Lakeshore Candy: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Book 4) Read online

  Abby felt the tears gather in her eyes.

  “And, fate brought you to my doorstep. I’ve been thinking about contacting you, but I was just nervous.”

  Fate? Fate brought them to Oakston? Maybe fate dragged her up the attic stairs to give her and Riley the push they needed.

  Abby took the box of letters. She couldn’t wait to read what Gran had written. More so, she couldn’t wait to share it with Riley.

  “I also read about your mother,” Vivette said. “I cried through the whole letter. It was heartbreaking.”

  “Thank you,” Avery said. “Abby and I were very young when she died, but we remember her.” Bits and piece clouded her memory, but not the love. Abby remembered her mother’s loving touch very well.

  “I would like to introduce you to Rupert and my children. I have four sons, Zander, Austin, Felix and Micah and then my daughter, Gemma who is smack dab in the middle of her brothers.”

  “We are staying in town for the week, but maybe we could arrange a day when our sisters could join us,” Abby suggested. “I know they would also love to meet you all.”

  “I have a wonderful idea. My family invested in the Royal De’laine Theater, and my daughter Gemma has regular acting roles. Why don’t we choose a day when Gemma isn’t on stage and we can watch a play and have dinner?”

  Abby and Avery stayed into the late afternoon and exchanged phone numbers before leaving. Abby wished her mother were alive to meet Vivette and her family. Her mother had been an only child and Gran had been raised on a farm. Gran’s parents had longed past away, leaving only Gran and her mother.

  On the way back to Riley’s house all the talk about fate sparked something in Avery too, as he went on about Riley’s label and him needing a record label.

  In the eccentric area of the city, they passed a cute little health food shop and Abby asked Avery to pull over. All this fate talk had her feeling inspired.

  Abby walked into the cool store and grabbed a wicker shopping basket. Making her way through the maze of aisles in the dimly lit, incense-scented shop, she picked out the essential oils that were forming together in her head...for soap recipes.

  Like her mind had gone through a cycle in the washer, she was feeling refreshed. A new line was presenting itself to her, just like it always had before Gran died.

  Was that fate?

  Her excitement was overtaking her body and as they drove back to Riley’s, all she could think about were the different, unusual and fun concoctions she was about to create.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  FOLLOWING AN AFTERNOON spent in Cece’s office, trying to catch up on three years worth of work, Riley felt the burden of leaving her, forcing her to step up to the CEO position. The job had made her stronger, more confident and independent in a way that she hadn’t been before he’d left. Being manager required all three aspects and she hadn’t been lacking in the career department, however away from work, Cece had always looked up to Riley for strength, confidence and independence with the same expectation and shy smile she’d had as a child. That wasn’t the case anymore. When she looked at him now, he saw she had developed her own strength, confidence and independence.

  It made him proud, but at the same time, she was harder. There was an unmistakable hard edge to her now, not only in the meeting with the senior Vice Presidents of each department in the label where she’d narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders listening, debating and resolving each situation, but in general outside of that office. He also sensed the lack of trust Abby had been talking about mixed in with...unhappiness. Unhappiness he wasn’t accustomed to seeing on the bright, sweet, loving-eyed girl he’d raised into a woman. There was a difference between the sadness they’d both felt after their parents death and the unhappiness he witnessed in her now...it almost matched his own. The responsibility of him putting it there, flagged his mind.

  Riley stood from the desk and stretched his arms high above him. He wasn’t used to sitting this much during the day at the bakery, whipping up recipes kept him on his feet.

  He was so far behind here that each flipped page left him unsure he could ever catch up. At the same time, he knew he had no choice. The decision to leave his company in Cece’s hands without asking if she wanted it and running away like a coward had been wrong. He should have personally hired a CEO before leaving and told Cece where he was. He should have faced his employees and manned up. But, he hadn’t been in the right state of mind to do so.

  Now, he was going to start taking the burden from Cece and continue dipping into more of the affairs. That meant he was going to have to stay longer until the workload was off Cece and back on him. And until he felt confident distributing the workload properly onto employees who wanted the work.

  Riley needed to tell Abby everything that had happened today and discuss the future...their future together...and he wanted to. He couldn’t wait to tell her and hear about how things went with De’laine. Just because his career was in Oakston, didn’t mean he was moving back. He would never move away from Abby, but together he knew they could work out their future.

  Riley stopped by the cell phone store and purchased a phone, because for the first time in years he wanted to text. He’d wanted to shoot so many quick texts to Abby during the day, to make sure her visit went alright, to make sure she was safely back at his house and to let her know when he was heading home.

  Walking through his front door, he hadn’t realized how much he missed Abby, until the sight of her in his kitchen erased his workload and left him with all the room, only for her...no cell phone would fill the missing part of him that her presence did.

  The unscented, unused smell of his house now smelled like Abby. Lemon, lavender, and bergamot essential oils swirled together. While some people would find the smell overwhelmingly strong, too floral, Riley found it soothing. Abby left the scent with him. Even more, he found the woman mixing ingredients, in every bowl he owned, spread across his counters, soothing.

  He stood back, not making his presence known, watching her, happy to see the smile she was wearing unlike the frown last time that sent a bowl flying. That felt like such a long time ago and yet it was only a few days. It felt like his life with Abby had been forever but it was just beginning. And now he had to tell her he was staying in Oakston, at least long enough to sort out his business. Would she understand?

  He wondered briefly where Izzy and Avery were, but the bare shoulders revealed under Abby’s baggy, laser cut black tank top were too distracting. He wanted to touch her.

  “This smells like home,” he said as she lifted a bowl to her nose and smiled.

  Abby looked up. “Riley,” she laughed under her breath, putting her hand against her chest, startled. He wanted to put his hands against her chest. “I didn’t hear you come in. How was your day?”

  He liked how her smile rose at just the sound of his voice.

  Riley held his phone up. “I got a cell.”

  Her eyes grew round with delight. “You did. I hate to tell you but I’m a serial texter.”

  “The only number I want in this phone is yours.”

  “I will text you in the morning.”

  “You sleep until lunch.”

  “I will text you while I’m awake at three in the morning.”

  Riley pushed off the doorframe and made his way toward Abby. “You won’t have to text me at three in the morning,” he said, reaching for her. He wrapped one arm around her back. “I will be lying right beside you.” He pulled her body against his and held her tight. “All you have to do is touch me.” Lightly he grazed her fingertips, their eyes locked and he felt the day’s events, stress...everything...being swallowed by the passion between them. “Like this...” Slowly his fingers ran up her palm to her wrist, circling around and lightly tickling the sensitive area.

  A low murmur of acknowledgment came from her parted lips and his mouth tingled, wanting to reach down and swallow her up.

  “...Or like this.” He p
ressed his fingers harder as they ran up her arm to her shoulder.

  “Hmm...” Her eyes closed as his hands slid under her shirt at the crest of her back landing at the base of her neck.

  His eyes watched her falling into desire. He was unable to resist her parted lips, but enjoyed the tease she was taking pleasure in. He bent down and grazed her lips ever so slightly, barely touching them.

  “We can’t do this here,” she said.

  “We can...”

  A low rumble met his lips and she opened her eyes. “Riley, I’m serious. Cece. Avery. Izzy.”

  “It’s my house.” He kissed her lips.

  She laughed. “Riley.”

  He pulled his head up and grinned at her. “Where’s that adventurous girl back on the beach?”

  Abby grinned back, a dark, devious, I am trouble grin. “I am not a good influence on you.”

  “You are all the right kind of influence.” He bent down to kiss her again, but she wiggled from his grasp and walked away, pulling her shirt over her head. She flashed her smile over her bare shoulder and he had to force himself to look up from her bare, silky back.

  “Are you coming?”

  He sure as hell wasn’t staying here.

  When he took a step, she laughed and took three faster steps disappearing through the doors beside the staircase and into the games room.

  Riley followed, shutting the door and locking it behind him. He turned to Abby. That adventurous, dangerous girl had stripped down naked and was leaning on the edge of the pool table. He’d never enjoyed that pool table more than he did right now.

  “What are you still doing over there lover boy?” she asked, running her hand slowly down her middle. “And why are you still fully clothed?”

  He ripped his t-shirt over his head, closing in the distance on the hardwood floor.

  Riley loved the way this woman beamed at him, the desire, the lust, the love. He loved her. With all of his heart.

  “Better...”

  He didn’t let her finish the sentence, finding her lips with his mouth and her body with his hands. In a quick motion, he planted her back on the pool table, climbing on top of her.

  Abby laughed, grasping him around his bare shoulders.

  Propped above her, he laid his arms on either side of her cupping the sides of her face, leaning so close he could feel the warmth of her breath on his face. “I want to talk to you,” he said.

  Abby’s fingers played lightly across his chest. “Now?”

  He grinned. “Not really, but we need to talk about us.”

  Her hands traveled his throat and touched his jaw line. “We will.”

  “I love you Abby.”

  Her true smile, the one that half reached her eyes, and lit those russet gems, melted his heart. “I love you too, Riley. We can talk later. We have our whole lives to talk.”

  “I like that. I want that.”

  “Me too.” Lust trapped the features of her face and he loved that he knew where her mind was heading. “But, right now, I want the Neanderthal in you to take me on this pool table like I’ve never been taken.”

  He would have laughed, but deep down the Neanderthal in him was coming out and he did exactly what she wanted. He would do exactly what she wanted for the rest of their lives.

  ***

  RILEY GRABBED A handful of candy Abby had opened on the counter while Abby started cleaning up the bowls in the kitchen. In the kitchen. He wished he didn’t have a houseful of people, because he would much rather have stayed naked on the pool table for the rest of the night.

  “Smell this.” Abby held the bowl out and he inhaled a spicy cinnamon aroma with a hint of floral, an unusual scent.

  Excitement encased her eyes as she watched him, waiting for his reaction. She didn’t need his approval, this woman always knew exactly what she wanted and no one’s negativity could deter her.

  “It’s interesting.”

  “I have this whole idea for a new line. You know how the sisters have been bugging me and all.” She gave her head a little shake with a slight roll of her eyes. “But I don’t want to tell you yet.”

  “I can wait.” He kissed her neck. “I would rather smell you instead.”

  Abby laughed, setting the bowl back down and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her laughter was relaxing to his nerves.

  “Where is everyone?” he asked, nibbling on her earlobe.

  “Pool,” she answered, tilting her head, giving him further access to her ear.

  “Hmm...pool...” He nibbled. “That sounds like fun...”

  “Uh-huh...” Abby was lost in his kisses again, he could hear it in her distant, yearning whisper. He could have taken her again, right here in the kitchen, but they were lucky Izzy and Avery hadn’t walked in on them the first time.

  He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him in the last few days, but he was thinking it was love.

  He scooped Abby up and over his shoulders. She let out a loud cry of surprise, her fingers grabbing handfuls of the back of his shirt as he headed straight out of the kitchen.

  “Riley!” she cried in laughter. “What are you doing?”

  “Going swimming.”

  “I’m dressed.” Hardly.

  “I don’t really think that’s a good argument.”

  “Riley!” He tickled her side and she tightened around him, more concerned about his fingers then the direction of his feet. He pushed open the door and found Avery spanning the distance of the pool with his long arms doing laps. Riley passed Izzy sprawled out in her white bikini under the sun and stopped at the edge of the pool.

  “Riley Boyd, put me down this instance!” Abby pounded on his back, but he barely felt her little punches.

  “Should I?” He cocked his head at Izzy, who sat up straight with excitement in her eyes. She sent him a thumbs up.

  “Izzy!” Abby’s scolding was cut short as scream as Riley lifted her into the air and threw her into the water.

  He wanted to jump in right after her, but instead watched her soaked body surface, gasping, laughing and yelling at him all at the same time. He loved this woman.

  “You jerk!”

  Izzy’s laughter trailed from behind Riley and met with Avery’s as he climbed out of the opposite end of the pool.

  Abby dunked her head back in the water then swam to the edge. She came up with her eyes on Riley. “You are going to pay for that,” she threatened, her mouth pinched tight and her gorgeous sparkling eyes narrowing on him. “I was having a soap testing moment in there,” she said as she climbed out of the pool. That wasn’t exactly what he remembered happening in there. It was a moment for sure, but it had absolutely nothing to do with soap.

  Riley folded his arms, enjoying the view of her black top sticking against her bra and denim cut-off shorts. She was sexy as hell and all fired up. It was making him hotter than hell for her, again.

  “You look like a wet mouse,” he teased.

  She gasped, her forehead burrowing. “The nerve.”

  Riley saw in her eyes exactly what she was thinking, so his feet moved before hers around the pool. Izzy and Avery cheered Abby on laughing and swinging their hands in the air. She chased him to the other side of the pool, caught his arm and when he turned to face her she tried to push him in the water.

  Riley tore his t-shirt off and threw it behind him. He laughed at her efforts and that seemed to rile her more and she jumped on his back.

  “If I go in you’re coming with me,” he threatened.

  Her wrestling body froze, her legs wrapped around him, her arms around his neck. She slid off his back and when she turned to race away, he reached out and grabbed her, enjoying the objecting screams coming from her lips. There was no way he was letting her go now. He wanted to confirm what her wet body would feel like engulfed in water, like that morning at the beach when he didn’t dare touch her.

  Riley pulled her against his front and she laughed and objected at the same time. But when they neared the edge of
the water, she wrapped her arms around his neck and ducked her head against his chest as he jumped them both into the pool.

  The heated water encasing his body took the last of his worries away regarding the label and he knew no matter where he was, as long as it was with Abby, it would be good.

  Riley broke through the surface of the water to find Abby waiting. Playfully, laughing, she jumped on his shoulders and trying to dunk him under the water. Feeling her wet arms touch his shoulders and her wet legs wrapped around his waist with her breasts pushing through her drenched shirt against his back as she piggybacked trying to dunk him in was driving his body mad for her.

  Finally realizing defeat, she settled on his back and rested her chin on his shoulder. “You jerk,” she whispered only for him. “I wish we were alone right now.”

  So did he.

  Then as if there weren’t already too many people, his back door flew open loudly and Cece’s heels clicked across the deck. “Riley you left without telling me,” she accused, her face in a panic.

  Riley felt Abby’s grip tighten against his chest and he rubbed her arms to calm her down.

  Damn it. He should have personally told her. He knew she still believed he was going to take off again and he should have taken that into consideration. He just wanted to get home and see Abby. Selfish, that what it was.

  “Sorry, Cece. I told Macy to pass the message along to you. I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

  Cece crossed her arms in front of her, anger flaring from her stiff body.

  “Come swimming,” he called.

  “I don’t just carry a bathing suit in my purse Riley.”

  That hadn’t stopped him and Abby, but he knew from the stern look on her face he shouldn’t mention it.

  “Stay for supper,” he said instead. “I’m cooking.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  RILEY COOKED THEM a delicious Mrs. Calvert meal: minestrone soup with fresh baked buns.

  Abby could get used to him cooking her meals. He liked cooking and she liked eating.