That was the trouble. What if she wanted to go further than she should? She buried her face against his chest, conversely the only place she felt safe.
“Who else is meeting you at the Floating Hat?”
She knew he was changing the subject in order to give her space. “Eden Ravard is having tea with us as well. You remember her, right? I play cards at her home with Inez and a couple of the others when someone can’t make it. She had a seizure once.”
“Right, she’s a sweet woman.”
“I’m talking to Sabelia about teaching a few of us how to conjure up toads,” she added, just to make him smile.
“Great.” He raised his head and looked toward the door. “Lana’s here. You stay out of trouble, and think good thoughts about us, baby.” Cupping her chin in his palm, he took her mouth. His kiss was gentle. Loving. So tender he stole her heart and refused to give it back to her. She felt more lost than ever. More terrified.
EIGHTEEN
Seychelle loved the Floating Hat. It was difficult to feel sad or upset when you were there. First, the little bells welcoming anyone to the tearoom were all in the shape of hats, which seemed funny since it was a tea shop. One display window held delicious-looking pastries, all tempting people to enter and choose various exotic teas to go along with the decadent desserts. The other display window on the opposite side of the door held lotions and specialty bath items in various beautifully shaped bottles and jars.
The shop smelled wonderful. Every time she inhaled, she drew fresh air into her lungs, and with it a subtle fragrance she couldn’t quite identify, but it seemed to clear her mind and make her feel so much better. One side of the shop was dedicated to the tearoom. The other was a shop where people could buy the bath or specialty items Hannah Drake Harrington, the owner, or Sabelia, her assistant, made up for them.
Seychelle had discovered the Floating Hat the very first day she’d moved into her new house. She’d walked all over Sea Haven. The sign and name of the shop had intrigued her, and she couldn’t help going in to see what it was all about. Once she’d entered, she knew she’d always go back. She especially loved the hair and bath products.
“Seychelle,” Doris called, waving merrily. She sat at the largest table, by two windows, which gave it the illusion of being very spacious. “Lana. I’m so glad you’re joining us. Inez said you might come. Eden texted and said she was running late, but she’ll definitely join us in time for lunch. Her monthly hair appointment, you know. The hairdresser is always getting behind.”
“I was happy you invited me,” Lana returned. “This is one of my favorite places for tea. Alena usually comes in with me, but she was too busy today. That girl is always working.”
Seychelle nodded. “Her food is so delicious.” It was too, although it was almost a sacrilege to say so when everything served at the Floating Hat was so wonderful as well.
Her phone vibrated in the pocket of her jeans, and she took it out, her heart accelerating. She knew exactly who it was. Know you’re upset, baby, but we’re a couple. We don’t walk out on each other. You made that commitment to me.
She’d already reassured him, but she didn’t know if she could keep that commitment, not when she was so confused about who she was anymore. She was willing to go so far out of her comfort zone for him to meet his needs. So far. She loved him enough to convince herself that their relationship would be worth it. It would be stronger for it, more intimate. She knew what Savage gave to his club, and she knew as he took on their pain that she would take it on for him. He loved the club members enough to do that for them. She loved him enough to take on that pain physically for him. She knew she would be strong enough.
That part was all good. She was fine with making sacrifices. That felt good. She’d done that for her parents. She did that for others when she healed them. It was the liking it she wasn’t so certain about. Losing herself in the pleasure-pain of it, she wasn’t okay with. Bringing those dark corners to the forefront and owning them. Taking that responsibility. A little shiver crept down her spine. She didn’t know if she could be like Savage, respecting herself, looking at herself in the mirror and being okay with who she was.
Seychelle slipped the phone back into her pocket without answering the text. Savage was just as exciting and sexy to her when texting as he was in person. She had a tendency to give in to him—to give him whatever he wanted. Right now, she needed desperately to sort herself out.
“Seychelle, sit right here, honey. You look like you’re a hundred miles away.” Inez was already at the table. She knew everyone in Sea Haven almost from the moment they arrived. She owned the local grocery store and could ferret out information on anyone very quickly. With her was Rebecca Jetspun, a widow Seychelle often visited. Seychelle was happy to see Rebecca getting out. She tended to stay isolated in her home, although Eden had managed to coax her into playing cards and introduced her to Inez and Doris. Doris had actually gotten her to go to bingo once or twice.