Valentine's Day

Chapter 13

Maddie tried not to be nervous about Brian picking her up to go to the beach but she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach. It was stupid. He had all but gotten it tattooed on his face that he didn't think about in her in that way. Still she took extra time plucking her eyebrows and applying subtle make up. She picked her favorite white swimsuit and sandals, covered by the cutest cotton sundress.

Luckily Larry had left for the morning so she wouldn't have to explain why she was seeing the guitar player after she adamantly denied any interest. Even more luck was on her side when he mother was invited to brunch with their neighbor.

The downside of that was that she'd have to answer the door herself when the doorbell rang. She practically tripped over herself as she went down the stairs. She collected herself and smoothed her dress.

"Only one box of Thin Mints this year, girls," Maddie said casually as she pulled it open "I'm on a diet."

Her heart just about stopped at the sight of him. The sun shine looked like it was radiating from his presence. He was clad in a cutoff gray T-shirt and a pair of tropical print board shorts. His dark hair was in disarray but he didn't seem to notice. He grinned from ear to ear.

"Just one?" he asked.

"I'm putting on show because I want to impress," she said motioning for him to come into the house. "Let me just get my bag."

He followed her into the living room. "Looks like Larry finally changed that hideous tile that came with the house."

"Oh yeah, my mom hated it, "she chuckled as she folded up her beach towel. "They had a hell of time choosing what to replace it with. They've argued over everything they've redecorated. I'm just glad they left the guest house as is."

He dropped himself into the lounger. "You're staying at the guest house?"

"Well yeah, I mean...I come over here to eat and stuff," she said stuffing her sunscreen in her bag. "I'm not stupid."

He lifted a dark eyebrow and she hoped he wasn't thinking about how he'd made a fool of her by kissing her. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. "I'm ready," she said pulling her bag onto her shoulder. "And just so we're clear," she pointed at him as him as he stood. "As long as we're hanging out, I just want you to know that I'm still not particularly happy with you. The only reason I'm going with you is because I felt sorry for you and your miserable divorce settlement face the other day."

He smiled at her honesty. He opened his mouth to reply when his attention was drawn to the ink scrawled across her right shoulder. He wondered quicky if it was the tattoo that she had asked if he wanted to see on that first night they met. It was a  tangle of a cherry blossom tree with brightly colored flowers. He had the sudden urge to press his lips against it. He cleared his throat. "I appreciate your pity," he said more rough than he intended.

She narrowed her eyes. "And since I'm doing this for you so you can get your much needed beach tan, I hope you don't spend the whole time ogling younger chicks in their bikinis."

He put his hands up in innocence. "Scouts honor. I won't do that."

She started walking toward him. "Just so we're clear."

And he didn't.

It was a hot, cloudless day, and he even provided a beach umbrella to protect her fair skin. They lay on towels listening to music, talking when they felt like it, and gazing out at the water when they didn't. Some of his fans interrupted, but not too many. Still, everyone seemed to want a piece of him. Maybe that was why she sensed an odd sort of loneliness beneath his oversize ego. 

When the sun began to move toward the West horizon, they packed up.

She clapped her flip flops together before putting them on her feet. 

"You hungry?" Brian asked after he finished loading the last of their stuff.

"A little," she replied as she folded up her towel.

"How about grabbing something to eat?" he asked.

Maddie was unsure about how she felt about that.  She didn't mind being a distraction at the beach but she wasn't sure she wanted to see how many women would throw themselves at him while they were eating. It would only serve to make her feel inferior.... Especially since he'd made it clear that he didn't find her the least bit attractive. "How about if I cook us something instead?" she blurted the offer.

A half grin came over his face. "You want me to come back to your parents house to eat?"

Hmm...now that he had said that aloud maybe that wasn't such a good idea. Larry wouldn't be happy about her bringing Brian home like a date. He'd specifically warned her to keep her distance from his client.

Before she could reply, he spoke again. "Why don't we do it at my house instead?"

Her eyes widened at his phrasing and he laughed out loud. "You have such a dirty mind, Maddie." He ran his gaze over her face and down her sundress. "But I happen to like that in a woman.

She could feel her face turn red but not out of embarrassment. His gaze was so intense that it was almost as if he'd touched her with his long musical fingers.  She shook the thought from her mind. "I didn't think...it was just a weird way to say that...but yeah, lets cook at your house."

His grin grew wider and he slid his eyes over her frame again ."We could just order in. What are you in the mood for?"

Maybe it was because she felt practically naked under his gaze and didn't like his attitude, or maybe she was just an idiot because she settled a hand on her hip, slid her eyes over him, and let the words slide off her tongue. "Something hot ...and...spicy."

He let out a devious laugh and gave her the wink that drove women out of their minds before dropping his eyes to the V of her sundress.

She shook her head and climbed into the car with the sound of his low chuckle reminding her that maybe this wasn't such a good idea.