Page 72 of Challenged by the Single Dad

Jillian nodded and took sip of water from her glass with ice and lemon. “Totally. Go do what you need to do.”

Dom thanked them, then was through the swinging door and booking it to the back door of the kitchen, ignoring Wyatt’s probing gaze. The rain had stopped, but a heavy, damp mist hung in the air and the trees dripped as he speed-walked down the grassy path to Chloe’s cabin. Her car was parked in front of Cabin Four. Hopefully, that meant she was home.

He knocked quickly on the door before his nerves and rationale got the better of him.

Shuffling sounds echoed on the other side and a moment later it opened. Her eyes were more green than blue under the gray sky, and she cocked her head to the side. She’s also changed out of her yoga pants into jeans and her dark red hair hung in gentle waves over her shoulders.

“Have you gone to speak with Hawke yet?” he blurted out.

Her eyes widened. “No. Not yet.”

He jerked his head. “Come on. I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m completely capable of—”

“Friends help friends. And we’re friends, right?”

Also, he really just wanted to spend more time with her. Be around her.

“You really think we can just be friends?” Her lips twisted playfully, and all he could think about was those lips forming an “O” and wrapping around his cock.

“We have to at least try.” He shrugged, but his cock was already getting thick in his jeans, and if she didn’t close the door, he was going to shove her inside and bury his face between her thighs.

She hummed for a moment, considering it. Finally, she nodded and sighed, reaching for her purse on the couch, then following him off the porch. “I can drive.”

He didn’t care if they flew on the back of a giant seagull, he just wanted to be near her. The pull he had to this woman was driving him insane, and like a fool, he was choosing to feed his addiction, rather than kick it.

They slid into the seats of her little sedan, and she hit the start button.

The ride across the island to the hostel was quiet, but you could have cut the sexual tension with a freaking knife. His cock was also fully hard and ready to fuck by the time they reached the hostel.

They didn’t even have to go inside to find Hawke. The poor guy—who looked properly frazzled—was outside sweeping the pine needles and leaves off the porch with a straw broom.

When he saw that it was Chloe, regret instantly filled his amber eyes.

Dom and Chloe stepped out of the car.

“I was hoping you’d come by,” Hawke said, raking his meaty fingers through his short, brown hair. “I’m so fucking sorry, Chloe.”

Dom and Chloe approached the linebacker-sized firefighter, and Hawke leaned the broom against the black, metal railing up to the front door of the hostel. “So you know then?” Dom asked.

Hawke exhaled and nodded, dropping his gaze to the ground as he took the four steps down from the porch to the gravel driveway. “Whole fucking island is talking about it.” Then he lifted his eyes back to Chloe. “I fired Joey. And I booted that twat out. Escorted him to the ferry myself and told him not to come back to the island.”

Dom’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. Apparently, he’d been harassing some of the female guests anyway. Was not takingnofor an answer and joking about taking advantage of them while they slept. Thought he was Casa-fucking-nova, and hilarious.”

Dom clenched his teeth. Thank fuck, that dick cheese hadn’t tried anything with Chloe. Dom would have done more than just escort him to the ferry, that was for sure. “What about Joey?”

Hawke frowned. “Unfortunately, he’s Abe Jefferies’ grandson so I can’t exactly tell him to take a hike off the island when he lives here. He wasn’t happy though. Played the part of apologetic at first, then turned a little nasty. Saying he couldn’t treat an Island Elder like this.” Hawke scoffed. “He’s not a fucking ‘elder.’”

Well, that was a shock and fucking half. “He’s Abe’s grandson?” Dom asked. “Abe must be beside himself with shame.”

Abe Jefferies was one of the Island Elders. He was a kind old man whose moral compass always pointed due north. To know that his grandson had done something so slimy had to be messing with Abe something fierce.

“Yeah, I haven’t heard how Abe’s dealing with things. But Joey showed his true colors when I told him there was no such thing as three strikes when it came to something like this. And the guy that showered in your room—”

“I believe his name was Orrin,” Chloe said with zero inflection to her tone.

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