Chapter 10 #2
One last chaste kiss, and I’m out the door. About halfway to the front building, Zane, our fourth owner and resident chef, catches up with me.
“Why are you here so early? Get dressed in the dark? Shirt’s on backward.” My eyes fall to the front of my shirt, which is indeed the back. Beside me, Zane snickers. “Was she good?”
No way am I answering that out loud.
Of course, she was good. Better than good. Every time was better than the time before, our connection deepening. Which reminds me . . . I have to make a stop at the store for more condoms. The one box of three she secured last night will only go so far.
“I’m not sure how to read your silence.”
“Fuck off.”
A snort rumbles from my side. “At least fix your shirt before you get inside. Don’t need any of the guests making any assumptions. Unless you’re in the market for more rooms to depart in the wee hours of the morning.”
“Why are you freaking chipper this early in the morning?”
Like me, the bastard chooses not to answer my question. But at least it shuts him up.
In silence, we finish our walk to the front building.
He follows me through the sliding glass doors, but we part ways in the lobby.
For him, I’m not sure where he’s going, but I head to my office.
Up the stairs behind the reception desk and down the hallway, my door’s still closed.
I give a nod to the other two co-owners as I pass by their open office doors.
Shutting my door after entering, I quickly fix my shirt and run my fingers through my hair. I smile as I’m reminded of how Juli’s fingers twined in the short strands multiple times over the course of the past eighteen hours.
I have the smallest office, but since I spend little time here, I’ve never minded.
It’s big enough for a desk, a rolling chair, and one filing cabinet.
The dark wood walls are mostly bare, save for a couple of photos of me on the water in various capacities and two of the owners of Whispering Tide—one taken on opening day, the other from STEM Camp nearly two decades ago, where the four of us first met.
I take a seat in the chair, booting up my desktop. I jot a note to grab my laptop from my house so I can log in if the situation arises. The computer turned on, I bring up the recreation schedule for the resort.
Most weeks, the schedule remains the same.
We have certain activities spread throughout the week that happen on a particular day.
For example, Saturday is Movie Night on the beach.
A different movie is shown each week, but the time and location are set.
Other activities include s’mores over firepits, make-your-own ice cream sundaes, and pool parties, to name a few.
I’m always on the lookout for different activities we can provide for the guests who choose to take advantage of them.
Especially for the few repeat guests who return year after year.
Part of my job also includes overseeing the spa, which I’ll stop into after doing some admin work in the office.
Setting an alarm for an hour from now, I get to work, starting with pulling up the weekly budget.
I’m knee-deep in numbers when there’s a knock on my door. Craning my head, I smile at the visitor.
“I know, it’s not time for breakfast, but I got bored and ventured out.
And I ended up here. I stopped by to chat with Preston, too, but he gave me the cold shoulder, though I added dinner to his calendar tomorrow so he couldn’t refuse my invitation.
” As soon as she realizes what she’s said, her cheerful expression sours. “Oh, crap.”
I encourage her into the office with my finger, inviting her to take a seat in the extra plastic chair I keep for rare occasions when someone stops by. And by rare, I mean she’s the first to use the chair in almost three years.
She’s wearing white shorts and a pale pink shirt that falls off her left shoulder, revealing the thin strap of her bra. She’s wrangled her hair into a side braid falling over the opposite shoulder. Fancy sunglasses sit atop her head.
“It’s fine. You and Preston need to have dinner. I’ll make my own plans. Pretty sure by tomorrow night, we’re going to be sick of each other. A break will be nice.” I intend it as a joke, and maybe it’s not the right thing to say, but Juli doesn’t let me down.
“It’s only dinner. I’m all yours for dessert and a nightcap.” Her eyes light up. “Speaking of, can we go back and have a Bushwacker tonight or tomorrow? Perhaps both?” Expectancy soars in her words and expression, but I wouldn’t ever deny her such a request.
“Sure thing.”
“Super.” She looks around. “Quaint.” She’s out of her seat when she spots the photos, and I know which one captures her attention as soon as the laughing starts. “Man, you were so young in this one. Like what, middle school?”
“Thereabouts. Maybe the summer after freshman year.”
“Hmm. Teenage Juliana is squealing inside to be standing here in your office.”
“Pretty sure Teenage Cameron is hanging ten to have you here in my office.” The alarm goes off. “Oh, shoot. Gotta run by the spa, make sure everything’s good there. Want to tag along?”
“Yes. There’s a yoga class I want to take on Friday morning.
I’ll sign up now. And maybe schedule an appointment for a massage for Monday morning before I have to head to the airport.
” Without thinking, I interlace our hands as we walk out of the office, loving the feel of her soft palm tucked into mine.
She gazes up at me, the brown a warm sparkle. “Care to make it a couples one?”
My foot trips over an imaginary bump in the hallway carpet. I stay upright, steadying myself so I don’t take us both down. My heart rate kicks up a notch.
A couples massage? Are we a couple?
“Co-couples?” I stammer.
“Are you seriously getting embarrassed by being naked in the same room as me? Were you not there all last night?”
“More of the emphasis on the definition of ‘couple’ versus the act.” My explanation is shit. We’re headed for another roundabout conversation, no doubt.
“Oh. But that’s what it’s called. My girlfriends and I do it all the time, and in no way are we together as a couple.”
“That’s . . . ” Interesting? Weird? Provocative? I don’t know how to finish my thought. Though my cock has a few ideas of its own at the thought of her and her friends getting naked in the same room.
“Never mind what it is, sign me up. I could use a massage, and it will definitely be more fun with you. Though you have to promise not to make any sexy sounds. I don’t need a boner in front of Rosa.”
“I make no such promises. Besides, I enjoy making you squirm.”
We’ve made it down the stairs into the lobby. And as much as I’d like to refute her claim—give her a taste of her own medicine—there are other guests around. I swapped out yesterday’s T-shirt for a new one in my office, but the shorts are still from yesterday.
“Hey, Fairbanks.” Keoni catches my attention, the hot pink floral pattern of his shirt threatening to blind me. He steps out from behind his desk to wait for me.
“What’s up?”
“Heard a rumor I had to meet Little Langley. Is this her?”
He means well, but his delivery isn’t always the best. I blame cultural differences.
Thankfully, Juli isn’t offended. She reaches out her free hand. “Juliana Langley, though my friends call me Juli. Are you a friend or foe?”
For a minute, their hands suspend in mid-air as his eyes first rake down her, then slide over to me. “You’re related to Preston?”
“I’m the fun one. Until you meet Elisa. But sometimes she’s a little too much fun, if you know what I mean.”
Stupefied into silence—a rarity for Keoni—he finally gains his wits. His belly laugh resounds around the lobby, garnering a few looks from other guests.
“Okay, you’re hilarious. Maybe you can lend some of your humor to your brother. Even for a few hours. That man needs to cut loose a little more.”
Juli’s lips frown. “He works hard to keep this place running, but it saddens me to see him so unfun. One of these days, someone is going to come and knock him for a loop. I hope I’m here to see the fallout.”
“I hope you’re right.” He notices our hands still connected. “You work fast, Fairbanks. Does the elder Langley know?”
In all the years I concealed my crush on Juli, I tried to broach the subject with Preston.
I never came out and asked him how he’d feel about it.
Mostly because we weren’t ever going to work long-term.
Our worlds were too different back then.
I’m not sure much has changed now. She can do significantly better than the likes of me.
I’m not cut out for anything beyond the bachelor life.
I have no notion of this vacation fling of hers lasting once she gets on a plane back to reality. However, I’m not wasting any time with her this visit. Whatever she’s willing to give me, I’m taking. I’m selfish like that. We’ve proven we have a connection, one that transcends the bedroom.
Juli laughs nervously. “We’re not together. Cameron’s a good friend. We’re . . . catching up on where we left things the last time we saw each other.” She doesn’t drop my hand, tightening her fingers around mine.
I’m not sure exactly what to make of it. Her words are true—we aren’t a couple but rather, old friends who left things unfinished last time. However, with how the last twenty-four hours went and with the plans for the next few days, I’m not sure “friends” is the right label. If we need a label.
“I see.” Keoni’s voice defies his comment. He doesn’t “see” anything but what he wants to think.
Next week at this time, she’ll be gone, I’ll be back to working, and all will be right with the universe. No reason to dwell on something as insignificant as a label. We have things to do. Boats to ride. Bushwackers to drink.
“So great to meet you, Keoni. I’m sure I’ll see you before I leave early next week.”
“Nice to make your acquaintance, Ms. Langley. If there’s anything you need during your stay, be sure to let me know. If certain other members of our staff can’t get it for you.” His gaze skids my way, his beady eyes penetrating me. As if I’m scared of him or something.
I could totally take him. He’s got about twenty years on me, and I’m in way better shape than he is.
My mind is a little messed up at the moment if I’m thinking of taking Keoni down. Again, I can’t worry about that. So I press on.
“We’re off to the spa. I’m off for a few days, unless there’s an emergency, then call me.” I cringe as the words leave my mouth, adding more fuel to the fire and giving Keoni more ammunition to call me out on the whole “not friends” with Juli situation.
“Cameron’s been a gentleman and agreed to keep me company while I’m here. Show me around the resort, take me for a boat ride, entertain me so I’m not sitting on the deck of the pool drinking myself into oblivion.” Juli comes to my rescue, but I’m not sure she makes it any better.
Keoni’s brows meet his hairline. If he wasn’t as bald as a baby’s bottom.
“That’s our cue to get going. See you around.” With Juli’s hand tucked tightly into mine, I start for the back door of the lobby, back out into the sunshine, and off to the spa. After yesterday’s thunderstorm, the humidity returned, but the temperature is a few degrees lower.
“He seems . . . nice. Is he always that suspicious of guests’ ulterior motives?”
When she puts it like that, it makes sense. He’s always going on and on about so and so, wondering what their story is, calling the shots as he sees fit. I guess I never realized it was so judgy until he turned his scrutiny on me.
“Was that awkward for you?”
“Nah, it’s fine. Let him think we’re together. There are worse things in the world than being coupled with you.”
Her words wash over me. Not exactly a compliment, but enough praise for my heart to flutter faster in my chest.
“And hey, at least you’re getting multiples out of me. Things could be way worse for you.”
Juli’s hand falls from mine as she halts our trek. Her face is unreadable. Definitely not mad, but some emotion related to that.
“That’s not the only reason I want to spend time with you. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, dear. You like my quick wit and the way I can twist a conversation until neither of us knows which end is up.”
She continues as if I hadn’t spoken. “It’s not like they aren’t a bonus. They are for sure. And I hope they’ll continue. I’ve got some positions I want to try with you. If you’re up for that.”
I can’t say yes fast enough.
A sneaky smile rewards me.
“I’m glad we get to spend time together this week. Though I am a little bummed I have to sacrifice my pool time to do so.” Her left eye winks before she takes off again.
“I’m going to throw you in the pool the next chance I get if you keep this attitude up.” The statement is muttered, and I can’t be certain she hears it.
Juli walks a few feet ahead of me, though I doubt she knows where she’s going. My eyes fall to her ass, the way it sways in her tight shorts, and before I catch up with her, I subtly adjust myself.
No matter where this relationship ends up, I’m forever changed by Juli Langley.
Again.