Walking on Sunshine (19 page)

“You don't know that!” Mattie leaned back and looked up at the sky. “You're such a contradiction. If you talk the talk you have to walk the walk, Laura Lee.”

“No, what I need to do is to start going home at night and stop having dinner with Shane like . . . like we're a couple. I mean, we take walks. Swim sometimes.” She shook her head. “I'm finally in a better place in my life. I
need to be more professional and not risk losing my job. I mean, let's get real. I can't be Shane's housekeeper and his girlfriend.”

“There are other jobs.”

“Not like this one.”

Mattie fell silent for a minute. “If you weren't afraid, would you risk it?”

Laura Lee thought about it for a few seconds.

“Be honest.”

“Yes,” she admitted softly. “I guess I would.”

“Then don't be afraid.”

“Fear isn't something you can just turn off like that hose over there.”

“True. Then be brave. Jump off the cliff like me.”

“You are relentless!”

“Yes, and I'm going to do the same thing you did to me.” She arched one eyebrow and paused for dramatic effect. “I dare you.”

“Dares don't bother me,” she scoffed. “Not being able to pay my bills bothers me, though. I don't need to go and make a pass at my boss and then get my sorry self fired. I like being able to go shopping without feeling guilty afterward. I like looking at my bank account and actually seeing money in there.”

Mattie sat up straighter. “What if Shane makes a pass at you?” She pointed across the table. “Then it would be on him and you wouldn't be held accountable. Just be all sexy and stuff and see what happens. Put a little wiggle in your walk.”

“Would you just listen to yourself?”

“I think it's a good plan.”

“I'm not
planning
anything except for doing my doggone job. If you don't stop I'm gonna squirt you with that hose again.”

“All right. I'll shut up. At least for now.”

“Praise the Lord for small favors.”

“But—”

“No!” Laura Lee reached over for the hose, stood up,
and pointed it at Mattie. “This thing is still turned on,” she warned. “I'm giving you fair warning this time.”

Mattie raised her hands in surrender. “Okay!”

“So you give up?”

“I was taught to never give up,” Mattie said. “But I will.”

Laura Lee nodded but then said, “I don't like that gleam in your eye. Don't you go and try something.”

“How come you can play matchmaker but not me? And if you start that life-has-passed-me-by stuff again, I'm gonna push you into the pool.”

“You wouldn't dare.”

“I know. I'm full of hot air.” Mattie stood up and went over and gave Laura Lee a hug.

“Mattie, I know your heart is in the right place and you want to see me happy. I feel the same way about you. But this subject needs to be closed.”

“I understand.” Mattie nodded slowly. “Well, I've got to go and buy some supplies for the restaurant. I just wanted to share my crazy news.”

“It's wonderful news, Mattie. I am so happy for you.”

“I knew you would be. Oh, and Garret said that he'd like to come over for a barbecue soon,” Mattie added. “I mean, you and Shane already invited us, so . . .”

Laura Lee sighed. “Is there no end to you?”

“Nope. I go on forever.”

“I'll ask Shane what night is good and get back to you.”

“Promise?”

Laura Lee groaned.

“Laura Lee!”

“Okay, I promise. Are you happy?”

“Yes! Give him a hug for me.”

“I will not!”

“I said for me.” She tapped her chest.

Laura Lee answered by giving her a quick squirt.

“Hey!”

“You deserved it! Now go or I'll get you from head to toe.”

“Okay!” Mattie laughed and then hurried away. But when she was beyond squirting distance, she shouted, “I'm not going to give up on this.”

“I told you it's pointless!” Laura Lee shouted back, but had to smile. Mattie seemed so happy that it warmed her heart. She thought about what Mattie said about being sexy, and the little devil on her shoulder whispered in her ear, “Do it. At least give it a try. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.”

“No!” With a shake of her head she went back to watering the rest of the thirsty plants.

“What's pointless?”

Laura Lee whirled around and this time Shane got a full shot of water on his chest. “Oh no!” Horrified, Laura Lee dropped the hose. It remained turned on and started squirming around like an irate snake. “Sorry!” she shouted, and started chasing the hose without any luck. “I didn't expect you until later.”

“The meeting ended early.” Laughing, Shane joined her in the mad chase.

When Laura Lee finally pounced and picked up the hose, she accidently squirted him again, this time grazing the top of his head. “Sorry!” she said, but made the mistake of giggling.

“No, you're not.” He came at her with purposeful strides, making her back away.

Laura Lee took a step backward. “No, I am,” she insisted, but her heart kicked it up a notch. She knew he was playing with her, and damn if she didn't like it.

“I think I need to get you back,” Shane said, but she only laughed.

“I'm the one with the weapon.”

“And I plan to change that situation.”

“Don't come one step closer.” She raised the hose and aimed it at him. “I'll shoot.”

“Squirt me and I'll toss you in the pool.” He angled his wet head toward the water.

“You wouldn't dare.”

“You wouldn't dare squirt me or you'll find out.”

“Of course I wouldn't,” Laura Lee said, and lowered the nozzle to her side. But when he took another step closer that doggone devil on her shoulder gave her a hard nudge and with a little squeal Laura Lee took aim and pulled the trigger.

“No, you didn't!” Shane lunged toward her and tried to snag her around the waist.

“Yes, I did!” With another little squeal Laura Lee dodged him and gave him another quick blast.

“Okay, then you asked for it.”

With wide eyes Laura Lee watched Shane take his wallet and cell phone out of the pocket of his khaki shorts. She swallowed hard when he tugged his shirt over his head, distracting Laura Lee with the nice ripple of muscle. That tiny bit of letting her guard down was her mistake. Shane turned and lunged toward her. She dropped the hose and fearing what he was about to do, she beat him to the punch and jumped fully clothed into the pool.

When Shane dove into the water in hot pursuit, Laura Lee swam away, but she was hindered by her laughter. When she felt him grab her foot she kicked him off, losing a flip-flop in the process. She swam for the shallow end, but he swiftly caught up with her and snagged her around the waist.

“Gotcha.” When he pulled her to his side she fully expected him to duck her under and braced herself.

Instead he spun her around.

And then he kissed her.

Who's the Boss?

S
HANE HAD AN
TICIPATED KISSING
L
A
URA
L
EE FOR DAYS,
but he still wasn't prepared for the reality of having her in his arms. Her lush, warm mouth made him so hot that he was glad to be in the cool water. Of course in his fantasy the first kiss wasn't going to be in the pool after a long chase. He'd planned on something more romantic like after an intimate dinner or dancing in the moonlight or perhaps his favorite, which was kissing her while taking a steamy soak in the hot tub together.

He'd been dreaming of the erotic moment his lips touched hers, but he hadn't been prepared for the emotional impact. After the slow dance and the evening spent together at Sully's, kissing Laura Lee was number one on his list of priorities. And his list was growing longer with each day spent in her company.

When Laura Lee melted against him Shane deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and the kiss went on and on, making him think that kissing him might have been on her to-do list as well. Good, they must be on the same page.

But just when he thought about being bold enough to
cup her cute ass, she pushed at his chest and backed up a step. “What was that?”

“I think they call it a kiss.”

“But . . . ?”

“Laura Lee, I was trying to go slow, bide my time until the time was right. I wanted to take you to dinner or do something romantic first, but I just couldn't wait one more minute.”

Laura Lee blinked at him, looking confused and so utterly gorgeous that he reached for her once more, but she backed away. “No . . . Shane, you're my boss.”

“I'll make you the boss. In fact, I'll do whatever you want me to. Go ahead, give me an order.”

“I . . . You . . .” She shook her head and appeared horrified. “No!”

“Why not?”

“Because!” she sputtered.

“Because? You have to do better than that.”

She simply shook her head. “This is when you're supposed to say, ‘Sorry, I didn't mean to do that.'”

“But I'm not sorry.” Shane wanted to take a step closer, but she looked like a scared doe ready to bolt into the woods. He stood very still, not making so much as a ripple in the water. But with her shirt clinging like a second skin, he was having a difficult time not pulling her back against his body.

“I . . . I shouldn't have been so familiar, squirting you and all that. I acted like a silly teenager! And now we're in this pool fully clothed! What is wrong with me? I'm the one who should be sorry.” She smacked the water, making it splash, and Shane wanted to laugh but knew better. He also knew that he wanted this sweet woman in his life as something much more than his employee.

“Don't be sorry, Laura Lee. It was fun. Chasing you around made me feel young. I've been so focused on my music, my career, that moments like this have been far and few between. I'd like to start living and not just performing.” The thought also went through his head that
he didn't want to be fully clothed, but he kept that little detail to himself. “And like I said I've wanted to kiss you for a long time. This was not your doing. Well, unless you count how lovely you are. But you can't help that,” he said, hoping she would smile.

She remained still but frowned as if processing that information.

“And judging by your reaction, you feel the same way. Am I right?” he asked with hesitation, but when she sloshed a step backward he wished he hadn't pressed the issue. He watched her warring with the truth and wanted to tell her to stop this nonsense and just come clean. He could see in her eyes how much she wanted him, and waiting any longer for what they both so clearly needed seemed pointless.

“I was . . . swept away in the moment.” She made a sweeping gesture that caused more water to fly.

“And now that the moment has passed? Are you still swept away?”

“I am your housekeeper. I sweep your floors.” She took another step back. “And now everything is going to be . . . weird.”

Shane shook his head. “It doesn't have to be.”

“Right. . . .”

She had a point. He did what he didn't want to do and went too damn fast. “No, it won't. This is on me. Okay?”

She paused but then gave him a quick nod. “Okay.”

“But would you do something for me please?”

She nodded again. “Of course.”

“Forget about the money and the fame and just let me be a man.”

“What?”

“Give me tonight, Laura Lee.” He held up his index finger. “One night where I'm just an ordinary guy having dinner with a beautiful girl.”

“Shane . . .”

“I don't expect anything more. Can you do that for me?”

She looked at him and then said, “I already had my Cinderella moment.”

He was surprised by her statement. “Come again?”

“When you danced with me.” She smiled this time. It was a soft, sad smile that tugged at his heart unlike anything he'd ever felt before. “But now I have to go back to being your housekeeper.”

As if on cue a red rubber flip-flop floated his way and he reached over and grabbed it. “Shall we see if it fits?”

“No.”

Shane shook his head. “You're forgetting how the story ends, Laura Lee.” His heart thudded and he had to take a step closer. She didn't back up, but her eyes rounded. He put a fingertip beneath her chin and tilted her head up. Her mascara was smudged and tendrils of hair had escaped her ponytail and she was still the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. “How did the story end?”

She looked at him and swallowed hard. “Happily ever after,” she finally replied barely above a whisper.

“Exactly.” Shane dipped his head and captured her mouth with a gentle but lingering kiss. He could feel the slight tremble in her lips and wanted to hold her close. But he pulled back and said, “And if you let me in, that's how our story could end as well.”

“No.” Laura Lee shook her head again. She took another step away from him and said, “We're going to pretend this never happened. I'm going to be professional and do my job.”

Shane saw the longing in her eyes, but he also saw stark fear. And fear like that could only come from getting hurt. She wasn't ready to trust him. “I'll pretend, Laura Lee. But that's what it will be . . . pretending. When you're ready to let me in, just tell me. I'll be waiting.”

She stood there as if anchored to the bottom of the pool and remained silent. He wanted to see her smile and hear her husky laughter. And he wanted to kiss her again.

But instead he walked past her and hoisted himself over the side of the pool. He wanted to look over his shoulder and see if she was watching him, but he forced himself to keep on walking up toward the house. He still had the flip-flop in his hand and thought about taking it back to her, but if he got anywhere near her he might end up pulling her into his arms once again. And that would be yet another major mistake.

The plants she'd been watering were thriving from her care. And when he climbed the back steps to the deck, her touch was there as well. The kitchen smelled fragrant and homey and when he opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water he saw the food she'd prepared for him. While he knew it was her job, Shane still felt the special care she took and knew that the things she did went beyond her job description.

Because he'd been on the road for so many years, Shane never cared much about what his house looked like, more interested in getting much needed rest. He paid very little attention to whatever his interior decorator furnished his house with. But for the first time his house was beginning to look and feel and smell like a real home. Shane knew that this feeling also had to do with the laughter, the conversation at mealtime that had little to do with music and business. While he still received countless requests to do events, Shane turned them all down unless they had something to do with charity. He still wanted to give back, but other than that he was bound and determined to remain retired.

Shane's thoughts returned to Laura Lee and he sighed. She was right. Things were going to be weird. He would just have to tread softly and keep his distance until they found their way back to the easygoing relationship they'd forged. Then he hoped that she would let her guard down for good. Until then, he'd have to keep his distance.

But how could he when there was evidence of her all over the house? Her reading glasses were on the counter
next to a romance novel she'd been reading. A note written in her handwriting listed items needed from the grocery store. Shane realized that she already knew his favorite things. He loved her quick laugh, her lively sense of humor. She brightened his days and filled his nights with a fierce longing that he'd not felt before.

And when he went upstairs to peel his wet clothes off, he swore he could smell the lingering scent of her perfume. He wanted her in his arms . . . and in his bed.

But most of all Shane wanted Laura Lee in his life. And so he'd try once more to be patient.

Shane turned on the shower, thinking that because of his success it had been a long time since he was denied what he wanted. He suddenly liked the feeling of a challenge. They were meant to be together. Shane could feel it. Now all he had to do was find a way to make it happen.