Page 41 of Tequila Tuesdays

“Huh. You do know how to grill.”

I raised my eyebrow and pointed the wire brush at him. “Don’t be a chauvinist.”

He chuckled and pulled on a piece of my hair that had slipped out of my topknot. “I’m just yanking your chain.”

I reached around him and grabbed the little remote on the side table, then turned on the outdoor café lights.

He looked around. “This is a nice spot.”

Damien wandered over and took in my little spool and backyard area. Tall hedges grew around the perimeter, and the small potted lemon and orange trees gave off a citrusy smell. The space had a vintage Palm Springs poolside feel to it.

“Thanks, I think so too. It’s a nice place to recharge.” It felt a little strange having someone besides my family share my favorite spot. “Where do you live?” I asked.

“In south Palm Springs in the bench area. Luckily I bought the house not too long after I moved here. I have a spa and a separate pool, but it’s a pain in the ass to heat in the winter.”

I smiled. “The one advantage of my little spool is it does heat quickly. And it has nice jets.”

He squatted down and felt the water. “You were heating it when I came over, weren’t you?”

“Yes. But I can use it tomorrow.”

Damien stood up. “You should get in after we eat.”

“You’re welcome to soak after dinner with me if you’d like. But I don’t have any men’s swimsuits.” I extended the invitation before I realized what I’d done, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to say yes or no.

He grinned. “I’d love to. I have shorts in my workout bag in my truck if you’re not comfortable with me going commando.”

I nodded vigorously. “That would probably be better.”

He grinned. “For now.”

My stomach fluttered, and I cleared my throat. “Would you like a beer or some wine? I’m going to start grilling.”

“Beer for me. I’ll help you.” He put his hand on the small of my back as we walked inside, and I shivered at the contact.

We puttered around fixing dinner together and talking. He set up my little portable speaker and put on a mellow jazz playlist from his phone. I brought out a cold bottle of beer for him and a glass of wine for me, and we sipped while we grilled. Then we ate on the patio.

“Thanks, Legs. This chicken is damn good, and I’ve never grilled zucchini before. What’d you sprinkle on it?”

“Chile lime seasoning. It’s not too spicy, and it has a nice flavor.”

“Do you grill out here often?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

He looked at me intently and took a pull of his beer. “By yourself?”

“Yes. Sometimes Olivia’s in town, or I have Ava over. And occasionally Grace and Sheila.”

“No men, or a boyfriend?”

I looked over at him and put my wine glass down carefully. “No. I guess you already know that, thanks to Ava.”

Gary nudged me right then and reminded me about his dinner. I jumped up to feed him, grateful for the interruption. He ate, then came back out and laid down by my feet.

We cleaned up, and I grabbed a couple of towels and showed Damien where the guest bathroom was. I changed back into my swimsuit, and when I walked out to the backyard, Damien was standing there in his workout shorts with his towel in his hand.

He had defined abdominals and a firm, tight ass. I swallowed again and hoped I could keep my eyes to myself.

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