ChapterFour
CHLOE
Eight hours later and my feet hurt and I’m wrung out. Add in my arousal thanks to Blake brushing against me when we’re behind the sales counter and my legs are ready to give out on me.
I’ve done my best to tamp down my feelings for him, knowing they’re a dead end. He’s far more interested in the likes of Sylvia. Well, maybe not Sylvia herself, but doubtless someone who looks exactly like her. Sleek, polished, gorgeous, and confident.
There wasn’t a chance he’d be interested in someone like me.
Too short, too curvy, too nerdy for a yummy hunk of surfer, like him.
It doesn’t matter that he's been teasing me all day long, joking and smiling whenever we caught sight of each other across the crowded shop. That’s just him being friendly.
Why can’t I meet someone I’m as comfortable with, but who’s actually in my league?
It had been so natural working with Blake, of knowing exactly what he was thinking, and him being able to help.
I’ve flipped the sign to CLOSED and locked the door to stop any more customers coming in, when I remember what it was Blake had come in for earlier. Yet again, cursing my parents' lack of up-to-date technology, I grab the stock book from under the cash register, nearly knocking my long-cold coffee over in the process.
As I run my fingers down the columns, I’m conscious of Blake standing right next to me. So close, in fact, that I can feel the heat coming off his body in waves. As I straighten, I tap the middle column. “It says here we’ve got an eight-inch in stock. That’s what you were after, wasn’t it?”
He nods slowly before speaking. “Yeah, that’ll do.” Our eyes are locked when he adds, “I want to try it out in a whole heap of different positions. Forward, back, you know how it goes?”
I do, but I’m not so sure he’s referring to where the fin should be mounted on his board. My mouth once again like cotton candy, I have to run my tongue around to lubricate it before I can get the words out.
“If it’s not on the shelf, it must be out the back. I’ll go get it for you.”
I’m working my way through the stock piled haphazardly on the back shelf of the storage room when Blake tucks a lock of hair back behind my ear. There’s nothing I can do to stop my squeak of alarm. I didn’t realize he was right behind me. Close on its heels is a rush of longing that has me ready to go up in flames.
“I like it longer.” He runs his fingers down the side of my neck. “It suits you.”
He’s just being friendly. He’s just being friendly. He’s just being friendly.
There isn’t a chance I’m misreading the signals as I have with other guys in the past. No way am I embarrassing myself by revealing my true feelings to him, of all people.
I’m not sure I want to acknowledge them to myself.
If I can ignore him and my attraction, I can’t possibly be hurt, even if unintentionally.
Blake, however, has other ideas. His hands drop to my waist and he slowly turns me to face him. As I glance up, there’s one thing I know for sure.
He’s not just being friendly.
BLAKE
I’ve never enjoyed working as much as I have today, jammed in next to Chloe, ringing up purchases and brushing against her whenever I can.
Sure, my balls are blue as a result, but I can cope with that. If the signals I’m getting from Chloe are right, there might even be a solution. Either way, I’m glad I’m wearing a baggy vintage Hawaiian shirt over my board shorts.
It isn’t until Chloe says she’ll see if there’s a replacement fin out back that I remember why I was at the Surf Shack in the first place.
As I follow her, I’m in no doubt what I’m after, and that’s what’s right in front of me. Damn, if those denim shorts of hers don’t show off her ass to perfection, the sway of her hips is mesmerizing.
I’m as good as in a trance when she walks through the swinging bead curtain that separates the front of the shop from the back. It smacks me in the face, bringing me back to my senses, although not for long.
What is it about this woman that has me wanting to protect her, to go all Neanderthal and toss her over one shoulder so I can have my way with her? Hell, if I give into these urges, I’ll probably get a slap to the face.
Chloe isn't the sort of girl to settle for a quick fling with a guy like me.
