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I hated the pity I saw in Dean’s eyes. The evening was spoiled. Everything I tried to eat would taste like sawdust, and I’d be hyperaware of the muted conversations behind me. There was no point in ruining the meal for all of us.
Looking up at Dean, I forced a smile I didn’t feel. “You know what? Let’s go do my artwork first, if you don’t mind. And then see about dinner.”
“No problem.”
He caught one of the wait staff and told them we’d changed our plans, while I took King in hand.
Holly must have realised we were leaving, because she left her seat and followed me into the bar. “Steph. You don’t have to go.” She was so pretty.
Her sparkling eyes lit up her face, and sadness clutched at my heart. “I think I do,” I whispered, conscious that Zack watched us, a worried frown on his face. “Congratulations. I hope you’ll be very happy,” I repeated.
Her smile softened. “Thank you.”
I chewed on my lip. There was something I needed to say. “Zack is a great guy.” I still love him. “And I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.” As though you are the reason for his every breath.
She hugged me. “I wish you every happiness too.”
Dean and I climbed into his car without saying anything, and he drove the short distance back to his cottage in silence, but with his hand resting on my knee. It said so much without words. I’ve got you. You’re not alone.
He cut the engine and turned to face me. I braced for an interrogation. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” I composed myself. “I’m sorry—”
He interrupted me with a kiss. “Don’t be. Let’s go do your art.”
This afternoon, I’d planned something happy and fun for my sand picture, but that was before I saw Zack with Holly. Now I felt empty, and I’d no idea what to scratch into the sand. Something profound? Another line of classic poetry? Rumi had words for every occasion.
I walked across the sand, King trotting at my side. I’d never had a dog before him, and never appreciated how well they sensed moods. When I was down, he’d scramble onto my lap or nose my hand for attention. I felt a wave of gratitude to my lovely pet.
Crouching at a suitably damp patch of sand, I started work, the letters taking shape with ease.
Some things just fill your heart without trying
Paw-prints acted as the frame, interwoven with hearts. When I finished, I called King to my side. “Here, boy.” I lifted his paw and pressed it into the corner of the design, careful not to smudge the frame.
Tears pricked at my eyes when I looked at the finished work. My emotions were all over the place, and it wasn’t healthy, but I didn’t know what to do, to make it better. I couldn’t snap my fingers and stop loving Zack. Somehow I had to dial down the intensity of my feelings and get to a place where I was comfortable thinking about him.
“That sounds familiar,” said Dean. “Where’s it from?”
“I don’t know. I probably stole it from Instagram.” The light was perfect, and I hastened to take my pictures. When I reviewed the image in the viewfinder, there was something missing. I gazed at it. Frame. Quote. Imagery. Signature. It had all my usual hallmarks, but I could improve on it.
I coaxed King to sit at the side of the picture, and shot again. Yes. This was it. If only everything in life could be fixed so simply. I let out a sigh and tucked my camera back into its pouch. Looking up, I saw Dean watching me, his face in shadow with the evening sun behind him.
“I’m done. Thanks for waiting,” I said.
“Okay. Are we getting some food?” There was an offhand tone to his voice, like he’d changed his mind.
I studied him for a second. “Yes, if you’re still up for it.” If I hadn’t wrecked our night together.
His brows tugged into a dark V, and he stepped forward and caught me around the waist with one arm. “I know what I want, little sandy girl, but I need to make sure you’re on the same page.”
Awareness rippled through me, and desire flickered to life in my belly. “What might that be?” It came out sounding playful.
He slipped his Oakleys from his face and gazed at me, satisfaction in his eyes. “I want you on your knees, me fucking you from behind. Making you come so hard, you forget everything except the feel of me in your body.”
He skimmed a finger down the side of my neck, and I sucked in a breath. “Right here.” He tugged down my shirt, exposing my collarbone. “I’m going to bite you here, where nobody can see it. And on the inside of your thigh.”
I wanted to say, yes please, but I struggled to find my voice. I nodded instead, and he smirked.
“I’m going to put your pretty mouth to good use, too. And then...” He trailed his fingertips across my lips. “Then, I’m going to feed you. While you sit naked in my kitchen. Or maybe wearing my shirt. I haven’t decided yet.”
God. I wanted that so much. My mouth was dry, but my panties were soaked.
Dean gathered my hair roughly in one hand and gave a gentle tug, exposing my throat.
My heart galloped along, so loud he must be able to hear it.
“So, my little Steph, what do you say?” he asked.
“Yes. Please.”