Summer Fling

by Jill Sanders

-Come on, something like I sent.

  A moment later, a picture of his ear came through, causing her to laugh.

  -So sexy.

  Then another picture came, this one of his feet, outside of his bedsheets.

  -That’s about it.

  -That’ll do.

  She smiled. Already, she could feel herself growing tired again.

  -I think I’m going to crawl out of this bath and into bed now.

  -God, now you have me fully awake.

  -Good.

  She smiled and then added,

  -Now you know how I felt a few minutes ago when I realized you’d left me.

  -Until tomorrow.

  His last words played over in her mind as she crawled in between the cool sheets and closed her eyes. What exactly was he promising her would happen tomorrow?

  The memory of what he’d done to her earlier that evening played over in her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

  When her alarm woke her, she stretched her arms over her head and then remembered what her plans were for the day. She jumped out of bed and rushed around preparing, very eager to start the day.

  By the time Levi knocked on her door, she had a bag packed with everything she would need for a day at the beach and with him.

  When she opened the door, she was surprised by a large bouquet of wildflowers.

  “I don’t know your favorite, but I assumed…” He handed them to her. “You know, because of what you and your friends call yourselves.”

  She laughed and hugged the flowers to her face to breath in their mixed scent.

  “I love all flowers equally,” she answered. “Come on in, I’ll put these in a vase.”

  He followed her into the kitchen where she busied herself finding a vase and filling it with water.

  When she turned back around, he was there, pulling her into his arms. Even though the kiss was light, her body reacted instantly when it bumped into his.

  “What are the chances I could talk you into a late brunch?” she asked, nodding towards the stairs.

  Instead of answering, he chuckled. “Can’t, I’ve made plans.” He took her hand. “Are you ready?”

  She sighed and then followed him out of the house. He stopped to pick up her beach bag for her and tossed it over his shoulder.

  “Okay, so what’s the plan?” she asked as he helped her into his Jeep.

  “A short drive first.” He set her bag in the back seat and then moved around to get in. “Brunch”—he wiggled his eyebrows— “water, beach, swimming, more beach, more water, more swimming, then sometime later we’ll eat the lunch I packed, then eventually, around sunset, dinner.” He picked up her hand and kissed it.

  She couldn’t help but smile at his attempt to rile her up. “I’m all yours for the day.” She sat back as he drove out of town. She didn’t care where they were headed. He’d removed the soft top and the doors from his Jeep, and she was thankful she’d braided her hair and added a cap to her attire.

  The wind in her face was almost magical as it wiped away all her stress. She should really spend more of her days off like this instead of cooped up in the house reading.

  It wasn’t as if she didn’t get enough time outdoors, since most of her days were spent rushing around the camp helping with outdoor activities.

  But being outside for work and being outside for fun were two different animals.

  Now, since she was on her own time, she didn’t have to abide by anyone else’s timelines. Thankfully, she didn’t have to rush around to be somewhere for another group activity or to help new guests to their cabins. She really enjoyed her work, but lately her time off was just not what she’d hoped. Yesterday being the exception.

  “I’m not taking you away from your grandmother today, am I?” she asked as they turned onto the beach road.

  “No, Gran has her book club meeting today, then her knitting class, followed by a baking class she signed up for last week.”

  “She’s taking a baking class?” Scarlett asked, remembering how well his grandmother baked.

  Levi chuckled. “No, she’s teaching a group of people who signed up at the library how to bake.” He glanced over at her. “You’d be surprised at how many adults don’t know how to bake.”

  She bit her bottom lip and silently wished she had more time to learn herself. It wasn’t that she was a terrible baker, she could just use some extra skills.

  “You know,” she thought out loud, “that’s not a terrible idea.” She shifted towards him. “Would your gran be interested in holding those classes at the camp? I mean, I’d have to figure out the logistics of it, but I don’t see why we couldn’t offer cooking or baking sessions.”

  “She’d love it,” he answered quickly. “She’s been trying to fill her time lately.” He sighed. “Since her best friend died last year”—he shook his head— “I think she’s struggling, and staying busy seems to be helping her.”

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll see what we can come up with and talk things over with your grandmother.”

  When they pulled into a small parking lot, Scarlett looked around. Since she’d returned to the area, she’d been too busy with the camp to have time to explore all the different beaches and towns. She’d walked this beach before, but hadn’t spent a lot of time here.

  “This looks… amazing,” she said getting out of the Jeep and reaching for her bag, but he was there, pulling it and a few more things out of the back of the Jeep. “You’re going to need some help carrying all that,” she joked when he picked up two beach chairs.

  He frowned. “Okay, you can carry the bags.” He handed her his bag and hers. They started walking down the white sand towards a small cluster of white buildings. “We should be all set up for brunch.” He motioned towards a small deck area.

  A few yards down the beach sat a small gazebo with a table, chairs, and food.

  “How did you set this all up?” she asked, following him into the area.

  “We can set our stuff here until we’re done eating.” He set down the chairs and the cooler he had in his hands. Then he reached for her bags and set them beside the rest of the stuff. When he took her hand, a waiter appeared.

  “Mr. Grant?”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “This is Scarlett.”

  “Perfect, we have everything ready for you.” The waiter nodded. “Would you like something to drink?”

  Levi looked over at her. Scarlett shrugged. “Mimosas?”

  “Perfect.” Levi smiled and held out a chair for her.

  “Okay, how did you set this up?” she asked when the waiter disappeared to get their drinks.

  “This is part of BB.” He shrugged. “I have an old friend who works here. He arranged it all.”

  “BB?” she asked, glancing around. She’d seen the small circular gazebo on her walks along the beach but hadn’t realized what it was. The table with its white tablecloth and matching covered chairs looked like something straight out of a beach catalog.

  “The Beach Bar.” He chuckled. “It’s kind of underground.” He frowned. “No, not underground, just… for a select crowd. Locals and some very high-paying customers know about it.”

  “I guess I wasn’t in that category.” She shrugged, then sat back when the waiter came back with a pitcher of mimosas. He poured them each a flute and then ran through the brunch menu.

  She ordered Fosters French Toast with fresh berries, then she took a sip of her drink and took in the view.

  “We couldn’t have asked for a better day,” she said, motioning to the clear water in front of them.

  “We’re supposed to get more rain later this week,” he agreed. “I’m thankful you changed your days off.” He held up his drink towards her.

  “Me too.” She tipped her glass to his. “Thank you for setting all of this up.” She leaned back in her chair, trying to remember the last time she’d gone out on a date this fun. Never.

  The last dozen or so failed dates ran through her mind quickly. How had
things gotten this bad with her?

  It wasn’t as if she’d dated a lot. Actually, her last date had been before she’d left Jacksonville. She knew she had issues with trusting men, especially after what her father had done to her and her family.

  Then she remembered all her pent-up anger towards Levi and how she’d found out they were all unjustified. Levi hadn’t betrayed her. Whatever he was, he wasn’t someone like her father.

  Her mind screamed and an instant of panic filled her, so she busied herself with slowly taking a sip of her drink until the moment was over.

  “What was that?” he asked, and she realized he’d been watching her.

  She shrugged and tried to think of something else to talk about but couldn’t come up with anything.

  “Sassy?” He leaned closer to her and took her hand. “It’s just us. Talk to me. What is causing that lost look in your eyes?”

  Chapter Twelve

  He watched Scarlett’s mood darken slightly as she fought with telling him her thoughts, then she sighed and rolled her shoulders.

  “Fine, it’s just… I was remembering the last time I went out on a date.” She cringed.

  “That bad?” he asked. He could tell there was something deeper bothering her but didn’t want to push her.

  “The guy actually showed up two days late and tried to convince me I had misunderstood his text. When I showed it to him, he laughed and said his phone had autocorrected and that I should give him another chance.”

  “Did you?”

  “I was bored.” She shrugged. “I shouldn’t have. He ended up taking me to a pool house where I stood around watching him and his buddies play pool all night while sipping a drink. When I made it home, I had to order a pizza, since I somehow had assumed dinner would be in the four-hour span somewhere.”

  “Wow.” He shook his head. “The guy knew how to show a woman a good time,” he joked.

  “Tell me about it.” She rolled her eyes. “He tried to invite himself in when he dropped me off.” Levi tensed at that thought, and his hand jerked in hers slightly. “As if.” She laughed and he relaxed a little. No, whatever Scarlett was, she wasn’t a pushover. “Two days later he called me up and asked to take me out again.”

  “I take it you let him down gently?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

  “I wouldn’t use the word gentle.” She smirked.

  “Have you had many bad dates?” he asked, curious.

  She ran her eyes over him and took another sip of her drink. “A few. You?”

  “No,” he answered. “But then again, I’ve been the one driving.”

  “You’ve never had a woman set the date? Why is it still a thing in society that men dictate evenings out?” She glanced around quickly. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, this is amazing and there is no way I could have pulled something like this off without at least a weeks’ notice. And you did it all after leaving my place late last night.”

  “I’ve had a few times when a woman set the mood of the evening. But we were already dating at the time.”

  She leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm. “Oh?”

  He smiled. “Okay, let’s get this out of the way. I’ve had two semi-serious relationships. One in high school, the year after you left camp. The other was two years back.” His smile slipped a little.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “The first time”—he leaned back and looked out towards the beach— “Robin’s family moved away,” he answered easily.

  “And the second?”

  “Carrie was… after something I couldn’t give her,” he admitted, still feeling the sting of rejection.

  “Which was?” she asked, smoothly.

  “Wealth,” he admitted, feeling foolish. The memory of Zoey’s large engagement ring surfaced, and he kept his eyes away from hers.

  “Stupid.” Scarlett sighed. “My father’s second wife was like that.”

  Suddenly, he remembered hearing how the woman had attacked Zoey shortly after their father’s death. After she’d found out she hadn’t been left a dime in her ex-husband’s will.

  “Still, it’s pretty nice.” He glanced sideways at her. “You know, to have that cushion.” He took a deep breath and poured her some more drink. “I mean, your sister…”

  “What?” She stilled, her hand halfway to her glass.

  His eyebrows shot up. “Nothing, I mean.” He cleared his throat. “She really likes that rock Dylan gave her.”

  She softened and smiled. “Yes, that’s different.”

  “Oh?” He poured himself some more drink and sipped. “How so?”

  Scarlett tilted her head and watched him. “That was his grandmother’s ring. He was going to buy her one, then his father returned and… well, since he was the first Costa to get engaged”—she took a drink and watched him—“he got dibs on the ring.”

  Levi thought of his own grandmother’s wedding ring. The one his grandfather had given her all those years ago. He’d never met the man but knew about him from his gran and all the pictures around the house.

  Marco Grant had been military through and through. He’d been born into a family who had all served and even died so that others could have their freedom. Levi had believed at one point that he’d join up himself, but his gran had talked him out of it. Besides, if he’d left, she would have been left alone again, and he doubted she could have handled it.

  There was no way he would ever want her to remove the rock on her finger for him. Not when he knew how much she’d loved Marco.

  “Did you think my sister… that money was the reason she and Dylan…”

  “No,” he broke in. The conversation stopped as their food was delivered.

  “Wow, this looks amazing,” she said after the waiter left.

  “Dig in.”

  “You were saying?” she asked after the first bite.

  He sighed. “No, I know Zoey and Dylan got together before everyone knew the brothers were… well, who they were.”

  “Then why mention her?” she asked and suddenly he felt stupid for thinking that money would have even been an issue with her. She wasn’t like Carrie. Scarlett had grown up with wealth and if the rumors were true about the money her and Zoey were getting from their father’s estate, still had enough to be comfortable.

  “Levi?” she said when he didn’t answer her.

  “I guess I’m still harboring thoughts from when Carrie was around,” he admitted.

  Scarlett reached over and took his hand. “Money isn’t important to me. This is nice and all,” she said, motioning around them, “but I’m just as happy sitting on a beach, reading my book from the library, and having a homemade turkey sandwich.” She leaned closer. “Which I suspect your grandmother helped make for our lunch.”

  He laughed. “That’s good to know.”

  After brunch, they made their way down to the water’s edge and set up their chairs and towels. He enjoyed watching her peel off her shorts and top to expose a sexy red bikini. Hell, he’d seen her naked last night, but somehow in the small red suit he found her even more appealing.

  Taking a cool dip in the water, he enjoyed when her soft body pushed against his as the waves crashed around them.

  They laughed and flirted in the water until she mentioned being thirsty, then they sat under the small umbrella he’d brought along and talked.

  He couldn’t remember ever having more fun at the beach or on one of his days off.

  She told him that she’d played the flute in grade school and had sucked at it since she was musically challenged.

  He told her how his gran had forced him to take piano lessons as a child and that he still played during some of her gatherings for her church.

  “You should play during our next talent show,” she suggested. “We have a school reunion this weekend, but after that…” She nudged him. “I’d love to hear you play.”

  He smiled. “You have already. Three weeks ago, when the Palmers
had that little gathering?”

  She frowned. “No, that was Carol.”

  “Nope, Carol was out sick that night. I filled in for her.” He shrugged.

  “That was you?” She shook her head. “I guess I was too busy to glance over at the piano.”

  “You were too busy ignoring me, you mean,” he joked. Her smile slipped slightly, but then she nodded.

  “Okay, yes, I have been avoiding you. Avoiding this.” She looked down at their joined hands. “I was wrong.” She sighed. “Wrong about you and Jenny.” She glanced up at him and he watched her eyes heat. “Makes me wonder what else I was wrong about.”

  His body reacted instantly to her. Would she always have this power over him? Just looking into those smoky hazel eyes, he knew the answer. He was completely gone for her.

  “We could spend a lifetime finding out,” he teased, knowing she needed to keep things light with him. After all, it was only day one of his plan to win her back.

  They swam a little more, ate lunch when they got hungry, took a long walk down the beach, swam more, and then dried off in the sun until it started to sink below the horizon.

  “I have dinner planned.” He thought about the reservation he’d made online.

  “How about we head back to my place?” she suggested. “We can grab a pizza on the way and watch a scary movie?” She moved closer to him. “Then, I can pay you back for last night.”

  “Okay,” he answered so quickly that Scarlett laughed. “It’s just…” He ran his hands through his hair and then stopped thinking when she wrapped her arms around him.

  “I understand.” She smiled up at him. “We’ve been dancing around one another for the past two years.” She lowered her voice. “I’m done running from this. I still don’t know where it will lead, but I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.” He nodded, not trusting his voice. “Good, then let’s clean up and get out of here.”

  Without saying anything, they packed up all their gear and hauled it back to his Jeep.

  He hadn’t realized the drive to the beach took so long until there was sex on the line. He almost forgot to stop by the local pizza place and pick up a pie for later. Thankfully, he remembered at the last moment and pulled into the parking lot.