Dang, where were Maddy and Chase? Where wasAiden? She was looking forward to meeting their mysterious brother,and her new employee, Ronan. Payson made for the bar, grabbing aglass of red wine to take on her self-guided tour of the gallerywhile she waited for her friends.
Much of the art was impressive; greatselection and variety, predominantly coastal themed of course. Itwas amazing to think there were so many talented artists in thearea. She stopped to admire a colorful mixed media sculpture,appreciating the creativity involved in designing the ocean sceneusing re-purposed bottles and cans.
From behind her, a deep, rumbling voiceinterrupted her solo contemplation. “A bit contrived.”
She turned abruptly with a scowl. The artcritic stood right behind her, and she ran right into therock-solid chest as she turned to admonish him for his rudeness. Hegrowled and grabbed his right side when she bumped him, his fiercescowl deepening.
Art critic was a total grizzly bear… butfilled out the tux rather nicely… a bit like James Bond. Didn’tlook like 007, with a gnarly beard covering most of his face, hishair tied back with a few strands falling out, as it was not quitelong enough to pull into a neat pony. His icy blue eyes lookedfamiliar, but they looked distant and lifeless.
In a huff, she stepped back to gain somedistance and foolishly knocked into the sculpture with her butt.With another harsh growl, and with surprising cobra-like reflexes,he reached around her and righted the piece before it went crashingto the ground. Her face was now pressed right up to his chest. Asmuch as she hated to admit it, he smelled fantastic, like freshmountain air.
Not that she spent a lot of time in themountains. Or smelling men for that matter. What was going on withher?
The grizzly wrapped his arm around her waistand pulled her away from the teetering sculpture, as she’d beenfrozen in place, totally confused by her reaction to him. His handsplayed across her bare back; she burned at his touch. Surprisedand irritated by his effect on her, she snapped at him, “Get yourhands off of me.”
“Hey lady, I’m just trying to save thegallery before you destroy all the art in it.” What was his deal?He could at least stop glaring at her and insulting her.
Payson pushed at his chest to get somedistance from the conundrum of a man; spilling her wine on hisjacket. Dammit, she just couldn’t catch a break around this guy. Atleast she’d missed the white shirt. “If you hadn’t grabbed me so…boorishly, I wouldn’t have spilled.” Where had her manners gone?She was raised better than this.
Not having a napkin, she grabbed thehandkerchief from his chest pocket and attempted to pat the areadry.
He grabbed her wrist, “I’ve got it.” Hepulled the handkerchief out of her hand and brushed the wine offhimself, then stuffed it back in his pocket.
They scowled at each other, neither willingto be the first to look away.
From down the hall, Maddy’s voice reachedthem. “Looks like you two have met, fantastic.” Payson turned atthe sound of her friend’s voice.You two? Those familiareyes… they were McAllister eyes. That meant… Ronan. Shit.
…
Shit. He’d just completely offended Maddy’sbest friend.
“Payson, you are so lucky Ronan will behelping out at the shop. He’s got a good eye and will have thatstoreroom organized in no time.” Maddy beamed at him as sheintroduced him to her best friend.
And, apparently, his new employer.
Still recovering from a serious lack of sleepwhen his mother had called, he’d easily been suckered intoaccepting the role of handyman, delivery driver, and shop-boy forwhat she had implied was a frail old lady. At least, he hadassumed. In his mother’s defense, he shouldn’t say suckered, heknew he was on a downward spiral and needed to get his ass off thecouch. Wasn’t dead yet, so may as well find something to do.
He extended his hand for the introduction,but it was really more of an apology. He even attempted a smile,but he was downright rusty at it and was sure it came off as moreof a grimace. Payson took his hand and shook it politely, if onlyto avoid Maddy knowing she thought he was an asshole.
Yeah, he was that. Although, she was no prizeherself. Sure, she was fucking gorgeous. Amazing body with just theright curves. Intense green eyes, straight out of a fairytale. He’dnearly gotten his first hard-on in months just standing so close toher, inhaling her delicious scent, his hand on her bare back.
Regrettably, she was too much of a snootypriss for his taste.
“Payson runs the finest antique shop on theeastern seaboard.”
“Ronan, it’s nice to finally meet you. Lauratold me that you agreed to come help me out at the shop… now andagain,” her voice was gentle, but he couldn’t miss the challenge inher tone. Her eyebrow raised defiantly, she bated him, begged himto back out of the deal.
At least he wouldn’t be bored, working withthis shrew in a smelly old antique shop. Maddy stood at his side,smiling and completely missing the disdain in either of theirvoices.
“Actually, I thought you were looking forsomeone to do some handyman work and serve as delivery driver andshop-boy until you find someone more permanent. I’ll be by 8o'clock Monday morning - that work for you, boss?” She rolled hereyes but agreed. Might be fun getting a rise out of her on aregular basis.
At last, Chase arrived, rescuing him fromfurther making an ass of himself. Handing him a frothy beer, Chasewinked at him. He gulped half of it down before he said somethingeven more stupid.
Chase nudged him. “Glad you’re here. This isreally not my scene. I’m fairly certain Miss Hanson just patted meon the ass as I walked by. Have you caught her staring at youthrough her window yet?” Chase’s former nosy neighbor, now Ronan’sneighbor at the rental house, was a known busybody. But, hervigilance had helped save Maddy’s life last summer when she’dcaught intruders at Chase’s house.
“Yeah, she’s a real treasure. I’m surprisedher nose isn’t permanently turned up from pressing against herfront window all day.” Ronan found it easy to smile suddenly, moreat ease with people that knew him.
Although he and Chase had never been closebefore, they had a lot in common. Both had run far and fast fromSeaview as soon as they’d graduated from high school; both hadspent their years away surviving on adrenaline. Chase had beenmaking sure Ronan felt normal and welcome in his return. Hisexercise equipment still in the garage at the rental, Chase cameover every day to exercise.
