Page 23 of Holding Out

A guy he didn’t know walked out to the end of the dock, jumped off, and set out across the lake with strong strokes.He was wearing two swim prostheses, one on an arm and one on a leg.

Griff had the satisfaction of knowing that his work on the dock that morning was for a damn good purpose.Another perk of the job.

He looked down at the notes he’d scribbled on a piece of scrap paper about the coming weekend.

It felt like something was missing.

Today was technically his day off, and since he’d spent a good portion of it fixing the dock, no one would fault him for going on a shopping trip.So he did.

First stop, North Coast Candle Company.

The women who ran the shop gave him a funny look, but he didn’t give a shit.He picked up candle after candle, sniffing them.Patchouli?No.Lemon?No.Chocolate?No, that would make them hungry and there were other things he wanted to put in his mouth.

He chose a combination of vanilla and cinnamon candles, the squat ones that wouldn’t tip over and light the hotel room on fire.He and Becca would do that without any help, thank you very much.He flashed back on the way she’d felt in his arms and found himself instantly hard again.

If he hadn’t pulled away—

If he’d stepped in closer—

Would she have turned in his arms and let him have his way with her?

He wanted to find out what would happen when the chemistry between them had a chance to play itself out.

It could be epic.

When he was suitable again for human interaction, he carried his candle purchases up to the front of the shop and checked out.

“Big weekend?”

There was a smirk on the face of the twenty-something blonde behind the checkout.

“Nah,” he said.“Power got turned off yesterday for non-payment.”

“Oh, geez, I’m sorry—”

“I’m just kidding.”

She laughed.“Well.Have fun, whatever the candles are for.”

“I plan to,” he said, and winked at her.

She blushed.He waited for his body to react, but nada.Apparently, it was only Becca’s blushes that had the power to drop him to his knees.

Next stop, the lingerie shop nestled into the back corner of Tierney Bay.For, um, party favors.

The middle-aged proprietor, a slim gray haired woman, greeted him cheerfully.It seemed she was accustomed to male visitors.“Buying a gift?”she asked.

“What if I said for myself?”he teased.

She grinned.“I’d say, let’s look at some of the larger sizes.”

Damn, he hated to disappoint her.“Gift, yes.”

“Something practical?Or impractical?”

“As impractical as you’ve got.”

“Ah,” she said, with a huge smile.“Right this way.”

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