hesitated, seemingly lost in thought. “What you see—isn’t what you get. I mean—his bad-boy persona isn’t who he really is.”
And who would know better than Skylar Wellington.
For six years the young woman had masqueraded as Tempest Sky, a gothic chick, hiding from her father, building a life of her own as a glass blower. It was only by chance she’d stumbled into Whispering Cove and into Leo’s arms.
“Don’t get me wrong. The man is a diehard bachelor, but he’s also a family man. No one messes with his mother or his sisters.”
The bells hanging from the door tinkled as Tabby waddled in, appearing tired and drawn. It was amazing how much the Taylors all looked alike, from their coal-black hair to their olive skin.
Sky lowered her voice. “He’s attentive to his mother and sisters. I can’t help but think if he gave a woman a second look he’d make a wonderful husband and father.” Sky stopped talking as soon as Tabby was within hearing distance.
As Sky and Tabby chatted about the gown and headpiece, Sahara thought of Devon again. A committed relationship or a husband wasn’t what she was looking for. She had a promising career and hopefully soon-to-be partnership. A summer fling with the diehard bachelor was the only possibility. Besides, she wouldn’t mind discovering what else he might have in his bondage repertoire.
When the room grew silent Sahara looked up to see both women staring at her.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked.
“I asked your opinion about the headpiece. Judging by the smile on your face, your thoughts weren’t on my wedding dress.”
Tabby smirked. “Thinking of someone, Sahara?”
“Ha. Ha.” Sahara didn’t feel it appropriate to share with Devon’s sister exactly where her mind had been. “What’s next?”
The rest of the day was a blur of activity. There were flowers to approve. Cake tasting, which gave Sahara a sugar high and a headache. Perhaps lunch before dessert would have been a better plan. Oh that’s right. They had skipped lunch, deciding to meet at the Seafarer for dinner.
When they arrived at the rustic restaurant, Leo and Reece were waiting for them at a table. The glow in her brother’s eyes when he saw Sky sent chills across Sahara’s arms. Clearly, he loved the woman. As Sahara watched Leo take Sky into his arms, she wondered if the two might start a trend. Marrying for love instead of status, power or money. What a novel idea.
When everyone took a seat, Reece slung his arm around Tabby. “Babe, you look beat.”
“My feet hurt too.”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Do you want me to rub them tonight?” The gleam in his eyes took on a whole new meaning. Tabby giggled and murmured something in return Sahara didn’t catch, but she got the feeling it had nothing to do with Tabby’s feet.
Feeling like an intruder, Sahara turned to her brother, only to find him nose to nose with Sky. Quietly she got to her feet. When no one seemed to notice, she headed for the door. It sucked to be single and surrounded by so much intimacy. But she had to remember it was her choice. As she walked down the cobble streets of Whispering Cove, a cool breeze tossed her hair about. She folded her arms across her chest. Maybe she’d head back to the inn and see what was for dinner there, or maybe she would stop by the hamburger joint down the street if it was still open.
“Hey you.” Someone yelled from across the way.
When she looked across the street, she saw Devon standing in front of the local tavern, holding several sacks and a large metal pail. After looking both ways, he made a beeline toward her. Immediately her pulse began to race. Her body warmed and she had to restrain the girlish grin that wanted to surface.
Devon shuffled the paper bags in his arm. “Where you headed?” Something splashed in his bucket, but she couldn’t make it out in the dark.
“I thought I’d grab something to eat and take it back to the
And who would know better than Skylar Wellington.
For six years the young woman had masqueraded as Tempest Sky, a gothic chick, hiding from her father, building a life of her own as a glass blower. It was only by chance she’d stumbled into Whispering Cove and into Leo’s arms.
“Don’t get me wrong. The man is a diehard bachelor, but he’s also a family man. No one messes with his mother or his sisters.”
The bells hanging from the door tinkled as Tabby waddled in, appearing tired and drawn. It was amazing how much the Taylors all looked alike, from their coal-black hair to their olive skin.
Sky lowered her voice. “He’s attentive to his mother and sisters. I can’t help but think if he gave a woman a second look he’d make a wonderful husband and father.” Sky stopped talking as soon as Tabby was within hearing distance.
As Sky and Tabby chatted about the gown and headpiece, Sahara thought of Devon again. A committed relationship or a husband wasn’t what she was looking for. She had a promising career and hopefully soon-to-be partnership. A summer fling with the diehard bachelor was the only possibility. Besides, she wouldn’t mind discovering what else he might have in his bondage repertoire.
When the room grew silent Sahara looked up to see both women staring at her.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked.
“I asked your opinion about the headpiece. Judging by the smile on your face, your thoughts weren’t on my wedding dress.”
Tabby smirked. “Thinking of someone, Sahara?”
“Ha. Ha.” Sahara didn’t feel it appropriate to share with Devon’s sister exactly where her mind had been. “What’s next?”
The rest of the day was a blur of activity. There were flowers to approve. Cake tasting, which gave Sahara a sugar high and a headache. Perhaps lunch before dessert would have been a better plan. Oh that’s right. They had skipped lunch, deciding to meet at the Seafarer for dinner.
When they arrived at the rustic restaurant, Leo and Reece were waiting for them at a table. The glow in her brother’s eyes when he saw Sky sent chills across Sahara’s arms. Clearly, he loved the woman. As Sahara watched Leo take Sky into his arms, she wondered if the two might start a trend. Marrying for love instead of status, power or money. What a novel idea.
When everyone took a seat, Reece slung his arm around Tabby. “Babe, you look beat.”
“My feet hurt too.”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Do you want me to rub them tonight?” The gleam in his eyes took on a whole new meaning. Tabby giggled and murmured something in return Sahara didn’t catch, but she got the feeling it had nothing to do with Tabby’s feet.
Feeling like an intruder, Sahara turned to her brother, only to find him nose to nose with Sky. Quietly she got to her feet. When no one seemed to notice, she headed for the door. It sucked to be single and surrounded by so much intimacy. But she had to remember it was her choice. As she walked down the cobble streets of Whispering Cove, a cool breeze tossed her hair about. She folded her arms across her chest. Maybe she’d head back to the inn and see what was for dinner there, or maybe she would stop by the hamburger joint down the street if it was still open.
“Hey you.” Someone yelled from across the way.
When she looked across the street, she saw Devon standing in front of the local tavern, holding several sacks and a large metal pail. After looking both ways, he made a beeline toward her. Immediately her pulse began to race. Her body warmed and she had to restrain the girlish grin that wanted to surface.
Devon shuffled the paper bags in his arm. “Where you headed?” Something splashed in his bucket, but she couldn’t make it out in the dark.
“I thought I’d grab something to eat and take it back to the
Similar Books
