Bayside Desires (Bayside Summers Book 1) by Melissa Foster
Damn right he did. He’d needed the safety of distance and working too many hours in order to forget what he was running from. But Desiree had changed that. In just a few short weeks she’d reminded him of the importance of dreams, and family, and love. She showed him what strength really looked like, and she’d given him a reason to feel again.
And here he was, sitting in a meeting with two men who were driving him up the fucking wall with their bickering and leaving the woman—and the family—he adored, hours and hours away. Missing him, and probably wondering why he was being such a stubborn ass.
He’d built this business to make his father proud.
He looked across the table, listening to one partner arguing about the bottom line and the other saying they had enough fucking money to survive for years and to give him a break. What was he doing? If his father were alive and sitting in this room, he’d tap him on the shoulder and nod toward the door. Come on, buddy. We’ve got better things to do than bitch about money. Life’s waiting. You’re either moving forward or moving in the wrong direction.
Rick pushed to his feet feeling lighter already.
Craig and Michael looked over, stress pinching their brows, tension riddling their tight jaws.
“Where are you going?” Craig asked.
“I’m done. I’m out. Michael, you can take over my clients. I’ll send a personal note to them explaining that I’m relocating and you’re taking over. That should take care of your financial obligations for the next year, at least.”
“What?” Craig bolted to his feet. “You can’t just leave the partnership.”
“Listen, we had a good run, but I don’t have it in me to do this anymore. The three of us were great friends, and look where we are now. Michael’s going through the roughest time of his life and you’re bitching at him for being human. Michael, I feel bad for you, man, but it’s been months. It’s time to get back on the ball. Hopefully this will help both of you. You don’t need me hanging around.”
They both spoke at once, and Rick held up his hands. “Guys. I’m not changing my mind. I’ll have our attorneys take care of the appropriate documents this week, but right now I’ve got to get back to the Cape.”
Rick blew out of the conference room and pulled his phone from his pocket, feeling like he’d just been cut loose from years of prison. He stalked down the hall to his office as he called Desiree. One ring, two. Come on, pick up.
He pushed open his office door as the phone rang a third time, and he lifted his gaze toward the sound, nearly dropping the phone at the sight of his sweet girl standing in the middle of his office. She was fishing in her purse, and stilled, tears filling her eyes.
“Hi.” Her voice cracked.
His heart raced as he took her in his arms. “Baby? What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t eat cereal,” she said through tears and kisses. “I love the Cape, and I love Violet, but nothing compares to my love for you. I don’t want to be all those hours away.”
“You’ll never have to again. I was just calling to tell you I was coming back.”
“Back?” Her face clouded with confusion.
“To you, baby. To the Cape, where we both belong.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
FALL SWEPT THROUGH the Cape at breakneck speed, bringing colorful foliage and brisk air. But in the span of a few short weeks, winter bullied its way in, leaving a blanket of white over the quiet, small town. Rick and Desiree had moved in to one of the cottages on her property so she could be on site once the inn opened early next year. Rick loved having all their belongings in one place, their family photographs intermingled, her favorite candles in every room. He’d even built a special bed for Cosmos, which they kept beside their bed, but the little pool hopper still found his way onto theirs after they fell asleep. Rick didn’t mind. He was truly blessed. He’d been given a second chance with the family he’d spent too long away from, and he went to sleep every night with the woman he adored and woke up loving her even more than he had the night before.
It was Christmas Eve, and everyone had gathered at the inn to exchange presents, except Mira and her family. They were off exploring castles for the next few weeks. Desiree’s father had a business meeting out of the country, but he’d Skyped with them yesterday, which had made Desiree’s day. Excited about the surprise he’d planned for Desiree, Rick pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Serena, setting his plan into motion.
“Got a date?” Violet smirked as she sidled up to him with Cosmos trailing beside her. “I’m pretty sure everything you need is right here in this room.”
She was as snarky and badass as ever, in a pair of leather leggings and a short black sweater. But Rick really liked her, just as he had from the moment they’d met. She might be brash, and overprotective of Desiree, but he couldn’t blame her. They’d gone far too long without each other.
“You’ve got that right,” he said. “I was just checking to see if her present had been delayed.”
He watched his beautiful girlfriend busily taping a picture Hagen had made to the window behind the Christmas tree, alongside several other pictures from the students in her children’s art class, which she held on Wednesday afternoons. She’d been painting more often, and like her mother, all the paintings stuck to one theme. Although Lizza’s theme was women, Desiree’s was family. She’d painted memories of her and Violet, and pictures of her father, Rick, Mira, Hagen, and the rest of their close friends and family. She’d even painted a picture of Lizza wearing a long orange dress and standing on the front porch of the inn.
“I don’t think she’ll care if her gift arrives late, or at all. Look at her, with that goofy smile and all dressed up in that fancy little black dress. That’s a woman who wants for nothing.”
But Rick knew Violet was wrong. There were things Desiree wanted, and he was determined to give her all of them.
“Vi!” Serena called from across the room, waving her over.
Rick caught Desiree’s eye as she peered around the Christmas tree. A shy smile curved her lips. She looked like she belonged on a holiday card, with her beautiful blond hair tumbling over her shoulders, the lights of the tree sparkling beside her, and the gold and red ribbons lining the windows, candles sparkling on the sills. Her eyes darted to Violet and Serena, then to Drake and Dean, standing by the fireplace talking. Drake’s eyes had been locked on Serena in her little red dress all evening. Desiree’s eyes found Rick’s again, the air between them igniting. She lifted the hem of her dress, flashing thigh-high stockings and a black garter belt. Holy hell, she was going to be the death of him, with furtive glances one minute and bold sensuality the next. And what a perfect death it would be. How was he going to make it through the evening knowing she was all sexed up under that little black dress?
Serena called Desiree over to help her get something from the kitchen, and Desiree smoothed her dress over her thighs and walked gracefully across the room as if she hadn’t just set his body on fire.
DESIREE POURED CHAMPAGNE into glasses and set them on a tray, looking around their gorgeous new kitchen. She and Violet had learned to compromise. She’d gotten the stainless-steel appliances she’d wanted, and the countertops—black granite with flecks of gold and amber—were all Violet. The maple cabinets tied it all together beautifully, the same way the Cape had bound the sisters together. She had a full new life, but she missed Emery terribly. Saying goodbye had been the hardest thing she’d done in forever. They kept in touch with FaceTime and texts, but it wasn’t the same as having her best friend barge through the front door demanding breakfast or ranting about this date or that one. She had plenty of new friends, but they’d never replace Emery.
Desiree, Violet, and Serena had spent the afternoon baking cookies and making an elaborate lamb dinner while the guys had decorated. She wished Emery and her mother could have been there for the party, but Emery was spending the holidays with her brothers. She’d sent an email to Lizza, and wasn’t s
When Violet and Serena finished arranging the hors d’oeuvres on trays, Serena said, “I think we’re ready.”
“I can’t wait to give Rick his present.” She’d painted a picture of Rick and his father on the boat, and hoped they could hang it above the fireplace in their cottage.
“Let me carry the champagne.” Violet took the tray from Desiree. “Wouldn’t want you to drop it when you get all googly-eyed over your Savage.”
“I wouldn’t.” Desiree laughed, but it wasn’t so far-fetched. Rick made her weak in the knees with his thoughtfulness and their late-night talks as they walked along the shore. Even now, when it was too cold to sit on the beach, they spent time around the fire pit at the resort, with Drake and the others. Rick was playing guitar more often, and Desiree would never tire of hearing him sing.
She followed the girls out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of cookies.
“Surprise!” everyone yelled, and the tray fell from her hands, crashing to the floor, and sending cookie pieces flying.
Tears flooded Desiree’s eyes at the sight of Emery and Lizza standing before the tree with big red ribbons across their bodies like they had won a beauty pageant. She barreled into both of them, hugging them so tight, she thought they might break.
“You’re here!” Crying and laughing, she looked over their shoulders at Rick, who was grinning so wide, she knew he’d orchestrated the whole thing. He mouthed, Merry Christmas. I love you, which made her cry harder.
“Violet!” Desiree waved her over.
“Go for it, hugaboom,” Violet said as she picked up the tray from the floor. “I said my hellos when they got in last night.”
“You knew?”
“Someone had to help track down Lizza,” Violet said.
“I think my heart just exploded. Thank you both.” Desiree couldn’t stop crying even as Rick introduced Emery to the others and Lizza embraced her again.
“That man, Desi,” Lizza said. “He loves you to pieces.”
“I know.” She went to him, and he gathered her in his arms. “I don’t know how to say thank you for something this wonderful.”
“I promised to make all your dreams come true, and I meant it.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “And thank you for my gift. I can’t wait to unwrap you later.”
“Shh.” Her eyes darted to the others. “Violet will make a public announcement if she finds out.”
Desiree’s heart was full as Emery hugged each one of her friends. Dean watched every move she made, and when Emery embraced him, the sparks could be felt around the room. He’d grown a beard over the winter, and Emery had a definite thing for beards.
“Someone get the man a pair of scissors before he tears that bow off her,” Violet said as she carried a broom out from the kitchen.
“Forget the scissors. You save that ribbon for later, doll,” Dean said with a lascivious look in his eyes. “I can think of a few good uses for it.”
“Dude, she just got here.” Drake dragged Dean away.
Desiree pulled Emery and Lizza into her arms again. “Thank you both for coming.”
“Your man sent us plane tickets.” Emery smiled at Rick. “You now have my official approval, and you may proceed with dating him.”
“How about marrying him?” Rick asked as he reached for Desiree’s hand and dropped to one knee.
There was a collective gasp, and it took Desiree a second to catch up and realize this was real. Rick gazed up at her with so much love in his eyes it wrapped around her and brought her to her knees in front of him.
“Rick?” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks again.
A smile lifted his lips. “Sweetheart, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. From the very first moment I saw you, I have fallen deeper in love with you. And I know my love will continue to grow with each passing day. Baby, you light up my days and heat up my nights. I want to give you everything and experience all that life has to offer with you. Babies and white picket fences, family dinners and moonlight walks. I want to see you paint pictures of our children playing on the beach, and make you blush when you’re old and gray.”
He wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumb, and she inched closer, until they were knee to knee.
“Will you marry me, Desiree? Be mine and let me be yours forever?”
She lunged into his arms, nearly knocking them both over. “Yes! A thousand times yes!”
Cheers rang out around them, and Cosmos yapped happily, circling them as they sealed their promises with kisses. They were passed from one friend to the other, hugged and congratulated, and then she was in Rick’s arms again, gazing into his dark, loving eyes. The eyes of my future husband.
Cosmos circled them, and Rick scooped him up. “I owe pool hopper a world of thanks for leading me to you.”
Desiree glanced at her mother, who was busy talking with Dean and Emery, and she realized her mother was right after all. With a little help from her mother, Cosmos had known what needed to be done.
Ready for More Bayside?
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The Bayside Summers series is just one of the subseries in the Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Each of my books may be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel, so jump in anytime! Characters from each subseries make appearances in future books so you never miss an engagement, wedding, or birth.
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More Books by Melissa
LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES order (FREE Ebook)
Love in Bloom Series Guide (Detailed Ebook)
Love in Bloom Series Guide (Black & White Print Book)
Love in Bloom books may be read as stand alones. For more enjoyment, read them in series order. Characters from each series carry forward to the next.
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White
THE BRADENS (Weston, CO)
Lovers at Heart
Destined for Love
Friendship on Fire
Sea of Love
Bursting with Love
Hearts at Play
THE BRADENS (Trusty, CO)
Taken by Love
Fated for Love
&
Flirting with Love
Dreaming of Love
Crashing into Love
THE BRADENS (Peaceful Harbor, MD)
Healed by Love
Surrender My Love
River of Love
Crushing on Love
Whisper of Love
Thrill of Love
BRADEN WORLD NOVELLAS
Daring Her Love
Promise My Love
Our New Love
THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love
Stroke of Love
Flames of Love
Slope of Love
Read, Write, Love
Touched by Love
SEASIDE SUMMERS
Seaside Dreams
Seaside Hearts
Seaside Sunsets
Seaside Secrets
Seaside Nights
Seaside Embrace
Seaside Lovers
Seaside Whispers
BAYSIDE SUMMERS
Bayside Desires
Bayside Passions
THE RYDERS
Seized by Love
Claimed by Love
Chased by Love
Rescued by Love
Swept Into Love
SEXY STAND-ALONE ROMANCE NOVELS
Tru Blue (Set in Peaceful Harbor)
Truly, Madly, Whiskey
BILLIONAIRES AFTER DARK
WILD BOYS
Logan
Heath
Jackson
Cooper
BAD BOYS
Mick
Dylan
Carson
Brett
NICE GIRLS
Phoebe
Francine
Nicole
Genevieve
HARBORSIDE NIGHTS
Includes characters from the Love in Bloom series