The door swings open again, and a mom and her little girl walk in. Romy wanders over to talk to them and I pick up my phone to read Zach’s latest messages.
Would you prefer to know the location in advance, or for me to surprise you? – Zach
It’s a good question. And another I need to think about. I lift a brow when I read the latest one.
How rough do you want me to be, if at all? Give me an answer on a scale of 1 – 10, with no roughness being 1. – Zach
Romy asks the mom something and they laugh. I’m not sure I should be reading these dirty messages when there are customers here. But instead of putting my phone down, I grab my purse.
“I need to go see Jesse,” I shout out to Romy. “I think there’s a box missing and he might have it on the ferry.”
It’s acompletelie, but she doesn’t even blink. And I absolutely need some fresh air before I combust.
“Sure, I’ve got this. Take your time.”
The bell over the door jingles, sunlight spilling across my skin as another message buzzes through. I don’t even make it to the sidewalk before I check.
Do you want me to touch you? Taste you? Be inside of you? Your answers aren’t binding, I just want to know where you’re coming from. – Zach
The air hits my skin, cool and sharp, but it does nothing to ease the heat between my legs at the thought of Zach Fitzgerald’s mouth on me.
God, I know he’d be good. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.
I start walking, heading down toward the harbor. The wind carries the scent of salt and cut grass, and I pretend that’s why my breathing’s uneven.
Still, I can’t stop myself from replying to him. And even that sounds flirty.
You do realize some of us have to workfor a living? All these questions are raising eyebrows in my very staid bookshop. – Sadie
I send the message and head down to the beach, the ocean breeze lifting my hair. Because it’s delivery day, I’m in a pair of short denim overalls. Books are great but damn they get dusty in the boxes. I’ve ruined more than one dress thinking I could look cute while unpacking stock.
That’s funny, because you look like you’re walking on the beach, not working in the bookshop. Which is far from staid, by the way. – Zach
He knows I’m here? I blink and look around. The beach is dotted with couples and preschoolers with their caregivers, but no sign of him.
How do you know I’m on the beach? – Sadie
It’s my job to know. – Zach
Oh, he’s being cute. My lips twitch. I crane my head around. There’s a boat about thirty yards away, but he wouldn’t be on there, would he? No, not even Zach Fitzgerald would sail a boat out on the off chance he could rile me up.
Or make me hot. Because the thought of him watching me is definitely makingme steam up.
There are only a few people outside the Salty Dog and none of them are him.
God, this is aggravating.
Stop being evasive. Do you have me under surveillance? Tell me. – Sadie
There’s a pause. Then I see he’s typing. My breath stays deep in my lungs as I await his response.
Since you asked so nicely, I’m waiting for the ferry. I have an appointment on the mainland. I can see you from my car. – Zach
Sure enough, when I whip around I see a line of cars waiting on the road that leads to the jetty. At the back is a sleek sports car with tinted windows.
Even from this distance, I can feel the weight of his gaze, the quiet pull that makes my pulse skip. The car door stays shut, the engine purring low, but I know he’s inside.Watching. My skin prickles under the denim straps of my overalls, every nerve on alert.
You’re staring at me. – Zach
