Page 79 of Banter & Blushes #1

CAROLINE

C aroline used the toe of her shoe to push the hammock back and forth.

Beck was sprawled comfortably in a second hammock, one leg anchoring him to the porch as he watched her with his infuriating, boyish grin.

Quint lay at his feet, gnawing on what looked to be her favorite pen.

The dog’s tail thumped a steady rhythm against the wooden floor.

She leaned down to take the pen from the dog and kicked her foot again. The hammock swayed dangerously close to Beck. He didn’t flinch.

“I thought you were bringing me here to help,” she said, crossing her arms. “This is your idea of work?”

“Strategic planning session,” Beck replied, lazily stretching an arm behind his head. “You’re stressed enough for both of us.”

“Is that so?”

“Definitely.”

“Do you think this is a lost cause?”

“Depends on how flexible you plan to be.”

“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”

“Just a little.” He uncurled himself and swung his legs over the side, sitting up.

His knee made a surprise attack on her hammock, sending her spinning like a human top.

The unexpected motion caused her to lose her grip on the ropes, and the next thing she knew, the world was doing cartwheels.

She landed with a startled squeak right in Beck’s lap .

“In a bit of a rush, are we?” he murmured, holding her a little too close, and a little too long.

She closed her eyes for a minute and inhaled.

The sandalwood and sea were so different from her own perfumes and tailored world.

It was unexpectedly nice. His arms tightened around her for a moment and for the first time she felt the resistance crumble beneath the humor, and she let herself sink in.

The world disappeared. A bright, fleeting moment of feeling safe and being seen for just being Caroline filled her. When she pulled back, he chuckled, one hand pushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

“More comfortable, now?”

“Comfort is not the word I’d use.”

“No? Looks cozy to me.”

Caroline placed her hand on his chest, attempting to disregard the sensation of his muscles under her touch. He flexed, causing her to startle with a small shriek, nearly slipping off his lap before regaining her balance. Beck’s laughter filled the small porch.

Caroline tightened her grip on his shoulders. “You’re flirting with disaster.”

“Maybe you’re not as immune to disaster as you think.”

He knew he was getting to her. She was getting to him, too.

She pushed off his lap and stood quickly, smoothing her cardigan and her composure. “Hammocks are a menace, Beckett.”

“Not as dangerous as golf carts.”

“Or men who don’t wear shoes.”

She raised an eyebrow, daring him to disagree. His grin was infuriating and contagious.

“You going to declare a ban?”

“I am the mayor.”

His eyes sparkled gold. “I’d like to see you try.”

Before she could answer, his phone buzzed on the porch table. Beck grabbed it, glancing at the screen. “Hang on,” he said to her, his expression clouding as he answered. “Hello?”

Caroline watched him, her curiosity piqued as his body tensed listening to the caller.

“No, you’re not interrupting.” He shot Caroline a look then turned away. “I’m just working.”

A voice hummed on the other end, and Beck ran a hand through his hair, standing to pace the porch. “I’m just not sure I have time right now.”

Caroline waited, arms crossed, her head cocked in anticipation.

“Thanks, I’ll think about it and get back to you.” He ended the call, giving her a sheepish look. “So.”

She tugged the sweater snug around her, the air sharp and cold against her skin. “Was that your other gig?”

Beck looked at her, and she thought she saw a flash of anger flit across his face. “Somebody wants it to be. ”

“Well?” She resisted the urge to pick up the pen Quint had been chewing on and start twirling it. “Are you taking it?”

“Not sure.”

“Looks like you have quite the dilemma.”

He frowned as he took a deliberate step back, putting distance between them. “Are you always like this?” he asked.

“Like what?” Caroline knew exactly what he was talking about.

This was it. He was dropping her project and going to help whoever called.

It shouldn’t matter. He only promised one brainstorming session, and he had already given up two weeks of his time.

A twinge of hurt—no, jealousy—spread across her chest.

When Beck didn’t answer, Caroline took a step closer to him. “What am I like?”

“Like you’re ready to fight someone.”

“You should take the project.” A tight smile crossed her lips, and she softened her tone. “I’m serious. I know I’m not your first choice.”

“You don’t know a thing, Caroline Hollis.” She didn’t know how to respond, so she chewed the inside of her cheek. “Think you can manage without me?”

“I’ve managed just fine my entire life without Carter Beckett.”

“Well then, you won’t even miss me.”

Caroline looked down at the now-crowded clutter of the porch. The collaboration between them had grown until the entire deck was covered with projects, drafts, and plans. There was even enough food to sustain a small nation, thanks to surprise visits from Gigi and Mabel and their casserole brigade.

“Not even close,” Caroline challenged, praying her voice didn’t crack. They both knew the truth. She would miss him, and so would the project.

“Good. We have something in common.” He rubbed his jaw. “At least you don’t have to worry about the council pushing for a new charter. You’ll do just fine, Hollis.”

As she listened to him, she clenched her fist, her nails pressing into her palm. His tone carried a hint of irritation and disappointment.

“Maybe running away will be good for you,” she shot back. “Have it your way, Beckett. If you want to give up before we’re done, just go.”

“I didn’t say I was going. You think I’m the type to ditch out?”

It was Caroline’s turn to glare. Beck tucked his hands into the pockets of his faded shorts, his gaze lingering for a moment too long. She lifted her chin, determined not to show just how much the thought of him leaving stung.

Without another word, he turned and headed inside, leaving Caroline on the porch with only the crash of waves and her own annoyingly foolish expectations.

She’d overplayed.

He’d pushed back.

Her heart pounded, and she didn’t understand why she cared so much.

To avoid the space Beck left behind, Caroline looked around and pretended she didn’t feel him slip away.

She let out a long breath and sank into a chair, the one not resembling a tangled fishing net. Her head fell back, and she debated texting Gigi to pick her up since the Hollis Express needed a new battery and she hadn’t had time to have it installed.

Gigi would have a field day with this as soon as she found out. She’d probably invent some new bingo card with every juicy detail, ready to pass around at the next town meeting. Both mayors leaving town to go to Florida? Free space!

Caroline could already hear Gigi’s merry laughter, and she imagined Boomer giving a full run down when he announced the news like a town crier outside The Holler & Fork.

Swiping at her eyes with a quick motion, she reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone. The screen showed three missed calls. All from Mabel. She groaned, dropping the phone back in her lap.

There wasn’t a moment to breathe before Beck was standing in the doorframe.

Through the screen, she saw him pause, his shoulders dropping like he was bracing for something.

He hesitated, but opened the door again, stepping outside to the porch.

His jaw was tight, expression unreadable as he approached her.

“I’m sorry, Caroline,” he started, handing her a bright pink highlighter. “Here, before Quint chews this one to death, too.”

She accepted it, confused by the tone of his voice. “Surprised you came back.” The words coming out with more bite than she intended.

“It’s my house.” Beck picked up the binder and handed it to her. “Can we just take this down a notch?”

The way he said it made her feel small, like she’d overstepped and maybe it would’ve been better if she hadn’t pushed so hard.

“Sure.” She crossed her arms over her chest and blinked, surprised by his next words.

“You don’t really think I’m going to back out, do you?”

“I don’t know. It isn’t like this is a paid gig or anything.”

“I don’t need the money. I went inside to turn down the other offer.”

“Oh.” It was the only word she could muster.

“I turned it down because I don’t want to bail on this. Or you.” The way he said it made her heart skip. Heat began to flood her cheeks.

She cleared her throat and tried again but couldn’t get a complete thought. “Oh.” Setting the highlighter on top of the binder, she rubbed her forehead.

“I get it, Hollis. You’re scared to fail or disappoint people, but I’m not running off.

” His voice was lower. She had to strain to hear it.

It calmed her pulse and quieted her doubts.

“I’ll be here until this is done, all right?

This is the most fun I’ve had since…” He hesitated, then grinned. “Well, since the last time I had fun.”

“Something you find endlessly entertaining? ”

“Sure. Let’s call it that.”

“It’s something, at least,” she said, feeling her resolve melting with his upturned smile.

“What’s this thing, anyway?” He waved a finger between them.

“Thing?” She didn’t catch on right away.

“This ‘thing,’” he joked lightly. “Between us.”

She flinched at the question. Maybe because it was said so casually. Maybe because it didn’t seem casual at all. “This? This is called work, Beckett.”

“Right. Forgot for a second.” He scratched Quint behind the ears. “If you ever need help with the concept, let me know.”

Was he teasing? Serious? Leading her in some unexpected new direction? She couldn’t tell. There was the problem.

“Let’s just figure out the next step, okay?”

“If it’s what you want.” He perched on the edge of the chair. The dog rolled over, showing his belly.

She studied him, aware of how much was riding on the revitalizing Bluebell Bay campaign. “You’re really in this to help Bluebell Bay?”

He gave a sudden, bright laugh. “You’ve got a suspicious streak, mayor.”

“I’ve got a lot of streaks,” she said, feeling her mouth twist into a smile despite herself.

“Even I can’t keep up with you.” He picked up another pen Quint had abandoned nearby and tossed it towards her. Caroline caught it in midair.

“Can we finish this before we both come to our senses?”

“Never pegged you as an optimist, Hollis.”

“Only because you never let me finish before interrupting me.” She tossed the pen back to him. “I was about to say how much I appreciate…” She trailed off, steadied herself. “How much I appreciate the help.”

Beck’s features relaxed as he leaned in closer, his gaze intent on her, as though he were trying to uncover her most hidden secrets. Caroline shifted under the scrutiny.

He was suddenly close enough for Caroline to see the flicker of uncertainty and attraction in his eyes. She could feel the heat from his skin as her breath caught in the back of her throat. Without breaking her gaze, he lifted the binder from her lap and set it on the small table.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for months. May I kiss you?”

“Beck,” she murmured, closing her eyes slightly. Before she could think, before either of them could reconsider, he had pulled her into his arms, and his mouth was on top of hers.

It was as if all the heat and tension simmering between them collided at once. The world spun, leaving only the feeling of his mouth warm and soft against hers.

It was completely unplanned as Caroline found herself kissing him back.

Beck pulled away first, his forehead resting against hers, a little dazed. “Wow,” he said, his voice rougher than usual. “I didn’ t see that coming.”

“Me either,” she replied, her voice light with surprise.

“Do you think kissing is on Gigi’s card?”

She gave him a playful shove, but her heart wasn’t in it. “Probably.”

“Was it as good for you as it was for her?” He pretended to duck, holding up a hand to protect himself from another shove.

“Yes,” Caroline blurted, still feeling the warmth of his kiss on her lips. “For me. Not her.”

“How long do you think it will take before they find out?”

“I didn’t know you were a fan of the bingo card,” she finally said, a teasing undertone in her voice as she picked up the binder and shoved it in her tote bag.

“I heard there’s a card out there with some good spaces left to fill.”

She wasn’t concerned about adding a few more marks to a bingo card, giving a giggle, as he leaned in to kiss her once more.