All About Love

Chapter 7

Pepper felt herself blush and bit her lip. She was good at what she did, and she knew it. Praise from others rolled off her shoulders. So, why did the same words from this man turn her into a quivering mass of jelly?

What on earth have I gotten myself into? What do I say?

"I'll be sure to tell that to my mama," was what she finally said.

"So tell me..." Kyle licked a few chocolate crumbs from his fingers, swiping with his tongue. The act was so insanely erotic that the walls of her s*x quivered and her breasts ached with unfamiliar heaviness. "What's the story behind our so-called engagement?"

Pepper was so hypnotized watching him lick his fingers and swallow his muffin his words barely registered.

"Uh, what?"

His laugh was husky and rolled over her like warm molasses. "Our engagement? I mean, I should at least have some background, right?"

"Oh. Yes." She sighed. "It's all because I don't want my folks to sell Hibiscus House."

His eyes widened. "This is all about a B&B?"

Pepper forced her eyes away from the hypnotic sight of him continuing to devour his muffins.

"It's not just a B& B," she said with exaggerated patience. She had to make him understand. "I love this place. It's what I want to do with my life." She took a sip of her coffee. "I have plans for it as soon as my folks get the hell off my back."

"I don't understand. If this is your passion, why do they want to get rid of it?"

"Because they have this misguided notion that if I devote myself to Hibiscus House," she told him, "I'll never get out and have any other life. Never get married. Never have children." She grimaced. "I think they're obsessed with having grandchildren."

Kyle frowned. "But people spend their lives in hospitality all the time. They still get married. Have families. Have successful careers."

"I know, I know." She brushed a stray hair back from her forehead. "They seem to have a firm belief I need to get out of Hibiscus House to do all that. But I love this B&B. I love this town. And any time I want to go someplace, I do. Then I come back. Come home."

She saw him study the expression on her face as if analyzing her. "When was the last time you took a trip anywhere?"

She waved a hand in the air. "That's beside the point. I can go if I want to. I just haven't wanted to." She shook her head. "Never mind. You couldn't understand."

"I might, but let's get to that later. I'm guessing the reason for this charade is because they have a candidate all lined up for you? That Judd whatever?"

"Uh-huh. He's president of the local bank, which makes him prime meat in their eyes."

"I guess everyone's taste is different." He chuckled. "He doesn't look like any bank president I ever saw. I think you'd have to be desperate to hook up with him."

She made a rude noise. "No kidding."

"So, how do you want to play this out? I guess you know I can't stay here indefinitely, much as I might want to."

"I know, I know." She heaved another sigh. "I guess I hadn't thought much beyond getting out of dinner tonight with Judd. And getting them off my back."

"Well, I'm happy to do my part while I'm here." He grinned, and the dimple flashed again. "But maybe we should spend a little time getting to know about each other this afternoon. We'll probably get the third degree at dinner tonight."

"You think?" She snorted. "Why are you doing this, anyway? What's in it for you?"

He shrugged. "I'm on sort of a vacation now. What better way to spend it than in the company of a beautiful woman?"

"Obligatory flattery isn't part of the bargain, you know."

Kyle leaned forward on his elbows. "What makes you think it's obligatory? You're a beautiful woman, Pepper. Smart. Focused."

"B-but don't you have plans?" She couldn't believe a guy this sexy and good-looking didn't have women falling all over him.

"I, uh, just had to take a step back from what I was doing and take some downtime."

She tilted her head. "And exactly what is it you do that you needed a break from?"

"You could say I'm in commercial real estate. I evaluate property for the corporation."

"Well, then this will be a real vacation for you because there's not much to evaluate around here except for residential now and then. Bayview is small. People love it and hardly ever leave."

"Then I have no worries, right?" He winked.

"Right." She carried his plate and their cups to the sink. Mary could take care of it when she got to the kitchen.

"So, what's on your schedule today?"

"I'm actually pretty free until five o'clock. We're full up at the moment, so I don't have reservations to take care of. All the guests are out seeing Bayview and doing tourist stuff." She glanced at her watch. "I need to be back in time to set out the wine and cheese, though."

"Don't forget to call your folks about dinner."

"Oh, damn." She chewed on her lip. "I hate subjecting you to that."

He laughed. "It might actually be kind of fun."

"You have a weird idea of fun." Pepper was sure that by the time dinner was over, Kyle would be checking out of Hibiscus House and out of her life.

"At least I won't be bored. Right?"

"Right."

He had moved over to stand next to her, and she got another whiff of that aftershave that made her hormones jump up and do somersaults.

"Do you have to lock everything up?" he asked. "What if your guests want to get in before you get back?"

"I leave the door from the side porch unlocked. And whichever cop is on patrol drives by regularly, just in case. Besides, Cilla will be back in a while. She likes to hang out here even when she isn't working."

"Wow. This place must have charm I haven't seen yet." He twisted his lips into a grimace. "Sorry. That didn't come out right."

"No problem." Her laugh had a sensual musical quality to it. "I don't always think before I speak, either."

"See there?" He grinned at her. "Already we have something in common."

"So." She smoothed invisible wrinkles from her slacks. "Let me get my purse and we can be on our way. I'll give you the nickel tour of Bayview."