Chapter 1
Weston (Wes)
Airbags and Anniversary Shopping
I stood on the balcony of my brand-new condo in downtown Boston and stared out at the Boston Harbor. I’d done it. I’d sold everything in New York City, left my job, and moved to Boston. I’d given up my dream, but it was too late.
Mandy was getting married.
Mandy Rhodes had been the one woman I thought I would end up marrying. We dated in high school and college. When I had gotten a job in New York City working for one of the largest banks in the country, I assumed Mandy would have been happy. She’d never talked about her future. In my mind I thought she’d always be there. But when I told her I was moving to New York City, she had told me it was over between us.
Turns out, Mandy had her own dreams that she never bothered to share with me. She wanted to run her family’s restaurant. A pizza place in downtown Boston that her grandfather had started when he moved to Boston from Italy. Mandy’s mother had taken over the running of the restaurant when her father wanted to retire. He was still part of the picture, but Tina ran it now and had been training Mandy to take it over someday.
I closed my eyes and sighed. “What are you doing, Wes?”
My mind drifted back to a year or so ago when I had come into town and had run into Mandy. We ended up going to a hotel, fucked all night long, and when I woke up the next morning she was gone. The only thing she had left behind was a note on the pillow next to me.
Pulling the note out of my pocket, I opened it for what felt like the hundredth time.
Dear Wes,
Thank you for the amazing evening. I needed it! I couldn’t stand to look at you this morning though because I knew I had to tell you the truth. I’ve been dating someone for over a year. His name is Ron, and he is a great guy. He loves me and wants nothing more than to take care of me. Last night was a terrible mistake. When I saw you, all these old feelings came running back, and all I could think about was what it would feel like to be with you one more time. I guess I just needed to remember what being with you was like and why I need to stay with Ron. I love him and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for cheating on him. I hope you understand.
I wish you the best of luck.
Love always,
Mandy
“What kind of a name is Ron anyway?”
“What?”
I turned to see the blonde I’d brought home last night standing there. Shit, what was her name again?
Smiling, I pointed to her and asked, “Lisa?”
She laughed. “You were close. Lynn.”
Making her way to me, she wrapped her arms around my neck and stared up at me. She was beautiful. Blonde hair with sky blue eyes. What was it with me and blondes lately?
“Last night was amazing. That thing you do with your tongue, wow. I’ve never had a guy do that before. I hope I didn’t wake your neighbors.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
Lynn ran her finger along my jaw and sighed. “I hate leaving, but my sister is going to pick me up. We have to go look for wedding decorations for her wedding. Yawn.”
“You’re sure you don’t want me to drop you off anywhere?”
Reaching up, she kissed me, then sucked in my lower lip as she slowly pulled away. “Nah, I’m good. I left my number on your kitchen counter. In case you get lonely again and want to have some fun.”
“Sounds good.”
Turning, I watched as she walked back into my condo, completely naked. I did a quick look around. Anyone could have seen her come out there like that. Clearly, she hadn’t cared.
I let out a slow exhale. “Fuck.”
I’d told myself no more one-night stands, but after leaving Finn and Rory’s place last night after having dinner with them and Rory’s best friend Clare, I needed a drink and a woman to crawl on top of.
It wasn’t like I hated being around my family. I loved them. But my two brothers were so damn happy. Both were married and with kids of their own. I knew what I was feeling was jealousy and I needed to get over it. They were happy, so that made me happy.
Then you had Clare. God, the woman got under my skin. She was headstrong. Opinionated. Had a dirty mouth and was always trying to bust my balls. The only thing she had going for her was that she was beautiful and had a body that any man would want. When she started quizzing me about why I moved back to Boston and wouldn’t let up, I wanted to shove a piece of sourdough bread into her mouth.
“My sister is here! Later, Willis!” Lynn shouted back at me as she opened the door to leave.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Glad I wasn’t the only one who had gotten the name wrong.
“Bye, Lynn!” I called out to her as I turned back to look at the harbor.
“Where did you find that one?”
I spun around to see Clare.
Holy shit. Had I just conjured her up by thinking about her?
She was wearing jeans that hugged her curves, rubber snow boots, a light blue sweater that made her eyes pop, and a white beanie hat. It couldn’t contain her curly light brown hair though.
Christ. She’s beautiful.
“What are you doing here and how in the hell did you get in?” I asked in a bored tone, praying I hadn’t been eye fucking her just then.
She stared at me then rolled her eyes. “Your latest booty call let me in. Guess she thought I was your next plaything.”
I shot her a dirty look.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
I lifted the cup of coffee to my mouth and took a drink.
With her arms folded across her chest, she snarled her lip at me. “God, you really are absorbed in your own little world, aren’t you?”
Shrugging, I moved past her and back into my place. “Why don’t you remind me why you’re here at the crack ass of dawn on a Sunday morning, Clare. I’m sure it’s not just to bust my balls.”
Clare followed me through my living room and into the galley-style kitchen. I lifted the coffee pot and held it her way. “Want some?”
Sighing, she said, “I tell you this all the time, Wes, I don’t drink coffee. Or wait, is it Willis?”
I frowned. “What kind of person doesn’t drink coffee?”
“This kind,” she said as she motioned to her body, giving me another chance to look her over at her own invitation.
“That’s stupid.”
Her hands slapped against her thighs. “Okay, I don’t have time for this. You promised Angie you would help me go get the supplies for your parents’ anniversary party. Remember?”
My hand pushed into my hair. “Shit. I totally forgot about that.”
Clare tilted her head and regarded me with a look I’d expect my mother to give me. “Too busy picking up random women?”
Smiling, I asked, “Are you jealous?”
“I obviously play for the other team, but she was hot, not gonna lie.”
I wanted to laugh but forced myself to stay neutral, which caused Clare to smirk.
Why hadn’t I ever noticed how luscious Clare’s mouth was.
“Ahh, you are jealous.”
“Hardly. You’re a walking advertisement for sexually transmitted diseases. No, thank you.”
I set my coffee cup down. “That is where you’re wrong, Clare. I always practice safe sex. I’ve never once been with a woman without wearing a condom. Ever. And it will never happen…now or in the future.”
Her jaw hardened and she raised her hands and started to slow clap. “You win the award for safest manwhore in Boston. Good job, Wes. I’m sure the woman you marry—or the next one you have a one-night stand with—will appreciate that immensely.”
I leaned over and bowed. When I stood up, a hand towel was thrown at me. “Not that it matters to you, but the only woman who will ever have me bareback will be the woman I love and want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Something moved across her face, but it was gone as fast as it had appeared.
“If we’re done talking about your airbags, can we please move on? I do have other things I’d like to do today.”
I blinked a few times. “My airbags?”
Clare rolled her eyes. “Yes, Wes.”
“That’s what you call condoms?”
She shrugged. “Party hat? Magic shield? Love is cleaner with a packaged wiener. I could keep going, but I’d like to get going, like I said, I do have a life.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve never met anyone like you before, Clare.”
When she smiled, I felt a strange tightness in my chest. Placing my hand there, I rubbed at the unfamiliar ache. Clare had turned and started opening my cabinets until she found a glass and held it up. “Do you have water or orange juice.”
Staring at her blankly, I replied, “There is OJ in the fridge.”
She opened it and started to pour herself a drink. I frowned as I watched her.
When she glanced up, she sighed. “Do you want me to pay you for this?”
“What?”
“You’re giving me the evil eye, Wes. If you didn’t want me drinking your orange juice you shouldn’t have told me you had it.”
Clearing my throat, I replied, “No, no, it’s fine. Sorry, I was thinking about something else. Misguided expression your way.”
It was her turn to frown. “Ooookay.”
“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to go. Make yourself at home.”
I jumped in the shower, quickly dried off and got dressed in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt. It was November in Boston, and yesterday it had been sixty-five outside. I figured it was best to dress in layers because you never knew what the weather in November would do in the northeast.
By the time I walked back into the living room, twenty minutes later, Clare was standing on the balcony looking out at the same view I had been looking at earlier. A few loose strands of her hair had blown free and were whipping in the wind. I stopped at the door opening and watched her for a few moments. There was no doubt I was attracted to Clare. What man wouldn’t be? She was gorgeous. A body to die for and eyes so blue you almost felt as if you could get lost in them.
Yet, Clare was Harmony and Rory’s friend. Best friend. That didn’t necessarily mean she was off limits, though. I wonder if she would be up for one night together?
I shook my head. Nah, she wasn’t the type, and that was probably why I wanted her. She was off limits and not at all the type of woman I normally went for.
Clare suddenly turned, and when our eyes met something strange happened. A crackle in the air. Her eyes quickly swept over me, and when her gaze caught mine, she dug her teeth into her lower lip. My cock instantly started to grow in my jeans. The way she looked at me, as if she wanted to devour me, was an instant turn on.
Son of a bitch. Is she actually the type who could possibly, just maybe, be interested in a one-night fling and I misread the situation completely? Did Clare want me like I wanted her? The thought was more than intriguing.
Clearing her throat, she broke the stare and walked back into my place, whispering as she passed me, “We should get going.”
I had to shake away the desire to pull her to me and kiss her.
“Yeah, did you bring your car?”
Glancing back over her shoulder at me, she replied, “I don’t have a car.”
“You don’t have a car? How did you get here?” I asked in total shock.
“Nope,” she said as she grabbed the jacket I hadn’t seen her throw over the back of my sofa. “It’s too hard to find parking, and I hardly ever drove mine, so I sold it. I can Uber wherever I need to go…or walk.”
“How do you get to work?” I asked, reaching for a light coat before we headed out of my condo.
Clare stood next to me as I locked the door.
“I walk.”
Turning to face her, I frowned. “I don’t even know what you do for a living.”
We started down the hall toward the elevators. “You never asked. But if you must know, I’m an executive assistant.”
“Really? How long have you been doing that?”
“A few years now. I got the job after college and quickly worked my way up to executive assistant.”
The elevator doors opened, and we both stepped in. A voice called out to hold the elevator, and I moaned internally when I realized who it was.
Luke, my neighbor, suddenly appeared. He took one look at Clare and grinned.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before,” he stated as he looked from Clare to me. “Where have you been hiding this one neighbor?”
Clare laughed. “Oh, no. We’re not together. Just friends.”
The look in Luke’s eyes at Clare’s declaration caused me to frown. There was something about the idea of him even thinking about her in that way that rubbed me wrong.
“Good,” Luke said with a grin that I was positive got him into plenty of women’s panties. He reached his hand out. “Luke Walker. You are?”
Clare chuckled. “Clare Monroe.”
“How do you know this guy?” Luke asked while he jerked his thumb in my direction. Clare tossed me a quick look before focusing back on Luke. “His brother is married to my best friend.”
“I see. And are you free for dinner tonight, Clare?”
“I’m sorry, do you not see me standing here?” I stated as I glared at Luke.
Trying to look surprised, Luke said, “She said you weren’t together. Do you have a problem with me asking her out?”
Yes. I wanted to suddenly scream out, but I knew I had no right to object to Clare going out with anyone. “Of course not, but how do you know I’m not interested in her?”
Clare’s head snapped as she gave me a surprised look. For an instant I thought I saw her eyes sparkle with…hope? No way.
“Are you?” Luke asked as the elevator came to a stop on the ground floor. Clare’s brows raised slightly as she and Luke waited for my response.
“Of course not,” I said with a laugh. “She’s not my type.”
A look of what I assumed was hurt swept over her face before she turned and started out of the elevator. I internally cursed myself for the stupid comment.
“Then, here is my number, Clare Monroe. I know a great little Italian place we can have dinner at this evening if you’re free,” he said as he came to a stop next to her.
Clare stared down at the business card Luke held out for her. I silently willed her not to take it. When she reached for it, I felt a strange pinch in my chest.
I heard Clare thank Luke as she chatted with him while we walked through the lobby of my building. Once we were outside, I turned back to Clare, only to find her looking up at Luke sweetly as she smiled and said, “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t make me wait in anticipation,” Luke replied as he headed in the opposite direction.
When Clare finally turned to look at me, her smile faded. “What?”
“Are you seriously going to call him?”
She shrugged and started to walk. I quickly stepped in line and walked next to her.
“Are we walking or are you going to drive?”
“Are you changing the subject?”
Clare stopped walking. “Why do you care if I’m going to call him or not?”
“You just met him, Clare!”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “And the woman who left your place this morning? When did you meet her?”
“That’s different.”
A bitter laugh escaped her mouth. “How is it different, Wes?”
“It just is. He could be a serial killer or something.”
She shrugged. “I don’t see how it’s different that you are able to pick up a stranger and fuck her, but I can’t go to dinner with someone I just met and exchanged words with.”
When she said the word fuck, I flinched. “That is not the same thing.”
Letting out a disbelieving laugh, she said, “Again, how is it different?”
“It just is.”
“Wes, it’s your neighbor, he was a gentleman and he simply asked me out to dinner. Why is that such a big deal?”
“Because it’s you, goddamn it, Clare.”
Her eyes went wide, and her mouth opened into a small O. Fuck if I didn’t have the urge to kiss that mouth and wipe the shocked look off her face. Realizing what I had said and how Clare had most likely taken it, I cleared my throat.
“You’re my sister-in-law’s best friend. I feel…protective. I mean, I owe it to Rory to keep you safe.”
A look of disappointment flashed over her face before she looked away. “Right. Well, you don’t have to worry, Wes. I have no plans on calling him. Unlike the women you’re attracted to, I don’t sleep around, and he clearly was like you.”
Turning on her heels she started down the street. I closed my eyes and cursed. Then, to make matters worse, she reminded me that we weren’t done as she called out, “Are you coming or not, Wes?”
“Yeah, I’m coming.”