Page 5 of Sweet Summertide (Christmas Cove #4)

The bubbles became indistinguishable in her glass as they walked down a gentle sloping sidewalk away from the building’s light source.

Small solar lanterns lined the path leading down to a wooden dock, but barely cut through the dark night.

The distance wasn’t far, and they filled the air with their small talk about the weather, and the sweet song of the cricket choir.

At the end of the dock, Teddy turned and sat on a wooden railing.

Instead of drinking his libation, he drank her in.

He looked at her as though he was seeing so much more than just a pretty face. Ignoring the pleasant sensation building in her gut, she held her glass up and rested her bum on the same railing next to him. “To following your dreams.” Their glasses rang in harmony.

“And to new friends,” he said and took a drink.

Friends? The way he had taken her in as she twirled in her dress or the way he placed the chocolate in her open mouth felt like more than just friends.

She pondered any deeper meaning to his words while hundreds of bubbles danced in her mouth with her next sip.

He wanted honesty, so maybe she should ask him the question she’d been pondering all day.

But Blake Holly Hollis wasn’t known for being patient. “Can I ask you something?” He nodded and sipped his bubbly. “When was the last time you had a girlfriend?” Slick , she thought. She wanted to know just how available he was before dedicating too much energy to something that might not work out.

“I told you I was single,” he said and smirked as though he knew she was fishing for something. “But that’s not what you’re after.”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Yeah. But I like it,” Teddy said and downed the remnants of his champagne. He placed the glass on the square post holding up the railing and took her glass, stashing it with the other.

Heat climbed her neck as Teddy moved closer to her. The warm night air didn’t help things. She wiggled and created a little bit of a breeze under her skirt which elicited a reaction from him.

Teddy raised his brows and deep lines cut across his forehead.

“What? It’s hot out here. This is what girls do.” She swished her hips and the pink ruffles on her skirt swayed back and forth.

Teddy moved his hips like hers and mimed tucking his hair behind his ear. “Like this?”

Holly smacked his chest. “Stop teasing me.”

“I like teasing you.” He captured her hand against his torso and held it there. His breath was shallow, and his palm clammed up in seconds.

“Do I make you nervous?” Holly said and closed the small distance between them, looking up into his brown eyes.

Teddy nodded and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

“Why?” Holly asked. Her head tilted to one side making it easier to see his expressions.

“For starters …” he took her hand over her head and spun her around. Her skirt flew out, making a wide circle. He stilled her once she faced him again. “You’re beautiful.”

She knew she was egging him on by batting her lashes. “And? I’m sure you’ve had your share of pretty women.”

“What makes you think that?”

“A charming, good-looking guy with your family background? You probably have your pick of any number of socialites,” Holly said and let go of his hand.

“You think I’m good-looking?” Teddy said. “Charming too?”

Holly nodded and felt flatfooted in this conversation. It was her turn to swallow down the nerves. “You’re pushing your luck.”

Teddy hopped down and closed the distance between them.

“And what if I wanted to kiss you right now? Would that be pushing my luck?” he backed her against the railing.

Her hands caught the top piece of wood behind her bottom, and she arched her back away from him.

She wasn’t afraid of his advance. She wanted it.

She craved the thrill of his attention. His arms hemmed her in, and she was at his mercy.

“Tell me, Holly, what do you really want to know?” he spoke into the tender tissue near her ear. His breath warmed her skin, but the air matched the temperature just as fast. The sensation was unsatisfying, and she wanted more.

She leaned her face against his. The short, groomed hair on his cheeks and jaw pressed into her flesh and lured her into wanting to find the smoothness of his lips.

“I want you to kiss me,” she whispered. The closer he moved to her mouth, the higher her heart rate climbed.

Butterflies flitted inside her belly but transformed into red flags at the memory of her past relationships.

She slid her fingers in between their mouths just in time.

Teddy cleared his throat and backed away.

“I need to know if you really like me, or if I’m just another flighty socialite to add to your conquests,” Holly said, but her query had a sharpness she hadn’t intended. Her question had sounded more like a character accusation than an invitation for honesty. “Teddy.”

He backed off and tucked his hands into his black pants pockets. “Even if I did like you, I get the feeling you would have a hard time believing it. Am I over the target?”

“You might be.” She was surprised by how clearly he saw her.

“Do you trust me?” Teddy said with a one-sided grin.

Holly liked the idea of trusting him but wasn’t quite there yet. “I think so. I want to.”

Teddy turned to walk back to the resort, and she grabbed his elbow, knowing she had ruined the moment. “Well, Holly, I suppose I’ll have to help you make up your mind. In the meantime, why don’t I walk you back up?”

“I’m sorry, Teddy. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’ve just been hurt?—”

He stopped and put a finger on her lips. “I told you to stop apologizing. We all have stuff in our pasts that messes us up. As for my conquests, as you call them, I have none.”

His declaration was hard to believe. A guy as good looking, charismatic, and well-mannered as Teddy had no notches in his belt? She was sure there was more to his story now and was determined to get the whole tale. “Will I see you again soon?”

“I’m staying here at the Foundry for the rest of the summer, maybe I’ll bump into you again.

” Teddy walked her towards her car where Millie and the man who had greeted Teddy at the station, Alfonso, were sitting on the hood engaged in conversation.

Slowing, Teddy spoke in a hushed tone. “I’m not offended.

” He stopped and held her hands, standing face to face. “I’m glad you came here tonight.”

“Me too.” She thought he might kiss her now.

His eyes trained on hers, and his tongue darted out and wet his lips.

She stood taller and tucked his hands around her waist, but a hoot—coming not from a nearby owl watching the show, but from the couple sitting on the car—broke their connection.

Another moment ruined. At least this one wasn’t her fault.

Teddy released her and met up with the man. “Alfonso.” Teddy placed an arm around Alfonso’s neck and removed him from the hood of the car. “We have a mess to clean up, no?” he said the last part in a pseudo-Italian accent which caused the chef to laugh as they walked towards the building.

Millie hopped down. “What was that all about?”

Holly watched the men go inside. Teddy stopped and nodded before disappearing on the other side of the door. “I think I’m in love.”

“Okay, TayTay. Let’s pull the reins on this one and get you home. You have a big day tomorrow at your shop.”