“Thank fuck, I was a little worried. That’s the second time you’ve called me Daddy, and we met less than twelve hours ago.”
Her laughter hung on the other end of the line. “I can’t even right now. You’re hilarious.” She paused for a moment. “So…did you take care of your situation after I left? You know I would have done it for you, right?”
“Ugh,” I groaned. “Easton, you’re killing me. I didn’t take care of myself, but now, I wish I had. He’s on high alert all over again, thinking about you.”
“You had your shot, and you blew it, mister.”
“Are you saying that was my only shot with you?” Please say no.
“We’ll have to see. You’ll need to do a lot of groveling if you want to get into my panties now. Being turned down can really bruise a girl’s ego, you know?”
“I was trying to be a gentleman; we had a great night, and I didn’t want you to think that was all I was after.” My tone was quiet, a little embarrassed.
“Tanner, you do realize you’re leaving in a week, right? And even if you weren’t, I don’t do relationship, so what else would it be about?”
“Okay, I guess you’re right. It’s just that I truly enjoyed spending time with you.”
“I did, too. I also know it could’ve been even better.” She was going to tempt and taunt me until the bitter end or until I got us both off.
“I have no doubt it would’ve, but I’ve heard that anticipation makes things so much sweeter.”
“Anyways…I really should get to sleep. I don’t want to miss the sunrise.”
“Me too, but I think I’ll skip the sunrise and sleep a few hours longer.” I thought about her in bed, cuddled against my side and draped over my chest. “But if you want a running partner any other morning that I’m here, I’d love to join you.”
“We’ll see. Night Canadia. Have a good sleep.”
“Night, Beaver Dammed.” A smile completely enveloped my face as I put down my phone.
Five
Missed Your Face
Easton
“God, I’ve been dying to see you all day, Easton.” Tanner kissed his way down my neck while his hands frantically roamed my body.
“Is that so? Did you miss me?” I panted playfully. I was beyond turned on, and I’d missed him, too, but I wouldn’t admit to that.
He lifted me and carried me to the bedroom before throwing me onto the mattress. I shrieked, loving this side of him.
Tanner crawled up the bed and hovered above me. “We need to make it quick.”
I drew in my brows. “Why?”
“Baby, the twins will be up soon, and I’m not getting interrupted again.”
I sat up in a panic, looking around the room. “Oh, thank fuck! It wasn’t real.” I flopped back onto my pillow and let out a hard breath. “Fucking twins.” I rolled my eyes and chuckled at the thought. Could you fucking imagine?
The most annoying sound in the world pulled me from my thoughts. I rolled over and grabbed my phone to turn off the alarm. I was so not a morning person, but I set my alarm for six each day to head out for a run. Well, every day that I wasn’t hungover. I loved to surf, and in order to surf, I needed to stay in shape. Not only was running great for me physically, but it was also great for my head. I got out all my aggression while I pounded the sand—I cleared my mind and organized my thoughts. It was therapeutic.
I checked the sunrise time as I did every morning; I never wanted to miss a moment. I still had forty-two minutes. Scrolling through my phone, I got sucked into social media, and before I knew it, I only had a few minutes to get out there.
Hopping out of bed, I threw on some running shorts and a sports bra and tossed my hair up into a messy bun. I tiptoed into the kitchen for a bottle of water and headed out the front door.
Standing on the porch, I admired the view and wondered if this would ever get old. The view in front of me was breathtaking. The sun was just starting to peek up over the trees. The sky was a beautiful mixture of oranges, pinks, and blues with the ocean as the soundtrack in the background.
I walked to the back of the house and stopped in my usual spot to stretch before I took off down the beach.
I tried to clear my thoughts of my dream—or should I say nightmare—but it was no use. I couldn’t shake thoughts of Tanner. One week of fun was all I kept telling myself.
Forty-five minutes later, and I was back home to stretch again. I heard a male voice and looked up to see a sexy-ass man with his arms wrapped around Sadie.
“Hey, girl, how was your run?”
“Satisfying as always. Who’s this fine specimen?” I nodded in his direction.
Sadie turned in the hottie’s arms. “This is Jameson—although he prefers Jay—but I like Jameson much better.”
He rolled his eyes but smirked down at her. Reaching out his hand for me to shake, he smiled. “Nice to meet you. You must be Easton?”
“Yes, nice to meet you, too. I prefer Jameson as well, for the record.” I looked at Sadie. “I’m going to jump in the shower, and then tackle that mountain of laundry. You guys going to be around for a bit?”
“Jameson is heading out, but Rhian and I will be in the kitchen, waiting with coffee ready. We want deets on beer boy from last night.”
I shook my head. “Not much to tell, but whatevs. I’ll see you in a few.” I turned to the hottie. “Jameson, see you around.”
He nodded, and I headed inside to wash the sweat from my body, but I’d be taking my sweet-ass time. I hated being drilled by my friends about guys. I know that’s what girls do, and usually, I didn’t mind telling them every sexy detail. But this time, it was different, and I wasn’t sure I knew why. Shit, I was going to have to tell them I didn’t sleep with Tanner. They would assume there was something wrong with one of us. So, I took an even slower time washing my body.
“Knock, knock. We know you’re stalling in there. What gives?” Sadie’s sing-song voice grated on my nerves.
“Fuck off, Sade. I’m just enjoying a hot shower. I’m not stalling.”
“East, you’ve been in there for half an hour. You can usually beat the world record for the fastest woman showering ever. Get the fuck out here; your coffee is ice cold.”
Ugh. Half an hour? I guess I was taking longer than I’d thought. “All right, I’m coming,” I grumbled before turning off the shower and taking my time drying off.
These bitches were not going to know what hit them when they found out we didn’t fuck last night. They’d probably assume he was gay. Honestly, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d hung out with a guy all night and just kissed. I was probably in middle school.
Begrudgingly, I got dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a Boathouse tee, which I tied in the back. Joe hated it when I did it, and I loved getting him all riled up—it was a win-win scenario.
I slowly walked my ass toward the kitchen to face the firing squad. “You bitches better have made me a fresh cup if I have to endure your shit this early.”