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Authors: Elle James

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BOOK: Love on the Rocks
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When they arrived at the bar, Roxi didn’t stop until she reached the rear staircase. With her foot braced on the bottom riser, she faced him. “Thanks for saving me.”

Decker shook his head, amazed that this woman thought he’d saved her. “I should be thanking you. If you hadn’t swum after me…” He shook his head and gave her half a smile. “I might be halfway to France by now or eaten by sharks.” He took her hand in his. “Thank you.” With his gaze on hers, he lifted her hand and raised it halfway to his lips, daring her to yank it back.

She didn’t, allowing him to sweep his mouth across her knuckles. Her fingers tightened around his. “Decker.”

“Yes, Roxi?”

“Sometimes living is harder than dying.”

He nodded, his fingers squeezing hers.

“But I’m glad you didn’t die.” She pulled her hand loose and ran up the stairs.

Otis stood at Decker’s side, his ears perked.

At the top landing, Roxi yanked open her door and held it wide. “Come on, Traitor.”

Otis glanced up at Decker.

“Go on,” Decker waved his hand.

“Really?” Roxi shook her head. “I’m getting a new dog.”

Otis climbed the stairs and entered the house like he was the owner, not Roxi.

With one last glance at Decker, Roxi entered and closed the door behind her.

Decker whispered, “Happy Alive Day.”

ONCE ROXI CLOSED the door, she leaned her back against it and slid to the floor, her knees weak, her body shaking and not from almost being lost out at sea. She shook because of a little kiss that should never have happened. Why had she stood on her toes and initiated it?
Why
?

She trembled and her blood ran hot, running through her veins like smoldering, molten lava, warming her cold body from tip to toe. Normally, she pushed away from men out of fear of their superior strength. This time, she’d pushed away out of fear of her own core heating, of her own breath-catching, gut-wrenching, raging desire. Never had she felt anything like what she’d felt when her breasts smashed against Decker’s chest, forcing the wind from her lungs. Her control had slipped and she’d sunk into him, tingling all over. His gaze had captured hers and Decker had lowered his head. At that moment, Roxi had wanted to kiss him so badly she’d met him halfway, pressing her lips to his.

When he’d cinched her closer…Oh, Lord!

Roxi wrapped her arms around her middle and rocked forward, a moan rising up her throat. She couldn’t get close enough. The longing swept over her, crushing her in its grip. How could she long for someone when she was afraid to be intimate with a man. Afraid he’d learn the truth about her.

Otis dropped to the floor beside her and laid a paw across her lap and his chin on the paw. He gazed up into her eyes as if seeing into her soul.

“Oh, Otis. What am I supposed to do?” She stroked his fur, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t be with a man. Didn’t tonight prove it?”

The dog whined softly and nudged her hand, encouraging her to keep stroking him.

As she did, calm spread through her and exhaustion pulled at her eyelids. If she didn’t get up and shower, she’d fall asleep where she sat. Her problems wouldn’t solve themselves by dozing off on a hardwood floor and waking with a sore back. She had a business to run. Work would keep her focused and give her no time to wish for something she’d never have.

She forced herself to go through the motions of showering and dressing for bed. The sun would be up all too soon, and the supply truck would be there before noon. Reminding herself to worry only about the things she could control, Roxi crawled into bed and closed her eyes. Immediately, images filled her mind of Decker and his incredible physique leaning over her. His body shimmered as the moonlight refracted off the droplets of water covering his chest.

If only she could relax around the man and be like any normal, red-blooded woman, she might have a stab at a real life.

Then again, Decker was still grieving over his dead wife. Even if Roxi could work past the lingering trauma of being brutalized at the innocent age of thirteen, she still couldn’t compete with a dead woman. One who’d had Decker’s love and complete commitment.

Roxi sighed and turned on her side, pulling a pillow close to her body. For the first time since she was thirteen, she wanted to be held in a man’s arms. The pillow she snuggled with wasn’t nearly as satisfying as being close to Decker’s body, her skin touching his. What would it be like to lie in a bed with the man? To let him touch her? To make love?

Her belly clenched and she closed her eyes.

Would she tense and panic like she did anytime a man got close? Hell, he’d only kissed her and she’d pushed him away. Then she’d told him not to kiss her. Even if she wanted a second chance with Decker, he was the type of man who’d respect her wishes.

Roxi tossed and turned, twisting in her sheets until she finally fell into a troubled sleep where a strange man held her down and tried to rape her. It was the same nightmare she’d lived with off and on for over a decade. Only this time a good man with dark hair and deep green eyes swam ashore and rescued her before the bad guy brutalized her. The good guy held her in his arms, whispering reassuring words of love. Then he kissed her and her body burned with desire.

She stripped him of his shorts and licked the salty sea water off his skin, memorizing every inch of his body before she came down over him, taking him inside where no man had gone since she was thirteen.

On her knees, she rode him until her body tensed, and her insides erupted in a beautiful explosion. When at last she lay down beside him, he gathered her into his arms and held her, his arms loose about her, giving her the freedom to choose whether to stay or go.

She stayed.

This was what sex was supposed to be. Two souls making a connection on more than just a physical level.

Roxi opened her eyes and stared at the luminous green lights of her alarm clock and groaned. Her body was covered in a thin layer of perspiration and she ached low in her belly, her center warm and wet from the insanely erotic dream.

Unbeknownst to him, John Decker had found a way beneath her tough shell and refused to release her to go back behind the wall she’d built around her heart.

Lying awake well into the early hours of the morning, Roxi struggled to eradicate the man from her thoughts so that she might sleep. Despite all of her attempts, she couldn’t shake the image of his naked, wet chest as he leaned over her, the moonlight reflecting off his inky black hair.

Damn. What if he showed up at the bar that night? How would she act?

Her insides warmed. Her core tightened and her lips tingled.

Decker posed a danger to the thin thread she held over the control she’d fought so long to maintain. She had to get over those feelings before she saw him again.

Chapter Four

“H
EY, DECKER!”

The voice jerked him awake and made him blink at the gray daylight, hitting him square in the face. Decker glanced around, at first disoriented until he remembered trudging along the beach at zero-dark-thirty in the morning and collapsing in an Adirondack chair on his deck without attempting to make it to his shower and bed. He didn’t want to be confined to a space after all that had happened with Roxi. And he sure as hell didn’t want to go to bed and wish she was lying beside him.

On the anniversary of his wife’s death, he didn’t want to lie awake in his empty bed when he’d had the pleasure of kissing a beautiful woman.

“Yo, dude. Are you all right?” Kurt Remington climbed the steps to the stilted deck and leaned against the railing.

Decker pushed a hand through his hair, sticky and stiff from the salt water that had dried there. “What time is it?” he asked, his voice gravelly with sleep.

“Nearly ten.” Kurt glanced around. “I take it you slept here last night?”

Pushing himself out of the chair, Decker stretched sore muscles. “Yeah.”

His friend gave him a hard stare. “How much did you drink last night?”

Decker glared at his friend. “I wasn’t drunk.”

“Yeah, and we all like to sleep outside on the deck.” Kurt shook his head. “You going to be all right?”

Rather than give Kurt his canned answer, Decker thought for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah. I am.” And, oddly, it was true.

“You’re not going to mope around the cape all winter, are you? Because if I find out that’s what you’re doing, I’ll have to come back out here. And you know how I hate coming to the cape when it’s cold and rainy, or worse, covered two feet deep in snow.”

Decker raised his hands. “I promise not to mope. I have work to do, and I’m okay with cold, rainy and snow-covered.”

“Do yourself a favor and get to know the locals. They’re a hardy lot, and they’ll have your back if you should run into any trouble.”

One particular local came to mind, and his pulse kicked up a notch. “I’ll do that.” And maybe he would. If she didn’t shut him out like she had the previous night, after sharing an unforgettable kiss.

Kurt stuck out a hand. “It was good to see you again, Decker.”

Decker gripped the man’s hand and pulled him into a quick hug. “Thanks for being there for me last night.”

“That’s what friends are for.” Kurt turned and walked toward the steps. “Don’t be a stranger. If you get too cold and wet, head into the city. You can stay at my place.”

“Don’t you need to check with Leanna before inviting people into your home?”

“Leanna knows your story, and she was the one to make the offer. She’s waiting in the car, if you want to verify.”

“That’s okay. I’m not really dressed for company.”

“She wouldn’t care.”

Decker clapped a hand on Kurt’s back. “She’s a keeper. Don’t screw it up.”

“Not a chance. I got lucky when I found her.” Kurt raised a hand. “Take care. I expect to see you before the holidays. Don’t be a stranger.”

Decker rounded the side of the house and stood on the front deck.

Leanna leaned out the window of Kurt’s SUV. “Come for Christmas!” she shouted.

“I’ll think about it,” Decker responded and waved.

Kurt climbed into his car and drove away, along with half the inhabitants of the cape in the usual mass exodus after the last day of summer vacation for most people. In a few short days, the cape would be a veritable ghost town with summer cottages closed for the long, cold winter. The water sport rentals and the shaved ice stand were buttoned up, supplies stored until the next summer when school was out and a new wave of people moved in.

A steady stream of vehicles lined the road, driving slowly out of town.

Facing his first winter on the cape, Decker hadn’t been sure about his decision. Up until last night, he’d left open the option to move back to the city at the end of the summer season.

He’d moved to the cape to leave behind the apartment his wife had decorated. In a city full of people, he’d felt more alone than ever. He’d hoped that a change of scenery might shake him out of the hole he’d crawled into after Allison’s death.

Selling their apartment in Manhattan had been the first step. When Kurt Remington had told him about a cottage on the cape that was for sale, it gave him the perfect location to start over in a completely different environment. The company he worked for hadn’t balked when he’d requested to be a full time telecommuter.

The summer had flown with him working on a software project that had taken his full concentration. The cottage on the beach had provided the perfect balm to his soul, allowing him to focus entirely on his work, without any of his family and friends stopping in to ask how he was. With the exception of Kurt and Leanna who spent their summers at the cape.

Because Decker was a software developer, he could work out of his cottage, like he had all summer. As long as he had Internet connection, he could continue to write, test and produce software for clients with only the occasional trip into the city for consultation.

Once all the tourists were gone, Decker would have the beach very much to himself. No more kids throwing Frisbees onto his deck. The only people he’d see were the locals. Like Roxi walking Otis, maybe stopping long enough to ask how he was doing. If she wasn’t so scared of him, he’d invite her up on his deck for a beer. They’d sit outside and watch the sunset, talking about the different colors spreading across the sky.

Decker reminded himself she’d never stopped by his place, and probably wouldn’t. After his dip in the sea during a strong riptide, she might think he was a nut job and stay as far away from him as she could.

But that kiss had not been one-sided.
Damn it
. Why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?

He entered the cottage, showered and went to work on one of his projects for an online retail store, not stopping until his stomach growled so much he was forced to seek sustenance. A glance at the clock on his desktop indicated it was near noon. Though he already knew the contents of his empty fridge, he checked anyway, hoping to find a slice of leftover pizza or a jar of jelly. He had peanut butter, but a quick check in the breadbox proved he was out of bread. If he wanted to eat, he had to go to the grocery store or eat at a restaurant.

Decker showered, dressed in shorts and a polo shirt, and slipped into a pair of tennis shoes. Grabbing his keys, he headed out in search of food. The slight breeze of the morning had picked up, lifting discarded burger wrappers and plastic grocery bags, carrying them along the sandy shoreline. Little puffs of clouds skittered across the sky as if in a hurry to escape the cape.

The restlessness in the air permeated Decker’s senses. He passed his car with only a brief glance, and chose instead to walk down the beach. Despite his vow to stay as far away from Roxi Lanier as possible, Decker found himself at the entrance to Dream Spinner. It was the closest place from his cottage to get lunch, and the food was good. So what if Roxi worked there? He couldn’t avoid her forever and, frankly, he didn’t want to.

Roxi wasn’t at the bar, mixing drinks and chatting with customers. For that matter, most of the summer crowd had left during the day, headed back to the cities, their summer fun over for the year. A few stragglers were scattered around the tables, finishing lunch and drinking beer. Soon, the temperatures would drop and rain and snow would claim the cape. The summer and weekend revelers would be gone, and the locals would hunker down.

Frank, the crusty old cook came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishtowel.

“Is the grill still open?” Decker asked.

“It is,” Frank said in his booming voice.

Decker glanced around.

“If you’re looking for a waitress, the summer staff left today, Marcy called in sick and Roxi had to run to the store for supplies. She should be back any minute. What can I get you?”

“A burger with all the works, fried pickles and water.”

Frank nodded toward the tables. “Seat yourself. I’ll be back with your water when I get your burger on the grill.”

Decker chose to sit at the bar. When Roxi returned, he’d apologize for kissing her and thank her for coming after him when he’d gone out too far into the ocean. He’d been foolish.

Frank returned with a beer mug full of ice water.

One of the groups of people rose from their seats, tossed several bills on the table and waved. “See ya next year!” they called out.

Frank nodded. “We’ll be here.”

The door closed behind the group leaving only Decker and the last foursome lingering over beer and cold French fries.

Frank swiped a rag over the counter.

“How long has the Dream Spinner been here?” Decker swirled the ice in his glass.

“I bought it fifteen years ago and sold it a year and a half ago.”

Decker glanced up. “Sold it?”

“Yeah. Roxi owns it now. I just want to work until I can’t, take off when I want and enjoy what’s left of my life.”

“You’re not old enough to retire.”

“I’m old.” Frank laughed. “And I should be sick, as much grease as I inhale back in the kitchen.” He threw the dishtowel over his shoulder. “Speaking of grease, I’d better go check on that burger before I start a fire.”

He hurried back to the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with the burger, fried pickles and condiments. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, this looks perfect.” His mouth watered at the scent of grilled burger. Decker loaded it with all the fixings and clapped the bun on top.

“Can I get you beer to go with that?”

“No.” Decker held up a hand. “I had more than enough to drink last night.”

“When are you heading out?” Frank asked.

“I’m not.” Decker lifted the burger. “What about you? Will Roxi close the place over the winter?”

“No, she runs it all year round. Most stores and restaurants close during the winter. Not the Dream Spinner. Since Roxi took over, she’s upgraded the bar and grill to a
sports
bar and grill.” Frank pointed to the corners, one by one. “She added the large televisions and keeps sports on at all times. This is now the place to be to watch football games and other sports or just to hang out with friends. Folks love it. And they love Roxi.”

“She seems to have a lot going for her. I’m surprised she’s not married with a couple of kids running around the place.”

Frank shook his head, the smile fading from his eyes. “I wish she was. I doubt she’ll ever get married.”

“Why not?”

Frank’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?”

Decker shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s pretty and she always has a smile on her face.”
Except when I kiss her.
“I’d have thought she’d be snapped up by some lucky guy.”

For a long moment Frank stared at Decker—no, make that
glared
at Decker. “There are things you don’t know about Roxi. Things you’ll have to ask her yourself. She’s had a hard enough life without some city dude screwing it up again. Don’t mess with her, or I’ll take you down.” The old man’s lip curled up on one side. “If
she
doesn’t take you down first.”

Decker didn’t blink and didn’t back down at Frank’s warning.
You’re not in the market for a relationship.
He repeated the mantra in his head. “I like Roxi. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
Not intentionally.

“Good.” Frank squared his shoulders. “I’ll get a refill on your drink.”

“I’ll get it,” a female voice said behind Decker. “What are you having?” Roxi entered the building and walked around him, carrying a reusable canvas bag filled with groceries. She smiled at Frank. “If you’ll take these, I’ll get this customer’s drink.”

Frank took the bag. “He had water.” With a long narrow-eyed glance at Decker, he left the bar and returned to the kitchen.

Roxi spun to face Decker, a smile on her face. Her smile froze and her eyes rounded, a slow flush rose in her cheeks. “Oh. It’s you.”

HEAT FILLED ROXI’S cheeks and her lips tingled with the memory of Decker’s kiss. “Water, was it?” She slid behind the bar snatched his glass from the counter and filled it with ice and water from the tap in quick, efficient movements. She set the glass on the counter and water sloshed over the side. “Sorry.” She bent to retrieve a clean rag from a drawer and sopped up the moisture. When she stopped fussing, her hands shook so she shoved them behind her back and forced what she hoped was a carefree, I’m-not-at-all-attracted-to-you smile. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Decker nodded. “You can have dinner with me tonight.”

She shook her head before he finished. “I'm working. Most of the staff left for the summer and my fulltime waitress is out sick.”

“Then have coffee with me,” he persisted.

Her heart skipped several beats and she almost agreed. “I can’t.”

“You have to walk Otis sometime. Let me walk with you.”

On cue, Otis entered the bar, sat beside Decker’s chair and nuzzled his leg.

BOOK: Love on the Rocks
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