With This Forever Read online

  Electricity buzzed through him even after they weren’t touching and he couldn’t look away as she tilted the water up and took a drink.

  Never been kissed. The thought echoed through him again. No way.

  No, no way that could be true. He told himself to cut it out and concentrate.

  “I’ll bandage it. I don’t mind. You just relax and drink your water. When I caught you peeking at your knee a second ago, you looked a little green.”

  Two lines formed between her pretty eyes. “It’s a curse. I feel helpless. It just seems wrong.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, I’m trained in first aid from my days as a Navy SEAL, so I promise you that I won’t faint on the job.” He winked.

  “You were a SEAL? I should have guessed. You looked like Superman jumping that railing earlier.”

  He chuckled. “Those skills still come in handy. Now, relax. I can deal with this.” He removed the rag from her knee. “This will sting. But it needs to be done. And you’re going to have some stiffness for a week but hopefully not longer.”

  “I can handle a little pain. I just get queasy looking at wounds.”

  He applied the antiseptic and though she tensed, she didn’t make a sound.

  “I’m sorry it’s hurting you.”

  “It’s fine, says wimpy me to the Navy SEAL.” She frowned. “I really do feel like a total mess now that I know what an amazing tough guy you are.”

  He laughed. “How do you know that?”

  “I’ve watched those reports on what you have to go through to get the title of Navy SEAL. I don’t swim in the ocean. I don’t have a pain tolerance. I don’t have a bone of adventure in my entire body. So that’s just a few of the reasons. You know good and well that you’re a tough guy.”

  He chuckled, enjoying the sound of her voice. “People can do far more than they think they can. Especially in extraordinary situations. Why don’t you swim in the ocean?” Why haven’t you ever kissed a man?

  She chuckled. “Boy, you switch subjects fast.”

  “I’m interested in learning about you. I already know about myself.”

  She smiled. “Fine. I just haven’t. My life has been complicated. My knee is looking better,” she said in an obvious attempt of her own to change the subject.

  “Trying to use my tactic isn’t fair. Why don’t you swim in the ocean? Why are you not adventurous? Are you afraid?”

  She inhaled and her gaze moved away from his. “Like I said, my life has been complicated and well, no opportunity. I’m a wimp on so many levels—it’s ridiculous but true. However, I have a plan to change that.”

  He applied salve to her knee. She knit her brow together over her pretty emerald eyes and took a breath. He finished bandaging the knee then met her gaze directly. “What kind of plan?” He smoothed the edges of the bandage. Her skin was soft and he focused on what she’d said rather than the feel of her skin. Or that she’d never kissed a man. Or might never have been kissed, he reminded himself. Still, the possibility was just unbelievable if it were true.

  “I have a list of things I’m going to do. I’m not going to stop until everything is checked off. Moving here was number one on my list and I’m here.”

  “A bucket list?” Man, she intrigued him. Her cheeks tinged slightly and he wasn’t sure whether he should tell her he’d seen the list. He didn’t feel right pretending he hadn’t seen it.

  “Actually, yes.” She blushed. “Not a big one. Just a small one. Right now.”

  She was adorable. “Okay, I need to come clean. I saw part of the list when I picked your notebook up outside.”

  Her pink went to red. “You saw that?”

  He nodded, enjoying how beautiful she was. “I just caught a glimpse of it before I shut it.”

  “I guess you saw that I haven’t ever really had the opportunity to do much. Adventure is not my middle name.”

  He thought about the kissing part and still couldn’t figure that one out. “So, you want to scuba dive?” He gave her an encouraging smile. “If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve moved into the right neighborhood. I’ll be glad to help you out on any adventure you want. I’m actually a bit of an adventure nut.”

  They stared at each other. He was still thinking about the kissing part—he was obsessed with the kissing part. Especially when her gaze dropped to his lips. Suddenly he wondered whether she was thinking about kissing, too. The room suddenly felt a lot warmer.

  “I’m talking myself into the scuba dive. It’s not that easy,” She looked down at her knee. “Well, yay, my knee looks better.”

  “Yes, it does, and my new neighbor is avoiding the question. Thankfully your knee isn’t as bad as I first thought. But it will still take it a few days before it starts getting better. You never said what this store is?”

  A smiled touched her lips. “It’s a boutique of unique items for women that I have shipped in from around the world. I also design my own line of clothing and scarves. I have an online business but this is going to be my first official storefront. I’m venturing out.”

  “Well, you moved into the right neighborhood. I have four sisters, a mom, and four sisters-in-law. I’ll be sure to spread the word.”

  “Wow. You have a huge family.”

  “Yes, I do. And you chose to put a women’s boutique next door to a dive shop? Interesting choice of locations. But with my family spreading the word, it shouldn’t matter too much where your shop is.”

  “That would be wonderful. And as for this building it was the right price. And it comes with that small apartment above.”

  His antenna went up. “You mean those two rooms and that closet called a bathroom? You’re moving in?”

  “Yes. And it’s big enough for me. And convenient to the business and it has that cute little balcony too. I can see myself sitting out there in the evenings while I work. The building just makes sense. Thank you so much for helping me.”

  “It does have a good view of the marina and Windswept Bay. I live down the road, so if you ever need anything, I’ll be near.”

  She laughed. “I promise I am not going to be the neighbor who bugs you all the time. And I do not plan on falling again, so you’re officially off the hook. Speaking of which, I’m all better now and I know you have things to do. I can manage from here on out.” She placed her feet on the ground and carefully stood.

  He stood also. Wanting to know more about her and not at all ready to leave her. “But your hands? I need to bandage them.”

  “They’re fine, just barely scratched. Thanks for everything.”

  He frowned. “I don’t mind.”

  She looked tempted then shook her head. “I’m fine. Really.”

  “Is there anything else I can do? I hate to leave you—”

  She chuckled. “I’m fine. See, I can walk and everything. I need to change these clothes and I’ll be able to get back to work. I’m moving a little slower than before, but I’ll make it.”

  He checked the time on his watch. He was supposed to meet Grant and Gage, his brothers-in-law, at the reef in thirty minutes for a dive they were doing for some shots Grant wanted to paint. Grant was a famous sea life painter and was meeting him there in his own boat. He thought about calling Grant and cancelling. He didn’t want to leave. “If you’re sure,” he said, reluctantly. “Then I’ll go. But, be careful out there.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “I promise to watch my steps.”

  He had a hard time making himself move. “I’ll leave that kit there for you just in case. I have them by the dozens next door. If you need anything, call 911. My brother Levi is chief of police and my brother-in-law Ryan is a deputy. They’ll take care of you.”

  She frowned. “Jake, I’m not going to need to do that. I’m fine. But thanks for the information.”

  He heard a hint of irritation in her tone and berated himself for suddenly turning into a mother hen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make it sound like you were automatically going to need help.
Okay, I’ll go now. I am only digging myself deeper into this hole. I’ll drop by tomorrow and see how it’s going. If you need anything heavy lifted, I don’t mind helping. Remember that.”

  “I’ll remember. Thanks again.”

  He moved and wondered what was wrong with him. He’d seen smiles before and black hair. He’d even seen twinkling green eyes and soft, pearl-toned skin. And pink lips made for kissing. Kissing.

  Whew, he could not get kissing off his mind. He was obsessed. He frowned and backed away, not sure why he was so infatuated with Sammy Jo Lovely. But he was.

  Her eyes met his and his pulse raced like a rocket-fueled speedboat. Yep, it wasn’t rocket science—it was pure chemistry.

  He wanted to help Sammy Jo with her bucket list.

  Especially the never-been-kissed part.

  Chapter Three

  Sammy Jo carried the last box of skirts and camisoles from the van and set the stack on the shelf. Her knee was throbbing and she sat down for just a moment. She couldn’t stop thinking about her knight-in-shining-armor-of-a-new-neighbor. The man…took her breath away.

  And he knew she had a bucket list. Just a little embarrassing.

  Make that a lot embarrassing.

  She pushed thoughts of him away and went back to work. She pulled the large bag containing her blow-up bed out of her van and limped up the stairs to her apartment. She focused on each step and took her time because the last thing she wanted to do was fall and need to call 911. That would be awful if Jake’s brother or brother-in-law had to come rescue her right after Jake.

  That would certainly set in stone a total klutz had just moved next door to him. Especially because she was sure that Jake Sinclair had never had a clumsy moment in his life. She paused on the step and stared at the railing he had vaulted over like a ninja. The man had been wonderful. Amazing. Spectacular—

  Enough!

  No more thinking about him.

  She was here to make her dreams a reality. This building held her dreams. It was small and kind of ugly, but when she got through decorating it was going to be fantastic. It wasn’t in the best spot but it would work. The fact that it had the dive shop right next door had been almost like a sign to her when she’d found the place. She’d come here hoping…no, determined to change her way of life, to widen her horizons. The dive shop was like an everyday reminder that adventure awaited her. Going on a dive was on her bucket list—but it was a huge stretch because she was claustrophobic. The thought of being underwater sent her into a panic. But if she could do that, she could do anything. So she would dream.

  The picturesque small community of Windswept Bay had so much to offer her. Not only did it have a flood of tourists all year long who would appreciate her specialty designs, it was beautiful, quaint, and with plenty of exciting things to do. Surely here she could live a little.

  It was truly a lovely place and her grandmother’s most favorite memory. She had come because her sweet gram had told her this was where she should start her new life.

  And the beautiful tourist town was the perfect place to open the first physical store of her Lovely You Designs. Thinking about her grandmother made her smile a bittersweet smile. Her heart ached, she missed her so much. It had only been four months since she’d passed away but despite that, Sammy Jo had worked hard to make the move happen.

  Her grandmother would be so proud of her and she wanted this for Sammy Jo. She had come up with the name of her designs. Gram had always wanted more for Sammy Jo and had hated that Sammy Jo had put her life on hold to take care of her and her granddaddy. Because of Gram’s dreams for her, Sammy Jo stood here now, about to make both their dreams come true.

  She stared at the moonlight from the window and sighed. She was here. She’d taken the first step in changing her life. And tomorrow she’d take more steps.

  “I’m doing it, Gram,” she whispered, gazing up at the moon. Loneliness seeped in around her. She breathed in deep and let the air out slowly. She was doing it. And it might be one step at a time, but they would be forward. “They’ll be good steps, Gram. I promise.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes.

  By morning, she was all the more determined to get things rolling. She managed to change her bandage without actually looking at the knee. She’d done a lot of squinting and heavy breathing. Then she’d headed down the stairs to get her day going. She paused midway down to admire the way the morning sunlight sparkled on the topaz water. Windswept Bay was gorgeous. She felt energized by the sounds of the surf. She couldn’t believe she was really here.

  Her phone rang and she fished the cell from her purse. Her friend Roxie’s photo showed on the screen. As she answered the call, her gaze snagged on Jake on his boat. Oh goodness, the man took her breath away.

  She could absolutely stare at him all day. It was very nearly obsessive as she watched him moving about the boat, checking things and just standing for a moment with his hands on his hips, staring out over the bay. The bay was all the more fantastic with him in the view.

  “Good morning,” she said, completely distracted as she sank onto the steps to talk and enjoy the wonderful view. She was only human, after all.

  “Hey girly-girl. Is it as beautiful as it looks online? Is it as great as Gram said it would be?”

  She laughed at Roxie’s bright voice. “Um, yes. It truly is as beautiful as Gram remembered it.”

  “Yes! I am so glad I gave you a kick in the pants to follow your dreams. Your gram, God rest her soul, adored Windswept Bay. I know she’s smiling knowing you’re there. Have you checked out the dive shop yet? Booked a dive?”

  Sammy Jo laughed. “I just got here. I’ve barely unloaded the van. But I did meet the owner of the dive shop.” She smiled as she watched him answer his own phone. He stood on the end of the boat with his back to her as he looked out at the bay.

  “Is Mr. Adventure as handsome up close as he is on the website?”

  They had checked Jake’s business out online and though she had felt flutters of attraction looking at his smiling face on his website, it did not do the man justice. She thought of his compassionate blue eyes and his strong, bare chest—the one hidden by a red T-shirt at the moment. She pushed the bare chest out of her mind. But it was a strong memory and kept fighting its way back into the picture. “Yes, the picture was accurate. Actually, he’s better-looking in person and super sweet.”

  “Sweet. Do I hear interest in your voice? How did you meet him?”

  “He, um, helped me get moved in,” she squeaked and fought down the voices screaming in the background that yes, she was very definitely interested.

  “Wonderful. How’d that happen?”

  She frowned. “Honestly, we met when I face-planted on the pavement and he came to my rescue.”

  There was a moment of silence. “Seriously? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. My knee and my pride are scraped up but I’m fine. He was on his boat and saw me hit the pavement and came running. The man vaulted a fence to get to me.” She was still amazed by that.

  “I’m impressed. You like him? Maybe he’ll help you get a few things off your list and not just the scuba diving. Like being kissed on a moonlit beach. You should ask him.”

  She laughed out loud and made a face despite the fact that Roxie couldn’t see her. “I will not ask the man to kiss me.”

  “You’re just no fun. I bet he would. It’s already romantic with him hurdling a fence to help you. Tell me he’s single and that you’re going to have a romance.”

  “Roxie, he’s a diver. He owns a dive shop, for goodness gracious. According to the dive shop profile, he does all kinds of adventurous, risky hobbies. There is no way he would be attracted to a person like me. I have never taken a risk in my life. I get lightheaded at the sight of blood and it is just a miracle I don’t pass out over it. I am not his type.” She thought of the blonde who’d pushed him into the bay. Obviously beautiful, full of life, and probably passionate if pushing a man in the b
ay was any indication. Sammy Jo could see Jake with someone like that. Unless the woman was just a horrible person. Sammy Jo would never do any of that.

  “Stop making assumptions.”

  “If by some chance he did ask me out, it wouldn’t take long for him to realize we are not compatible. I’m boring on so many levels and he’s not. No way could I hold a man like him.”

  It was true and she refused to kid herself into thinking otherwise. She was practical, if anything. He had seemed interested, but she knew she had nothing to offer a man like Jake Sinclair and it wouldn’t take him long to figure that out.

  “Hey, stop shortchanging yourself.”

  “I’m just being realistic.” She watched him greet his morning group of divers. Four men and five females. While he was greeting them, he caught sight of her and raised his hand in greeting. Her heart fluttered. She lifted her hand and waved, and then looked away and forced herself not to read more into his smile than was there.

  “He could be your man.”

  “He’s not my man. He’s the man who owns the dive shop next door. Who I might hire to give me dive lessons. So, can we talk about something else?”

  “You always want to close off the conversation when it gets too close for comfort. And do not forget that you are there to come out of your cocoon and become a butterfly. You and Gram worked that list up together and you promised. Do you hear me?”

  Sammy Jo’s fingers tightened around the phone.

  “Sammy Jo?”

  She watched Jake talking with one of the women, saw the redhead toy with her long, red hair as she spoke to him. No, Sammy Jo could not compete with women like her. She had nothing to offer a man like Jake.

  “Sams?”

  “Yes, Roxie. I hear you.”

  “Good, because I made a promise to your gram too. And I’m going to keep mine to her, so be ready. My job is to help you get out there. My job is to hound you until you get out of your shell.”

  Sammy Jo dropped her forehead to her palm. “Why did I ever promise Gram that I would do the bucket list?”