Dreaming at Seaside (Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #2)

“Probably. We should go outside and cool down before that look you’re giving me gets you in trouble and I carry you into the bedroom.” He wanted to lose himself in her love, and afterward, when the guilt and pain were pushed too far away to recall, they could talk, but he knew that was backward. Talking with Bella would make him feel better, and then he could make love to her with a clear head.

They moved in silence, carrying the wine and glasses outside. Bella’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes seductive and dark. They sat beside each other on the deck chairs, restraint tightening his nerves and written all over Bella’s face as they tried to calm their desires. He drew her legs onto his lap and moved his chair closer; then he poured them each a glass of sangria.

“You guys are still going fishing with us tomorrow, right?”

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

She smiled. “Good. I picked up four new businesses for the work-study program, and TGG referred me to two other companies and I’m meeting with them on Thursday.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest.

“That’s fantastic.”

He clinked his glass to hers. “To a full-time job at the Cape.”

“I can’t imagine that this isn’t going to come through as a full-time job.” She sipped her wine and traced the condensation with her finger. “I also got a call from my old boss. She wanted to let me know that Jay quit.”

Caden’s stomach clenched. He knew how much she loved working there, and with Jay out of the picture, he wondered if her excitement over the work-study program and their relationship was enough to keep her at the Cape. He settled a hand on her thigh.

“She said she needed a decision by the fifteenth, so I have another two weeks.”

He was unable to read her steady gaze. “And how do you feel about it?”

She ran her finger along the edge of her dress. “Conflicted.”

“About?” was all he could manage. Did she want to be with him, or did she want to move back to Connecticut?

She sighed. “There’s a lot to consider. On the one hand, if this job comes through, it’s because I created something valuable that could really make a difference in a lot of kids’ lives, and that’s exciting. On the other hand, I have a life in Connecticut and friends and a job that’s secure.” She ran her finger along his forearm. “And then there’s us to consider, too.” She leaned forward and kissed him.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I know you want to make your decision free and clear of our relationship, but, Bella…” He stopped himself from saying more. This was her decision.

“I know.”

He took her hand in his. “I adore you. I know your life is up in the air right now. I also know that what we have is worth considering.”

“I know. I’ve never felt this way before. I couldn’t not consider us, Caden.”

He kissed her again, silently thanking her for caring enough to keep him in her mind while she decided their fate.

She took another sip of wine. “My realtor also called. She has a verbal offer on my house and expects to have it in writing tomorrow.”

“That’s good, right?” He took a drink, then ran his hand along her thigh. He loved her legs. He loved her, and he would have told her tonight, but with the job and house offer on the table, he worried she might think he was saying it just to keep her there.

“Yeah. I think so. I mean, I came here with the intent of starting fresh. New job, new digs, new life. Now at least the option is stronger, but I still don’t have the offer from the school board here.” She smiled, fisted her hand in his shirt, and pulled him down so they were eye to eye. “Even though I didn’t come here looking for a new boyfriend, I’m really glad I found you.”

He kissed her again. “I think I found you, remember?” He slid his hand up the outside of her thigh, beneath her dress. “I sure do. Your hair was caught in Leanna’s window, and your black silk panties were begging to come off.”

She tightened her grip on his shirt. “Only for you.”

How was he supposed to concentrate on anything other than how good she felt when all he wanted to do was love her until all the other complications disappeared? She released his shirt and settled back into her chair.

“You know you’re killing me, right?”

“That’s my evil plan.” She finished her wine and went into a slow, off-key rendition of Carly Simon’s “Anticipation.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by AC/DC.”

She laughed. “Okay, okay. We should be serious. How’s Ev? Did you talk with him about the job?”

“Serious, huh?” He rolled his eyes, but it was a farce. He loved that she cared about Evan. “Not yet. He came home pissed off, so I thought I’d wait until he was in a better frame of mind. You were right, though. He doesn’t like those other kids. He said he’s not going to hang out with them anymore.” He debated telling her what Evan had asked him about moving and Bella, but with everything else that was going on, he refrained.

“Wow. I wonder what went down.” Bella’s brows drew together.

“He didn’t tell me much, just that they weren’t like his old friends. I’m going to take him back to Boston this weekend for a visit.”

“That’s great.”

He scooted his chair closer to Bella’s. “Would you consider coming with us for the day?” The idea had come to him as they were talking. He hated the idea of spending any time away from her, and he was looking forward to showing her where they’d lived and introducing her to his parents.

“Are you sure?”

He pulled her onto his lap and ran his fingers through her hair, then drew her lips to his. She pressed her hands to his cheeks and deepened the kiss.

“I love when you do that,” he admitted.

“Kiss you?”

He shrugged. “Kiss me, touch my cheeks like they’re yours.” He wanted to fill his senses with her like she filled his heart. He wanted to hear her voice gasping his name, and feel every inch of her luscious body beneath his.

He stood with her in his arms, carried her inside, and laid her on the bed. This time he remembered to close the bedroom window; then he closed her bedroom door, leaving no room for interruptions. He took her in a deep, passionate kiss. When he drew his lips away, her eyes fluttered open.

“Come back.” She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him to her again.

He didn’t need the help, but, boy, did it turn him on. He would kiss her until her body was on fire and her thoughts melted together. She felt so right beneath him, soft and feminine. He felt her love for him in every kiss. He brushed his lips over hers, and when she arched to meet him, he drew back. He loved feeling her writhe with need.

“Bella. You’re so feminine and sexy you make me lose my mind.”

She scrunched her nose. “I’m hardly feminine.”

He glanced down at the pink comforter. “Why do you hide it? What happened that you feel like you have to be so strong?”

She turned her face away but not before he saw the pain in her eyes. He touched his forehead to hers.

“Tell me, baby.”

“It’s stupid. No one but Jenna, Amy, and Leanna know about it.”

He kissed her mouth, her cheek, her forehead again. “You don’t have to tell me. But one day I want to share all our secrets.”