Duke, page 13
Working together, Sage, Stone, Bowie, and Duke finished the greenhouse, replacing all the decaying boards and swapping out the old windows with new ones. Sage and Bowie had cleaned away the debris inside, painted the walls a fresh cream color, and washed the floor until it sparkled. When they unveiled the greenhouse to Susan, she’d been so thrilled she and Slate had gone into town to buy supplies to start gardening. When Sage inquired about the older couple’s relationship status, everyone said Slate and Susan were only friends—but with the way they bickered and teased like an already married couple, she wasn’t so sure that would be the case for long.
Besides keeping his eye on Sage, Duke had indulged his inner child, or person, whenever a free second had presented itself. In less than a week, he’d caught up on more than a dozen things he’d never done before, but his list seemed limitless.
They’d gone fishing in a stream behind Stone’s house, he’d taken her for a joyride through the woods on a four-wheeler, they’d hiked through the woods, and helped plant seedlings for the new greenhouse. He also did things and Sage simply sat back and watched. Susan had taught him to bake—whether he was good or not seemed to be up for discussion—and Slate had completed a puzzle with him.
Out of everything they’d done, today activity had to be her favorite afternoon adventure.
Duke had packed a picnic in the cooler and they’d walked back to the beach, just the two of them. He’d made it a point to strip down to his briefs. No pants or swim shorts, just his briefs. He stretched out on his towel under the sun. She tried her hardest not to laugh at him, but she loved this side of him. She loved him. Always had. And now she could see a future with him. She watched him develop this week from a man afraid of living into a man who basked in every opportunity to live.
“There are two things we have to discuss today,” he said out of the blue, one arm tucked behind his head propping it up as he soaked in the rays of sunlight.
Sage rolled on her side and propped herself up on her elbow and rested her cheek in her hand. “Is it the fact you don’t know the difference between which to pack for a day at the beach, swim shorts or briefs?”
The side of his mouth lifted into a smile that he did more often now, but he didn’t look at her, not that she’d see his eyes through his sunglasses anyway. “I know the difference.”
“You really nailed it today.” She let her eyes run slowly down his amazing body. Every part of him was a sexy bulging muscle she wanted to run her fingers over, or lick with her tongue. Maybe she should offer to rub more sun block on all the areas he couldn’t reach and even the ones he could. Although watching him stretch to apply it earlier had also been a delicious treat.
Hot damn, the man must work out more than he breathed. She’d love to spend a day at the gym —watching him pump weights.
“You know I don’t do anything without a reason,” he said, bringing her back down from her cloud of heaven.
Her insides lit on fire at the possibility of what he could be referring to. The closest they’d come to touching was her wrapping her arms around his waist on the four-wheeler.
“We can discuss our next move in your case. I’ve been researching all week because I didn’t like the direction the detective was taking on your case and I’ve run some angles by my men.”
Ohhh, he had “men.” As much as she wanted to know more, she didn’t like discussing the sour topic when they were only a couple feet apart and stripped down to briefs and a bikini. On the other hand, if he had possible leads, or ideas, she wanted to hear them. The faster they found the person who killed Dean, the sooner the threat on her and her mother’s life would be over and they could move on.
Would that mean moving on from Duke? Did he have other plans in his future? A new job? Would this be the end of their road? Another fling, but without the amazing hot sex? She cringed. That seemed almost worse.
“Or we can talk about our bubble,” he said, still not looking at her, and missing the excitement that lit her face. All her previous thoughts washed away with hope.
Was that code for their future? Did he want one? With her?
“That’s a tough decision,” she teased.
He rolled on his side to face her. “Is it?” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and his hand lingered at the side of her face. “I wanted to kiss you the last time we were in the water.” His eyes swept down her body. “I wanted to do much, much more, but we needed to be in the same place.”
She licked her lips. “What place are you in right now?”
“I had considered taking on a political client after this job.”
“That could be interesting.” She lacked the enthusiasm she’d hoped for. A political client would be an amazing opportunity for him, but the grueling hours of a bodyguard left little time for a relationship or family ... if he wanted either of those things. She maintained her smile, refusing to ruin his future plans when he’d let lose so much this week. If anything, he let the Zen of life into his body and had explored the possibilities of his future. She needed to respect that.
Duke traced one finger over the arm she had resting on the towel. “But I realize now, I don’t owe the world my services. I used to thrive on the job and think if I protected people maybe I could be forgiven for what happened to my siblings. But the idea of spending my days chasing behind strangers doesn’t appeal to me anymore.”
“What would you do?”
He shrugged and the sun glistened off his shoulder. “I don’t know yet, but I have enough money saved that I could retire early and decide as I go.”
“Maybe you could get into construction.”
He made a disapproving face at her.
“You’re damn sexy holding a drill and climbing a ladder.”
“Construction doesn’t interest me. I don’t care what I do, but I know I want to spend the rest of my life doing it with you.”
Her lips parted. He sat up, clutched her hands, and pulled her into a sitting position across from him.
“Sage, I know it’s fast. I know I don’t have all my shit together, but I’m not asking you to move in with me or get married—yet—I’m telling you that I might not have fully understood what the meaning behind the word love was before, but I understand it now.”
Her hands began to tremble under his, and as if he felt it, his thumbs rubbed circles on the tops of her hands.
“And I know I loved you the first time I said it, but I was too scared to commit to what that meant. But I’m ready now to start something I shouldn’t have walked away from all those years ago. If you’re ready too, I thought we should start by going on a date.”
“Isn’t that what this is?”
“No. I want you to get dressed up because tonight we’re going out.”
“Going out? In public?” She could barely contain her excitement of wanting to jump up and down.
“Yes,” he said.
She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes. I would love to go on a date with you.”
He caught her lips with his and his gentle touch turned her excitement into desire.
“It’s a suit and tie sort of night,” he said against her mouth.
“I’m sure I can find something in Susan’s daughter’s closet.”
“Pack a bag because we’re not coming back tonight.”
She couldn’t wait. “It’s been a few hours; would you like me to rub more sun block on you?”
“Maybe after.”
“After what?”
“We take a dip in the water and I kiss you like I wanted to last time.” He stood, yanked her to her feet and flipped her over his shoulder in one swift move. She squealed when he slapped her behind as he carried her to the water.
Chapter Twenty-Three
DUKE HADN’T TOLD Sage where they were spending the evening. As he drove away from Susan’s house, he looked like he was enjoying his little secret. She enjoyed this relaxed side of him.
As they toured through Willow Valley, this time Sage had the opportunity to enjoy the view. She liked the small and quaint feeling of the town and each charming house they passed reminded her of Susan’s. The flower pots, street lights and small shops along the water were the exact description of what a small town should be.
Duke parked beside a bar that had their open sign turned off. “We’re here,” he said, unbuckling.
“Where’s here?”
He grinned. “Buck’s.”
When he hopped out, she looked back at the bar. The wooden sign above the door read, “Bucky’s Bar” and to the side was a fenced-in patio area which was painted pink and turquoise.
Duke opened the door and helped her climb out in her black high heels. She looked at her grey, off-the-shoulder, long sleeves dress with a ruched waistline and his designer suit. They were totally overdressed for a local bar with festively carved tiki-adorned archway. He held her hand as they walked to the door.
“I think they’re closed,” she said.
He pulled a key out of his jacket. “They are. I rented the whole place just for us.”
“Oh.” Was now the time to tell him she didn’t drink? It was part of her recovery.
He stuck the key in the lock and the door popped open. He stepped aside, holding the door. “After you.”
She’d been expecting the sort of party place for tourists to stay up until the early hours of morning, she hadn’t expected the candlelit room with strings of lights draped along the ceiling.
“It might not be fancy, but it’s only us, and everything we need to enjoy ourselves.” He lifted her hand and pointed around the room with it. “A pool table, darts, and even a jukebox.” He kissed her hand when a clambering sound came from the kitchen. “And Buck is here. He’s cooking supper for us.”
Sage smiled, not sure what she’d expected tonight, but knowing it hadn’t been this, but not wanting to be anywhere else in the world with anyone else.
“What should we do first?” She set her clutch on a nearby table.
“Drinks,” he said, and walked to a table with two wine glasses and a bottle of wine.
“Duke ...”
He poured her a glass and handed it to her.
“I don’t drink alcohol.”
“Taste it.” He sipped his drink and she sipped hers, her eyes never leaving his. A fruity, non-alcoholic liquid spilled on her taste buds.
“I know sweet Sage.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Before we eat, I’d like to show you something.”
Again, her hand was in his, and she loved twining her fingers in his. He passed the pool table, the darts and even the jukebox as they walked up the stairs on one side of the band stage. He left her in the middle of the stage and pulled a stool from the edge.
“Sit,” he said, and when she did, he positioned a microphone stand beside her.
“What are you doing?”
Bent down in front of her on one knee, he played with buttons on the microphone. “We’re going to do the one thing your dad wouldn’t do with you.”
“Sing? No.” She hadn’t sang since she decided her father was dead to her and she wasn’t about to start now. She started to stand and Duke caught her, keeping her in her seat.
“Don’t run from this.” He kissed her nose before he stood and grabbed another stool and guitar and then sat beside her.
“What are you doing with that?” She eyed the acoustic guitar.
He sat down and impressed her as he strummed his fingers over the strings. “I’m going to play and you’re going to sing.”
“Duke, I haven’t sung in years.”
He chuckled, his attention on tuning the guitar. “You sing every time you’re in the shower.” He looked up with a grin. “Besides, it’s just you and me here and I love your voice. As long as you don’t mind a little sloppy guitarist.”
She had to admit, she was curious to hear him play. “Okay. What are you playing?”
“How about One Blank Step’?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Man, you have it bad for Dean.”
He shrugged. “I read somewhere in an interview once where he said he wrote that song with his best friend when they decided to take the next step in his career. Your mom’s name might not have been on the label, but if you listen closely to the words, whose voice do you hear?”
Without letting her reply, his fingers impressively stroked the familiar tune. He played the intro, humming along with the guitar. When the time came for her to sing, she couldn’t.
He looked at her and played the last section again, giving her an encouraging nod to jump in when she was ready. It took three more tries before she let her father’s words pass by her lips. Her voice came out cracked and quiet, but the microphone amplified her sound. Her eyes didn’t leave Duke’s caring eyes. She listened to Duke’s suggestion and actually listened to the lyrics. He’d been right. She could hear her mother’s words, her outlook on life, her approach and positivity of taking the next steps in life when you didn’t know what was waiting around the corner. Much like the steps she and Duke were taking.
When the song finished, she said, “I didn’t know you played guitar.”
“My mom loved music and dancing. She taught me to play and when my dad wasn’t home, we’d make our own music and my sister would dance around the house.”
“You’re very good.”
“I’m not Dean good.”
She reached across and touched his knee. “You’re better than Dean good, you’re Duke good and that’s way more impressive and inspiring. Want to do another song?”
He strummed the strings and they moved away from her father’s music.
“NO WAIT!” SAGE CRIED out in a fit of laughter that Duke could listen to forever. “Do it again.”
“Woman, we are moving on.” He looked back up at the television screen on the back of the stage for the next dance move, but Sage pulled his arm.
“No. Do the floss again.” Her cheeks lit up a bright red color, some from practising the moves on the screen, but mostly from laughing.
“You do the floss again,” he said.
“Together.” She moved in front of him. “Ready?” She waited for his reluctant nod. “Okay, on three. One, two, three.” He let her floss alone and she squealed her disappointment, playfully slapping his chest. “Jerk.”
“I’m out of here,” Buck walked on the stage and across their screen. “I’ve cleaned up the kitchen and left out a tray of snacks for you.”
Sage wrapped her arm around Duke’s waist and leaned into him. “Thanks again for supper, Buck. It was delicious.”
“For you, sweetheart, anytime.” He winked at her as he ducked into the DJ’s glass paneled room which overlooked the stage and dance floor. “But let me tell you.” His voice echoed over the speaker. “This dance lesson you’re watching belongs to the community for when the old cronies around town come in Sunday mornings. You two need something romantic. Something with pizzazz.”
Sage tilted her head up to Duke and mouthed the word “pizzazz” with a smile he wanted to kiss.
“You need something to put you in the mood so you don’t waste that room you reserved.”
“You reserved a room here?” she whispered to Duke.
“With a pull out sofa, so don’t feel pressured. I don’t want to sleep on that small bunk again. It’s not a fancy hotel, but it’s nice.”
A slow tune filtered through the radio before Buck slipped out the restaurant’s back door with a little wave.
Duke took Sage’s hand, first giving her a little spin before pulling her flush against his body and heating a wild fire between them. She fit perfectly, molded to his body like she was meant to be there. They slowly swayed on the dance floor. When one song ended, another started, and even though they were all slow songs, sometimes Sage would get a little wild and dance off on her own. She’d even taken off her high heels. Duke found himself mesmerized as he watched her lucid body move.
She stopped in front of him and ran her finger down his front. “When do I get to see this room?”
“Whenever you want.”
“How about right now? Maybe we can raid the fridge for some dessert to take up.”
He picked up her shoes, his jacket and collected their overnight bags before they snuck into the kitchen. Buck had left a basket of fresh strawberries on the counter beside a can of whipped cream.
Sage bit into a strawberry. “I like the way this man thinks,” she said, licking her full lips.
Duke carried the dessert as he led her to the back doorway and up the stairs to the room he’d rented.
Inside, Sage found the record player and flipped through the LP titles.
Duke dropped their bags by the front door and untied his shoes. He set the strawberries and whipped cream on the counter and found Sage again moving with the music.
She caught him staring and laughed. “I love music. I get it from Dean, but I haven’t danced or really listened to music in so long. Maybe because it reminded me of him.”
“How are you handling his death?”
She stopped moving. “I don’t feel anything. I know it sounds heartless, but I had to stop caring about him when I moved on. I know he was my dad, but I think it was harder when I was trying to get his attention. Like I felt sad all the times he rejected me, that now, I don’t feel anything.”
She looked ashamed of something she shouldn’t.
“It will affect my mom, even if she claims it doesn’t. He was her person and I don’t really think she ever moved on.”
That was unfortunate for Celeste.
“No more about my mom and Dean. Come dance with me.”
THEY DANCED FOR WHAT felt like hours. Their bodies swayed together in perfect unison.
When he finally kissed her, she felt lost in him.
“It’s always been quick.” He gently kissed her mouth. “Secretive.” He nibbled on her chin. “Tonight—” He kissed her throat, sprinkling slow, meaningful kisses that trailed down her neck. “I want to kiss every part of your body.” His lips charged heated desire across her bare shoulders. He spun her around and pulled her back against his front and whispered in her ear, “I want to take my time and love every part of you.”
