Ten Kisses (Camp Eden #3)

Chapter 1

Molly Kennedy

~

Raleigh, North Carolina

April

"Thank you for coming over, Salem," I said, smiling as I opened the door to my apartment.

"No problem," he said, stepping inside. "Whatcha got?"

I took a deep breath, working up the nerve to ask him for the favor. "I want to build a counter to go right there," I said, spitting it out nervously as I pointed to an empty corner of the room.

Salem glanced that way and then at me, and I gestured for him to follow me over to my couch.

He had never been in my apartment before, and he almost seemed too big for it. I watched as he looked around curiously. Salem had a certain professional presence about him, and I was oddly nervous under these circumstances. It didn't help that he was intimidatingly masculine and handsome, or that we had a bit of a history.

"I had a lot more stuff in this room before," I said, clearing my throat. "I've got most of my personal things moved into the bedroom. I'm trying to make it welcoming in here so people can make pick-ups."

"I saw the sign outside. Molly's Chocolates. It looks good. Did you paint it?"

"Yeah, thank you, I'm not done with it," I said. "It's another thing on my list. I'm trying to start distributing orders here. I was thinking about a counter over here, in this corner. Something small, but official, you know? I shopped at Ikea for some pieces I could put together, but I thought it would be amazing if I could talk to you. You know, about something custom. I know you're busy. I just wanted you to look at my drawing and see if you could do a piece like this."

I reached for the papers on the coffee table.

"So, you're trying to start your storefront in this apartment?" he asked, looking around.

"Just to start," I said. "This house is in a good spot. There's parking in the driveway. I can't afford an official storefront yet, but it would also be nice to have a way for people to pick up from me."

"You don't want people coming in your house," he said.

"Thanks, Dad."

"What does your dad say about it? What about John-Michael?"

"They don't even know. They don't need to know. It's not that big of a deal. I'm just having a few people pick up orders from me so I can cut down on deliveries. My landlords know about it. That's all that matters."

"What did you tell them?"

"Who?" I said.

"Your landlords. I can't imagine they'd want you doing a whole storefront right here from their garage."

I stared at him. Salem was my brother's wife's brother. My brother's brother-in-law? It sounded further away than it felt. My family was close with Salem, and he had been around at different family functions with his sister, Sadie.

He and I were cool. We had always gravitated toward each other, and we had hit it off as friends from the start.

We had also kissed several times, but they were isolated kissing incidents that I instigated in a moment of bravery. Any connection we had was fleeting and physical and meant nothing. We were drawn to each other, physically, though.

The aforementioned kisses were always brief and innocent. Salem was sweet that way. We were both single, and I liked him enough to put it out there one time when we found ourselves alone at my parents' property. We didn't have that close of a relationship, otherwise, but we had a secret kissing agreement, and it had been a good experience for me.

I didn't want to put that part of our relationship in jeopardy by asking him to help me out with the counter. I did, however, want a custom piece, and I would love it if he would agree to make it for me. It would be a bonus if he could give me the friends and family discount.

"Two pieces?" he asked, looking at my drawings. "I mean, depending on the material, size, and detail, anywhere from two to five."

"Hundred? That's great."

"No."

"Thousand? Five thousand dollars?"

"I mean, that's on the high side, but yes. You could easily spend five. This piece has glass and everything. Is that what you're showing here?"

"Yes."

"You'd have to hire someone to make a custom glass piece."

"I mean, doesn't that mean you just cut a piece of glass to whatever size? I didn't think that part would be a… never mind. I don't even have to have glass on it, anyway. This is sort of just my dream unit. But I can't even afford to do the minimum of what you're saying. I was hoping to spend three or four."

"Hundred dollars?" he asked. He shook his head thoughtfully. "I'm sorry, but even just supplies would—"

"You don't have to explain," I said, waving him off. I knew what he was going to say. I took the plans from him .

I intended to set them back on the table, face down. But he took them back from me. "Let me look at them," he said.

"No, I don't have that kind of money. And I'm embarrassed about what you said about using my living room. I have to start somewhere, Salem." I tried to tug on the papers, but he held onto them.

"I can't help but think these people don't want you opening a retail store back here, Molly. This is an upscale neighborhood."

"It's scheduled pickups. Two customers at a time. That's totally different than a storefront. I want a storefront eventually, and I'll get one. But I'm not going to be able to spend that much on a counter right now. I'll have to check out pre-fab furniture hacks. Thanks anyway. Thanks for coming over." I lunged, trying to get the papers again, but he stretched to the side, holding them away from me.

I leaned over him, reaching.

"Stop. You don't have to be like that. I'm just talking to you about it. You don't have to be embarrassed. You'd have to make something portable that could be moved out of here when you go to leave."

"I know," I said reaching.

"Stop trying to take them," he said.

"I want them back. It's hard to know what moves are right when you're starting a small business. I thought about this so much, and I don't want you to come in here and make me doubt."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you doubt yourself."

"No, I'm… I'm sorry for asking you to come here like I could seriously pay you to build this."

"I'm working full-time, and I'm building my house."

"I know. You were talking about that at Jenny's wedding. I should have thought about your house. I know you're busy. I seriously thought I could pay you for your time. I don't think I realized how much you guys charge for stuff. How much was that tunnel you built for my parents? Tens of thousands?"

"Yes," he said, without hesitation.

I thought about my parents' property and the tunnel Salem and his brother, Phillip, had built in the woods. They were out there for weeks, working on it. They were specialty carpenters—craftsmen who obviously charged a ton of money for their services. I felt silly for asking him to come over for this.

Under the cover of night, Salem and I shared attraction for each other, and I regretted asking him this for fear that he would see me differently next time we were together under those circumstances.

I knew he already saw me as being 'John-Michael's little sister'. I cringed at myself for thinking I could afford to pay him for a custom piece.

"I need advice on my house," he said. "I like your style, and I’m at the point where I need to start picking colors, fixtures, all that stuff. Sadie helps me out, but she's got Ethan and she's been having morning sickness.

"I know. My brother said she's been sick every day this week." I had been leaning toward him to reach the papers, but I sat up. He still had my drawings, and he held onto them.

"I'm going to take these and look at them," he said. "I'm going to try to help you out. I'll let you know if I can't, but I'll see what I can work out. It might take me a few weeks to chip away at it.

"Really, Salem? I can maybe do the low end of what you were saying, if you let me do a payment plan."

"Let's not talk about money right now. Maybe you can help me with my house and I can try to make you something in your budget."

"Really?"

"Yes, but it's not because of things that have happened with us. It's because I like your chocolate idea."

"I don't think it's because of that other stuff," I said shyly. "If anything, I would think that could hurt my chances."

He laughed. "I doubt it…" he trailed off, standing up. "You said it could happen up to ten times between friends, so we're almost done with that. It's already happened eight."

"Nu-uh. Four," I said.

"Four different evenings, but at least eight times. "

"That doesn't count," I said. "When I said ten times, I meant ten different occasions."

"You are too adorable, Molly Kennedy. I can't deny you." He stood up, shaking his head. He already had the paper neatly rolled in his hand as he took a step toward the door.

"What are you not denying?" I asked as I stood up with him. "Are you going to make the counter?"

"Yes," he said with a half-smile.

Salem was irresistibly handsome.

"Thank you, Salem. Thank you so much." I shook his hand nervously. It was his left hand, since his right was occupied, and it was a bit awkward, but I was excited. "I'll help you with your house anytime, and whatever else you need. Oh, and I… I have this for you."

I turned and jogged into my small kitchen area. It was technically part of this room, but I currently had a couple of room dividers up to block the view for customers. I ducked around them and retrieved the package. I had taken my time and put a lot of care into it. It was a sample box with five different types of chocolate and two large chocolate-dipped strawberries.

"What's this?" he asked, not opening it.

"It's a few of my… it's just a little sample box."

"Thank you," he said, looking surprised and happy. He walked to my door and turned to me with a smile before he pulled on the handle.

I grinned at him. " You're welcome."

"I'm not going to kiss you right now," he said.

"Okay," I said, with a shrug, as if I didn't care.

He lifted the box. "We've got the chocolates, and the counter, and you'll be helping me with the house. We only have a few left."

"Six."

"I'm saving them," he said.

"I'm fine with that," I said. "We don't have to ever do that again. I didn't want it to be something you felt like you had to avoid with me."

"I don't feel like I have to avoid it," he said.

"Okay. That's fine. Just so we're good. It's not awkward. I know I'm not awkward." I put my hand to my chest. We were at the door. He had his hand on my doorknob, waiting to open it. In his other hand, he was holding the box and the papers. Salem looked like he belonged on a yacht. He had brown, longish hair that he always kept combed back and tucked behind his ears. He looked casual and cool, but he was disciplined and known for being strict with his moral standards.

Sadie's whole family was like that. Both of her brothers were outspoken about their faith and both of them mentored and led small groups for younger boys. Salem was too straight and strict to continue a kissing relationship with me. I knew that months ago when I had proposed the idea to him. I was not his type, and I was lost in thought, considering that when he kissed me .

The hand that had been on the door, moved to the side of my face. I felt him grip me gently, and I looked his way. My glance was met with contact. He leaned in and, yes, goodness, there were one, two, three, four, tender kisses. He pulled back and smiled at me. I tried not to look overwhelmed, but I felt that ache of attraction in the lower part of my core.

"It's not awkward," he said easily. "And that one doesn't need to count toward our total."

"No, that was nothing," I agreed, trying my best not to be breathless.

"And next time we see each other. We should probably skip it. Even if we're alone."

"Yes," I agreed, sounding certain.

Salem opened the door. "Thanks again for the chocolates," he said.

"You're welcome. I hope you like them. Thanks for helping me with the counter. Like I said, I don't need that display case. Just the one little counter, four or five feet across, that would be amazing."

"I got you," he said with a smile.