AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A few scrolls and a few clicks later, I was done. Thank God. Though the experience had been less than typical, the outcome hadn’t been typical either. They really did have some great stuff. Lucas was going to love it.
“Hey, Em. What’s with all the cars?” Finn called from the sliding door in the kitchen. “Hey, Mom.” He glanced into the kitchen before he strolled into the living room. “What are you ladies shopping for today? Shoes? I like sexy shoes.” He winked at Emily and leaned in behind her to glance at the screen. “Oh, even better. That’s nice, Em. Hot.”
“They’re looking for things for me,” Donna said, with a big grin and a cheese plate.
Finn stood up and coughed. “Um, what? Emily, you let me look at that?” He rubbed the heels of his hands into his eyes, I’m sure trying to erase the image.
“Now, Finn, I didn’t raise any of you to be ashamed of sexuality. Don’t start now.”
“Mom, don’t. This never happened. I … I gotta go.”
Donna snickered, and I knew she did that on purpose.
25
LUCAS
The Tulip Festivalwas a couple of weeks away, and thousands would flock here, bringing an influx of money for the various farms and the town. April would be a hectic month, so the locals celebrated in March. Tonight, the Perry Harbor Yacht Club was hosting a salmon dinner for members and their guests. I wasn’t a sailor, but I never missed this annual event filled with great food. One of the members was always willing to get me into the party. This year, it was Miss Natalie and Miss Nell, my neighbors and ladies of a certain age. Their words.
The yacht club was this island’s only boat club. It wasn’t fancy or exclusionary like the name might suggest. Members had watercraft of all sizes and values or simply a love of boats or boating. Casual dress was the expected attire at all events, members volunteered to tend bar, and the head sailor, the Commodore, was known to say it was actually a drinking club with a boat problem.
All my friends were here. ReeAnn and Jake, both long-time members, were tending bar tonight. ReeAnn volunteered this time because she knew Jake, her bar-owning boyfriend, would back her up. The way he touched her all the time said he was planning to do more than back her up at the bar tonight.
I noticed all thecoupleytouches going on around me. I wanted to touch Jo the same way. And I could.
Every time I was with her, the buzz between us grew more intense. The dry humping episode had played in my mind more times than was healthy. I wanted to build anticipation. Hell, I was anticipating myself into a damn near constant hard-on.
We had our weekly cooking sessions, and I could barely wait for that coat to come off, signaling I could look, touch, and tease. She always wore something tempting, or maybe it was just Jo. That hot as fuck slim skirt the first night. Jeans that cupped her ass the way I wanted to. A sapphire-colored sweater that made her skin look golden, and a black jumpsuit with zippers and snaps everywhere that made me want to unwrap her like a present with my teeth.
I really hoped we were on the same page for our weekend in Seattle, but it felt like she was still holding back. Every day, I looked for a sign that she would break down her walls and let me in. Our trip was less than a week away.
“So, Lucas, how’s your love life?” Miss Nell ran her fingers through her short salt and pepper hair and looked at Jo standing across the room talking to the Commodore and his daughter.
“Nell, don’t pry,” Miss Natalie said, pushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear, making her many bracelets clang together, while she glanced at a group of older sailors and fishermen sharing tall tales.
“My love life is good, I think. How’s yours, Miss Nell?”
“Oh, dear boy, that ship has sailed. My true love is waiting for me at the next port.”
“That may be, but some of these salty sailors have been giving me the stink eye since I walked in with the two of you on my arm. You already found your love for a lifetime, but I think Jacob Landers over there would volunteer to be someone’s love for the night,” I said.
“Oh, hush you. Half of those men have heard a rumor that Nat and I are lesbians, and they want to find out if it’s true,” Miss Nell said. “Or they’re hoping we’re bi, and they can finally tick off that stubborn bucket list item, a threesome.”
I choked on my drink. Miss Natalie handed me a napkin while I sputtered.
“Hoo boy, you gotta do better than that if you’re gonna be our neighbor,” Miss Nell said.
I had no comeback. Miss Natalie and Miss Nell, two widows who moved to Perry Harbor together a few years back, were certainly a topic of conversation in town. No one actually knew their story, though several plausible versions floated around from time to time. Retired CIA was my favorite. I could totally see them as secret agents, and neither lady gave anything away. They were sweet, but I wouldn’t underestimate them.
“We see the lovely Jo at your house a lot lately,” said Miss Natalie, willing to pry a little.
“Yes. Well, I couldn’t wait for one of you to notice me.”
“Oh my, the flattery,” Miss Natalie said as she raised her wineglass. “You’ve done your duty to your hostesses, buying us a drink. Why don’t you go check on Jo.”
I gave them each the dimples and a kiss on the cheek before I strolled away, catching Jacob Landers’ eye with a nod back in their direction. You were never too old for a wingman.
Jo had moved over to the bar with some of our friends and sat next to my buddy Rhys. He and Jake must have left The Boathouse in good hands if they were both here.
