Page 11 of The Seascape Between Us

Still clenching his jaw, he plopped onto the seat opposite me. The last table, besides mine, had cleared out a while ago, and it had been a while since I saw Alistair. Maybe he’d gone home, and we were on our own. My heart rate kicked up a little.

Anyone who saw us sitting together at a table for two might think we were on a date. Instead of two bitter exes who could hardly stand to be in the same room together.

Although that wasn’t entirely true, at least on my part. Over the last two days, since first seeing Daniel after so long, I found I very much liked having him in the same room with me, even if it was just to piss him off. The more time I spent with him,the more time Iwantedto spend with him… and the more I wondered about what it would be like to be with him now. If I kissed him, would he still taste the same? Would his touch still light me up inside like a solar flare? Could I make him soft and needy like I used to?

I didn’t have an answer, but despite our tumultuous past, I itched to find out.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off. “If you’re going to run down the restaurant, my chef, the staff, I’m not interested.”

After this dessert, how could he think I’d have anything lousy to say about the hotel restaurant? I shoveled another bite into my mouth, then took a drink of coffee.

“I wasn’t going to do that at all. This is delicious, actually; so why don’t you have more diners?”

He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. “In the summer, we’re packed, and weekends are busier, but during the week in the off-season, I’m relying on locals, and they’re not dining out in the middle of the week. There are the university students, but I don’t really appeal to them, and I’m not sure I want to.”

“No, you’re right. Appealing to college students would be a mistake for you.”

His brows lifted as if he was surprised I’d agreed with him. He shouldn’t be. He really was right. Turning this place into a college hangout would conflict with the hotel, and he’d be competing with the bar down the street.

I rubbed my chin with the back of my hand thoughtfully. “You need to expand your reach, maybe. Or at least pack the place on the weekends to carry you through the week.”

“What difference does it make? You’re selling, aren’t you?”

“I am,” I agreed quickly, even if my mind had started turning through ideas. Maybe marketing into nearby citieswould increase interest in the hotel in the off-season. Romantic weekends away by the ocean, or some shit. Ihada marketing team. How difficult would it be to market for a hotel rather than our usual properties? I could always bring someone on.

“Grey?” Daniel’s voice broke into my thoughts, and I looked up at him, watching expectantly. He must have asked me something, but I’d been too wrapped up in my own thoughts to hear him.

“Sorry, what?”

“Are you done?” He nodded to the dishes in front of me. I’d finished my coffee and ate almost half of the dessert by the time my stomach finally cried uncle.

“I want to take the rest of the dessert back to my room.” I’d eat it for breakfast before checking out in the morning.

Daniel took away my dishes, and when he returned with the rest of my dessert in a small Styrofoam container, I stood. I must have still been a little buzzed from the wine. I swayed a bit on my feet and grasped the edge of the table to steady myself.

“Here.” He handed me the container. “I’ll walk you back to your room.”

“My, what excellent service. My review of this hotel just went from three to four stars.”

He sighed and pointed to the dining-room door. “Just go.”

“Rude. Back down to three stars.”

He sniffed as if holding back a laugh.

“You know,” I said, making my way across to the stairs that would take me up to my room. “I’m fine. As much as I appreciate the escort, I can make it back to my room on my own.”

As I started to climb the steps, I missed my footing and stumbled forward. The stairs rose up fast to meet me, and I threw both arms out, reaching for the rails, but something wrapped around my middle like an iron band, jerking me back before I landed face-first.

For a split second, I couldn’t breathe. I was acutely aware of Daniel’s arm around my waist, his solid chest pressed to my back. The heat from his body warmed me even through our clothes.

“Are you okay?” His breath whispered over my ear, and I held myself against the shiver spreading over my skin.

“I’m okay,” I croaked, easing from his grip. “Just not paying attention.”

I continued up the stairs, but Daniel kept his hand pressed to my back, guiding me as if he were worried he might need to grab me to stop me from falling again. Once we reached the top of the stairs, he slid his arm around my waist and guided me down the walkway toward my room.

Despite my near fall on the stairs, I wasn’t as drunk as Daniel seemed to believe. Still, I liked his warm weight around my back, and I leaned into his side. I’d forgotten how much I loved his solid build pressed against me, and my dick perked up at the reminder.

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