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I awoke to a steady knocking sound. More rain? Seagulls dancing on the roof? Beside me, Jonah stirred. “The door.” He rasped the words, his voice thick with sleep. “Probably Greg.” With one final kiss to my bare shoulder, he slid out of the bed and reached for his shorts, abandoned on the floor, and then padded out of the bedroom. I heard him yawn. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face his friends yet, or his brother, but it had to be done. My bathrobe sat neatly folded on a wicker basket near the bed, and I took refuge in that, tugging the tie-belt tight. My thighs ached from the workout the night before, and I couldn’t help smiling. I should hire Jonah as a very personal trainer. I’d never need to go to the gym again.
I heard voices from the kitchen and braced myself for the first awkward conversation of the day. It would be hard to look dignified when I was only clad in a much-faded bathrobe. If Greg had any doubt about what we’d been doing, my kiss-swollen lips would give it away, along with my disheveled hair and whisker rash from Jonah’s stubble.
To my surprise, the visitor was my landlord, Sam. He looked as scruffy as he did at our previous meetings, sporting an untidy beard and his shoulder-length hair hanging lank. Even more surprising was the smile on his face. When I stepped into the kitchen, it was to see him clasping Jonah’s hand.
“I didn’t know you were back.” Sam sounded delighted. “You’re looking good. How long has it been now?”
I couldn’t see Jonah’s face. I had no clue if he was pleased or irritated. I cleared my throat to announce my presence, and he glanced over his shoulder and made eye contact. His face was shuttered. Yep, awkward was about right. I had no idea how to behave. What the hell are the protocols for the morning after a one-night stand? Do I shake his hand and tell him it was fun? Offer to make him some breakfast? And now my landlord would think I was a cougar, or worse, a slut.
With my stomach tying itself in knots, I joined them. “Hi, Sam. Is there a problem?” I shoved both hands in my pockets and forced a polite smile.
“Ah, just making sure the roof hasn’t leaked after the storm last night.” His dark gray eyes darted between Jonah and me. “I was surprised to see Jonah. I didn’t know you knew each other.” My cheeks heated at his question, but I kept the smile in place. My mind careered from one reply to another, but as I struggled to find something to say, Jonah spoke.
“I’m next door with Greg. I, uh...” He ground to a halt and stared at me, an angry expression in his eyes. I felt a twinge of anxiety. “I came to see if Cass was okay.” He spoke slowly, careful with each word, and again I puzzled over his speech. He appeared to have a Kiwi accent, but that just meant he’d learned English from a Kiwi. His words sank in. He’d all but told Sam that we hadn’t slept together. Was that to spare my blushes? Or because shagging the woman next door had been a gross mistake?
Sam’s eyes narrowed, but bless him, he didn’t challenge Jonah. My fake smile was starting to make my cheeks ache. Please leave, Sam. I can’t handle an audience for the humiliation that’s about to come tumbling my way.
Jonah pulled a phone from his pocket and began sending a text message. Was that his way of saying the conversation was over? I took a quick breath and walked toward the coffeepot. “Would anyone like some coffee? Sam? Jonah?” With my back to them both, I managed to speak more normally. “I haven’t seen any water leaking in, but I’ll have a look around and let you know.” In the midst of my chatter, something beeped, and I turned to see Sam looking at his own phone. He read a message, stared at Jonah for a long moment, and then pursed his lips and glanced at me.
“I’ll pass on the coffee, but thanks anyway. Let me know if you have any problems.” His smile oozed sympathy. “Any problems at all.” He made a rapid exit, and I saw him striding across the sand toward the next cottage.
A thought sideswiped me. “Did you just text him? Sam?” Jonah’s cheeks colored, and I knew the answer. Hurt shoved humiliation aside, and I leaned forward and snatched the phone from his hand.
“Hey!” I ignored him, intent on finding the message he’d just sent. Dylan had the same phone. It took no time at all. The message was addressed to Sam G.
Pls don’t say anything
“Give.” Jonah held out the flat of his hand, and I slapped the phone onto his palm, so hard it had to sting. Week, feeble tears pressed at the back of my eyes, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how he’d upset me. My jaw was clenched tight, and I tried desperately to hold everything in. Inside, I shook, but my outer shell remained intact, at least for the moment. “You don’t understand,” he began, but I shook my head.
“I understand perfectly. I know how these things work, Jonah. Did you really think I’d go crying to your brother? What do you take me for?” He opened his mouth, but I spoke over him, loud and angry. “I guess you already have a girlfriend—or a wife—and I don’t want to know the details. We had fun last night, but that’s all it was.” My hands were shaking, my emotions melting down. I turned around, so as not to have to look at him. “Take your stuff, and go, please. I’ve got things to do today.”
My lungs ached with the effort of breathing. How stupid am I? I knew I couldn’t just sleep with him and then watch him walk away. I’m not cut out for flings. There was only deafening silence behind me, and I realized he hadn’t moved. I gripped the edge of the counter as though it would save me from drowning.
“Cass, you don’t understand.” He took a step toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face into my hair. My treacherous, deluded body reacted instantly, nipples firming and heart racing. I still wanted him.
“So tell me.” I made my voice as hard as I could. “What do you mean?”
He sighed. I felt hot breath on the back of my neck, and I steeled my knees not to tremble. “I asked Sam not to say anything to you. Not Greg.”
“Anything like what?”
“Like anything. He’s an old friend. He might try to tease you.”
I considered this. Rejected it. “I have a teenage son. Teasing is everyday fare.” Even though I longed to lean back into Jonah’s embrace, to melt into his arms, I stood frozen. I wanted better than that. Hell, after everything we’d done the night before, I deserved better than that.
He pressed a tiny kiss on my hair. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you well enough to...to...”
“To be honest with me?”
He hesitated. “Yes.” Irrational as it was, that stung. “I’ve fucked up. Do you want me to go?”
Did I? I wouldn’t bare my soul to a complete stranger, either. I was behaving like a brat. A fresh wave of hail rattled the windows, and I made one of my split-second decisions. “Just...don’t lie to me, okay? I can’t handle being lied to. If I ask something that you don’t want to answer, just say so.” There was one question I had to ask, one that burned at me. “I need to know if you have a girl already.”
His arms tightened around me. “No, I don’t.”
I knew it would lead to trouble further down the line. I knew it would be a huge mistake, but I lifted his hand to my mouth and kissed the knuckles. “You don’t have to go just yet.”
“Turn around.”
He relaxed his arms enough for me to shuffle around, and I buried my face in his bare chest, unable to meet his eyes. How would I cope when he left? The longer he stayed, the more painful it would be. I’ve known you for two days, but they have been the most intense I can ever remember.
“C’mere.” He cupped both hands under my bum and lifted me easily to perch on the counter, legs dangling. “Better.” He stroked my cheeks with his knuckles and nuzzled at my chin, dropping tiny kisses across my face. He would be leaving soon anyway. I wanted to stockpile as many memories as I could. He slid his hands inside my bathrobe, then tugged at the knot to open the front. “Mmm, you are so hot in this.”
“Huh?” I laughed. “This ancient thing?”
“Oh yeah.” When he pressed my breasts together and leaned forward to lick a slow path over them, I gave up caring. With all the time in the world, he took one nipple into his mouth and sucked it like a lollipop. I gasped and dropped my head back. It felt as though I’d stuck my finger into an electric circuit, with little shocks and sparks flashing all over my body. My pussy had become hotwired to his touch, and I squirmed on the counter, hungry for him. He released my swollen nipple and blew across it, cool air where his hot mouth had been. My hips jerked forward, and he chuckled and then slowly licked the other nipple. He teased back and forth and drove me into a frenzy. I was in danger of sliding off the counter, and I dug my hands into his hair and moaned his name, my belly clenching with need.
“Now, Jonah. I need you.” The words had only just left my mouth when he nudged my thighs apart and slipped one long finger inside me. I hissed with pleasure, a thousand nerve endings springing to life. What was it about guitarists and their talented fingers? He played me as expertly as his guitar, pumping another finger to join the first while brushing my clit with his thumb. Little cries fell from my mouth as he pushed me headlong toward another climax. Moments later, as I teetered on the edge, spiraling higher, he pressed a burning, openmouthed kiss over my clit, and I howled as I came. I clung to him, my body trembling, and knew I wanted more. I wanted everything.
He must have read my mind. “What do you want, Cass?” His whisper reverberated through me, and there was only one answer.
“I want you to fuck me.” I’d never said those words to anyone. I’d never wanted anyone so badly.