Jupiter Point Hotshots Box Set

Chapter 10

10

Outside, she filled her lungs with crisp night air. Sean was somewhere in the parking lot waiting for her to come out, but she couldn’t face him yet. She felt too humiliated, too small. Instead, she headed down the wide steps that led to a terrace with a view of the ocean. Even though a brisk wind came off the ocean, a few hardy guests sat drinking their after-dinner coffee at the ironwork tables behind the balustrades.

Too many people.

Evie had spent a few days helping Brianna landscape the Seaview’s grounds, so she knew all its secret spots. She veered toward the little-used back road that wound up the hill. It was the quickest way to town, and she’d driven up it with truckloads of mulch for Brianna. There was a spot she remembered…yes, there it was. A path that meandered out to a breathtaking overlook. Brianna had created a bed of moss there and installed a little loveseat shaped like a toadstool—a fairy tale touch for the honeymoon crowd.

And right now, for the disgusted single crowd.

Evie slipped off her shoes and dug her feet into the soft, spongy padding of moss, which felt cool and slightly moist. She needed to feel something real. She wanted to feast her eyes on beauty, on the moon lighting a path across the ocean. If she could dive off this spot, into that dark water, and surface as a moonlit mermaid, that would be perfect. She’d never have to face Brad again, or the business coalition. People could say what they wanted about her, and since she’d be gone, it wouldn’t matter.

She buried her face in her hands and let out a long, shaky whoosh of air. Her entire body felt slimy. Brad hadn’t touched her once, but still she felt his scent on her, his gaze, his presence. The way you might feel if you walked through cobwebs and got them stuck in your hair. She wriggled her entire body, hoping to get rid of the sensation. It actually helped, so she worked her shoulders, jumped from one foot to the other, then pogo-sticked up and down.

On the last jump, she landed a little askew and realized someone was standing about three feet away, someone tall and broad-shouldered. She let out a surprised yelp.

“It’s just me,” the man said quickly.

Sean. Of course. Now that her eyes were adjusting to the shadows in the overlook, she could make out his solid, powerful frame. And of course she’d recognize his deep molasses-gravel voice anywhere. “Hi.”

“I saw you come out of the restaurant. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Then you came here and started performing some kind of weird moonlight ritual dance.”

She laughed. “It’s called the get-that-man-out-of-my-hair dance.”

He stepped closer, frowning. Moonlight slid across his wide shoulders. “Did he do something? Do I need to get my left jab warmed up again?”

“God no. Please, that’s all I need. Do you promise not to go caveman on me?”

One corner of his mouth lifted in a rueful smile. “I’m not seventeen anymore. I can control myself.”

Those words, in his sexy voice, inspired all kinds of flutters inside her. Which was amazing, considering how queasy she’d been just a few moments ago. Sean really…just really did something to her, she realized with a sense of wonder. He made her feel safe and strong and sexy. Three things she wasn’t used to feeling at all.

“Brad said he’s calling my bluff,” she blurted. “He thinks I’ll never say anything about that night. I never have, not to anyone. I didn’t tell my parents, I didn’t tell my friends. I kept thinking, it wasn’t so bad. He didn’t…rape me or anything. Not exactly.” She lowered her voice for that last part. It felt so shocking to even say the word aloud. Not even Sean knew the entire story.

“I know he traumatized you,” Sean said gently. “I can vouch for that. You were shaking so hard you could barely walk or talk. I had to help you inside.”

He’d been so kind to her that night. Rough, intimidating, notorious Sean Marcus had gently lifted her from the Chevy and set her on her feet. She could still remember how she’d dug her nails into the muscles of his forearm as they moved down the sidewalk. That must have hurt so much, but he hadn’t even winced.

“I let you down, Sean. I should have told the police why you punched Brad. I should have stood up for you. You stopped him from doing something worse, and then I just let you take the rap for the whole thing. I’m so sorry.” She looked at the moss under her feet, feeling overwhelmed with shame. “I kept thinking how upset everyone was going to be, and how my mother would cry and my father would be so disappointed in me. McGraws don’t get into situations like that. They just don’t.” She attempted a smile. “When I first saw you at the council meeting, I thought you might hate me. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

He took another step closer. She caught the scent of wood smoke that always seemed to follow him. So different from Brad’s pricy aftershave. “Are you picking up a ‘hate’ vibe from me?”

Excitement welled within her, as it always did around him. “Not really, no.”

“That’s good. You were a fourteen-year-old kid and you’d just gone through something shocking. I didn’t blame you for any of it. I blame the asshole who was in the car with you. And at dinner with you. That guy. I do blame him.”

He was so solid and sure, so fearless, his feet braced on the path as if Brianna had planted him along with the hydrangeas and rosebushes. His strength shone from every pore of his body. Being with him filled her with courage.

“You know something? I should have ditched Brad and had dinner with you instead.”

“Of course you should have. As it happens, I still haven’t eaten. I was on a stakeout tonight. Without the steak.”

She laughed. “I would have brought you a doggy bag but I barely even remembered my purse.”

“Want to go grab something in town?”

The thought of walking into another of Jupiter Point’s gossipy restaurants made her heart sink. She could imagine what everyone would be saying the next day. Is Evie McGraw double-booking dates now? Did you hear, first Brad White, then Sean Marcus?

But the thought of spending more time with Sean, yes, that part she definitely liked. “I have a better idea. I remember you used to love my mom’s mac and cheese.”

Even in the moonlight, she caught the flash of his grin. “Your mom’s mac and cheese was incredible. It was the best thing I ever tasted in my life. I’ve actually told stories about it during campouts. She had a secret recipe that she never told anyone.”

“Yeah, well, I’m her daughter. Who else is she going to tell? I have it written down in three places and stored on my computer. Not only that, but I happen to have some already made, just sitting in my fridge.”

“Then what are we doing here with all this moonlight and flowers and s**t? Mac and cheese, now you’re talking. Let’s go, lady. Don’t you know firemen are always hungry?”

A well of laughter bubbled inside her. Sean had a way of making her smile no matter what the situation. He made her feel light and safe and ready to take on the world.

It wasn’t until she was driving down the hill that it really sank in. He was going to be inside her house. With her. Being all sexy and irresistible.