Page 74 of One Bossy Disaster

If he wasn’t looking at me like a crazy girl before—

No. I don’t care.

It’s too much, this giddy feeling of accomplishment, all while I’ve just shared something so intimate with this bizarre, broody suit.

When I can finally straighten up again and breathe normally, he’s still looking at me.

Probably trying to decide whether or not I’ve lost my mind.

Honestly, I wonder, too.

But he must see something I don’t.

Because Shepherd Foster gives me a smile.

A rare, genuine smile, spurred on by what we’ve just shared.

The unexpected sight makes my heart skip in the wildest of ways.

And I haveabsolutelyno clue what to do with that.

So I just smile back, shaking my head.

My heart soars halfway to the sun. I’m still a little scared because this is uncharted territory—just like all of today.

But my heart settles as he nods quietly, and we paddle on, together, into the evening light.

It’s deep into dusk by the time we reach a small island just past Eagle Creek, and it hits me just how crazy this trip has been.

I. Am. Exhausted.

I’m fairly fit, but this was such a gauntlet I’m practically glued to my kayak and rendered boneless.

The plan is to camp overnight at the marine park before venturing out in the morning to scout for sea otters or signs they’ve been here.

A few recent sightings have me pumped.

But as I brace my weary arms against the side of the kayak, they give way.

Everything that came so easy this morning, even when we stopped for lunch, now feels impossible. I can’t freaking move.

I didn’t even notice my legs doing that much work, but now I’m aware they’re also jelly.

Shepherd hops out of his kayak and parks it on the finer sand, without noticing how dead I am at first.

I shamelessly stare at his ass because I can’t do anything else.

It’s magnificent.

I’m also far too beat to feel any regret over checking out my boss.

I’m a hot-blooded girl, okay?

I have needs that get neglected a lot when I have a busy life with goals and not too many boyfriends worth keeping around.

I have eyes and Shepherd’s body is too wicked for a man over forty.

The whole older 'daddy' thing never did much for me before, but with him—

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