She's Just Right (A Fairy Tale Romance) Page 11

  He was gorgeous! The big jerk was absolutely gorgeous!

  His full lips tugged into a self-conscious smile and dimples popped out on both cheeks. Dimples! He rubbed his square, masculine jaw with his free hand. “I know I look different. I almost didn’t recognize myself.”

  Honey didn’t know where she should look. His large body seemed to fill the kitchen, and her eyes flitted to straight broad shoulders, worn denim jeans accentuating the length of long legs, and a well-developed chest. His dark brown hair, a little on the long side, was slightly damp from the shower. Her gaze shot up and down, not sure where to land.

  She didn’t feel safe anymore!

  She felt betrayed!

  He wasn’t supposed to look like a...like a...like a freaking underwear model! Sheesh! She took the two plates from him and set them on the table. “You look very nice.” She choked out the words.

  She swallowed, and was horrified to realize she was really, really attracted to him. But she was a big girl. She was an honorable person. She could ignore these feelings and keep from embarrassing anyone.

  Especially herself.

  She pasted on a smile. “And you’re just in time. Dinner is ready.” Her voice was tight, reedy, and she quickly looked down at the table. She reached out and turned her plate so it lined up just right, then took a deep breath.

  So his good looks had taken her by surprise. No big deal. She would simply continue to treat Trevor like a...a...brother or a cousin until she felt that way about him again. “Let’s eat,” she said brightly.

  They sat down to dinner and Honey reached out to lift the salad. She bumped her drinking glass and spilled a little water before righting the cup. “Whoops.”

  Water beaded on the wood table and she dabbed at it with a napkin as her face heated. “What time did Elizabeth say she’d be home?”

  “I don’t know. Do you want me to call her?”

  “Oh, no. I just wondered.”

  Silently they dished up dinner and started to eat. Trevor was looking at his salad instead of at her and Honey finally relaxed enough to enjoy the meal.

  His sudden good looks might make her nervous, but Trevor didn’t act like he expected any kind of reaction. In fact, he almost seemed shy. She remembered the way he’d acted with the men whose equipment he’d confiscated on the dirt road earlier in the week, and amended that to shy around her.

  It was kind of a nice change. Christian was good-looking, knew it, and was a little on the arrogant side about it.

  “This is really good,” said Trevor.

  “Thank you.”

  They ate in silence for another moment, then Trevor glanced up. “Today on the bridge, you mentioned that your sister drowned. Can I ask what happened?”

  Honey’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth, then she set it back on her plate and pushed salad around with it.

  “If you’d rather not--”

  “No. It’s okay. I’m just thinking.” She took a breath, glanced up, then down again. “My mom took me, my sister, and my baby brother to the ocean one day right after we’d moved to California.” Honey let go of the fork and splayed her hand on the table top. “I promised I’d watch Hayley for a minute while Mom went back to the car to get the diaper bag.”

  Honey looked up to see Trevor’s concerned expression. “It’s funny how, even now, all these years later, I can remember a detail like that.”

  “How old were you?” he asked.

  “I was six. Hayley was four. She loved the water. We’d promised her all week we’d go swimming. I also promised my mother we’d wait on the sand until she got back from the car.”

  Trevor placed his hand over hers. She appreciated the gesture of comfort, and the fact that his hand warmed her suddenly chilled fingers.

  “Because I’d been promising her all week, I finally gave in to my sister’s pleadings to wade at the edge of the ocean, to just get our feet wet. A wave swept us into the water and Hayley drowned. I almost died myself. Mom fished me out, but couldn’t find Hayley in time. I haven’t liked being around water since.”

  Honey looked at his comforting hand, and wanted to link her fingers with his. He wasn’t just good-looking. He was sweet.

  Honey forced herself to withdraw and pick up her fork again. “Anyway, this isn’t great dinner conversation. Why don’t you tell me something about yourself that I don’t know?” She tried for a more upbeat tone. “Something positive.”

  “Okay.” Trevor seemed to think about it as he munched on a couple of chips. “I made this table,” he said, looking almost embarrassed after making the statement.

  Honey looked at the kitchen table and ran a hand over the edge. “You’re serious? You made this table? It’s gorgeous! What a talent! It looks professionally made.”

  Trevor grinned, a little red-faced. “Thanks. So what about you? What don’t I know?”

  “Hmm. Let me think.” Honey took a bite of salad, glad they had the conversation on a more level note. “The number one goal on my list right now is to get my brokerage license, which you already know about, and then I’d like to change jobs. I want to work for a company I can grow with a little more.”

  “That’s number one on your list? What about your fiancé?”

  “Oh yeah, and to marry Christian. Of course.” Honey ducked her head, dug into her salad, and tried to think of another change of subject. She’d really like to know what happened with his marriage. And he’d asked her some uncomfortable questions, so fair was fair.

  Honey finished another bite. “Speaking of marriage, what happened with you and your wife?”

  Trevor let out a breath, then shrugged. “She left me for another guy. Someone she met on the internet. The minute we got a computer she was on it 24/7. She was bored and claimed to be looking for a job online. I didn’t find out until later that she was playing around in chat rooms and pretending to be single.”

  He shook his head. “She’d tell me she needed to get away for a while, do some shopping, visit her family, and she’d go for a few days to meet guys down the coast. She eventually divorced me to marry one of them.”

  Trevor shrugged again. “And good riddance. I’m just glad she didn’t leave me with any diseases.”

  Honey’s mouth had fallen open, and she snapped it shut only to take a deep breath. “Talk about dishonest! How could she do that? She obviously didn’t know what she had in you. What a jerk. Someone ought to--”

  Trevor was grinning at her.

  Honey took another breath, then laughed. “Look at us. We’re a couple of sad cases. I think we need to watch a laugh-out-loud comedy tonight, right after we do the dishes.”

  “Oh, you’re one of those, are you?” Trevor’s tone was teasing.

  “One of what?”

  “You have to clean up first before you can play?”

  Honey stood and lifted her plate. “Hey. Watch it. Your house is abnormally clean for a bachelor, so I wouldn’t be casting stones.” She picked up her glass and utensils and headed toward the sink.

  The teasing was fun after the seriousness. She really liked the guy. She liked being around him, and wondered if they’d stay friends after she left.

  She quickly scoffed at the idea.

  Of course they wouldn’t. They couldn’t. It wasn’t appropriate.

  So she’d just enjoy the evening and the short-term friendship.

  She glanced at Trevor as he came up behind her with his own dishes. One good thing about sitting across from him at dinner was that Honey was getting used to his good-looking face.

  Chapter Eight

  Honey set the dishes in the dishwasher, turned, bumped into Trevor, and put a hand on his arm to steady herself. His arm was hard as rock.

  She jerked away, and, trying to get around each other, they ended up doing a foot shuffle back and fourth that had them both laughing and breaking the sudden tension, much to Honey’s relief.

  Trevor placed his dishes in the dishwasher, then opened the pantry and held out a
packet of microwave popcorn. “Popcorn?”

  “Sure.”

  He started the microwave, then helped as she finished stacking the last few dinner dishes, and wiping the countertops and table.

  When the popcorn was done, Honey poured it into two bowls, Trevor grabbed a couple of cold sodas, and they headed out to the living room to watch a movie.

  Honey placed a coaster on the table by the smallest chair–-the one she’d broken when she’d arrived--and set down her soda and popcorn. “Is this chair safe to sit on?”

  Trevor turned from the cupboard holding the movies and grinned. “It is now.”

  “You know, you have to give me credit for fixing it that first night,” said Honey.

  His grin widened. “I do, huh? Even though I had to stay up an extra thirty minutes taking it apart and putting it back together the right way?”

  Honey groaned. “I’m so sorry.”

  Trevor grinned. “Don’t worry about it. It gives me something to hold over you for the rest of your life.”

  Honey smiled. “Well, for another two weeks, anyway. Until I go home.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I can send you a Christmas card or two over the years as a reminder.”

  Honey chuckled. “So you’re never going to let me forget it?”

  “Breaking the chair and breaking and entering?” He looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. “Sorry, Goldilocks, probably not.”

  Honey laughed and sat down. “All that means is I’ll have to get some dirt on you while I’m here. To keep you in check.”

  Trevor turned to grin at her. “You’re certainly welcome to try.” He held up a handful of DVDs. “What sounds good? Romantic comedy? Horror? Frat boy humor? What are you up for? There’s a ton more in here if you want to come and look. And more upstairs in the fun room.”

  The romance was more her style, but probably not a good idea. She looked at the five DVD’s he held up in his hands. “Tommy Boy?”

  “Huh.” He looked at the DVD. “I would have pegged you for Romantic Comedy.”

  “I have hidden depths I’m willing to descend to.”

  Trevor laughed.

  In addition, she thought of it as a safety mechanism. She didn’t want a romance to set any kind of mood or anything. Not that it would, of course, but still. She kicked off her sandals and curled up in the chair.

  Trevor started the movie, then sat next to her in the bigger chair, setting his drink and popcorn on the table between them.

  She had fun watching the movie, but more fun watching Trevor. She loved the way he laughed, deep and rumbling in his chest, and during the movie she sneaked several peeks at him then finally found herself turning her head to study him at leisure.

  He looked so different without the beard. He was really very attractive. Add that to fun, thoughtful, and easy to be with, and it was no wonder she was staring. Maybe she should set him up with one of her girlfriends?

  Of course the real reason she was studying him was probably because she hadn’t spent much time, if any, near a man of his size and physique. It was the novelty.

  But he didn’t intimidate her. Not anymore. His hand lay on the arm of his chair, big and masculine, and she suddenly wondered what it would feel like if he held her, touched her, and she shivered.

  Trevor caught her looking at him. “Is anything wrong?”

  Other than the fact that she was an idiot? “No. Nothing.”Was she really getting a stupid crush on the guy? Were her feelings for Christian really that shallow? She’d never in her life considered herself a fickle person.

  “Are you cold?” he asked.

  Feeling ashamed of herself, Honey pasted on a smile. “No, I’m fine.” She forced herself to watch the movie again, but couldn’t really concentrate because she was now so aware of him, and mad at herself because of it.

  The show finally ended, and Honey decided to have an early night. Frankly, she felt like she needed to get away from the guy. She felt tense, fidgety, and, okay, attracted. She was a little shocked to admit she wasn’t sure she could trust herself around him.

  As Trevor put the movie away, she gathered up the popcorn bowls and empty soda cans. He followed her into the kitchen.

  “Back to doing dishes again,” she said brightly.

  He didn’t say a word, but she could feel him watching her and she quickly finished loading the dishwasher, started it, then glanced around the kitchen, anywhere but at him. “Well, thanks for a fun evening. This week has kind of worn me out, and I think I’ll have an early night. So, goodnight.” She hurried for the stairs.

  “Honey?”

  She turned on the first stair, not even surprised that he’d followed her.

  He slowly walked forward.

  She knew she should keep going. Just walk up the stairs, go into her room, and shut the door. Standing on the bottom step, she still wasn’t his height, but now he stood just a few inches taller, face to face, and it felt like dangerous territory.

  He stopped in front of her, looking intent, determined, and incredibly sexy.

  Her heart did a queer little flutter, melting a little, her body suddenly boneless.

  Well, nuts.

  “Honey.” He lifted a hand, cupped one side of her face and traced her cheek with his thumb.

  She shivered, but didn’t move away. She should move, she knew she should move.

  “You are so soft,” his voice was low, gruff.

  One little compliment and her heart and body finished the melting process, any resistance fleeing.

  He tipped her face, lowered his head and his mouth hovered over hers for a moment, almost as if asking permission. Her heart pounded, her insides trembled, and her lips parted with anticipation. She knew he was going to kiss her and...she wanted him to.

  He leaned forward and her eyelids suddenly seemed very heavy. He gently touched her lips with his own in a kiss soft and fleeting. She shivered and opened her eyes to find him staring at her. His hands gently slid up her arms to cup her shoulders and he pulled her forward and kissed her again.

  Of their own accord her hands settled on the hard heat of his chest as his mouth moved over hers, his lips firm and slightly parted. With a shudder, she closed her eyes completely and surrendered.

  As if he’d simply been waiting for a signal, he gathered her closer and her arms slipped up around his neck. She loved how he felt against her, the heat, the urgency.

  He tilted her head back farther and deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth, just enough to tease the inside of her lips, then deeper, and she shivered again as his exploration continued, slow and leisurely.

  He broke off to kiss her cheek, to whisper huskily into her ear, “You’re so beautiful.” His breath was hot against her neck and she trembled, loving the words, the sensation, and the way his arms tightened around her.

  It was madness. She shouldn’t be doing this, and was sure there was a reason she shouldn’t, but couldn’t believe how good he felt.

  He parted her lips again with his mouth and kissed her deeply. She couldn’t help opening to him and when he slid his tongue inside and rubbed it against her own, a moan escaped her.

  She was trembling, her stomach clenched, and her arms, legs, and even the soles of her feet tingled. He caressed the inside of her mouth with his tongue again and again, as if he simply loved the feel of her, the taste.

  His big hands splayed against her back, moving up and down, washing her in sensation, and she tightened her hold on him. She urged him to take more, to give her more of the heat running through her veins. She ached with a need she hadn’t ever felt before and her arms crossed at the back of his neck, her fingers curled into his hair, clenching and unclenching.

  He pulled her closer still, held her tighter and groaned into her mouth, the sound making her feel desired, beautiful. She ran her hands over his back, then to his chest, over his biceps and he kissed her fiercely and she met him more than halfway, pulling at him and–

  A loud
smacking sound, hitting three times in quick succession, exploded throughout the room.

  Trevor jerked his head up and followed the noise to the living room. He didn’t want to, but, after a quick look at Honey’s heated face, he pulled back and tried to process what the noise meant.

  Both of them breathed heavily as Trevor finally found the source. Broken egg splatter dripped down the front pane of glass.

  Anger had him letting go of Honey and heading to the front door to fling it open.

  No one was there.

  But he knew good and well which three boys were responsible. Enough was enough. This was more than confiscated fishing poles. He was going to get to the bottom of this mysterious hatred.

  Still breathing hard, he turned back to Honey. She was looking a little dazed, one hand grasping the railing, the other pressed to her heart.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, his voice gruff, husky. “It’s those boys again.”

  Honey looking down, nodded. “I’d...” She took a deep breath. “I’d better go to bed.”

  Trevor lifted a hand and started toward her. “Honey, wait. I don’t want you to go. We need to talk.”

  “I have to.” She didn’t look at him. “I...I was going to have an early night.”

  With a brief flicker of her eyes to his face, Trevor could see the beginnings of full-blown panic. Disappointed, he decided not to push. They could talk about this later. Talk about where they was going. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  Honey stumbled up to the guest room and shut the door.

  Trevor blew out a breath, looked at the window, and cursed the kids for their incredibly rotten timing.

  ***

  She was such a jerk. The dawn light allowed Honey to write a short note and she stuffed it into an envelope, scrawled Trevor’s name on the front, sealed it, then slowly, quietly, started packing her things.

  Why hadn’t she told Christian she was staying at Trevor’s house? He’d have had a fit, and she’d have been staying at a hotel this entire time.

  Carefully folding a pair of slacks, she paused for a moment as guilt threatened to overwhelm her. Bowing her head, she clenched her eyes, fought back tears, and finally took a steadying breath and finished the chore.