Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
R hys decided that evening that he was indeed a very selfish man. The business meetings he’d had to get through earlier that day had been with Everett Drake.
Research had shown Rhys that Drake’s beautiful wife, Isabel, and Sara had more than a few things in common, so when Drake had issued a dinner invitation for the future, he’d countered with getting together that very evening.
He wasn’t a patient man, and he felt his time with Sara slipping through his fingers. She’d want to leave Carolina Cove the moment the lot closed, to go be with her parents in their time of need—as she should—but he didn’t want the decision to be easy for her.
The evening went well, though he’d sensed Sara’s nervous panic when they’d first arrived at the couple’s seaside home.
Sara had shot him a few daggers when he’d explained the situation, and he’d apologized for the short notice and not telling her sooner, but he also wasn’t sorry since he hadn’t wanted Sara to worry over dinner with strangers.
As he’d suspected, Sara and Isabel instantly hit it off, and after dinner, they’d settled in to chat about art and design since Isabel was an up-and-coming painter. He boldly eavesdropped, listening to Sara shyly explain her desire to write and illustrate children’s books.
“Not your usual type, from what I understand.”
Drake’s low murmur as he prepared to make his next play on the billiard table drew Rhys’s attention back to the man. “So I’ve been told.”
Everett smirked and nailed the shot. “She and Isabel have a lot in common. Smart move bringing her to meet and see how it can be done.”
Rhys grunted out a sound but never took his eyes off the ladies. “Am I that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s been there.”
Rhys shifted his attention to the man across the table from him. “Any advice?”
Everett snagged the chalk and focused on his pool cue. “You can give her whatever she wants, but if she’s anything like Isabel, what she wants is the real man. That’s what makes them both terrifying and perfect.”
A low chuckle rumbled out of Rhys at the man’s words, and he nodded. Sara wasn’t artificial, and Drake’s words reenforced his own thoughts about her.
After a few games and a nightcap, Rhys and Sara left the Drakes’s before their infant son’s bedtime and headed to the hotel, Sara snuggled against his side for the short ride.
Everett’s words resonated in Rhys’s mind as they quietly discussed their dinner hosts. Rhys escorted Sara through a side entrance and used a service elevator to avoid being seen.
Inside his suite, he left the lights dimmed low so that the tree was the main focus, sparkling from the corner. “You and Isabel seemed to be fast friends.”
Sara smiled and nodded as he settled in beside her on the couch to pull her close for the Christmas movie she’d chosen.
“She’s amazing. She showed me her art studio and her current work, and even invited me to her upcoming show in January.”
He’d received an invitation for the private showcase as well and made a mental note to accept. “I’d be happy to escort you.”
Something in her expression darkened, like the light went out of her gaze before she averted her eyes. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Sara. What is it?”
“It’s nothing. Really. I just—don’t know where I’ll be in January.” She shook her head and gave him a sad smile. “I’m…enjoying our time together. Let’s not burst the bubble until we have to, okay? Can we just…”
She waved a hand toward the television and the tree, and he understood her meaning clear as day.
She thought this was temporary. That they were merely passing time as two lonely people by themselves near the holidays. And while he wanted to protest her thinking and shower her with reassurances, he also knew coming on too strong wouldn’t serve him because she’d balk and say he wasn’t sincere.
His sweet Sara was complicated in that way.
But since actions were more powerful than words, he drew her to him and covered them with a cozy blanket, pressed Play and silently promised her the future he intended to create for them.
Sara opened her eyes with a lazy blink and pressed her nose to the deliciousness beneath her. So good. Like whiskey and salt and?—
“Good morning, sweet Sara.”
She swallowed. How could anyone sound and smell so good in the morning? And it was morning, given the way the sunlight streamed into the suite.
She didn’t want to move, and when she tried, she found herself trapped between the back cushions of the couch and Rhys’s long, hard body.
“We fell asleep.” She croaked like a thirsty frog and cringed. No sexy, throaty morning voice for her.
“We did. Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a very long time.”
His fingers tightened in her hair before relaxing and rubbing softly, the move making her eyes close in pleasure.
“Mmm. Keep looking like that and I’ll never let you leave.”
His lips suddenly pressed to hers in a kiss that was soft and heady and all things tantalizing. So much so she forgot about morning breath and the slight headache from lack of coffee.
“What do you want for breakfast? Or lunch? We slept in, and I didn’t want to wake you.”
The realization that it was lunch time jolted through her. That and the fact he’d apparently been lying there trapped by her and watching her sleep. Who did that? “What time is it? I have to get to the lot. Buck was supposed to be there by ten.”
“It’s nearly eleven.”
“Oh, no. I can’t believe I slept so late. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“You obviously needed the rest, sweetheart. We’ve had some busy days, and you’ve been writing and designing instead of resting.”
She tried to scramble up and struggled, given the way she was pinned between him and the couch, the two forming a steady, warm, heavy blanket of safety. No wonder she’d slept so well.
Rhys got up and then helped steady her as she finally swung off the couch to her feet. She flushed when he gently patted down her bedhead and gently ran his thumbs under her eyes.
“Perfect.”
He kissed her again before she pulled away for a quick trip to the bathroom. One glance in the mirror above the sink proved that while she did look rough from sleeping in her makeup, she did appear better rested.
She rinsed her mouth with water, finger-brushed her hair even more and headed out to be on her way home.
Rhys waited, looking like he’d splashed his face somewhere else in the suite if his spiky lashes were any indication.
“Are you ready?”
“You don’t have to come with me.”
“A gentleman sees his date home.” He tilted his head toward the door, and they left, once again using the service elevator.
Downstairs, Axel waited at the side of the building. She was quickly tucked into the vehicle, and they were on their way to the lot in seconds.
Like she’d feared, Buck waited for her to show up. The thirty-something man scowled when he saw her get out of the back of the fancy Mercedes, and Sara flushed when Buck gave them both a once over, like he could tell they’d spent the night together. Even though nothing had happened other than a few kisses during the movie.
“Hi, Buck. Thanks for bringing the new load.”
“You okay, Sara? I got worried when you didn’t answer. I even called a few times.”
Sara refused to look at Rhys. “I’m fine. My phone died, and— The trees look great. I’m sure they’ll sell well.”
Buck continued to glare at Rhys, who stared right back. She glanced between them, finally realizing the two were engaged in a silent battle for dominance.
Buck had liked her for years, but she’d never returned his feelings. And while she and Rhys weren’t really a couple, both men shot daggers as though staking a claim. “Rhys, this is Buck, my dad’s farm manager. Buck, this is Rhys.”
Rhys’s hand slid up her back to her neck where he gently but firmly squeezed in a gentle massage.
“Nice to meet you, Buck.”
Buck dipped his head but didn’t return the greeting.
“Well, Buck, I appreciate you unloading them and getting things set up. I’m sure you want to get back on the road.”
“I can stay the night and pitch in. I’m sure you’ll be busy once people see the lot is restocked.”
“No need,” Rhys said. “I’ll help her.”
She jerked her head toward him and saw Rhys still stared at the other man. “You’ll… help me? Sell Christmas trees?”
Rhys finally broke his glare to look at her, amusement in his gaze at her audible surprise.
He used his hold on her to tug her close enough to drop a kiss to the top of her head and murmur, “Of course, sweet Sara. I am at your service.”