20. Daisy
20
DAISY
I kissed him. I kissed him, and I loved it, and I want to do it again. Over and over again.
It wasn’t a drunken night out or a pity kiss at the end of a date. No, it was a scorching hot, bruising kiss that lifted me from my feet. We both wanted it, and God,, it felt good. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Sure, my history with men isn’t excessive; in fact, it’s almost embarrassingly nonexistent, but Connor and that kiss, there was no faking that. That was too good.
Even now, I touch my lips, remembering it in detail as I look at him across the boardroom table as he, his father, and the lawyer named Sawyer all discuss insurances and liabilities in regard to the spa and the mineral springs. His attention flicks to me, dropping to my lips, watching me brush my finger across my bottom one, and his eyes fill with heat and longing. I swallow, the tension between us so thick you could light a flame with it. Then he returns his attention back to Sawyer, to the conversation at hand.
Obviously, we can’t even go there. That’s why we stopped it yesterday. We can’t entertain anything. But as I sit in this meeting, trying to understand insurances and legal costs, I feel my already hot cheeks get hotter, because the man across the table from me continues to look at me like he wants to eat me whole, and I want to let him.
I couldn’t sleep last night. The kiss just played over and over in my mind on repeat. It left me wanting, my body in a new state of heightened tension that needed a release. So I retrieved the little bag that Trisha threw into my suitcase, the one that contains my battery-operated friends, and sent a thanks to the universe for having Trisha in my life.
I came so hard that I had to bite the pillow, for fear my sexy neighbor would hear my screams. But I shouldn’t be worried; I’m sure the walls in my place are soundproof because I hear nothing. A person could walk right into the house, and I wouldn’t even know.
“Okay, I’ll file these copies, and then Griffin can start the path. I think everything you’ve said makes sense and should cover us completely if there were to be any incidents,” Sawyer says as he shuffles some paperwork that Tanner and Connor just signed.
He looks at me and smiles. He’s done that a few times in this meeting, and I’m starting to get a complex as I look down at myself, wondering if I have spilled something on my top.
“I would just like to raise something else?” I ask the room, and all eyes are on me.
“Go for it.” Connor nods, looking at me intently.
“When we were at the springs yesterday…” I start and can't help but look right at him. I see him swallow, and I continue. “The local kids came, and while they obviously love the springs, kids running and jumping is not something that encourages relaxation,” I tell them, and Victoria nods.
“You’re right, and in the height of summer, it’s even busier.” She nods.
“Well, it's private property. We can just close the access down,” Sawyer says with a shrug, but Tanner and Connor growl.
“Not happening,” Connor says quickly.
“The springs are for the community.” Tanner follows up, and I grin, thinking it’s cute these two burly businessmen actually want to do good by the people in this town.
“So what options do we have?” Victoria asks.
I think about it for a moment.
“We could only offer a mineral soak on particular days or at certain times? During school hours, for example. Make it known to the kids and the community those are the days that it’ll be locked down for private soaks for the distillery, but all other times it can remain open for the community,” I suggest, and Connor looks at me and nods.
“I mean, it’s on Victoria’s private land. She doesn’t need to let any of them on it at all,” Sawyer pushes.
“But it’s nice for the people of Whispers to enjoy it,” Victoria says, and I can feel the love the boys and she have for this town move through me. Sure, they’re part of this big business, leaders in the whiskey industry worldwide, but they don’t tread on the little guy to get where they want to go. It’s admirable.
“I like Daisy’s idea. Keeps it doable for everyone. Dad?” Connor asks, and I turn to look at Tanner and see his eyes on me.
“I think what Daisy offers makes the most sense. Get me the days and hours, and I will talk with the community. Get their buy-in.” Tanner nods to me, like he appreciates my thoughts, and I smile, relishing this feeling of acceptance.
“Oh, before I forget, the local mayor mentioned that there’s a submission currently being reviewed for a new business in town,” Tanner says as we all start to gather our laptops and paperwork.
“Really?” Sawyer looks surprised.
“What’s it for?” Victoria asks, and I just wait and listen, not sure what they’re talking about.
“A bakery. Someone from out of town, apparently. But I told them I think a bakery would be a great addition and one we would support,” Tanner explains.
“Yum, fresh pastries every morning sounds delicious,” Victoria says, grinning.
“Great, well, let me grab my things, Sawyer, and I will meet you out front,” Connor says, and as we all stand from the table, his gaze moves to me again quickly before he walks out the door, the rest of us following suit. I swallow my newfound feelings. All that fighting and tension when we first met has melted into an interest and arousal I’ve never experienced before, and I have no idea what to do about it.
We shuffle out of the meeting room, and I walk with Sawyer toward reception.
“So, how are you enjoying the job so far?” he asks, making small talk, and I smile.
“I’m really enjoying the opportunity. The spa is going to be amazing once it’s complete.”
“A few more weeks, right? What are you going to do then?”
It’s something I haven’t really thought about too much yet.
“At this stage, I’ll be here for probably another month. While things are on track, I need to ensure that the staff are trained and the opening week or two goes well. After that, I’ll head back to the city. I enjoy pulling this kind of thing together, but my real passion is yoga. I did a lot of it back in the city at my mom’s wellness center, so it’s almost second nature. I’ll be looking for the next opportunity where I can broaden my skills even further.”
The more time I spend here in Whispers, the less I feel like going back to the noise and grind of New York, though. And the less I feel like going back to Sunshine and having my business ideas restricted again.
“Before I forget, I have some new paperwork here for you to read over and sign,” he says, handing over a folder.
“Oh, is it time sensitive? I have a few other things I need to go through in regard to product contracts and things at the moment,” I tell him, putting the folder under my other work that I’m holding, knowing the pile on my desk is growing by the minute.
He gives me a weird grin. “No. Not at all. Take your time with it. It’s not urgent.”
Before I can ask more, we get interrupted.
“Oh, Daisy?” Stephanie, the receptionist, says, and Sawyer and I both look at her from where we stand at the front area. Him waiting for Connor, me heading to my office.
“Yes?” I ask her. She’s a young girl, very friendly, always has a smile.
“The team at the restaurant said there was a man who came to the distillery for lunch and asked about treatments.”
“Oh wow, really?” I feel proud that we have some inquiries already. We haven’t even started advertising.
“Hmm, it seems like your reputation is already out,” she says with a bright smile, clearly happy too, but I frown in confusion.
“What do you mean by my reputation?” I ask.
“Well, he was asking for you, specifically.”
“For me?” I ask again, because that’s weird. I’m a consultant. I’m not listed on the website and haven’t been on any social media for the spa or distillery. I’m not part of the permanent team in any way.
“Who’s asking after Daisy?” Connor’s voice barks from behind me, so firm that I jolt. Unease fills me slightly as I think about who would even know I’m here. It’s just the team here, and then, of course, my family, Trisha, and a few suppliers. Maybe it was a supplier?
I turn to him, his face tense as he looks at Stephanie.
“Ahh, he didn’t leave a name or number…” she says hesitantly. “Maybe the restaurant team knows more?” she offers, now feeling unsure herself, and I dare say, a little taken aback by Connor’s intensity. I know he’s been stressed lately. Something happened with Lacy and his friend Hudson. I didn’t ask questions—it’s none of my business—but whatever it is, it seems major. Lacy won’t be back at work for a while, and both Sawyer and Connor are about to go over to Hudson’s place now.
He now stands by my side, so close I can smell him and feel the heat from his body. Sawyer stands opposite us, watching everyone and everything as Connor looks down at me, his gaze burning into mine.
“We haven’t put anything out to the media yet. No one knows you’re here. Who would be asking for you personally?” His brows pinch in thought, and I don’t know why we all feel uneasy about this. I take a deep breath, trying to think about it logically.
“It might have been a supplier? Maybe Soren again?” I’m trying to ease everyone's confusion and concern, yet as I say the words, I doubt them. I know Soren is having his quiet week at the commune, so I don’t think it would be him. I also don’t have any more deliveries coming. In fact, I have more than enough stock from him to last me months.
“Maybe it was just a tourist. He probably heard about it in town. You know how Rochelle loves to talk.” Stephanie shrugs, and I nod.
“Yeah. That must be it,” I say, smiling at her and nodding as she moves back to her desk to take a call. Meanwhile, Connor is still tense beside me. I hear a cell ring and look at Sawyer, who holds up his phone.
“Sorry, I’ve got to take this,” he says, stepping out to the front of the distillery, leaving Connor and me alone.
“Can you think of anyone else it might be?” he asks me, frowning. I’m not sure why he’s suddenly so concerned about this.
“I'm sure it’s nothing. Maybe a contact of my mom’s or something. She’s been telling everyone where I am.” I try to put him at ease. His stance softens a bit.
“Sorry, we just don’t like strangers around here much, and I want to ensure you’re safe.” His hand touches the small of my back, and his thumb rubs up and down in a soft motion that sends butterflies into flight in my stomach. I pause, the feelings building between us almost too big for me to handle. Any words I had get stuck in my throat as his eyes search mine.
We both agreed after the kiss yesterday that we needed to remain professional, but this side of him, this caring, protective nature of his that has started to come through, his passionate kiss, the way he rests his hand on the small of my back when we walk places, or the way he lifted me into his truck. All these little moments are chipping away at my initial assessment of him, and I can now see that I was way off the mark in how I judged him.
“I need to go. You alright?” he asks me quietly, startling me from my thoughts, his tone low, like we’re having our own private conversation, and I’m not sure if he’s referring to this situation or the situation we had in his office yesterday, but I smile up at him. I heard him and Tanner talking about the machine breaking down and the crops that were affected by the storm, so I know he has a lot on his mind. Stress is such an impacting factor on our health these days, and I prefer Connor doesn’t suffer because of it. That thought makes my healing nature come to the forefront.
“I’m fine. But you seem to have a lot going on. Why don’t you join me for yoga on the weekend? It might help your stress levels,” I offer genuinely, and while it probably isn’t the best idea for us to start doing more activities together, given our need to remain professional, as a healer and understanding the power of yoga and meditation like I do, I know that it’ll benefit him. His eyes widen a little before his lips curve up at the sides just slightly.
“I might give it a try.” He nods before he drops his hand and walks out the door, and I stand, watching as he and Sawyer jump into his truck and drive away.
“I called the restaurant to ask for more details.” Stephanie’s voice startles me, and I turn to look at her.
“Oh, what did they say?” I ask, walking over to her desk.
“They said it was an older gentleman who was there with a few younger men. A group of four of them. They asked to see you, wanted to walk into the office, but the waiter stopped them.”
“Did they give a name?” I ask.
“No. But he saw them leave in an old van.”
It was obviously Soren, here with some friends or hitchhikers, no doubt.
“Oh, that’s fine. I know him. He’s a supplier,” I tell her, feeling somewhat relieved to put the puzzle together, and she smiles, happy the mystery is solved.
As I walk down to my office, ready to tackle the afternoon workload, I think about Mom and Dad. I should go home to see them soon. I’m here for a month, maybe two, but I can leave on weekends, and maybe flying back to see them would be nice. I put the new paperwork from Sawyer underneath all the rest, knowing it isn’t urgent, before I get back to tackling my to-do list.
I will meditate on it. While I’m in no rush to get back to the city, I’m really craving Mom’s dahl.