Risky Proposal Read online

  Claire stood in the doorway, trying to catch her breath. He had kissed her a second time. Her mind raced, and the tingling sensations flowing through her body left her breathless. She turned the card over.

  Scribbled on the back was: Call me if you’re interested in dinner tomorrow night. There was also phone number, which was probably his cell.

  She laughed and shut the door. Her vacation had just taken an interesting turn. For once, she wasn’t going to question it. She was going to live her life to the fullest. To honor her sister, to honor herself. She deserved to have a fling with a sexy guy.

  Chapter Two

  Josh was straightening the bottom shelf of power tools on Monday when a pair of feminine hiking boots snagged his attention. He turned his head, his gaze following the boots up to a sexy pair of jeans, and blue jacket to a set of rosy lips, and finally, to laughing, blue eyes.

  “Seen enough?” Claire quipped.

  He laughed and rose. “Hello, Claire. What can I do for you?”

  Her lashes fell and then lifted as a slight blush graced her cheeks.

  Interesting, he didn’t take her for a shy woman.

  “Well, I was hoping maybe I could convince you to go to lunch with me. Provided you can leave your job, and you’re not involved with anyone.”

  “I’d love to have lunch with you.” He stood and wiped his hands down his jeans. He was startled and pleased that Claire had taken the initiative. More of what he found attractive about her came back to him; she was straight-forward, not a game player. “I’m not involved with anyone, or I wouldn’t have kissed you. I’m assuming you don’t have a boyfriend?”

  She shook her head, causing her brown hair to swirl around her shoulders.

  “Let me tell someone I’m leaving, and we’ll head out.” He’d been pretty sure she didn’t have a boyfriend back in Boston. She didn’t strike him as a person who cheated.

  She followed him as he made his way to the front counter where a young man stood.

  “Hey, Peter,” he said, “I’m going to go to lunch. Be back in a while.”

  “Sure, boss.” Peter grinned at Claire and then back to him, but that was it.

  Josh cupped Claire’s elbow and led her out of the store.

  “Won’t you be cold?” she asked.

  He held out his arm; his long-sleeved flannel shirt was warm enough. “The sun is out.”

  She shivered.

  “It’s early spring, everything is starting to thaw out. But you’re dressed for the weather. Why hiking boots?”

  “I took a small hike in the Green Forest National Park this morning.”

  “Alone?” He didn’t like that she was out hiking alone.

  “Yes. And before you go all male on me, I took one of the easy trails, and I had supplies in case something happened.” She shook her head. “Tell me how you came to be owner of the hardware store. You were living in Maine, right?”

  “Lobster Cove. My dad owned the store. When he became ill, I came home to help him. He left me the store when he passed away.” Which had surprised the hell out of him.

  “Why did you stay here? You had a life in Lobster Cove.”

  “I did.” He kept her close to his side as they walked down Main Street. “I was here six months before Dad passed. And the store has been in the family for a long time. It didn’t feel right to sell it.” It hadn’t. As much as he and his father hadn’t agreed to Josh’s life choices, there was family history here.

  Years ago, his old man had wanted Josh to stay and run the Willow Springs Hardware store. Josh had worked there as a teenager, but he had rebelled and left for Lobster Cove. When the sheriff had called to tell Josh about his dad’s heart attack, Josh had left his job as a dungeon monitor at the Red Club to come back to Willow Springs and help out. Thanks to Jessie, his boss at the Red Club who had taught him valuable skills, he could easily take over the business.

  Josh thought of the new building slowly coming together on his property. A new club. His club. While he and his father had never seen eye-to-eye about the way Josh lived his life, his father had been the one to now allow him to take a step he’d only been thinking about.

  His father had loved him. While they’d pretty much gotten over their quarrels, the old man had been set in his ways and never understood why Josh had left Willow Springs.

  Claire paused outside an antique store, and Josh made a mental note to help her explore it another day.

  “It’s nice that you’re keeping the family business going,” Claire said as they continued walking. “How long has the store been here?”

  “Since the 1850s.” He glanced at her. “Is the Stone Hearth Tavern okay for lunch?”

  She smiled. “Since I know nothing in town, that’s fine.”

  Josh frowned. “Didn’t you eat dinner last night?” He guided her up Maple Run Avenue and onto Mill.

  “I did. I had half a sandwich left over from lunch.”

  He shook his head. “You need more than that. The food here is good. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and other things.” Willow Springs might be small, but they had lots of places to eat.

  “Sounds delicious.” As if on cue, her stomach growled. “Sorry, I only grabbed a muffin before I left the inn this morning.”

  “What time was that?”

  “Eight. I wanted to get out and hike early.”

  “You’re an early riser for being on vacation.” He stopped in front of the tavern. The outside reflected an older-style building with the weathered wood treated to withstand the elements. The place had been here since before he was born. He held the oak door open for Claire, allowing her to enter before following her.

  It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. The warmth of the tavern welcomed them. The rich, wood paneling gave the place a homey feeling as did the big fireplace in the bar area. There were only a few patrons.

  “Hey, Josh,” Karla, the owner said, walking up to them with her strawberry blonde hair pulled back and a wide smile on her face.

  “Karla, this is Claire, she’s visiting from out of town.”

  “Nice. Go sit anywhere. You made it in before the lunch crowd.”

  “How about by the window?” Josh asked Claire as he led her toward a table for two. He pulled out the heavy, oak chair for her. Once she was seated, he took his place across from her.

  Karla bustled over and set down two glasses of water and menus. “Specials are on the chalkboard. Would you like something other than water to drink?”

  “Hot tea, please,” Claire said.

  “Iced tea for me.”

  “You got it.” Karla left.

  They were both quiet as they read the menu. Josh already knew what he wanted as he had spied it on the specials board. Karla came back with their drinks, and they ordered.

  “I’m glad you came to the hardware store. A bit surprised, too.” It had been a nice surprise. He hadn’t expected her to seek him out so soon, but it was nice.

  She laughed, and his groin tightened as the soft waves from her laugh caressed his skin.

  “Can I be honest with you?” she asked.

  “I want you to be.” That was one thing about being in the BDSM community for as long as he was. He valued honesty and openness.

  “I’m attracted to you.” Her voice was soft.

  His heart lightened at her words. “I’m attracted to you too.”

  “I haven’t been in a serious relationship in a while.”

  “Would you clarify what you mean?” He hadn’t been, either, but it had more to do with moving back to Willow Springs than anything else.

  She ducked her head. “My last date was with you. I haven’t had sex since two months before that.”

  His jaw almost dropped open. Were the men in Boston blind? One part of him was happy she hadn’t been involved with anyone for a while, the other very surprised. “I haven’t been in a relationship since I moved back here to Willow Springs, and that was about six months after our date.”


  “Are the women here blind?” Her voice rose as she echoed the words he’d just thought about her. Color rose to her cheeks as she looked around. Luckily, it was early enough that no one really heard her. “A good-looking guy like you. I would think the women here would be flocking after you.”

  “Not here. I grew up with a lot of the women in town. I don’t see them that way. Plus, many of them are married.”

  A shadow fell over the table.

  Josh glanced up to see Scott McPherson standing by the table. He bit back his annoyance. “Hey, Scott. What’s up?”

  “Hi Josh, sorry to disturb your lunch with this beautiful lady,” Scott said.

  Josh chuckled. “No trouble.” He introduced the two.

  “Good to meet you, Scott.”

  “You too, Miss Claire.” Scott turned back to Josh. “The lumber you wanted came in, and I wanted to let you know.”

  “That’s great. Can you deliver it tonight?”

  “Sure can. Six o’clock?”

  “Perfect. Thanks, Scott.”

  “No problem. Enjoy your lunch.”

  Josh was excited the last of the lumber was here. Now, he could build a nice reception area for the club and finish up the platforms.

  “What are you building?” Claire asked.

  Josh grinned. “A new building on my property.” He wasn’t sure if she was interested in kink. Well, he’d find out and they’d go from there. “Here comes Karla with our food.”

  “So Claire, tell me about your life?” Josh asked as they ate.

  Claire smiled. “Not a lot to tell. I still work in IT and am taking a vacation before I take on a new job within the company.”

  “Promotion?” He wouldn’t be surprised.

  “Yes. I’m a little nervous about it, but it’s a job I’ve always wanted to do.” She waved her hand. “It involves a lot of travel.”

  “You like to travel?” Curiosity flowed through his veins as he enjoyed watching her as she talked. The enthusiasm in her voice flowed over him.

  “I don’t know.” She pushed her empty plate away. “I’ve always wanted to do more traveling, and the job of helping set up new offices for the company seems a good place to start.”

  “The company you’re working for is expanding?”

  “Yep, we’re becoming more global. We’ve already started expanding in the U.S., but we want to get into Europe and other places.” She rubbed her forehead. “It’s going to be a lot of work. I’m on one of the set-up teams.”

  The excitement in her voice made Josh a little sad. His roots were here in Willow Springs. Could a long-distance relationship work? He reined in his thoughts. Claire was only here for the week.

  “But tell me more about you and how you like Willow Springs?” she asked.

  He let her redirect the conversation. “Willow Springs is a good place. Small enough so you know who’s who, but big enough you don’t feel hemmed in, especially in winter.”

  “I haven’t seen much yet.”

  “The people are great.” He paused as his lips turned up. “I was surprised when everyone in town welcomed me home so easily. My dad and I weren’t on the best of terms when I left. But there was no resentment or hostility.” It still surprised him, but he was grateful.

  “Sounds like you don’t mind living here.”

  “I don’t.” When had that happened? He couldn’t pinpoint exactly the point, but maybe it was when the town council approved his club. Not that there wasn’t opposition, but there was more support. Josh’s heart lightened. He’d made the right choice. “Willow Springs is special.”

  “I’m eager to explore.” She glanced out the window before her gaze turned back to him.

  “Would you like a guide?”

  Claire tilted her head and stared at him, then smiled. “I’d love one.”

  Karla sauntered up to the table. “I trust everything was good?” she asked, picking up their empty plates.

  “Wonderful as always,” Josh said with a grin.

  “Great, anything else?”

  Josh looked at Claire.

  “I’m good,” Claire said.

  “Me, too. Thanks, Karla.”

  Claire pulled open her small bag and pulled out her wallet. “I’ll get it.”

  He waved his hand for her to put her money away.

  She shook her head. “I invited you to lunch; that means I pay.”

  “Male privilege.”

  “Bull.” She waved at Karla, holding out her credit card. “I’m paying, Karla. Don’t let him.”

  “A determined, smart woman. Pay attention, Josh, she’s a keeper.” Karla took her card and walked away.

  “That wasn’t necessary.” His gut clenched. He didn’t like that she’d paid for their meal. Which was odd, because he’d let women pay before, but with Claire, his dominant side rose to full force. He wanted to take care of her.

  “It was to me.” She reached over and covered his hand with hers. The soft feel of her skin against his soaked into him. “I know you wanted to pay, but I did ask you to lunch. Just call me unconventional.”

  “How unconventional?”

  Claire gave him a grin. “That’s my secret.”

  Josh laughed as Karla arrived at the table with the charge slip and Claire’s credit card then walked away. He pulled the tip out of his wallet and dropped it on the table. Claire gave him a quick glance, then signed the slip and put her credit card and receipt away.

  He stood and helped Claire to her feet. He kept her arm tucked through his as they exited and walked back toward the hardware store in the crisp afternoon.

  The birds chirping and people calling out greetings sounded in the air. A few vehicles made their way down the roads, and the laughter of children followed them as they walked. All in all, small town sounds, not the noise of the big city. A sense of belonging settled around his shoulders. When they arrived at the store, he pulled her to a stop. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

  “I’d love to.” She smiled at him.

  “I’ll pick you up at the inn at seven. Until then.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips. He kept it light and soft.

  When he lifted his head, her blue eyes were dreamy, and he forced himself not to pull her into his arms and thoroughly kiss her right there on the street where anyone could see.

  “Tonight, I want an answer to the question of just how unconventional you are.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek before turning and walking into the store, his cock pressing against his jeans.

  ****

  Claire stood outside the hardware store for a few minutes, trying to calm her racing heart and throbbing of her nipples. Josh’s kiss touched her in places she hadn’t expected. Damn, that man could kiss. She’d known that from the date they’d had before, but today, it was even more so. More everything.

  Their conversation at lunch, those smoldering glances he gave her, the timbre of his voice…all of it affected her in little ways. Her panties were damp and her desire for him ramped up. She hid it well.

  With a sigh, she turned and started walking. She wasn’t ready to go back to her room yet. Spending time with Josh had her engines revving. She passed the inn, the newspaper office, the credit union, until she found herself at the town square.

  She took the brick walkway to the white-painted gazebo in the center. There were lots of trees around. She wasn’t sure, but they looked like maple trees. The elm trees already had their leaves back, and the big tree standing away from everything was an evergreen. A Christmas tree. Wouldn’t it be nice to be here when it was fully lit? The vision sprang to life in her mind, and she could almost smell the scents of Christmas in the town—snow and pine boughs, baked goods and cinnamon-spiked hot chocolate.

  Spying a wooden bench, she sat down and tipped her head back to look at the clear sky. When was the last time she had just sat, taken in her surroundings, and let her mind wander? Not for a long time. Probably not since college.

  She’d be
en recruited by a consulting firm right out of college. She jumped at the job to be part of the new IT department. She enjoyed her work, and her boss had been understanding with the time she’d taken off when her sister was sick. But she hadn’t taken any time to stop and smell the flowers…or look at stars.

  Peggy, you would have loved this place. Her sister had been so much more laid back than Claire was. They had been only two years apart. Lord, she missed her baby sister.

  Peggy had been a free spirit who could make Claire laugh at anything. Claire was much more a “by-the-book, let’s-get-this-done” type. Maybe because her mind worked that way to solve problems. Her sister’s illness wasn’t a problem she could solve no matter how hard she tried, and that was a painful reality to have to accept.

  Specialist after specialist, and consultants. Each time, the news was the same. There was no treatment for the cancer. Peggy had never lost her sunny disposition, even in the end when she was in so much pain.

  Claire wiped the tears from her cheeks. Peggy wouldn’t want her crying all the time. No, Peggy wanted Claire to live her life to the fullest, which brought her thoughts back to Josh.

  She’d made that “unconventional” comment by accident. Or was it a total accident? She wasn’t like other women. He was going to want an answer, and maybe that was what she wanted to do—tell him the truth. To test him? Because she was attracted to him, there was no doubt about that. How could she explain that she liked her sex a little rough? She enjoyed being teased and held down. Would he understand? She hoped so, because she wanted to have a vacation fling with him.

  It had been too long since she’d had any pleasure in her life, and if he was the man she thought he might be, given his dominant yet gentlemanly attitudes, he would be just the answer. Her panties moistened at the thought, and she crossed her legs, smiling that no one could guess her secret thoughts.

  No one was waiting for her at home. She was a free woman and could afford to indulge herself with Josh. But if she did this, she would have to be careful not to allow her heart to get involved. Short-term fling, that’s all she wanted. Seize the moment. Her sister’s words filtered through her mind.

  The honking of a horn jolted her from her thoughts.