Forbidden Fling (Wildwood 1)

She disconnected and sat there, forearms on her knees, smiling into the dimly lit, empty space imagining Phoebe networking the hell out of that room in hopes of bringing Avery the success she deserved.

“Man,” Delaney murmured. Restaurants, coffee shops, catering, weddings, showers . . . in Sonoma County, wine country. “She could really go big.”

If Avery did it right, there was no limit to the breadth of her business. If she had the planning, the backing, the finances, the staff, the space . . .

The space.

Delaney focused, her gaze running over the changes in the bar, her mind drifting to the open space above . . .

“Oh my God. This would be perfect.” A flash of excitement burned through her body. Delaney could visualize it in an instant—Avery fluttering around behind a glass counter stuffed full with her confections. Lines of customers out the door waiting for a seat in her breakfast restaurant. The phone ringing off the hook to book the room upstairs for events or to order specialty cakes.

“Wow . . .” The grin that filled her face leaked into her chest, and Delaney exploded with a giggle. Having Avery using this place for a business of her own was better than renovating and selling it. It was what Delaney had always hoped would happen. It was the reason Delaney had continued paying all the property taxes, kept the business license, held on to the—

Liquor license.

Her smile dropped, right along with her stomach, and all her joy leaked from her chest.

Ethan.

The way Avery was feeling right now must have been the way Ethan felt about his brewpub. All those years Avery had perfected her pastries, Ethan had crafted his beer.

Now Avery was getting her shot at the entrepreneurial dream, while Ethan’s dream had been squashed.

Delaney squeezed her eyes closed, lowered her head to her hand, and groaned.

“I feel your pain.”

Ethan’s voice shocked Delaney’s heart. She jerked her head up and focused on the door, her shields already in place. But, God, she was so sick of fighting. Too tired to go another round with him.

She opened her mouth to tell him exactly that, then focused on his worn T-shirt and jeans and the tool belt slung over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“I saw the lights, figured you’d be working.”

A fresh wave of confusion stirred her anger. “I’m working because you bailed and cost me a couple grand. I don’t even know how long it’s going to take to get another inspector out here. By the time we can start up again, I may have lost half my crew. I have to recoup as much of the loss as I can by working on my own. You really fucked me over, Ethan.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.” He scraped one hand through his hair, looking sincerely apologetic. And for the first time, Delaney noticed he also looked exhausted, with shadows beneath his eyes, lines carved at the corners of his mouth. “I also know that doesn’t make any difference now. I know it won’t put the money back in your budget or reschedule your subcontractors. It was wrong, and it was my fault.”

Ah, crap. That just took all the anger from her belly. Her shoulders dropped, and she shook her head. “It’s over.” She darted another look at him with a stern, “Just don’t do it—”

Delaney cut herself off, realizing her poor choice of words too late.

“Again?” he finished, sauntering toward her. “No, that certainly won’t happen.”

“Look, I didn’t mean to get you in trouble, but this has to move forward, and I couldn’t—”

“I told you once before,” he said, now standing over her, his voice soft, his gaze warm. “Don’t apologize for taking care of yourself or your family.”

He stepped to the side, turned, and sat next to her. Shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, he was warm and strong, and he smelled great.

“Then you shouldn’t be apologizing either. Harlan is a great man.”

“And you are a great woman.” He shook his head. “You were up front, played by all the rules. I, on the other hand, seem to have more Hayes ingrained in me than I’d like to believe, because from the beginning I cut corners and traveled through side alleys, and when things got tough, I have to admit, I was drawn to the dark side.” He released the belt hanging on his shoulder, reached out, and covered her hand with his. “And for that I am very sorry.”

The regret filling his voice twisted Delaney’s gut.

He threaded their fingers, his gaze on their hands. “I know I can’t change the problems I’ve caused, but I’d really like to offset as much as I can by helping. And I’ll admit right up front—it’s partially selfish.” He paused, lifted their joined hands, and twisted them to draw hers to his lips for a kiss. “While I do want to help, and I’ll work my ass off, doing anything you say, the way you want it done, no questions asked, I can’t deny that I also want to spend time with you before you leave, and I know this is the only way you’ll even consider being in the same room with me.”

Either Delaney was going seriously soft or she’d completely fallen for this guy, because under any other circumstances, he’d have been out on his ass after he’d gotten two steps in the door. Now she tilted her head and leaned into him as he pressed kisses to her hand.