Page 47 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

Today, he’s wearing a long-sleeve sun shirt and shorts. He clearly jumped in the water because everything clings to him, and his hair falls in waves that should come with a warning message.

And none of it is helping me with my anger toward my dad and Hamilton.

The last straw comes when Orion turns on his speaker and starts playing fucking country music. Again. I storm out of my office and onto my porch overlooking his garage.

“Hey fuckhead, can you turn that down?” This is a huge escalation in temper. I need some kind of outlet, not just from work, but from Orion. I already went for a run, yoga won’t help, and there is only so much my vibrator can do. The wine was my last-ditch effort.

He looks at me with pretend confusion and then to the hose in his hand. I can feel him thinking it. I’m wearing light blue leggings and a white cardigan over a matching blue crop top. I make quality clothing, so getting it wet won’t make it see-through. But I don’t want to encourage him.

“I didn’t know it was your nap time. I’m so sorry, princess,” he says.

I glare at him, but my anger eases. “It’s common courtesy to not inflict your music tastes on others.” He knows I’m bullshitting. We live on the beach. We can hear at least three other speakers from where we stand. It’ll be so much worse when we get to spring break.

He marches over to his speaker and makes a demonstration of turning it off. “Happy now?”

“Delighted.”

“See, I think you’re lying. You won’t be happy until I turn my place into a private meditation retreat center. Even though you’ve benefited from my loud music and party-hosting capabilities.”

I grind my teeth.I’m more than that, I want to yell.I’m more than the calm person everyone thinks I am. Of course, my father did tell me to calm down today when I spoke up to counter an idea.

“It doesn’t matter,” I call back. “I’ll wait you out. You’ll be bored of Florida and sailing away in no time. Your house listed on Airbnb.” The thought of his place becoming a vacation rental is more upsetting than it should be.

Something flashes in his eyes, and somehow I’ve struck a nerve.

He told me this is what he does. He convinces himself he wants something and tires of it in no time. It doesn’t matter that he’s made his house feel like a sanctuary I could weather any storm in. He won’t stay. I’m sure of it.

“You want me gone so you’re not tempted every day,” he says.

“No!” I protest too much.

“Admit you’d miss me if I left.” He pulls off his wet shirt and tosses it onto a pile of towels. My eyes widen at the muscle on display. I’ve seen it before. I’m used to being around strong bodies all the time. It shouldn’t affect me.

I turn away to stop myself from staring. It’s him that affects me.

“Carina.” He says my name like a song. “Look at me.”

I don’t.

“Last warning.”

“Last warning for what?” I barely have the question out of my mouth before a spray of water hits me, completely drenching my side. “Oh, for fuck’s sake! That was unnecessary!”

I hear him laugh as I move toward the back of my house. I have towels stored on the pool deck. I have no desire for him to learn if my nipples poke through the fabric. But he follows me, and as soon as I grab a towel I turn, prepared to counter whatever attack he has coming for me.

He stops me with a kiss.

All thought leaves my brain.

My hands rest against his chest and I almost push him away. Instead, I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him closer. He effortlessly moves us against the side of the house. His hands cradle my head. His lips are soft, and he tastes like the sea. It shouldn’t be good. But it’s uniquely him and exactly what I need.

He breaks the kiss.

I almost whine at the separation, but I catch myself. “You kissed me,” I say.

“Water didn’t get you to stop thinking. Had to change tactics. Do you want to talk about it?” His face is full of concern as he steps out of my reach.

“Talk about the kiss?”Can we do it again?

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