Merry with a Lawman (Love Beach, Holiday Collection)

8. Too Good to Be True

EIGHT

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

BELLE

This is what I need. New experiences with Richardson. “I’ve never made pasta before. But I’ve always wanted to try.”

“Come on in then. I’ll show you how.”

We laugh through my sad first attempt at it, but when he comes up behind me weaving his arms in front of me, helping to flatten the dough between the pasta roller, he leans his nose into my neck.

He’s clearly trying to seduce me. I let him. Just light kisses at my under my ear. I flutter my eyes closed and try to concentrate on what he’s doing to me. Trying to read my bodily reactions. Good? Bad?

Indifferent.

Hard to say, although something hard of his is banging against my back.

“Ouch!” Somehow my finger gets caught in the roller and I jump, pulling it away, running it under cold water at the sink.

He hands me a towel, standing a safe foot away from me. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Thanks.” I will be, but is this all too much for me? My heart is still stuck on Davis, and until I get over him, it might not be fair to any man. “Um, listen, Richardson. I’m just kind of getting over someone. You remember, the guy that caused me to have a large glass?—”

“Glass of wine. Yes. I do recall.” He seems impatient and leans against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. “That officer who pulled us over, right? What’s his name…Davis.”

“Right.”

“Do you still love him?”

I look away knowing my eyes probably tell all. “I’ve had a crush on him for many years. Then he was in a terrible accident. A hit-and-run that put him in a coma. After he woke up, I’ve been there for him, as a friend, but we got close.”

“So what are you doing here with me?”

“He sort of broke up with me. I’m pretty sure he never felt the same about me. The thing is, I like that you and I have met and being here with you and making pasta together. And dinner at The Cliffs, seeing their Christmas tree made entirely of gold, was amazing, too. But I need to take things slow. If you need faster, then I might not be your speed.”

A smile returns to his face. “Hey, I don’t need fast. Okay?” He reaches a hand out and presses a lock of hair back from my face. “Slow is good. I can do slow.”

“Yeah?” I’m relieved to hear it. Who knows? Maybe things with him would grow and eventually turn into love. Love can’t always be fireworks and lightning bolts, although it was with Davis. But Richardson and I seem to have a taste for similar nice things so far, and love could grow from that. Maybe?

“Are we okay, then? Still here with me?” His hand slides down my jaw and tilts my chin up with his finger and thumb.

“Yes. Still here.”

“Good.” He leans in, but only to brush his lips on my forehead. I like he respects my boundaries. “Because I can’t eat all this past myself.”

I chuckle with him and we work to get the food on the table. An hour later, after the most delicious plate of pasta, and considering I’d already had dinner with Gigi at Giancarlo’s, I was stuffed. But I had an enjoyable time trying to learn more about him. My overall impression of him, so far, is he’s mildly cocky about his ability to do his job, which has made him a small fortune, and he’s worldly and classy.

We clean up then we settle into deep plush chairs out on his veranda with glasses of liquor. He points out some stars while we take in this crisp, clear night.

He tells me about some of his projects. One sounds vaguely familiar. The development of a huge luxury hotel on the cliffs. Local politicians have battled against it for a few years. When he nonchalantly drops the Senator Chadwick Duvall’s name like he’s a golf buddy, it’s a sucker punch.

“Wait a minute. You know Chadwick?” I jerk my head back.

“I’ve helped him with several real estate transactions in the area. He’s been a good friend of mine for years. Do you know him well?”

“Uh. He’s the ex-husband of my best friend, Addie.” I set my glass down on the side table. This cannot be happening.

“I see.” His brow furrows, leaning forward like he’s realizing something. Then he shakes his head. “I’ve met Addie a few times in Washington. Pleasant enough. Too bad they couldn’t have made things work out.”

“She’s happier now without him than I’ve ever known her to be.” This red flag not only makes an appearance, but jumps out at me screaming. It was too good to be true. Richardson isn’t as perfect as he seems after all.

Suddenly, trying to learn everything about this man exhausts me. I’ve had enough for one night. Eventually, I make up an excuse, blaming it on a headache, and leave.

I lament to Gigi on the phone driving home. “How can I be with a man who is friends with Addie’s horrible ex after the way he treated her? Richardson’s already divorced, that should have been my first red flag. Now this?”

“Hm. I’m curious now. I’ll have to look more into this guy. I’ll call Addie tomorrow and ask her opinion of him,” Gigi says. I know my sister and that voice she gets when she smells a story. Sometimes she makes things bigger than they have to be, getting in over her head. I sigh, long and labored, blinking back a tear or two.

“No, don’t. I just… I want what I can’t have—Davis. And it sucks.”

“You’re breaking my heart the way you can’t get over him.” I hear her sarcasm loud and clear.

“That makes two of us. I’m sorry I ran out on your birthday dinner, by the way. How were things after I left? How was Davis when he returned to your table?”

“He seemed rattled.”

“Good. I yelled at him. Basically admitted I fell for him and how I clung with every hope he would for me. Not one of my finest moments, but I’m glad I got it off my chest. We’re over, I guess. And you’re right. Time to move on.”

“Well, that explains it then. He sat quietly drinking, didn’t even have cake. And when I left, Jackson was trying to talk with him.” Keys rattle in the background and the sound of her steps and door opening and closing come next.

“Are you going out? It’s late. Tell me where. I’ll meet you.”

“Go home, Belle. Get some rest. Take a bath using that new lavender scented stuff I gave you recently. Trust me. You need you time right now.”

“Okay. But where are you going?” It doesn’t escape me how she ignores my question. Gigi and I share everything, usually.

“Uh, to the office. I forgot something I have to do for tomorrow’s edition. Please just get some sleep.”

I know her so well, she won’t be able to go to bed tonight until she’s uncovered every facet of the Senator and Richardson’s friendship she can find. She an excellent researcher. “Fine. But you have to promise to share with me everything you find out about him.”

“Of course.” She chuckles, and we eventually click off.

I make it home just as the rain starts. I didn’t lock my door so I dash right in from my car. Davis always got upset at me for that lack of safety on my part.

Anger builds inside of me; this is new and raw. Screw him. He doesn’t want me, so he doesn’t get a say in how I run my life. I leave it unlocked, and brazenly strip my clothes off piece by piece as I walk down the hall. My place is an absolute mess. I haven’t been able to do much of anything but mope and be sad.

Clothes are everywhere. I haven’t taken out the trash in over a week. Dishes pile high in the sink. The energy it’s taken for me to just exist everyday since Davis walked out my door has been all I could manage.

“Tomorrow. I’ll deal with all then,” I whisper once my bath water is just right. I sink in and try not to think about Davis. But he’s right there, not going anywhere. The image of him in my head practically wears a smirk and waves at me, like he dares me to cast him out forever.

I won’t. I can’t help it, because I really believed we were meant to be with my whole heart and soul. And damn, in my head he looks so good.

My fingers work their way down to the apex of my thighs, parting my slit, and quickly working myself up. I shout his name as I work for the release I need, feeling good for a moment. It’s fleeting though, leaving me empty inside without him.