Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(3)

I nod enthusiastically. “Right now. Sorry to take your time!”

“Hrmph.” He grunts, then gives a curt nod, turns, and heads back down the block. I wait until he’s around the corner, then sink against the car in relief.

“Oh my god, that was close!” I exclaim, my heart racing. “I thought we were in trouble for sure.”

“What was that, with your eyelashes?” Will looks at me with clear amusement. “I thought you’d lost a contact or something.”

“Those were feminine wiles!” I protest.

“Is that what you call it?” he teases.

“Hey!” I hit his arm again, laughing. “Thank me later, why don’t you? I just saved us both from jail. And orange goes terribly with my complexion.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute. But thank you, Delilah.”

He smiles at me, all hazel eyes and strong jawline, and I can’t help but feel a tiny jolt of something sweet snake into my bloodstream, hot and bold.

My name sounds good on his lips.

My mouth would feel even better there.

Luckily, Will is oblivious to my wandering mind. He picks up the coat hanger. “Ready to give this another try?”

The thunder rumbles again, and it starts to rain; just a smattering of drops for now, but I know, with this humidity, a real downpour is coming soon. “It’s OK, you don’t need to wait around.” I sigh. “The gods have it out for me. I don’t want my terrible luck rubbing off on you.”

“Bad day?” Will looks sympathetic.

“The worst. I had a big pitch, and I bombed. Well, I didn’t even get a chance to bomb,” I correct myself. “They didn’t even give me the chance.”

“I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “I’ll bounce back. I always do. What about you? You look all dressed up.”

Will looks down at his suit and gives a wry smile. “I’m in town for a job interview.”

“Oh yeah? How did it go?”

“Fine, I guess.” He pauses, then gives a long sigh, leaning beside me against the hood. “The truth is, I’m not sure I even want the position. I live in New York right now, and I thought maybe moving down here would be the change I’m looking for, but now I wonder . . .” He trails off, his handsome face looking tired for a moment; all worn out. I wonder for a moment what would make a guy like this—so full of wit and easy, relaxed charm—feel so lost.

“It sounds like you’re ready for a fresh start.”

He looks over, surprised. “Exactly. I guess I don’t know where, or what, just yet.”

“Well, if your new beginning needs real estate of any kind . . .” I pull a card from my pocket and pass it over with a flourish. “I’m your girl.”

Will smiles. “Oak Harbor, huh? Whereabouts is that?”

“About four hours that way.” I point south. “It’s the best place in the world.”

“Oh really?” He turns my card over in his hand.

“Really,” I insist, knowing that to some big-city guy, I probably sound like a hick. But I don’t care, not when it comes to the town I love. “I grew up there. It’s right on the shore, some of the most beautiful coastline in the state. It’s a small town, but not nosy or judgmental like a lot of places, we just look out for each other. Then you’ve got the creek, and the woods, and all the wide-open country—”

“OK, OK, I believe you.” Will cuts me off, laughing. “Oak Harbor, huh? Well, if I ever find myself down here again, I’ll let you know.”

I catch his eye. “Make sure you do.”

Will holds my gaze, and I feel that surge of heat rush through me again, stronger this time despite the damp trickle of rain down the back of my neck. I start to wonder if maybe being stuck in the city tonight might have some perks after all. I mean, if Will’s in town on business, that means he’s probably free, and could use a local’s guide to the city . . .

But before I can suggest we go get a bite to eat somewhere, maybe a drink or two, he looks away. “Let’s get you out of this rain and on the road before it really comes down,” he says, picking up his tools. “Wedge?”

“Wedging,” I agree, and jam it between the door frame again. He snakes the wire through the gap, and angles it for the door release. This time, he makes contact. A couple of jabs, and the lock releases.

“You did it!” I open the driver’s door and do a little victory dance. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it actually worked!” I turn back and fling my arms around Will. “Thank you, thank you!”

He laughs, a rumble against me. “My pleasure.”

His body is warm against mine, surprisingly taut and solid under that fancy suit. My pulse kicks from his closeness, and I catch a breath of his scent, fresh and clean, like the woods in spring. I have to fight the urge to slide my arms over the planes of his shoulders to lean in closer and nestle myself in the crook of his arm.

What are you doing, Dee?

I quickly step back, flushing. “I guess if you really want a change, you could turn to a life of crime,” I blurt, covering.

“I’ll put it on the list.” Will looks a little thrown too, and I wonder if he felt the heat from that moment, too—or is just weirded out by being groped by a complete stranger. “Wait.” He pauses. “We got it open, but how are you going to drive?”