All of You (A Well Paired Novel Book 7) Page 9

Her smug smile caused another stir in him, only this time it wasn’t below the belt. The stirring was in his chest. He plucked two plastic menus from behind the napkin holder and handed one to Hailey.

  “Humor me. I haven’t eaten in nearly eighteen hours, but I have enough manners not to eat in front of someone. How about a pancake? A piece of toast?”

  “No, thank you.” The lightness was gone from her face, a shadow of insecurity taking its place.

  He’d dated a few women who had a weird issues about eating in front of a guy. Those relationships didn’t last past the first date. He’d hate if Hailey was one of those women.

  “Okay.” He put the menus back, and Scilla came rushing over like she’d been stalking them, waiting for her chance to pry again. Not that he’d ever accuse her of prying. She was friendly and lovely and nosy, was all.

  “What can I get for you, hun?” she asked Hailey.

  “Oh, I already ate. Carter is hungry, though.”

  “Coffee’s fine, Scilla.”

  “Hmpfh,” she said with a scowl and left them without another word. Odd for Scilla.

  “Why aren’t you eating?”

  “I told you I won’t eat alone.”

  “You also said you haven’t eaten in eighteen hours. A bit of an exaggeration?”

  “Not at all.” He told her about Hennington and Dexter’s complicated legal matters, the urgency to rebrand the attorney’s firm, and the unanswered emails he still needed to get to.

  “So why brunch today when you have a million things to do? And why haven’t you eaten? That’s not healthy.”

  “Right back atcha.”

  “I did eat.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Egg white omelet with ham, mushrooms, spinach, and cheese. Every. Single. Day.”

  “What about lunch? It’s almost noon.”

  “I don’t eat breakfast until after ten and lunch consists of...” She trailed off, an uneasiness in her voice. Lifting her chin, she squared her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “A protein shake. And then I have a lean dinner. I’m not doing the keto diet exactly, but I am very strict with my carbs.”

  “I suppose French toast and pancakes aren’t on your meal plan.”

  “They used to be.”

  “Okay, I respect that. I’d hate to be forced to eat something I was trying to stay away from.” He thought about her refusal to drink alcohol the few times he and his friends had tried to push it on her. No wonder the woman turned a one-eighty on him so often.

  Carter took the menu out again. “How about a cup of vegetable stew or tomato soup?”

  “What’s in the vegetable stew?”

  Like he knew she would the minute they took out the menus again, Scilla scooted over. “Did I hear you ask about my vegetable stew?”

  “Do you make it from scratch?”

  “Sure do. I’ve had to change up my menu lately with healthy eating being all the fad these days. Everyone and their mother’s afraid of clogged arteries, high cholesterol, and fat. Look at me. Pushing seventy and thriving off the devil’s trifecta.”

  That brought some life back to Hailey’s face. “Pushing seventy? I was just telling Carter how I thought you couldn’t be a day over fifty.”

  “She’s a sweet one, this girl. Violet.”

  “It’s Hailey. You must be mixing my name up with one of Carter’s previous ... business meetings.”

  Scilla tipped her head back, and a dry, cackle of a laugh erupted from her ribs. “You’re a hoot, hun. Got some blue mixed in there with the violet. A loving soul, you are. Now about my soup. Chicken stock and root vegetables is all. Onions, celery, mushrooms, carrots, parsnips, butternut squash and buckets of fresh herbs from one of our local farmers.”

  “That sounds lovely. May I have a bowl, please?”

  “Sure thing. And for you, sunshine?”

  “I’ll have a bowl of soup as well, and a BLT.”

  “Rye bread and toasted?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You two carry on. I’ll be back with your soup.”

  “She’s known you since you were a little boy?”

  “Yeah. A bit of the town character, and we love her for it. Sweet as a cinnamon bun and as straight forward as, well, I don’t know who to compare her to other than herself.”

  Scilla brought out their soup, and they talked about their work and future projects over lunch. His phone rang three times during their meal, and he’d ignored it the entire time.

  “Answer your phone. I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”

  Hailey got up and left, and he took out his phone. “Hello?”

  “Good afternoon. May I speak with Carter Marshall, please.”

  “Speaking.” The real human on the other end surprised him. Normally his phone rang with computerized telemarketers vying for information.

  “Mr. Marshall. My name is Paul Freeman of Acadia Falls Resort. I was given your name by one of our guests.”

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Freeman?”

  “My wife and I recently completed a major renovations project at our resort, and we’re planning on extensive media coverage next month. However, our consultant recommended we revamp our website and social media accounts first.”

  “How soon are you looking to have this done?”

  “Next week. Monday.”

  Carter covered his mouth to hide his laugh. “Next week is, uh, soon.”

  “We aren’t the most organized when it comes to these matters, hence the last-minute plea. You were highly recommended, and we will pay you handsomely for your services.”

  They quoted a price, and he did an inner whistle. They paid better than Hennington. He could work some all-nighters and juggle a few projects around. Nothing on his plate was immediately pressing.

  “I can email you a contract, and we’ll have to go over what it is exactly you’d like done.”

  “Actually, we prefer you to work on site. We’d like to put you up in one of our finest suites for three days to capture the true essence of our resort. It is quite unique. There isn’t any place like it in the northeast. Are you able to photograph the compound as well? My wife and I use minimal technology and aren’t skilled to capture the amenities as they deserve.”

  What kind of business owner ran their resort in today’s day and age without technology? Hailey stepped out from the bathroom hallway, and Scilla stopped to talk with her. Carter overheard violet and blue and help save the world. He’d let the two have their privacy as they talked about color hues.

  “Actually...” He leaned back in his seat and stretched his free hand across the back of the empty chair next to him. “I know of an excellent photographer. I can see if her schedule is free.”

  “That would be wonderful, Mr. Marshall, but we only have the one suite free and, well, we’re quite particular with the guests we have here.”

  “Particular in what way?”

  “We’re a couples’ resort. We focus on enhancing and restoring marriages.”

  His gaze caressed Hailey’s curves, her strong, muscular thighs and hour-glass shape. She was all woman, this beauty with the magical eyes. “What if I told you she was my fiancé?”

  “Oh, well, we don’t normally do this kind of thing, but if you’re able to work for us on such short notice, I’m sure we can make an exception.”

  “Email me your budget and list of requests, and I’ll work on my ... fiancé.”

  Carter disconnected the call and tucked the phone in his pocket with a smile. “Now this is going to be fun.”

  “THEY’RE PUTTING ME up for three days so I can take pictures of their resort?” This offer sounded almost too good to be true. “Where is it?”

  “Good question.” Carter took out his phone and tapped a few buttons. “Not far, really. An island off of Bar Harbor.”

  “What’s it called?”

  “Acadia Falls Resort.”

  She took out her phone and did a quick Google search. The webs
ite was less than to be desired, and there were only a few pictures on it. Two were bird’s-eye views of the island; nothing specific to the resort, and the third was of the couple, Paul and Lenora Freeman. Hippies right out of Woodstock, if she were to guess.

  “It says it’s a couples’ resort—”

  “To enhance and restore relationships.”

  She looked up at him in surprise. “You know about it?”

  “Only for the past five minutes.”

  “Do you know the couple who run it?”

  “Nope.”

  “So why did they call you if they wanted to hire me?”

  “That’s the thing.” He rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “They want to hire both of us. Me for the website and social media, you for the content. They recently renovated and want to showcase what they’ve got.”

  “You’re going too?” This could be trouble. Or all her fantasies could come true.

  “They’re paying well.”

  There was something he wasn’t telling her. His gaze dipped from hers, and he picked up the toothpick on his plate, fiddling with it.

  “How much is well?”

  “They’re sending me the contract.”

  “What about my contract?”

  “I’ll have them send one to you as well.”

  “And?”

  “They’d like us to stay there from Monday through Wednesday.”

  “So you said.”

  “They only have one suite available.”

  Aaaand there it was. At least he was being up front about it. She more than wanted to sleep with him, so that wasn’t the problem. Unless he’d changed his mind.

  “I’ll sleep on the couch. Or an air mattress. The floor. It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to make you ... uh, ask you... I won’t do anything to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  If he’d been an arrogant jackass assuming he would be getting in her pants, it would be much easier to keep him out of her pants. The fact that he was being gentlemanly made her want him to be anything but a gentleman. This reverse psychology stuff was messing with her head.

  “I pretty much propositioned you last week.”

  Carter lifted his head, the quirk in his lip lifting as well. “I remember.”

  “I’m not a prude, but I don’t sleep around. I’m up front with a man when I want to sleep with him. And when I don’t. Sex is just sex. It doesn’t mean anything more than that, if you’re worried I’d look into this as something more. Unless sex is off the table now. I’d completely understand that as well. No hard feelings.”

  There. She laid her cards on the table. There was no chance she could get hurt now, no matter how he responded. Either he was up for sex or not. Whatever.

  “You completely understand?”

  His question confused her. “Yeah. Sure.”

  “Why completely?”

  “People change their minds. As long as it’s not during the act, I’m okay with that.”

  “Trust me, Hailey. When ... and it will be when, we’re in the act, I won’t be changing my mind.”

  Oh. If eyes could smolder... Wishing the air conditioner was on, she mentally fanned herself. “Okay. So sex is on the table.”

  Carter scanned the empty bowls and plates on the table with a smirk. “I had a different table in mind.”

  “Funny.” Yes. Funny was good. Humor would keep the emotions out of it. “Table sex is a possibility.” As long as it was a sturdy table. Very sturdy.

  “I’m not going to be able to look at another table without imaging you on it. Naked.”

  Eww. Her naked was not an image she wanted to think about. Him naked, however... “Ditto. Maybe with a bottle of chocolate syrup and a can of whipped cream. My own little sundae.” There. Take that. Now the image was of him, not her. Table turned. Pun intended.

  “First...” He leaned closer, his voice dropping an octave. “It won’t be a little sundae.”

  “Oh,” she mewed. Totally mewed. Like a cat. A cat in heat.

  “And since you’re doing this low carb thing, the chocolate sauce will be on you, not me, and I’ll be doing the ... licking.”

  Hailey’s eyes went wide, and she blinked erratically. It shouldn’t turn her on even more that he remembered her diet. “Oh,” she mewed again. Upper hand. Upper hand! Clearing her throat, she mirrored his posture and leaned on the table. “However, whipped cream is totally on my diet so expect your ... expect anything and everything to be covered in it. In fact, I may need to bring along two cans.”

  Carter closed his eyes and groaned. Hailey for the win.

  She watched as his Adam’s apple moved. He opened his eyes, his lids heavy. “There’s one more thing.”

  Butterscotch? Cherries? No, too many carbs. Carter covered in whipped cream would be plenty. Too much. Nah. Screw it. She’d totally blow her diet for a chance at seeing Carter dressed up like a lickable, delectable sundae.

  Three days in the same suite with him would be incredibly delicious. Thankfully she’d have a job to keep her busy while there, as would he.

  Carter leaned across the table, shortening the gap between them even more. His tongue protruded slightly between his lips, and his gaze dropped to her mouth. That devilish dimple grinned at her, making her squirm in her seat.

  “You’re going as my fiancée.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  He had to be out of his ever-loving mind. Three days and two nights posing as Hailey’s fiancé? Carter stuffed a sweatshirt into his backpack and wrestled with the zipper. The weather app on his phone showed temps in the low seventies during the day and upper fifties at night. A rare warm spell for May in Maine. He wouldn’t need anything other than an extra pair of jeans and a couple of T-shirts.

  Just in case he found some time to work out, he rolled up a pair of gym shorts and shoved them in the front pocket of his bag. Heading back into his bathroom, he grabbed his toothbrush, deodorant, and a bar of soap, chucking them in his black overnight bag as well.

  He eyed his shaving cream and razor and contemplated bringing them. It was three days, two nights. It took him two days to grow a five o’clock shadow. There was no need for a clean shave. He’d had a good, stern talking with himself earlier. No matter how much she goaded and tempted him, Carter would not sleep with Hailey. Or rather, he wouldn’t have sex with her.

  Yet.

  Not until they figured out whatever it was that was going on between them and came to an understanding. An agreement of sorts to their relationship.

  Passing over his razor, he picked up his aftershave and chucked it in his bag. He could be a little vain and still keep it in his pants. After making sure his windows were closed, and the last of his breakfast dishes were clean, he locked up the house and headed out to his truck.

  He tapped Hailey’s address into his phone’s GPS and headed north. It had taken hours of coaxing texts last night to get her address. She’d wanted to meet him at the resort, and then she settled on meeting him at the ferry, and after a dozen or so funny gifs, he’d finally convinced her to give him her address.

  Carpooling was better for the environment, after all. He followed the directions out of town and toward Belfast. The directions took him inland and down backroads until he reached the center of a small town similar to Crystal Cove.

  He turned right down Deer Pond Lane and into the driveway leading to an old Victorian home. She’d told him she rented the second floor, and an elderly couple lived downstairs. No sooner had he turned off the truck then she came flying out the side door, a suitcase in tow and a bulky bag over one shoulder.

  Carter hopped out of the truck. “I would have come upstairs to help you.”

  “As you can see, I don’t need any help. But thank you,” she added softly.

  “Can I take this for you?”

  “I got it, thanks.”

  She was on edge, nervous for their overnight, he figured, and he didn’t blame her. Sharing a room with a man she’d only met a few weeks ag
o...

  Shit. He’d been a dickhead thinking with, well, his dick and not his head. If his mother caught wind of the situation, she’d skin his hide. It was only natural for Hailey to be skittish. He ignored her refusal and picked up her suitcase, putting it in the back seat.

  “Ready?”

  “I guess.” She climbed in the truck and slammed the door in his face.

  Okay, maybe she didn’t do it intentionally, but the air was different between them. An elderly couple stood in the big bay window of the downstairs watching them.

  “I think your landlords want to say goodbye,” he said when he got in the truck.

  “It’s why I rushed out here. Leo and Bobby-Sue are quite old fashioned.”

  “Which was why I should have gone upstairs to greet you.”

  “No way!” She laughed and gave her nosy neighbors a wave. “Let’s get out of here before they come outside.”

  “Scared?” he teased, backing out of the driveway.

  “Petrified. No doubt they saw the suitcase, and it’s pretty hard to miss you. They’re putting two and two together right now. A hundred bucks says they’re already on the phone with my parents warning them about the sins of man, and how you’ve tempted a single woman away for a night of debauchery.”

  “You don’t think your parents would approve of your fiancé?”

  “Rosie, my stepmom, will get a kick out of this situation. I don’t talk about my love li—about guys, with my dad.”

  He couldn’t help the twitch of his lip. “When you get back, you can tell Leo and Bobby-Sue that I was your ride for your business trip.”

  “Which is the truth. I couldn’t ever lie to them. God would strike me down with lightning or something.”

  “Doesn’t that only happen in a church?”

  “You should see their house. It’s a sanctuary.”

  “How did you get hooked up with them?” He liked her talking, filling his cab with her voice. The more she talked, the more her shoulders relaxed.

  “The Eggersons are members of my parents’ church. They’re sweet, honest people, if not extremely religious and old fashioned. I have no problem with either one, but the combination of the two is a bit much. Rent’s cheap and for the most part, they give me my space.”