The Inheritance (Happy Endings Resort Book 1) (9 page)

“Because he is the good guy.” Jason said on a sigh. “Want me to walk you back to his place?”

“What? You think since you have tossed me aside that I’m just going to hop into the bed of the next guy in line?” I stared daggers at him.

“I was simply offering to walk you back to Drew’s so you can tell him that we aren’t together and that . . .”

“That I am not with anyone. I need to be alone and on my own for a while. If I’m going to make this place work I need to focus on this place.”

“Wow! I love your fire. Want to go finish what we started? That fire in your eyes is really turning me on.” He moved closer to me.

“No, I want you to have all of the papers together and ready to go at your office tomorrow so I can sign them.” I took a step away from him. “Right now, you are going to give me the keys to your cabin and I’m going to bed. You are going to go back to your apartment in town to your own bed.”

“But we were both so cozy in my bed together.” He stepped in front of me.

“Well, that time has passed. Tomorrow I want the keys to Betty’s house and I would appreciate it if you had the phone number of a contractor that I could speak to about redoing the whole house.” I continued to walk away from him.

“Anything else Ms. London?” he caught up to my side and smirked at me.

“What happened between us will never happen again, so please don’t hit on me.” I elbowed him in the ribs.

“Yeah, Drew wouldn’t like it.” He laughed.

“I wouldn’t like it.”

“Are you saying you are not going to see where things might go with Drew?” We kept in step with each other.

“I’m saying that I don’t want you hitting on me. You are now not only the estate’s attorney, but my business attorney. It is unprofessional of you to be hitting on your clients. My grandmother may have been a whore, hell my mother was probably a whore. I, however, am not.” I stopped and turned to face him. “If you’d like to be friendly as in friends only, then fine, but anything other than friendship is not going to happen between us.”

“You didn’t answer me about Drew.”

“No, I didn’t, did I?” I turned and continued toward the cabin.

***

“Is there anything inside that you need before I close the door and lock it?” I held out my hand to him.

“What?”

“Keys, please.” I looked him right in the eye.

“I have a set at my office and my apartment.”

“Stop smirking. For tonight, you are going to be the good guy.” He raised his eyebrows at me as he pulled his keys from his pants pocket and handed them to me.

“Sometimes being the good guy sucks.” He brushed his hand over mine.

“Yeah, but tonight isn’t that night.” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for everything.” I turned to the door of the cabin. “Good night, Jason. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I waved and closed the door at his smilingly astonished face. I stood with my back against the door as I heard him say, “What the fuck just happened? I lost the girl, lost my cabin for the night, and Drew isn’t even getting laid. Holy shit, this girl knows what she is doing.” I peeked out the window. “She’ll do just fine here, Betty, no worries.” He laughed, shook his head as he slide into the driver’s seat of his car and pulled away.

Epilogue

It had been only a few weeks and I was feeling right at home here at Happy Endings Resort. Jason came back to the cabin the morning after I had left Drew’s trailer. I signed all of the papers and then Jason walked me around the resort introducing me to all of the office staff and permanent residents. What a cast of characters this place had. I was looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them.

Today’s re-grand opening event was a huge success. Some of the local business came to sell their wares. We had food vendors, beer and wine tasting, tattoo artists, jewelry makers, psychic readings, face painting, live music, etc. You name it, we had it. If it goes on in town, we had it here. Even the local drive-in offered to show a free movie for us. We had it all and everyone had a great time.

Now I was sitting here on my brand new porch swing that was nestled into my newly redesigned wraparound porch, overlooking the lake from one side and the woods from the other. The gutting of the entire inside of the house began about an hour after I had signed the pile papers that Jason had brought over. Jason had a contractor waiting outside ready to get right to work.

“When I asked you for a contractor, I thought you would get me a number to call. I didn’t realize you would bring him with you.” I whispered to Jason as we followed Uncle Ebin’, a man of about fifty and about an inch taller than me, around Betty’s house while he took notes and asked if I knew what I wanted done in each room.

“Ebin, you didn’t even give the woman a chance to think about what she wanted to do with the space. This is only the second time she’s been in the house.” We all turned to find Drew standing behind us.

“What are you doing here?”

“Showing up late.” Ebin didn’t miss a beat as he handed the end of the measuring tape in his hand to Drew.

“What am I missing?” I looked between the three men.

“Uncle Ebin is our resident contractor. Drew, our resident dick . . .” Jason laughed when my head snapped up at him. “Drew, our resident private investigator, is Uncle Ebin’s cousin and part-time partner.”

“You are going to be working on my house?” I blurted out in surprise.

“Is that okay?” Drew stepped back snapping the measuring tape back in his hand.

“Ms. London, he is a licensed contractor. He does it all. Plumbing and electric.” Uncle Ebin snatched the tape measure out of Drew’s hand. “You’ll cut yourself snapping it shut like that.” He pointed his finger in Drew’s face. “Is there an issue here? Did you do something to Ms. London that I need to know about?”

“Me?” Drew asked defensively holding his hand to his chest. “I didn’t do anything. Did I?”

“No,” I responded just as defensively, looking at Drew and forcing myself not to blush.

“You two really just need to fuck it out and get it over with,” Jason whispered.

“What was that Jason?” Uncle Ebin’s head snapped in Jason’s direction.

“Not a thing, sir, not a thing.” Jason covered his wide smile when Uncle Ebin turned back to the room.

“Can we finish the measurement so I can draw up some plans and see what Ms. London wants to do?” He patted himself down until he pulled his pencil from behind his right ear.

“Oh well, I can tell you right now that I want the whole place gutted and a completely open floor plan. All three men turned to look at me.

“And the rooms?” Ebin pulled out his notebook.

“I want four bedrooms, an office, a full bath in the master and guest bedrooms, a half bath down the hall and the living room and kitchen open."

”Honey, there are ten rooms in this house.”

“I understand that, but I’m one person.”

“What about when you get married and have children?” Drew piped in. This time it was he who blushed.

“That is why the four bedrooms, one master, one guest and two spare.” I smiled shyly at him.

“You two are going to make me puke.” Jason rubbed his head.

              “Why are you here, Jason?” Drew stood up a little straighter, and I had to hold back the giggle as the two both straightened their backs and almost started circling each other.

              “Whoa, save that shit for the bedroom,” Stixx said, walking through the front door and dropping the bags she had carried in on the floor by the cabinets. “Look at you two studly ass men facing off over the lovely Rory. Why choose? Just take them both.” She walked between them, placing her hand on their chests and bumping them each with her hips as she made her way to Uncle Ebin.

“Hey, Sweetie. How are you?” Uncle Ebin placed a kiss on her cheek. “You see these two?” he shook his head. “In my day, when you liked a woman, you told her so. This dancing around crap is for the birds. Take your pissing contest outside so these ladies don’t have to be subjected to your nonsense.” He pulled his measuring tape out again. “Stixx, honey, can you help me with this measurement?” He handed her the other end of the tape.

“Of course.” She winked at me and stepped away with Ebin. “Oh, and Rory, I brought you some food items. Figured you hadn’t had a chance to do any food shopping yet.”

“No, I haven’t. Thank you.” I smiled at her and she winked at me. Then she tipped her head toward each of the men standing just a foot apart and shaking her head. When she raised her eyebrow, I ever so slightly tipped my head toward one and she nodded in approval. When I giggled and quickly covered my mouth, she laughed and both men looked from her to me.

“Well, unless this is going to turn into some kind of a hot, sexy, naked foursome, I’m out of here. I’ve got shit to do.” Jason leaned over and kissed me on the jaw just below my ear and whispered, “Don’t tease him too long, and if isn’t all you think he is, my door is open and I’ll keep the sheets warm for you.” He stepped away from me and held his hand out to Drew. “Remember what I said.” Jason said with a clenched jaw as his hand gripped Drew’s.

“As long as you remember what I said.” Drew returned the grip as well as the clenched jaw.

“Oh, knock it off already.” I grumbled and moved over by Stixx. “This is ridiculous. It’s like I’m the first woman they’ve ever seen.”

“No, just the first one they both actually care about and like.” She kissed my temple. “They’ll chill out once you fuck him.” She laughed.

“Oh my God.” I laughed.

“You might be saying that a lot when it happens.” She smacked my ass. “And if you aren’t, come see me and I’ll show you what he is doing wrong.” She laughed whole heartedly when I blushed. “I’m going to hurry Uncle Ebin up, and then you and I are going to have a drink, then I gotta get to work.”

***

After a little over an hour, Uncle Ebin packed up his pencil and notebook saying he would be back in a bit with his crew. Stixx stayed for a bit . . . well more than a bit. She stayed for almost four hours. She called out of work when the workers started pulling their shirts off. She told her boss that shit was happening and there was no way she was going to be able to leave. I couldn’t help but laugh and offer her another drink. We pulled out two lawn chairs and moved them around the rooms so as to be far enough away that we wouldn’t be in the way, but close enough that we didn’t miss a single shirt pulled off or a muscle flexed as the walls were pulled down.

Around five when the crew was starting to pack up, Cyber came to get Stixx. She was so hot and bothered by our afternoon of gawking that I’d be surprised if anyone saw either of them for a week. I had to admit, when Drew pulled his shirt over his head, I nearly ran across the room and jumped him. I knew Jason had had a great physique, but Drew’s body was damn near perfect. Even Stixx commented, and I’d seen Cyber’s body too, and she begged me never to let Cyber know that she actually had to fan herself. I admit my panties were far from dry after watching him work at taking down the walls of my house.

Needless to say, Drew ending up staying that night for dinner and every night since. I couldn’t cook anything since my kitchen was in shambles so we took turns picking food up or having something delivered after the workmen had gone home.

I was sure the gossip mill was in full uproar when Drew’s car or golf cart had never left its spot on more than one night during the construction. For better or for worse, Drew was so tired at night that we usually ended up falling asleep on the couch in whichever room the television had been moved to during the day’s construction. I enjoyed his company and we had a good time together.

The first time he kissed me, I felt it all the way down to my feet. Part of me was really disappointed that it hadn’t gone any further that night. He was so soft, kind and gentle with the first kiss. Now the second kiss was the one that made my toes curl. Thank goodness for his body against mine, because I think I would have just melted right there on the spot if I hadn’t held onto him.

He did scare me and excite me a bit when he told me that he loved me. We were watching television and he simply turned to me and said “I don’t want to scare you or push you away, but I’m in love with you, Rory.” His hand had been around my shoulder and he tightened his hold as he felt me lifting up to run. “Don’t run from me, please.” He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his hand around my back, his thumbs playing with the waistband of my pajama pants. “I watched over you for so long, never being able to let you know that you were never alone. I was always there with you. It killed me to watch you feeling alone. I hated watching the way that asshole boyfriend treated you. I wanted so much to make it better. I wanted to scoop you up and bring you back with me, but I was told I had to wait. The waiting was the worst thing I have ever done.”

“Drew that sounds super . . .”

“Super stalker creepy, I know.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “You just met me, yet I’ve known you for years. I don’t expect you to tell me that you love me, at least not yet, but I will hope that someday”—he kissed my nose again—“someday soon you can and will tell me that you love me, too.”
              After that, the kissing went on and on every night, but tonight as exhausted as I was from the day’s events of the re-grand opening, he was not getting away from me. Even if I had to tie him to the damn bed. I read that in a book I had been reading. I know . . . reading about other people having great sex when all I want to do is jump the man who makes my toes curl with just a kiss, probably not the smartest thing.

“What’s going on in the beautiful head of yours?” Drew asked stepping out through the French doors caring a tray of cocktails, chips and dip.

I remembered back to the first morning I woke up on the couch wrapped around Drew, which probably should have felt totally uncomfortable, but it didn’t. I had made breakfast on the propane stove he had brought over and we had sat in the soon to be breakfast nook before the workers came and began their day. We had talked of our childhoods and a couple of past relationships, and he had told me I deserved to know more about him since he knew everything about me.

“I’m just thinking about how comfortable we seem to have grown with each other in such a short amount of time.” I took one of the glasses from the tray he placed down on the table in front of me.

“That’s a good thing.” He sat down on the swing next to me, putting his arm around my shoulder. “Isn’t it?”

“It is.” I snuggled my head into the crook of his neck and pulled my legs up onto the bench as his long legs gently started to sway the swing.

“Today was a great success. You helped a lot of people letting them come out and peddle their wares.” His thumb caressed the skin of my bare shoulder.

“Everyone helped and everyone did a great job.”

“We are a community of love.” We clinked our glasses in a toast. “So what are your plans for the rest of the evening? You must be exhausted.”

“I am. I really tired.” I threw in a yawn to prove my tiredness. “I should be heading to bed soon. No rest for the wicked or the weary, as grandma used to say.” I felt his body stiffen. “You know what I mean. I know the truth, but I need to continue to refer to them as I knew them. Makes it less strange, I guess.” I shrugged knowing that my family history would never change and I just needed to accept it and move along.

“Well, you’re tired, so I guess I’ll stay for a bit longer then be heading out.” He placed his empty cocktail glass on the table to his left.

“I was actually thinking maybe you’d like to spend the night.” I smiled, sliding my fingers up and down his hand. “Unless you don’t want to. I mean we can wait if . . .” I sat up and looked at him over my shoulder.

“No, no. It’s not that. I’m not going anywhere. We can wait till you’re sure. You know until . . .” I leaned forward putting my glass down then turned and smiled at him.

“Come with me.” I took his hand in mine and lead him back into the house. We walked up the stairs to the master bedroom that was twice the size of my old loft apartment. The evening sky was spread across the double French doors that opened to the second level balcony. Uncle Ebin was unsure of the second deck, but I got my way and couldn’t be happier that it turned out just as I had pictured it.

Drew followed me to the bathroom. Without a word, I stepped up to the shower stall, where at least six people could stand and not even touch, and turned on the water. I turned back to see Drew staring at me. I leaned up on my toes and covered his mouth with mine. I lightly bit his bottom lip before sliding my tongue across the spot I had just bitten and then over his lips into his mouth. As his tongue swirled with mine, I slipped my hand into the sides of my shorts and pushed them down, panties and all. Then I moved to do the same with his.