Chapter 8
NOLAN
It’s twelve-thirty when I spot Bree crossing the street, Gary happily trotting at her side. She’s heading toward the patio seating area at the North Haven Café, as though she…read the itinerary. Considering I have no missed calls from her, I don’t know how else she would’ve known to find me.
I’m suddenly at a loss for words. I forget the conversation I was having with Jasper and Ben about Monday’s meeting. I forget the investor’s name. Hell, I forget the rest of my fucking sentence.
Bree’s chestnut hair is tied up in messy bun, one that looks intentional and effortlessly sexy.
Her purple-framed glasses sit on top of her head.
A hoodie is tied around her waist, and a sprinkling of tattoos cover one bare shoulder that I haven’t seen until now.
When I showed up to her hotel room this morning, she was wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and shorts that left nothing to the imagination.
I vaguely remember a stray line of purple near her neck, but I was far more focused on the mold of her peaked nipples promising she was sans bra beneath that shirt.
Did she really ask me for an orgasm?
“I know that look,” Jasper says.
“What look?” I snap back.
“He’s not ready to hear it,” Ben chimes in, shaking his head.
“You’re right,” Jasper agrees. “Too soon.”
“There’s your dad, Gary,” Bree says to the dog in an excited voice. Gary spots me, freezes, then his tail starts wagging profusely. He whimpers as he practically drags Bree the rest of the way.
Well, at least my dog hasn’t completely abandoned his love for me.
“Why does she have your dog?” Jasper asks.
“Long story.”
Jasper and Ben exchange a look that calls bullshit, but I pretend not to notice as I flag down our server to let her know a fourth member is joining us after all.
“Hello, boys,” Bree says, sinking into the empty seat beside me. Her tropical scent floats to me on the gentle summer breeze, and I suck in a breath. There’ll no doubt be traces of that intoxicating scent in my truck days after she boards a plane.
A pang of longing hits me square in the chest. One that makes no fucking sense. The curvy beauty’s been here less than twenty-four hours and has done nothing but drive me up a wall. Why am I already dreading her departure?
Gary sidles up to me, shoving his soft head into my palm. A sort of apology for abandoning me early, I suppose. I can’t blame him, though. If I had the choice, I might’ve crawled right into that bed with Bree too. But sleeping was the last thing on my mind.
“How’s the website coming?” Ben asks.
“Really good! I’ve made a lot of progress, but I’m stuck now.”
“What?” My head snaps up. She didn’t say anything about being stuck when she booted me from her room to catch up on sleep. Just that she wanted an orgasm. I shake the thought away.
“What do you need?” Jasper asks.
“Thank you for asking,” Bree says, shooting me a brief but distinct look that suggests I’d do well to take notes from my buddy. “There’s a photographer in the mix, right? One of the wives. I’m sorry, I’m terrible with names.”
“Blakely,” Jasper volunteers. “Jaxson’s wife. She’s an incredible photographer.”
“Good. I want some authentic North Haven photos to really capture the vibe.”
“The vibe?” This time, Bree isn’t the only one to send me a judgmental look. Hell, even Gary looks up at me as though I’m clueless.
“But first, I’ll need something that and a pilot.”
“You’re looking at one,” Jasper says.
“Oh, do we get to take one of those badass coastguard helicopters?” Bree asks, excitement twinkling in her eyes.
“Sorry, I’m retired now, so no. But I do work for a flightseeing company. I also have my own bush plane I keep at their hangar. Will that work?”
“It will. You’re Vanessa’s hubby, right?”
“I am.”
“You snagged a good one,” Bree says. “Make sure you treat her right.”
“Oh, I do. But the reminder never hurts.”
“Back to the plane?” I ask.
“Before I can tell Blakely what I want her to photograph, I need to see the area. I thought an aerial view might be the ticket. There’s just something about the view, and I bet it’s something from a few thousand feet up.”
“It is,” Jasper confirms.
Well, fuck. So much for the itinerary. Not that Bree was going to let me babysit her website building anyway. Or entertain my scheduled progress check-ins. I suspect I won’t get a glimpse of her work until she’s finished, and I’m still trying to make peace with that.
“How soon can you take me?” she asks.
“After we eat?” Jasper suggests.
“Great! Mind if I bring my grandma?”
“Not at all.”
“And you, Boss Man,” Bree says to me.
“I have a call—”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ben offers, smirking at me. Fuck, am I being set up right now? “Your priority is keeping our website designer happy.”
“I like you, Ben.”
“I don’t,” I mutter.
“Oh, come on,” Bree says, pressing her shoulder against mine.
My gaze snags on the purple flowers on a vine snaked around her bicep.
I focus on the intricate design so I don’t focus on the electrical current transferring between us from the point of contact.
“I’ve had one of my two needs met today, so I won’t be as grumpy as I was earlier. ”
I lift my gaze, and it locks with her emerald eyes twinkling with mischief. And the only thought in my head? What would she be like if both those needs were met? By me.