Dating by Design Series Box Set

by Jennifer Peel

“What’s going on?” Jason looked around at all the activity.

  “You’ve never been crab hunting?”

  “Crabs? I don’t see any crabs.”

  I took out my cell phone and turned on the flashlight feature. I shined the light so we could see a few feet in front of us, but away from the ocean. “They’re white, almost translucent, but if you look close, you can see them running across the sand.”

  After several seconds we saw a fairly good-sized one, just larger than a quarter. “They’re small,” Jason observed.

  “Many are smaller than that. You wouldn’t want to go crab hunting, would you?” I used to love it. I had hunted crabs with my brothers growing up.

  Jason’s grin said he wouldn’t mind giving it a whirl.

  “Let’s go back to the Graingers’. I know where they keep some buckets. We can use our phones for flashlights.” I pulled Jason along.

  “So what do we do with them once we catch them? They look too small to eat.”

  I laughed. “You don’t eat them. You just catch them, and then when you’re done you let them go.”

  “What’s the point, then?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Does everything have to have a point?”

  “Will it make you happy?” he asked.

  I thought for a moment. “It used to.”

  “That’s all the convincing I need. Let’s go catch some crabs, the real kind, not the STD kind.”

  I playfully pushed on his chest and laughed.

  “I love the sound of your laugh.”

  “Thanks,” I responded shyly.

  “I hope to hear it a lot this weekend.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I guess I know what my point in being here is then.”

  That was it. I was a goner. Head over heels.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was more fun crab hunting with Jason as an adult than it ever was as a kid, I thought as I soaked in the tub late that night. Jason really got into it. By the time we were done, we had a bucket full of the little creatures. They were crawling all over each other, desperate to escape. I think my favorite part was Jason interacting with the children who were out crab hunting. If a child was nearby, he always pointed out the crabs for them and made sure they caught one. He was great like that.

  I laughed at him, though, as he tried to catch a real crab that kept running back into the water. Jason was determined to catch the thing. I teased him that they could make a documentary about him and call it, “Man vs. Crab.” He didn’t find that very manly. He suggested, “Man vs. Giant Mutant Crab.”

  “Sounds like a hit.” I rolled my eyes.

  He nudged me. “You know you would watch it.”

  If he was the main character, yes, I would definitely tune in.

  I sighed as I slid my hands up my silky bare legs. I really should get out of the tub, I thought, but the water was helping calm my nerves. I had lots of pent up energy. Jason consumed my every thought. To think, he was in the room next to me. It was driving me crazy. I kept thinking, should I decide to go home? But I knew I wouldn't. I craved Jason’s company and I was going to take what I could get, even if it hurt worse in the end, and I knew it would. And I knew there would be an end, because he was dating someone else—several someone elses—that weren’t me.

  I managed to get in a few winks of sleep, but I woke up early on purpose. This would be the last day the beach wouldn’t be overly crowded, and I wanted to enjoy the sunrise in solitude, or as close to it as I could get. I threw on my black swim shorts and the red halter-top that belonged with them. I brushed my hair and pinned my bangs back. There was no need for make-up when your plan was to soak in as much water, sun, and sand as you could in a day.

  I quietly put together a day bag with some snacks, water, and sunscreen. I was sure I was the only one up. I grabbed my lounge chair, book, and towel and made my way to the beach.

  It was a little on the cool side with the morning breeze coming off the ocean, but it was pleasant, and I knew before too long it would be plenty warm. I set up my chair, situated my towel, and settled in to watch Mother Nature do her thing. My reward was not only the sunrise, but the dolphins playing in the distance. The sun peeked over the horizon and broke through the low-lying clouds. It was the perfect setup to what was waiting for me in the distance. The beach was all but empty except for me and a runner off in the distance. I admired people that ran on vacation, or basically ran at all. It was not for me. I especially admired this runner.

  Jason sauntered toward me in all of his glory. The sun illuminated him from behind. He was wearing running shorts and no shirt. Yep, his bare chest looked as good as I had imagined. I needed help, serious help.

  He grinned from ear to ear when he approached and recognized me. The sweat was dripping off of him, but sweat never looked so good. He threw himself down next to me in the sand.

  I looked down at his prostrate body. He was breathing heavily, with his eyes closed, which worked out well for me. It meant I could soak him in without him noticing. All I could think was, wow. Actually, I thought some other things, too, but they weren’t very appropriate. “You’re up early this morning.” I came to my senses . . . the senses that said this man is off limits to you.

  He opened his eyes and smiled up at me. “I couldn’t sleep. I thought maybe a run would help.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  “I can relate. Anything I can help with?”

  He sat up until we were almost eye level. “Definitely.”

  “Are you going to elaborate?”

  “Don’t worry. I will when the time is right.”

  “I’m not following you.”

  “I don’t suppose you are.”

  I shook my head in confusion.

  He still didn’t explain. “I’m going to run in and change. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

  “You might want to wash the sand off first.”

  He stood up. “Good thinking.” He waded out into ocean and dove in. When he came up out of the water and walked out looking like a scene from Hawaii Five-0, I almost threw decorum out the window. I had never wanted someone more in my life than at that moment.

  “Better?” He grinned seductively.

  Oh, yeah. Much better. I was speechless, so I nodded.

  He ran toward the house and I watched him. His backside looked as good as the front.

  I leaned back against my chair and closed my eyes. I was in over my head.

  I tried reading my novel, but I couldn’t focus. Either that, or the book was about someone named Jason, because that was all I could see and feel. I felt like maybe I should take a dip in the cool morning water, too.

  Jason was true to his word; he was back in no time. This time in red, white, and blue swim trunks and a chair of his own. He placed his chair as close to mine as possible and made himself comfortable. At least he looked at ease.

  We both leaned back, but turned our heads so we could converse.

  “So you didn’t tell me why you couldn’t sleep,” he said.

  “You didn’t ask.”

  He chuckled. “You’re right. So what is keeping you up?”

  “I’ll tell you when you tell me.”

  “Deal.” His smile lit up those beautiful eyes. “Moving on then.”

  “Did Zander ever make it home?” I asked.

  “Yes, but you don’t want to know when.”

  “Thanks for sparing me any gory details.”

  “Believe me, I didn’t ask or want to know either. But now that you know Zander is alive, the question is, what are we going to do today?”

  I pulled up my book and snacks. “I’m all set.”

  He shook his head vehemently. “Oh, no. I want the fun girl from last night, the one who cruelly hunts innocent creatures.”

  “Are you telling me I’m cruel and boring?”

  “No. I’m suggesting that you accept that my plans for our day a
re better than your plans.”

  “And what are your plans?”

  He grabbed my bag. “First of all, you’re going to share your food because I’m starving.” He helped himself to one of my bananas. “Next is stimulating conversation, with yours truly, until the rental place opens.”

  “What are we renting?”

  He smiled “I like the way you said we.”

  I shook my head at his nonsense.

  “We are renting a paddle board, but I’m paying, no arguments.” He paused, just in case I decided to argue.

  I was too amused to say anything.

  His grin was misdemeanor-worthy. “After paddle boarding, we’ll be starving, so we’ll break for food. Once that has settled, it’s time for some beach volleyball.”

  “Wait a minute, I haven’t played volleyball in years and I’m not all that good at it.”

  “Not a problem, Zander and I are, so you’ll be the eye candy to distract the other team.”

  “Eye candy?”

  “Is that offensive?”

  “Maybe?”

  “Beach babe?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Moving on.”

  “No, I have to get this right.”

  “I think maybe you should stop while you’re ahead.”

  He thought while he grinned wickedly at me. “How does lovely lady work?”

  “I like that.”

  He wiped his brow. “Phew.”

  I laughed at him. “What’s gotten into you this morning?”

  “I’m just happy.”

  “I’m glad.”

  He paused for a moment. His intense gaze had me feeling undone. “Are you happy, Kenadie?”

  “That’s a complicated question.”

  “Well, you are a complicated woman.”

  “I don’t try to be.”

  “It was a compliment.”

  “How do you do that?”

  “What’s that?”

  “You always know what to say to make me feel better about myself.”

  “Well, that’s easy. You give me good material to work with.”

  “Jason … Today, I’m happy.”

  “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that,” he said smooth as silk.

  The conversation was definitely stimulating something. I was a goner. Stick a fork in me. I was done.

  My saving grace came in the form of Zander’s mom running toward us. Don’t forget, she was a sans bra kind of woman, so it was quite the sight to behold. Poor Jason’s eyes bugged out before he quickly adverted them. She was carrying two paper lunch sacks.

  “I woke up and you kids were already gone. You can’t leave without eating breakfast first.” She handed over the paper bags.

  I stood up and hugged her. “You didn’t need to do that.” And I was pretty sure Jason was wishing she wouldn’t have. He couldn’t even look at her.

  She touched my cheek with the palm of her hand. “Of course I do. What kind of hostess would I be if I didn’t feed you?”

  I noticed that her algae-green eyes that had been just like Zander’s were beginning to fade a little. Maybe it was the alcohol, or perhaps age. “Thank you.”

  “You kids have fun today, and make sure you wear sunscreen. You don’t want to end up looking like an old worn out hag, like me.” And without letting us reply, she took off back toward the house.

  I sat back down next to Jason, who was still looking a tad red. “Are you okay, there?”

  “I think I may need to bleach my eyes, but other than that, perfect.”

  “Zander is her child.”

  “Let’s not talk about it,” he suggested.

  We opened up our sacks to find mini orange juice bottles and baggies full of cereal. We both laughed.

  “Bon appetite.”

  “Yeah, something like that.” Jason reached in to grab his juice.

  As we munched on our cold cereal, we watched as the beach slowly filled up around us. It was also starting to warm up as the sun rose higher in the sky.

  “Time for sunscreen,” Jason announced. “We don’t want you turning into an old hag.”

  “I think she was referring to you,” I replied, affronted.

  He laughed loudly while I pulled out my spray sunscreen, one of the better inventions of mankind.

  Jason pulled out his regular lotion-based sunscreen and began to liberally apply it. I thought, I wouldn’t mind getting some of that action. I silently berated myself for the thought and began coating my body with SPF 50. It smelled like coconuts. I loved that smell.

  Jason turned to me and handed me his bottle. “Will you get my back and shoulders?”

  I looked down at the bottle and didn’t take it. Oh, I wanted to. I wanted nothing more at that moment than to get my hands on his smooth, muscled back. Someone get me a cold drink, or a lobotomy. Jason looked at me like, what was my issue? I was always such an idiot around him.

  “I’ll use mine,” I finally said. “It goes on easier.”

  “I don’t want to smell like coconut.”

  “Are you saying you don’t like how I smell?”

  He leaned closer and breathed me in, which in turn made me stop breathing.

  He was only inches from my face. “I love the way you smell, but it’s not for me.”

  “Fine.” A shudder of induced shivers ran through me. “Give me your dang bottle.”

  “You are a difficult woman, Kenadie.”

  “You keep saying that.”

  He grinned playfully. “And I mean every word of it.”

  I snatched his sunscreen out of his hand before I did something I really regretted, because I was already regretting that I had agreed to lather up his back. I was going to need therapy after this weekend, like the electrical shock kind.

  He turned his back to me and I slowly squeezed a good amount of sunscreen in my hand. I felt like I needed to psych myself up. I blew out a deep breath.

  “Don’t be shy back there,” Jason teased.

  I wasn’t being shy. I was trying to figure out how not to enjoy it. I decided I couldn’t stall any longer and just went for it. I started at his strong and steady shoulders and worked my way down.

  “Your hands feel good,” Jason sighed.

  Not as good as his skin felt beneath them. I wanted to rub his neck and run my fingers through his thick hair. And then maybe kiss my way over to his mouth and fall into his arms. So maybe I took longer than I needed to. You couldn’t be too careful, I rationalized, when it came to protecting yourself against the sun’s rays.

  “All done.” I closed the cap on the bottle.

  He was wearing a seductive grin when he turned around. “Your turn.”

  I handed him my spray sunscreen. He looked down at it. He almost looked disappointed.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to use mine? I’ve heard this spray stuff isn’t as effective.”

  I didn’t care if I got burned, he was not rubbing my back. That would throw me right over the edge. “It’s always worked for me. Besides, I like the way it smells.”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so.”

  I slowly turned around and pulled my hair up out of the way.

  The spray felt cold at first and I tensed up.

  “See, if you would have let me use my lotion I would have warmed it up in my hands first.”

  Unbeknownst to him, that would have really had me tensing up.

  “You really think highly of your sunscreen.”

  “I love your sense of humor.” He continued to coat my back.

  “You may be the only one. I think most people think I’m a smart aleck.”

  “What do they know?”

  I shrugged my shoulders, because I was a smart aleck.

  “Oops,” I heard before I felt the most magical touch upon my back. “I got a little over zealous, let me rub this in.”

  My body betrayed me and erupted in goosebumps. I prayed that he wouldn’t draw attention to it.

  He didn’t, but it
wouldn’t have mattered anyway, his touch on the small of my back had my senses in complete overload.

  He lightly ran his fingers against my skin. “Your skin is so soft.”

  I couldn’t take it anymore. I quickly turned around and grabbed my sunscreen from him. “Thank you.”

  We stared at one another for a moment. He wasn’t smiling. I could see in his eyes he was trying to figure me out. I prayed that he couldn’t see in my eyes how I really felt for him.

  “I think the rental place is open.” I broke the silence.

  “I’ll be right back,” he whispered.

  He had no idea how much I looked forward to that.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Rubbing in sunscreen on my back had nothing on what was to come. I found myself being manhandled by Jason—in the most appropriate way—but all the same, his hands found themselves on my body. At first it was all well and good. I sat in front of Jason on the board and we paddled out a good distance from the shore. That was where it got interesting.

  “Time to stand up,” he exclaimed.

  “You didn’t say anything about standing up.”

  “It’s not really paddle boarding if you sit down.”

  “It works for me.”

  “Come on, Kenadie, you can do it.”

  “I really can’t. I don’t have good balance. You should see me in Pilates.”

  “I will, but today you are going to master the paddle board.”

  I wasn’t really inviting him to Pilates, and I really didn’t want to move from where I was. I could feel him standing up behind me and he did it fluidly.

  “Your turn,” he called down to me.

  “I’m good where I am.”

  “Here, take my paddle.” He handed it over to me. “I’ll help you.”

  “Then we’ll both fall off.”

  “Then we’ll try again. You can do this. Trust me.”

  “I’m not very good at that.” Why did I always blab things I shouldn’t to him?

  “I’ve noticed.”

  I carefully looked behind me and up at him.

  “Kenadie, trust me.”

  “Okay, but if we go over, you only have yourself to blame.”

  “Like I said, we’ll try again if that happens. That’s what life is all about.”

  “So this is a life lesson?”