The Seacroft: a love story (Paines Creek Beach Book 2) Read online

  “Really. Weekends and nights are long and boring for me. Except Saturday morning when I go visit my mother. I can’t give that up.”

  “Okay. It’s settled. Once the storm is over,” he glanced out at the darkening skies, “I’ll call him and we’ll set up a schedule.”

  “This could be fun,” she said, taking a grape from her plate.

  He reached for her hand across the table. “I never thought of it that way, until I met you.”

  She flushed, then glanced at the clock on the wall. “Gotta go. Yikes. She’ll have my hide.”

  He sat back and watched her trot toward the door. “I’ll see you soon. I’m feeling good now. Gonna get ready for Delilah.”

  For a minute, she didn’t seem to know what he meant. Then it seemed to hit her. “Oh! You mean the hurricane. Right.”

  “Don’t let Mizz P work you too hard.”

  “I won’t. Or at least, I’ll try.” She smiled in his direction, then ducked out of the apartment and clattered down the steps.

  Chapter 22

  Viv finished writing the last of the checks for The Seacroft’s bills. She’d tried to convince Uvi to use Internet banking, which would have taken much less time to accomplish each month. But the woman wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted each check hand written, entered in the checkbook, and if that total didn’t balance every month to the penny, there would be hell to pay.

  She inserted the final check into the envelope, made sure the address showed in the translucent window, and peeled a stamp off the book to fix on the corner. “Done,” she said.

  After shuffling the pile into one neat bundle, she headed downstairs to mail them. She’d almost made it past Uvi’s room when she heard the woman call out to her.

  “Vivian? Is that you?”

  With a sigh, Viv stopped, reversed direction, and peered into Uvi’s suite. “Yes?”

  The woman sat at her desk, overlooking the grounds where a light rain had started pattering an hour earlier. “You’ve heard about the storm?”

  Vivian nodded. “Of course.”

  “We need to prepare for it.”

  “Of course. I’ve already collected things downstairs in the kitchen. Flashlights, candles, firelighters, jugs of water, and the camp stove. I have a battery-powered radio we can use. And Cody’s working on the outside. He’s laying out the precut plywood sheets he found in the shed. And he plans to pile firewood inside the kitchen door so we can use it for heat if the temperature drops.”

  Uvi looked pleasantly surprised. “Oh?” She ripped a list off a pad of paper and held it out to Vivian. “Lovely. And here are a few more things I’d like you two to pick up at the grocery store. Have him drive you. Extra water. More canned goods. And gas for the generator if we need to get it started. It hasn’t been run in over five years, though. I’m not sure it will work.”

  “Okay.” Viv scanned the list. It was horrendously long. “I’ve been keeping an eye on the weather channel. Looks like it’ll hit tomorrow night if they’re right about the trajectory.”

  “Good girl. Now, go mail those bills, and don’t let them get wet in this rain. I have perfect credit and I don’t want anything to spoil that record.”

  Vivian squelched a laugh. Perfect credit? Her own credit was so bad she couldn’t even lease a cheap little import. “No worries. I’m on it.”

  Downstairs, she threw on a raincoat and headed down the long driveway. She trotted through the warm rain, crunching over the white shell driveway. Just as she reached the shed where Cody had been working since lunchtime, she heard a whistle.

  “Vivian! Over here. Can you give me a hand?”

  Behind the shed Cody had parked the ubiquitous Gator, which he’d loaded up with sheets of plywood. He stood holding the stack from one end with a bungee cord. “Can you grab this cord and hook it over there?”

  She hurried to his side, where she found him struggling to balance the load. His arm muscles bulged and his face had turned a faint shade of red from the strain.

  “Sure. I’ve got it.” She snagged the cord and found a spot to hook it on the other side of the vehicle. “There you go.”

  He motioned to the pile of cords on the ground beside him. “Can you grab me another one? I don’t trust this pile. It’s still too wobbly.”

  “Okay.” She helped him with three more cords until he was satisfied he wouldn’t lose his load of plywood on the drive to the mansion.

  “Thanks,” he said, plopping down onto the wet grass. “I’m glad you came along when you did.” Rain dripped off his hair and onto his cheeks, and his tee shirt was soaked. “I wanna get these boards up before noon tomorrow. You never know. The storm could come earlier.”

  “Right. Sometimes they have a mind of their own, don’t they?” she said, standing behind him. “Don’t you care that the ground’s all wet?” She watched him breathe, his taut chest muscles moving in and out beneath the wet shirt. How cliché. I’m ogling a guy in a wet tee shirt.

  “Hell, no. I’m gonna be soaked before this is all done, anyway. What’s it matter?”

  She smiled down at him, thinking how nice it would be to kiss him. “So, how are you feeling?”

  He shrugged and tossed her a half-smile. “Not a hundred percent yet. But I’ll get there.”

  “Don’t overdo it,” she said with concern.

  “Thanks for worrying about me, but I’ll be fine.” He stood up and wiped the drizzle from his hair, slicking it straight back. “How’s Mizz P this afternoon? Driving you nuts, or what?”

  Startling out of her ridiculous reverie, she flushed. “Um. She’s been okay. She has a list of groceries for us to buy.”

  “More groceries?” He rolled his eyes. “Oh, man. I was just at the store the other day.”

  “I know. But regardless, we’ve gotta go. I’ll help you.”

  “Okay. Give me another hour to get these boards loaded up onto the porch.”

  “Sounds good.” She patted her pocket where the mail sat safe and dry. “And I’d best get these bills to the mailbox before I miss the postman. I wouldn’t want to ruin our boss’s perfect credit,” she chuckled.

  “Right.” He rolled his eyes. “I know exactly how she feels.” With a smirk, he added, “What’s perfect credit again?”

  “I’m not really sure,” she laughed. “I’m still trying to catch up with last month’s bills myself.” She started to walk away, but turned and said, “I can help you put up those boards later, if you want.”

  “Yeah?” His eyes widened, then he grinned. “It’ll probably be tomorrow morning, but I’d love the help. Thanks.”

  “No problem. Come on up when you’re ready to go to the store, okay?”

  He climbed onto the wet Gator seat. “It’s a deal.”

  Chapter 23

  The next morning, Cody stood on a stepladder while Viv struggled to hold the wobbly sheet of plywood steady from below.

  “You okay down there?” he asked.

  She nodded. “It’s heavy. Hurry up.”

  He held the battery-powered drill steady and screwed in the top three screws. “Okay, you can let go now.”

  She backed up and watched him, steadying herself in the stiff wind. “My God, Cody. The wind’s already almost strong enough to knock me over. And the storm’s not even here yet.”

  He glanced at the sea, where the whitecaps churned with ferocity. “I know. I wonder if they’re right about the timing.” He moved the ladder to the next window on the porch and they both maneuvered the plywood sheet upward, almost losing it in a strong gust of wind.

  “How are you going to cover the second floor windows?” she asked.

  Cody frowned. “Don’t know yet. I don’t think that extension ladder will stay up there with these high winds. And I’m not sure how I could carry the plywood up without it flying away, to tell you the truth. I’d probably lose it.”

  “We could tape those windows. At least if they break, the pieces won’t go all over.”

  “That’
s probably our best bet.”

  Uvi pushed out onto the porch wearing a slicker. “How’s it going?” She had to yell over the wind, which already howled around the corners of the house.

  “The wind’s too strong, it’s flapping these plywood sheets all over the place. Makes it a two-person job. But thanks to Viv here, though, we’re getting it done.” Cody climbed the stepladder and struggled with another sheet of plywood, finally pinning it over the window. He nodded to Vivian to hold it in place. “We’re getting there.” He motioned to the line of windows they’d already covered.

  Uvi came closer and stood watching for a few minutes. “When you’re done, we should check out the generator.”

  Cody nodded, but didn’t answer. No “thank you?” No “good job?” They’d be lucky to be done by afternoon at the rate they were going.

  Uvi gave a tight smile and disappeared.

  Glancing over her shoulder to be sure the woman was gone, Vivian said, “Why doesn’t she offer to help? Geez.”

  “I know,” Cody said. “But people like her don’t think that way. They have us to do the grunt work, and they can just worry and order us around. It’s been that way for centuries.”

  “It’s ridiculous,” she said.

  He drove in another screw. “I know. But it’s the way of the world.”

  “Some day,” Vivian said. “I’ll be my own boss. And I won’t have to take—” She broke off, gesturing to Uvi, who watched them from inside at the next window. “Shh. She’s right there. I think she’s spying on us. Do you think she still suspects we’re hiding our secret love affair from her?”

  “I think you’re right. She shows up at the most unexpected times.” Cody stepped back down to the porch. “Come on. Let’s get the next sheet.”

  They worked in concert for the next three hours, battered by rain and wind. By the time Cody covered the last ground floor window, his drill battery had started to die.

  “Done,” he said, climbing down to the soaking grass. He took in the sight of the drenched girl before him. She hadn’t complained once, and she’d stood by his side for all twenty-six windows. “You did great, Viv.”

  She shrugged and gave him a feeble smile. “Thanks.”

  “You cold?” He’d noticed the temperature drop in the last hour, and then saw her shiver.

  “Just a little. But it’s okay.”

  “Come on, let’s get you inside.”

  He urged her into the house, noticing that Uvi had turned on all the lights because of the covered windows. “Come on. You need to change out of these clothes and get some hot tea, or something like that.”

  Vivian gave him a blazing smile. “Thanks, Cody. You’re sounding like a regular nurturer all of a sudden.”

  He laughed. “Yeah. I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”

  Uvi appeared suddenly in the doorway with a frown. “Who’s rubbing whom?”

  “No.” Viv flushed. “You heard us wrong. I just said—”

  “Get upstairs and change. You’re dripping all over my carpet.” When Vivian had gone, Uvi marshaled Cody into the bathroom, closing the door behind them. She gave him a lascivious glance. “Take off those wet clothes, young man.”

  Cody looked at her. “But Vivian will be down in a few minutes. We can’t just—

  Uvi locked the door and approached him with a wicked smile. “I’ll make those decisions for you. That’s an order. Come on. Strip.” She peeled off his sweatshirt and began to lift the hem of his wet tee shirt. “You’re soaked through.” She tut-tutted and leaned in to start the shower.

  Cody knew what was coming. And he figured he’d better cooperate, because she was already mad that he hadn’t shown up in her bedroom for the past few nights. Besides, it was just sex, right?

  He stepped out of his jeans. “Er. Thanks.”

  She raked her eyes over his body. “God, you’re so beautiful.” She placed both hands on his rear and pulled him toward her, reaching for his mouth. “Kiss me.”

  He did as she said, leaning into her perfumed body. Her soft curves pressed against him, instantly arousing him.

  She kissed him deeply, reaching down to stroke him, then slipped out of her clothes and led him into the shower. “Come, my dear. You need some careful washing.”

  Chapter 24

  Cody watched the water slide down Uvi’s spectacular curves. She tilted her head back in the shower spray, letting the stream caress her face and body. Her eyelashes were instantly soaked, trickling drops of water down her cheeks. Something about this action was so erotic, so unplanned, that he felt an urgent drive to take her, now.

  He pulled her around to face him, leaning into her with his erection.

  She shot him a flawless smile, glancing down at his eager body. “All ready for me, my love?” she purred.

  “You know it.” He kissed her fiercely, lowering his head to tongue her nipples. They rose in expectation beneath his attention. He straightened and drew her even closer, clamping her tight against him.

  She laughed and backed up a few inches. “There’s no need to hurry, darling. Here. Pass me the liquid soap.”

  He fumbled with the fancy bottles on the shelf until he got the lavender scented soap she wanted, which she liberally poured over both of them. Now their skin was slick and smooth, and the motions of her hands washing him made him struggle to contain himself. The moist scent of lavender filled the room, intoxicating him further.

  She reached down to rhythmically rub his penis, stroking with such eagerness that he almost exploded on the spot.

  He stopped her hand, moaning. “No more, please. I can’t wait.” He slid toward the shower seat in the corner, plopping down on the plastic. He beckoned her toward him.

  She let loose a carefree laugh and straddled him, positioning herself over him and drawing him in with one smooth motion. Instantly, he was engulfed inside moist, squeezing flesh, as she lowered herself over him, driving him deep inside her. With her head thrown back she placed her hands on his shoulders and met him thrust for thrust. Their primal screams came minutes later.

  He flopped back against the shower wall. “Oh my God. You’re killing me.”

  She stayed atop him, her muscles clamping him, pulsing him. She peppered his face with fluttery wet kisses. “I knew you’d be good for me when I hired you.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Really? You knew? Is that why you hired me? I’m some kind of gigolo?”

  She laughed, released him, and stood. Water streamed down her body and she cupped his chin in her hand, tilting his head up. “Well, not exactly. But it sure didn’t hurt that you are so gorgeous, dear one.”

  He should have been flattered. But something didn’t feel right.

  He wasn’t the deepest person on the planet, he knew that. He’d never been famous for his great substance. He’d always had simple needs. Things like wanting his freedom, a place of his own. Or material items, like his truck, or a nice little kayak. He’d never wanted anything to do with people. Or one special person.

  He loved sex. Oh sure, he craved it daily. It seemed to top his thoughts at all moments. Second only to food.

  But something had changed.

  Being a sex slave for a woman who paid him to screw her was starting to feel just a little uncomfortable.

  It was hard to figure out.

  Here was this gorgeous, exotic beauty, begging him to make love to her. She was experienced and sexually talented, beautiful and enthusiastic. She was every teenagers dream.

  Yet he wasn’t a teenager anymore, was he? He was twenty-one. And he had a hard time not thinking about Vivian discovering them together in that shower.

  Had she heard the shrieks of pleasure? Had the sounds of the water covered it?

  Now, even more, he didn’t want her to find out. It was embarrassing.

  Why?

  He found his thoughts straying to Vivian during the sexual encounter. And in the end, he’d even pictured himself making love to her, not Uvi.

  Wha
t did that mean?

  Am I just lusting after every woman in my life? Or am I… God forbid… growing up?

  “I have clothes upstairs you can change into,” Uvi said, interrupting his thoughts. “They’ll be a little big on you, but they’re dry. And you won’t have to go back outside in the rain if you don’t want to.”

  Cody smiled but shook his head, pulling on his wet pants. “No. That’s okay. I’ve gotta go tape up windows on the second floor. After that, I need to see that the garage is buttoned up tight for the storm. Thanks.” He kissed her briefly, shrugged into his sopping sweatshirt, and left her standing in her towel.

  Outside, the winds howled. They’d picked up strength in the last few hours, which meant he had to hurry to finish all the jobs he’d lined up for himself. He climbed the apartment stairs two at a time and quickly changed into dry clothes, grabbing his slicker from the hook behind the door.

  He worked hard all day, putting away everything the wind might pick up on the porch and on the grounds, taping all the windows with Vivian’s assistance, and after moving his truck into the garage beside Uvi’s fancy cars, he decided to put plywood over the garage windows and doors as well.

  The temperature had dropped in the past hour and the rain blew sideways into his hood. Cody felt the prick of cold wet rain run down his neck. He shivered and pulled his slicker tight around him.

  Freezing, but finally satisfied, he tromped into the kitchen at six to find Vivian stirring a big pot over the stove. The aroma of home filled the air, and his stomach growled.

  “You look so cold.” Vivian glanced sideways at him. “Try some of my chicken soup,” she said with a shy smile. “It’s my first time making it from scratch and I think it tastes pretty good. At least it ought to warm you up.”

  He shed his dripping raincoat and hung it on the rack in the corner. “Thanks.”

  Vivian took down a yellow ceramic bowl and filled it with soup. She handed him a box of Saltines. “Milk?” she asked, opening the fridge.

  “Perfect,” he said. He blew on his spoon and took a sip. “Delicious. What are those little white bits?”