Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVE
Malcolm woke the next morning to find Josie standing beside the bed, holding a mug of coffee. “We need to go soon, or we’re going to be late to meet Mari at the bookshop to brief her on our progress.”
He took the mug and put it on the side table, and then he took her hands in his and pulled her onto the bed. “Not so fast.” Then gave her a proper good-morning kiss, the way she should have woken up in the first place. He thought he might’ve convinced her when sixty seconds later, she was kissing him back just as passionately.
But then she withdrew, pushing back up to standing. “Seriously, we really should get going in a few minutes.”
He sat up in bed, the covers falling to reveal his bare chest and pool around his hips. “Is everything okay? You’re not regretting last night, are you?”
She shook her head, her color going slightly pink. As if their kiss hadn’t been enough of a reminder. “No, of course I’m not regretting any of it. It’s just that I want to make sure that nobody finds out about… this.”
It shouldn’t have grated so much to have their lovemaking reduced to this . After all, that was the way he’d looked at it his entire life. As something fun, something pleasurable. But not particularly world-changing, when all was said and done.
“Okay,” he said, the word coming out grumpier than he intended.
Of course she picked up on it. “You don’t want anyone to know, do you?” She looked confused. “I mean, wouldn’t it just get more complicated if your family and friends though that we were an actual couple?”
“Right.” But it didn’t feel at all right. “It’s fine.” But it didn’t feel fine at all.
What felt fine was having Josie in his arms. What felt fine was laughing with her. What felt fine was working together to clean up the manor house cottages so she could run her reading retreat. Hiding the fact that they were together, even if just for a little while, felt anything but fine.
Obviously sensing that he was better left to himself at the moment, she said, “I’ll just finish getting my things together while you hop in the shower and get dressed.”
He was ready fifteen minutes later, and they headed off on foot to the bookshop. He kept wanting to grab her hand. Kept wanting to hold it. Kept wanting to stop and kiss her on the path, the way he had yesterday. They hadn’t been worried about anyone seeing them then, had they?
He was being a grumpy git again. And she was right. It would just get messy if his family found out. Messes were bad, he knew that. He was all about efficiency. About right action. It was just that he’d always been the one wanting to keep things on the down-low. Josie had surprised him by being the first to say what was obvious, that was all. What they’d agreed on already.
He actively worked to shake off his mood.
They were soon walking through the door of the bookshop. Mari smiled and greeted them, but she definitely looked less calm than usual.
“I take it you’ve had a very busy couple of days,” he said after they hugged their hellos.
She nodded. “It’s been a madhouse in here. It’s fantastic, of course, because I can always use more business. But I had no idea a bookstore could ever be this busy.”
Malcolm could feel the stress she was trying to hide. He had so much experience with business owners who expanded. Had she taken on more than she could handle? He loved and admired Mari for her go-getter attitude and entrepreneurial zeal, but he knew better than anyone how taking on too much too soon could cause stress.
“I’m really pleased for you,” Josie said. “If I get a chance while I’m here to break away from the cottages, I can always come help out in the store.”
But Mari shook her head. “Thank you, but you’re already going above and beyond by cleaning them up. If you get any spare time, it should definitely be working on the retreat master plan. That’s what you came here to do, after all.”
Malcolm watched as Josie flushed at Mari’s words. He knew what she was thinking. That she had come here to work on the reading retreat, not to sleep with him. But she had nothing to feel bad about. They’d put in a full day’s work. And they were going to get the cottages ready in time. A little downtime in the sack wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“I could work on the master plan here in the shop so you’d have help if you needed it. I think I’d do a better job anyway, surrounded by books and readers.”
Instead of surrounded by him?
“We have our schedule to go over, if you have a few minutes,” he said, hoping to pull Josie out of her guilty conscience.
“That’d be great,” Mari said. “Can I get either of you a cup of tea?”
“No, thanks, I just had coffee,” Josie said.
“Me too. I’m fine,” he said.
They went to sit down, and Josie picked the absolute farthest seat from him. Which didn’t make any sense, given that they’d made the plan together, and they should present it together. He got up and moved beside her, making her flush even more. It was one thing to keep their affair on the down-low. It was another to act as though they didn’t even like each other.
She took the schedule they’d put together out of her bag and laid it on the table. For the next several minutes, they walked Mari through the plans.
Painters and cleaners. Plus, an electrician and a plumber he’d insisted on hiring to ensure the old wiring and plumbing could handle the demands of the retreat. He was not going to put Josie or the guests at risk of a fire. “Josie and I are going to take the morning to clear out some of the junk that’s accumulated in the buildings over the years.”
“But don’t worry,” Josie added. “We’re not going to get rid of anything that’s potentially valuable.”
Mari looked at them, her eyes shiny. “I don’t know how to thank both of you enough. I honestly couldn’t have done any of this without you. Even now, I feel terribly guilty that I can’t lend a hand, but I’ve got the book launch party this evening.” She put a hand to her stomach. “I’m as nervous as if I’d written the book myself.”
“Your father would be very proud of you,” Malcolm assured her, knowing it was true.
“Is there anything we can do to help get ready for tonight?” Josie asked.
Once more, he sensed that Mari was feeling overwhelmed. She obviously hadn’t anticipated that good publicity and having his grandmother appear at the bookshop, plus the launch of her father’s book, would flood the shop with customers. It was a good problem to have, but he could see she was struggling to stay on top of everything.
“No. Owen’s been helping me, and I think we have everything under control, but I am sorry I’m not with you at the cottages.”
“Don’t feel guilty at all,” Josie insisted. “This is a really fun project. And we both just want to make it a beautiful space for you and all the people who are going to come to read and get away from it all for a little while on Elderflower Island.”
He could have hugged Josie in that moment. She’d said exactly the right thing. Already, Mari looked calmer.
Mari smiled at them both and then looked back at Josie. “Elderflower Island is already doing wonders for you. You have that same bright-eyed expression that I know I did when I arrived here. The island is just so magical, isn’t it?”
Josie looked for a moment like a deer caught in the headlights. As though Mari were intimating that more than just being on the island had put the glow in Josie’s cheeks. Finally, she snapped out of it and said, “Oh yes, it really is magical here. I’ve loved every single second I’ve been here so far.”
He knew he shouldn’t tease her, knew he’d agreed to keep everything secret, but the devil inside of him couldn’t resist. “We’ve enjoyed the rooftop deck on my boat a couple of nights. It was particularly nice out last night, wasn’t it, Josie?”
She almost shot him a glare, then caught herself at the last second. “It was really nice up there.”
“Is living on a houseboat as romantic as it seems?” Mari asked Josie.
This time, she didn’t answer with words. All she did was nod. Clearly, she felt that actually using words might betray her.
Just then, the door chimes sounded. Malcolm’s brother Tom and his young daughter, Aria, walked in.
“Mari, do you have the book for me?”
Mari got up, a huge smile on her face as she went to hug the little girl. “Of course I do. You’re getting the very first copy. I saved it just for you.”
She gave Aria a copy of her father’s book. Aria hugged it to her and then ran to the children’s section and its smaller-sized chairs. She settled herself and opened the book as though she was unwrapping the most precious gift. Tom watched his daughter with affection, then seeing she was settled and happily reading, he walked over to say hello.
“You must be Josie. I’ve heard a lot about you already, from practically everyone.”
Malcolm noted his brother wore his most charming smile. The one that made women’s panties fall down around their ankles.
Josie stood to shake his hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. I think you and Aria are the last of the family, apart from your parents, that I have yet to meet.”
“How are you liking the island so far?” Tom asked.
“Oh, it’s absolutely beautiful. I’m having a wonderful time.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I was worried that Malc might not be showing you a good time. He’s always glued to his phone, or about to head into a meeting. Whereas I know all the great places for nightlife. I’d be happy to show you around the city if you can spare an evening.”
Malcolm narrowed his eyes. His brother was out-and-out flirting with Josie. All but asking her on a date. “We’re busy,” he growled. “The cottages need a lot of work. That’s why we’re here right now—to go over everything with Mari before we head over there and get back to work.”
Tom’s eyebrows went up. “Okay, but…” He turned back to Josie. “If you need to get away from Mr. Cranky Pants here, just let me know. I’ll give you my number.”
Mr. Cranky Pants? It was obvious Tom spent a lot of time with a five-year-old. Malcolm nearly stopped him from giving Josie his number. Heck, right at that moment, he was stopping himself from slugging his brother.
Aria ran over, the book under her arm. “Hi, I’m Aria,” she said to Josie. “Who are you?”
Josie knelt down. “I’m Josie, Mari’s friend from the United States. You’re so lucky to have the first copy of her father’s book.”
“I know. Do you want to come over to my special rug with me, and I can read it to you?”
Josie smiled. “I’d love that.” She shot another smile at Tom as they walked away, her hand in Aria’s.
Obviously, as if Tom’s charm wasn’t enough, he was wooing her with his daughter. Damn him.
Tom shot him a slightly evil grin. “So that’s the lie of the land, is it?”
Malcolm didn’t pretend not to understand. “She’s off-limits to you, Tom.”
Tom’s eyebrows went up. “But not to you?”
Malcolm would have answered that definitively had he not agreed just an hour ago to keep things with Josie completely secret. “It’s complicated.”
“Doesn’t seem that complicated from where I’m standing. You like her. She likes you. You date. And then if things start to get serious, you see where it goes from there.”
Malcolm frowned. Tom was making things sound easier than they were. “You know better than anyone how messed up relationships can be.”
“True,” Tom agreed. “Relationships can be a mess. But only if you pick the wrong person.”
What had come over Tom? He almost sounded like he was becoming a romantic. Just then, Aria’s and Josie’s laughter sounded throughout the bookstore.
“She’s beautiful, she seems fun, and Mari says she’s brilliant at what she does,” Tom said. “That’s quite a combination.”
Malcolm couldn’t keep from snarling, “Back off.”
“I’m just saying I’m not going to be the only one who notices how great she is.” Tom shrugged. “Not that she’d necessarily go for a guy like you. You’re not exactly the most cheerful person in the world.”
Malcolm knew he shouldn’t rise to the bait. He should just shrug off what his brother said. But he was jabbing him in all the places that he knew would get a rise out of him. “If it was between the two of us,” Malcolm said, “I’d make damn sure she chose me.”
Tom’s eyebrows went up again. “Is that a challenge?”
Malcolm refused to be drawn in any farther. “We’ve got to go. The painters are waiting.” But before he left, he had to say one more thing. “Josie’s heart isn’t for us to battle over. Whatever choices she makes in her life, they’re hers, not ours.”
He headed over to where Aria was reading the last page of the book to Josie.
“That’s the best story I’ve ever read,” Aria said.
“I agree,” Josie said.
They were adorable together and instantly made him think how great she’d be with a child of her own. But with his brother’s challenging words still ringing in his ears, he was gruffer than he intended to be when he said, “We should head out. The painters are going to be there in a few minutes.”
Josie smiled at Aria. “I hope we’ll get to read together again someday soon.”
“Daddy,” Aria called across the bookstore, “can Josie come over and read with me sometime soon?”
Tom smiled at her. “Of course, honey. Josie can spend as much time at our house as she’d like.”
At that, Malcolm all but yanked her up off the carpet she and Aria had been sitting on.
She shot him a confused look, clearly wondering what the problem was.
“Bye, sweetie,” Malcolm said to Aria, giving her a kiss on the cheek before he dragged Josie out of the bookshop, barely giving her time to wave and call a good-bye to Mari.
“Are the painters waiting to be let in? Is that why we’re suddenly in such a crazy rush?”
He knew better than to tell her that Tom had been acting interested in her. What if she preferred his brother over him? And why wouldn’t she, when he hadn’t exactly been all sunshine and rainbows? Tom had a lot of charm. Even Malcolm could see that.
“We were losing track of time in the bookstore.” Again, he was a gruff jerk. Not exactly winning her over, was he?
Though she was still frowning slightly at him, she let his lame explanation go. “Your niece is so sweet,” she said. “And your brother seems like an amazing father.”
“Aria is great,” he agreed. But he wasn’t in any mood to say nice things about Tom.
Fortunately, by the time they got to the cottages, the painting contractor Malcolm knew was just pulling up in his van. Malcolm went to speak with him while Josie unlocked all the buildings.
Within minutes, all systems were go. The decorator Fiona had recommended showed up, alongside his sister, who was there to explain what needed to be done with the remnants she had begun to collect. The hours flew by as they answered questions from Fiona, the decorator, and the painters, and continued to clear out the cottages ahead of them. Alice came by during her lunch break, bringing them sandwiches, which they wolfed down before getting right back to work.
The painters would begin the next day, painting the ceilings and trim white. Then Mari, Josie, Fiona, and the professional decorator would decide on wall colors. Meanwhile, there were curtains and soft furnishings to arrange. Mari had been disappointed when she realized there wasn’t time to prepare bedrooms, but she’d asked Malcolm and Josie to work out a plan and schedule for when they could be ready. She was definitely feeling optimistic that there would be future retreats.
Malcolm couldn’t help noticing how good Josie looked, how he’d catch the faintest whiff of vanilla and know she was near. He couldn’t get the feel of her, the taste of her out of his mind.
When she ran upstairs to grab a tape measure she’d left up there, he found an excuse to follow her. She turned an inquiring gaze on him when he shut the bedroom door. Okay, so there was no bed. It was an empty room with boxes of old dishes and junk that needed to be cleared out, but he still found himself in a bedroom with the door shut, alone with Josie. She must have interpreted the expression in his eyes correctly, for he saw the way her breath huffed in, causing her beautiful breasts to rise and her lips to part. He felt as though she were pulling him toward her.
“Malcolm,” she said. It was as far as she got before he was pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him, opening her lips, letting him taste her, tease her.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about kissing you,” he said. “It’s been driving me crazy.” She tasted so damn good. Hot and sweet, and when she made little moans deep in her throat, his desire ratcheted up to a burning need.
“The bedrooms are quite a shambles,” he heard Fiona say just before she threw the door open.
He barely had time to pull away from Josie and walk to the window, pretending to be studying the windowsill while he tried to get his body under control.
“Oh,” Fiona said, surprise packed into the single syllable. “I didn’t realize you two were up here.”
“Just grabbing the tape measure,” Josie said in a tone that was probably supposed to sound breezy, but to him sounded guilty. He’d bet his first million that she was blushing.
“Hope we didn’t interrupt anything,” his sister said as soon as Josie’s feet could be heard pounding down the stairs.
“Not at all,” he said, hoping his casual tone sounded more believable, but suspecting it didn’t. Not to a woman who’d known him her whole life. “I was just making sure there was no dry rot in the windowsill.” It was the lamest excuse he’d ever come up with, but why else would he be staring at the window?
“And is there?” Fiona was grinning. He knew it without even turning.
“No.”
“Good. Then maybe you can move aside so we can measure the windows for curtains.”
After lunch, he found the house so overrun with people that he told Josie he needed to see her outside. She followed him, and he grabbed her hand and led her into the gardens. A hedge so wildly overgrown that it was practically a forest gave him the shelter and privacy he needed. “I don’t believe we finished what we started upstairs,” he said, pulling Josie back into his arms.
She felt exactly right there, as though she fit, and his entire body exploded with need. How did she do this to him? They couldn’t spend too long making out like teenagers, or they’d be missed, but still, he couldn’t seem to let her go.
Until a voice trilled far too close for comfort. “Malcolm? Josie?”
Alice. Of course, if it wasn’t one sister nearly walking in on him and Josie, it had to be the other.
Josie gave a tiny giggle and pulled away, straightening her hair and shirt. He could have told her she was wasting her time. Her lips were wet and swollen from his kisses, her eyes heavy-lidded with desire. He was certain he looked similarly blissed out.
“Just checking the property boundary,” Malcolm called, pleased to have thought up something that sounded half believable.
“Why? Are you planning to buy the place?” Alice laughed, but the idea took root.
Just for a fleeting moment, he imagined buying the cottages so Josie could have retreats whenever she wanted to. He could picture her here, maybe living on the houseboat, or even more heart-poundingly, he imagined the two of them buying a place somewhere together. Somehow he knew that she wouldn’t fall in love with his flat in central London. Josie would want a real home, with bedrooms for children and gardens to play in. The image was fleeting, but it warmed him, all the way through to his heart.
They emerged from the brush, and Alice sent him a sharp look that promised massive teasing and intrusive questions later. Hopefully, he would think of something that would satisfy her and still be relatively truthful.
He didn’t even know himself what was going on with him and Josie.