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Aiden didn’t seem bothered by the fact I had mentioned his father. “Since you brought it up, what is that long-term plan? It obviously doesn’t involve raking in millions of dollars.”
I hesitated long enough for Cole to take over. “Not everything’s about money. The Dunes can be a self-sustaining business. With Kaitlyn’s help, it’s getting there.”
Aiden chuckled. “Considering your only guests right now are her best friend and your long-lost uncle, I’d say your prospects are dim.”
“That’s not true.” I tightened my hold on the mojito. “I have a plan in place with a senior advertising company that’s going to appeal to the snowbirds. We’ll be booked all winter, and then of course there’s spring break and graduation. By summer, we’ll have families. It’s going to work.” I was defensive about the Dunes. I noticed Cole was smiling. “It’s a landmark on the island, and there is more value in that than a development contract.”
“Sweetheart, that might be true. Let’s say you and the nephew here can make a business out of the place. You would still take that over two million dollars? Do you know what you can do in life with two million dollars?”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. Aiden, I feel bad for you that you can’t see past all those dollar signs.” I placed my drink on the table. “I’m going to put the shrimp on. Dinner should be ready in ten minutes.”
“Let me help you.” Cole struggled to stand from the lounge chair, not his most athletic moment.
He followed me to the kitchen, sliding the door behind us. We left Aiden and Mary Ellen to enjoy the beginning of the sunset. I needed a minute away from them. And a tall glass of water. My mouth was dry. I didn’t want another dizzy spell to hit during the dinner.
“Kaitlyn, hold on.”
I had one hand on a four-pound bag of shrimp in the refrigerator. “What?”
He caught my chin with his hand and crashed his mouth into mine. My lips moved against his, and I lost the grip on the shrimp. I didn’t care that our dinner was all over the floor. Cole’s hands coasted over my hips and along my sides. His tongue sent fire through my nerves. I breathed in the taste of him, only fueling the need I had to consume every part of him. God, I needed this.
“I have never wanted you like I do right now.” His voice was pained. “What you said out there.”
I quieted him with another kiss. I wanted to forget my ankles were bathed in seafood and that we had company on the deck. Some things don’t matter. I tugged on Cole’s neck, ready to take the kiss to the next level, when he groaned and seized at his leg.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I looked at him full of regret for getting carried away.
He shook his head. “Don’t ever apologize for kissing me like that. Ever.” He kissed my forehead. “We have to figure out a way around this leg. You are driving me crazy.”
I laughed. “That we do. But first, I better get these suckers in the pot.” I bent to scoop the shrimp in a colander and rinse them in the sink before dumping them in the pot on the stove. I added a few slices of lemon, a beer, and an extra shake of bay seasoning. I set the timer for six minutes.
“Dinner will be ready in a few.” I pulled down the only
serving platter we had from the top of the cabinet.
“Think that’s enough time for me to take a cold shower?” Cole tilted his head.
“Only if you think we can both fit, dry off, and get dressed before these shrimp are finished.”
He shook his head. “Probably not.” He gripped the handles on the crutches and started for the door. “We’re really going to finish this dinner?”
“Yes. We really are. And you’re doing great.”
“You made it through my family’s awkward dinner when Ryan came home. You can do this.”
“Don’t know how much longer I can put up with it.” He took a few lunges forward.
I watched as he re-entered the deck and started small talk with Mary Ellen. I had to give him credit. He was trying harder than I had ever seen him. It made my heart melt.
The rest of dinner was surprisingly calm. Mary Ellen and I told college stories. Our favorite was about a third roommate who tried to move into our dorm room our sophomore year even after all our stuff had been unpacked. That poor girl was homeless for a week before the housing department found a place to put her.
When the last shrimp was peeled, Aiden stood and started loading bowls and plates into his arms.
“You don’t have to do that.” I tried to match his table bussing.
“You did the cooking. Mary Ellen and I can do the cleaning.” He smiled at her, and she immediately began to clear the table.
She giggled. “You and Cole enjoy the deck. We’ll get these done in a flash.”
