Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Rhett
A fter back-to-back multi-day guided hikes, Rhett West was beyond tired. Working for weeks on end without a break used to invigorate him, but the last year or two had been exhausting.
Be your own boss, they said. It would be fun, they said. He grunted and shook his head as he climbed the short flight of stairs to the deck that ran along three sides of Wilde Brews’n’Blues.
Rhett stopped by the side door into the main bar, taking a moment to scrape the dried mud off his boots. Mud was an occupational hazard for a man who was the owner and primary guide of Cape Wilde Outdoor Adventures.
The peak summer tourist season had only just begun, and Rhett was already exhausted. All he wanted was to get a bite to eat, shower, and sleep for a week.
Satisfied that his boots wouldn’t leave mud all over the floor, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. He didn’t make it more than a pace into the bar before he pulled up short, stunned into stillness by the woman who was crossing the space towards him.
Well, hello.
She was like sunshine after a week of rain. Long, glossy brown hair spilled over her shoulders in a tumble. She hadn’t seen him yet, approaching the near-empty bar as if on a mission.
She was shorter than him—not that it was hard. At well over six feet, Rhett towered over almost everyone he knew. She would fit perfectly in his arms.
Wow, where had that thought come from? He flexed his hands to get himself under control. What was wrong with him? He was never like this. He wasn’t a sailor, and she wasn’t a siren calling him to his doom, no matter how beautiful.
And she was beautiful.
He shifted from foot to foot, resenting his lack of control. Rhett West was nothing if not always in control.
Not right now.
He grunted in frustration, intending to ignore the woman who was obviously from out of town. Probably a holiday maker here with her family. She had that polished city look, despite the sneakers and jeans she wore. Her bag thudded onto the seat beside her, and he couldn’t help himself, saying the first thing that came into his head.
“What have you got in that thing? Rocks?”
Oh, real smooth. No wonder she’s staring at you like you’ve got horns.
She slid off the barstool with an adorable squeak, and he couldn’t let her fall, so he covered the short distance between them and gathered her in his arms.
She was all soft curves and perfume, just the right amount of floral without smelling like a department store. Her hands had come up to rest against his chest, her nails painted a pink that could only be described as ‘intense’. The color suited her. As if she was daring anyone to comment on her choice.
Rhett smiled ruefully as he held her against his chest, sliding one arm up to cradle her head. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. He’d never smell jasmine again without thinking of her. He knew that as clearly as he knew his own name.
“Oh!” she exclaimed in a breathy voice that sent a jolt of heat to his groin. Is that what she’d sound like when she came?
He swallowed and opened his eyes. Jaw clenched, he put her gently back on her feet and stepped away. His hands slid down her arms from her shoulders to her wrists, as if he couldn’t bear losing contact with her.
“I promise I’m not normally this clumsy,” she said, stepping back to let her go. She brushed her hands on her jeans, her cheeks pink.
Rhett watched as she fussed with her hair, smoothing the strands and putting herself to rights.
This was a woman who just got on with things. The world moved on, and she wasn’t about to let it move on without her. He smiled, preparing to wish her well and walk away, but she reached out and put a small hand on his forearm, stalling him.
He looked down at her hand; the pink painted nails standing out against his tanned skin.
No engagement ring. No wedding band.
He blinked, still staring at her hand. She snatched it back.
“I’m sorry. I should have thought…” she said, trailing off.
Her eyes were a golden brown, almost amber, with darker flecks. They reminded him of the fall leaves that he loved so much.
“No.” He managed say.
“No?” Her brows drew together.
He cleared his throat. “I mean, no need to apologize.” He waved his hand towards the seat next to her. “Do you mind if I?”
She nodded. Then frowned and shook her head. “No, I don’t mind. Um, here.” She dragged her bag off the seat, dumping it unceremoniously on the floor.
Rhett’s lips twitched, but he sat, watching her as she sat carefully.
“Hey Rhett.”
He turned to see his cousin, Mason, limping towards him, the perpetual scowl he wore deepening as he took in the woman sitting next to him.
“Mason,” he replied, straightening in his seat.
“Who’s your date?”
“She’s not?—”
“Oh, we’re not?—”
Rhett’s lips twitched. Mason just grunted and shook his head, moving to the far end of the bar and hoisting himself onto an empty barstool.
“Not very friendly, is he?” she asked.
He whipped his head towards her, ready with an angry retort to defend Mason, but there was no animosity in her expression.
“Yeah, well, being in pain all the time will probably do that,” he said, but smiled to soften the words.
She chewed on her bottom lip and looked at her lap.
“What can I get you, ma’am? Rhett?”
He didn’t bother telling old Errol the bartender they weren’t on a date. In a town as small as Cape Wilde, everyone would know by this time tomorrow that he’d been seen with a beautiful stranger. If he protested, it would be even more damning.
Rhett waited while she ordered, then gave his own order, paying for both their drinks.
“I can pay for my drink.”
“Never said you couldn’t.” Rhett took a long pull from his beer, closing his eyes as the refreshing cold brew slid down his throat. The tension in his shoulders eased a little, and he sighed, rolling his head on his neck to stretch out some kinks that had developed carrying a pack for the last few days.
He glanced over at her to see her swirling her wineglass absentmindedly, the way he’d seen the folk who fancied themselves as wine connoisseurs do at the fine dining restaurant over at Calamity Cove. But with her, it didn’t look contrived. It looked practiced, like she’d spent a lot of time in fancy restaurants of the like not found outside of a big city.
“Where are you from?” He surprised himself by asking.
“New York,” she said simply, taking a sip of her wine as she glanced at him from under lowered lashes.
“Ahh,” he replied, setting one booted foot on the ground, the other on the rung of the barstool.
She lifted an eyebrow in question. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Rhett shrugged. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.”
She looked down at her clothes. “I don’t?”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Nope.”
He held his hand out to her. “I’m Rhett.”
Her grip was surprisingly firm, and he enjoyed the feel of her soft fingers against his callused ones more than he cared to admit.
“Charlie.”
It suited her. “Nice to meet you, Charlie. Want to join me for dinner?”
She laughed, caught by surprise. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. “Actually, sure. Okay, I’ll join you for dinner.”
Rhett’s face split open into a wide grin. Charlie smiled back.
They found a table outside on the lawn to one side of the building, lit by lights strung between trees. The moonlight cast a glow over the dark water, the sound of waves lapping against the rocky shore a familiar, calming sound.
If they’d actually been on a date, it couldn’t have been more romantic.
A moonlit evening, a singer crooning blues over the diners, and a woman who turned out to be as interesting to talk to as she was beautiful.
Rhett forgot all about being tired, or the work that was waiting for him tomorrow. He didn’t want this evening with Charlie to end.
“Where are you staying?” He asked as they were finishing cups of coffee after their meal. The blues singer had long since packed up, and the only staff left were cleaning the inside tables.
She shot him a sharp glance, and he lifted his hands as if defending against a blow.
“Whoa! Not asking so I can get into your pants, Charlie.” Although he wasn’t opposed to the idea. Did she even think about him like that? He gave himself a mental shake.
Get a grip. It’s only been a few hours. She’s just after some company.
Charlie stifled a yawn behind her hand and then gave him a rueful smile. “That’s a shame. I wouldn’t mind getting into yours.”
Rhett had, unfortunately, chosen just that moment to swallow the last of his coffee and choked. He fought to not splutter too badly, but failed dismally.
She started laughing and stood up to pat him on the back as he cleared his throat. “Did I take you by surprise?”
He turned to straddle the bench seat and face her, which put him level with her breasts. And dear god, she had glorious breasts. All night he’d fought not to stare, but now he gave in to temptation. They were big, but not out of proportion to the rest of her deliciously curvy body, and he bet they were gloriously soft and fit just perfectly in his hands.
“Eyes are up here, buddy.”
He flushed, dragging his attention away from her chest to her face. She was smirking at him, one eyebrow cocked.
“Can I get your number?”
She smiled. “Sure, but I’m only in town for a few days.”
“Oh.” A spike of disappointment ran through him. He gave a mental shrug. He’d enjoyed her company and that would have to be enough.
He did have a problem though. There was absolutely no way Rhett would be able to stand without Charlie seeing exactly what effect she had on him. He shifted slightly on the bench.
“Rhett, I like you. You’re cute and fun. I think we both know where this could go, right?” She reached out and touched the side of his face, brushing her thumb over his lower lip.
He nodded and turned his head to nip at her digit, soothing the bite with his tongue. Her mouth dropped open slightly, her tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip. He groaned and tugged her towards him, sliding his hands around her waist.
He’d never been so turned inside out by a woman. And never in such a short amount of time. Maybe he’d been wrong and she did want what he did? He’d take whatever she was willing to give.
Charlie’s hands gripped his shoulders, bracing herself as she shifted to straddle his lap.
Perfect. He had her exactly where he wanted her. Deliciously soft curves pressed against him and he fought to keep his breathing even as desire flooded him.
“I’m not too heavy?” She asked, a line forming between her brows.
He growled. “You’re perfect.” His hands gripped her backside and squeezed, dragging her forward until she was pressed up against his hard cock.
Right at that moment, he wanted to curse whoever had invented clothing.
She smiled, sliding a hand between them to stroke her fingertips lightly over the denim-clad bulge in his pants. He almost came at the contact, burying his face in her neck and nipping her with his teeth.
She giggled and sighed, dropping her head to one side. “You’re a biter, huh?”
In answer, he nipped her again before trailing kisses up her neck and capturing her lips with his own.