Page 29 of Sweet Love at Bayside
“I up my game,” he practically growled, before taking her in a toe-curling kiss that had her winding her arms around his neck to keep him from breaking their connection.
She needn’t have worried. He kissed her until her knees weakened, and she sank down on her heels, holding on to him in an effort to remain standing. When their lips finally parted, he went back for more, leaving her mouth tingling and her body electrified.
“I…” She swallowed hard to try to force her fuzzy mind into gear.
A wicked grin spread across his face, and he kissed her again.
“You know I can’t resist you when you get flustered.”
His voice was gravelly and low, and she imagined him saying it to her in a dark bedroom, where she was sure to be flustered with an experienced guy like Rick. That thought sent her mind scrambling again, and he must have seen it, because he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her deep and slow, until she was sure she’d turn to liquid and wash away with the tide.
She came away breathless and put her finger over his mouth to give herself time to find her legs again. He smiled and puckered up, pressed a kiss to her finger, and then he sucked it into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tip.
“Rick.” She pulled her finger from his mouth and stole a glance up the beach, toward the sounds of laughter and guitar music. She fought her needy self, which begged her to drag him up to the dunes and continue making out, but she couldn’t leave his family wondering where they were.
“My delicious Desiree, you push all of my buttons.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist and kissed her palm. “I warned you about being flustered,” he said in a playful voice, as if he hadn’t just sent her world spinning. “Come on. Let’s go get jealous and flustered.”
A little boy sprinted down the beach toward them, his mop of brown hair blowing in the wind as he plowed into Rick’s legs. “Uncle Rick!”
“Hagen, my man.” Rick hoisted him into his arms and kissed his cheek.
“We’re roasting marshmallows,” Hagen said, his bright blue eyes dancing with excitement. “And me and Dad madeIn-va-rar-ysand castle.”
“That’s great.” Rick put his hand on the small of Desiree’s back and said, “Des, this is my brilliant nephew, Hagen. Buddy, this is my girlfriend, Desiree.”
It had been so long since she’d been called a girlfriend, she was momentarily stunned. Rick winked, as if to say,Go with it.Shewasgoing with it, all right. And she wasn’t freaking out inside or feeling like she wanted to hold back. Seeing her big, brawny, pushy man with sweet Hagen helped bolster her decision.
Hagen’s eyes turned serious. “Hi.”
“Hi. I’m surprised you know about the Inveraray Castle. It’s a beautiful one.”
“I know about lots of castles. Mom says castles are handsome, and their grounds are beautiful.” He wiggled out of Rick’s arms. “Hurry up and get there before Uncle Drake eats all the marshmallows.” He took off running toward the group.
“Slow down around the fire,” Rick called after him, melting Desiree’s heart a little more. “Hagen and Matt, my sister Mira’s husband, have been studying castles. They’re planning a family trip to see a few of them over the winter. Last summer they visited libraries down the East Coast.”
“He’s adorable,” she said. “How old is he? Six or seven?”
“He’s seven. Hagen’s a cool kid. He loves—adores—books and facts. Probably like your children will one day.” He put his mouth beside her ear as they approached the bonfire and said, “I bet my sweet, naughty teacher wants three kids and a white picket fence.”
She’d dreamed of marrying a man who was as loving and stable as her father, and of being the type of mother she always wished she’d had. He’d pegged her so perfectly, she wondered what else he saw in her.
A tall, dark-haired man pushed to his feet, flashing a friendly smile. “There’s the man of the hour. Hi. You must be Desiree. I’m Drake, Rick’s older brother.” He gave her a quick hug. “I’m glad you made it.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” She glanced at Rick, sighing inwardly as he blew her a kiss.
A pretty brunette wearing shorts and a sweatshirt hugged her next. “I’m Mira—their sister and Hagen’s mom. My son thinks you’re very pretty.”
“Oh,” Desiree said, surprised. “Well, thank you, Hagen. He’s adorable. I can’t wait to see the castle he’s built.”
Mira reached for another dark-haired man’s hand. The way he was looking at Mira told her he was Matt.
“He and Matt built it,” Mira said.
Matt embraced Desiree. “Nice to meet you. We’ll show you the castle after you get put through the paces with this crew.”
A perky brunette wearing cropped jeans and a purple hoodie pushed between them. “Hi. I’m Serena. I work for the guys at the resort.”
“And we grew up together,” Mira chimed in.
