Page 18 of Resting Beach Face
One day, he’d thank me for giving him shit.
Today was not that day.
He flipped me off. I waggled my fingers in a playful wave, then jogged off before he kicked my ass.
It took me only a few minutes to cut through the park and over to the B&B grounds. A series of old-fashioned lanterns lined a path to the entrance at the main house.
The B&B was actually a collection of three buildings. Along with the main house, there was a Tree Hut that was built on a platform actually in the trees, like an old-school treehouse for kids but way nicer; and a third cabin built on the rise of a small hill with a staircase and deck that extended up into the trees for some amazing views.
I rapped on the front door, hoping someone would be around to open it for me since I didn’t have a convenient hookup with a key tonight.
A few knocks later, a cute woman in a Weekend Hookers hat answered the door. “Hey! Declan was fetching us some cards for a poker game. You want to join?”
Poker? Really?
She stepped back and headed for the dining area where Declan served breakfast. I knew because I’d gate-crashed a couple of times, to his immense displeasure.
I trailed behind her. “Is Declan playing with you?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Doubtful. He’s more of a loner. Likes his crosswords and his gardens.”
I smiled fondly. “That sounds about right. Actually, I’m just?—”
“Cash?” Declan’s voice cut through my explanation as he entered the room with a silver case. “What are you doing here?”
I widened my eyes. “Just checking to see if you have a gambling license, sir.”
Declan set down the case, which the B&B guests flipped open to reveal rows of pristine poker chips. “This is just a friendly game.” He sent his guests a stern look. “No money exchanging hands, right?”
An older woman with a streak of purple through her bangs giggled. “We’re not breaking the law, I swear.”
“Just a friendly game,” a man with a bushy mustache said with a nod.
“Not even strip poker,” the pretty woman who let me in said. “Unless you want to join?”
Her husband glowered. “Not cool, Mai. I’m right here.”
She turned a grin on him. “Just keeping you on your toes!”
Declan took hold of my arm, his touch making my skin tingle, and pulled me toward the great room. “What are you doing here—and please don’t say it’s to hook up with someone. I don’t have any single guests.”
“That’s not why I’m here,” I gritted out. “There’s more to me than just that, you know.”
Declan reddened. “Sorry. No. I shouldn’t have— Why are you here?”
I sighed, shoulders dropping. Why did I want this infuriating man so much? He’d rejected me flat-out the first time I hit on him, which pretty much never happened. It had intrigued me. And the more he brushed off my interest, the more interested I became.
Until, of course, I realized I was battering my head against a wall that wasn’t ever going to give.
“I came by to see how you were doing with that mess in the Tree Hut?”
“Oh.” He looked surprised. “I guess Harrison and Noah told you the ugly details?”
I nodded. “Did you get it sorted?”
He shuddered. “Well, I spent hours mopping up and disinfecting the floor. The water’s turned off, so it’s under control.”
“And the plumbing repair? Did you get that made?”
