You & Me: The Complete Series (3 Book Boxset) Read online

  “Oh, Georgia. I’m not high-maintenance if that’s what you’re worried about. I think the company in which I’ll be staying in this ‘not fancy’ cottage of yours will more than make up for whatever it is you’re thinking I won’t like.”

  As those words leave her mouth the last bit of anxiety I was holding in melts away and we pull into the parking lot. God, I love it when she calls me, Georgia.

  “Wait here,” I tell her.

  I jump out of the jeep and around the back where I grab her bags with my left hand and then open her door with my right.

  “So chivalrous of you, kind sir,” she giggles and reaches for her bags.

  “I don’t think so. You will not be carrying your own bags while you’re with me, young lady.”

  I shut the jeep door and take her hand as we walk over to the colorful row of beach cottages.

  “Ours is the white one,” I say veering us to the left.

  “Jonathan, it’s adorable and it’s right on the beach! This is so great! Thank you so much.”

  I feel her squeeze my hand in her excitement and it makes my own excitement soar. I have to let go of her hand to get the key out of my pocket and to open the door.

  “After you,” I say holding the door open for her.

  I watch her walk in to the small cottage and down the narrow hall that leads to the living room. She’s almost skipping as she hops down the hall and takes everything in.

  I could watch her walk around in those tight ass jeans that she has rolled at the bottom all night long. Watching her bend over that pool table earlier nearly killed me. The problem with placing her on that stool was that it gave me the perfect view down her shirt where I could see her red bra that was hidden under her black tank.

  “Jonathan, we have our own covered patio or deck or whatever you call it! I love it!” she squeals.

  “Go out and take a look,” I tell her.

  She slides open the door to the deck and I see her pick up the gift that I left for her. Her mouth drops open and she looks over her shoulder at me and shakes her head. Clutching the next book in the Outlander series to her chest she says, “How did you know?” I start to answer and then she remembers. “Wait, we saw this in the window of that little book store we passed the other night. I said I couldn’t wait to read it and you remembered,” she says putting the book on the little eating table next to her and walking over to me.

  I set her bags at my feet in time for her to slide her hands up my chest and behind my neck. The moment I feel her touch me my hands are on her hips and I lift her so that she has to put her legs around my waist and I get to grab that amazing ass of hers to keep her steady.

  “I remember everything about you, Gracie,” I say as I look into the crystal blue eyes that are now all I see when I go to sleep at night.

  “Thank you, Georgia, I love it. I appreciate the sticky note as well.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like the book, but I really need to kiss you now.”

  Before I get the chance she attacks me with those sweet, delicious lips of hers and within seconds her tongue is doing things that make my dick spring back to life, just like it did at the bar.

  God, she is amazing. I could kiss her forever.

  As badly as I want to take her straight to the bedroom and kiss more than her mouth I remember that I don’t want her to think this is all about getting her into bed, even though that’s all that I can think about at the moment.

  “Maybe we should finish the tour?” I suggest.

  “Oh, sure. I kinda forgot there was more to see,” she says sheepishly.

  “Well, not much more but still, if we don’t press pause I can’t promise that I will remain the gentleman that I promised you I would be a couple of days ago.”

  “Ok, well I wouldn’t want you to lose the title of gentleman because of me.”

  Against everything I want in this moment, I release that fine ass of hers and let her drop her legs back down to the floor. I pick up her bags and try to pull myself together. I think she intentionally slid her body down mine as slow as she possibly could, and she certainly left quite an impression.

  “So, as you can see just over here we have the kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances,” I say in my best Real Estate Agent voice. “And over here, ma’am, we have the bathroom. It’s not big but should have everything you need. And through this door we have the master bedroom. Correction, through this door we have the one and only bedroom.”

  “So, is this where the magic happens?”

  I put her bags on the floor next to the bed, and step towards her, where she’s leaning against the door frame of the bedroom. I bend down so that we’re eye to eye with my hands on her waist and say with all sincerity, “Emily, I have no problem sleeping on the couch. I do not want you to think that I have any expectations. I just want to spend as much time with you as possible before Monday gets here. If the ‘magic’ as you say, happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I just want you to be comfortable and to have some fun before your vacation is over.”

  “I have to say, that your status as a gentleman is still very well intact.”

  I kiss her forehead and let her know that I’m going to give her a few minutes to get settled and unpack, and that I will be waiting for her out on the patio when she’s ready. I would really love for the ‘magic’ to happen but I meant what I said, just being with her is truly enough. Even if that means walking around with God damned blue balls.

  Emily

  He leaves me with a kiss on the forehead and then shuts the door behind him. I stand frozen in the spot where he left me, unable to move. I can still feel his lips on my forehead and I’m afraid to move for fear that the feeling will leave me too soon.

  Is this really happening? He is just too good to be true. Should I be scared? Should I call Cami to come get me? She does have the keys to my Jetta. I don’t think he’s a serial killer because he made sure to tell Cami where I was going to be and Devon and Matt know as well. No, I think I’m safe. Well, physically. I’m not sure my heart will survive when this is all said and done.

  I pick up my bags and place them on the bed, and start to unload all of my things. I check all of the drawers in the little dresser against the wall across from the bed and all the drawers are empty. I check the closet and that’s empty as well. I wonder where his stuff is? I try not to think about it too much and put my things away.

  I can hear him moving around in the kitchen and wonder what he’s up to. We just had a bunch of appetizers at Ole’s so I don’t think he’s making us dinner. I know I should just open the door and find out for myself what he’s doing, but I’m suddenly nervous. I’m not sure why but I can’t seem to get myself to leave the room just yet. I need to settle my nerves first.

  I find my toiletries and clean up a bit, and then realize that there’s nothing left for me to do alone in this bedroom. I take a couple of deep breaths and put my hand on the door knob.

  You can do this Emily. You deserve some fun, and you need to just live in the moment and enjoy this man. This man that is doing everything in his power to make sure you have the best week of your life.

  I mean the book! Did he really get me the latest Diana Gabaldon book? I can’t even believe he remembered me commenting on it. He seems to hear every word I say. I have to be careful because I feel like if I said I wanted a unicorn he would find a way to make that happen too. Hell, he would probably put himself into a freaking unicorn costume to make it happen.

  With that thought I apply pressure, turn the door knob, and walk down the tiny hall to the kitchen where he seems to be keeping himself very busy.

  “Hey, there you are! Sorry I didn’t have this all ready. Were you able to find room for everything? Do you think you’ll be comfortable?” He asks nervously. He seems to be just as anxious as I am, but that can’t be true. He always seems so confident. Well, he did until the moment he was wiping his sweaty palms on his shorts as he asked me to com
e spend the week with him. It’s kinda cute, I must say.

  I lean against the counter where he seems to be scooping ice cream and I try to ease his mind and my nerves as best I can by saying, “Jonathan, it’s perfect. You’ve done way too much. Thank you. In fact, I’m sure this place wasn’t cheap. I’d love to pitch in and help pay for it.”

  “Oh, sweet Emily, you really are adorable. Let’s just get this out in the open now,” he says as he points an ice cream covered spoon my way. “I’m not sure what guys are like where you come from, or down here in California, but where I come from, the woman never pays. I know you don’t do relationships and you don’t want to label whatever this is that we have going, but for the time I have with you, you are mine and I take care of what’s mine. It might sound archaic but I don’t care,” he says to me as he walks over and holds the spoon up to my mouth and I open at his silent command.

  I take the bite of delicious vanilla ice cream and watch as he licks the spoon after he takes it back from me.

  “Let me take care of you Emily, and if that means paying for things then that’s what it means. Can you handle that? Do I have to explain myself again?”

  “Can I have more ice cream?”

  “Only if you promise not to ask to pay for anything else the rest of the week.”

  “Jonathan, that just doesn’t seem fair,” I say as Devon’s words about breaking his heart whirl through my head. The thought of him spending money on me all week for me to just leave after all is said and done feels so wrong.

  “Emily, I’m not really giving you the option about me paying. I am, however, giving you the option to accept it and earn yourself some ice cream.”

  It goes against my better judgement, and I really don’t like to rely on anybody but myself, but I need to live today like it’s my last. Cami and I have always had our little mantra and today is the day I finally put it to the test. Besides, I really want more ice cream.

  “Okay,” I agree reluctantly.

  “That’s my girl! Now, how about a root beer float?” He asks me as he lifts his eyebrows up and down a couple of times like it’s the best idea anybody has ever had.

  “That sounds amazing! Where did you get supplies for root beer floats?”

  “Well, I had hoped you would agree to coming here so I sorda went and did some grocery shopping to set us up for the rest of the week. I hope you don’t mind that I went without you? I just wanted to get it done and out of the way,” he says as he walks back to the kitchen counter where I see the two pint glasses of fluffy foam goodness!

  “You went grocery shopping?” I ask suspiciously.

  Leaning one hip on the counter next to the root beer floats he crosses his arms over his chest and says, “I sure did. Feel free to check out the fridge and the cupboards, thee who haveth little faith in my shopping abilities.”

  I walk to the fridge and glance at his handsome, cocky face as I pull the door open and sure enough he went shopping! There is fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, along with eggs, chicken, bacon, soda, juice, milk, what looks like a plethora of fresh ingredients for meals and two rolls of cookie dough.

  “So, you know how to cook all of these ingredients in here?” I ask with skepticism in my voice.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I love to cook. I grew up with my mom teaching me everything she knew and it stayed with me. Impressed much?”

  He still hasn’t moved from his spot against the counter and his arms are still crossed over his broad chest.

  “Don’t forget the freezer and the cupboards,” he reminds me.

  I pull open the freezer and there are two tubs of ice cream. One tub of chocolate with a big J written on the lid and a tub of vanilla, caramel swirl with an E on it. There are also random frozen foods from pizza to mozzarella sticks.

  “Now this is more my speed. I can use the microwave or bake something frozen in the oven, but I’m afraid the hard stuff will be left to you, Chef Kelly.”

  As I look at the root beer floats sitting next to him I think of how soft the ice cream must be getting and ask, “Do you think we could have a couple of bites before I continue my look around the kitchen?”

  “If you must,” he says handing me one of the large spoons he had waiting on the counter.

  “I must!”

  We both pick up our floats, and as if on the same brain wave, we both lean our glasses to the others and clank them together and say, “Cheers!”

  We just look at each other smile and then take our first bites of memories, pure memories.

  “Shit, I forgot how good these are.” He says on a moan that sounds so freaking sexy, even if it’s over the float and not me.

  “I know. I feel like I am eating a glass of childhood memories right now. Cami and I always had these at our sleep overs when we were little and now I remember why. So. Freaking. Good!”

  “When we were talking the other night and you were telling me all those stories about you and Cami growing up I realized it had been a long time since I’d had something like this. We don’t exactly have this stuff over in the barracks on the regular so I had to get us some.”

  Again, I’m shocked that he actually hears what I say. No guy I’ve ever dated actually gave a shit what I had to say. Is this guy for real? He just seems too good to be true I can’t help but think to myself again.

  “And…now I remember the worst part about a root beer float.”

  “Is there a worst part?” I say like he is out of his mind.

  “Oh yes there is, my sweet girl,” he says as he gives me a cold and slightly sticky kiss to the nose. “The ice cream is always gone way too soon and then you’re left with too much root beer. But...the great part about being an adult is I can just scoop up more and add to it. I think that’s just what I am gonna do!” He says as he lifts his spoon up in the air as if he is now the victor in some competition only he’s a part of.

  If he wasn’t so freaking hot I would say he was cute, but the unadulterated sexiness that is Jonathan Kelly beats out the cute. It’s a really tight race, though.

  “Well, I like my ice creamy root beer just the way it is, so you get on with your bad self and get more ice cream, you big old adult, you. I have cupboards to check out while I continue to drink my frothy goodness.”

  I turn my back to him and open the cupboard in front of me but only find glasses. I move to the next and find plates, and then in the cupboard next to the fridge I strike gold. What I find may just change my last thought about the hotness overriding the cuteness.

  The thing that catches my eye first off is that there are two jars of peanut butter. The jar with the creamy has a pink sticky note on it that says Gracie, and the jar with the crunchy has a blue sticky note on it that says, Georgia. There are many other items in the cupboard, including what look to me to be ingredients to make s’mores. The s’more ingredients would normally win out, but at the moment I’m standing here with unshed tears in my eyes that I refuse to let fall. I don’t even know why they’re there. I’m not sad. I’m happy. I mean he got me my own peanut butter, and then there’s the sticky notes. Freaking sticky notes! I feel so special in this moment but I can’t tell him that. It’s not like my mom and my brother or even Cami don’t love me and treat me great, but I’ve never had a guy treat me like this. It’s a bit overwhelming with all that I have going on and it’s happening so damn fast.

  I feel two strong arms circle around my middle from behind.

  “You haven’t moved. You okay, Gracie?” He whispers in my ear.

  Praying to everything holy that my voice doesn’t quiver when I answer I say, “You remembered? You actually hear what I say and remember it? Are you for real?”

  He rests his chin on my shoulder and lets out a big breath and says in a low whisper into my ear, “Sweetheart, I told you I remember everything about you. There is something about you that has crawled under my skin, and to be honest I want it to stay there. Just being near you makes me so happy that all I can think about is making
you feel just as happy as I am. I know that this is fast, and I know we’re on borrowed time, but shit, Em, I have spent the last three nights with you just talking. Just talking all night, okay not just talking. There have been the best kisses of my life thrown in here and there. But for the most part I never would have thought that the girl I had always dreamed of would show up and I would stay up every night talking to her, if you know what I mean?”

  He turns me so I’m facing him and a tear escapes against my will to trap it in. He wipes it away and continues…

  “Would I like more than talking? Of course. But am I okay just spending every night this week hanging out? You bet your sweet ass I am,” he says as he gives me a tiny little pat to what is apparently my ‘sweet ass’.

  “So, yes, I remember all the little things you say because you are all I think about. I can’t fall asleep at night because these fucking beautiful blue eyes of yours are all I can see as I replay our conversations over and over in my head. It’s like deep down I know I’m not going to be able to use my southern charm to get you to make this last longer than the time you’ve promised me. I’m trying to bottle it all up so that I can keep these memories forever.”

  “Jonathan, I don’t want to hurt you if I can’t promise more than this time we have right now. My life is up in the air and I have so much going on. Everything you’re doing means the world to me and I feel the same way. The last few days and nights have been amazing, but I need to know that I’m not leading you on and that you know that now is all I can give you. Please tell me you know that and you still want me to stay,” I almost beg as more tears start to pile up in my eyes.

  “I want you to stay more than anything I have ever wanted. I understand what you’re offering and even if it kills me on Monday, I will let you say goodbye.”

  He brushes my rogue tears away and kisses, each of my tear-stained checks and says, “Now, no more tears sweetheart. Let’s have some fun.”