Page 14 of Work and Play
“Yes. I’m sure. I appreciate the concern, but it’s all good. I don’t need to invade your little love nest.”
“Oh, fuck off, man,” he grumbles, but I can hear Summer’s cheerful voice in the background saying, “He’s not wrong, babe.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. See? Now stop worrying like an old lady, and let me get back to my dinner.”
“Okay. Fine. I’ll go have sex with my fiancée in my love nest then.”
“Enjoy, asshole.”
I drop my phone back down on my bed with a smile on my face. I appreciate Ethan’s concern, and it means a lot that he reached out. But that’s also just the kind of guy he is, always wanting to take care of people and help however he can. Honestly, the winery being located in Dogwood Cove is what my mom likes to call serendipity. Bringing me back to Canada, and back in touch with my good friends.
Jesus Christ, I’m getting sentimental. I eye the bottle of wine. It’s only half full, not nearly enough to blunt these weird emotions I’m not used to feeling. But it’s all I have for now, at least until I can get back home and raid my wine rack some more. Maybe grab the bottle of whiskey I keep above the fridge as well.
Half an hour later my food is gone, the bottle is empty, and it’s all I can do to strip off my clothes and climb into the bed and let sleep overtake my exhausted body.
Chapter eight
Ashley
I slept like a rock last night. Whether it was from the orgasm I gave myself when I came home, still buzzing from a Finn-induced high, or simply being tired from the background stress of the snowstorm, I don’t know. Either way, I’m actually feeling pretty good today. And when I look outside, there’s a pleasant surprise. The snow has stopped, but everything is coated in a thick layer of the white stuff. The sun is shining, making my eyes water against the bright light beaming back at me. But it certainly is beautiful.
There’s no one around to see me grinning and dancing around my room like a goof. Snow days always made me happy as a kid; no school, nothing to do except play with my friends. It’s different as an adult, less time to play and all that, but the joy is still there inside of me, just seeing the winter wonderland outside. It’s such a rare occurrence here on the coast, it never fails to instill the same sense of wonder.
I peel off my pajamas and wrap my short, silk robe around my waist instead before picking up my towel and wash bag. A hot shower, a cup of coffee, and then I’ll make a plan for the day.
Opening the music app on my phone, I press play on one of my favourite playlists to get going in the morning. Pretty soon the upbeat tones and sultry voice of Nash Parker, country music sensation and all-around sexy man has me dancing and singing along as I go down the short hall to the bathroom.
“Now all I see is you…” I croon with my eyes closed and push open the bathroom door only to be met with a wall of steam.
“What the fuck?” A deep, masculine, familiar voice shocks the crap out of me.
My eyes fly open.
Finn. Naked. Shower. Ohmygod.
“Ashley? What are you doing? Close the damn door, woman!” He roars at me, but I’m frozen, my eyes tracking the water droplets trailing down his naked torso, just barely obscured by the clear glass door of the shower. There’s a smattering of hair on his chest, just enough to be manly without being a bear, and my hand comes up to check for drool on my face.
“Do you mind, princess?”
My gaze snaps up to his face and the spell is broken. He’s not even trying to hide from me, and I feel the intensity of his stare judging me.
“I…sorry. I didn’t know you…sorry. Oh. Wow. Okay. Bye.” I step back and slam the door closed, hearing a low groan followed by a “fucking hell” come from the room I just left. My feet run back to the safety of my bedroom where I fling myself down on the bed face first and let out a muffled scream of my own.
Seriously. Did that just happen? Did I really just walk in on Finn, naked in the shower, and then stand there like a freaking pervert?
Yep. I did. And good Lord, I’m fairly certain that never, in my entire adult life, have I seen a sight that turned me on as much as I am right now. If I thought I was buzzing after our casual, not even flirty, conversation last night, it’s nothing compared to what I’m feeling between my legs in this moment. Those muscles, his tattoos that until now have been hidden under long sleeves, the perfect little treasure trail of hair that led down to…well, you know. And that was just…perfection.
I let my eyes flutter closed, and instantly my imagination starts thinking of how differently things could have gone this morning. Like Finn inviting me to join him. Or maybe he comes to my room after his shower and…
Wait a minute, why is he here?
My eyes fly open and I bolt upright, ready to storm back down the hall and demand an explanation. But then there’s a knock at my door that makes my breath catch.
“The roads are plowed, so we should be fine to head to the winery. Do you want to ride together?” His voice sounds rough, like he doesn’t really want to offer, but he wants to be polite. This man is so confusing.
“No, I’ll drive myself. Are you going to explain why I found you showering at my Airbnb?” I fold my arms across my chest, glaring at the door that separates us.
“Funny, I didn’t realize you owned the place. Your voice sounded pretty different on the phone last night, Elaine,” comes his retort.
