Page 45 of Trouble Me
Chapter 16
My Baby's Got a Secret
Shane stayed the restof the weekend until he had to fly out to California. Emma was thankful her house sat far enough off the road no one could see Shane’s truck in the driveway. She didn’t need to give the town gossips anything more to yammer about.
But she missed him and that was a problem. It’d been three days since they said their goodbyes. Three days and already the gnawing in her gut distracted her from things she should be doing. Like typing a simple email to a vendor. How the hell was she going to handle it when he left for good?
She dropped her forehead to her hand and sighed. This was one reason why she never mixed business and pleasure. It was just too sticky.
Especially when the pleasure made her obliterate every rule she ever made. Shane made sex an art form. He was patient and a master at giving and taking. She didn’t want to think about how many women he’d been with to hone the skills he possessed, but one thing was clear. He’d ruined her for all other men. Even now, her skin flushed and the tingling in her core had her clenching her thighs together.
Blowing out a breath, she turned to her computer to lose herself in something that didn’t deal with her heart. Or her hormones.
A couple of hours later, her stomach growled, reminding her that she’d skipped breakfast. A glance at the clock said it was lunch time. Needing some fresh air, she decided to head to town for lunch.
On her way out of her office, she walked straight into a hard chest.
Strong hands gripped her biceps to keep her from toppling over. “Whoa, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
Emma lifted her face to find a man smiling at her. His eyes twinkled with male appreciation. The face was familiar and yet different. “I’m fine. Can I help you?” she asked.
He released her arms and held out a hand. “Colin Kavanaugh. I’m looking for Shane.” A slow smile curved his lips, his eyes taking her in. They were the color of green sea glass instead of blue like the sea itself. “You must be Emma. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She returned the handshake and smiled. “All good, I hope. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She hitched her purse higher on her shoulder. “Shane isn’t here, though. Did he know you were coming?”
Colin shook his head. “No, this is a surprise visit. I was in Virginia and decided to take a detour here. I haven’t seen this place since our first trip out here.”
“I was just on my way out to lunch, but I could give you a quick tour before I go.”
“Or...how about I take you to lunch and then you can show me around? Tell me how things are coming along here.” Colin paused. “If you don’t have other plans, of course.”
Emma glanced at her watch and found she had some time. “I’m good. My next call isn’t until later this afternoon.”
He gave her a dazzling smile that reminded her so much of Shane, she ached. “Lead the way.”
She chose The Magnolia House where they would be able to sit and talk, but which was also known for its quick service during the lunchtime hours.
The dining room of The Magnolia House was one of elegance and grace. With crisp, white linen tablecloths, crystal hurricane lamps lit with fat white candles, and gleaming silverware, it was simple, but spoke of money. Now that she’d met Shane’s brother, she could see that the Kavanaugh family was much like the dining room—comfortable, yet the undertones of money and wealth couldn’t be denied.
