That Kind of Girl (Fillmore & Greenwich Book 2) (29 page)

Read That Kind of Girl (Fillmore & Greenwich Book 2) Online

Authors: Kate Perry

Tags: #San Francisco, #sexy mechanic, #paranormal, #award-winning romance, #romance, #heroes, #beach read, #falling in love, #alpha male, #contemporary romance, #family, #love story, #friendship, #widower, #sexy sculptor, #sexy romance, #best selling romance, #sweet romance, #second chance, #bad boy, #psychic

His gaze stopped at her tango shoes. She smiled a little, feeling his disbelief.

Then his eyes met hers.

She read the question in them. To answer him, she strode to her computer and pressed play. Gotan Project poured out of the speakers, filling the space with its seductive sound.

Knowing she'd done what she could, she faced him. Now he had to invite her to dance. She could invite him, but he had to be the one to initiate it.

She wanted him to want her as much as she wanted him.

But when he didn't do anything, she put her hands on her hips and said, "It's a yes or no question."

"The answer is yes." He stepped forward and held out his hand.

She arched her brow, studying him. "Are you sure you know what the question is?"

"I do." He walked up to her, lifted her chin, and kissed her while staring into her eyes. "Are you sure you want someone as broken as I am?"

"You're only a little cracked." She kissed him again, not taking her gaze from his. "Besides, Esme says you're the one."

"There's always a choice," he said seriously.

"And I choose you," she said certainly, putting her hand in his.

He moved toward her, drawing her in his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It was. It felt delicious. It felt exciting.

It felt
right
.

She settled there, finding her balance, and then he swept her up and moved her into a complicated series of steps. She kept up with him, feeling her heart soar. Everything faded—all the doubts and anxiety—so that the only things that existed were the music, their hearts beating together, and hopes for the future.

He slowed, giving in to the drama of the music, giving her the space to express herself.

She accepted the invitation, sliding her toe across the floor and swooshing her leg up into the air as she rotated her hips. She felt the connection between them. Siobhan was right—Remy was the perfect partner for her. Strong but open, seeing her strengths and weaknesses and supporting her while she did her own thing. Giving and taking in equal measure.

The song began to crescendo to an end. She snuggled into him, her temple pressed to his. He held her loosely but certainly, as if he wanted to hold her forever. As the last few beats came, he stepped back. She swung her leg forward and wrapped it around his leg.

On the last note of the song, he grabbed her leg to hold it there.

They looked at each other, breathing hard.

"I love you," she blurted, it hitting her all at once.

He ran a hand down her face. "You sound surprised."

"I am." She pursed her lips. "This is where you tell me you love me, too. Unless you don't, in which case you should probably go before I throw a wrench at your head."

He lifted her chin. "I fell in love with you the first time you rolled out from under the car with grease all over your face. I was just too afraid to realize it. After Giselle died, I shut down. I didn't think I had room to love anyone else, but I was wrong. My love for you is different. Just as full, if not more so."

"Are you just saying that?" she asked, listening carefully for his response.

"No." He rubbed his thumb over her lips. "I didn't think I could love anyone else, but you proved me wrong."

She listened for echoes of pain from his past, but she didn't hear them anymore. She exhaled in relief. "Why did you change your mind?"

"Because you fill all the dark places in my heart and bring back the parts I thought had died. Because of
you
." He kissed her, a spicy-sweet kiss that tasted like the future. "I couldn't resist you."

She shrugged. "I'm that kind of girl."

"You're my kind of woman," he said, pulling her closer and showing her how much he really meant it.

Since Dolores passed away and Michelle moved in, I've been sitting on the stoop a lot.

It's a nice spot, but it could use some spiffing up. There's a layer of thick soot covering the peeling paint and cobwebs all over. Dolores's eyes were failing, so she never noticed. She was pretty old, too. I suppose at a certain age you don't mind a little dirt.

I, on the other hand, like things tidy and neat.

I hear the growl of a motorcycle coming down the street. I don't have to look to know who it is.

Remy stops in front of the garage to let George off his bike. George leans into him as she takes the helmet off and shakes her hair out, and then she gives him a kiss that makes me blush.

I love it.

You know what makes me happy? Watching two people fall in love—the forever kind of love—and knowing I helped them get there.

And they'll help each other get to where they need to go. The celebration for George's new custom shop was a few days ago, and it was a galvanic success. (That means it rocked.) At the party, Remy confessed to me that he was starting a new series of sculptures based on the Holocaust, bringing light to human courage. It sounds perfect, doesn't it?

As I watch them, I know I don't have to be a psychic to know that George and Remy are going to have a long life together. I see it in the way they look at each other.

George looks up and sticks her tongue out at me.

I wave cheerily, laughing. I love her. Maybe I should go over and tell her how many kids they're going to have. The thought of making her eyes bug out gives me endless pleasure.

The door behind me opens. "Oh."

I look behind me, my smile fading as Michelle steps out of Dolores's home.

It's not Dolores's home any longer, and it isn't my place to say who'd move in. I count myself lucky that I haven't been kicked out yet.

"I didn't realize you were here." She tugs her suit coat down.

She looks fabulous. Like a forties gal off to the office, her hair even rolled back in front.

Except on her, it looks like a charming costume, and something around her eyes makes me not trust it. She looks like she's trying to be something that she's not, and I don't understand why.

What could she be hiding?

Lots of people hide things—I can't tell you how many secrets are floating around Fillmore and Greenwich. But those people aren't living in my building. I'll be cool when I figure out who she's hiding from: the world or just herself.

Still, she's Dolores's grand-niece, so I'm reserving judgment and giving her the benefit of the doubt. I smile. "You look nice."

"I'm manning an open house for my aunt." She smoothed her skirt. "I wanted to look competent."

"Hmm." I nod, still smiling. I want to tell her that no one will buy a house from someone who looks so depressed.

But then a tingling begins in my chest.

I blink, staring at Michelle. Michelle—really?

But my heart insists, and I know I'm supposed to help Michelle find love. I make a face. My work is going to be cut out for me, because no guy wants to kiss the sad girl.

A sound only I hear catches my attention, and my head turns. I stare at the firehouse, seeing one lovely man with the biggest heart full of compassion. Maybe it won't be so difficult, after all.

***

Find your heart in San Francisco with Kate's new series, Fillmore & Greenwich.
KISS THE GIRL
(Book #3). . .

For fashion designer Michelle Lambert, it's time to set aside her childhood dreams and grow up: she's moving back home to San Francisco to join her aunt in the family business. The perks, like paying off the debts she's racked up, light a fire under her, but it's meeting hotshot hero Pete Melville that fans the flames.

Being a fireman is natural for Pete: he likes saving people. Except not everyone wants to be saved, especially Michelle, the new girl next door. He knows exactly how to help her, but she won't have any of it. She'll only accept kisses from him. He has no problem kissing the girl, even if he thinks he can help her get her life on track. Only Michelle makes him wonder if it's not his life that's out of whack, and that she might be the one to save him…

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