Page 41 of Dandelion Sighs

It was unattainable for the near future. The far future? I had no idea where I’d be or if I could afford to stay in Coal Haven. But I’d take a few hours of domestic bliss. What I’d experienced with him was already robbing me of all good sense. I could not allow myself to consider a hypothetical life with Jasper. I knew what waking up to him was like, and that was enough temptation. I might sacrifice the resort for more time with Jasper. Then, if he proved to be just another deadbeat with no ambition, I would have nothing but an expired real estate license.

The wind fluttered the ends of the towel. He positioned himself opposite the food and grabbed a sandwich. We faced the water and ate, the soft sounds of the waves and the birds providing ambience. There was a tension emanating from Jasper that I couldn’t identify. He’d been so relaxed behind the wheel, but the drive from the cabin to the beach was short.

“I have a confession,” he said, dusting his fingers off.

“Oh?”

“Landon caught us yesterday.”

I choked and coughed on a crumb. Jasper opened a lemonade and handed it to me.

“He did?” I croaked out before guzzling the sweet juice. He saw? A kid? Saw me in bed with Jasper? What was he going to say to the rest of the staff?

“Yep, but I didn’t want you to panic any more than I knew you would. I talked to him.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek. My half-eaten sandwich was abandoned on the towel. “What’d you say?”

“I told him that you felt bad that I was working late and came to help, but we got to talking—and only talking.” His smile somewhat calmed my nerves. “I used it as a ‘don’t drink and drive’ lesson. You kept me company while I waited out my blood alcohol level, but we fell asleep.”

We hadn’t just fallen asleep. That would’ve looked bad enough. I had practically burrowed into his skin and become one with him.

“At least we were dressed,” I muttered. If anyone asked, I could explain that we’d taken a breather repairing the room and we’d both passed out. Totally believable... Ugh. It’d have to do.

“I think that’s what sold it the most.”

I giggled, disbelief filling me. “When I took over, my biggest concern was mean girl behavior and the bottom line. Now it’s teen employees thinking I’m messing around on the job.”

“Eh, it happens.”

“Does it really?” I asked dryly.

“If that new place gets built, it’ll happen there too. More rooms, more messing around.”

Instead of bringing the worry back, his comment lightened my already sunny mood. The group that sounded like they wanted to conquer the bay’s shoreline would face obstacles too. “Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem.”

I would’ve rather known in the moment, but then I might’ve rambled and not at all convinced Landon that nothing had happened. I would’ve sounded as guilty as I had felt. Only it had been a well-intentioned, if unprofessional, mistake.

I’d try not to make another one like it.

Jasper

Sheridan splashed in the water, the waves licking at her thighs. I was standing in deeper water, enough to cover my attentive dick. The damn thing had started banging on the door of my swim trunks as soon as Sheridan shimmied out of her shorts.

When she’d taken off her shirt, I’d had to turn my back to her and charge right into the cold water. It might be the middle of summer, but the water temperature was enough to make sure blood flow stayed close to the heart.

Her body was full of curves, and her modest blue-and-yellow suit did more than hint at them. The flare of her hips, the dip in her waist, and sweet mercy, her tits were all on full display, covered by the thinnest material.

“It’s nice once you get used to it.” She picked through the water, looking down with each step. The lake was clear enough to see our feet, and for now, we were alone. The boats didn’t often come in this part of the bay. Too shallow and too disturbed by swimmers for good fishing. As for the beach, it wasn’t the best for frolicking. Rocks stuck up everywhere, and I spotted at least two empty fifths of something strong from kids who liked to party in the dark.

The privacy was a draw, along with the cliff that overlooked the other side. I looked up the slope that led to the cabin my grandmother left for me. Soon, I wouldn’t have a claim to it.

She gently pushed off toward me, her hair getting soaked and floating around her. “It’s so gorgeous out. I should do this every day.”

“You shouldn’t swim in open water alone.”

“I can’t drag you out each time.” She paddled sideways in front of me, the swell of her hip showing above the water.