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“I like the look.”
“But no one is here to see your look.”
“I’m here, and it’s about how I feel when I look this way. Plus, it’s not so bad once you get used to it.” I shrugged.
“So, Thatcher will be there tonight.” She waggled her eyebrows at me obscenely.
“And?”
“And what’s that going to be like? Is it going to be hard to not be all Domme on him?” She literally moved to the edge of her seat excitedly.
“No, that’s not how this works. I’m not his Dominant. And even if I were…” I trailed off, not needed to give the thought any further credence.
“Oh, come on, Sadie. Spill the tea!”
“There is no tea to spill. None. Not a drop.”
“Thereistea to spill, or you wouldn’t be all weird about things like you have been lately,” she said, arguing with me.
“I promise you, Danielle, there will be no drama surrounding myself and Thatcher tonight, or any other night. We are Sadie and Thatcher here and —”
“Yeah, yeah, you keep things neat and tidy in two separate boxes.” She slumped back into the chair, a pout forming on her face. But my words had been the truth. There would be no drama. What happened between Septus and me at Haven would stay at Haven. I was resolute in my plan to keep things neat, orderly, and perfectly normal. It would be like I was around a completely different person. In fact, I doubted I would even be attracted to him away from Haven.
* * *
I watchedin silence as Thatcher pulled himself out of the pool, his biceps bulging as he lifted himself up, the water sluicing off of his body, down his tattooed chest. And that smirk of a smile on his face? The way his head tilted back as he laughed loudly…
“Sadie, you’re drooling,” Jamie said behind me, pulling me out of my stupor as I dabbed at the corners of my mouth as discreetly as possible. He chuckled lightly beside me. “Doing alright there, love?”
“Don’t tease me, Jamie Day.” I plastered a cheerful smile on my face, pretending like nothing had happened.
“Oh, I’m going to tease you, alright. Though I can’t blame you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that Thatcher Wells is one deliciously attractive man. I don’t know how you can keep your hands off of him after playing with him. God knows I wouldn’t be able to.” I turned to Jamie in shock as he simply shrugged and took a swig of his beer.
“Jamie!” I chastised him lightly under my breath. It would do me no good to have this conversation overheard by one of our neighbors.
“What? I’m just telling the truth. He’s handsome, muscular without being jacked, covered in that beautiful tattoo artwork, and that grin could make a straight man hard as a rock. Your attraction is more than warranted, love.”
“I amnotattracted to him.” My words hissed past my lips as I crossed my arms over my chest stubbornly, looking around the crowded back yard for anything to focus my attention onotherthan Thatcher Wells.
“Oh, Sadie,” he said, chuckling teasingly. “Don’t let that pretty mouth of yours write checks your ass can’t cash.”
“Jamie!” I gasped. The gall of that man, honestly!
“Oh, Sadie, the food is just marvelous!” Diana poured her appreciation out as she and Craig made their way over to where we stood. I was honestly grateful for the distraction. If I had to look at these two, then I wouldn’t be tempted to keep watching Thatcher as he toweled himself off in the sun — except that’s exactly what I was doing.
“She’s quite the cook, isn’t she?” Jamie joined in with the praise, tugging me to his side and effectively turning me away from the sight of Thatcher and his far too tempting body.
“I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you. I usually have no issue with planning and preparing for a party, but —”
“Say no more, Diana. You have your hands full with those kiddos, and Apple Grove is all about community. Neighbors helping neighbors, right? I was happy to be of some help,” I answered with absolute sincerity.
“So, will we be hearing the pitter patter of little feet at the Day house one of these days?” Craig teased with a waggle of his eyebrows.
“You two would make the absolute best parents,” Diana agreed readily. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, feeling Jamie squeeze me just a bit tighter. We both hated this question with a fiery, burning passion.
