Her Perfect Mismatch (A Town Named Eden Book 2) (8 page)

The twenty-minute drive out to the Wright farm felt like an eternity. Mitch tried to mentally prepare himself for the drive back to Rosebud Cottage by scratching around for a few ready-made conversation fillers.

He really hadn’t wanted to do this tonight, of all nights when he had his head full of… Elizabeth. Mitch had tried to switch with Markus and then with Matthew, but neither one had been open to bribery. As far as they were concerned, it was Mitch’s turn to play taxi. Again.

“Say your goodnights, girls. We’re coming up to your place.” The words tumbled out just as he’d rehearsed them for the last ten minutes. Once the girls got out, he’d be alone in the car with Elizabeth. He’d spent the night in a trance, spellbound by the sight of her, obsessively checking to see if she was having a good time while keeping an eye out on anyone who might be showing an interest in her.

Trent Peters had been the first to ask about her, followed by several others. His first instinct had been to lie and say she wasn’t available. Realizing he had no right to stake a claim on Elizabeth when he was still determined to steer clear of all women, he’d shrugged and had said he had no idea. But his tone of voice had said it all. Stay away from her, or else.

He brought his four-wheel drive to a stop.

“Sophie, Helena, try not to make a racket going in. Last time your dad came out with a shotgun.”

“He likes keeping you on your toes, Mitch. Have a good night you two.” Sophie and Helena walked arm in arm toward their front door.

Turning to smile at Elizabeth, Mitch put his car into gear. Return trips always felt quicker. This should be a breeze, he thought.

“This is the first time I’ve been out and about at night. It’s so dark out here,” Elizabeth said.

“No street lights.” He swallowed and told himself to stay relaxed and not get tongue tied again.

“I’ve never seen so many stars.”

“If you look long enough, you’ll see satellites crisscrossing the sky.”

“Really? I’m going to have to do a bit of stargazing when I get back to the cottage.”

Okay, so far so good. But he could’ve done without that mental image of Elizabeth standing on the veranda gazing at the night sky. He wanted to tell her it wouldn’t be any fun unless she could lean against someone…

“You left without getting your change today.”

“Keep it for next time.” He considered putting on some music but then she might think he wanted to avoid talking to her, or that he wanted to set the mood… which he did... because it was his natural tendency. “Are you going to stick with it? Jam... making jam... jam making.” Steady your breathing, Mitch. He shifted in his seat and tried to quieten down his mental dialogue. At the rate he was going, he wouldn’t be surprised if he started talking out loud to himself, issuing prompts…

She laughed. “I’m playing it by ear. It sort of fell on my lap.” She brushed her hands along her thighs. “I’m still not sure if I know what I’m doing.”

His heart started playing an erratic beat.

“A part of me feels I’m making it all up as I go. What if I wake up tomorrow and see fingers pointing my way accusing me of being a fake? Also, sticking with the jam making means growing the idea into a business and I don’t have the first clue about expansion and marketing.”

Self-doubt was unfamiliar territory for Mitch. He’d always been sure of himself. Then again, he’d never had to make any major decisions in his life. Thinking he should say something supportive, he fished around for a tried and tested platitude, or something with a positive spin. “That’s an advantage. You have a fresh perspective. You can... do things your own way. Be a daredevil.” Okay, you can stop now, he told himself. “No one’s going to judge you. Or say you’re doing the wrong thing.”

The passenger window rolled down. “Sorry, I need some air.”

To clear away the crap he was feeding her?

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Just after midnight.”

“It’s Saturday,” she said under her breath and rolled the window further down.

“Do you need me to stop the car?” She’d only had a couple of drinks. Maybe she suffered from motion sickness. No, that couldn’t be it. They were on a straight road. “I’ll pull over.” When she didn’t object, he wondered if she’d heard him. What if he pulled over and she panicked? He slanted his gaze toward her and saw her fanning herself. Oh, crap. He pulled over and, jumping out of the car, he went around to her side and opened the passenger door. When he leaned in to ask if he could do something, she flung her arms around his neck.

Was she having a panic attack?

“Sorry, that wasn’t supposed to happen. Lately, I’ve become... impulsive.”

He noticed she didn’t let go. And just as well, because he wanted to draw her against him, and he did, but then he stopped. “So, this is an impulse and now you’re wishing you hadn’t given in to it?”

She laughed. “The idea sort of gathered momentum when you stopped the car.”

She didn’t sound flustered. “I’m glad I did.” But, now what? He gave himself a mental kick. He was Mitch Faydon. He knew what came next. Then again, Elizabeth seemed to know what she wanted and how to go about getting it. Maybe he should leave matters in her capable hands, let her take the lead. He might actually like where she led him…

It sounded like a plan to him. His body was in gear and raring to go and his mind had already switched into automatic mode, powering down on non-essential thinking, shutting the door on any thought that might muddle him.

He had half a mind to pull back and give her some breathing space, but then she pressed her sweet body against his, her hands sweeping across his shoulders to his chest, roaming around like an explorer mapping out new territory.

She set the rhythm and he followed, giving and taking, stroke for stroke, the build up making him strain to the point that he had to mentally pull back and wonder if this was really going where he thought it should go.

“Mitch, I’m not going to stop. I can’t believe I just said that…” Her breath hitched and with a small nod, she leaned in and met his mouth, her lips brushing against his with unexpected confidence, then plunging into a deep kiss, the sort that sparked flames and led to hot, hungry sex.

He hauled her against him. Elizabeth gave a moan of satisfaction, her hands making quick work of unfastening his belt.

It took him by surprise.

Mitch Faydon taken by surprise?

“I hope you know what you’re doing—”

She shook her head. “No. No talking.”

She sounded sure of herself and Mitch didn’t have it in him to do the thinking for her. Only one thought sparked in his mind. In all his years of living in the country, he’d never once had sex under the stars, by the side of a road.

“We should go somewhere.”

She shook her head. “Here. Now.”

Her command made it past the cloud of chemistry bubbling inside him, swirling around them, both arousal and desire laced with urgency, leaving no room for practicalities.

“I’ll figure it out,” he said.

“What?” she asked against his mouth, her hands easing onto his shoulders, and then moving along to his chest then up to the collar of his shirt, pushing it back, her fingertips brushing his skin, sending wave after wave of white-hot shivers around his body.

With a soft growl, Mitch reached down the side of the seat and, taking hold of her waist, he pulled the seat adjustor, sending them both toppling back. Elizabeth pressed her mouth against his neck and laughed.

“I didn’t think this far ahead,” she said.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

And so did she. Her body curled up against him, engaging all his senses, making him aware of an unfamiliar need. More than the usual surge of sexual need or the hurried demand for physical release. Something entirely different surged inside him. A need to connect in some way…

Mitch held his breath, taking stock of where they were, what they were doing, but then the gentle brush of her hand across his cheek drew him down. His mouth sought hers and plunged them into a rhythmic kiss that moved them past any sense of awkwardness and into something that felt oddly familiar, almost as if it was meant to be.

“Protection,” she murmured against his neck.

“Back pocket.”

Chapter Eight

It took Mitch a moment to put all the pieces together and come up with…

“Somewhere there’s a village missing an idiot.” He brushed his hand across his eyes. “And here I am.”

From their first encounter, Mitch had known Elizabeth was going through some sort of transition. A journey of self-discovery. He was sure he’d said something along those lines. So he had no reason to plead ignorance. She was vulnerable. And…

He’d taken advantage of her.

Unless… She’d used sex as a way to achieve whatever she’d set out to prove.

I need to do this for me
…

He remembered her saying that when they’d first met. And last night, making the first move, leading the way, setting the pace... Had that been her way of taking charge and doing something for herself instead of…

“Being told what to do,” he said under his breath as if a light switch had suddenly been flipped on and he had full insight into the workings of her mind.

Just great. Now he’d developed a head full of brain. What next? Telekinesis? “Idiot.”

“Did you just call yourself an idiot?” Matthew asked as he took the chair opposite him, his plate stacked with a hearty breakfast.

“So what if I did?”

“I’d have to ask why you think you merit the badge. Morning after regrets?”

“Mitch can’t have those,” Eddie said as she joined them. “Remember, he has no reason to. He’s sworn off women.” She spread some jam on her toast and taking a bite, she watched him, her eyes narrowing as if trying to read him. “You didn’t. Did you?”

“Since when is my private life any of your concern?”

“Since always, since you interfered with my life, since you took a swing at Theo. He might have forgotten about it, but I haven’t.”

“So you hold a grudge.”

“What sort of sister would I be if I didn’t make your life difficult?”

“Only mine?”

“I don’t like to boast, but you know women can multi-task.”

Mitch reached for the jam and spread some on his toast. Taking a bite, he frowned. “This is really good. What is it?”

Eddie grinned. “It’s Elizabeth’s jam.”

He looked at the jar. “Rhubarb.” He scraped back his chair and, shooting to his feet, he strode out to the bar to look for the jar he’d purchased from Elizabeth the day before. He hadn’t looked at it. He remembered snatching it from the stack in her stall, paying for it and then beating a hasty retreat before his bout of verbal incontinence marked him for life. Damn it, it was the same jar. Back in the dining room, he set it down on the table with a thump. “Is there something you want to tell me?” he asked Eddie.

“Me?”

“You and maybe your band of merry conspirators. I know you girls. You never act alone. And I wouldn’t put it past you to drag Elizabeth into one of your devious schemes. You put her up to it. Admit it. You told her to steal my rhubarb.” He slammed his hands on the table and leaned in. “You just couldn’t leave her alone. You couldn’t let her be… just as she is. You had to change her and turn her into one of you lot. A delinquent.”

“Someone’s misplaced their sense of humor this morning.”

* * *

It seemed the new Elizabeth didn’t care for reflection or regrets. She forced herself to search her mind for any residual uneasiness or guilt about last night, but found nothing to use as a prompt for swift action, like packing her bags and fleeing for her life. Did that mean she’d shed another layer of her old self?

The years she’d spent with Andrew had been filled with soul searching, tugging and adjusting her behavior to meet his standards. Play it by the book, he’d say, and you’ll never have to apologize or suffer pangs of remorse.

Elizabeth chortled under her breath.

She must have misplaced the rule book last night.

Filled with happiness she couldn’t shake off even if she tried, her eyes danced around Rosebud Cottage’s dining room. She’d been the last to come down to breakfast and hadn’t even worried about Glenda asking if that had been her tripping on the front steps the night before.

She had no reason to expect anything to douse this good feeling. She’d caught Mitch by surprise. Hell, she’d caught herself by surprise, her
femme fatale
act defying everything she’d been before. She searched her mind again and didn’t find anything worthy of self-remorse. Why should she feel sorry about having the best orgasm of her life? The fact she’d even had an orgasm was enough reason to celebrate...

Thank goodness Mitch hadn’t asked if she was all right. Any sign of concern would have burst her bubble. And yes, she had been in a self-contained moment, free of all restrains, rules and regulations. Her very own sexual revolution.

Should she call Mitch and tell him he had nothing to worry about? That sounded like a sensible first step as a priority to avoiding awkwardness and misunderstandings. Last night had been…

What?

She liked Mitch. A lot. Enough to scare her.

What if last night had been about taking a wrong turn?

“There’s been nothing but positive feedback for your jam this morning,” Glenda said as she strode into the dining room, a mug of coffee in her hand. “Don’t look so surprised. The guests are asking where they can get some to take with them. I’m thinking of setting a display case by the front desk.”

Elizabeth smiled to herself.

She’d had sex with the town bad boy, out there... under all those twinkling stars, with no thought given to someone driving by and witnessing her mischief.

Glenda sighed. “As a rule of thumb, I tend to avoid asking personal questions, but that smile is too tempting. What are thinking about?”

“Mischief. I don’t think I’ve ever used the word or even applied it to myself.” And now she was living it and breathing it. “I’m thinking about wearing some sort of gossamer gown and dancing under a full moon. Isn’t it outrageous?” She smiled at Glenda’s raised eyebrow. “No, I didn’t slip any brandy into my coffee. I... I can’t help myself. I’m happy.” And thinking about doing something exhilarating when she drove Mitch back to town. She checked her watch. He hadn’t mentioned what time he’d be bringing her car back, but he’d probably come before lunch...

* * *

A rhubarb rustler.

Mitch wanted to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. No amount of brotherly torture would have made Eddie give Elizabeth away or reveal her own involvement. But he knew Eddie had put Elizabeth up to it.

Mitch got into Elizabeth’s luxury sedan and drew in a breath. Springtime filled his nostrils. The car was squeaky-clean. He looked over his shoulder at the back seat and found nothing to suggest she was a closet binger. No candy wrappers. No empty cans of soda. Not even a water bottle. It all went hand in hand with her neat and tidy appearance, which she seemed to wear like an armor. He wouldn’t call her aloof, but the way she carried herself put her at arms’ length. He’d seen proof of it last night when Trent Peters had asked about her. He had a solid reputation as a ladies’ man, yet he hadn’t had the guts to approach her. Which begged the question. What had come over her last night? There had been something different about her...

The dress. That had been an obvious change in her appearance. She’d worn a flirty dress that had barely reached her knees. Mitch grinned at the memory. It had been fun pulling it up, his fingertips caressing their way along her thighs.

He fired up the engine and took off toward Rosebud Cottage. Halfway there, reason argued in favor of Elizabeth, saying she had no idea he owned the property backing onto the cottage. But Eddie knew. And he wouldn’t put it past her to try anything to taunt him because he’d been keeping his ownership under wraps. Eddie had most likely enlisted Elizabeth into pushing his buttons, forcing him to finally admit he had committed to owning a house—a first step toward making other commitments, the sort women liked to set their sights on.

* * *

“There’s someone here to see you.”

Elizabeth’s heart leaped, the rapid beat tapping a tune full of excitement and anticipation. “Thanks, Glenda. I’ll be right out.” She wiped her hands dry and made sure she wasn’t leaving anything on the stove to burn. After yesterday’s success, she’d decided to jump right back into work and crank up her production line again. She couldn’t afford to lag behind on her dreams. So far, her jam making stint was paying high dividends on the happiness stakes. She had no idea how far she could go, but if it hit a plateau and leveled off, she’d settle for that and still be happy.

She strode through the cottage and reached the front parlor, her smile wilting when she saw Andrew standing by the window.

Her heart pummeled against her chest as distress drowned out her excitement. Her fingers curled into tight fists.

She’d never imagined he’d come after her. She hadn’t given him any reason to. Her letter had clearly stated her decision to part ways wouldn’t be changed.

“How did you find me?”

He held up an engagement ring. The one she’d dropped in the hallway table tray the day she’d left the apartment they’d shared for years.

* * *

Mitch realized there was a reason why women shared so much personal information among themselves. Better out than in, he thought. Without the outlet of sharing, he’d had to do his own mediating, sifting through his thoughts, and intervening when he felt he’d stepped too far out of line with wild ideas about Elizabeth having a laugh at his expense. She wouldn’t do that. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. She’d been an innocent bystander, duped into becoming an accomplice in one of Eddie’s games.

He wouldn’t hold it against her. Eddie and her band of renegades could be a force to be reckoned with. Being the new girl in town entitled Elizabeth to a few allowances, and…

Mitch stopped, his thoughts settling down like dust motes. There’d be plenty of time to get answers. Although, when he finally made it to the cottage, they’d have better things to talk about.

He grinned and thought about last night and how tonight might hold a few new surprises too. Suddenly, he couldn’t wait for Eddie and Theo to open their restaurant. It would be nice to have somewhere local to go to for dinner, somewhere other than the pub or The Copper Pot, the quaint café style restaurant offering the only other alternative to dining in Eden.

He wished he’d woken up next to Elizabeth this morning. He flipped through his memory of the previous night and tried to remember what he’d said to her when he’d finally driven her back to the cottage. He couldn’t recall uttering any clichés. Nothing that would make her cringe. In hindsight, he knew he should have given her some sort of assurance, and said something as a lead up to seeing her again. What if she’d heard about his reputation?

It didn’t matter. He’d kissed her goodnight, wrapping his arms around her and memorizing the feel of her body against him. A kiss could be as effective as a picture, conveying a clear message.

Turning into the lane leading to the cottage, he eased the car into a parking spot.

Thinking about kissing Elizabeth, he strode up to the veranda and decided he’d first kiss her because he wanted to start as he meant to go on. And he intended kissing Elizabeth. A lot. Eventually, he’d get her to admit to being a rhubarb thief, because in any relationship there had to be honesty and sharing. Or maybe he would wait and see. Give her time to come clean. It’d be fun to see how she went about it...

The sound of a man’s voice brought Mitch to a stop by the front door. Not wanting to interrupt or intrude, he considered going around the back way, but then he heard Elizabeth’s name.

“The car, Elizabeth. GPS tracking. You left everything behind. Your clothes, your jewelry. The fact you held on to the car tells me that a part of you is still holding on to us.”

Mitch’s first instinct was to barge right in and weigh in on a conversation that, in his opinion, should include him. But again, he stopped. Could this be something else Elizabeth needed to do for herself?

Mitch strained to hear her response. The front door to Rosebud Cottage was wide open but she was standing just out of sight.

“I didn’t think about that.”

Her voice sounded strained and indecisive.

“That’s why we were so good together.”

Mitch curled his lip. What a conceited bastard. Her ex? The man who’d driven her to find solace in a Puff Doughnut?

“Your parents are worried about you. I told them I’d bring you home, but I know I can’t force you, so I’m relying on you coming to your senses.”

“I already have. That’s why I’m here.”

Mitch silently cheered her on. She knew her own mind. Clearly, she’d made the necessary decisions that had brought her to this point, to Eden. Mitch rocked on his heels. She’d made the choice to come to Eden. And then she’d chosen him...

“You don’t mean that, Elizabeth. It’s unrealistic. What are you going to do with yourself?”

“I have a business... sort of...”