Page 35 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“My assistant missed a few things. Like why did you let me talk you out of being a senator all those years ago?”

“You were right. It wasn’t the right path for me.”

“And being your dad’s assistant is?”

“He’ll retire soon, and then it will be my turn.”

“That’s what you want?” Now that I know her, I change my opinion. She’ll do a phenomenal job serving Rainwater Bay, but it’s hard to see her living such a small, secluded life. Where’s the fun? The freedom?

“It’s what I’m meant to do.” The words sound like a rehearsed phrase she’s said so many times, the words have lost their meaning.

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I grew up watching Dad take care of our town. What better job is there?”

“The one you pick for yourself. One you’re passionate about.”

“I love my home. This house is proof that Rainwater Bay is special. That’s why Thomas Reeves moved his family out of San Francisco.”

“It’s more than a house to you.”

“You can’t restore something unless you understand its heart, and this home has a beating heart vital to the history of Rainwater Bay. If you don’t understand that, how can you hope to renovate it back to its original grandeur?”

Her passion is refreshing. I kick my feet out in front of me and recline on my elbow. “Sounds like story time. Okay, Mayor, tell me all about the Reeves’s estate. Make me believe in it like you do.”

Chapter 10

Zoe

Firelight plays across Landon’s features where he’s stretched out next to me. His shirt has started to dry, but wet, white fabric still sticks in places I’d rather it didn’t.

I could sketch a picture of his abs if you give me a pencil and half an hour. Give me an hour, and I’ll recreate Michaelangelo’sDavidbased on Landon’s physique, just add a fig leaf so my imagination doesn’t extend to that part of his body.

Snuggled against his chest when he rescued me from the car, his sandalwood, soapy scent fogged my brain. If he hadn’t tucked me into the passenger seat, I would have kept my nose pressed to his delicious smelling neck for the rest of the day.

Something is seriously wrong with me.

We’re supposed to be enemies. We aren’t supposed to be cozy and comfortable in front of a fire during a thunderstorm. His rapt attention shouldn’t snuggle me in unexpected comfort.

Do I trust this calm truce? Or is it Kelsey’s hopeless romantic voice making me delusional?

Landon nudges my knee. “Come on. What else are we going to do tonight?”

I don’t want to let my mind race through the possibilities because spending the evening wrapped up in blankets with Landon is a dangerous proposition. I’m wearing his clothes. He’s not being an asshole.

The squirming low in my belly when he smiles with that twinkle in his eye reminds me that he can be infinitely charming when he stops being a jerk, and I don’t have enough experience with men as suave as he is to shore up my defenses.

College was a briefeducation.Men don’t askBaby Girlout for dinner, at least not ones that call Rainwater Bay home. They definitely don’t spend the night with her when they have to look her dad in the eye when they get their next cup of coffee or pay a utility bill.

I tuck my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them. “What do you know about this house?”

He wiggles his finger back and forth. “Start at the beginning.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Thomas Reeves built this house in 1919 when he moved his family out of San Francisco. Valerie says they wanted room for their kids to run and play, but the rumor was Thomas got in over his head with some ne’er-do-wells, and he moved to keep them safe.”

“Ne’er-do-wells?” Landon’s smile spreads across his face like a sunrise. It’s a dangerous smile that adds to the flurries swirling in my stomach.

Enemies. Enemies. Enemies. Stay focused, Zoe. You’re here to convince him to honor the house’s tradition, not to make him smile at you so you giggle like a teenager on her first date. Woman up.