Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Shelby
Ready For It
It was impossible for Shelby to focus while Wes was on the property. She kept feeling like she was on some stage and telling herself not to stare at him. While at the same time hoping he’d pull her into a closet or ask to speak to her privately.
“Those Hart boys all turned into good men,” Pops said from the kitchen table where he watched them fix his railing.
She tried to stay busy cleaning up breakfast and covering the pie, but now she sat next to Pops so she could watch too.
“We need to talk about the house, Pops.”
He ran his hand along the polished wood table. “It’s gotten to be a lot to manage for my old bones,” her grandfather said with a sigh.
“That’s easily fixed. I can hire an estate manager and someone to come in and clean and shop for you once a week?”
Pops just nodded and took a sip from his cup.
“I guess I assumed Dad or Uncle Mike would be helping out?”
“No, they’re too busy. I don’t really like the idea of a stranger in the house, but I suppose it is the best solution.”
“Why don’t I just start by interviewing some people and we’ll see if we can find someone we trust? In the meantime I’m staying.”
Pops smiled. “I read your last book in a day. It’s truly remarkable how your creative mind can spin such magical tales.”
Shelby blushed. Her grandfather was the only person in her family and probably all of Sandy Point who knew about her writing.
“Well, it’s probably your fault. After all those stories you used to tell me about pirates and hunting for buried treasure when you were young.”
Pops laughed. “Some of those stories were true. I just never found any treasure.”
“Well in my stories you always do.”
He reached out and patted her hand. “I know, and I love you for it. I just wish I could brag on you more. My award-winning author granddaughter.”
“And who would you be telling? No one around here is reading my middle-grade adventure stories.”
“Oh, you might be surprised. I bet the librarian and several teachers have been recommending your books to students without even realizing you’re the author.”
“Maybe.”
“I hate to disrupt your life in Atlanta, but I have to admit I’m happy to have you here. Maybe you can find some inspiration for that next series you’ve been trying to map out.” Pops nodded to the huge men out on the deck.
She smiled. “Sure, maybe the Hardy brothers meet the gorgeous Hart brothers, three boys who grow up orphans and have to fend for themselves?”
Her grandfather made a show of sitting back and turning to give her a side-eye glance. “Sounds like a good start. Now what would their adventures be?”
“I’m not sure. That’s where I’ve been getting stuck. I think I’ve been with the first series for so long—ten books. It’s been really hard to find a new storyline.”
“You’ll find it. I bet this visit home is just what you needed. Or maybe it’s the girls of Sandy Point who need an adventure next?” Pops smirked and his big blue eyes crinkled at the sides, but she was surprised to see he looked tired already.
“Why don’t I get you set up in your favorite chair or the library?”
“I vote the library today. Best room in the house.”
“Agreed. Your library is probably my favorite room in the entire world,” Shelby said.
“Well, Shelby Bell, it is certainly yours anytime you want to claim it.”
She smiled, helping her grandfather stand. “I’ll share it with you today.”
When she looked outside, she caught Wes’s eyes on her and her stomach filled with the flutters of what felt like a million butterflies.
She almost couldn’t believe now that she’d spent a night in bed with him.
His gaze felt like it saw right through her and she would swear he knew exactly what she was thinking.
“I believe you said the gorgeous Hart brothers, and one is still single,” Pops said, then squeezed her hand and started to shuffle off.
“I’ll bring your tea. In just a minute.”
“Take your time, sweetheart,” Pops called.
The sudden draft of cold air and the sound of the back door opening had her spinning around to find Wes standing in the small alcove space between the outside and the kitchen.
“Everything going okay?” she asked, as she stood watching his every move.
He removed one glove then the other.
“Yep, my brother is almost done, and then he’ll be in here sucking all the air out of the room.”
“He’s as outgoing as I remember.”
“And more annoying.” Wes took another step forward but didn’t walk all the way into the kitchen.
“I wanted to say that I’d like to see you again.”
“I’m right here.”
A slow smile pulled at Wes’s full lips and a dimple appeared like magic in his cheek.
“I mean I’d like to see you again, alone.”
“Oh, you would?” She was holding Pops’s teacup and it started to rattle on the plate as her nerves took over.
Wes looked outside and they could still see Levi, hammering in a few more nails on the top of the railing into the posts, but he was nearly done.
“Come here, please.”
She set the teacup down with a flurry, almost tripping, and walked over to him, unsure why she was so eager to do exactly what he demanded.
But as soon as she was within reach, he gripped her hand and pulled her in to him.
His mouth was on hers in the next moment and she knew exactly why she was willing to do anything and everything Wesley Hart asked her to.
Because the man’s kiss was enough to make her knees weak and make her wonder about what their babies would look like.
But this kiss ended as fast as it started, and he ran his mouth along her jaw on an imaginary trail up to her ear.
“I want to see you, taste you, and feel you again. Call me when you think you’re able to get away.”
Then with his hands on her upper arms, he guided her to step back and opened the door to go back outside. But his brother was there carrying the toolbox and looked between them as if he knew something had happened.
“All set—any other projects you need me to look at before we go?” Levi said.
Her mind was mush. Had that kiss just happened?
Did Wes really just say he wanted to see her again?
Taste her? Heat flooded her cheeks, and she did the only thing she could think of.
She turned around and walked into the kitchen to put the teakettle back on.
She could hear them both shuffle in, but she’d bought herself a few seconds.
“I really appreciate your help today, but I’m not exactly sure yet about what else might be needing attention. And I’m sure I can hire someone local to come out.”
“Alright, but if you find anything in the next few days, I’ll still be around. And after that Wes is still pretty handy; he’s just not as good as me,” Levi said and gave Wes a punch in the arm.
“Thank you,” she said but avoided Wes’s eyes. “Um…I’ll walk you out.”
At the door, Levi hovered until Wes told him to check the front railing just in case.
“Call me or just come over tonight once you get Zeke settled.”
The teakettle started to whistle. “Okay, maybe I can do that. Thanks again. For helping with the railing I mean.”
Wes just smiled and then walked out to his truck where Levi was waiting.
As she closed the door and made her way back to the kitchen, she realized Wes had asked to see her again at his house, not a date, not to hang out.
He wanted to sleep with her again. And although just the idea of being in his bed had her pulse pounding and her blood rushing, she couldn’t deny it was also disappointing that was all he wanted.
She didn’t know how long she was going to be in town, or if she could even resist him, but she wasn’t ready to concede to just being another hookup.
Although technically she already had been, and maybe that was all she needed right now too?