Conception (The Wellingtons, #4) Read online

  The contrast between his bad-boy good looks and the sheepish expression on his face has my insides twisting in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. His hand still rests on my knee, so I take the opportunity to cover it with my own. One quick glance down is all it takes for those butterflies to take flight in my belly. My hand looks to tiny compared to his, and I adore it.

  Okay, maybe he was right to warn me from the get-go. Getting my head in the clouds for an unavailable man is not how I want to spend my summer.

  Being a rebound? Now, that I can handle.

  “I think you’re doing just fine, Knox. Consider me charmed already.”

  Before he can answer, a guy who could practically be his twin walks up and orders a drink from Sunny. He turns to us, giving me a once-over before looking at Knox. “Damn, bro. Not only does it appear that you won, but you picked the prettiest girl in Crystal Cove.” Just as the words leave his lips, his beer shows up. He gestures towards Sunny. “Aside from you, of course.”

  He tosses a couple of bills on the bar, raises his glass to us, then saunters off towards the pool table.

  Knox rolls his eyes, but I’m interested in what the man said.

  Toying with my straw, I study him. “What did he mean you won?”

  Thick fingers run through his hair in an enticing way that makes me want to do the same. “Pardon my turkey of a brother. He also had no confidence in my approach to the ladies, so the idiot bet me I couldn’t get a girl’s number. Which, mind you, I haven’t asked for yet.”

  I grab a cocktail napkin, dig a pen out my purse, and hurriedly jot down the number to the lake house. Then I fold it in half and push it across the bar to Knox, who looks confused. “There you go, Knox. You’ll win your bet. Now, just do me one favor: Don’t bother using it.”

  It practically kills me to turn back to the bar, setting my shoulders. Just like I thought. Cocky. Arrogant. Too damn good to be true.

  Sunny frowns in my direction and I just shake my head at her.

  This time, his hand touches my wrist. I try my hardest to ignore the electric spark it elicits. It’s not him, I convince myself. Just that someone after so long is touching me.

  I sigh. I’m not nearly as convincing as I’d hoped.

  “Hey, don’t be so prickly, sweetheart. It was just something stupid between me and my brother. Bet or not, I’d still have come over here to meet the most beautiful girl in all of Tennessee. I told you earlier today I’d find you, and I’d come for you, so when I saw you, I knew it was a win. Hell, I didn’t even think of the bet until Clay just mentioned it. It was just you.” He scoots his barstool back. “But I’m also a man of my word. I told you if you didn’t want me coming around, I’d leave you be. It was good meeting you, Amelia. I’ll see you around.”

  And just like that, my heart plummets. The last thing I want is for him to leave. The earnest sound in his voice causes me to twist my barstool until our eyes meet. Good, those browns remind me of a puppy I once saw in a pet store window, just begging for a chance.

  I lean forward to kiss Knox’s cheek, not even minding the stubble that scratches my skin. In fact, I feel like a cat who wants to do nothing but lean up against the rough terrain, rubbing up and down until every unsatisfied itch has been scratched. When I pull back, I give him a wink.

  “I’m just messing with you, Knox. It’s perfectly understandable.” I glance over to the pool table, where his brother is leaning against the wall, a pool stick in hand. “Even more so, I appreciate that you’re a man of your word. But I think I’m over playing hard to get. I’m attracted to you, and since I’ve decided you’re likely not a serial killer, I wouldn’t mind seeing more of you this summer.”

  His infectious answering grins sends those butterflies into a tailspin. “Good. Because I’d have to kick his ass if he ruined…whatever this is,” he says. “For now, I should probably go rescue him from losing all his money our first night here. He’s not exactly the best pool player but never turns down a bet. Plus, you just admitted your attraction and I don’t want my stupid mouth changing your mind.”

  I grin, because even though I’d rather Knox stay right here and talk to me all night, it’s sweet he has affection for his brother. And since he’s currently playing a game with Joe, who’s been playing pool since he could practically walk, I don’t doubt his brother is losing money.

  “Clearly your brother needs help. Admirable you’d take up that cause. It’s been nice chatting with you. Now, go back to your brother, tell him mission accomplished, and give me a call sometime. I look forward to hearing from you.” I lower my voice. “Especially when the mood strikes me.”

  He tugs his lower lip in between his teeth as he contemplates my words. Then he rises from his stool and throws a few bills on the counter before turning back to me. “And I, Amelia, look forward to gettin’ you in the mood.”

  Even after our flirtatious exchange, I don’t have the courage to tell him he’s already succeeded.

  EVEN THOUGH I’D RATHER SPEND my night getting to know Amelia better, I walk away with the intention of calling her the next day. When I make it back to Clay, he’s negotiating terms for the next game. As soon as he sees me, he asks the guy he’s playing with if he wants to do doubles. I stand by as the man, who my brother introduces as Joe, whistles to one of his buddies, Amelia’s number burning a hole in my back pocket. As much as I want to slam it down in front of my brother and gloat that he still won’t be touching my bike, I keep my cool. I grab a pool stick off the wall to join in, all the while trying not to be so apparent at sneaking peeks at the woman who just made this summer away seem a little more enjoyable.

  “First day here and she’s already caught your eye?” Joe asks, and I realize my glances to Amelia aren’t as conspicuous as I’d hoped.

  I find his watchful expression curious. “You know her?”

  He nods. “Yeah, man. She used to spend every summer here. Haven’t seen her in a few years. Not since the accident.” He pauses, something unreadable crossing his features. “Girl behind the bar is Sunny. She’s mine. She and Amelia have been thick as thieves since they were little. So, yeah, I know her pretty well. Can’t say I’ve ever seen her flirt with a man before.”

  I hone in on what he said before. “Accident?”

  Joe shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything. That’s Amelia’s story to tell.” He rubs the back of his neck. “All I know is, if anyone deserves summer fun, it’s her.”

  “I’m not looking for anything…” I begin, and he grins.

  “That’s why I said summer. You know, the one where you get all hot and bothered for three months then head back to wherever you’re from with nothin’ but fond memories and jackin’ material.”

  Clay chooses that moment to butt into our conversation. He throws an arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, Knox. Maybe you can finally retire your magazine collection. I call dibs on Lois Chiles.”

  I brush him off, and Joe laughs at the mention of my favorite Bond girl to date. I reply, “Hey, who doesn’t love a girl named Holly Goodhead?”

  Apparently on the Bond train, Clay looks over to where Amelia is now leaning across the bar and chatting with the bartender. She pushes a stray lock of golden hair behind her ear and smiles at something the girl said.

  “I think she’s more Tatiana Romanova,” Clay says. “Maybe with a little Jill Masterson mixed in.”

  I sigh. “Such a bummer about the gold paint.”

  Who’d have thought that painting the one of the sexiest Bond girls in gold paint would cause her to die from skin asphyxiation?

  “Total drag,” Joe agrees, giving me a fist bump.

  And just like that, we’ve bonded over, well, Bond.

  Clay and I manage to lose only twenty bucks to the guys, which Joe declines when I go to hand him the cash.

  “Seein’ as my dad owns this joint, I don’t generally like takin’ money from payin’ customers. But you wanna spend that twenty on some brews, I’m not gonna figh
t you.” He glances at the clock on the wall and whistles. “Better hurry if you’re gonna. My girl’s gonna be declarin’ last call pretty soon.”

  Clay goes to swipe the cash from my hand, but I’m quick enough to stop him. “Come on, Knox. Let me go over there and order. Get to know that pretty lady a little better,” he insists, wagging his eyebrows up and down.

  It’s not that I’m jealous or think his charms will work on Amelia. Lord knows he hasn’t got eyes for anyone but Maria. It’s just that, all night, ever since I left her, Clay’s been the one to get refills from the bar for us. This time, now that I know the night’s about to end, I want to be the last one to tell her goodnight. The last one on her mind. At least, that’s what I hope. And hope she’ll have sweet fucking dreams about me, too.

  “Not a chance, moron,” I tell him, pushing my pool stick into his chest. “And considering it’s my twenty you lost, it’s my turn.”

  His lips quirk up, his eyes full of amusement, probably from the amount of beer he’s had to drink. “I have a feeling this is going to be one interesting summer for you. I’m almost sad to miss it.”

  Joe asks what Clay means. I leave my brother to explain that he’s only here for the week.

  I turn towards the bar to see Amelia watching me. She’s holding her glass, using two fingers to grasp the straw that’s about to nestle between glossy lips. Lips I suddenly crave to taste. Instead of taking the stool next to her, I rest my hip against the counter sideways so I’m facing her. The way she gazes up at me beneath dark, long lashes readies my cock to attention. Hell, if she’d drop her gaze even a little bit, she’d be able to tell.

  Sunny arrives before I can say anything. “You boys must’ve worked up quite a thirst playin’ all that pool,” she says, glancing down at the twenty I threw on the bar top.

  “You know it. Joe and Sam won, so whatever he’d like. It’s on me. Rest is for you, darlin’.”

  She grins and tosses me a saucy wink. “You got it, boss.”

  Amelia’s nibbling on her lower lip when my attention returns to her. Forget tasting those plump lips. Fuck, I want them wrapped around my cock. I want her wrapped around my cock.

  As if she’s read my mind, she sets her drink down and arches an eyebrow at me. “Holly Goodhead?” she asks, her tone playful.

  “Better than Pussy Galore, right?”

  Her golden curls bounce as her shoulders shake with laughter. “I suppose you’re right. But rather than a Bond girl, couldn’t I be compared to Olivia Newton-John or Debbie Harry?”

  “Can you sing?”

  “Only in the shower or when drowned out by hundreds of other at a concert.”

  An impulsive thought pops into my head. “Speaking of concerts, one of my dad’s golfing buddies gave him tickets for the Knoxville stop on Journey’s Departure Tour. It’s not until the end of August, so I don’t know where you’ll be by then, but if you want to go, one of the tickets has your name on it.”

  Amelia’s eyes widen; then she blows out a breath. “As much as I love Steve Perry, I’m not sure I can accept. After all, you’re not looking for anything beyond a summer fling. The end of August might be pushing it.”

  It’s a struggle to hold my groan back. “So you heard all that?”

  She leans forward, bright-green eyes staring at me. “It’s not a big place, Knox. I could hear almost everything. Joe was right about one thing. I don’t usually flirt. Not my style. In summers past, you could usually find me with my nose stuck in a book or alongside Sunny, doing something scandalous. Her, of course. I just watched.”

  My lips twitch and I think about how Clay reminded me that I’m out of practice. He wasn’t wrong. “Ah. Not usually a flirt. So is that what you’re doing with me?”

  “Of course not. I’m just sucking on this straw because of my oral fixation.”

  There goes my cock again. Without thinking, I take the straw from between her teeth and place it in my back pocket. “Sorry, babe, but you saying ‘oral fixation’ while this is between your lips is something I’m never going to forget.”

  “So you need a memento?”

  I lean forward, my lips nearly brushing her earlobe. “I need a lot more than that, but for now, I’ll settle for the straw and the vision of what you’ve been doing to it all night.”

  Sunny interrupts the moment to drop the drinks off, and just as I’m about to pick them up for delivery, I have one last thought.

  “Hey, speaking of Sandy, which one are you? The goody two-shoes who wears poodle skirts and cardigans, or the naughty one in leather pants, big hair, and high heels?”

  She sucks down the rest of her drink just as Sunny declares it’s closing time. “Sorry, stud, but you’re going to have find that one out on your own.”

  With a wink, she hops off her stool, hooks her purse over her shoulder, and heads behind the bar and through a back door, disappearing from sight.

  A hand slaps me on the shoulder. I turn to see Joe grinning at me.

  “Damn, dude. I’ve never seen her smile like that. Don’t worry. I’ll get her and Sunny home in one piece. See you ’round.”

  I nod, because, yeah, if Sunny and Amelia are inseparable, he’ll definitely be seeing a lot of me.

  As Clay and I walk back to the lake house, he’s serenading the night with his terrible rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Maria (You Were the Only One).”

  “Clay, she’s not gone. She’s back at home waiting for you,” I remind him.

  He stops and holds a hand on my shoulder. “She’s my sweet little sunflower. Without her…”

  He hums the note, clearly trying to remember the rest of the lyrics.

  “Without her, your life is through?”

  He snaps his fingers. “Exactly! I miss her.”

  “It’s been less than a day, Clay.”

  He sighs. “Exactly,” he repeats. “You’ll understand one day, Knox. One day.”

  I roll my eyes and let him continue until we’re back at the house and he plops down on the sofa. He’ll feel great in the morning. Leaving him be, I head down the hall to my room.

  I place the napkin with her number and the straw on my nightstand. Joe wasn’t lying. I’ve already got plenty of ‘jackin’ material’ and I haven’t even seen the damn woman naked.

  Yeah, this summer is definitely looking up.

  I’M NOT SURE IF I’M buzzed from the several rum and Cokes I consumed or the magnetic attraction I have towards Knox. Either way, I’m practically floating as Joe walks Sunny and me back to my grandparents’ lake house. The two of them smooch on the porch for a couple of moments, and just as I’m about to head inside to give them some privacy, Joe calls out my name.

  “Nice to see you smilin’ tonight,” he tells me, a crooked grin on his face. “And for what it’s worth, Knox seems like a good dude.”

  I lean against the doorjamb and shrug, because even though I want to get to know the man better, I don’t want to appear too eager in front of my friends. “You could tell that from a first impression?”

  “You know what they say. You can tell a lot about a person from first impressions. And it’s obvious the guy has the hots for you. I’m thinkin’ you’re into him as well.”

  Sunny places a hand on top of his head and pretends to give him a noogie. “Okay, big guy. Leave Amelia alone. It’s her first night here, and if anyone is going to get the gossip, it’s gonna be me.” She gives him one last peck, and I give him a wave before promising to make him breakfast in the morning followed by a long day of lounging by the water.

  A short while later, Sunny’s rolling my hair in curlers and my nails are a delicious siren red. Though I should be wiped out, I’m curiously energetic, a bundle of nerves swirling throughout my body. Guess a new crush will do that to you.

  “So, what happened with Robert?” Sunny asks.

  I look at her in the mirror. She’s paying attention to my hair, not me. “Oh. That. Oh, well, you know, sometimes things just don’t work out.”


  “You guys were together for two years,” she reminds me.

  I wave her off. “Something happened when he turned twenty-five. It’s like he went from wanting to just have fun to suddenly wanting a wife. A family.”

  Sunny pauses, her fingers in mid-curl, and catches my eyes in the mirror. “And I’m guessing you weren’t ready for that?”

  I shrug. “Not at all. Don’t get me wrong. I want a family of my own someday—just not any time soon. Plus, dating Robert was fun when it didn’t seem like it was anything serious. As soon as he started pressuring me for more of a commitment, I realized just how much I didn’t love him. I still want to travel the world, taking photos in all the places Mom dreamed about.”

  She squeezes my shoulder. “And you will. Hopefully I can tag along with you to a few exotic locations.”

  I laugh. “Sure, Sunny. If you can leave Joe long enough.”

  “Girl, we’re too young to settle down now.”

  I give her a pointed look. “Right, because I totally believe, now that you’re head-over-heels in love with Joe, you’re going to want to jet-set across the world to watch me take some photos.”

  A coy grin crosses her lips. “I’m not sayin’ we’re headed to the chapel quite yet, but do I think Joe’s the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with? Hell yes.”

  “I really am happy for you, Sunny. And whenever you do decide to head to the chapel, I’ll be right there with you, cheering you on. Just don’t expect me to follow suit.”

  “I’m sorry things with Robert went south, but hey, it frees you up for real good fun this summer. And since you and that hunk are both just visiting for the season, you don’t have to worry about it blossoming into anything else. In fact, it seems like a perfect situation to me.”

  I don’t tell Sunny that Knox has already given me more butterflies in a mere couple of hours than Robert did over the past two years. Because it’s not his fault. It was entirely mine. I should’ve ended things a lot time ago. It’s just… He was comfortable. Secure. Safe in a world where I had no one but Grams. When we did break up, I felt unexpected relief.