No Vacancy Page 5

  “Hey, is Joe here?”

  My head whipped around toward the sound of a familiar, sultry voice. Caterina was speaking to Dominic when she noticed me. A slow smile stretched her lips when her eyes locked with mine. It felt like we were the only two people in the room—just like last night. In cutoff denim shorts, a Yankees hoodie, and glasses, she was a fucking vision. Her chestnut hair cascaded down her back in long waves, and my hands twitched, my fingers wanting to sift through the strands and grab a fistful before I covered her mouth with mine again. I’d devoured her in every sense of the word last night and still starved for more.

  “Good morning, Caterina.”

  A pretty blush crept on her cheeks, and my chest swelled. Maybe she felt the same pull between us—the one that wouldn’t let her out of my head since I’d left her motel room.

  “I’ll find her a table, Dom. Thank you.” I glanced over her shoulder to his sly grin, knowing he’d break my balls until I explained who she was.

  “I didn’t realize the time.” Her face crumpled into a frown after she glanced at her watch. “I understand if it’s too late for breakfast.”

  My gaze fell to her lips, still swollen from last night—from me. She was here for me, and the notion made me purely happy. I had no clue what it was about this woman that grabbed me so intensely, but it wasn’t letting go anytime soon.

  Her chocolate eyes blazed a trail down my torso, darting up before they got to my waist. She lifted her gaze to mine and rubbed at her temples, probably realizing she was caught. She was so fucking adorable, I couldn’t stand it.

  “Even if it was too late, you have an in with the owner.” I threw her a wink. “What can I get you? Eggs? Pancakes? The kitchen is at full capacity, so you can have whatever you want.”

  “How about both scrambled eggs and pancakes? I’m starving. Long night, you know?” She met my eyes with a cheeky but bashful grin.

  “Yes, I do know.” My gaze held hers for a long minute before I headed toward the kitchen.

  “Okay, spill.”

  I grumbled at Dominic’s demand as I made my way to the grill. Our cook wasn’t that busy, but I’d told Caterina I’d make her breakfast, and, for more reasons I couldn’t explain, I wanted to.

  “She was here last night, and I told I’d make her breakfast this morning if she came back.” I didn’t look up as I cracked two eggs into a bowl.

  “You usually don’t help with the grill unless it’s packed. Why do I feel like you’re leaving out a big part of the story?”

  Ignoring the irritating weight of his stare, I poured the eggs on the griddle and reached for the bowl of pancake batter.

  “You did get laid! That explains the vacant stare and nodding off at the counter. Good for you, man.” Dominic jabbed my shoulder. “Finally.”

  “Finally? Dude, I’m not a virgin or a monk. Stop acting like it’s a milestone.”

  “It is a milestone. All you do is work. I miss the days when we first moved here, and you were a little more relaxed. You’re going to give yourself an ulcer before you turn thirty-five.”

  He had a point, even if I wouldn’t admit it. When we’d first arrived, everything was new and full of hope, so I’d allowed myself a little fun here and there. Now, even though we were doing well, that light feeling I used to enjoy had become a brick on my chest. I bought this place to make my own rules and have my own idea of success, but the threat of failure loomed heavier over my head than I’d ever expected it to.

  “Running a business isn’t all fun and games. I have a loan to pay back, and, yeah, we’re still making a good profit, but I need to make sure it stays that way.”

  “Owen doesn’t want to be paid back. He hands you back every cent when you try. Take his advice and invest it back here. Advertise more, fix the outside tables, whatever. Loosen up, man.”

  I plated Caterina’s breakfast before I looked up. Dominic was spot on again. I couldn’t even remember the last night I’d spent the night away from this place.

  “You’re right. If I was going to make myself miserable, I could have worked for my father.”

  “You’re admitting I’m right? You really must be tired.” He stepped back, clutching his chest. “So, this girl is something else, huh?”

  “She is, or, at least, she could be. I only just met her, but—”

  “But nothing. Go with it. Who knows, maybe it’s one of those love-at-first-sight things?”

  I dropped the plate on the counter and leveled my gaze on Dominic. “Love at first sight? Are you kidding me right now? Did you hit your head on the way in?”

  He shrugged. “It happens. From what I hear. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never been this twisted over a woman you’d only just met. I mean, back when you used to occasionally see women.”

  “I like her, but I’m not twisted, Dom.” I didn’t even buy my own wimpy denial.

  “Really?” He cocked his head to the side. “You wouldn’t even let me seat her and sprinted back here to cook her breakfast yourself. Jordan and I were cracking up at the googly eyes when you took her order.”

  “Googly eyes?” I squinted at Dom before I picked up the plate.

  “I think anyone in this place who looked your way for more than five minutes noticed. See where it goes, live a little.”

  I said nothing as I followed Dominic back outside, not acknowledging the smug grin lifting his cheeks at my silence.

  7

  Joe

  When I arrived at her table, Caterina was pounding on the keys to her laptop and didn’t seem to notice me approach. Maybe we both had that in common—we were too easily sucked in by work to notice life happening around us.

  “Here you go.”

  Her head jerked up when I set the food down in front of her.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “No, it’s fine. Just trying to catch up on work while I can. Lou was right, I could barely get a signal in my room, but I know I can’t stay here all day long.” She pushed her glasses farther up the bridge of her nose, and my cock once again stirred to attention. She was sexy as hell in those frames and the thought of her wearing them because I asked her to excited me more than it should have.

  “Stay here as long as you need to. No one will push you out, I promise.”

  Her shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank you.” She closed her laptop and pulled her plate closer. “This looks really awesome.”

  “Can I get you anything else?” I cleared my throat, trying in vain to sound professional. The last thing I wanted was to make her uncomfortable. We had a good night—a great fucking night—but, as she’d mentioned, she wasn’t looking to get involved with anyone. But she was here, and that made a spark of hope bloom in my chest anyway. Like I’d told Dom over and over again, I didn’t have time for this.

  But I’d make time for her.

  I blinked away the odd thought. My sleep-deprived mind was playing tricks on me.

  “No, the waitress got me coffee. Would you like to sit with me for a bit?” Her fingers traced the ridge of her coffee cup. “It’s okay if you can’t. It’s not like the place is empty again—”

  “Sure.” My lips curved, my chest puffing out a bit when she beamed back at me. The spell that drew me to her didn’t break in the daylight.

  I sat down and called Jordan over.

  “Can I get a cup of coffee, please?”

  Jordan looked between Caterina and me with a sly grin and nodded. Ignoring her, I turned back to Caterina. She fiddled with the spoon on the table, gliding her finger up and down the silver stem as she studied me.

  “I need you to indulge me for a moment. My name is Caterina Rose Longo. I’m sure you don’t care about my full name, but you’re the first man I’ve slept with that didn’t know it beforehand, and, for reasons I can’t explain, that bothered me. So, now you know.”

  I cracked up and nodded. “Well, it’s nice to know you, Caterina Rose. I’m Joseph Kellan Hunter.”

  “Of c
ourse, that’s your name.” She shook her head and sliced into one of the pancakes.

  “What’s wrong with it? You’d hurt my mother’s feelings if you didn’t like my middle name.”

  “No, that’s not what I mean.”

  Jordan placed a cup of coffee in front of me, and I nodded a thank you, ignoring her stare as she lingered before moving along to another table.

  “Then, what?” I kept my eyes on hers as I reached for the sugar. This was already cup number four in as many hours.

  “Your name drips sex, just like the rest of you. Women don’t stand a chance, do they?”

  I sputtered on a mouthful of coffee.

  “I drip sex, and you don’t stand a chance. Did I get all that right?”

  “Pretty much.” She nodded with a shrug. “You’re impossibly sexy, and I lost myself a little last night. Well, a lot, to tell you the truth.”

  “Caterina, if you’re asking me if I’m judging you in one way or another, I don’t. I was right there with you.”

  I was all about easy and casual and would seek out only those on that same page. No one ever affected me like this, much less this fast, and last night seemed anything but casual.

  She wasn’t the only one with a first last night.

  “I’m…there’s a lot going on in my head. I’m getting used to being alone, even though I guess I was alone for a long time. Trent said some things that got to me yesterday, and I’m still working all of it out.”

  “What did he say?” Her defeated expression gave me the sudden urge to kick the ass of someone I’d never met.

  She laughed to herself and crossed her arms.

  “That I’m a cold fish who can’t truly connect with anyone, and that he did what he did because I was too distracted with everything else to make him a priority. He’s a jerk but has a point. My job was my focus more than he ever was.” Her shoulders slumped as she pushed her eggs back and forth on her plate.

  “The woman I was with last night was warm and passionate and ...” I stopped before I made an idiot of myself. “Blaming what he did on you is a dick move. Plain and simple.”

  “I agree. And thank you.” She leaned over and draped her hand over mine. “You’re a sweet guy, Joe. Did anyone ever tell you that?”

  “Finish your breakfast.” My voice was husky but stern as I motioned to her plate.

  Caterina laughed before spearing a piece of pancake and popping it into her mouth. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her sexy little moan made my pants grow tight.

  “Did you know your food noises are the same as your sex noises?”

  “What?” Her nose crinkled up in confusion.

  “Last night, when you took a bite of the mozzarella stick—”

  “I was starving after a long drive.” She scowled, but I caught the pull of a smile.

  “And then later, when my head was between your—”

  Her fork landed on her plate with a loud clank before her mouth dropped.

  “Same noise. Although, the second time was more of a moan mixed with a scream.”

  She draped her hand over her eyes, her face beet red. “I think you have a dirty mouth, Joe.”

  “If you only think so, I need to up my game.”

  She balled her napkin and flung it at me, nailing me right in the chest.

  “Hey, I’m not complaining. I like that in a woman.”

  Her brows shot up. “You like women who like to eat?”

  “I like women who are hungry and not afraid to show it.”

  She cleared her throat and straightened in the seat. I was getting to her and loving every second of it.

  “Another question, if that’s okay.”

  “Shoot,” I said, not able to hide the twitching of my lips at the blush still spreading on her cheeks.

  “How old are you? I’m thirty-three.”

  “Just turned thirty. Are you okay with spending last night with a younger man?” I peered at her over my coffee cup.

  “You just turned thirty, and you already own your own business? Wow. That’s pretty damn impressive. Are you okay with spending last night with a woman in her almost mid-thirties?” She drained the rest of her coffee, her eyes still on me.

  “I spent last night with a beautiful woman I couldn’t get out of my head all morning. I’m very okay with that,” I rasped, meaning every single word.

  A shy grin curved her lips. “Like you said, it’s a tiny town, and I don’t want it to be awkward between us. But last night is as far as we can go. I’ve only known you for less than a day, but I can tell you’re a good guy, it’s not—”

  I held up my hand. “No need for the ‘it’s not you; it’s me’ speech, I get it.” I forced a smile to hide the confusing disappointment flooding my gut.

  “I don’t regret spending the night with you. At all. And I’d like to be friends while I’m here. You make a pretty awesome breakfast, it would be a shame to miss out on that this week.” She grinned, her honest beauty hitting me right in the chest. I’d get to see her again but couldn’t touch her again. No matter how I spun that in my head, it still sucked.

  “Looks like it’s clearing up,” I noted, motioning to the sun peeking through the window. “You don’t have to butter me up for my Wi-Fi anymore.”

  “I’m not,” she whispered, her lips pursed as she met my gaze. “I wanted to see you again, too. The timing is just ...” Her eyes darted everywhere before coming back to mine. “You deserve better than the woman I am right now.”

  A heavy silence fell over us. No matter how much of an anomaly Caterina was for me, she wasn’t ready for anything beyond one night. Normally, I would have been relieved as hell. Even though she’d be here for the next week, she wouldn’t pressure me for more than I had to give. My focus could stay on keeping this place in the black, without any silly distractions.

  But Caterina was already the very distraction I’d managed to avoid, no matter what zone she pushed us into today. But she was a temporary one that I wouldn’t have to worry about for too long.

  I should’ve felt relief, but I didn’t.

  “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  “Hmm, I haven’t really thought about it.” She scooped the rest of her eggs onto her fork. “I thought I’d work until the early afternoon and maybe walk down to the beach and get some sun, explore the town. Not used to all this free time—or being alone.” She giggled, sounding a lot more relaxed than when she’d first sat down.

  “There’s a food festival tonight. All the businesses in town pitch tents along the beach, kind of like the street fairs back in the city. You should come.”

  “That sounds fun. Maybe. I’ll see.” Her eyes landed on my lips but darted away. Giving in to the attraction between us last night didn’t work it out of our systems or even take the edge off it. If anything, it had doubled it. But, she wasn’t ready for anything beyond that, and I wouldn’t push.

  “If you need to come back and work, you’re more than welcome—anytime.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Caterina packed up her laptop before pulling her wallet out of her purse.

  “What are friends for? And keep your money.” I shoved her hand away. “I offered to make you breakfast, so it’s on me.”

  “Not again,” she groaned. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “I own the place, remember? It’s not like I’m stealing.” I stood and extended my hand. “I’ll walk you out.”

  She stiffened, regarding me with caution as if I were offering her a bomb. When she finally grabbed it, her fingers quivered against my palm. Last night could’ve been the beginning of something great, and I believed we both knew that even if we couldn’t understand it.

  Too bad we couldn’t do anything about it.

  “This is so cute. He’s holding her hand!” Jordan’s loud whisper as we passed made Caterina’s head jerk around.

  I cast Jordan a cursory glance over my shoulder as I guided Caterina out the door.

  “S
o, we don’t have to complicate this, right?” Caterina took a shaky step toward me and planted a kiss on my cheek. Memories of last night exploded in my head at the feel of her soft lips on my skin. My hand fell on the small of her back in the long minute it took her to pull away. Touching her felt too natural and too good, making that much more difficult to stop. “Friends?”

  “Friends.” I nodded, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before I pressed my lips to her cheek. The scent of vanilla mixed with maple syrup flooded my senses. She was sweet all over, and my mouth watered to taste her again.

  “See you around, Caterina Rose.”

  “Bad enough you won’t call me Cat like everyone else.” Her mouth twisted in a scowl, and my lips tingled to touch hers again. How could she be this beautiful and not have a single clue? “Using my middle name will make me drive one town over to eat, no matter how awesome your pancakes are.”

  “I told you, I didn’t want to be like everyone else to you.”

  She flinched at my admission before I backed away.

  I really didn’t want to be just anyone else to her. It went against logic and everything I’d ever known to be true about myself, but she was already under my skin in a way no other woman ever had been.

  And despite what she’d said, nothing about us felt finished.

  8

  Caterina

  “I’ll be home in a week. That’s plenty of time for you to pack and get out.” I paced around my hotel room, my hand balling into a fist at my side. Our conversation had been going around in circles for what seemed like hours, and I almost wished I was close enough to Trent to wrap my hands around his neck.

  True vacation, where I could relax and regroup from the demise of my relationship, couldn’t happen unless I knew Trent would be gone by the time I arrived back in Brooklyn. He hadn’t stopped me from walking out the door, but, in an odd and aggravating-as-hell twist of events, he refused to leave our apartment.

  After spending the day chasing some kind of peace, the closest I’d come was nursing a light beer next to the pool and almost forgetting the mess that was my life for a few sweet moments. Talking to Trent brought it all back. As my breathing quickened, I finally understood what brought me all the way out here alone. He wasn’t even in the same room, and the rage and sour sting of betrayal suffocated me once again.