All too soon, she realized they were heading back to town, which meant the ride would be over before she knew it. A surge of disappointment surprised her. Up to that very morning, she would have laughed at anyone who said she’d ever find herself on the back of a motorcycle, let alone enjoy it. As they neared Shrimp Fest, the sidewalks and streets grew more populated with people heading the same direction. Ellie caught more than a few stares and couldn’t keep from smiling.
Who’s that girl perched on the expensive Italian bike with her arms wrapped around the sexiest guy in town? It’s Ellie Charles, that’s who.
By the time James found a parking space, she was completely sold on the entire motorcycle experience. She waited for him to put the kickstand down and turn the wheel to the side before he offered her his hand. Clutching it tightly, she swung her leg around and hopped off. Somehow James managed to make climbing off the bike look as sexy as humanly possible and then expertly removed his helmet while Ellie fiddled with the clasps at her throat.
“Here,” he said, tucking his helmet under his arm. “Let me help.” His fingers brushed her jawline as he undid the straps and another surge of adrenaline went twittering through her bloodstream.
As soon as she could, Ellie slid the helmet off her head and smoothed her hair. “That was so amazing!”
“Yeah? You like that?” James took the helmet from her and fastened it along with his to pegs hidden under the rear seat.
“Oh, hell yeah! You can pick me up on that anytime you want.” Without thinking, she threw herself into James’ arms and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek, the rough stubble on his jaw grating against her lips. He ran his hand up her back and cradled her head, turning his face to capture her mouth. He pressed her body into his, the hardness of his muscles contradicted by the soft warmth of his kiss.
For a minute, Ellie forgot to breathe.
Forgot where she was.
She melted into him, safe and secure in his arms.
“Sorry,” she whispered when he released her. “I got carried away.”
James pressed a kiss into her hair and nuzzled down to whisper in her ear. “Don’t apologize.” For a tiny heartbeat of a second, she thought he was going to say he liked it. That he liked her. That he liked her kisses as much as she liked his. But then he finished his thought. “Now’s the time to get carried away. Pour it on. People are watching.”
Ellie swallowed and forced a smile. Oh, yeah. The whole thing was fake. And the truth was, if she couldn’t get that through her thick skull, she was going to end up very hurt at the end of the whole deal.
“Besides,” he said as he threaded his hand with hers. “I liked it.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ellie
The Shrimp Festival consisted of booth after booth of food and more food, plus a few crafts, some beer, some music, then even more food. James led Ellie through the crowd, his arm around her shoulder, keeping her close. And just like he planned, they received more than their fair share of questioning looks and raised eyebrows as passersby caught sight of them. Ellie wasn’t sure if it was because they were surprised James was out with a woman who wasn’t a one-night stand, or if it was because they were surprised James was out with her. Either way, she chose not to care. The day was all about letting go and having fun.
“Hungry?” he asked as they approached a line of picnic tables near the stage and dance floor.
Ellie’s stomach growled loudly as the scent of fried shrimp, fish, and lobster mingled with the briny scent of the sea. “Very.”
“What do you like?”
“Ummm…” She tilted her head and pursed her lips, pretending to consider. “All of it.”
“I’ll tell you what. You have a seat right here, and I’ll grab us some grub.”
Before Ellie had a chance to respond, James disappeared into the throngs of festival goers. She sat at one of the empty tables, entertaining herself with people-watching and tapping her foot in time to the music coming over the speakers near the empty stage. The band wouldn’t show up until later in the evening.
James reappeared a few minutes later, carrying two trays laden with food with his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law in tow. “Look who I found,” he quipped as he sat a tray down in front of Ellie. “You know Ian and Juliet, don’t you?”
Ellie smiled. “I sure do.” She offered her hand to Ian, who stood just slightly taller than James, but had the same dark hair and eyes as his younger brother. “It’s good to see you again,” she said to Juliet with a nod. James sat across from Ellie while Ian and Juliet joined them at the table.
“I grabbed a little of everything for you,” he said, waving a hand over the trays.
“This can’t all be for me!” Ellie laughed and shook her head. “You guys will have to help.”
Juliet gathered her long, brown hair over her shoulder. “The provider gene runs strong in the Moore men. If you’re not specific about what you want, you’ll end up with more than you can handle.”
“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.” Ian arched an eyebrow. “I’m sorry my desire to satisfy your every need is such a burden.”
Juliet blushed and reached across the table to grab her fiancé’s hand. “Nothing about you is a burden. Not one thing.” The look she gave him
