Page 59 of Sweet Passions at Bayside
“The keys are a lost cause. Are you still okay lending me your truck to go see my first client at LOCAL?” She put her hands on her hips and visually scanned her open suitcases. “I’m looking for one of my yoga straps.”
“Yoga straps? Sounds kinky. Did you check those little compartments in your shoes for your keys?”
It figured he’d ignore her question about his truck and focus on the sexy stuff instead. Man, she loved that about him.
His gaze slid down her body. “Any other secret compartments I should check?”
“Not in my yoga pants.”
Dean reached into his pocket and placed a set of keys in her hand.
“You found my keys? What about my bracelet? And your golf cart keys?”
“No, sorry. I’m afraid my house has turned into the Bermuda Triangle. I called Austin yesterday when you told me you’d lost your keys. He went to the dealership to get you a new set and overnighted them. They just arrived.”
She exhaled with relief. “You did that? He did that?”
“We’ve got your back, doll.” He tugged her closer. “Now, tell me about these straps. Maybe we should try them out.” He waggled his brows.
“No naughtiness with my yoga props! Besides, silk is always better, don’t you think?” She went up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m going to be late if I don’t get out of here.” She stuffed her props back in the bag. “We’ll have to grab my yoga mat and blankets from my studio.”
He glanced at her open suitcases. “You should unpack. Maybe then you’d find your things. You said you were missing your razor, too?”
“Yeah. I’m going to get one today. I’ve been borrowing yours.” She flashed a cheesy smile and slung her bag over her shoulder. “I’m also going to stop by the girls’ shop.”
His arm circled her waist and he drew her closer. “I’m not keeping you satisfied?”
“Oh, yes, you are, Mr. Masters. I want to check out the paintings for my yoga studio. Classes start tomorrow.” She went up on her toes and kissed him, feeling like they’d been together forever. “If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll stop into theadult-explorationshop and bring us home a little something special.”
“Now you’re talking.” He nuzzled her neck and said, “Are you still going shopping with Des and the girls later?”
“Yes. That’s the plan.”
“Remember, no hot dresses. I don’t want my father’s colleagues gawking at you.” He leaned in for another delicious kiss. “I’ll miss working with you on the patio. I’m getting used to having you with me.”
“I’m going to miss you, too,” she admitted. She was enjoying creating the patio with him. Dean might be an aggressive and demanding lover, which she adored, and a bit picky about his gardens, which she respected, but when it came to the patio, he was uncharacteristically easygoing. Yesterday she’d brought over several potted basil plants to ward off bad mojo and set them along the edge of the gardens that surrounded the patio—because she knew better than to try toplantthem—and he seemed not only happy she’d brought them, but curious about her knowledge of herbs. It turned out that they had even more in common than she’d imagined. And when she was struck with inspiration while meditating this morning and she asked if they could change some of the remaining flagstone design to incorporate a few earth signs, he was totally open to it. Even though he was doing the bulk of the work, she felt like she was an integral part of the creative process, making it even more special.
She pulled her bag over her shoulder and asked, “What are you working on today?”
“I have a few surprises up my sleeve. Good luck with your first client.” He smacked her butt.
She glared at him as he followed her out the door, but inside she was thrilled that she could finally be herself with a man. Not only did he not find fault in her moving from one thing to the next without slowing down, or changing direction midstream, but he supported her endeavors.Encouraged them, even when I was ready to put them off.He seemed to genuinely adore everything about her, which made her worry less about messing things up.
She called Austin on the way to LOCAL. Of all her brothers, she was closest to Austin, in age and in relationship. They were different in many ways, including how they handled things. Like their oldest brother, Ethan, Austin was careful and thoughtful, thinking through ramifications before acting, while Emery and Alec, who was almost two years older than Austin, were impulsive and could have hair triggers if provoked. But she couldn’t remember a time she and Austin weren’t close.
“Hey, sis. How’s beach life besides keyless?”
She heard the smile in his voice and felt a pang of homesickness. “Beach life isinteresting. Different from home, of course.”
“I’d say. You have that big Viking to do your bidding.”
She winced. Had Dean told him about them? She had been so relieved to have a set of keys she’d forgotten to ask. “Yeah, Dean’s great,” she said, fishing to see how much he’d told Austin.
Austin was silent for so long, she looked at the phone to see if she had service. “Aus?”
“I’m waiting for you to tell me about you and Viking.”
Shoot.Okay, she could do this. All of her brothers were protective, and when things had gone down at the rehab center, Ethan had wanted to sue her boss and Alec had wanted to kick the life out of him. But Austin had talked some sense into them, and he’d taken it upon himself to go down to the office, unbeknownst to Emery, and he’d had a long discussion with her ex-boss. He wouldn’t tell her what had transpired, but whatever it was had stopped his excessive texts and phone calls immediately. Like Dean, her brothers weren’t afraid of anything, and they were loyal to the bone.
