Destiny (17 page)

“You bet.” A low groan rumbled from deep in his chest as he pulled her to him and kissed her long and hard.

As usual, she lost herself in his arms, his tongue sweeping over her lips and demanding entrance. She let him inside for a brief, delicious moment, before breaking the kiss.

“You taste like cookie dough.” He dampened his mouth with his tongue and grinned.

“Go. I have to clean up here and then go find us a bed-and-breakfast.” She swatted his shoulder. If he didn’t leave, she’d end up embarrassed in Ethan’s kitchen.

With a sexy wink and a grin, he stole one more kiss and headed out.

Kelly sighed happily. When was the last time she had this much peace in her life? She couldn’t wait to get Nash alone. Someplace away from family and problems.

A place where they could focus solely on each other.

Fifteen

Kelly found a small bed-and-breakfast in Rockport,
Massachusetts, an almost four-hour drive from Serendipity. The inn boasted a view of the Atlantic Ocean; the rooms provided decks, jet tubs, and a private entrance. It sounded perfect, and though she hoped they wouldn’t spend all that much time clothed, she still wanted to buy something special to wear.

On her lunch break, Kelly took the opportunity to shop. She walked the short distance to the center of town and headed into Consign and Design, the store next to Faith’s business.

The chimes rang as she opened the door, announcing her presence. A woman with a cherry-colored haircut in a funky style Kelly thought Tess would love came rushing out of the back to greet her.

“Welcome!” she said.

“Thank you. This is a beautiful place you have here.”

Kelly glanced around the beautiful shop, taking in the mint green walls. “I love the clothes, but these walls and this shelving are so cool!” She brushed her hand over the unique carved-wood free-floating shelves.

“Thanks! My brother Nick just put those in. I’m April Mancini, by the way.”

“I’m Kelly Moss. And Faith Barron has told me all about you. I was hoping you could help me pick out some clothes for a trip I’m taking this weekend?”

“I’d love to.” April hooked her arm through Kelly’s as if they were old friends. “Business or pleasure?”

Despite herself, Kelly blushed. “Pleasure.”

“Aah. Anyone I know?” the other woman asked.

Kelly, having spent so many years in Manhattan, was still getting used to people—strangers— asking her personal questions and expecting answers.

But April was warm and friendly and Kelly didn’t mind. “Nash Barron,” she admitted.

April grinned. “Oh those Barron boys were always so bad. Nash was always the hardest to read.”

Kelly nodded. “You have to get close before he lets you in.”

“Well, I’m glad to see he’s found someone. I know his divorce hit him hard. Come on. I take it Faith told you that most of my items have been taken in on consignment, but I recently started expanding, using my own designs.”

“Faith said she sold you some truly expensive designer items and you turned them into unique pieces.”

“I was going to sell them on eBay because I honestly didn’t think the wealthy would shop in a consignment shop, but it turns out that word of mouth is a wonderful thing. I couldn’t imagine how Faith’s pieces would boost my business.” April glowed with the pleasure of success. “I also decided to carry select items so people can shop here even if they’re not looking for gently used clothing or high-end new designs.”

“An eclectic bit of everything?” Kelly asked with a laugh.

April let out a long sigh. “That’s the problem with me. I can’t stick to one thing. I like something, I take it in and hope to sell it.”

Kelly smiled. “Sounds to me like you need a business plan.”

“Are you offering?” April asked hopefully.

“Sorry, not my forte. But I’ll keep an ear out in case I hear of someone who can help you.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s get out started. First up? I took in a line of sexy lingerie for the discerning consumer. Something tells me you’ll love them.” April led her to the back of the store, to a separate section of clothes and dressing room.

Half an hour later, Kelly had purchased a set of lingerie the likes of which she’d never thought to own, a sexy lounge wear set for hanging around the room, and a dynamite April original for dinner on Saturday night. All bought with Nash in mind.

Kelly knew she was more in love with him than any man she’d ever been with. His mix of strength and vulnerability drew her, as did the fact that with her he didn’t hide himself. He trusted her and she had every reason to trust him.

Sometime during this weekend, Kelly would tell him everything about her past with Ryan, the mistakes she’d made, and the deposition she would probably have to face in the future. If she came clean, he’d understand. He’d had too many people lying to him for too long. Kelly didn’t want to be one of them.

The night of Tess’s art show, the school parking lot
was crowded with expensive cars. Kelly pulled in and parked a few spots away from Ethan’s Jaguar. Surrounded by other high-end vehicles, Kelly’s subcompact looked like a cheap toy. This place always made her feel less than, in a way not even Ethan’s mansion managed to do.

Tess bounced out of Ethan’s car, and her wide smile made Kelly forget about feeling out of place.

“Now, remember, don’t forget to check out Sara Murphy’s projects. She thinks she’s the most talented artist in school and that her shit don’t stink!”

“Mouth!” Kelly, Ethan, and Faith said at the same time.

Kelly had arrived at school at the same time as the other three and they walked in together.

Tess popped a huge bubble with her gum.

Kelly frowned and held out her hand. “Give it,” she said, cringing as she made the demand.

“Wait, I have a spare tissue,” Faith said, not bothering to hold in a laugh.

“You know there’s no gum allowed in school,” Ethan said. “Can you at least behave for the next hour or so that we’re here?”

Kelly watched Tess’s face as she came to a decision. “Okay. As long as all my brothers get along,” she said with a sly grin that indicated she was looking for trouble.

Kelly wasn’t sure how much Tess knew about the problems between the three brothers, but her little sister was perceptive, especially when it came to any change in the dynamics between them all. And she clearly knew there was trouble brewing now.

“Your brothers always get along.” Kelly prodded Tess to walk faster. “And since tonight’s about you, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your brothers will be fine.”

“I’m not worried about them.” Tess gnawed her bottom lip, taking off the lip gloss Kelly had helped her apply seconds before.

“Well, don’t worry about your showing either. I’ve seen how good you are,” Ethan assured her.

He was about to ruffle her hair when Faith grabbed his hand and threaded her fingers through his. Meeting Kelly’s gaze, the other woman grinned.

And Kelly blew out a sigh of relief. Only another female would realize that Tess had probably stood in the bathroom with the straightener for an hour to get her hair so perfect. One touch by Ethan would mess up the whole thing.

Kelly liked these little changes in Tess. Her asking for lip gloss, the time spent on her hair, caring about school. In the few weeks since Ethan had been back, Tess hadn’t asked about transferring. She still spent a lot of time with Michelle, and though the girls might have met because others ostracized Tess, there was no denying the teenager had been a good influence on Kelly’s harder-edged sister. Combined with the art Tess loved so much, maybe this private school would work out after all.

They strode into the building surrounded by other parents and eager kids. Tess said hello to both girls and boys Kelly didn’t recognize as she led her family to her station. The kids had been set up alphabetically, so Nash and Dare would have no trouble finding them.

Tess’s artwork, like the other kids’, had been proudly displayed on an easel. She was supposed to stand by her designs, and when parents passed by she’d been instructed to explain her creations and the mood and reason behind them.

Kelly took her time going through Tess’s portfolio, amazed anew at her sister’s talent. She’d only been in school for two short months and Kelly felt certain she was looking more at Tess’s innate abilities than anything her instructor had taught her. But there was a definite refinement in her drawings Kelly had never seen before, a more deliberate choice of color. Yes, this school would give Tess opportunities Kelly would never have been able to give her on her own.

A lump in her throat, Kelly met Ethan’s proud gaze and mouthed a silent thank-you. She’d never be able to repay him for taking Tess in when she’d been at her wits end and for turning the teenager around in such a short time. Whatever he’d been or had done in his past, Ethan was an extraordinary man now.

And when Kelly felt a warm hand on her back, she knew the more extraordinary Barron brother—at least in her estimation—had arrived.

Tonight couldn’t be easy for him, knowing he had to see and be civil to Dare, but he was here. For Tess. To Kelly, that said everything she needed to know about the man.

“Hi there,” she said softly.

Nash took in her happy-to-see-him expression and grinned. “Hi.” He pressed a kiss against her cheek, remaining close to her side.

“Well,” she said, a wealth of questions in that one word.

“Not hiding us,” he explained.

He’d spent most nights in her bed, finding so much more than solace and comfort. She wasn’t his nighttime-only secret. He was ready to take this relationship to the next level. They were an official couple and he didn’t care who knew.

Her eyes lit up with pleasure and a distinct sense of rightness overwhelmed him. It wasn’t something they’d discussed, but everything in him had felt lighter since he and Annie had in effect released each other from any remaining obligation.

“Hey! No BlackBerry or I’m calling security to throw you out!” Tess interrupted them. As usual. She folded her arms over her chest, telling them she meant business.

Nash rolled his eyes at her dramatics. “Show me your artwork, twerp.”

Tess led him to the easel, biting on her fingernails as he looked through her portfolio. She used to be hesitant about sharing her work, and there were times Nash had resented how she’d turned so readily to Ethan, trusting him first. Now she resorted to a nervous habit, as if his opinion mattered to her.

He studied each piece. Tess liked to focus on dragons and fantasy figures in bold colors. Her recent drawings pulled up her favorite colors, black and purple, with accents of orange. He couldn’t help but notice that the art teacher had let her choose her own style, teaching her how to grow within what she liked, keeping her attention that way.

“Great job! Who would’ve thought you had it in you?” he teased.

She punched him in the arm but, from the grin on her face, his approval meant something to her. Just as their growing closeness meant the world to him. He liked her a lot and wanted her to feel the same. Hell, the kid had stolen his heart already.

Apparently there was a lot of that going on, he thought with a glance over his shoulder at Kelly, who watched them, appreciation in her soft gaze.
He
appreciated the way her black jeans and white sweater hugged her body.

“Hey.” Dare suddenly joined them, pulling Tess into a brotherly hug.

“Dare!” Tess said, excited her last brother had arrived.

Too bad Nash didn’t feel the same way. His entire body stiffened and the sweet family scene he’d been enjoying disappeared.

He’d done his thing with Tess and stepped back to let Dare have his time. Nash headed back to Kelly before Tess noticed anything was wrong.

“Want to walk and see the other kids’ stuff?” In truth, he wasn’t interested in anyone’s art except his sister’s. But as an escape, a tour of the room would do. He needed a breather.

Kelly tipped her head to one side, sizing up the situation accurately, Nash was certain.

“Sure,” she said.

He threaded his fingers through hers and they started up and down the aisles of the large gymnasium.

“Look. Our favorite teacher.” Kelly tilted her head toward the far end of the room where Ms. Julie Bernard stood with another teacher, the perpetual frown on her face.

“Ethan put a call into Dr. Spellman, the headmaster. Apparently he gave the woman a good talking to. Hopefully that translated into how she’s treating Tess,” Nash said.

Kelly nodded. “Whatever works. And Tess does seem happier, don’t you think?”

“It’s only been a few weeks, but you’re right. She’s more relaxed. She does better when Ethan’s home.”

A low hum escaped Kelly’s throat. “There was a time when that might’ve hurt, but now I’m just glad someone can relate to her,” she admitted.

“Agreed.” They had that in common too, Nash thought.

“Even if that someone is Ethan?” Kelly met his gaze with her perceptive stare.

“If that’s your way of asking if I’ve come to terms with him… more and more.” More and more. Which still surprised him. His anger at Ethan had been such a part of him, the thaw took getting used to.

“And Dare?” she asked.

He replied by tugging on her hand, stopping them from rounding a corner into the next aisle. Instead, he pulled her through a doorway that took them into a dimly lit stairwell.

“What are you doing?” she asked, somewhat breathless.

It seemed obvious to him. “Getting you alone.” He backed her against the wall, savoring her body heat.

She licked her lips and he followed the movement, every muscle in his body tensing in reaction.

“Why?” she asked.

Again, he thought the answer was obvious. “Because ever since I left your bed this morning, I’ve missed you.” He paused and decided to admit the rest. “And to get you to stop asking me questions about my family.”

A grin lifted the corners of her mouth. “And just how do you plan to get me to stop asking questions?” she asked, deliberately pushing him.

Teasing him.

All but asking him to kiss her.

“Like this.” With a groan, he leaned in and sealed his lips over hers.

Every time he touched her was a revelation, and now that his feelings were so close to the surface, there was so much more to learn. He let the kiss go on and on, his tongue in her mouth, demanding, taking, and giving as she accepted his desire and gave of her own. He swirled circles around the inside of her mouth, drinking in her sweetness and wanting more.

His erection pulsed against the zipper in his pants, begging for release and reminding him of where they were. And why they couldn’t do this now.

With regret, he forced himself to lift his head and break the kiss. “Tess will miss us,” he murmured.

“I know.”

He heard the disappointment in her voice and chuckled. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”