“I was just finishing up here. How about we head into town and grab some dinner?” he asked.
Her smile returned. “That sounds wonderful. I’ve been jonesing for some of Ed’s pizza.”
He chuckled and nodded. “Give me half an hour and I’ll meet you out front.”
“I’ll head upstairs and change.” She moved around the desk and laid her lips softly over his. Just before she moved away, he took her face and held her still, letting his lips linger over hers. He enjoyed the softness of her, the taste of her, until his desire built, and he pulled away, knowing if he didn’t, he’d want to have her again, right here, right now.
“See you soon.” He turned away from her and back to his computer.
Chapter Thirteen
Bella’s knees were weak as she left Calvin’s office. It took several deep breaths and the walk back up to her room to steady herself after that kiss.
She couldn’t deny the bout of jealousy that had hit her when she’d seen the pretty blonde rushing from Calvin’s office.
After all, they hadn’t made any commitments to each other. As far as she knew, it could have very well just been a one-night deal. She’d never had one before and didn’t think Calvin thought of it as such, but she couldn’t be sure until she’d talked to him.
But after that kiss… she knew there was more between them. Grabbing a rain jacket, she checked her messages and then freshened up her makeup. Her hair would be a total loss since it was still lightly raining outside.
She glanced down at her watch and figured she had another fifteen minutes and spent the time walking around the room like she was nervously awaiting her first date.
This was ridiculous. It was Calvin. She’d slept with him last night. Why was she nervous? Then it hit her. This was their first date. It somehow meant more to her than he’d suggested they head into town instead of just eating dinner in the dining room downstairs.
He wanted to be seen with her in town.
She did a happy little booty dance and then spent the next few minutes gliding on air as she thought about spending the evening with him. Would he bring her back to his place? That thought stopped her and she rushed to change her smaller purse to a larger one and stuffed some necessities in it just in case.
By the time she’d collected the items, she needed to rush down the stairs so she wouldn’t be late meeting him. He was already standing in the lobby holding a large black umbrella as he talked to the man behind the front counter.
When he spotted her, he turned away from the man and smiled at her. “Ready?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her.
“Yes.” She sighed at the feeling of his arm around her.
When they stepped out on the front porch, they almost bumped into the pretty blonde woman and an older woman.
“Sorry,” Calvin said, trying to step out of the duo’s way.
The look both women gave her as they walked past them had Bella holding in a chuckle. As they walked down the pathway towards the docks, she leaned closer to Calvin to be under the cover of the umbrella.
“I’m not sure I am going to survive the attack that just happened,” she joked.
“Attack?” His steps faltered.
“Back there.” She motioned towards the building.
When he shook his head, she continued. “I don’t think it’s just the bride that has a thing for you. The other woman was obviously upset that you had your arm around me.”
“What?” He stopped at the end of the dock and looked down at her.
“Relax.” She giggled and leaned up on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips. “I think they got the hint that you’re taken.”
He smiled down at her. “Am I?”
She wrapped her arms around him a little more. “If you want to be.”
He bent his head down and kissed her slowly, running his lips over hers and making her knees melt. “I do,” he said when he pulled back. “We’d better get going or the ferry will take off without us.” He nodded towards the boat.
Since it was still raining, most of the employees that were leaving the island for the night huddled inside.
They stood up in the captain’s cabin. JT had spotted them crowding onto the ferry and waved them up to ride with him.
“What are you two up to tonight?” he’d asked them.
“Heading into town for some pizza,” Calvin had answered easily.
JT glanced between them. “I take it Ben knows?”
Bella sighed loudly. “I do not need approval from my brother on whom I see.”
JT chuckled. “Sure, you don’t. It’s just…” He turned to look over at her. “Don’t get me in trouble again.”
Bella touched his arm. “He knows that this”—she glanced to Calvin— “is none of his business.”
“Besides,” Calvin broke in, “Ben’s already loosened my jaw for it. Before he gave me his word that it was none of his business.”
JT nodded. “Fine.” He turned back to her. “If you need a ride back…”
“She won’t,” Calvin added. Then he turned to her. “I mean, if Bella wants to come back to the resort tonight, I’ll bring her myself.”
“Fine with me,” JT added as he maneuvered the ferry into the dock. “Have a good night. I’m heading home for some dinner myself.” He smiled. “We’ll have to get together soon so you can see the kids.”
“I’d love it,” Bella replied.
“Emma’s been anxious to meet you.”
“Me too,” she agreed and remembered suddenly that JT was married to Emma Wilder. Now Emma Thomas. The actress. The woman had played the lead in both of the movies adapted from JT’s books. The last one had been full of action, aliens, and Emma kicking some serious butt.
That was before she’d gotten pregnant with their twins. But JT had mentioned that he was working on another sequel. Bella was dying to know if Emma would play the infamous Hannah Rodgers again.
As they stepped off the docks, the sky cleared for a few moments, allowing them to stroll down the street and make their way towards the pizzeria.
The place was packed with families enjoying dinner. She knew a lot more people in town than she’d remembered and enjoyed catching up with a few as they waited for a table to be cleared.
Calvin chatted with a few people she assumed were employees upon hearing parts of their conversation. By the time they were seated at a table near the bar area, she was starving. She’d skipped out on lunch, since she’d buried herself in her work, fine-tuning her latest song, “Just One Night.”
When their breadsticks and drinks were delivered, she dug in as they chatted about the town and the people they’d run into.
“What did you do before this?” she asked him after they ordered their pizza.
He shrugged and looked uncomfortable. “This and that.”
“Which means?” She chuckled. “I know Sarah and Ben asked you to come in after Lilly had Alex.”
“Right,” he agreed, reaching for another breadstick. “I was working in Boston.”
“For?” she asked, leaning her elbow on the table and watching him.