I truly don’t think I’ve ever heard such a solemn tone to Serena’s voice. It’s almost enough to make me take her seriously. “As I said previously, I’m sure I have experienced one, it just wasn’t quite as breathtaking as it was for you. That’s all. I felt the flush of warmth, nothing more. I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything.”
“And that is an atrocity. A woman’s sexual pleasure is a thing to celebrate, not hide from!”
Oh dear, she’s getting louder. I can only hope Serena isn’t somewhere public, although knowing her, she’s still at her dance studio getting caught up on the paperwork side of her job.
“Anyway, it’s decided. Next book club, Mila knows a lady from Westport who’s coming over to show us a bunch of different toys and accessories. And as your best friend —” Serena pauses for effect and my stomach turns in dread “— I plan on buying your first toy.”
“Could we please discuss this further before any purchases are made?”
“Come on, Paige, why are you so resistant to this?” Exasperation laces her tone, and I feel a rush of guilt. She’s only trying to help, I know.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be resistant, I just don’t see this as warranting such a priority. I’ve never felt the need to experience personal pleasure, nor have I ever felt a strong enough desire for another individual to warrant exploring intimacy and sexual release any more than I already have. You would be wasting your money.”
The phone line is silent for so long, I almost wonder if we were disconnected.
“I don’t know why you think you aren’t a sexual being, or that you don’t need or deserve to enjoy your body and yourself in every possible way. It isn’t true. You think you’re content, that you don’t need anyone or anything else in your life, but I don’t believe that. I know you, Paige. Probably better than you realize I do. And I know that you need to feel loved. Physically and emotionally.”
This time, the silence comes from me. There are occasions in which Serena is a remarkably insightful woman, and this is one of them. Before I can formulate a response, she continues.
“It’s like I said at the winery. Someday, Paige, a guy is going to come along and sweep you off your feet. He’ll make you realize that a woman as beautiful, intelligent, kind, and all-around amazing as you are deserves to be worshipped.”
It’s only much later, after I have eaten dinner, taken a shower, and climbed into bed that I allow myself to admit something slightly disconcerting.
The face that came to my mind the instant Serena said a guy would come along and sweep me off my feet was that of a virtual stranger. A man I may never see again. A man whose last name I don’t even know.
He’s also the only man I have met thus far in my life to ever stir feelings of what I can now acknowledge were likely the beginnings of attraction and lust.
Wyatt.
Chapter three
Wyatt
A light breeze blows past, ruffling my hair that is in desperate need of a haircut…ideally before the damn store opening in three days. Blowing my breath out on a slow exhale I push thoughts of work aside and focus on the environment around me. Thank fuck for waterproof hiking shoes because the trail is wet, small rivulets running everywhere from the heavy rain we had yesterday. Typical west coast fall. The tall trees that surround me reach up to the sky, allowing dappled sunlight reach me. I may have traveled the world in search of my next thrill, but nothing quite compares to the beauty of the forests here in British Columbia.
When I finally reach the end of the trail — on top of a bluff that overlooks all of Dogwood Cove and out to the ocean beyond — I find a dry patch of rock and sink down. The only sounds I hear are birds chirping and my own heavy breathing. In this moment I feel at peace. Nothing exists, no pressure, no guilt, no responsibilities. Just me and nature.
But that peace can’t last forever. The hike down doesn’t take very long, and all too soon I’m loading my pack into the back of my car. The bark of a dog has me looking up to see Paige walking into the parking lot from the opposite direction. A large dog walks beside her. She’s not looking in my direction, but the dog notices me right away and its tail starts to wag.
“Is he yours?” I call out, instantly regretting it when she stumbles in surprise at my voice. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I wait until she’s closer, then close the distance between us, holding my hand out for the dog to sniff. I can feel the force of Paige’s gaze as I give the dog some attention.
“No, Milo is my friend’s dog. I bring him with me for a walk sometimes. As company and bear protection.”
My mouth curves up in a smile at her straightforward answer.
“Smart.” A beat of silence passes between us. “I didn’t see you up at the bluffs. Did you take a different trail?”
“No, I didn’t do the bluffs trail. I was just walking along the flat path that goes to the river. The bluffs are more intense than I can usually handle.”
I wouldn’t exactly call the hike I just did intense, but I guess that just proves my point. Paige is nothing like any of the women I normally associate with. Sure, she’s attractive, of course. Those damn freckles are there, even under her flush of exertion. And I like this more laid-back look. Her hair is a bit messy, her clothes are more casual. Gone is the collared shirt and tailored pants, and in their place are leggings that hug her slim curves and a tank top that shows a hint of cleavage. But she’s quiet. Reserved. I can’t exactly see her going skydiving in Moab with me if she can’t even handle a short hike.
“Are you finished with your observation of me?”
My eyes dart forward when she turns to face me and heat rushes to the surface of my skin. “Sorry, what?”
“You were looking at me quite intently, I assume you are forming some sort of observation or analysis of my appearance. Are you done?” She tilts her head to the side and I can’t help but laugh. But when her lips turn down in a frown, I stop.
“I’m sorry. I was not intending that to be amusing. I misread social cues at times.”
