Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology) (11 page)

Chapter 10

Kari gathered her things from her car, her camera bag strapped over her shoulder. She'd have to ask Martha about painting the walls, as it was just too clinical with all the white staring at her. She set her stuff on a small, round table that sat at the far corner of her office and walked to sit in her large leather chair. Not that she'd be in the building much, but when she was there it was nice to know that she'd have a great place to be - a place of her own. That was unheard of at the Herald. She was lucky to have a badge to get into the front door, much less a key.

She picked up her phone and texted her friends, then her brother, Steve, and then her mother. Everyone would want to know if she'd gotten the job. She got a handful of texts right back congratulating her and giving her accolades. Steve told her to call later to get the scoop on Martha and the town in general. She couldn't help but chuckle. There wasn't anyone her boss didn't know and any amount of dirt on them he was sure to sell to the highest bidder. Putting her phone up, she reached over and picked up a pen, leaning over to fill out the paperwork for her employment.

*

Martha walked in little while later, Kari having wrapped up her to-dos and deciding to give herself a tour of the place. It was small, but homey, the walls colorful and the various stories displayed beautifully.

"Okay, kiddo. About time to head over to the junior high. It's Pete Junior High and it's on the corner of Market and Main. There is a small grocery store just beside it. Red brick building." She walked toward the window, looking out and pointing. "You can almost see it if you look just out this way."

Kari stood up and stretched. "I think I know where it is. We went to that grocery store last night I believe."

Martha turned back. "Oh, good. Well, just stop by the front and let them know you're there to interview the teacher of the year and the two runners up and they will find a small room for you and usher them in. Just ask about their teaching style, maybe if they wanted to be an educator when they were kids themselves, and then get some good photos. The kids will all be gone, but you can have them stand at the front of the room and pretend or whatever you think. What am I saying? You're a photographer. You've got this."

Kari smiled and moved to pick up her camera bag and purse. "I shall do my best. Report back here?"

"Heavens no. We work from nine until three or four. Just do your thing and go home afterward. We'll meet up here in the morning and I'll get the information from you and type up the story. It goes out on Wednesday." Martha placed her hand on her hip and tilted her head. "You good?"

Kari nodded, her stomach a ball of nerves. "Couldn't be better."

The schoolyard was empty when she pulled up, the breeze blowing the swings back and forth. She stopped just outside the front door and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply and trying to steady her heart. She hated meeting people for the first time, and having to ask question after question to a bunch of strangers just seemed like hell. Opening her eyes, she exhaled slowly and walked in, smiling at the small blond at the front desk.

"Hi there. Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm Kari Martin from the paper."

The girl stood up and walked around the counter, a wide smile on her petite mouth. "Oh yes! Martha told us she was looking to interview some big named photographer from New York. How fun!"

Kari laughed and reached out to shake the woman's hand. "No sure about the big name part, but I am from New York."

"Well, we're just glad you're here. We nominated our teachers a few weeks ago and the winners were announced on Friday. Just couldn't have a better group of educators." She smiled and walked toward a set of glass doors. "Come on. I'll get you set up and bring them in to see you. You want the winner and then first runner up and then second, or what?"

Kari followed behind the girl, reaching to hold the door for them both. "I think I'd like to meet second runner up and then first and then we'll go with your teacher of the year."

"Sounds great. You thinking in their rooms or in a conference room?"

"I think their rooms would work better for the pictures if that's okay?"

The girl slowed a little as Kari moved up beside her. "I think that's great. The second runner up this year was Ms. Basting. She's a language arts teacher and she's older than dirt, but smart as all get out."

Kari smiled and simply nodded, moving with the woman to the first classroom. The elderly woman with a crown of white hair was pleasant and incredibly smart. Kari soon found her stride as she spoke with the woman, taking notes about things that she figured Martha might want to add into the headliner. She took a few pictures and then went to visit Miss Jones, a new teacher who was cute enough to make Kari want to check herself in the bathroom mirror. Her short brown bob cut made her look like an exotic pixie of sorts. She was the fifth and sixth grade math teacher.

Kari laughed with her over a few jokes the other woman made about the small town, she herself just having moved in the last few years from California. They talked about the teacher's ambitions and her love of kids and then Kari got some great shots of her for the paper. She thanked her and had her buzz the secretary, who showed up in a rush.

"I totally forgot I had to get my kids from the ex this afternoon. I'll walk you to the gym for your last visit, but you'll have to show yourself out. That okay?"

Kari nodded and walked quickly with the shorter woman to the gym. They stopped just outside of it and the secretary picked up her phone again. "Okay, he's just inside. Best coach in the world, so this should be an easy interview."

Kari thanked her and walked into the small gymnasium. The sound of a basketball dribbling made her smile as she stopped at the edge of the court. The handsome man moving underneath the basket made her heart palpitate. He was tall and strong, his muscles flexing as he shifted from place to place. He jumped, the ball rolling off his fingers and into the basket, and his shirt lifted, the defined lines of abs well taken care of on display. Her breath caught in her chest and she almost felt bad for the thoughts running through her head.

Lisa was right - Frank wasn't her type, but this guy was him to a 'T'.

She walked forward, her voice shaky as she called to him. "Hi there. I'm here to interview the teacher of the year. I'm Kari."

He turned around and jogged her way, a playful smile on his lips as he reached for her hand and winked. "Hi Kari. I'm Jake. How'd that wine work out for you last night?"

Chapter 11

She was the last person he expected to see when he turned, her raven colored hair draped across her shoulders, accentuating their feminine slope. He smiled and extended his hand, his body aching from pushing himself so hard in his workout. He knew she was trouble the minute he’d laid eyes on her the night before, but he couldn't seem to help himself to move closer. It was simply a gentlemanly move to help her with her wine selection, a nice welcoming spirit. Nothing romantic or showing interest, just being polite.

Yeah right.

The look on her pretty face told him quickly that she was as surprised to see him standing there as he was to see her. She quickly righted herself, her expression changing to supreme confidence.

"The wine was surprisingly good." She shook his hand and looked around the gym. "Anywhere we can sit down and talk for a few minutes? I need to interview you for your award and then get a few shots."

"Jump shots or pictures?" He smiled and turned to point to a small office at the edge of the court. "My office is over there, but let's do the picture first while I'm nice and sweaty. It will give the kids a nice laugh when they see the paper."

She smiled and shook her head, the smell of her perfume rising up to clog his senses. "No jump shots for me. It's been far too long since I've played basketball."

He turned to walk beside her, looking over as she looked up at him. She had to be one of the most beautiful women he'd seen in the last few years. Having moved to Maine from Texas, the scenery changed, and for that he was grateful. The less trouble to get into - the better.

"Where do you want me?" He leaned over and picked up the basketball, turning to watch her eyes move across his lower half until she reached his gaze. She took a shaky breath, the flushed skin around her neck making her level of comfort obvious to him.

"How about by the basketball hoop and then we can take one outside if you want?"

He nodded and moved toward the hoop, standing beneath it with the ball tucked under his arm and a smile on his face. A long drip of sweat raced down the side of his face, over his neck, and tickled the skin of his chest. He reached up to rub it as she clicked the picture.

"You have to stay still for the shot." She moved the camera and smiled over the top of it.

He shrugged and got back into position. "What? It tickled."

She took a few shots and then pointed to the door at the far end of the gym. "Wanna take a few outside?"

"Let's do the interview. Let me stop sweating first."

"I thought you wanted sweaty pictures."

He laughed and chucked the ball across the gym. "Oh I do, but the sweat would turn into sweatcicles on me out there."

She shook her head and moved beside him, pulling her camera back onto her shoulder.

"You play any sports?" He moved ahead, reaching to hold the door open as she walked in. His eyes moved down the perfect slope of her lower back, the subtle curve of her hips demanding his attention. He let out a soft sigh and coached himself to stay focused.

She sat and crossed her legs, leaning forward as she laid a small tablet of paper on his cluttered desk. He walked around the desk and sat down, reaching for a white towel to wipe his forehead with. His eyes never left contact with hers as he wiped his head and face, shifting to pull his jacket off before letting out a sigh. "Much better."

She laughed and he couldn't help but smile. "Why were you wearing a coat while playing basketball?"

He leaned back and took her in, a smile playing on his lips at the soft curve of hers. "I was outside with the kids most of the afternoon and it's freezing here."

"Not from the northeast I take it?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm a country boy at heart, but don't tell anyone. I have a good thing going here for being a hard ass."

She chuckled again and stared a moment longer than one might consider natural. Her cheeks colored pink as she glanced down at her paper, clearing her throat. "Okay, well I don't want to waste your time, so let's get on with the interview part."

He nodded and took full advantage of her attention being elsewhere as he studied her. She had no idea how beautiful she was. It was apparent by the slight slope of her shoulders, her smile not reaching her eyes. Something had happened to her and he hated the fact that he wanted to know what. Knowing would only cause him to want to break his own promises to himself. No dating until he was healed from Bethany. No getting involved on a spur of the moment fling or falling in love with the next beautiful woman who walked into his life.

He was jaded and he was happy to stay that way. Loneliness would subside enough to get through the demands of the day, but heartbreak was always present.

Hell no. Not interested.

"So tell me what you love best about your job, and tell me if you wanted to be a teacher or something else when you grew up."

A smile lifted his lips. She wasn't a reporter from what he could tell. Asking someone too many questions was a sure sign of being an amateur. He almost enjoyed the fact that she was as much out of water questioning him as he was being lifted up. He hated the fact that most of the people in the town thought he was something special. He wasn't.

"Well, I love the kids most. I enjoy getting to help them run faster and jump higher, anything to boost their self-confidence. The world's going to kick them around, so it's my job to help prepare them to stand strong and push ahead." He shrugged and continued. "I actually wanted to be a football player for the NFL when I was a kid. I'm from Texas and football is a big deal there, so I figured if I was big enough and strong enough - I'd make it."

She leaned back, her pencil and paper still sitting lonely between them. "And what happened to that dream?"

"Same thing that happens to most dreams, I guess. I grew up." He smiled and pointed to the paper. "Don't forget to write some of this down. Martha will grill you for her story tomorrow."

Kari chuckled and moved back toward the pad, reaching to pull it into her lap as she scribbled down a few things and thanked him quietly. She tapped the paper twice before looking up, the warm caramel-color of her gaze drawing him in further than he was willing to admit - even to himself.

"I read that you're a hometown hero, a firefighter. Tell me about that?"

"I'm not sure about the hero part. When I moved here a few years ago, I decided that I wanted to really experience what it meant to be part of a smaller community, so I volunteer a lot and help out everywhere I can. I took firefighter training back in college after I decided to change my focus and figured they needed help, so here I am."

"How often do you work at the fire station?"

"Three nights a week, and I'm on call if something goes down."

She sat back and smiled. "Anything else you want to add?"

*

He laughed at her question and she shook her head. "I'm the worst at this kind of stuff. I'm a photographer, not a reporter, but Martha needed me to fill in today."

Jake extended his hand. "Give me the pad and I'll write a few more things for you to give to her. Let's not get you fired your first day."

She stood up and handed him the pad, smirking like a teenage girl at his playfulness. He was gorgeous, dark spiked hair and tanned skin, with incredible dark brown eyes that seem to see right through her. She moved toward the far wall of the small office, her eyes moving across the various awards he'd won, pictures of him with various kids littering the walls. She reached up to touch a picture of him with a small boy in a wheelchair, the child holding up a blue ribbon.

"What's the story behind this one?" She looked over her shoulder as he stood, the large muscles of his arms flexing and grabbing her attention. He stopped just behind her, closer than she felt safe with, farther than her hormones demanded. She turned back around as his arm moved beside her, his finger touching the glass where the young boy sat.

"That's Henry. His father is the mayor here in Bar Harbor." He moved his hand as she turned to look up at him. His long eyelashes framed his gaze, his look one she wasn't sure how to decipher.

"Did he get in an accident, or was he born with something wrong?"

Jake took a subtle step back, his hand reaching out to play along the top of his desk. "He was born with neither of his legs functional. Kid’s smart as a whip and can make a basket in that wheelchair from just about anywhere on the court."

"When was the picture taken?" She moved around the rest of the office, her eyes stopping on each photo that Jake was in, his smile warm and welcoming, his body sinfully delicious. Her heart skipped a beat at the last photo, the beautiful blond in it wrapped around him in a more-than-friends way.

"A couple of years back. Henry's in high school now and has a cute little red-headed girlfriend that makes his life miserable and worth living." Jake laughed and moved to the door, extending the pad and pen back to her. "Come on, let's go take that last picture you need. I'm due at the fire station in an hour and I could use a quick shower before going."

She turned and walked toward him, picking up her bag and her purse. The image of him in the shower, his long athletic body covered in suds racing across her vision. She swallowed hard and tried to focus. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't even think about the fact that you might have a life."

He laughed and moved back as she slipped past him, her shoulder brushing along his chest. She bit at her lip to keep from making a sound of appreciation at the smell of his cologne, or deodorant, or just him.
Dear Lord let it be just him.

"I take it you just arrived to Bar Harbor?" he asked, turning to shut and lock the door.

"Yeah. We drove in yesterday, unpacked, and went grocery shopping last night, and I got a job today."

He pointed to her camera bag. "Want me to tote that for you?"

A soft smile played on her lips as she shook her head. "No, I'm good, but thanks."

"Just pretending to be a gentleman."

She laughed and pushed the door before them open. "Somehow I doubt you're pretending at all."

"Damn, my cover has been blown."

They laughed and walked along the small path of dead grass to the swings, the playground built for older kids and showing its age by the paint chipping in places. Jake moved toward the swing set and ran his hand along one of the structural poles. "Where do you want me?"

All over me.

She turned away from him as if looking around the field, her heart thumping hard in her chest. Why did she have to run into the perfect guy when all she really needed was time to heal and get her life together? What did it matter? He had the blond in the picture and he was way out of her league anyway.

She pointed to a soccer goal. "You want to go out there, and I'll take a few pictures of you by the goal?" She looked over her shoulder and caught the silhouette of him as the sun moved behind him. His body lean, and yet the perfect curves of well-defined muscles left her mind struggling to remain present and not slip into a daydream.

"Sounds good." He moved past her, turning to look over his shoulder as he jogged to the goal. "What do you do to stay in shape?"

She looked down at herself as she walked carefully toward him. No way was she falling it in front of him. "You assume I'm in shape."

His eyebrow lifted as his gaze moved about her. "I'm a coach. You're in shape. I can tell just by looking at you."

She looked down at herself and shrugged. "I like to jog."

"Oh yeah?" he asked, moving toward the goal and trying to appear natural. "There are some great trails around here. You just have to know where to go."

She lifted her camera to her face, the lens allowing her to zoom in and study the regal structure of his nose, his high cheekbones, and perfect lips. "Maybe you can show me on a map sometime where to go."

He winked at her. "I'd be happy to. The next time I go for a long run, you can come with me if you want."

Did he invite her or was he just being a gentleman again? She wanted to ask about the blond in the picture and yet now wasn't the time. They didn't even know each other. Did she want to know him?

Yes - badly.

She pulled the camera down and nodded. "Sounds good. Okay, all done. I have everything I need for the paper tomorrow."

"Excellent. I'll walk you to your car."

"No, no need to do that."

He moved up beside her as they started back toward the school. "Don't go blowing my cover, Kari. I'm here to fool everyone into thinking I'm a nice guy and all."

She laughed and followed him around the building to her car, wrapping her arms around herself as the wind picked up. "I think perhaps it's you who's fooled."

He scoffed and opened the door for her, watching her like a hawk as she got in. "Are you saying that I think I'm a nice guy myself?"

She shook her head and reached for the door, looking up at him and knowing that he was everything physically she'd dreamt a man could be. "Nope. I'm saying that you think you're not."