Chapter Seven
A s they walked back to Vivian and Aiden’s house, Ellie’s mind was racing. She hadn’t meant to blurt out in front of everyone that she was thinking of buying the house, it had just slipped out.
She turned and looked over her shoulder. It was so crazy. She’d never been to the house, but everything felt so familiar.
Janice took her arm. “I’m so glad you like the house!”
“I’ve just been thinking about it,” Ellie said. “It’s so strange that the house I’ve always dreamed about is right here, in Marietta.”
As they chatted about the house, Ellie’s eyes fell on Becket who was walking with his mom a few steps in front of her.
Swallowing a groan, she forced her eyes away from his very sexy butt.
She’d agreed to go on a date with the town bad boy.
How did that happen? Why did she do that?
Hadn’t she been adamant she wasn’t dating again?
She blamed those freaking blue eyes he’d batted.
And okay, yes, he was right. There was something between them.
Not really a ‘connection’, though; that was taking it too far.
Connection implied something deep and meaningful and, if she wasn’t mistaken, what was happening between them was very superficial. Lust, nothing more.
She hadn’t been with a man since she’d left Marcus. That had been months ago and before that she hadn’t really wanted him to touch her anyway.
“You know, Ellie,” Janice was saying, “I’ve been thinking about your shop. You’re there all day and every day. Have you thought of getting someone to help you? Maybe take over for half a day so that you’re not stuck inside all the time?”
“I haven’t really thought about getting extra help, no,” Ellie replied.
“It’s not really necessary. But it would be nice to have someone who can be there if I need to go somewhere.
For instance, I urgently need to get to Bozeman to do some shopping.
I’ve left most of my stuff in storage back in Phoenix, including my summer clothes. ”
“Well, tell you what,” Janice said. “I don’t have anything to do tomorrow afternoon. Why don’t I play shop and you go to Bozeman?”
“Janice, really? I could also just close the shop…”
“I’ve offered. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Monday afternoons are usually quiet. And if anyone wants to buy anything and you don’t feel comfortable using the payment system, let them take it, just make a note and tell them I’ll contact them.”
“And if there’s a huge crisis, Craig, Aiden or Riley would be more than happy to help. My godchildren are always happy to help. It will also give me a chance to actually sit down and read. At home I’m always pottering around.”
As they reached Vivian’s house, Ellie stopped. She wanted to go back to the B I need time to think.”
“Of course. I’ll see whether I can get hold of Gloria tonight. Thanks for joining us today, it was lovely to have you.”
“Thanks for inviting me. One of these days maybe I’ll be able to reciprocate. Goodbye, everyone!” she called out and with a wave, she turned to leave. Becket was waiting for her.
“I’ll walk you home.”
“You really don’t have to. She quickened her steps, but he easily kept up.
“I want to.” He cleared his throat. “So you’re going to Bozeman tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes, but I’ll be back by…”
“I also need to go to Bozeman tomorrow. The tractor is down, we need parts. What if we go together? Once we’re done with our errands, we can find a place where we can have dinner?”
“You mean in Bozeman?” Ellie asked.
He grinned. “Yes. For one thing, it’ll probably mean it takes another day before Aurelia Hill finds out about it.”
Ellie couldn’t help laughing. Aurelia Hill was legendary. “Okay, it can work. But Becket…”
He lifted his hands. “Just dinner. I have a proposition for you, but we can discuss that during dinner.”
“What kind of proposition?”
“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night. Here you are.”
Surprised, she noticed they’d reached the guesthouse. “Thank you. I’ll be okay now.” She took the key from her bag.
He held out his hand. “Let me unlock the front door.”
“I’ve been unlocking doors since I could walk.”
“My mama is going to want to know whether you’re safely home. I can’t answer that if I haven’t checked.”
Rolling her eyes, she groaned out loud. “Oh, you’re a sly one, bringing your mother into it.
It’s a guesthouse. There are other guests.
Maybe not right now, but they… okay, fine.
” Aware of a car driving by, she slammed the keys into his hand.
If they stood like this for much longer, the whole town would know about it by tonight.
Catching her fingers, he kept hold of her hand as he unlocked the door.
“Thank you. Goodbye.” She tried to pull her hand from his, but he wasn’t letting go.
He stepped inside with her and closed the door. “I have to check if you’ll be safe.”
“Becket, seriously, you are being ridiculous.”
He made a show of checking into all the rooms around the entrance hall, her hand still in his. “Now I’ll leave.”
“I’d like my hand back, please.” When she looked up, he was right in front of her.
Everything around them stilled. Those strange vibrations filled the air, breathing became difficult. Outside, life continued as usual. The sounds of the wind in the trees and of children laughing were far away, muffled by the noise of her blood racing through her veins.
Feverishly, his eyes trailed over her face. “All I can think about is kissing you.”
“Not a good idea.” Her mouth was so dry, she was amazed she got the words out.
He slipped a hand under her hair. “I must disagree. Let’s find out if these strange feelings between us are just imaginary.”
It was no use saying she didn’t know what he was talking about. Around them, electricity was crackling audibly. “What if we don’t? Find that, I mean.”
“Let’s take it step by step.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “You’re a smooth one, Becket Weston. But then, I’ve heard all about you since the day I’ve arrived. Go on then, give it your best shot.”
His eyebrows raised. “You mean that?”
She nodded, her heart beating so loudly he had to hear it too. Reckless behavior , a little voice was screaming, but for once, she was listening to her heart, not the irritating little voice.
His other hand trailed down her arm, igniting embers just below the surface of her skin.
“Oh, you’re good,” she moaned.
Blue eyes flashed. Slowly, painfully slowly, he lowered his head. There was time to push him away, should she want to, but she had no desire to do that. He was right. It was time to find out what this thing between them was. Maybe it was only because she hadn’t been on a date forever or maybe…
Warm lips touched hers briefly, teasing her with a nibble here and one there until she was ready to explode. Oh, he knew his way around women, damn him. But two could play his game.
Standing on tiptoe, she pulled his head down, bit his lip. When his groan slipped into her mouth, she kissed him with all the pent-up frustration of the past week. For a heady moment, she was in charge, felt him shudder. But then he took over and pushed her against the wall.
As she gasped, his tongue slid inside to where hers was eagerly waiting to tangle. Stars exploded behind her eyes— really? —heat zipped through her body, threatening to burn her alive.
Hot fingers slipped underneath her top, touching her burning skin. This was madness, total madness, she knew that but, damn it, she’d never been kissed like this. Recklessly, in utter abandon. Like he was thirsty, and she was the only one who could quench his craving.
A car started up in the street outside, finally bringing them back to reality. Becket slowly lifted his head, his eyes darkened with desire. Like her, he was breathing hard, struggling to regain his composure.
“Damn, Ellie,” he got out, sounding all husky and sexy.
“You pack a hell of a punch. How am I supposed to sleep tonight?” While talking, his hands were sliding up her back until his thumbs were resting just below her breasts in front.
Her aching breasts. “I think we can both agree what we feel is not just make-believe?”
She nodded, still unable to think of a coherent sentence, let alone utter one. Was she imagining it or had those thumbs inched slightly higher up?
“We’ll talk tomorrow night. Do I pick you up at the shop or here?”
She blinked. What was he talking about?
His smile could melt chocolate, damn him. “Our trip to Bozeman?”
“Oh. I… I don’t know if that’s still such a good idea.”
For a millisecond those thumbs slid over her aching breasts before he pulled his hands from under her top and rested them on her hips. She was struggling to breathe.
“I promise to behave. Listen to my proposal. If after that, you don’t want to see me again, I’ll respect your wishes.”
Sighing, she nodded. Maybe when she saw him again this craziness would have disappeared. You never knew, right?
He bent his head again. “I’ll behave. Tomorrow, that is. Right now, though…” Those hot lips trailed kisses down her face before moving to her mouth. “I have to kiss you again,” he whispered before his mouth closed over hers once more.
Desire slamming into her, she gasped. This was crazy and couldn’t last, she knew that, but at this very moment, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do than kiss Becket Weston. Time enough to be a prim and proper spinster later.
Becket pulled her closer, close enough that she could feel his desire throbbing against her body. An ache so fierce she nearly cried out filled her belly.
Again, it was Becket who ended the kiss. At least he was also breathing heavily, she was happy to see.
From outside, she heard Annie’s laugh.
“Annie and Craig are back,” she quickly got out. “How do I look?”
He combed back her hair with his fingers. “Like you’ve been thoroughly kissed,” he grinned. “I have a bigger problem. I’m not sure if I can walk.”
“What…?” slipped out before she understood what he meant.
“Oh,” she got out, her face flaming.
“Your fault,” he grinned.
“I’m…”
The door flew open. Annie’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, Becket, you’re still here?”
“Just leaving,” he said before he turned back to Ellie. “See you tomorrow?”
Her mind was blank.
“Bozeman?” he chuckled.
“Oh yes. Um… at the shop, I think?”
“Your phone? I don’t have your number.”
Aware of Annie’s eyes taking in everything that was happening, she handed her phone to Becket. Like the rest of her, her fingers were numb, she couldn’t press a thing, let alone enter a number.
“Text me if you’d rather I pick you up here.” And, as if it was the most natural thing on earth, he bent down and kissed her again. “See you tomorrow. Bye, Annie.”
Annie was clearly still stunned. “Bye, Becket,” she got out.
The moment Becket left, Annie grabbed Ellie’s hand. “What about a nice cup of tea?”
Sighing, Ellie followed her. “I don’t have any answers for you.”
“We’ll just talk. And have tea.”
*
Afterward, Becket wasn’t sure how he got home.
His mind was so clouded with thoughts of Ellie, his senses so stimulated by their kiss, there wasn’t space for anything else.
Her lips, her skin, her scent, her everything.
She was beautiful, spunky, funny and so sexy he was never going to sleep tonight.
The dogs jumped up as he unlocked the door. Tails wagging, they rushed closer, Harper in front. She stopped for a moment before she sniffed his hand. Jack and Sadie followed suit.
Usually when he’d been with a woman, they’d mostly ignore him. Harper set the tone and wouldn’t even greet him properly before he’d taken a shower and washed off whatever strange scent he’d had on him. Tonight, though, they couldn’t get enough.
Sniffing and giving short yelps, the three wouldn’t let him move.
“Okay, yes, I was with Ellie,” he finally laughed and shoving them out of the way, fell into one of the chairs.
Harper barked joyously and ran toward his desk with Jack and Sadie right behind her.
“I’m going to bed; I’m not sketching tonight.”
Three pairs of accusing eyes turned toward him. Harper sat down, waited. Jack and Sadie followed her, like always.
Groaning, he rubbed his face. Getting up, he walked toward them. “This is fast becoming super weird. I’m not Cooper, but if I’m not mistaken, you want me to sketch what happened today, don’t you?”
And as if his words were some kind of cue, all three started barking.
“I haven’t even thought about drawing her again…”
But the dogs weren’t interested, they kept on barking. They only stopped once he sat down behind his desk.
Okay, he could check his emails, maybe they’d be happy if he was busy.
As he opened his ET Beck email messages, he groaned out loud.
He thought he’d caught up with all the orders that he’d received, but there were more than a hundred new emails.
Some were orders for sketches of his dogs, others were from people requesting sketches of their own pets.
One email subject in particular caught his eye: Publishing deal for illustrations—Brooke Publishing.
His eyes widened. Of course he’d heard of the publishers, they were a well-known publishing house for illustrated books.
This was obviously a scam, why would a publisher contact him?
He received so many scams, by now he could recognize one from a mile away.
Even though he knew it wasn’t real, he was curious enough to read through the email that had been sent by one June Kincaid.
They were, of course, offering him a dream deal—publishing his illustrations about his dogs with the option to also publish anything else he might have.
Yeah, right. He deleted the email. If it hadn’t been a scam, it would’ve been a dream come true. But if he pursued his dream, it meant he’d have to tell his family, leave Hayden and Cooper in the lurch, and there was no way he could do that.
While he was still thinking of the possibilities of the impossible, he pulled a piece of paper closer and picked up a pencil. Minutes later, his hand was flying over the page. Once he was drawing, the dogs finally settled at his feet.