DYLAN
The resort is alive in a way I never dared dream when we first began talking about this project. Dad is over the moon with how things are going, and the whole family is living on the adrenaline of surpassed expectations.
Everyone adores Bill, as I knew they would. When I first introduced him to Kevin, I held him and let them sniff each other. Bill wiggled and Kevin twirled, so I set him down and they chased each other around the room, already playing together. If only every introduction were that easy.
Every morning, I wake up to lake mist and the smell of pine and the soft clack of kayak paddles against the dock. I guide sunrise hikes, clip nervous city people into ziplines, and spend afternoons untangling fishing line for eight-year-olds who swear they saw a bass the size of a submarine. My shoulders are sunburned, my boots are permanently muddy, and I have never been happier in my life.
But the real high isn’t the job. It’s Dahlia.
We’re running on coffee and little sleep and stolen kisses, and I still can’t get enough.
Ever since she explained more of her fears about her dad, I’ve stopped pressing her, but the secret is a boulder that gets heavier to carry every day. I’m not sure I fully understand her reasoning, but I’m trying to be patient.
Tonight is Camden and Juju’s engagement party, and we actually pulled off the surprise. Juju walked onto the rooftop deck with her eyes covered and lost her mind when we all yelled. Fairy lights are everywhere, and we’ve all had a little too much champagne.
Dahlia texts me at 8:30. We’ve been working on a little plan of our own.
I’m in the cabin. Made it in with no one noticing.
Since everyone is occupied with this party, I thought it’d be the perfect time to enjoy one of the lakeside cabins that we haven’t opened to the guests yet. This was the last one left to redo, and it was finished yesterday. I left the key and Bill with Dahlia earlier.
When I get a moment, I sneak out of the party and run to the cabin. Chloe is with her grandma, so the place is all ours tonight. The second the door clicks shut, Dahlia is on me, mouth and hands roaming everywhere. When I lift her against the wall, she makes a soft little moan that goes straight to my dick. We don’t bother with lights. We don’t bother with much of anything except getting each other naked and kissing without abandon.
She wraps her legs around my waist, and I tease her entrance with my dick.
“You’re so readyfor me, Doll.”
“Mm-hmm. So ready.”
“Tell me what you want.”
“I want you inside me. Now.”
I drive into her, and her head falls back. I pull out and slide back in again, and she clenches around me. I do it again, and again, until she’s panting, “Please, please, please.”
I feel lightheaded, so close to losing it. When I reach between us and rub circles over her clit, we both see stars. I come with a loud groan, and Dahlia’s just as loud. We’re so loud that we start laughing.
“I never want to leave this nice, warm pu—” My phone starts exploding in my jeans on the floor, buzz after buzz after buzz.
“Shit,” I mutter, setting her on the ground. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I know this is a crazy night. Get it.”
I reach for the phone. Six missed texts from my siblings, three from Tully that just sayDude, where the hell are you?
I look at her and smile. “That was just a teaser for later. I’ve gotta run, but I will be back.”
She smiles, sated and rumpled and perfect. “I’ll be here.”
I kiss her once more, hard, and bolt.
I hit the rooftop trying to look casual, smoothing my hair, and hoping I don’t have lipstick on my neck. The party is in full swing. Camden raises an eyebrow at me from across the deck, but I just salute him and hope he blames my flushed face on the stairs.
Uncle Hal just gave a toast and spots me weaving through the crowd. “Well, well!” he bellows. “Someone’s trying to blend into their surroundings, but methinks we might be hearing about more romances in the Whitman family any day now!”
He winks with his whole face, and everyone turns to stare at me. I try to smooth my hair down again and think fast.
I grab a glass of champagne and lift it. “To my brother Camden and the beautiful Juliana Fair. You make love look easy and fun and inspiring. May we all find a love like yours.”
