Page 45 of The House on Blueberry Lane

It was obvious that Ray, with his growing family, was a very happy man. That was something else Velvet would see was different about him—he’d always liked kids, but figured he wouldn’t have any since he hadn’t planned on ever marrying. Now, not only did he plan to get married, but he couldn’t wait to see Velvet pregnant with his child.

“I’m here to invite you to a party.”

Ray’s words brought his thoughts back to the present. “A party?”

“Yes. It’s a surprise groom and bridal shower for Vaughn and Sierra. Kaegan is hosting it at his and Bryce’s place on the Bayou and you’re invited.”

Kaegan Chambray, who owned a seafood shipping company, was another guy Jaye had met since living in Catalina Cove. He’d heard about Kaegan’s parties and all the good food that was served. The man liked to entertain and usually held an annual party for his employees, and during the year he held others for his friends. Jaye felt honored to be invited. And what made it doubly nice was that he knew Velvet was part of the wedding party, so chances were she would be there, too.

“Thanks for the invite, Ray, and I’d love to attend.”

“Good.”

After Ray left, Jaye leaned back in the chair, knowing he needed to get back to work but he’d rather just sit there and let memories of last night and this morning consume him. He had needed Velvet as much as she had needed him and all that need had been fiery and, at times, out of control. He didn’t want to think about all they’d done, how many sexual positions they had enjoyed and how many orgasms they’d shared. Just thinking about it was making him aroused again.

He stood and walked to the window to look out at the water. Now, this was something he could definitely appreciate, the view of the gulf from this window. Another thing he could appreciate was being in Velvet’s bed again. Although she’d let him know not to assume anything, that was fine with him. The one thing he needed for her to see was—just like he’d told her—he was no longer into sex-only relationships.

Now, it was time he told her the reason. The subject of his mother had always been difficult for him. The only people who knew how deeply her desertion had affected him were his father, brothers, Mercury and the other Steele brothers. He figured no one else needed to know. He’d been wrong, because Velvet had needed to know. Hopefully, when he explained things to her, she would understand why he’d built that wall around his heart. A wall she had eventually torn down.

Jaye checked his watched. Since he’d worked through lunch, he might as well go grab something now. He smiled at the thought that Velvet had agreed to go jogging with him and was even buying outfits to do so. She was right when she’d said jogging had always been his private time to think, strategize and plan. Little did she know all those efforts were now centered around one thing, more specifically, one person: her.

VELVET LOVED SHOPPING at the stores on Main Street, which was a stone’s throw away from the pier. Today had turned out to be a nice day. That was the one thing she loved about Catalina Cove’s weather in mid-February. It was always comfortably cool. However, since she was close to the pier, it was a little cooler.

She had found the jogging gear she wanted and was excited about it—although a part of her knew she shouldn’t be. Just because Jaye had invited her jogging with him, it meant nothing. Still, she couldn’t get over the fact that he had. Nor could she dismiss the other thing he’d said, namely, that he was no longer interested in sex-only affairs. She’d left him because she’d given up on that ever happening.

“Velvet!”

She turned and smiled when four women with strollers walked toward her. Ashley had her twins, Bryce had little K-Gee, Donna had her son Ike and Vashti’s two kids, Cutter and Shelby, were in a two-seater that resembled a police cruiser. Velvet laughed, thinking it was the cutest thing since the toddlers’ daddy was the sheriff. She walked over to meet the group. “Well, hello, everyone. What’s up?”

“Nothing much,” Donna said, grinning. “Looks like you’ve been shopping.”

“Yes, I needed more athletic wear,” she said, deciding not to be more specific than that.

“Daddy’s there!” One of Ashley’s twins pointed at the sparkling blue water of the gulf.

Velvet followed the little boy’s finger and saw what he was talking about. Tugboats were delivering the first of Ray Sullivan’s water taxis. They were large, spacious and elegant, which was different from what Velvet had imagined. She’d thought they would resemble a ferryboat, but she should have known better since she’d heard Ray had personally designed them.

“They’re beautiful,” she said, and noticed a crowd had gathered on the pier to look at the water-taxi boats as well.

There was a buzz of excitement in the air as people were finally seeing what Ray’s dream of a water taxi would look like. Velvet noticed Ashley watching her husband in the distance as he talked to the men who’d delivered the boats. It was obvious that Ashley was proud of her husband’s accomplishments and was happy for the man she loved.

“How many will there be?” Velvet asked.

“Two for now, but another is under construction. We’re planning an open house to kick off the first one that will provide service during Mardi Gras.”

“That’s perfect timing,” Vashti said, lifting her daughter out of the stroller to hold in her arms. Velvet agreed that having a water-taxi service from the cove to New Orleans during Mardi Gras would be perfect timing.

A short while later, she’d declined the women’s invitation to join them at the Witherspoon Café. After all the sleep she’d lost last night by being with Jaye, she intended to get to bed early tonight.

Less than an hour later—after stopping at the Green Fig to grab a take-out order of soup—she was pulling into her driveway. The first thing she noticed was Jaye’s car already there, which meant he was home. Would he come out to greet her? Why should he when she’d made it clear that what had happened last night was a one-time deal. He’d let her know he had no problem abiding by her wishes, because they were his as well. She should be pleased by that, but for some reason, she wasn’t.

That thought was still on her mind hours later when she’d gotten in bed. Regardless of what he had told her, she honestly had expected Jaye to knock on her door tonight, sweep her into his arms and head for her bedroom. He hadn’t and was clearly playing by the rules she’d established. When had Jaye ever done that? Especially when it came to their time in the bedroom. Probably because she’d never established any such rules before.

Shifting positions in bed, she knew they would at least spend time together tomorrow when they went jogging. That thought made her smile as she drifted to sleep.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

JAYE KNEW HE was in trouble the moment Velvet opened the door. In all the years they’d been together, they’d never gone jogging together, so he hadn’t known what to expect. He wasn’t prepared to see her fully awake, dressed, all smiles and ready to go. It was, after all, five in the morning. And if he recalled, she was not a morning person...unless it was to wake up to make love.

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