She didn’t argue or beg. She simply pushed up on her toes and closed the distance. The contact, her lips on his, sent him reeling. His pulse thundered in his ears and despite the rush, a profound sense of rightness settled over him.
Grace was where he was meant to be. Then. Now. Always.
Her soft moan spurred him on and he deepened the kiss, holding her close until it seemed her heartbeat matched his. Her taste was sweeter for the absence and her hands roamed along his shoulders, clinging, filling his mind with memories of being with her.
He didn’t dare stop. What if she meant it and this was his last taste of her? His hands explored her curves, learning the feel of her all over again. What he wouldn’t give for a bed to appear out of thin air.
She eased back, her breath heaving and her gaze following the path of her fingers over the knitting of his sweater. Who knew that was sexy? “That was…” She licked her lips.
Incredible. Right. Addictive. Something they should spend hours on every damn day. He settled on, “Amazing.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
No. The transactional implication was as effective as a bucket of ice water. “Don’t thank me for wanting you.”
That brought her eyes back to his and he saw the sheen of welling tears before she blinked them away.
“Talk to me, Grace. You used to trust me with all of you.” And it had hurt like hell when he couldn’t be what she needed.
“That was years ago.”
“And this is now,” he said. What would she make of this moment?
“You built a business, Calvin. Did all the things to create a new world for yourself.” Her hands rested over his racing heart. “It’s just not my world.”
“Maybe it could be.” The words slipped out. Pure need and hope. Denial of the point she was making.
He kissed her again. Not as a query, as an answer. She was the only answer for him. He kissed her as a reclaiming of what they’d shared once. And what he wanted to share again. The passion and friendship that was uniquely theirs.
She had to give them a second chance. How could he help her see that they weren’t done? He wasn’t over her. Not even close.
Her hands gripped his sweater, yanking him closer.Yes. Exactly where he wanted to be.
When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “Levi hired me to be here, but you’re the reason I agreed. This isn’t just a marketing contract, Grace. Not for me.”
Grace pressed her lips together and took a deliberate step away. “It has to be. I can’t do this, Cal. Two different worlds can’t magically line up. I-I can’t.”
“I disagree. Not trying would be a crime. We’re in different places, but we’re the same people. Give us another chance, Grace.” He caught her hand in both of his before she could race out of the room. “Let me take you to dinner.”
He could see the “yes” in her eyes. But that’s not what she said. “No, thank you. I can’t go into this knowing you’ll be leaving.” She turned and fled the room and all he saw was the one woman he wanted running from the truth.
CHAPTER 8
Most days, the Beach Belle was a sanctuary of all things feminine. Floral prints, soft fabrics, and the comforting hum of friendly chatter. Grace considered it her safe place whether she was helping customers out front or working at the sewing machine in the work room.
Today was not most days.
She felt as if the walls were closing in. Starting with the ceiling, specifically. Every time she heard a creak overhead, she was reminded that Calvin was up there. Her lips and hands would tingle, remembering his kisses. So much about him was familiar and yet the changes were exhilarating.
If she gave in to her tingles and dashed upstairs to throw herself at him, she was sure he’d catch her. And she was equally sure they’d wind up in the nearest bed in record time. Yesterday had beenthatgood.
But she’d never wanted to settle for a fling with Calvin Lynwood. Back when she was too young to understand the full scope of true commitment, she longed to build her life with him.
And when devastating circumstances had intervened, she’d cut that dream out of her heart.
Or so she thought.
He made it sound like they could have a second chance. Her heart loved the idea, but logistics were against them. She adored this town. She was doing great things with the Beach Belle, carrying on in a tradition she valued.
