Page 37 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“Some said he was an alcoholic who went on a bender and killed himself and his daughter. Some say he couldn’t handle the shame of his parents’ actions, so he ran away.”

“But that was decades before. Why build a family and then run?”

I shrug. “Small towns have long memories. I don’t remember Valerie, but people still whisper behind their hands about how she single-handedly brought down one of the largest transportation empires in the world.”

“I don’t know if I could believe my mom destroyed an entire town no matter what gossips said.” Landon picks at a thread on the blanket. “What do Collin and Archer have to say about all of this?”

“That’s not a question I’m going to ask them. Their friendship is too valuable to me to bother with gossip that doesn’t matter. I know who they are. I don’t care who their family is.”

“Aren’t you curious if the rumors are true?”

“Whispers follow them just like they followed their dad and grandmother. People look at them askance and whisper. I don’t need to add to that. Besides, if it weren’t for their family, who knows what would have happened to Rainwater Bay? Maybe it would have died like so many other small towns during the Depression.” I tuck my knees back to my chest. My gaze focuses on the fire dancing in the hearth. “I love the mystery of the Reeves family story. So many details lost to history and facts twisted by gossip. We will never know what really happened to Thomas and the crew ofSiren’s Call, or how Emmett and Valerie lost it all so quickly. But there’s something romantic about their story as well. Even with all the negativity aimed at them, Emmett and Valerie were fully devoted to each other until they died. Who wouldn’t want a love like that?”

Landon stares at me, eyes pinched and jaw tense.

“What?” I squirm. “Do I have food in my teeth or something?”

I can’t unless it was left over from lunch and he’s just now noticing. Why else would he stare at me like that?

He clears his throat. “I’ve never met someone so passionate about something they don’t have stakes in.”

“I have skin in the game. This is where I’ll raise my kids. My grandkids will fly kites on that beach. Anything that impacts Rainwater Bay impacts me and my future.” I scoff. “You sweep in with grand plans to create your little getaway, but you have no idea how your actions will affect everyone else. Stakes? I have everything at stake.”

I’m panting by the time I finish my little rant. My cheeks burn. He must think I’m so stupid, caring about a town that will likely replace me as soon as they find out Dad isn’t coming back. They think I’m too young, too inexperienced.Baby Girl.

I hate that name and the connotations that come with it.

I wipe viciously at the tears gathering on my eyelashes. “I…” I stumble to my feet. I can’t be here. I need to breathe and gather myself. He won’t respect me if I break down talking about a house.

But I love this place more than anywhere else in town.Mytown. The one I’ve pledged my heart and soul to. Will it love me back with the same devotion when it’s my turn to lead it?

Or if I disappear tomorrow, will the next generation remember my name?

I sweep toward the door, but Landon grabs my hand and pulls me back to my knees. He threads his fingers through my hair, and his eyes caress my face, landing on my lips. “I wish I had a fraction of the passion you have for this place.”

Our breath mingles.

“It’s stupid.”

His hands run down my neck, over my shoulders and down to my hips, then back up to cradle my jaw. “It’s not stupid. You are amazing,” he whispers as he kisses my neck. “That passion. Fuck, Comet. How do you contain it?” He rubs his thumbs across my cheeks. “How do you…” His eyes fall to my lips again, and it’s like he’s telegraphing what he wants into my brain.

His lips on mine. Our bodies flush with warmth and desire.

Do I want that too?

No one has ever looked at me the way Landon is now.

The longing in his gaze is something entirely other. It’s palpable. Like I could reach out and pick it up, hug it to my chest.

I want to know what desire tastes like, what it feels like to hold it in my arms.

The burn in my belly wins, and my lips mold to his with perfect precision. His hand slides around my back and bands me to him. Chest to chest. Hip to hip. On our knees, he gives me full access to devour his mouth and taste the desire in his depths.

God, he tastes good. I can’t name the flavors but the texture of his stubble against my cheek is invigorating. He nips at my lip, and a needy sigh escapes my chest.

I haven’t been decently kissed in years.

“Your tongue is amazing,” he whispers against my lips.