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Chapter Twenty-Three
Marissa
It takes him a little longer than anticipated to return with a fresh shirt for me to wear. While I’m waiting, I go ahead and slip his over my head, instantly wrapped in a Rhenn-scented hug. The shirt is big and soft, and I can’t help bringing the material to my face for a quick sniff.
When I finally hear the rustle of his steps on the path, I glance his way, immediately knowing something is wrong. “What?”
Rhenn rubs the back of his neck and then his chest, which only draws my eyes to the magnificent view. “My eyes are up here,” he teases.
“I know, but this is quite impressive,” I state, stepping forward and running my hands up his bare chest. “If only we had more time…”
“Yeah, about that,” he says, handing me the shirt.
“What?” I ask, pulling his over my head and tossing it his way.
“Your mom was there.” He slips his shirt over his head, little pieces of bark stuck to the chest.
“Where?” I ask, stalling my motions, my shirt half on. “At my place?”
“Yeah,” he says, diverting his eyes. “But she wasn’t alone.”
Dread fills my stomach. “Who else was there?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Please don’t say Samuel, please don’t say Samuel…
“Jensen was there with Max,” he says, and I instantly relax. Jensen knows there’s something going on, but isn’t going to give me too much grief over it. At least, he hasn’t thus far. “And Samuel.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, he wasn’t too happy to see me show up without my shirt,” Rhenn says, shrugging.
“So, what did you tell them?” I ask when he steps forward and helps me pull my shirt into place.
“That we were relaxing on the beach and you got something on your shirt. You didn’t want to walk around without one so I volunteered to run up and grab a clean one.”
I snort a laugh. “Something got on my shirt.”
“Your mom just started laughing and smiled. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t buying it. Anyway, they were going to head up to the house and start in the living room.”
“Great,” I mumble, making sure my clothes are straight. “How do I look?”
“Freshly fucked.” My eyes widen as I look his way. Rhenn starts laughing and pulls me into his arms. “Personally, I love this look on you. Especially when I put it there.” Then he places his lips on mine and kisses me soundly. “Let’s head up there and get this place ready for occupancy.”
He reaches for my hand and pulls me to the path. We make our way there, side by side, and I prepare to face the onslaught of questions and knowing looks.
* * *
Come Thursday, I take off to town to catch lunch with my sister. We try to meet up whenever we can, but with my schedule at the bed and breakfast, it doesn’t happen nearly as often as we would like.
Today, I’ve grabbed sandwiches from the deli and am meeting her at her shop. Kiss Me Goodnight is located in the heart of Rockland Falls, right in the middle of the town square. There’s a bank on one side, and a small empty building on the other that the owner refuses to sell. It’s been vacant for more than a decade, yet the lady who owns the building holds on to it for some reason. On the other side of the empty storefront is a family owned hardware store that has been in the same location for two generations.
The bell sounds, notifying Harper and Free of my arrival. My sister runs her store, working the floor full time, and spending her evenings with the office side of the business. Her best friend Freedom (or Free as we tend to call her) helps a couple of days a week as her schedule allows. The business is booming, despite a little hesitancy in the beginning of a sexy lingerie store moving into our family-friendly town square.
“Lunch is served,” I holler as I approach the counter where my sister and her friend are working.
“I’m starving,” Free sighs dramatically, pushing aside whatever new product she was pricing.
“What’s that?” I ask, setting the sandwiches on the counter and nodding toward the small bottles of what appears to be lotion.
