Page 35 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ONE CONDITION

MILO

When we walk into the town meeting on Monday night, we make quite an entrance. The small courthouse is full and noisy…until they see us.

Goldie is on my right side, her fingers threaded through mine, and her dad and brothers flank us on either side, a full-blown posse.

Goldie looks hot as hell in a short, fitted black skirt and a white blouse, dressier than her normal vibe, but she said it’s a power move.

The guys and I are in suits, which wasn’t planned, but with our freshly shaved heads, it all looks intentional.

Like we’re the small-town mafia who’s coming to set everyone straight.

There’s nothing so sinister going on here, but I can tell we paint an intimidating picture.

Goldie says she’s still caught off guard seeing all of us without hair, and it’s a little jarring when I look in the mirror too, but I’m getting used to it. She also says I’m pulling off the look extremely well, but when I offered to keep it like this, she said hell no…

The grandmas are already sitting near the front.

Everett tried to talk them out of coming in case it got heated, but they insisted.

Miss Idella and Emmy are sitting next to them, chatting away, and Beverly and Carol are right behind them.

Bosco waves at Goldie and she grins, waving back, before taking a seat.

A few news teams are here that I’m sure came at my uncle’s bidding.

The meeting is called to order not long after we arrive, and eventually, the mayor, Meredith Strong, gets up to say a few words.

I've only talked with her a couple of times, but Everett speaks highly of her. She’s indicated that she’s completely behind the resort.

She’s nice and seems like a smart lady. One morning last week, she was in Kitty-Corner Cafe and came over to say hi to Goldie and me.

She mentioned how much she loved Goldie’s mom, Stella—how they’d had a few lunches in Windy Harbor when Stella was there for the summer and a fun memory of running into her in Minneapolis when they were new moms. It was sweet and I could tell it meant a lot to Goldie.

Later, Goldie said, “Often people avoid talking about someone who’s passed because they don’t want to cause sadness, but there’s already sadness. What makes me the saddest is to think that my mom would be forgotten.”

When she says things like that, I say another prayer that Everett will survive this cancer prognosis. She’s too young to lose both parents.

Everett gets up and talks in depth about the plans for the resort. A few people whisper when he gets up—the bald heads are creating some attention. He gets a few pitying looks, but mostly everyone is all smiles at how animated he is as he’s speaking.

And then Bruce gets up and talks about how the Whitmans are destroying the waterfront and the peace of Windy Harbor.

Ava talks about what this will mean for the otters.

The way she talks about them, I doubt she’s ever even seen one in real life.

A few of the townspeople get up to speak about their feelings about the project, both positive and negative.

When Juju gets up, Camden stiffens next to me.

I shoot him a look, but he stares at Juju with a blank expression.

He’s the nicest guy, but for some reason, he seems to avoid Juju.

When I asked him why he rarely comes to Kitty-Corner when he’s in town, he said his best friend’s pesky little sister is a brat.

I was shocked that he was talking about Juju.

Erin gets up, and so does her dad, Jason. They talk about how nice it would be for Windy Harbor’s economy to have a beautiful resort.

“We had it for years and miss what having that business up and running did for this community,” Jason says. “And this will be even better than that, more jobs, more possibilities. I think we need it to keep the town flourishing.”

The few who speak out against it say that the Whitmans aren’t full-time residents of the town, so they don't know the impact of what this change will bring.

But these comments are few and far between, compared to all who are for the project.

I look around and spot Ava and she looks angrier as the night goes on.

Meredith gets up at the end. “Thank you for your input. Since permits for everything have already been issued, the Whitmans are within their legal rights to keep moving forward, but we can take a final vote to put the matter to rest.”

Everyone votes and while the votes are being tallied, there’s a low hum of chatter around the room.

It’s not long before Meredith walks back to the podium. “We have the results!” she says, smiling widely. “There is resounding support for the Whitmans to continue their work—99% voted YES to the Windhaven Resort!”

A cheer goes up and Goldie squeezes my hand, looking at me in relief.

“Congratulations, now no one can get in the way,” I tell her.

Afterwards, people come up to wish us well and I’m surprised to be included in that. Bruce and Ava stand on the other side of the room with their small group of people. When I make eye contact with Ava, she glares at me.

“I just don't understand why she's so angry,” Goldie says, her voice low. “I know she wants to make an impression on her dad, but it's kind of crazy that she's jumped right into this argument.”

“I agree,” I say quietly. “I’m not sure what she hopes to gain. It doesn't seem worth it to me.”

Before we leave, Everett thanks us for being there.

“That went about as well as it could possibly go,” he says.

“And as Meredith put it at the end, we’ve already gotten the permits for everything, so let’s forge ahead.

Noah, I know you need to get back home tonight to relieve the sitter, but would you mind stopping by the house before you leave tomorrow?

I need to talk to you kids about something. ”

Noah agrees.

Before Everett gets in the car with Camden, Dylan, and Tully, he hugs Goldie.

“I’m good for the night,” I hear him say. “Why don’t you take a little break from mothering me? I’ve got two at home who’ve got it covered.” He winks at me and Goldie’s face is bright red when she looks at me.

“Love you, Dad. Maybe I will…hang out with Milo for a little while.”

“Sounds good, buttercup. Good night.”

“This night is certainly looking up,” I say, opening the door of my SUV for her.

“I can't believe I finally have you here again. It’s taken long enough,” I tease.

I tug her closer, undoing one button at a time before the door to my place is even closed all the way. When her blouse hangs open and I see the lacy cream bra she’s wearing, I let out a ragged breath. She leans against the door and I put my arms on either side of her, my face inches from hers.

“You're right where I want you,” I tell her.

“What do you plan to do with me now that I'm here?” She looks up at me.

She runs her hand over my head and I groan.

“I still can't believe you shaved your head,” she whispers.

I lean into her hand. “That feels nice. It's like all my nerve endings are on alert without the hair there. Not that I didn't enjoy the hair tugs, because, believe me, I did. But this is a whole other kind of nice.”

She grins. “You're like a cat. Wanting all the pets.”

I smile back. “You're not wrong. Whatever I have to do to get you to touch me, I'll do it. I'm not too proud, Goldie Whitman.”

“Come here then,” she says, putting her hands on either side of my face and kissing me.

I’ve been with her all week, but it still feels like forever since we’ve done this.

Our kiss is urgent, desperate. We can't get our clothes off fast enough as we hurriedly undress. My fingers slide down her body.

“You always know right where I want you,” she says, gasping into our kiss.

I make long, torturous strokes against her, dipping my finger inside and out and over her clit and back inside again. Until her legs start to buckle. I move to my knees and she protests.

“I want you inside me…”

“I will be,” I say against her thigh. “But first, I need to do this.”

My tongue does a long swipe down her center and she gasps, already shaking.

“Oh,” she shudders. “So good.”

“You taste so good.”

“I do?” she pants.

“Oh, yes. Fuck. You do,” I tell her.

I lick her until she’s chanting my name. Her hands hold onto my head as I feast on her, her head falling back when she cries out. When her aftershocks let up, I kiss my way up her body.

She giggles. “You look so proud of yourself.”

I smirk as I pick her up and carry her to bed. I lean over and then surprise her by flipping her so she’s on top. And she doesn't waste time.

“Mmm, I finally have you where I want you,” she says, sinking onto me.

We both groan.

“You look so beautiful,” I say, leaning up to suck her nipple.

My hands guide her ass, making sure she’s getting the perfect amount of friction.

“How long can I get you to stay?” I ask.

“Can you take me back early in the morning?”

“You know I will.”

“Okay,” she says, her hips undulating over me.

“I’m afraid you won’t get much sleep tonight.”

She laughs and I feel it everywhere.

“All right. We can sleep when we're dead,” she says, leaning forward to kiss me.

And then we don't speak for a long time.

We just let our bodies worship each other.

Later, when I’m buried deep inside her again, I look at her in awe.

“Is it working?” I ask.

“Is what working?”

“I’m trying to fuck you until you never want another man inside you again.”

“Oh, that.” She laughs between gasps.

Our bodies are slick with sweat and I just want to inhale her. Even when I’m as close as I can possibly get, I want to be closer.

“It’s working,” she says. “On one condition…”

I put my fingers between us and rub tiny, fast circles on her as I drag in and out of her. I watch where I enter her and it’s the best fucking thing.

“What’s that?” I ask.

I pull almost all the way out and slam into her. We both groan.

She’s breathless when she says, “Leave Spoonbridge and Cherry alone.”

“Done,” I say.

She laughs and I do too as I kiss her.

She doesn’t know that I gave up those plans a long time ago.