Page 71 of Last Resort

Over a month ago I was in a miserable relationship, toeing the line, and not really living life. Now I’m in paradise, working toward a promotion, and am attracted to a man I’d be crazy not to be attracted to.

And he’s attracted back.

Own that, Sutton. Believe it. And let him take some distance if he needs to without thinking the worst of the situation.

I push the chair again, close my eyes as I sway in the breeze, and take this all in.

First of all, how is this my life?

Second, how did this even happen?

Do one thing for yourself.

I did and look where that got me. But now I guess I’m moving the bar on that because I’m going to do several things for myself.

My laugh floats out on the breeze, and I push a little harder on the ground so the hammock twists and rocks.

It’s definitely okay to keep doing those things for me, even if it means making Callahan work a little harder to earn me.

He still wants me. Right? Or have I led him on for too long that he’s lost interest?

I think back over the last few weeks. The laughter and sexual tension definitely outweigh the awkward silences.

Maybe Lizzy is right. Maybe he just needs a bit of space to adjust to opening up.

It has to be that.

I sit and swing, enjoying the sunshine on my face, the ocean breeze all around me, and when I finally decide to go inside, I know the answer to my question.

I don’t know if Callahan will ever figure it out, but I sure as hell plan on having fun if he tries to.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Callahan

With my hoodie on and pulled down over my forehead, I keep to my space in the corner of the resort’s gym. The staff trainers mill around waiting for guests to come in and work out, but the last thing I need or want is them training me.

Or kissing my ass once they realize who I am.

So I stay to my corner, wiping down the bench and replacing the dumbbells to their correct location after every use. My shoulders ache and my chest muscles burn with the satisfaction of a good workout.

I pushed myself harder today than normal. Frustrated with a check-in call from Ford where my every move was questioned. Pissed off over Solomon’s mention of Gia the other day. His words were a punch to the gut to remind me of the man I really am. The one who prioritized pussy over family, nameless sex over integrity, and playtime over worktime. It was a blatant reminder that Sutton doesn’t need my shit. She was right to demand more than another night of mindless fucking.

And then there’s Sutton herself. How I let my guard down the other night when that’s not something I do. Ever. But there I was lying in the bed beside her letting her know about shit I’ve kept locked tight for years.

Shit that is no one’s business, let alone a woman I’m trying to sleep with.

And yet I fucking told her a majority of it.

You’d at least think I’d get laid as a reward. I mean, a man has to have his own lines he draws, right?

But I didn’t.

We didn’t.

And yet, while I’m more than sexually frustrated, there must be something fucking wrong with me when I say the woman can kiss. And can kiss in a way that makes every damn bone in your body want her but be satisfied with not getting more.

This is becoming a problem.