Page 10 of While We Waited

Most of the establishments on the island of Smuggler’s Hideaway have exclusive agreements withFive Fathoms Brewing.Nova smiles at the owners and they fall at her feet. I don’t blame them.

“No need. I’m not switching suppliers.”

“I told you. There’s no need to switch. You can add our beers as an addition to whatever you’re currently carrying. I’m confident your guests will prefer our beers.”

She doesn’t get it. I don’t want to carryFive Fathomsbeer because I need to stay away from Nova. Ever since I returned home after my career ended with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, I’ve avoided her.

Nova is my personal temptation. With her long brown hair I long to fist in my hand while devouring her luscious lips. And exotic dark eyes I want to watch flare with passion whenever I touch her silky smooth skin. She’s practically irresistible.

But Nova is light and sunshine. I don’t want to dim her light with my grumpy ass.

She presses a can into my hands. “At least try it.”

I slam the can on the table. “It doesn’t matter what I think of the beer, I’m not going to sell it to my customers.”

She fists her hands at her hips and her breasts jut out. Her breasts are nearly as magnificent as her ass. They’re larger than average, which is fine by me since my hands are larger than average. I want to lick and suck them until she’s squirming beneath me, begging me for relief.

My cock hardens and lengthens as the vision of Nova naked on my bed flitters through my mind. It’s on board with this plan. It’s been pushing me toward Nova since high school when the two-year age difference was insurmountable.

“Why? Why isFive Fathomsnot good enough for you?”

I glare. “I didn’t sayFive Fathomsisn’t good enough.”

“Yes. You. Did. You said it doesn’t matter how good it tastes, the beer isn’t good enough for your hoity toity clients. Must be nice to be a famous football player who can build a big fancy resort with all of his millions.”

“I’m not a football player anymore.”

“You have two Super Bowl rings and a Heisman trophy, I think you’re good.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I grumble. She’s living her dream – owning a business with her best friends and living on the island she loves. Whereas my dream was destroyed by a defensive lineman.

“Hey now.” She wags her finger at me. “Being kicked off the cheerleading squad doesn’t mean I don’t understand football.”

“I’m not referring to football.”

“Oh right.” She snaps her fingers. “You’re referring to how you’re a big hot shot and our little brewery isn’t good enough for you.”

“I didn’t say you aren’t good enough.”

“You’d be lying if you did.Five Fathomsis available in grocery stores all along the East Coast. From Maine to Florida. Not such a hobby brewery anymore, are we?”

Shit. I never should have said hobby brewery. I’m an asshole. I stand and prowl toward her.

“I didn’t say you aren’t good enough.”

She retreats until her back hits the wall. But she doesn’t cower. She’s not afraid of me. “And yet you won’t stock our beer at your fancy resort.”

I slam my hands against the wall to cage her in, and her eyes flare with passion. “Stop sayingHideaway Haven Resortis fancy.”

She snorts. “It is fancy and we’re not good enough.”

“It’s not a contest.”

“Oh yeah?” She raises her eyebrows. “If it’s not a contest, why won’t you stock our beer?”

Does Nova not understand the word no? She pushes and pushes and pushes. She never gives up. Which is why I’ve avoided her phone calls. It’s hard to say no to her.

“Because I don’t want to.”

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