The Kiss Keeper - Krista Sandor Page 0,28
to Hal’s hard yang.
“I think I can speak for all the Woolwich grandchildren when I say that all we want is for you both to enjoy these golden years,” Leslie cooed.
Natalie set her plate down hard, and the clang of the dish brought all eyes their way.
“You’d never sell the camp, would you?” Natalie asked.
Bev waved her off. “Kids, we love you, but this is a celebration! There will be no talk of business! Your grandfather and I are fine. The camp is fine. Now, we’ve got you all tucked away in the three honeymoon cabins. I suggest you head over and get a good night’s rest. All the festivities start tomorrow after breakfast.”
Bev and Hal ushered the cousins and their husbands toward the front door, but Natalie hung back, boxing up the leftover pizza and tidying up the kitchen.
He collected the dishes from the table and set them next to the sink. “Are you all right?”
She stared out the window at the dark water below. “I don’t understand why Leslie and Leo would even suggest that my grandparents part with Camp Woolwich. Those two have never shown interest in the camp before.”
He schooled his features. His work started now. “Your grandparents are getting older, and fifty years is a long time to run a business.”
She played with the edge of a dishtowel. “But they love it. This place is who they are.”
This was the kind of bullshit attachment he’d never allow of himself.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry to trouble you with this. I promised you peace and relaxation, and here you are, smack dab in the middle of Woolwich family business.”
He met her gaze in the window’s reflection. “I don’t mind. And remember, I also agreed to be your fake Jake. If that means family pizza parties and meat-eating demonstrations, I’m good with that.”
She turned to him, and her ocean green eyes sparkled with gratitude. “You’re a good Jake, you know that?”
He wasn’t a good Jake. A good Jake wouldn’t be weighing his options on how to get the land she loved at the best price. But she didn’t need a good Jake. She just needed a Jake, and that’s all he could ever be to her. Still, unlike every other deal he’d closed, he’d never experienced the strange twinge he felt pulling tight in his chest that absolutely, positively could not be guilt. He didn’t do guilt, right?
Bev entered the kitchen and frowned. “Go on, you two. You’ve had a long day, and you’ll need your rest. Breakfast will be served bright and early in the dining hall at eight sharp.”
Natalie hugged her grandmother. “You’d let me know if you needed anything, right?”
Bev smoothed a lock of her granddaughter’s hair behind her ear. “Your grandfather and I are fine, sweetheart.”
“Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Woolwich,” he added, ignoring that bothersome pang, and reminded himself for a second damn time that he didn’t do guilt.
Bev patted his arm. “None of that Mrs. Woolwich business. I’m just Bev around here.”
He nodded, holding the woman’s emerald gaze that matched her granddaughter’s then followed Natalie out the back door and onto a dirt trail, heading away from the water’s edge and into the thick coastal foliage.
Natalie walked next to him, silently twisting the sleeve of her coat as they followed the path. Worry creased her brow as that damn twist in his chest returned. He had to change the subject and get her mind off the camp, but before he could figure out what to say, she pitched forward, snagging her stiletto on a tree root, then clutched onto his arm to stay upright.
“Easy there, Heels,” he said, steadying her.
She shook her head and glanced down at her feet. “If I never wear these shoes again, it will be too soon.”
He couldn’t have her thinking that. He hadn’t lied to Leo. Natalie did look damn good in those shoes.
“Let me help,” he said.
She took a wobbly step back and raised her hands defensively. “I am not going over your shoulder again, mister.”
“How about this?” he said, scooping her up, honeymoon-style.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kicked her feet playfully. “Is this what you do with all the girls? Seems a little caveman-ish,” she added with a giggle that went straight to his cock.
Dammit! He was grateful to get her mind off selling the camp, but his cock had no place in this deal. He could not think about how good she smelled or how sexy she looked in that