Chapter 14 #2
Sage’s cheeks darkened a bit, and she pressed her lips together to fight her smile. “Leave me alone.”
“He’s cute,” I told her. “You should ask him out.”
Sage shook her head, her humor falling away. “If he was interested, he would ask me out. Everyone knows I like him.”
“Maybe not him,” I argued.
She shrugged and tipped back her first shot, drowning out the conversation.
I could tell she wasn’t interested in being encouraged anymore, so I let it drop. “This place is stunning.”
“It is. Best bar in town, and best view,” Zuri said. “I tell all my clients they have to come here.”
“I love that. Where else do you tell people to go?”
Zuri dove into her spiel and made sure I knew all the best places to go while I was exploring on my own. A few of them I’d already been to, but many of the places were new to me.
The four of us had our second shots, then I begged off since I was driving us back to Ashlyn’s house. Zuri did the same, and the two of us laughed at Sage and Ashlyn as they giggled their way through two more rounds of drinks.
We hugged Zuri in the parking lot and said goodnight. She asked if I was okay getting the other two inside alone, and I assured her we’d be fine. Thankfully, they could both walk. Ashlyn carried herself to bed immediately, and Sage crashed on the couch.
I smiled as I crawled into bed. I was going to enjoy life in Amethyst Bay. Just as soon as I found a job.
Sage was still asleep on the couch when I walked out of my room early the next morning. Just in case she woke up while I was outside, I chose the chair closest to Josh’s house, one that wouldn’t be seen from inside unless you were really trying.
Josh walked outside not long after I did, and the look on his face said he was hoping for another good morning. He kissed me and set my coffee down, lingering for a minute before he took his seat. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I said.
“Sage is over?”
I nodded. “How did you know that?”
“Saw her car.”
“Oh.” I felt dumb.
“I’m guessing she’s on the couch, so we need to keep our hands to ourselves this morning.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“Because if I’d told Ashlyn about us already, it wouldn’t matter.
I was going to, but after she saw Rob with someone the other day, she’s been a bit lost. She keeps saying she’s over him, but obviously she’s not.
That’s why Sage is here. Ashlyn decided yesterday she really is over Rob and wanted to go out. Sage went with us.”
He shook his head. “I understand. She’s your best friend. You have to do what you think is right for her. I think it’s great you’re worried about her feelings. That you’re here for her.”
I swallowed, wondering what he would say if I told him I was thinking about staying. I was keeping things from both of them.
“How was your night? Where did you go?”
“We went to Pour Standards for dinner and up to the bar afterward for drinks. It’s amazing up there.”
“It is. One of my favorite places.”
“What are some of your other favorite places?”
He looked at me, his gaze sliding down my body. He leaned over slowly. “I was very content on my knees the other morning.”
My entire body flushed hot.
He kissed me quickly, then chuckled and sat back in his chair. “I love being out on the water. It always makes me feel grounded. Ironic, maybe, but I love it.”
“I understand that. It’s a different kind of peace. If I lived here, I’d have to have a boat.”
“We should go out on my boat,” he said, the words coming out in a rush, like he hadn’t meant to say them. “If you want, I mean. Sometime.”
“I would love that,” I admitted.
“What about next weekend? Evie will be with her mother again. Maybe you and Ashlyn…”
He trailed off, and I knew it was because Ashlyn didn’t know about us. If she did, it would be an easy choice. Or we could go out alone and Ashlyn wouldn’t think it was weird.
“I’ll talk to her soon.”
“I’m not trying to pressure you.”
“You’re not. I don’t like keeping things from her. Especially something good. Break-ups are hard, but I feel like I’m lying to her. I want her to be happy.”
“She should be with someone who is good for her.”
“Yep.”
“Speaking of good for her,” he said, his voice dropping low. “I’ll have an empty house tomorrow morning.”
“Is that so?”
“Maybe you can have breakfast with me?”
“Naked breakfast?”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”
“What time do you get up?”
“Early. I turn on the light in the kitchen when I get up.” He pointed to the window facing Ashlyn’s house, facing where we were seated. “If that light is on, I’m awake.”
“And ready for breakfast?”
He leaned over and kissed me again, lingering against my lips. “As long as I get to have you for breakfast again.”
“I think that could be arranged.”
He growled, capturing my neck with his hand and holding me in place while he ravaged my mouth.
My pulse skyrocketed, and my core clenched in anticipation of the morning. Twenty-four hours and I was already looking forward to it.
“I’m really happy you were on my dock that morning.”
I laughed. “Me, too. Although I could have gone without the accusation of not belonging here.”
He leaned back, taking my hand and weaving his fingers through mine. “I hope you know I don’t mean that now. I thought you were trespassing. I am sorry for the things I said.”
“I know. And thank you for saying that. It was not my best birthday.”
“That was your birthday?” he blurted.
“Uh, technically, no. My birthday was the day before.”
“And you woke up the next day to me yelling at you. Shit, I’m sorry, Reegan.”
“It’s all better now.”
He squeezed my hand. “I hope so. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice. You plied me with coffee and orgasms.”
He barked a laugh. “I guess the way to your heart is through your pants?”
I shrugged. “It definitely doesn’t hurt to start there.”
He laughed, then leaned across and kissed me again. “I need to get a few things done today, but tomorrow morning, you’re mine.”
“Looking forward to it.” I finished my coffee and handed him the mug back, then watched his ass as he walked back to his house.
It was a really good ass.