Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
SAVANNA
Drew hoses down the Jeep while I scrub the hood, soap sliding onto the driveway, when my phone vibrates in my back pocket with an incoming text.
Since it’s Sunday, and I’m off again, Drew and I have been catching up on chores around the house.
After my day with Dalton yesterday, I certainly need the distraction.
Drew turns the hose on me, spraying my feet.
The cold water causes me to squeal. She throws her head back in a fit of laughter.
“Drew...” I warn.
“Oops!” she squeals, dropping the hose at her boots, running around the driveway.
“Yeah, that was an oops, alright.” I pretend to chase her as she screams.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead, tossing the sponge into the bucket, and dry my hands off with a towel.
It’s a beautiful day on the island, with the Georgia August heat shining through the clouds—radiating warmth that’s trickling down the back of my neck.
Remembering the text that came through a few minutes ago, I slide the phone out of my shorts and read it.
Unknown: Babe, tonight I will be your biggest catch.
Excuse me?
I reread the text, almost doing a double-take.
Who the hell is this, and what is with this cheesy pickup line?
Hi. Sorry, wrong number.
Another text comes through.
Unknown: Nope. Pretty sure it’s not.
What the hell? Excuse me, sir.
Excuse me? Who is this?
Ping.
Unknown: Just the guy who feasted on you for dessert last night.
I pale. Oh. My. God.
Before I can respond, a picture of Dalton smiling comes through. I gasp, clutching the phone at my chest as if someone sent me contraband.
Dalton?
How the hell did he get my number?
Drew stops running when she sees my face. “What’s wrong, mommy?”
“Oh, nothing!” I shriek. “Drew baby, can you start washing the bumper for me, please?”
Drew’s face lights up. “I can do that!” I watch as she skips to the bucket and takes out the sponge, leaving a trail of soap behind her as she plops it on the bumper.
When I think the coast is clear, I drag my phone away from my chest, glancing back at the photo.
Dalton fills the screen—sweaty, shirtless, all inked skin and hard muscle.
His old baseball hat is turned backward, chestnut brown hair peeking at the edges, while he smiles at the camera with a sexy grin.
My heart flutters in my chest, thighs pressing together.
Holy hell.
A man has finally sent me a backward-hat thirst trap.
I’m internally screaming and swooning as I save it to my camera roll.
I might need some inspiration tonight when I’m alone and horny with my vibrator, and this thirst trap of Dalton could definitely get the job done. I decide I don’t hate that he has my number, but I’ll play along.
HMM. Sorry, that face doesn’t ring a bell.
Dalton: Oh yeah? Do you need me to remind you?
I blush.
No, last night’s memory of Dalton devouring me with his mouth has been playing on repeat in my mind all day.
Well, that depends. How will you do this reminding?
Dalton: Well, I’m not sure how many details you need to jog your memory, but it involves my tongue on you, only this time in your bed.
Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?
Dalton: Absofuckinglutly.
I snort as heat pulls between my legs. Without the chance to respond, another text comes through.
Dalton: Come fishing with me today. I want to take you and Drew out.
I contemplate his request. Do I really want to be trapped on a boat with Dalton today? Especially after last night’s wild turn of events?
And what about Drew?
There’s so much unsaid between Dalton and me where she’s concerned that I’m starting to feel as if the lines are blurring.
Dalton: Please, Savanna. Don’t make me beg.
This guy is good, really good. He’s certainly pulling at my heartstrings.
I glance at Drew, who has moved on to washing the windows, and then reread his text.
After yesterday, I can already tell Drew is smitten with Dalton.
Seeing how fatherly he was with her has cracked the vault I’ve kept locked inside my chest. And now I think I want to see more of it.
Even if it’s not permanent.
I shake my head and let out a breath before turning back to my phone.
Well, we wouldn’t want that now, would we? Be ready in thirty.
Dalton: That’s my girl! Be there soon.
My cheeks flush.
My girl.
Suddenly, I’m a damn teenager again, tripping all over Dalton Hayes.
Pocketing my phone, I find Drew stomping in the water with her rain boots. I can finish washing my Jeep later. Making my way over to Drew, I kneel beside her as I pull her in for a wet hug. Her giggle fills the air, and I anchor myself to the truth that everything I’m doing is for her.
Standing up, I turn my back toward her, and she clambers on, arms hooking around my neck as I carry her piggyback up the stairs. “Chores done, little bean. Let's go fishing,” I toss over my shoulder.
She kicks and squeals in pure delight.
Dalton pulls up to my house in his truck exactly thirty minutes on the dot from when I sent my last text. As if he were meticulously calculating the time it would take for me to get ready and his drive over from his mom’s house, so he wouldn’t be late.
“There’s my girls!” he says, rounding the front bumper of his truck. He’s wearing aviator sunglasses, an old baseball hat, and patriotic swim trunks—a Georgia version of Baywatch.
I swallow, lock the front door, and grab our fishing bags. Drew’s flip-flops slap against the ground as she bolts toward Dalton. When I turn, he’s squatting with his arms open, waiting for Drew at the bottom of the stairs. She flings herself straight into his outstretched arms.
“Dalton!” she squeals, wrapping him in a bear hug. “I am so happy you’re here.”
“I’m happy to be here, Miss Drew.” Dalton beams. “I told you I would take you and your mom fishing, didn’t I?”
I’m at the top of the stairs when his eyes find mine.
I bite my lip and smile before offering a shy wave as I make my way down the stairs.
Dalton’s eyes track me shamelessly, lingering on the hot-pink bikini top tied around my neck and my ripped cutoffs.
His smirk is pure mischief, all predator and promise.
I may—or may not—have chosen one of my skimpier bikinis for today.
Standing before him, I murmur, “Hi.”
“Hi, Savanna. You look amazing,” he coos, eyes glazing over. He hoists Drew higher in his arms. His honeyed voice sends a jolt toward my center, wetness pooling between my thighs.
Get it together, Savanna.
“You kept your promise, Dalton. Do we get to go out on your boat today?” a giddy Drew asks.
“You’d better believe it, Drew. Is there any other way to get the big ones?”
She laughs. “Nope, but prepare to be outfished.”
Dalton rears his head back, surprised.
A snort escapes past my lips. “She’s confident. I’ll give her that.”
“Oh, yeah? You think you can outfish me? I have many, many years of experience over you. I’ve fished these waters all my life,” Dalton teases, tickling her.
Drew gives us an ear-piercing shriek.
“I know I can.” She laughs. “Uncle Hudson taught me to fish, and he’s the best at fishing. I know I can beat you.”
Dalton chuckles. “Funny, I taught Hudson everything he knows.” He places Drew down on the ground and hums. “How about this—we make a bet. Whoever catches the biggest fish is granted a wish at the end of the day.”
“A wish?” Drew’s eyes gleam. Dalton nods, and after a moment, she sticks her hand out. “Deal.”
Dalton laughs, shaking his head as he takes her hand. “Deal.”
And with that handshake contract, Drew claps her hands and darts off into Dalton’s lifted truck. I glance up at him, affection softening his features as he watches her skip away.
“You've got some tough competition there, Dalton,” I tease, following him down the driveway as he tosses Drew and my bags into the truck bed. “Drew doesn’t like to lose.”
Dalton grins, playful and confident, opening the passenger-side door for me. His sculpted arms lift me into the seat like I’m a rag doll. Before closing the door, he leans in close, sending gooseflesh racing up my arm. “Neither do I.” He winks.