Page 51 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“Not at all.”
“I think you just earned some amazing sexual favors!” She dragged him inside. “Can we order a pizza, too? I’mstarved.”
She was always starved, and for some weird reason, the fact that she never tried to hide it made him happy.
They set up their bed on the balcony, and when the pizza came, they ate it under the stars. He told her they’d hired Daphne. She was starting work in two weeks and would be coming to breakfast Sunday at Summer House to meet the rest of their friends.
“Really? That’s fantastic. I liked her a lot, and I know she’ll do a great job. So, you’re really okay with me living in Boston?”
“I’m okay with you being anywhere you want to be. I know you have some issues with your job, but overall, are you happy there?”
“Yes. I think so. There’s a lot to get used to, but today was great. The design center is incredible, and Gavin turned out to be even more down-to-earth than I thought. I like him. He seems honest, and I think he’s a good person. I never would have guessed he was from a small town, but after spending much of today with him, I can see it in the things he says.”
She set her plate on the deck and said, “I like everyone I work with, and even though my biggest client grates on my nerves, I don’tdislikeher. I just want more freedom to design. I’m taking Laura and Spence to see the nerve grater’s space next week, and I’m bucking the system a little by taking them with me to meet a new client next week.”
“Why is that bucking the system? I thought they were your teammates.”
“They are, but it’s not like here, where we’re all an integral part of things. Orwere, I guess. The company is all about prestige and money, so they really like senior designers to meet with clients alone initially, then bring in the team. But you know me. Why waste time with two visits when it can be done in one? I think showing up with a team shows them that they’re important enough to have all of our attention, not just mine.”
“Just don’t get yourself fired, Ms. Blaze My Own Path.” He pulled her against him and kissed her.
“As I told Laura and Spence, Mallerys don’t get fired. We get fired up.”
He nipped at her neck and said, “Fired up.Now, that’s something I’d like to explore a little more.”
“Mm. Think anyone can see us up here?”
“No, but just in case…” He pulled the blankets over them. “As long as you keep those sexy sounds you make to a minimum, we should be in the clear.”
He kissed his way down her neck, earning one seductive sound after another.
“You might want to dial it down a little,” he warned.
Her eyes flared with heat. “Maybe you should keep my mouth full so I’m not tempted to make noise.”
“Yeah, baby. I like the way you think.”
Chapter Fourteen
SERENA SNUGGLED DEEPER into the warmth of Drake’s body as sunlight shone through her closed eyelids. She didn’t want to open her eyes. She wasn’t ready to let the rest of the world into their private haven. She wondered what time it was. She wanted to have breakfast with everyone and catch up on the last week. She had a busy day ahead. She was having lunch with the girls while Drake worked at the resort, and then she and Drake were going to meet the furniture delivery guys at the music store. Mira had texted earlier in the week to ask if Serena and Drake wanted to see a concert across from Mayo Beach tonight, and Serena was excited to do that, too. She’d had a busy social calendar here, whereas in Boston, so far she’d rarely had time to do anything but work.
Drake’s thick arm tightened around her belly. “Morning, beautiful. Did you get any sleep, or did your mind whirl all night?”
He’d fallen asleep holding her, and he hadn’t moved an inch, except to hold her tighter every time she shifted positions. She’d lain awake thinking about her job and her life and what it might have been like if she and Drake had been together when she was working at the resort. She’d eventually drifted off to sleep and into dreams woven of moments with Drake.
“There was a little whirling, but I eventually fell asleep.” She opened her eyes, then immediately closed them against the bright sun. “Why don’t we sleep under the stars all the time?”
“Because we live an hour and a half apart,” he said groggily. “And we’d freeze our butts off in the winter.”
“But it would be nice in the summer months. I get vacation days. Maybe I can take time off next summer and we can do it then.”
He kissed the back of her neck. “I’m all for it.”
“Mommy! There’s someone on Uncle Drake’s deck! See the feet?” Hagen’s high-pitched voice drifted up to the deck.
Serena bolted upright on the mattress, scanning the ground. Mira was grinning up at her, one hand on Hagen’s shoulder.
Hagen waved wildly. “It’s Auntie Serena! What are you doing up there?”
