N. Walters - Past Promises

Cyndi shook her head. “I can afford it. Might as well put all that money my father left me to good use. And besides, if you don’t get your inheritance straightened out right away, you can make monthly payments to me.”

Hope began to glow in Linda’s gaze. “It would have to be drawn up as a legal agreement.”

“I can get my lawyer, Alicia Flint, to do that.”

Linda sat back like someone in a daze. “I can’t believe you’re offering to loan me all that money.” She gave a small laugh. “I can’t believe I’m considering taking you up on your offer.”

“Think about it.” Cyndi glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get back to the inn. I’ve got a large group of tourists checking in later this afternoon.”

Linda stood and hugged her friend. “Thank you so much.”

“You’ll think about my offer?”

“Yes.” Linda nodded and then reached out to Amanda. “Thank you for everything.”

“My pleasure.” Amanda hugged her back. “See you later, Levi.” Amanda patted his arm as she passed him.

As the door closed behind the women, they were left alone in the store.

“Well,” Linda began. “The meeting with the banker went the way I thought it would.”

Levi cupped her face in his hands and stared down into her face, which had become so incredibly precious to him in the past few weeks. “Don’t make any decisions tonight. Give it a day or two.”

“Levi…”

“Please.”

“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed. “But I can’t just bury my head in the sand and hope this situation goes away. I either have to find a new place or I have to take Cyndi up on her offer of a loan. Time is running out.”

“Just give me until the end of tomorrow.” He stroked his thumbs over her cheeks, loving the way they flushed a light rose color. Her glossy lips parted and her breath came out in short puffs.

She licked her lips. Every muscle in his body tightened and his cock flexed, lengthening and growing. She always looked fantastic, but dressed in a power suit she looked good enough to eat. He wanted to strip the layers away and uncover the woman beneath.

He took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I’ll be gone for most of tomorrow.”

“But you’re coming back. Right?” She stepped back and turned away, fiddling with an invoice on her desk. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and applied light pressure until she looked at him. “It’s your business and I’ll definitely be back. You can count on it.”

Lowering his head, he watched as her pupils dilated and her lashes fluttered down. His lips grazed hers. She tasted warm and sweet, like chocolate and cream. “Mmm, éclair.”

He felt her smile against his lips as he let his tongue delve into the depths of her mouth. Her hands crept up the front of his shirt. Her short nails scraped over his flesh, through the thin material. He wanted her hand on his bare skin.

The bell over the door chimed as a customer came in. They broke apart quickly. Levi turned away and took a deep breath. He heard Linda do the same. When he turned back, she’d straightened her jacket, plastered a smile on her face and was greeting the middle-aged man who’d entered.

“Good morning. Welcome to Past Promises.”

The man hurried forward. “Do you carry any jewelry? It’s my wife’s birthday and she loves the stuff.”

“I have a few very nice pieces. Right over here.” She led him over to a locked jewelry case.

“I’ll see you later.” Levi left before she could answer. By the time Linda closed the shop for the day, he wanted all his work done, his files complete. He was taking a trip tomorrow. It was a short one, but it would be an effective one.

Linda knew the second Levi left. The air in the place changed, settled, becoming less sexually charged. The man had a way of pushing all her buttons without even trying. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed him right in the middle of the shop where anyone passing by outside could have seen them.

She brought her attention back to her customer, pleased when he purchased an art deco brooch for his wife. Linda chatted to the man as she boxed and wrapped the gift for him. The minute he left, she slumped back into her chair and blew out a breath.

“What a day.” She felt as though she’d been through an emotional hurricane with all the ups and downs. She had so much to think about, so many decisions to make.

Her eyes fell on the letter her brother had sent her. For some reason, she’d saved it after Levi had plucked it from her trash. Maybe she was a glutton for punishment, but she still wished she had a better relationship with her entire family, or at least her brother. They’d been close when they were small children, but had grown apart over the years.

Picking the letter up, she read it again. Anger began to bubble deep within her. What right did her brother have to criticize her life? What right did her father have to use their family power and financial clout to hurt her? What right did any of them have? It was time for this to come to an end.

Not giving herself time to think, Linda picked up the phone and dialed. It was answered on the third ring. “By the Book. Amanda Sutter speaking.” Her voice was brisk and professional.

“Hey, Amanda. It’s Linda.”

Amanda’s tone changed immediately, becoming concerned. “Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing good.” She picked at a nonexistent piece of dust on her skirt and sighed. “I need another favor.”

“Anything.”

The willingness of all her friends to help humbled her. “I need someone to watch the store tomorrow. I know you can’t leave By the Book for a second day, but I wondered if you thought your part-timer could handle my store for one day.”

“It’s easier for me to handle Past Promises and let Gemma handle By the Book. I’ll be there by ten.”

“Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“I did have my eye on that oak cabinet in the corner. The one with the games in it.” Amanda laughed. “Maybe I could get a staff discount.”

“Done.”

“I was only kidding, Linda. You don’t need to give me anything. I’m more than happy to help.”

“You’re still getting the discount if you really want the cabinet.”

“I won’t turn it down. I really want that for my living room.” Amanda hesitated slightly. “It may be none of my business—and please feel free to tell me so—but, out of curiosity, why do you need tomorrow off?”

She glanced at the letter sitting in the center of her desk. “I need to take a short trip.”

There was a brief silence on the other end. “Your family.”

Linda’s stomach began to churn, but she ignored it. “Yes.” It was past time to deal with this situation with her family once and for all.

“I’m not sure you should do this alone. Maybe Cyndi could go with you.” She hesitated slightly. “Or maybe Levi.”

There was no way she was dragging Levi any further into the mess with her family than he already was. This was something she had to do on her own, something she should have done a long time ago. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to check on the flights, but I’ll probably have to get up early to drive to the airport. I’ll drop the keys to the store into your mail slot on my way out of town. I’ll be back sometime tomorrow night.”

“No problem. Just let me know if you need longer.”

“You’re a good friend, Amanda.”

“So are you.” There was a noise in the background. “Look, I’ve got to go. But call me as soon as you get back tomorrow night. Okay?”

“I will.” The line went dead and Linda hung up the phone. She grabbed the phone book out of the desk drawer and turned pages until she found the number for a local travel agency. She dialed and the phone was quickly answered. “I need a return ticket to Vermont for tomorrow morning.” The cost of the ticket made her stomach hurt but she charged it to her credit card and finalized her travel plans.

When that was done, she turned to the invoice on her desk. She still couldn’t believe the huge sale Amanda had made for her today. Picking up the phone again, she called the woman who’d purchased the dining table. She identified herself and made arrangements for the table to be delivered later today.

She needed to call in one final favor. She took a deep breath and then dialed. The phone was picked up on the first ring. “Yeah.” Levi’s voice went through her like a hot knife through butter, making her insides melt.

“It’s me.”

His tone changed, becoming softer. “Hey, darlin’.”

A shiver skated down her spine and goose bumps rose on her flesh. She shifted uncomfortably as her body immediately responded to him. “Could you do something for me?”

“Anything.” The seductive way he said the word made her think of satin sheets and naked bodies twined together.

She picked up the invoice and waved it in front of her face. It didn’t help. She was still way too hot. “I need you to help me deliver some furniture as soon as the store closes.”

“No problem. I’ll get Jonah to help me so you can stay home. After the day you’ve had, you could use the break.”

That was so like Levi. Always trying to take the burden onto himself. “I don’t mind helping.”

“I’ll check with Jonah.”

She gave up, recognizing the stubborn tone in his voice. “I’ll pack up the dishes and get it all ready for transport.”

“Don’t work too hard, darlin’.”

“I won’t.” She clicked off the phone and tossed it down on the desk. The first thing she needed was some boxes.

Linda lay in bed later that night, tucked tight against Levi’s body. She was exhausted and wanted to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t stop working overtime.