Authors: Cerian Hebert
No one had touched this stuff. Her mother most likely thought Nell cleaned the place out when she left for college and Gwen probably never even realized it existed.
The playhouse had been a work in progress, first discovered when she was ten and hiding out from two neighborhood boys. From the moment she entered the dilapidated little shed, she decided this was going to be her personal domain and she set to fixing it up.
Now, some twenty-three years later it still stood. An old beanbag sat in the corner, but she didn’t dare touch it. Once it had been bright yellow, and she could still see the smiley face grinning at her. God only knew what critters lived within its depths. The curtains she’d sewed hung at the windows, faded to an ugly gray, far from the happy purple they had once been.
She’d put up the shelves herself and decorated them with knickknacks gathered at various yard sales and flea markets over the years. Nell picked up a china pony from her horse-crazy days. Pretty thing, brown and white, in a running stance. Carefully she put it back next to the other two horses and studied the remaining decorations. A selection of cats and birds crouched near some old books leaning up against the end of the shelf. She laughed at the titles. More teenage angst between the covers of those books. Back then, she mixed a little poetry with her stories of girls like her.
Her most secret box of all she kept hidden away under the floor boards. Chances were that it didn’t survive all the years being hid away, but Nell had to know. If it was there, maybe she could do a ceremonial burning. Without consideration for her manicured nails, she removed the board concealing the box and grimaced, coming in contact with enough cobwebs to last a lifetime. But it was worth the hassle when she found the box intact and dry.
Now she had to decide if she really wanted to look inside. She remembered every item, not that there was much. With a deep breath, she opened it. Better to face all this now.
On top were lots of pictures cut out of fashion magazines, pictures of beautiful women in beautiful clothes. How she’d longed to look like those women, have the men who gazed adoringly at them, and be able to wear glamorous, sexy and expensive clothing.
That had been when she decided to become a designer. She’d begged her mother for a sewing machine for Christmas one year even though it had been more money than her parents usually spent on them. She scrimped and saved every dime to buy fabric, thread and needles.
She could chuckle now at those first attempts to make her own clothes. They hadn’t been pretty, and she couldn’t wear them outside her own bedroom, but if there was anything about Nell, she was determined.
In middle school and high school, she grabbed the opportunity to take home economics and honed her questionable skills. At least it was something she loved to do, something worth going to school for.
At the bottom of the box was what she’d wanted to find, yet she wished it never existed at all.
Her diary.
That hateful book where she had poured her heart out. Every pain, every bruise to her heart and every tear that ever slipped from her eyes.
And she
knew
Eli’s name was written in those pages. After all, what girl at their school didn’t have a crush on the godlike Elijah Knight? Nell was sure she wasn’t the only one whose heart he’d broken. But she’d bet no one else suffered the humiliation she had.
“Don’t do it,” she whispered and jerked her hands away from the book. Did she really want to read it word for word? Relive those memories like they just happened? At least now, the memory was dull and foggy. There was no edge to cause pain.
With Eli nearby, looking forward to their dinner date, what did she want to do? What kind of expectations did she need from this brief dalliance? Revenge? Just a taste of what it would’ve been like to have Eli want her?
Ah, but she already knew how that felt. She found out firsthand last night. But that taste wasn’t enough. She wanted more and it had nothing to do with revenge.
Best to leave well enough alone and keep the past in the past. Without taking the diary out of the box, Nell laid the clippings on top of the book and lowered it back into its hole, then replaced the floorboard. She’d deal with it later, before she headed back to New York, and she
would
have a ceremonial burning of all the sadness in her past.
The sky had taken on a dismal cast by the time they wound up things at the house. Rain was on its way so they hurried to put the last of the paint cans and tarps in the barn. Nell threw a glance toward Eli to see if there had been any changes in his demeanor, if Mark had said something afterward, but when he gave her a wink she knew everything was all right.
She just wished she knew what “all right” meant.
Go with the flow
. Tonight, she wouldn’t let the old diary ruin what could be a very interesting evening.
Chapter 6
Eager to get back to Gwen’s, Nell showered and changed, this time into a simple pair of faded jeans, and a pale pink babydoll top. With her hair in a ponytail and her favorite old sandals, she went straight to the kitchen in search of anything suitable for dessert. Why in the world had she said she’d make dessert?
Autumn wandered into the room and leaned her chin on the counter, watching Nell with curious gray blue eyes.
“Hey, honey.”
“What doing?”
Nell looked through the pantry. “I’m trying to make something really yummy for dessert.”
“Cookies.”
“Just cookies?” She didn’t think she had time to make cookies. Not exactly something that would wow Eli.
“No. Cookies and ice’ream.”
The little girl walked next to her, stood on tiptoes and pulled a package of Oreos off the shelf, put them on the counter and then went to the freezer. A carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream joined the cookies.
“Decadent,” Nell noted with a raised brow.
“Decdet,” Autumn agreed.
“You think that’ll work?”
The girl nodded earnestly.
“You’re a lifesaver, doll.” Nell leaned over and gave her niece a kiss on her soft hair. “But your mom wouldn’t like me to take your cookies and ice’ream. So I’ll get some of my own.”
Tonight, instead of Eli picking her up, Nell took her car, a vintage ’66 cherry red Mustang coupe, and drove the well-remembered road to Long Bow Pond, stopping for a pint of Ben and Jerry’s finest and Oreos a la Autumn. She longed to put the top down and enjoy the fresh air, but the rain had started.
As soon as she got to Eli’s, she followed the path to the back of the house and found him on the deck, under the patio awning. He hovered over an impressive grill, playing with the dials.
“Hey there,” she said brightly and strode to him.
Eli jerked his head up and an easy grin spread across his face. “You’re late.”
“I know.” She met him with a quick kiss. “But I was trying to come up with something I could bring for dessert. I really should’ve thought before I offered. So we’ll have to settle for Autumn’s favorite dessert. Can I put this in your freezer?” Nell held up the bag.
“Help yourself. I’ll throw the steaks on right now.”
“Please tell me what I can do.”
Everything seemed to be done, though. The table in the dining room was set, complete with candles and wine. And cloth napkins.
Elegant
. She knew he hadn’t hidden a maid anywhere, so she was even more impressed that he’d gone to this kind of trouble just for her.
“Pour the wine,” he suggested.
“I can’t believe you did all this. And in such a short time.”
Eli chuckled. “Being a dad has given me lots of training to think on the fly. Just be glad we didn’t end up with hot dogs and French fries.”
“Which would’ve been perfectly fine with me. Really, I wasn’t expecting a fancy dinner. With candles, no less.”
“I have to impress you.”
“No, you really don’t. But thank you anyway.”
Nell set the wine bottle on the table and walked to him. She was honestly touched by his thoughtfulness. So far, he seemed a far cry from the jackass she had been expecting when she bid on him two days ago. What had changed? Why had he changed? Maybe he’d simply grown up, like she did.
After a spectacular dinner of steak, fresh broccoli and enormous baked potatoes, Nell sat back and smiled, patting her belly. Eli’s culinary talent impressed her. A simple dinner, but one that tasted out of this world.
“I’d invite you out onto the deck, but it’s still raining.”
“Darn, I would’ve promised not to go swimming just for the chance to sit outside this evening,” Nell replied with a smile. “Inside is just fine. Don’t move an inch while I clear the table.”
He did as he was told and Nell made quick work of the dishes, stacking them to wash later. It was the least she could do for him after the marvelous food.
After the table was cleared they moved into the living room and settled onto the couch. She tucked her feet under her and faced him.
“How long are you staying?” His voice was soft, sexy, just like his eyes, roaming her face.
His gaze seemed to consume her, as if he were committing her to memory.
“I don’t know. I have a million things to do in New York, especially now Javier is sniffing around, but I don’t want to leave until I know everything with the house is settled. I still would like to get the rooms painted.”
“Couldn’t you hire someone to do that?”
Nell chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I may have splurged on you, but I hate to hire someone to do work I’m perfectly capable of. I may be able to squeeze in some more time here, if I have a chance to work on some designs. Actually, the house has some great light. I could even set up a temporary studio right there. I should mention it to Gwen.”
“Why are you so concerned with her mother’s house?”
Ice suddenly rushed through her veins. Had she said something she shouldn’t have? She hadn’t referred to the house as her mother’s, had she? No, she didn’t think so, but she sounded like she had a lot vested in the place.
“I just want to help Gwen and Mark out. They’re going to have their hands full in no time and the last thing they need to worry about is the house. And, well, the break from the city is doing me good.”
“Mark said you were from a town like Harper’s Grove. Up north.”
“Just like Harper’s Grove,” Nell confirmed. Damn, did Mark mention the name of said town? “But I left it behind.” That was true enough.
“I can imagine. Was it hard to acclimate to the city?”
“Not too much. I knew what I wanted when I got there. Not that I
got
what I wanted as soon as I got there, but at least I didn’t have to ‘find’ myself.”
“You weren’t scared of the size of the place? Walking down the street on your own?”
“Terrified at first. My mom sent me with a bottle of pepper spray and mailed me a new one every month, whether I needed it or not. I think she was more scared for me than I was. But I was too busy to worry about my fate and no one got in my way. I think I still have all those intact pepper spray bottles in a box under my bed.”
“And now you have to acclimate yourself to a small town, all over again.”
“This is much easier. But I have to say, it was a bit of a culture shock, the other night at the auction. That’s so small town New England. I remember when I was a kid the fire departments used to do musters. Do you guys still do musters?”
“You bet. You just missed ours. Fourth of July weekend.”
“Damn. I would’ve liked to see you in action.” Nell reached out and traced a finger up Eli’s arm. He looked so hot in his dark blue tee shirt and khaki cargo pants. His arm muscles were impressive, a reflection of his work as a firefighter and builder. Both took considerable upper body strength. “I bet you look sexy in a uniform.”
She liked the shift in the expression on his face. His pupils enlarged and a small smile tugged at his lips. He was a strange and intriguing mixture of hot, sexy man and charming boy.
“Can I ask you a question?” he suddenly said.
Nell nodded. “Sure. Anything. Well, nearly anything.”
Eli took her hand in his and caressed her palm. The touch sent heat dancing into her chest where it spun in her heart and then down to her belly.
“What are you expecting? From you and me?”
Wow, that sent a bit of ice water where sensuality had just traveled. “I have no expectations.” That was true enough.
“I mean, I know you’re not looking for anything serious.”
“I’m not going to be here long enough for anything serious.”
“And I also know there’s something between us and I sure as hell don’t want to fight it. Nearly ignored those damned boaters last night. I want you, Nell. I wanted you since the moment I saw you at the auction.”
His voice was low and hypnotic and Nell swayed toward it. He had style. Maybe he didn’t know it, didn’t murmur roughly on purpose. Oh, but man, what it was doing to her. If he kept it up she’d be melting into a pool right there on his sofa.
“I don’t want to fight anything either,” she admitted. “But I’m not . . . I can’t offer much else. Can we just leave it at that? Enjoy our time together? We’re two adults, we wouldn’t be hurting anyone.”
So, there it was. She’d offered a fling. A casual affair between two consenting adults. No expectations. No romance. No future.
And why should she feel so sad about it? He wasn’t the first man she had slept with without any flowery promises or the potential of a happily ever after. She’d tried for the happily ever after once and got burned to a crisp. No, she wasn’t going to get all starry eyed, but she longed to explore the attraction that had built quickly between them.
“I’ve never been an affair kind of guy,” he commented, but his hand worked on her arm, sliding gently from wrist to elbow and back down again.
“Then I can walk out of here right now. No harm, no foul. No broken hearts.”
“Is that what you’re afraid of? A broken heart?”
“I don’t think Javier left much to be broken.” She sighed. “I’m a nice woman, Eli. I love my family. I have friends who mean the world to me. I’m not cold hearted. But I just don’t believe in romance anymore. I believe a man and a woman can live happily together, love each other, but those romance book couples are just fiction.”
Eli leaned in and laid his lips softly on hers, his fingers caressing her cheeks. It was the gentlest touch she’d ever received. Then he pulled back, but left his hand on her face, cupping it tenderly. “I think your ex left you a lot more than you think.”
Nell kept it light. “You’re being generous. But you understand, right?”
“That you’re a cynical, beautiful woman who I haven’t been able to get off my mind since I first laid eyes on her. Right, got it.”
He returned his mouth to hers and, just as carefully, searched her lips with his. The kiss was lingering, drugging, rich. His tongue brushed against her lips until she parted them and twined it with her own in a silky, seductive dance. Man, he could kiss. Heat flooded from where they touched, all along her body. She hoped it would never cool down.
She allowed herself to touch him, let her fingers and palms explore his face, the strong sweep of his jaw, the roughness of his beard stubble, the thickness of his hair. Then she cupped the back of his head to press him closer, intensifying the kiss. In response he eased her back so his body partially covered hers, and his own hands begun their bold brush of her body.
No boaters to stop us this time
. A gorgeous, delirious haze of desire engulfed her. His hands pushed under her shirt and cupped her breast, gently kneading it through the silky material of her bra. Her skin ached for more of his touch and her entire body yearned, but she wouldn’t rush this. It had been much too long since she wanted a man this much, that she was this turned on.
Eli’s breath came hard and ragged as he released her lips and trailed his mouth down her throat. She could tell he was trying to take things slowly, but his muscles were so tense with want and unleashed energy, she knew it was a struggle for him.
Who wants slow?
A wave of desire washed through her body. She arched her back to meet the press of his hips.
“I want you now,” she said against his ear and nipped the soft flesh of his lobe. For added emphasis, she ran her hand over his groin, delighted to find him hard and as ready as she was.
Her wicked behavior made her wonder how awkward it would be to face him after this, but for now she didn’t much care. She was Nell Moreno, an uninhibited woman from New York. A stranger who wanted nothing more than to be Eli’s lover for the time she spent in Harper’s Grove.
Oh, the things they could do together.
Eli sat up, his hooded gaze brushing over her as she stood before him, a bold expression and seductive smile on her face. Nell pulled the babydoll top off and let it slip out of her fingers onto the floor, and then she unhooked her bra, her gaze never leaving his. When she shimmied the jeans and panties over her thighs, they joined the mess of clothes on the floor.
She wasn’t shy about her body. No, she wasn’t willowy, would never be a runway model, but she was proud of her curves and had fought hard to maintain her figure just as it was. If a man didn’t like it—and she certainly had her share of men who admitted openly they preferred a size two—well, that was their loss. She wasn’t going to cry or gnash teeth over it. And she damned well wasn’t going to change who she was, who she
wanted
to be, just to please a man.
She’d spent too many years trying to do that.
“You’re beautiful,” Eli said, his voice low and hoarse.
Without a word, Nell released her hair from her ponytail and let it fall over her shoulders, settling in thick waves down her back.
She never could’ve imagine a moment like this happening, standing in Eli’s living room, stripped completely naked and watching him do the same. She shoved ‘Teenage Wallflower Nell’ aside and told her to shut up. ‘Grownup, Confident Nell’ wanted to savor each inch of skin he revealed as he pulled off his tee shirt.
Sure, she’d already enjoyed the sight the day before. But now she was closer and had the chance to truly appreciate the corrugated leanness of his abdomen, the broad shoulders with rounded muscles and pecs that rippled under taut, tanned skin.
She nearly fell over in a faint and he hadn’t even pushed down his jeans. Heat built between her thighs, already lusting after him, and when he was free of all his clothes she surely wasn’t disappointed. His arousal was blatant, aggressive. Magnificent.
“You’re beautiful.” She returned his words, unable to speak above a whisper.
He moved fast. Before she was able to say more, he had her in his arms, his smooth skin pressed against hers. He swung her around and in a quick move laid her back on the couch, taking possession of one of her nipples with his mouth while his palm kneaded the other. She throbbed under his attention, from the way his tongue laved over the pebbled peak and his straining sex pressed against her.