart… by more than one path.

But for now, Mila put that thought out of her mind. She just wanted to relax, and she quickly found herself doing just that. They chatted about their days, and she told him a bit about a couple who were being completely indecisive, even after she’d found them the perfect house. He told her he’d met his neighbors, and they were very nice. It was just the kind of comfortable conversation that two people who spent a lot of time together would indulge in. She tried not to let it worry her. She’d pinkie sworn after all.

After she’d turned down a third helping of lasagna, he tidied up and then said, “Dessert?”

She put a hand to her full stomach. “I don’t think I can manage it.”

He gave her a very wicked grin. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that.” He stepped toward her and began to unbutton her blouse. “Because I was hoping you’d be my dessert.”

While the last of the evening sun streamed into the kitchen, he stripped her naked, hoisted her onto the cool stone of the kitchen island, and proceeded to work a sweet magic more delectable than any dessert.

* * *

Mila woke in Hersch’s bed again. Strangely, she was less freaked out this time and allowed herself to stretch and study Hersch as he slept. He was naked, as was she, and his body in repose was a thing of delight—strong but peaceful, the new sheets twisted around his hard abs as if tying a bow. She smiled and then checked her watch. It was still early—plenty of time to surf. Not because she had to, but just because she wanted to. She felt full of energy, even though her body was languorous from another night of expert lovemaking.

Once more, she tried to creep around and get dressed without waking him, and once more, she failed. He opened his eyes, propped his head on his arm, and said, “You’re up early. Again.”

“Epic waves do not wait, my friend.”

He yawned and stretched and got out of bed too.

“Why don’t you go back to sleep?”

“Can’t. I’m awake now.”

On impulse, she asked, “If you’re up anyway, why don’t you come down to the beach with me?” She held back from asking him to surf, but the implication was there.

The moment stretched, and she could feel his fear fighting with his determination to overcome it. She actually saw him pull in a breath and straighten his shoulders.

He nodded. “Okay. I will. But for the love of God, let me have a cup of coffee first.”

She was so delighted she’d have let him have eggs Benedict before they went surfing, but coffee was quicker. He disappeared into his workout room and emerged with a wetsuit.

Seeing her raised eyebrows, he said, “I got one for my Ironman competitions.”

“Right.” She had to remember that he was a strong and excellent swimmer, that his fear of the water was very new.

She suggested they take one car and head to her place first so she could change into her wetsuit.

As she pulled into her drive, she realized this was the first time he would see her little house. It was much more modest than his, but she loved it. She hoped he would see it the same way she did.

He asked if he could take a look around, then walked through her house, not like someone on a real estate tour, but like someone getting to know a person. He looked at the titles on her bookshelves—a lot of books on surfing and recovering from injuries, on positive thinking and sales techniques. There were a few serious novels in there, too, mostly because Erin pressed them on her, and then Mila would reluctantly start them and find herself so engrossed she couldn’t put them down.

He glanced at her with a laugh in his eyes. “Your bookshelf is a lot like you are.”

“Really?”

“Sure. A lot of lightness on top, but some deep, serious stuff underneath. And always a belief that everything will turn out right.”

She thought that was a pretty accurate description of her personality, and was impressed at how he’d pegged her so soon.

He rocked back on his heels. “The house suits you too. A lot of character, and it’s as much a part of Carmel-by-the-Sea as you are.”

Again, she was charmed by the way he’d phrased that. “The best view’s in my bedroom.”

He looked quite pleased to be invited into her bedroom. As they walked in together, and she saw it through his eyes, she said, “Of course, if you bought this house, you’d brick that window up so you didn’t have to look at the view.”

He winced. “Give me credit. I’m trying to get better.”

She touched his shoulder, then gripped it reassuringly. “I do.” As if to reassure him further, she gave him a steamy kiss, which made her want to rip his clothes off and push him onto her bed, but she stopped herself. It was time to surf and time for Hersch to get back in the water. The hot sex could come later. She picked up a board for her and asked if he wanted one.

“No board. If I get in above my ankles, I’ll call today a win.”

She agreed, understanding how important this was for him. She changed into her wetsuit right there in the bedroom, and he did the same. With some satisfaction, she noticed their kiss had aroused him as much as it had her. Then they headed out to the beach.

He was such a gentleman, he insisted on carrying her surfboard, which she found kind of sweet, considering she’d been carrying her own since she was five years old. She must have walked this beach, run this beach, and done cartwheels on this beach a million times. But she’d never walked it beside Herschel Greenfield.

When he put out his hand, she interlaced her fingers with his and was almost shocked at how comfortable it felt. As though they’d walked hand in hand for years, and yet, at the same time, it was all so very new.

She could sense Hersch already getting nervous as they approached the tide line. Rather than looking forward, he tilted his face toward the sky. She figured that was where he felt most at home. It was still early, still dawn, and the moon was a pale crescent. To distract him, she asked, “Do you know much about the stars?”

He looked puzzled by the question, but then pleasure overtook his expression. “I know a fair bit. Not as much as I’d like.”

“Do you have a favorite constellation?”

Now he grinned. “Favorite constellation? But they’re all perfect in their own way. The ancient Greeks gave us most of the names.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “Hersch, don’t answer me as a scientist. Answer me as a man who loves the stars.”

“Orion,” he answered without a moment’s hesitation. “It’s visible in both the north and south hemispheres and contains some of the brightest stars in the sky.”

She grinned and then couldn’t help herself—she leaned forward, tilting her chin a little, her mouth softening in invitation. When he kissed her, she felt the electricity, and the instant connection made her press her body hard against his. She just couldn’t get enough of him.

When they pulled away, Hersch took a deep breath and said, “You sure are good at making me forget my fears.”

She brushed his cheek with her fingertips, and then he kissed the tips of her fingers. They stood together at the water’s edge. Hersch looked out, a grim expression on his face.

“Remember how well you did last time,” she said. “You know as well as I do that your recovery is about putting the pieces together. I used to drive my surfboard down to the beach when I couldn’t surf yet and just sit there with it and watch the waves. It was my way of reminding myself that I’d get back there one day. That’s what you’re doing. Just taking it one step at a time.”

“When you’re with me, I feel like it’s possible.” With that, he took a step forward without her. The water rushed over his feet, but he stood strong. This time, she let him take the lead and watched as he steeled himself and moved forward another inch.

“You’re doing great,” she whispered. “I’m right here.”

Inch by inch, he kept going, and then to her delight, he made it in up to his knees. She strode out to meet him and took his hand. It was shaking. She turned him to face her and kissed him again, a passionate kiss that she hoped he would feel all the way through his being.

When they pulled away, he said, “I want to go in up to my waist, but I don’t think I’m ready.”

She wanted to hug him. “Don’t push it. You’ve already smashed this week’s record. Be proud of yourself. I know I am.”

He shook his head. She could tell he was both pleased by and disappointed in his progress. She knew exactly what that felt like, and her heart went out to him.

“I’m going to head in and take a seat on that log over there. What I’d like most is to watch you surf. Is that okay? You look incredible when you’re out there doing what you love.”

She was delighted. “Of course. I’ve missed having an audience, and now I have a super sexy one.”

* * *

Hersch settled himself on the log and breathed a huge sigh of relief. With Mila’s help, he’d managed to go farther into the water than he could have imagined. He slipped on his sunglasses to shield his eyes against the rising sun and followed Mila’s progress as she rode the waves. She was so beautiful and so brave. Right there, he made the decision to go to the beach with her every morning. He vowed that he would go deeper each time.

When she emerged from the water, he leaped to his feet and went to kiss her.

“You were amazing out there. Can you spend the day with me?”

“I wish I could, but I’ve got appointments this morning, then I’m tasting wedding cake and food with Tessa, my mom, and my sister.”

“Tasting wedding cake?” He looked puzzled. “For Archer and Tessa? But they just announced their engagement. I’m sure I saw something as I was flipping channels last night about a wedding in Scotland.”

She hesitated and then said, “That’s only for show. They’re really getting married here in Carmel, a really small wedding. Top secret.”

“Good for them.” He waited, wondering if she’d mentioned the cake because she was planning to invite him as her plus-one, but she didn’t.

She threw her arms around him. “You did so well today. I’ll see you tomorrow morning for surfing?”

He kissed her again, lingering longer this time, until she pulled away, breathless and laughing. “I really do need to go.”

“Go now, or I can’t promise that you’ll make it to the menu tasting. Enjoy every bite.”

She gave him a little nip on the lower lip. “I just did.”

He laughed and then stood beside her on the sand, watching her, wanting her more and more with every second that passed.

Is this what true love feels like?

From somewhere deep inside, he felt the reply. Yes.