Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Layne awoke, enveloped by Keaton. The cocoon she found herself in made her feel safe.
And desired …
She told herself it was wrong to have such strong feelings for him after having known him such a short time.
It was also crazy that she already was considering him living in the Bay as she debated where her future would be.
She would stay in her hometown for at least as long as it took for the renovations to the Bay Breeze to occur.
While she didn’t think she had the temperament to run the B&B herself, surely she could find someone competent who would be able to manage it in her stead.
If she did remain on the Gulf Coast permanently, though, what would she do for a living?
Layne had been driven her entire life, whether it was on the soccer field or at work, making a name for herself.
Whatever career she decided to pursue, she didn’t think it would be viable to do so in the Bay.
Plus, she didn’t see herself as the kind who would have a fling with anyone, especially Keaton Maxwell. It would be disingenuous to do so.
She couldn’t believe she had asked to crawl into his bed last night. She wasn’t looking for a pity fuck. No, she wanted more from him.
And that frightened her more than any obstacle she’d ever faced.
His breathing changed, and Layne knew he was stirring to consciousness. She savored these last few moments, cradled against his hard body.
“Good morning,” he said in a low rumble.
“Good morning,” she replied. “I’m sorry, Keaton. I’m embarrassed that I asked to sleep with you last night. I hope you don’t think I’m a tease.”
He stroked her hair gently, making her feel more secure than she ever had with Jeremy.
“I was happy to have your company. I figured you needed me. Or at least a warm body.”
“I don’t know if it was being in a strange place.” She chuckled. “Or the lumpy mattress and flat pillow, which sucked, but I couldn’t fall asleep. And as much as I would like a repeat of two nights ago, adding more into the mix, I don’t think I’m quite ready for sex yet.”
“I get that.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I get you, Layne. I would never rush you or push you into something which made you uncomfortable.”
She smiled wistfully. “Why did you have to leave Dallas? Why couldn’t our paths have crossed there?”
“I’ve become a believer in fate,” he told her, the back of his fingers stroking her cheek.
“We wouldn’t have been ready for one another then.
I doubt you would have given a blue-collar laborer the time of day.
Not that I think you’re a snob, but I just didn’t have much to offer to any woman during my Dallas days. ”
“I admire you more than I can ever convey, Keaton,” she said.
“You are a true, self-made Renaissance man. You took the proverbial lemons and made lemonade. You learned various construction jobs, and you had to be excellent at them to be in demand as you were. All the while, you kept reading, discussing things with Miss Peggy and improving your mind and broadening your perspective. More importantly, you were dedicated and painted all those years. You honed your craft. When the time was right—and fate stepped in—you sold your work. You’re talented.
Accomplished. And I assume you must be doing pretty well since you bought a house. ”
“Not just any house,” he said, and she heard pride in his tone. “Do you know John and Anna Smith from your days of living in the Bay?”
“The dating app guy? Sure. Hey, I even used his app a few times. Wait. You mean you bought his house.” Excitement filled her. “I know exactly which one it is. It’s probably three or four acres and sits right on the water. Good for you.”
“I had a list of things required in order for me to purchase a house. Then I had a secret wish list of items which would be nice, but I never thought I could find all of them. The Smith house checked every box and added more than I ever imagined having. I can’t wait to show it to you.”
“When do you close?”
“My realtor says sooner than usual. They’re going to do inspections, probably tomorrow or Tuesday.
She’s already sent the paperwork to the Smiths’ attorney, who’ll be handling the sale.
They still have all their furniture in the house, though.
They’ll need to clear it out and move everything to their new house in Houston.
Or Galveston. I gather they’ve purchased more than one house.
I wasn’t in any rush. I have this rental until the end of January.
Mrs. Smith promised they’d be out before then.
I do need to notify my landlord and inform him that I’ll be vacating the premises in a little over a month. ”
He nuzzled her neck, causing tingles to ripple through Layne.
“As soon as I have the keys, I’ll take you by. I want you to see it. They’re even throwing in their boat as a bonus. I’ve rented a boat several times, going out and catching dinner in the bay, but now I’ll have one at my disposal all the time. It’s as if I’m living someone else’s life, Layne.”
“I’m proud of you,” she praised. “Excited for you to have your own place. But I’m keeping you from your run.”
“I do want to get that in. You can do your tai chi while I’m out. Then we can have a light breakfast together, and you can help me make the two dishes I’m bringing to lunch today. I told Laura I’d bring one, but there’s another one with pineapple in it that I decided to bring, as well.”
“Oh, right. I was so much help last night in the kitchen.”
“You’re a confident woman. Cooking is more of a science, and that will appeal to your practical nature. Following directions for the most part, and sometimes adding a little twist as you taste, like we did with the guac last night. Now baking? That’s a blend of science and artistry.”
He kissed the tip of her nose and then threw back the covers. Although the room was somewhat dark, she could tell by his silhouette that he was naked. She had been in bed with a naked Keaton—and he hadn’t taken advantage of her.
He was not just a gentleman.
He was a keeper.
Layne suddenly realized that she could put all kinds of arbitrary timelines on whether or not she wanted to pursue a physical relationship with him. The attraction would be there in a week. A month. Even a year.
But why wait?
She was over Jeremy. Done with him and that part of her life. It was time to move ahead. Put the past behind her.
“Keaton?”
He was stepping into a pair of shorts and pulled them up before turning to face her.
Boldly, Layne said, “There are other ways to get exercise, you know.”
He slipped back into the bed, and she placed a palm against his muscular chest. Beneath her fingertips, his heart beat wildly.
“Much as I appreciate the invitation to burn calories with you, I’m going to pass.”
Hurt filled her. She started to pull her hand away, but he caught her wrist, keeping her palm flat against him.
“It’s not that I don’t want to make love to you, Layne.
Hell, it’s all I’ve been thinking about every waking moment since I met you.
I don’t think we should go there right now, though.
I want to be your friend now. I hope to be your lover in the future.
In the meantime, I don’t want you as a fuck buddy.
I think more of you—and our friendship—than that. ”
Her respect for this man grew exponentially. “I understand. And thank you for that.”
He released her wrist, capturing and cradling her nape in his large, warm hand.
“I hope you do. I see a future with you. Whether it’s as close friends or more, I’m not sure.
I want us both on the same page. At the same time.
If and when we do make love together, it’s going to be something that will join us in a way neither of us have ever been with anyone before. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Keaton brushed his lips lightly against hers and left the bed again. She watched him finish dressing, and then he came around to her side of the bed.
Tossing the covers back, he pulled her from the bed and to her feet. “Go tai chi it, Miss Larson. And Merry Christmas.”
He kissed her again, softly, lingering a bit, causing a warmth to spread through her. Then he broke the kiss and winked at her.
While he was gone, Layne ran through her form.
Usually, she was able to push aside everything and mindlessly meditate as she performed each pose.
Today, however, her thoughts were disjointed, disrupting her practice.
Things didn’t flow smoothly. Frustrated, she ended her session early and decided to shower.
She pinned her hair atop her head and was disappointed by the weak flow of water coming from the showerhead.
She made a mental note to discuss water flow with Keaton.
Guests would want a steady stream and not this pathetic trickle, and she wanted all showerheads to have more than adequate water pressure.
Toweling off, she dressed for the day before applying a light touch of makeup and brushing her hair.
When she entered the kitchen, Keaton had already returned. He stood at the stove, pushing around scrambled eggs in a pan. Another frying pan contained four pieces of sizzling bacon. The smell caused her stomach to gurgle noisily.
“Good, you’re here. I was about to go hunt you down. It’s almost time to eat. Would you turn on the coffeemaker? I’ve got some juice if you’d like it.”
“Coffee will be fine,” she said. “I thought you said a light breakfast.”
He laughed easily. “This is light. For me. Besides we aren’t eating until two this afternoon. I can’t let you starve, can I?”