What The Heart Knows Read online

  She felt the sensations, first, in her spine. Right at the root, a tingling, followed by a shooting upward, bursting apart where there lips met. Making her press herself up harder against his chest. Making her want to ask for more. Beg for more than the infuriatingly perfect gentle exploration. Her body wanted the fire, not just the slow burn. But he stayed stubbornly explorative until her legs started to feel wobbly, until her head felt suddenly fuzzy.

  His tongue slipped between her lips then and she thrust hers forward with all her desire, rolling it around his before she felt a slow rumbling against her chest, a chuckle, and his tongue pulled quickly away. His teeth grazed her lower lip again and she heard herself shamelessly sigh into it, her hand grabbing his hip.

  She felt his desire pressing hard against her, insistent and exciting. She felt her own desire building, reaching a point where it felt less like want and more like need. Like her lungs needed breath. Like her stomach needed food. She needed him.

  Every ounce of her wanted him to push her rough against the tree and take her right then and there. In broad daylight. Where anyone could happen upon the scene. All she knew was her body felt taut as a bow, so tense that the only thing she could think about was ripping off his clothes and getting what she needed.

  It no longer mattered that she swore she wasn't attracted to him, that he was trying to take her business from her, that she swore to put him in his place.

  All that mattered was the aching desire between her thighs.

  Then, he pulled away.

  She had a horrifying second of feeling unsteady on her feet as she slowly started to open her eyes. James was looking down at her, his dark blue eyes deep an unfathomable. Her heart was beating frantically in her chest and she took a small amount of satisfaction in the fact that his heartbeat matched hers. But she only felt it for a moment before he leaned slightly backward.

  His arm moved upward, pulling the shiny red apple to his lips. His eyes stayed on hers as he slowly bit into the ripe flesh. His hand pulled away, his lips wet with the fresh juice. He chewed for a second before smiling, stepping back, and walking away.

  A part of her wanted to be offended. She was the one who should walk away. But in all honesty, she needed the space to breathe and she wasn't positive her legs would carry her. She leaned back against the tree, taking a deep breath, wiping a hand over her kiss swollen lips.

  Yeah, he could be the one to walk away. Just this one time.

  She pushed off the tree and turned to find him standing a few yards away, facing her. She could see even though the distance, a huge, obnoxious grin on his face.

  “I'd say that's point one for me, wouldn't you?” he said, turning and walking away.

  Emily stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. Too angry to move. Her hands opened and closed in fists over and over.

  Oh, it was on.

  Five

  She was regretting agreeing to go to the Halloween festivities. After the kiss and the silent drive home: James in smug quiet, Emily in angry muteness, she felt worn out and frazzled. She had done everything in her power to stay out of his way the rest of the night. She did paperwork in the office, conning Devon to pull a double shift, and making Meggie bring her dinner to the staff quarters. Not that they were exactly off limits to him anyway. But at least it lessened the chances of running into him. Until she sorted everything out anyway.

  But after a night of restless sleep, she was feeling even less sure of herself than she had been when she went to bed. How was she supposed to recover from that epic screw up? What kind of idiot made out with someone who was, at least for the time being, her sworn enemy? The guy was taking over her life's work. He was taking all her power away. And she had just gone and... melted into him when he kissed her. She should have pushed him away, slapped him, said something snarky afterward.

  No, she had to go full-on middle school first kiss on him. Shaky legs and dreamy eyes. Jesus Christ. She was a grown woman. Who had kissed more than her fair share of men. Hers was not an appropriate response to a stupid kiss in a stupid apple orchard.

  Emily buried her face in her hands for a long moment, sitting on the foot of her bed, hours before she even needed to be awake.

  How was she supposed to recover from such an epic fuck up?

  And on top of that, how was she going to get herself into the kind of mood she would need to take a haunted maze and then attend the annual Halloween dance?

  Emily got up off the bed, going into the bathroom and turning the shower water on cold. Maybe the shock would help her scattered brain. Usually, Halloween was her favorite day of the year. All the dressed up kids at the inn door begging for candy. The heart stopping image of someone tearing out of the woods with a chainsaw, chasing you until you got out of their designated range. The Halloween dance which was really just an excuse for her to wear a skimpy costume and flirt with whatever single men were around.

  It was supposed to be fun. Now all she could think of was having to run into James every step of the way. With his cocky smile because he knew he was the one with the upper hand at the moment. Granted, she was going to try like hell to beat him at his own little game, but she just didn't have the damndest clue how to go about that yet.

  She pulled her hair into a ponytail and slipped into old, soft skinny jeans and a short black sweatshirt with a white skeletal rib cage across the front and back. It had a hood she could pull up to block out the spooky stuff in her peripheral if it all became too much.

  Emily slipped into a pair of sneakers and made her way to the kitchen. The inn was oddly quiet, the guests still asleep and the staff not arrived yet. She pushed in through the dining room and was met with the smell of fresh coffee. Good old Meggie.

  “You're up early,” a voice that was decidedly not Meggie said.

  The only light on in the kitchen was the one over the stove, casting most of the room in near-darkness. But she didn't need light to know whose voice she had heard. What the hell was he doing up?

  “Busy day,” she said, moving past where he was sitting and pouring herself a cup of coffee.

  “I hear this town is something else today,” he said, moving away from the counter and coming toward her to refill his mug.

  “Yeah,” Emily said, trying to sound neutral. Like nothing had happened. He absolutely, positively did not kiss her silly in an orchard less than twenty-four hours ago. Nope. “We close all services at noon. Guests are free to come and go, but we don't do food, riding lessons, or check ins or outs until after the Halloween dance at the school.”

  “Interesting,” James said, turning toward her.

  Her eyes dropped immediately to his lips before going lower to take in his outfit. Comfortable jeans and a gray t-shirt. It had two candy-corns embracing with the words 'Give me some SUGAR' written above them. She felt her eyes widen for a second. He had worn it on purpose? To fuck with her? Well, he wasn't going to get any kind of reaction that was for damn sure.

  “Yeah, everyone goes so it seems unfair to leave someone strapped to the desk or locked away in the kitchen when the whole town is somewhere else.”

  “Makes sense,” he said, stepping closer. His pelvis was pressed against hers as he reached behind her back. She had a moment of absolute certainty that he was going to grab her ass when she saw his brow raise as he stepped away, holding out two sugar packets. “Just getting some sugar, honey,” he said, his tone amused. Another point for him.

  Damn it.

  “So what events are you planning on hitting up today?” she asked, angling her head to the side.

  “As many as I can fit in. Haunted hayride, haunted maze, haunted house, the dance thing...” his voiced trailed off, watching her absentmindedly wipe the already clean counter top. “What about you?”

  Should she tell him? What would be the point in lying? She would probably bump into him at some point anyway. “I like to brave the haunted maze every year. It's like a haunted house but more terr
ifying because you're completely trapped. They change the maze layout every year so no one can master it.”

  “What about the dance at the school? I hear that is like the main event.”

  “Maybe. If I am up for it.” Any other year, that would be a lie. She always planned on going. Maybe having a few too many cups of Maude's Widow Maker Punch. Dancing way too close to one or two good looking men and if one was lucky, and worthy, going home with him. She loved that event. He was the only reason she was having reservations.

  “Got a costume picked out?”

  “Of course.”

  There was a jiggling sound at the door that led outside, keys in the lock. A second later the light flicked on and there was Lena, arms full of plastic containers holding the morning's breakfast. She was gorgeous with her icy blonde hair and constantly changing hazel eyes. She wore a pair of tight black yoga pants and one of Eric's old gray sweatshirts. Emily looked at her, forever surprised how much she had changed since she first arrived in Stars Landing with her hair pulled into a merciless bun and forever wearing office clothes and high heels. Painfully uptight and unhappy.

  Apparently falling for the local bad boy had done wonders for her disposition. Everything about her seemed lighter, more carefree. And while her eyes still held a keen, almost unnerving sort of intelligence and drive, it was directed toward trying to build a thriving baking business. She had all kinds of five, ten, twenty year plans. But she seemed relaxed. Happy. Pretty much perpetually seemed freshly fucked. And knowing the chemistry between her and Eric... that was probably the case.

  “Lena, you gorgeous thing, you,” James said, moving quickly across the floor. He had a huge, genuinely happy smile spread across his face,making his eyes crinkle up at the edges. Emily reached behind her, grabbing the counter and squeezing it painfully.

  “James?” Lena said, quickly dropping the containers onto the counter and running toward him, arms open.

  They embraced with the familiarity of old friends, holding on for a long time, hands planted in safe places. James swirled her around, lifting her up off her feet as he turned. Lena laughed, holding on tightly. He finally set her back down on her feet, stepping away. “You look fantastic,” he said, his tone holding none of the flirting suggestiveness it did when he spoke to other women. “Happy.”

  “I am,” Lena said, smiling up at him. “It's so crazy to see you here. I knew you were coming, but it's... surreal. No islands to lay on? Models to... lay on?” Lena smirked.

  “I got that out of my system right before I came here,” he said and it sounded like it was the truth. “I've eaten like six different Lena Edwards desserts around this town already. You're amazing. And I need to find that man of yours and thank him for the scotch. I've needed it,” he said, sending Emily a sideways glance.

  “Oh, hey Em,” Lena said, motioning toward the plastic containers. “I brought you something extra special today,” she said, her eyes bright, her tone almost flirtatious. Because she knew how much Emily loved treats.

  “You're a goddess,” Emily said, walking behind James and toward the container Lena was opening.

  Inside were four large shot glasses filled with pudding and covered with crumbled cookies. White cookie stood up out of the pretend dirt with the letters RIP painted on them. Tiny sprigs of baby's breath flowers poked up from the ground in front of the grave.

  “Oh my god, Lena,” Emily groaned, reaching for one. “I love you. Tell Eric he's had his fun. You're mine now.” She took the spoon James held out toward her and sunk it into the concoction. As soon as the spoon was in her mouth, her eyes closed and she moaned.

  “Two to one,” she swore she heard James mutter.

  “I cant promise I wont just... keep you chained to the oven... but I think you could make me happy,” Emily finished, smacking James' hand as he reached for one of her puddings.

  “I could tell Eric,” Lena said, pretending to look serious. “I think it is going to conjure all kinds of images in his head though.”

  “Oh, gross,” Emily scrunched her nose up. Despite having been the two biggest flirts in town from ages sixteen and on, Emily and Eric had never had much interest in each other. Their connection was the teasing bond of siblings. “Never mind. Don't say anything.”

  “Alright,” Lena said, smiling at James again. “I have to go get all the sweets around. Did you know the Sinclair house made me create them their own signature candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters? Crazy. I'll see you guys at the school later, right? I'm so excited. Everyone keeps talking about how amazing the Halloween events are.”

  Sometimes Emily forgot how new Lena was to town. Half a year or so. It seemed like she had been there forever already. “Okay,” Emily said, reaching for another pudding. “See you there. Thanks for these.”

  “Anytime,” Lena said, going over and planting a kiss on James' cheek. “I want to catch up with you sometime soon, okay?”

  “Of course, gorgeous. See you around.”

  The door closed as she left and James turned to her, his eyes big and puppy-dogish. “Please,” he begged, pointing toward the two leftover puddings.

  “I thought you said you were sweet enough,” she shot back, making a show of taking her next spoonful.

  “It's Halloween,” he reasoned. “Come on...”

  “Fine,” Emily said, finding herself smiling. “One,” she warned as he reached for the glass.

  James took the shot glass and clinked it against hers. “Cheers,” he said, moving out toward the door to the dining room. “I'll see you later.”

  Emily watched the door swing a few times before settling. What was that? No flirtation? No suggestion? No nothing? What was he planning?

  Emily took the last pudding and made her way to the front desk. It was going to be an interesting day.

  Six

  The farm was packed. Teenagers stood around, playing hookie from school, which the administration overlooked on the occasion of town functions. Emily parked, waved at a few people she knew and made her way toward the back.

  The maze was massive structure that took up most of an acre of land. It was built primarily of hay stacks lined in cornstalks, solid but giving, in case someone needed to push through a wall to get out. The farm owner, Charlie, a man in his thirties with long stringy brown hair and a somewhat morbid disposition, was perched in the box of a cherry picker high above the maze. Watching. Probably enjoying the terror a bit, but also making sure no one had a heart or panic attack.

  Emily walked over to the sign-in table, nodding at the volunteer paramedic sitting on top of a haystack. The town vet was probably volunteering at the haunted house, the dentist at the haunted hayride. It was a town wholly lacking in medical professionals.

  She signed her name on the clipboard, paid her ten dollars, and was handed a whistle to keep in her hand... just in case.

  As much as she hated to admit it, she was a bit of a chicken. She fell for it every time a scary movie had someone pop out from a dark corner, bolting up off the chair and screeching. But she loved the adrenaline. She loved the rush of fear. So she kept renting the movies. And she kept seeking out haunted attractions. Even if she made a fool of herself screaming like she was being murdered.

  She watched a group of sixteen year olds go in ahead of her. She stood there waiting a minute, letting them get further so she could enjoy her fear by herself. There was a sign hanging above her head.

  Go ahead and scream. No one can hear you.

  She took a deep breath and forced her feet forward, the metal whistle digging into her palm painfully. She was around the third turn and still nothing had sneaked up on her or dropped down from above her.

  The cornstalks parted suddenly and a clown in black and white clothes and makeup moved to block her path, staring at her. Then moving around her in a circle. She felt the creepiness settle into her stomach, making her skin feel like it was crawling. He toyed with the end of her ponytail, leaning in and
sniffing her neck. Sometimes there were things more fear inducing than a simple jump-scare. She stood frozen, watching as a machete suddenly appeared. Real. Metal. Not a prop. He slid it up her leg, her belly...

  “Oh my god,” someone... young, female gasped, making Emily start, look around for a second, then run.

  A huge plastic pendulum swung down in front of her, making her yelp, forcing her to duck down underneath it, looking at her feet. Making her miss the hoard of zombies clawing their way out of the corn.

  She hated fucking zombies.

  She turned and ran, screaming. A hand reached out, grabbing the hem of her shirt. She stumbled, hitting the ground hard, scrambling a few feet. To her side, a chainsaw fired up. She shot up to her feet, bolting forward blindly. She made it around two more turns, looking over her shoulder, and plowing into something solid in front of her.

  The scream rose up, hysterical and uncontrollable. Arms grabbed her shoulders as she struggled away.

  “Hey,” a voice said, calm, reassuring. “if you wanted an excuse to scream, I can think of a much more pleasurable way to go about it.”

  James. It was just a cocky enough comment that she knew she needed to put him in his place or she would never get the upper hand. And that is totally what she was planning on doing. That was until an entire zombie family appeared to their side, including two freaky zombie kids.

  She screeched and flung herself against James, burying her face in the crook of his neck. There was a suspended nothing for a long moment, James standing there a bit off guard. Was that really pain in the ass, confident Emily clinging to him like her life depended on it?

  James scrunched his forehead up and shrugged at the zombies around them, who smiled and moved back to their positions. He slid an arm across her hips and one up her back to rest at the base of her neck. Sure, he could tell her that they were gone. But it was nice to have her with her defenses down for a few seconds. Her heartbeat was hammering in her chest, her arms around his waist, her fingers digging in through his shirt. He turned his face slightly, resting his cheek against her soft hair.