Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I’ve never been faced with a girl I’ve wanted more.
So, I just smile and nod my head, folding my lips in so my grin isn’t too overwhelming.
"I think you might be blushing, Cooper."
I think she might be right. "I’m going to make sure I’m next on that schedule," I say, running my fingers through my hair just so that I have something to do with my hands.
"I was hoping you were going to say that," she says.
So, in the middle of the day, I load boxes onto the counter with a hardon straining at my shorts.
Back at Cloud 9, I tell Dawn she’s off the hook until her shift starts later. She walks away from the ute with a sway to her hips and looks over her shoulder with a smile, confident that she’ll find me checking out her ass. It is a very nice ass.
I use the horn to grab the attention of Bryce and Bradley, who help me unload the boxes until the ute is empty and our storeroom is full.
As usual, I head to the office with the receipt for Lachlan’s files. He’s a stickler for proper accounting practices, which is a good thing. Without him insisting on professionalism, the rest of us would be doing the fun stuff and panicking at the end of the year.
I find Lachlan and Thomas deep in conversation about Dawn.
"This thing with Dawn is a big risk," Lachlan says.
"She’s not like that," Thomas rubs the back of his neck, and leans back in an office chair that looks like it might break from the weight of his big body.
"She’s not like that," I agree, drawing both their attention. "And she was serious about the schedule."
Lachlan throws up his hands, exasperated. "You see what I mean? Who the hell is serious about a schedule? It’s not even something I can get my head around."
"Free love isn’t a new concept," I tell him. "It started in the sixties."
"Pretty sure the Romans were into it," Thomas says.
"Isn’t it what got Sodom and Gomora obliterated?" Lachlan says, shaking his head.
"Dawn isn’t like other girls," I say. "She’s the real thing."
"Real. Exactly." Thomas meets my eyes and nods. "Your trip to the wholesaler was enlightening, then?"
"It was."
"Good for you," Thomas says. "And good for Dawn. I keep telling Lachlan that all Dawn wants is to get the most out of life."
"Isn’t that what we all want?" Lachlan says.
"But some of us want it, and some of us live it. That’s the difference." I hand him the receipt and he takes it, scanning over the details.
"And you intend to live it?" he asks me, narrowing his serious eyes that are darker than usual.
"I do. Now all you have to decide is if you want to live it too."
12
DAWN
After making myself a bite to eat for lunch - smashed avocado on toast with tomato salad - I have five hours before the start of my evening shift.
My conversations with Cooper have left me with a funny, bubbly feeling in my chest. I could pretend to myself that it’s excitement. He’s sexy and fun and there were enough sparks between us to rival fourth of July fireworks. To be honest, I half expected him to have knocked on my door by now. We weren’t exactly covert with our flirting. He must still be busy with the purchases from the wholesaler. Either that or he’s decided against being the next on the schedule. That would be a shame. I get the feeling we’d be dynamite together.
One of the things I’ve wanted to do since arriving in Byron Bay is take a walk up to the pretty white lighthouse, and maybe spot some whales or dolphins on the way. It’s also Australia’s easternmost point, so another reason to tick it off my list of places to go.
I put on my comfortable sneakers and toss a bottle of water into my bag. With my sunglasses on, I stride out into the sunshine, checking my surroundings before I pull my door to my room. I’m disappointed to find there’s no one around to invite on my expedition. In a way, I guess it’s a good thing. I need some time out in the fresh air to clear my head. All the sexy men around here are distracting, to say the least.
The walk to Cape Byron is beautiful. Craggy cliffs meet turquoise blue ocean topped with white ruffles that hint at the ferocious current beneath. The paths are well laid out, some with wooden slatted floors and wooden handrails, which help with the climb. I’m desperate to spot a whale or a dolphin, so I focus hard on the water whenever it’s in view.
The lighthouse is over a hundred years old and painted so white, the reflection of the sun hurts my eyes. It’s possible to go inside, but I’m not into maritime history and the view is just too good to miss. I lean against the railing, straining for a fin or a nose, any kind of disruption in the water. The sun beats down against my skin, warming my hair and making my sunglasses slide down my perspiring nose.