Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded (Summer Lake, #4) (31 page)

“I suppose. I just hope Smoke and Laura do get there. It's so frustrating!”

***

M
adeleine Hamilton went to find her husband in his office. “I just talked to Cole's friend, Jack.”

Cole Sr. took off his glasses and frowned at her. “Why? What's wrong?”

“He called to ask if we'd heard from Cole. He took off from the fundraiser and no one has heard from him since. They were hoping that since we've been getting closer again he might have been in touch with us. Apparently there was a bit of a scene with one of Laura's friends and he ended up thinking that Laura doesn't trust him.”

Cole Sr. stood up and walked around his big oak desk. “And what are you thinking?”

Madeleine wrung her hands together. “I need to call him. I want to call her.”

“Remember what we said, Madeleine. Remember what we promised each other? No interference, ever again. No matter what happens. No matter what we think might be best. Good or bad, his decisions are his own.”

“That's what I came to tell you, darling. I'm not going to be able to keep that promise.”

He shook his head. “We could lose him forever if you don't.”

She nodded. “I understand that, but I'll deal with it, if it means he doesn't lose her.”

***

S
tanding in the check-in line, Laura couldn't help looking around. It was hardly realistic, but she kept hoping that Smoke would appear. Hoping that he would come striding through the crowded terminal and wrap her in his arms. She'd kept having these silly little hopes since Madeleine had called her and said she was going to try to talk to him. Laura was grateful that she wanted to help, but had asked her not to. She didn't want Smoke to cut them
both
out of his life if he thought they were ganging up on him, or worse, trying to manipulate him into doing what
they
wanted. Still she'd hoped and hoped for a miracle.

She checked her bag and made her way to security, remembering the last time she'd done this, with Smoke at her side. Holding her hand. Now he was gone, and as she took her shoes off to pass through the scanners, she had to face the fact that he was probably going to stay gone.

Maybe she
should
stay in London. Do them both a favor, like he'd said.

***

S
moke came around the side of the house when he heard a car approaching. Who the hell could this be? He seriously considered hiding in the garage until they left. Then he saw it was Ben's truck rounding the corner and heading up the driveway, and he waited for him to pull up and get out.

“Hey, Smoke.”

He nodded, not wanting to even say hello. He just needed to be left alone.

Ben reached into the back of his truck and pulled out a cooler. “I thought this might be a good time to return the favor.” He smiled and lifted the lid to reveal a dozen beers nestling in the ice. “And these ones are stinging. So, are you going to invite me in?”

Smoke pursed his lips. “How did you know I was I here?”

“Joe was out this way checking fences. He said he'd seen signs of life up here, and since you've been playing the fugitive all week it didn't take much to figure it out. Don't tell me you're going to send me and my ice-cold beers away again? I let
you
in when
I
didn't want to.”

“Come on then.” Smoke opened the back door and led him inside.

Ben cracked two beers open and they sat in front of the windows looking out at the lake. “This is some view you've got here.”

“Yeah.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

Ben nodded. “Fair enough. Mind if I tell you some of what I didn't want to talk about when you came to see me?”

“Go ahead.” Maybe it would take his mind off Laura.

“I told you the past was the happiest place I've ever been?”

Smoke nodded.

“It's true. For the last fifteen years, there hasn't been a day when I didn't wish I could go back.”

Smoke looked at Ben, but he was staring out the windows with a faraway look in his eyes.

“I made the same decision that you're making now. I thought it would be easier to live with loss than risk more pain.” He turned and looked Smoke in the eye. Raising his bottle he said, “Worst fucking mistake I've ever made. Every single day I wish I'd had the balls to go after her, to choose love instead of self preservation. But it's too late for me.” He took a long swig of his beer and looked back out the window. “It's not too late for you, though.”

Smoke blew out a sigh. “Are you ever going to tell me your story?”

“Maybe someday. For now I just sit back and watch the rest of you live out yours. I've seen the others all get there in the end. I knew they would, cos I knew they'd all fight for it. You've got me worried though. I'm starting to think you're as much of a coward as I was. Don't join me in the losers club, bud. It sucks!”

Smoke stared at Ben. He'd never thought of him as a loser, but he could see the pain and regret etched on his face.

Ben gave him a sad smile. “If seeing all the happy couples around you doesn't motivate you to go after your girl, I thought maybe talking to this sad bastard would do the trick. Motivate you to not spend the rest of your life living with a regret you can't get past.”

Smoke nodded. It was the same thing his mom had told him this afternoon.

Hate me if you need to, darling, but I have to interfere, because you're my boy and I love you. When you were small you used to fight all the time to get what you wanted, whatever you wanted. And you always ended up getting it. You lost that after what we did. Ever since then you've always chosen what you call flying away. I think of it as giving up, Cole. Please don't give up. Don't give up on Laura, and don't give up on happiness. You can be happy. I know that, but you'll have to fight for it. If you don't you might always regret it.

He looked at Ben. “No offense, but I don't want to end up like you.”

Ben let out a sad little laugh. “None taken. I don't want you to either, that's why I'm here. So what are you going to do about it?”

Smoke emptied his beer and reached for another. “I don't know yet.”

L
aura left the Levy store and put her umbrella up as she hurried out. London was certainly living up to its dreary reputation this time. It matched her mood. She hadn't seen the sun since the plane had descended through the clouds and landed at Heathrow on Friday morning. She'd hardly had time to notice though. Colin had met her at the airport and taken her to meet with Mr. Levy Sr. to discuss her new line. Saturday had been all about their ‘monthly meet up’ as they called it. She'd enjoyed the day, getting to know the team of designers—both the in-house team, and those who had worked on exclusive lines for Levy just as she was doing. Colin was right; they were a great bunch and all very welcoming.

One of the older guys was someone whose work had inspired her love of diamonds as a girl, and her dreams of one day designing herself. She'd been tongue tied around him at first, but he'd been a real sweetheart and soon put her at ease. He'd been genuinely flattered by her admiration. He and couple of the others had insisted on taking her on a tour of London on Sunday. That had been fun.

She was starting to think that maybe she should stay here. There'd be nothing left for in her San Francisco once the sale of the store went through. She certainly couldn't consider moving to Summer Lake. She wouldn't be able to live in the same place as Smoke if he didn't want to be with her—and his continued silence was starting to convince her that he really didn't. Her heel caught in the cobblestones and she stumbled forward, just managing to keep her balance. It brought her back to the present, which was where she needed to stay, she reminded herself. There was no point longing for a man who didn't want her, no matter how much she still wanted him.

Luckily it shouldn't be too hard to stay in the present. She had so much to do, and she needed to get down to work. They had really started the ball rolling on her signature collection and had already had a few more enquiries come in. She'd been relieved to see requests for earrings and necklaces. The thought of engagement rings made her feel sick. Especially when she stupidly allowed herself to associate the thought with Smoke, and everything that now would never be. She'd been stupid to even hope. Neither of them were cut out for that kind of thing, and he was doing a good job of proving it.

She would have to deal with the sick feeling for a little while longer, since she was on her way to meet with her very first Levy client: an engagement ring. After this she intended to do everything she could to become associated with other things—in her designs and in her life. For now she would get through this meeting and then get back to the hotel. Watch some mindless TV and try to get through the evening without thinking about Smoke.

She'd thought this job might have fallen through. After the initial enquiry Colin hadn't heard anything more, and didn't have any details on what the client wanted. He'd simply been interested in an engagement ring and had specifically requested that Laura design it. Yesterday Colin had informed her that the client had been back in touch. He'd been traveling and would be in London today. He'd asked to meet with Laura to go over his ideas. She clutched her purse with her portfolio inside as she pushed her way through the doors of the Bleeding Heart Tavern. Apparently it was quite normal to meet clients here. Not quite as glamorous as she would have hoped, but still.

She looked around, a little irritated that she wouldn't know the client even if she was looking right at him. He'd told Colin he would recognize her—apparently he'd read the piece about her in National Jeweler. He'd said she'd find him at a corner table. She scanned the edges of the room. There was a guy in the far corner reading a newspaper, but he didn't seem the type to seek out a designer for an engagement ring. She looked around, not seeing anyone who did seem the type. Her gaze fell on a table in the corner by the window. Her heart stopped as she gasped. Smoke! His gaze locked with hers, the biggest smile lighting up his handsome face. At the same time there was fear in his eyes.

But he was here!

Her feet were carrying her towards him before she even knew she was moving. She held his gaze the whole way ’til she was at the table and he was standing to meet her. He really was here! He smiled. The gentle Smoke smile. The Cole smile. She knew her face mirrored his, but she couldn't speak.

“Hey gorgeous.”

She felt tears prick behind her eyes and spoke around a lump in her throat. “Who are you calling gorgeous, gorgeous?”

His arms were around her. She buried her face in his neck as she clung to him.

“You, lady,” he whispered into her ear. “I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?”

She lifted her head and looked into eyes. “I already have.” She just clung to him, wanting to never let go of him again. There was no need for more words. His lips came down on hers and told her everything she'd hoped to hear. He was sorry. He loved her. He'd missed her. And she was back where she belonged. When they came up for air she remembered where they were.

“Let's get out of here, lady.”

“I can't. I'm supposed to be looking for a client.” She looked around wildly, wondering what that client would think of the little display they'd just put on. It didn't really matter though, she still had her arms around Smoke and didn't plan on letting go.

She felt his chuckle rumble up through his chest and looked up into his eyes. “You found him.”

She looked around, not seeing anyone that might fit the bill.

Smoke tightened his arms around her. “Right here.”

Her breath caught in her chest as she understood what he meant. “You?”

He was laughing at her now. “Yes, me. I'm your client. What else would I be doing here?”

“I thought you came to find me.”

“I did.” He brushed his lips over hers and looked into her eyes. “I did come to find you, and to ask you if you will make a ring.”

“For you?”

He smiled and bit her bottom lip. “For you.”

She was finding it hard to focus over the sound of her heart hammering in her chest. She stared at him, taking in the happy smile and the question in his eyes.

“A ring for you, for me?”

“If you want one.”

“What are you saying? Smoke?”

“I'm saying I don't want to be a coward anymore. I'm saying I want to do this. I'm saying I love you, lady.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let's get out of here.”

She loved the feel of his big hand wrapped around hers, squeezing tight as they emerged back onto the street.

“I didn't know where you were staying, but I'm at the Rosewood. Let's go there, can we? It's close.” He snaked his arm around her waist as they walked.

Laura's mind was racing. He was here! That was all that really mattered. And he wanted her to a make an engagement ring—for him, for her! Yet he hadn't said what that meant. He hadn't asked that question, at least not in words. He'd asked with his kiss, was asking her with his eyes as they walked. If a smile could speak, hers was telling him yes.

Smoke swiped his key card and let her enter the room ahead of him. She waited for him to close the door, then wrapped her arms around his neck. “I missed you, Captain Hamilton.”

“And I missed you, lady.”

His mouth came down on hers as his hands came up to frame her face. She really was back where she belonged. Backed up against the wall, trapped by his big body, his hips thrusting against her, his hardness making her moan with need. His fingers tangled in her hair as he tipped her head back. His tongue slid between her lips, demanding more. His knee pressed between her thighs, demanding the same. She was melting into him, helpless. He could do whatever he wanted with her and they both knew it. His hands ran over her ass, down over her thighs. She gasped as he lifted one and then the other and wrapped them around him. She clung to him as he walked her to the bed where he pinned her underneath him. In seconds they were both naked. His arm was around her, underneath her as he drew her underneath him. “You were right. I
was
a fucking coward, but I don't want to be one anymore. I want to be a better man, for you.”