Page 42 of Only for the Season
My jaw cracks with a yawn at the same time my stomach rumbles. When was the last time I ate? I pick up my coffee cup but it’s empty, too.
I push to my feet and my knees creak with the motion. My entire body aches from being hunched over my computer all day as I walk to the kitchen. I frown when I notice the empty box of coffee cups.
I need caffeine. There’s no way I’ll be able to keep working without caffeine.
I throw on a sweatshirt, grab my keys, and hurry out the door. Shit. Cold. I forgot shoes. I rush back inside and shove my feet into a pair of sneakers.
I shiver as I walk down the stairs toward the bakery. It’s not the first time I’ve forgotten my shoes but bare feet aren’t usually a problem in California.
I notice the windows of the kitchen are dark. I try the door anyway. Locked up tight.
What now? I scan the main street of Smuggler’s Rest. There.Smuggler’s Coveis a restaurant next door. They must have coffee.
I start toward the restaurant but stop when I hear singing. I search the area and discover a group of carolers standing in the gazebo at the little park off the main street. I notice Parker in front and my feet carry me toward her before my mind can catch up.
They finish the song and move on toDeck the Halls.Wait a minute. This isn’tDeck the Halls.
Deck the hulls with crates of treasure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-ARRR!
'Tis the season for pirate pleasure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-ARRR!
Don we now our sea-soaked sweaters,
Sing like drunken privateers,
Sailing home with salted letters, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-CHEERS!
I chuckle. Only on Smuggler’s Hideaway would they alter the lyrics ofDeck the Hallsto refer to treasure and pirates. Parker notices me and waves.
The song finishes and she steps forward. She begins to sing and I’m mesmerized.
Have yourself a sea-salty little Christmas,
Let your anchor drop…
From now on, our tides will gently rock…
She has the voice of an angel. I move closer until I can see her bright blue eyes are filled with happiness. Her long brown hair is piled onto her head, showcasing her long neck. A neck I want to nibble on until she’s squirming beneath me.
The sweater dress she’s wearing clings to her body and shows off all her curves. Curves I’ve been dreaming about since the first time we met. My cock strains against my zipper in a bid to get closer to her.
It’s time to set my plan in motion to get Parker out of my system by spending a glorious night with her. Maybe two nights. Three nights would be perfectly fine with me as well.
But I don’t do long term. I’ve learned my lesson there. Besides, I’m not in Smuggler’s Hideaway to stay. Parker and I can have a glorious affair only for the season. Sounds perfect.
The music stops and Parker bounds down the stairs of the gazebo toward me.
“It’s alive!”
“Why wouldn’t I be alive?”
She rolls her eyes. “Because you’ve been barricaded in the loft since you returned from New York.”
“I wasn’t barricaded in the loft. But if I was, it’s because I was trying to stay safe from vicious creatures.”
She clutches her chest. “Vicious creatures? Viking is the sweetest of the Smuggler’s Hideaway mascots.”
I snort. “We’re discussing Smuggler’s Hideaway, the other mascots are probably krakens.”
