Craven Cove Royalty (Craven Cove)

“Dad, are you coming?” Apollo asks as he steps into the coffee shop.

“Um, no, I think I need to get to work early. I’ll see you tonight, right?”

“I’ll text you. Coach may want the team to come out tonight just to go over the matches before school starts.”

“All right, let me know,” I say before we say goodbye and I move briskly to the parking lot. Scanning the lot quickly, I see the blond woman making her way to her car. I hurry over and move in front of her car before she gets in. “Excuse me.”

When she turns her bright green eyes on me, I realize that I have no idea what I’m going to say to her.

“Hi,” she says, and it’s so damn sweet.

“You’re new in town.” I hate that it comes out like an accusation instead of a question. “Sorry, I mean it’s just that I know everyone here.”

“Yes, I just moved here.” She leans up against her car and doesn’t make a move to come closer to me. “I’m Anna Binx.”

“I’m Rory Crew.” I move closer to her and hold my hand out. When she smiles at me, I think it might have been kinder if she just kicked me right in the gut. She glows like an angel, and for a second, I completely lose the power of speech.

She takes my hand and lets out a little laugh when she sees how stunned I am. “Nice to meet you.” I see the beautiful pink in her cheeks as she blushes and then releases me. “Well, thanks for the warm welcome.”

“Wait,” I blurt out, still trying to gather my thoughts. “I’m not usually this scattered, but you’ve taken me by surprise.”

“I get that a lot.” She smirks, and damn if it doesn’t make me hard. “You live around here?”

“Yeah,” I answer, thankful she’s navigating the conversation. “On the east side, by the water.”

“Oh, the fancy part of town.” She points her thumb behind her. “I’m over on the west side in a rental off Ivy Avenue.”

“The little blue house?”

“Yeah, you know it?”

“It’s one of my investment properties.” I’m excited by the small connection, because it can give me several reasons to see her again. “I have a company that maintains the rental contracts.”

“Small world.” The way her eyes sparkle makes me think she’s got a secret.

“Would you like a tour of the island?” I pretend to be casual about it when I’m nothing close to it. “I can show you all the people to avoid.” The smile in my voice is genuine, and it surprises me. I can’t remember the last time I had a conversation with a woman that wasn’t business related or about Apollo.

“Oh, so you’ve got the town gossip?” When she smiles, it’s like looking into the sun, and she might just make me blind.

“No, but I have no problems making something up so you’ll spend some time with me.”

“Hmm.” She pretends to think it over, and I realize that I’m nervous.

When was the last time I wanted a woman’s attention? Jesus, Apollo is eighteen, so at least that long. After he was born and his mom took off, that was the last time I ever factored women into my life. But here I am standing outside the coffee shop, wondering if I can convince this woman not to run away from me. I was never good at picking up women, and I wasn’t a player even when I was young. Being completely focused on my son for the past eighteen years has given me blinders to relationships, and now it feels like I’m lost.

“I was planning on going to the farmers market. Maybe you could come with me?”

“Yes,” I say too quickly and then clear my throat. “I’d like that.”

“Good, let’s go for a walk.”

She pushes away from her car, and I move beside her, matching her steps. For the first time in my life, it feels like maybe I don’t have everything I want. Maybe there’s something missing, and maybe it’s Anna Binx.

Chapter Three

Anna

It’s always been easy for me to get a read on people, but it never really takes much. To my surprise, Rory Crew isn’t proving to be so easy. I had an idea of who he was in my mind with the small amount of information I’d gathered on him. Turns out I was wrong with that as well, and I’m finding myself a bit off balance.

“Is there something in particular you’re looking for at the market?” he asks, putting his hand on the small of my back. The simple touch cascades through my body, and I’m not prepared for how good it feels.

“Not really. I’m a terrible cook, but I could pick up some fruit,” I admit. Celeste can cook, but I don’t have the patience for it. Everything I make is either burnt or not cooked all the way. We all have our talents in life, and cooking isn't mine.