Page 47 of Dandelion Sighs

“Because you are.”

There was a sad tint to her smile. “I never thought so. I felt…convenient.”

Fuck that. “Sheridan, there’s been nothing convenient about you since I’ve met you.”

Humor played over her face before her features turned distraught.

I spun so I caged her between me and the bench. She needed to understand that she wasn’t a bother. Any support I offered her was my own decision and not because I thought she needed it. “That’s not a bad thing. I mean that you were grieving when you ran into me, so I couldn’t hit on you. I mean that you’re my boss. And I mean that you know what you want and you have no patience for a guy who just wants a good time.”

“You work too much to have a good time.”

“I spend a lot of my days thinking about it, though. About you.” Desire continued to pool lower and lower until the pressure behind my zipper grew uncomfortable. She was sweet and sexy, but she was kind and ambitious. She had a zest for the area, for the resort—for me—that made her one special package.

“You do?” She feathered her fingers along my jaw. “You are so good-looking.”

“I’m average.”

“No.” Her vehement headshake punctuated the word. “Trust me, I know average.”

I gripped her wrist. Her pulse fluttered under my fingers. “You’ve experienced average. You’re so far above it, you have no idea.” She was the type to leave a slacker with no real job or ambition in the dust, and I supported her for it. She’d be out of my reach soon enough. Either this place would take off thanks to her efforts, or she’d find something worth her electric energy. Who knew what I’d be doing by then.

“You say the sweetest things.” She cupped my cheek and pulled my head down.

“We’re at work.” My words were barely audible, but it was my duty to warn her.

“No one comes out here but you.”

She was right. Landon used to, but he preferred the AC he got with housekeeping, and he was almost done for the day. I did have an hour.

I kissed her, and sweetness filled my tongue. I wasn’t the only one who’d had some lemonade. I lapped her up and drank her in. My own refreshing drink.

I hugged her against me, taking the risk she wouldn’t mind the grass clippings scattered on me. My erection was obnoxious, but it would stay encased in its prison. I wasn’t above enjoying the way she was pressed against it.

Only she put enough space between us to flatten her hand over my dick. The pressure and knowing it was her fueled my lust. Arousal clouded my thinking, and I rocked my pelvis into her hold.

“Jasper,” she whispered against my lips.

“Yeah?”

She flicked open the fly of my jeans. “I want to…”

Was she serious? My gut tightened, and I looked down. Still full of disbelief, I watched her lower my zipper. Fuck. “Sheridan. You don’t have to.”

“I know.” She wet her lips, and it stole the rest of my argument. “I want to.”

Who was I to stop her? We were both into this. We couldn’t be around each other without it turning physical. I’d never experienced such a magnetic attraction, and I wanted to enjoy it while I could.

Shop. Open door.

Yes, there was that, but almost no one came in here during the day.

Then her warm hand wrapped around my cock, and every nerve in my body shorted out the worries. I jolted and groaned at the same time.

“Wow,” she breathed and pumped her hand up and down my length.

My ass cheeks clenched or I’d have toppled over from the power she wielded. She met my gaze, hers a mix of determination and wickedness, and then lowered to a knee.

A spot in the haze clouding my head cleared. “No. I’ve been outside all day.” I’d been on the mower, and I’d showered this morning, but I’d never had a woman just jump all in like this. What if it repulsed her? I’d been Sheridan’s champion, and I didn’t want to get knocked off the pedestal.