Page 21 of Chasing Stars
“There’s this awesome little hole-in-the-wall in town. If you’re up for it, I’ll get a variety and bring them back here.” I raise my eyebrows at her.
“That sounds great. And…you said I could shower?” The corners of her mouth turn upward and something twinges in my chest.
I nod, ignoring the heat that creeps under my skin.It’s probably better if she showers when I’m not here.
“Yeah.” I suck in a breath, my mind already wandering to places it shouldn’t. “The towels are in the cabinet above the toilet. You can use whatever products you find.” I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to the backseat, pulling my keys out of my bookbag. “I’m just going to run in and change and then I’ll grab the food.”
Our gazes linger for a second too long before we simultaneously open our doors, making me think she is feeling whatever this is too. My insides are twisted in knots by this girl—as if she actually reached through my chest and tangled them up herself. It’s been a long time since anyone has made my heart pound like this.
I’ve never admitted to anyone that I surf in the dark so I can be alone under the stars—not even my ex-wife. It has always been my thing, my private ritual. A way to clear my head, open myself to whatever the universe has in store and justbe. I may use it to tempt fate a little, too. Ever since I nearly drowned at fifteen, I’ve been chasing that adrenaline rush, thatFinal Destinationmoment. Erin hated that about me, which is probably why I never told her about the night surfing.
I run up and change and when I come out, Jenna’s already in the bathroom with the shower running. I jog down the steps, pulling my phone out of my bookbag to order the tacos and get back to Jenna as fast as possible. That’s when I see I have five missed texts from Nate.
Nate:
Yoooo, where are you, Miles?
Nate:
Did you forget about this showing today? I thought we were tag teaming it.
The messages get angrier from there.Shit.Instead of replying, I plug my phone into the car speaker and call while I drive. He answers immediately.
“Good, you’re alive. Now I’m going to kill you.” What sounds like a joke comes out shockingly threatening.
“Nate. I’m sorry, man. I don’t know what happened,” I lie. Iknowwhat happened. Jenna happened, and I completely forgot about this showing when I took the afternoon off.
Nate exhales loudly. “I had Caden running around, being annoying as hell because you didn’t show. Now I don’t know if we’re going to get a sale from this,” Nate grumbles. Caden’s maternal grandparents take him on some days and weekends to give Nate a break. Today, they were bringing him back, and I was supposed to relieve him but I’m a dick. Or, I was thinking with my dick. Probably both.
“I’m sorry,” is all I can say, and I make sure Nate catches my remorseful sigh.
“Let me guess. You were with Jenna again.” Nate’s voice is impassive, and I can’t tell if he’s teasing or genuinely angry that I blew him off for Jenna.
“I taught her how to surf,” I say, smiling to myself.I’ve got it bad.Thisis bad.
“Well, I guess we know where this is going.” Now he sounds shockingly judgmental. “Just don’t hurt the poor girl, okay? Dad will kill us if you blow up this twenty-five-year relationship. It won’t look good for Cape Realty if you have a scorned woman telling everyone to stay away from the owner,” he cautions. He’s probably right. It isn’t a good idea. That’s never stopped me before though. Besides, Jenna is different than the others; I’m invested in her.
“Relax, dude. Nothing has even happened.”Yet. Nothing has even happened yet.I know full well the direction our newfound friendship is headed. I also know I need to be careful. Nate’s right, our reputation is on the line. My dad has told us repeatedly that this account is special. I could ruin it on one lustful night if I’m not careful. “Why does Dad even care so much? It seems to me like he wouldn’t even know them if they haven’t been around for twenty-five years.”
“I don’t know, man. You know Dad. He makes business contacts and considers them friends for life. He’s always been very specific about Jenna’s property. The last thing you want to do is hurt a client and then, in turn, hurt our business,” Nate warns, but it’s my father’s voice I hear in my head.Keep your pecker in your pants, Miles.
I say what I have to say to express my remorse and hang up as I pull into the taco place. I order all of my favorites plus some chips and guac, but it feels like an eternity before it’s ready. I hightail it home, and I have to actively stop myself from running up the stairs back to Jenna. When I open the door, she isn’t there. I set the food on the counter and peer down the hallway. My bedroom door is shut—she must be getting dressed.
Without thinking, I push open the bathroom door, without realizing the light is still on.
“Oh my God!” Jenna shrieks.
I slap a hand over my eyes. “I’m so sorry. Oh my God.” I start to back out of the bathroom, but Jenna’s giggle stops me in my tracks. I slowly remove my hand from my eyes, dragging it down my face. I take her in, starting with her feet and slowly scouring her towel-covered body until our eyes lock. My heart rate quickens, and I suck in a sharp breath.
Jenna bites her lip, tilting her head, a teasing glint in her eye—almost like she wanted me to walk in here and find her this way. Suddenly, I’m afraid that I’m misreading the situation, but Jenna takes a step closer. Her cool fingers wrap around my wrist, tugging me closer to her.She is coming onto me.
“Miles.” The way she says my name pulls my gaze to her. I glance up, and my eyes catch on her lips.Those lips again, my God.I meet her gaze, and it is full of questions, but also, maybe…desire? “It’s okay. I wanted to thank you for today.” Jenna’s voice comes out in a whisper.
I swallow hard. “By…waiting for me in a towel?” My neck heats. All the logic and reassurance that I spouted out to Nate not twenty minutes ago is already out of my head. I want her.Fuck. I’m in over my head.
“I didn’t exactly plan that part, but…” She pauses and our eyes lock. Jenna lets out a soft breath. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to start to think you’re interested.” She runs her fingers up my forearm, and my skin goose pimples in response.
I throw my head back and look at the ceiling, then back at Jenna. My heart is thumping, but I reach up and tuck a wet strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, I’m interested.” My voice comes out husky. “This is all I’ve thought about since we met.”
