Feeling restless, I rip off the covers and pull on a pair of navy sweats and a white tank top. Bending at the waist, I lean over my desk and tug the cream curtain to the side to find Anderson hooking one side of the bed swing into the porch overhang. His expression is worn with concentration as dark denim hugs his perfect ass. He’s shirtless, too, his tanned skin slick with sweat. I watch as he walks to the other side of the bed to hang that end and smile.
That is, until I see him start to place a puke-green cushion on the bed’s frame. I rush outside to stop him. “No, you don’t.” I snatch the cushion from him and toss it to the side.
He regards me with amusement before his focus shifts to my clothed, but braless, chest. “Well, good morning to you, beautiful.”
I roll my eyes while internally swooning from the endearment. “You were about to commit a felony. You should be thanking me for saving you from a lifelong sentence.” I point to the cushion I just tossed. “That shit is hideous.”
When I turn back to him, he’s smirking.
“Well, you weren’t there to help me pick out the fabric before the seamstress sewed it all up.” He reaches down and picks the cushion back up. “It stays.”
I start to reach for it again, but he catches my hand and tugs me to him. “I’ll make you a deal.” His voice is velvety soft as though he just dunked it in a warm glass of tea.
“We aren’t making a deal that involves puke-green cushions. Those need to go, Anderson.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’ll let you pick out a new color.”
“You will?” I narrow my eyes. “Is there a condition in there somewhere?”
“Of course,” he says before picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. “I want a good-morning kiss first.”
I smile and lean in, touching my nose to his. “You drive a hard bargain, but okay.”
He raises his brows. “Oh, I’m not done. You also have to agree to come with me on a boat ride today. I have some errands to run, and I want you with me.” He skims his full lips against mine. “Like old times.”
There isn’t an excuse in the world that could keep me away from that offer. “You have yourself a deal.”
He smiles and presses his lips to mine in a gentle caress. I press back, meeting him in a slow, chest-fluttering kiss. It’s the kind of kiss that has the power to stretch time and heal wounds, cocooning us in a new start.
Last night was amazing, but something about this morning makes me feel everything deeper. Maybe it’s the fact that last night wasn’t just a dream. It was real. We’re real. And we’re finally together.
Nothing else matters.
Eventually, he carries me inside, not depositing me until I land on the counter. I laugh when I realize we’re in my bathroom. “What are we doing?”
“I need to shower,” he says simply while leaning over and turning the nozzle.
Tilting my head, I smile. “And I’m in here because?”
He makes a face as if the answer is obvious. “What? You don’t like showers?”
“I love them, but there’s not much room in there.” I raise my brows while looking directly at the tiny box of a glass shower. “You sure we can fit?”
He grips the bottom hem of my shirt and slides it up and over my head. “I think we can manage.” Then, with a tug of my sweats, he slides those off me next. His gaze slides up and down my body, and he bites down on his lip. “I’ll try to be good,” he promises. Then he takes off his clothes and steps into the water.
After I jump off the counter and meet him under the water, he shuts the glass door behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “You okay?”
Somehow, the question feels heavy. Am I okay? Yes and no, but how am I supposed to tell Anderson that? We’re finally together. It’s what I dreamt about for so long, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the events of yesterday and their consequences have me on edge.
“Obviously, I’m happy about us. I just don’t know what it all means for my career.”
“Hope,” he says gently, “I’m not asking you to choose me over your career. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are. I hate that you have to work with that prick.”
I sigh. “I know, and I agree. Which is why I’m going to start looking for a new job on Monday.” I frown and look up at him. “But what does that mean for your grand reopening? They’ll put someone else on the job.” My thoughts sour when Mallory’s sleek red mane of perfect hair appears in my mind. “This is going to sound so selfish, but I had my heart set on being the one to help you.”
He cups my face in his large palm, and I lean into the comfort. “If you think for a second that I’ll continue working with Van Clark once you’re no longer employed then you’re wrong. Silver specifically signed that contract on the basis that you would be the project manager. If you’re gone, so is the deal.”
I don’t feel as confident as Anderson that it will be so easy. “I think you’re underestimating Dexter. He has no clue that you and I are together, and he desperately wants your business. He mentioned something about how big the potential is because of your connections.” I make a face. “I still don’t understand what that means.”
Anderson lets out a laugh and rolls his eyes to the ceiling. “Wow. No wonder he took such an interest in my brother.” Anderson smiles down at me. “Jamison’s Seattle clients are booming right now, thanks to him. Dexter probably wants his business.”
“You think?”
Anderson nods. “Yeah. In fact, it makes so much sense now. Camp Bexley doesn’t fit the bill to be a huge potential moneymaker for Van Clark. It’s not this project he cares about, but he sure as hell won’t want to fuck it up.”
I frown, wishing I felt a little better about the situation. “I still don’t want to work for him.”
“Good.” His hands slip from my face to my shoulders. “Because I don’t want you to work for him either.” He massages my shoulders gently. “You want my advice?”
I nod. “Yes, please.”
“Stay for the project. I’ll even see if I can get your time here extended a couple weeks.” He winks. “Then at least you won’t have to see him or hear from him much. Just finish your work, help me with the grand opening, and look for a job while you’re here. When you get back to Seattle… quit.”
The boat ride is a much-needed afternoon getaway. We travel from island to island while Anderson meets with local business owners sampling food, buying furniture, and signing contracts for future business. Watching him network the way he does, so naturally and effortlessly, reminds me exactly why I fell for him to begin with.
He’s the complete opposite of Dexter. Anderson doesn’t need to be flashy to succeed. He doesn’t need to show off his possessions in order to get noticed. He’s just… himself. It amazes me that I never caught that contrast when I was getting so wrapped up in the corporate game in Seattle. Or maybe my subconscious was more aware than I was, choosing the opposite of what broke my heart to begin with.