Easy Charm

Love,

Van

“In the fridge?” Rhys asks, reading over my shoulder.

“Yeah. I put it in there because I kept getting annoying calls from the unknown number. And I was irritated with the whole poop/water thing, so I stuffed it in the fridge and forgot about it.”

“Talk to me about this unknown number.”

“There’s nothing to tell. They hang up.”

“So don’t answer.”

“It could be a guest calling. I have to answer.”

He pours us each a cup of coffee, then leans his hips against the countertop and crosses his arms over his chest. He’s shirtless, wearing just a pair of loose-fitting workout pants, and dear sweet God, my body just went into hyper-alert mode.

Seriously, his muscles are ridiculous.

“See something you like?” he asks with that half-smile on his lips.

“Meh.” I hide my smile behind my mug as I take a sip of coffee, and Rhys’s eyes narrow.

“What was that?”

“Maybe.” Now I smile innocently and arrange cinnamon rolls in a pan. “I mean, you’ll do.”

“I’ll do.” His voice is dry, but his green eyes are full of humor as he watches me bustle around the kitchen.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed? You haven’t slept in two days.”

“I’m fine for now. Where’s Sam?”

“He just got picked up for baseball camp.”

He nods. “So, I’ll do.”

“Wow, do you really need me to stroke your ego?” I shake my head and turn toward the oven, but I’m suddenly caught up in Rhys’s arms and he’s kissing the hell out of me. His hands are everywhere, his mouth firm and sure on mine, as he simply takes what he wants.

And what he wants is me.

“I don’t need you to stroke my ego, baby,” he whispers against my lips. “That’s not what this is about. There are no egos here. It’s just you and me, and I have no problem admitting that I’m hot for you. I have a permanent hard-on when I just think of you. I haven’t been this turned on by a woman since I was a kid. I would hope it’s reciprocated just a little bit, or I’ll feel like a fool.”

“I always want you,” I reply and swallow hard. “Your body is insane, Rhys. In. Sane. But more than that, I want the way you make me feel.”

“How do I make you feel?”

“Safe. Beautiful. Sexy.”

“Yes.” He grins and kisses me once more. “You are those things.”

I lick my lips, tasting him there, and watch as he resumes his place against the counter.

“Can I bring something up without you biting my head off?” he asks, staring down into his coffee.

“Maybe. Not if it’s about my hair. Girls are touchy about their hair.”

He shakes his head. “No, I love your hair. I think you should hire help.”

I bite my lip and wince. “I can do this, Rhys.”

“I know. I’m not saying you can’t. That’s not the point. You can, but you shouldn’t have to do it all alone. I would think that the past twenty-four hours would have shown you that an extra pair of hands around here would help you out considerably. Maybe just bring someone on to handle breakfast and check-outs. Or even just breakfast.”

He shrugs, and I can’t help but think that he could be right. It would be nice to be able to take Sam to school, or sleep a little later, or just have my hands freed up to do other things. And the inn is busy enough now that an employee is completely affordable.

“I’ll look into it,” I finally reply, and Rhys’s eyes widen in surprise.

“You will?”

“Yes. You’re right, it would be nice to have some flexibility in the morning.”

“Wow. That was easier than I thought it would be.”

I laugh and kiss his arm as I pass by him. “I’m not unreasonable; I’m just stubborn.”

“You? No. I had no idea.”

“And you’re a smart ass.”

“Better than being a dumb ass,” he says with a wink and then frowns when he watches me pull drawers out, search through them, then push them back in. “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to find my iPad.”

“Did you think you might have stored it with the freezer bags?”

“No, but I can’t find it. Anywhere. I mean, my phone was in the fridge, so you just never know.”

“Good point. Don’t you have that app that you can use to help you find it if it’s stolen or lost?”

“Oh, I think I do!” I reach for my phone and activate the app, then touch my way through the screens, until it shows me where my iPad is.

“It’s not in the house,” Rhys says grimly, again looking over my shoulder.

I make the map bigger and try to figure out how I know that address. “I’ve been there before. How do I know it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh my God!” I spin and stare at Rhys in horror. “I know where this is.”

“Okay, where?”

“It’s Cindy’s condo in the city. She must have taken it the other day when she was here. Why would she do that?”

“To make your life hell,” he replies grimly. “You know, I don’t condone violence against women, but I’d really love to wring her little neck.”

“I wonder if she changed my password to the program too,” I mumble, trying to figure out what to do.