Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(4)

Beckett entered the studio, noting that the painting supplies from last night had been cleaned up. A long buffet table, laden with sandwiches, snacks, and mini smoothies, was set up in front of the windows.

At the back of the room, the door to a second, smaller studio was open. It was empty. But down the narrow hallway he noticed one of the restroom doors was closed. She must be in there. He decided to give her another minute or two when he heard the doorknob rattle.

“Is anyone out there?” called a muffled voice.

He hurried down the hall and arrived at the door in time to hear her groan.

“Seriously? Of all days,” the voice said woefully. The handle jiggled again, harder this time. A swift thump replaced the jiggling. “I really don’t like you right now, door!”

Beckett knocked and heard the yelp on the other side of the wood. “Are you stuck?” he asked.

“Oh my God! Yes, please help. The lock must be broken and I have to get outside. Everyone’s waiting.”

Beckett tried the handle on his side. “Definitely stuck,” he assessed.

“Gee, you think?” she asked dryly.

“Doors don’t block sarcasm,” he reminded her.

“Right. Sorry. I’m just flustered. Can you get me out of here?”

“No. I think you have to stay in there forever.”

“Doors don’t block sarcasm, you know.”

Beckett laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t help it. I can get you out.” He reached into his pocket and grabbed the ever-present multi-tool his father had given him. “I’m going to take the screws out of the handle on this side, okay?”

“Oh, good. I was afraid you were going to kick the door down.”

“We’ll save that as a last resort,” he promised.

Beckett made quick work of the screws and popped the handle off of his side. He heard the thunk of the interior handle hitting the floor. With his index finger, he pushed the striker release and the door swung open.

She was sitting on the vanity, her bare feet dangling, peeking through the folds of her long skirt. The grin she gave him lit up the bathroom like fireworks in the night sky. Sliding off the countertop, she launched herself into his arms. He caught her purely on instinct and his eyes widened as her full, soft lips landed on his.

There was nothing carnal about the kiss, he thought as she pulled back and slid to the floor. But it still affected him.

“Do you always kiss complete strangers?” he demanded gruffly.

Her wide green eyes sparkled. “I do when they rescue me from considerable amounts of embarrassment and life in restroom prison. I was just debating whether or not the hand soap in here was edible.”

She looked like a fairy. Delicate and small, her ivory skin was dotted with a smattering of freckles. She wore her long red hair loose, cascading down her back. Her snug long sleeve shirt showed off a compact, curvy body.

“Now if you’ll excuse me. I need to go cut a ribbon,” she announced, patting his arm as she stepped around him.

“You can’t get started without me,” he said, following her down the hall and into the studio.

She whirled around, her skirt billowing around her legs. “Don’t tell me,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Beckett Pierce.”

“At your service, it appears,” he said, with a mock bow.

“Well, isn’t that interesting?” She smiled again, looking him over from head to toe. “Very interesting.” Gianna turned her back on him again and slipped out the front door leaving him frowning after her.

Back outside, Beckett found that Donna had organized everyone into the appropriate positions and the ceremonial tie-dye ribbon was stretched taut in front of the door.

Elvira handed the comically large scissors to him.

Beckett beckoned for Gianna to join him behind the ribbon. “Ready?”

“Let’s do this,” she grinned.

“On behalf of all of Blue Moon, I’d like to welcome Gianna Decker to our community,” Beckett announced to the crowd. “I’m sure she will be an excellent addition to our town as both a business owner and neighbor.”

The small crowd applauded enthusiastically and Gianna waved.

Beckett held up the scissors to the ribbon and captured her hand with his free one. “Together?”

She looked up at him, their gazes locked. He swore he saw a lifetime in those eyes before she winked. And together they snipped through the thick, colorful ribbon.





3





Gia watched Beckett from across the studio as he chatted with a woman in a suit and two men who looked identical except for the color of their flannel shirts.

He was certainly easy to look at. The thick, dark hair waved a bit on top. His strong jawline and high cheekbones were a classical, appealing canvas for eyes so gray they were nearly silver.

He wore the navy suit with a careless comfort, keeping the look slightly more casual by forgoing a tie and leaving the top button of his unwrinkled button-down open. The cut of the suit hinted at spectacular shoulders, a personal favorite for her.

Beckett moved with confidence, made eye contact, and paid attention. It’s too bad he was officially untouchable. Had his name been anything other than Beckett Pierce, she would have been tempted. Very tempted. But he was off limits, and even she could see disaster written all over this potential.