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“I was born and raised here. My parents couldn’t take care of a spread this size once my father became ill, so I bought it from them, and they moved closer to town and the hospital.”
“It’s beautiful. It reminds me of my friend's bed and breakfast.”
“Ivy’s?”
As she walked the room and examined the spines of some of the titles, she could feel his gaze on her. “Yep. She loves the beach so she has the place decked out in blues, pale peaches, and seashells. Just like you. It’s where my gran is having her birthday party tomorrow night.”
“I remember. It sounds like it will be an event not to miss.”
“Not if my Gran has anything to do with it.” She joined Marshall’s side again.
Juniper smiled and raised to the tips of her toes as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He returned the gesture with a firm embrace of his arms around her. They held that pose for a long moment. His heartbeat a steady rhythm against the palm of her hand where she rested it on his chest. Strong and unfaltering.
A few moments later he pulled back and gazed down at her. “You’re truly a remarkable woman, Juniper Winters.”
She smiled in reply and took his hand as he led the way back to the kitchen.
Sometimes a simple touch was as powerful as two hours of lovemaking. Each feeding different needs.
Human beings needed connection and comfort. As she dozed off last night a moment of clarity took hold after spending nearly every hour of the last two days together. Marshall Blackwood was not hers and she’d do good to keep her heart in her chest and not on her sleeve. But still, she wrapped her fingers around his a little tighter.
Back in the kitchen, she caught sight of the morning newspaper sticking out of his opened briefcase and buried under papers.
“May I?”
“Of course.” He gathered their empty plates and placed them in the sink.
“Billionaire Bad Boy in Need of Bride. As far as headlines go, it’s kinda flashy. I like it. A little late though.” She read the newspaper headline and sighed with a hint of amusement as Marshall groaned.
“So, I guess this is what Cole was talking about last night when he stopped in before leaving for the night?” She tapped the paper.
Marshall nodded and gathered their empty plates. “He said he did it before he knew about you. That boy causes all of his problems and about ninety percent of mine. He thought he was doing us all a favor.” Humor filled his eyes and she could tell he loved his brothers no matter what.
“Didn’t peg you as a bad boy. Dirty and kinky, but not a bad boy.”
A flash of unease came over him and she back peddled.
“I’m sorry, did I say something?”
He gave a single shoulder shrug. “I was a different man in my twenties and my father often labeled me the wild one. Don’t get me wrong, I focused, worked hard and earned my degrees, but,” his eyes unfocused as his mind’s eye focused on the past. Or at least that’s the impression she got as he stared out the bay windows to the rolling landscape. She didn’t know how far outside the city they were but not a car horn or building could be seen from any window.
“Let’s just say my bad boy days are definitely behind me. I had one rebellious year where I was in denial of who I really was. Everyone saw me as the dependable brother and son. Always early to work, never deviating from my goals. One year I got tired of it all.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“I guess we’re a lot more alike than we realized. Reformed hell-raisers.” He scrubbed the plates and set them to dry and turned to the pans next.
Much to her relief, a melody of bells rang out through the house.
“I’ll get it if you like.”
He held up soapy hands. “Thanks.”
Her phone vibrated from her back pocket, signaling a message. Juniper ignored it as she unlatched the front door and offered a smile to the woman on the other side.
Juniper stared. She couldn’t help it. It was like looking at a movie star or royalty. A nicely tailored suit the color of emeralds framed a beautiful feminine physique. Platinum curls draped over perfectly poised shoulders and a set of long lashes framed the most beautiful brown eyes. Everything about the woman screamed Paris catwalk and deep Southern pockets.
“Hello.” The woman tilted her head to the side a degree and paused, giving her a once-over.
