by Violet Paige
Dirty Summer
Episode 5
Violet Paige
Copyright © 2020 by Violet Paige
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
Also by Violet Paige
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Keep in touch with Violet
Also by Violet Paige
Cold Love Hockey Series
Cold As Puck
Cold As Hell
Cold As Ice
Football Romance
Turn Over
Sidelined
Dirty Play
Double Score
Royal Romance
Tempting the Crown
Risking the Crown
Loving the Crown
Billionaire Romance
Don’t Go
Not Husband Material
Not Daddy Material
The Dirtiest Deal
The Hottest Deal
Military Romance
Don’t Tell
Don’t Lie
Don’t Promise
Ranger’s Baby Surprise
Delta’s Baby Surprise
Sweet Satisfaction
Suspense
Resist
Surrender
Hart Pursuit Trilogy
Damaged Hart
Shattered Hart
Stolen Hart
One
Justyn
“How much longer do we have to stand and listen to this?” Justyn cupped his hand over his mouth and whispered to Reid.
Reid shrugged his shoulders as the cousins watched their fathers pace the boathouse. The men had been there ten minutes.
“Damn if I know. I thought they said they were going to butt out.” Reid eyed Wes and Billy Strait, who had just finished their third loop.
Justyn grabbed a fresh piece of sandpaper and continued smoothing a board he had worked on all morning. He didn’t need this right now. He sanded the grooves on a freshly sawed plank he had placed over two sawhorses. There was a new order for a custom forty-foot vessel, and the customer wanted the boat before the close of summer. It was going to be tight getting her finished in time.
The salt-and-pepper haired men huddled near the bow of the latest work in progress. Justyn kept hearing words like “burn out,” “cost effective,” and “stubborn.” He shook his head.
“Dad, we’re trying to work in here. Do you mind?” Justyn called to his father and Uncle Wes. “It’s a little distracting.”
“Son.” The tall man stepped closer. “Something bothering you today?”
“Uncle Billy, I think what Justyn is trying to say is that we’re under a deadline. That’s all.” Reid shot Justyn a look.
“Yeah, I’m saying that, and asking what in the hell y’all are doing bringing up this garbage? That ship has sailed. We’re in this business, so either support us or get out of the way.” Justyn’s words were clipped.
Billy Strait pursed his lips before sliding his hands in his pockets. “This doesn’t seem like a good time for either of you.” He nodded at his brother, Wes. “Why don’t we check on you boys another time?”
“Dad, didn’t you hear what I said?” Justyn slammed the sandpaper on the board.
Justyn wasn’t himself today, and having their fathers show up unannounced was unnerving, but neither he nor Reid needed to stir up more currents since the waves in the family had finally settled.
“Dad, Uncle Billy, why don’t I show you what I’ve been working on out in the yard? She’s getting picked up tomorrow.” Reid motioned for the men to follow him out the side door.
Before following his nephew to the outside boat yard, Billy stopped in front of Justyn. “Son, I didn’t come here to interfere with your work. Uncle Wes and I were headed to Ruddy Ducks for lunch and thought, what the hell, we’ll stop in and see the boys.” He paused and smiled. “We’re actually really impressed with what you have accomplished.” He slapped his son on the back. “I’m proud.” He walked out into the yard.
Justyn pressed his palms into the sawhorses and closed his eyes. Ten minutes later, Reid entered the boathouse.
“Man, really, you’re not going to call her?” Reid grilled him. “Because that’s what this is all about. The sanding, the piss mood—it’s Blair.”
Justyn shook his head. “Nah, it was a mistake. I shouldn’t have taken her out to the cove like that.”
Justyn kept his head down and focused on smoothing out each bump in the plank’s grain. Sanding was good; it kept him from thinking.
“You sure? Your little girl tantrum just cost us lunch. Blair’s pretty awesome and it’s obvious she has the hots for you. Maggie said she’s waiting for you to call.”
Justyn pulled up from his concentrated work. “Stop right there, man. I don’t want to know what Maggie said Blair said. This isn’t The Bachelor. Ok?” He returned to the messy smoothing process.
“Ok, ok. I’m just trying to help you out. Seems like you’re making a mistake from where I stand.”
“Stay out of it, Reid. It’s complicated.” Justyn sighed.
Reid threw his hands in the air and took a step backward. “I’m out. You do what you’re going do.”
“Thanks. I think I can handle Blair.”
“I’m headed to the office. Looks like you’ve got that sanding under control.” He laughed at his cousin. “I’m still trying to set up the meeting and I’m hoping to get the proposal finished today. You good?”
“Go on. I’ve got this.”
Justyn wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist and tossed the sandpaper in the open trash can. He had already gone through two sheets on just a few boards. This was going to be a long day. He worried he was already behind schedule on sanding, but knew Reid had to focus on the meeting. They needed financial backing or there would be no business.
Blair. Dammit. What was he going to do about that girl? He couldn’t stop thinking about her, or what happened in that cove. The other night on his boat was the best night he’d ever had on any boat—he couldn’t argue with that. But, she was infuriating, stubborn, quick-tempered, argumentative, and temporary.
No matter what he told himself, Justyn knew she was leaving in a month and he could do nothing about it. She had already accepted a job in Dallas, and he was all in with the boat business. Besides, they had just met. It wasn’t as if anyone was going to change his or her career paths because of a summer fling. He picked up another prickly sheet of unused paper and laid it rough side down on the next board.
He had plenty of experience with summer flings. At twenty-six, he had spent his share of summers getting to know vacationing girls at the beach and he knew the drill. Someone always got too attached, no matter what the upfront agreement was. And, usually, it wasn’t him. However, something was different this summer. He could feel it every time he saw Blair. He sanded deeper and longer strides into the plank. This is the way it had to be.
He was making the best decision, right? There was no reason to get involved with her further. He gave her what she wanted the other night. She said she wanted to keep it casual, so why was she mad he hadn’t called?
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Flashes of her long legs crept into his mind, those lips, and the way she dug her nails into his back. The way she purred under his touch and leaned into his body every time he got close.
Oh hell, what am I doing? Justyn tossed the paper on the floor and grabbed his keys. There was a hot-tempered blonde he needed to see.
Two
Justyn
“Will you just tell her I’m here? Please, Maggie.” Justyn rested his hand on the handle of the screen door.
“She’s pissed, Justyn. I don’t know what I can do for you. She doesn’t want to see you.”
“Ok, give me five minutes with her. Please. I messed up. Come on. Let me in.”
He knew Maggie was debating. Blair was her best friend, and if the blonde was mad, there was a good chance he didn’t have a shot. She flicked the hook on the door.
“Ok, but don’t tell her I let you in. She’s in her room.”
Justyn skirted past Maggie and took the steps two at a time. He had never seen the upstairs of the Buttons homestead, but he knew he would find Blair easily. There were only four rooms to choose from.
He had left the boathouse in such a scramble that he didn’t really have a plan. Standing outside of the only closed door on the upper level, he realized he wasn’t exactly sure he knew what he was doing. All he was sure of was that he wanted what was on the other side of the door—even if it was only for one more month.
He inhaled a long, deep breath then rapped on the door with his knuckles.
“Is he gone?” Blair threw open the door. Her eyes narrowed and her hands moved to her hips. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you busy?”
“Come on, darlin’, let me explain.” Justyn waited for Blair to invite him in.
“What is there to explain? What? Do you think I’m mad or something?”
“Well, aren’t you?” Justyn was puzzled. For someone who was supposed to be mad, Blair looked completely calm. Why were girls always so damned confusing?
“Mad? About what?” Blair questioned.
“Can I at least come in?”
Blair stepped to the side and let Justyn walk past her into the inner sanctum of her summer retreat. He noticed the stack of books next to her bed, along with an open journal and pen. She rushed to the tableside and shoved the journal in the top drawer.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
“Blair. I’m sorry. That was a shitty thing I did. It’s not me.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me.” She busied herself in front of the dresser, arranging jewelry and moving her bottles of lotion around.
“Just stop, dammit. Stop.” His voice was angry and sharp.
She spun on the heels of her bare feet to face him.
Softening his tone, he looked at her startled eyes. “I know you’re pissed at me. The grapevine is rather short around here. Ok? And you have a right to be. I screwed up. That’s why I’m here—to say sorry—to tell you why.”
“Ok, why, then?” Blair treaded toward the bed and sat next to him on the white quilt.
“The other night was incredible. Maybe just a little too incredible.” He turned toward her, and realized he wanted to erase the puzzled look from her face and kiss those lips. “I mean. You said this is supposed to be a summer thing and that’s great and all, but it didn’t feel like a summer thing to me. It felt like more. And you’re leaving; I’m staying. I just needed to think. That’s all it was. I needed to clear my head.”
“And what did you come up with on this great thinking escapade of yours?”
“This.” His palm encircled her neck and pulled her toward him so that his lips were brushed against her mouth. “I want this for the rest of the summer.” He hovered there, breathing in and out, with each of Blair’s quickening breaths.
“You sure? You’re ok with us being like this until the end of the summer?”
“Never been surer.” His lips pressed into hers.
Blair responded with a sigh. He wanted to kiss her for the rest of the summer. She pulled herself up and wrapped her legs on either side of his hips. She pushed him back on the bed so she was straddling him.
“Damn, girl.” He grinned.
“Then let’s get this summer started.” She giggled and leaned down to kiss him. Justyn knew then she was turning his world upside down one hot day at a time.
Three
Maggie
Maggie was curled up on the cushiony swing of the porch with her new summer read in her hands. She kicked off the worn floorboards to shove the swing into a smooth and steady motion.
Justyn raced out of the screen door and jogged to his truck parked in the driveway.
“Everything ok?” Maggie called to him as he fiddled with the keys he had left in the ignition.
“Yeah. Great!” He flashed her a wide grin. “See you later, Maggie.”
He threw the truck in reverse and peeled out of the driveway. Maggie placed her book next to her feet. Well, it seemed he and Blair had worked things out. That’s good, she thought. He was a sweet guy, and Blair needed someone to help her take the edge off. As much as she loved her friend, she knew Blair needed someone with a strong personality who could handle her. Justyn was as good at giving it as Blair was.
She blushed. “So, I guess you know we made up?” Blair peeked out of the door. Was she actually blushing, Maggie wondered.
“Is that what you call it?” Maggie laughed at her friend. “Yeah, I thought it would be better to hang out here while you two talked. This is great! Tell me, tell me what did he say?”
“I was thinking we should go to the beach today. What do you think about an all-day girls’ trip to talk about boys?”
Maggie noticed Blair was already sporting her bikini and a cover up.
“Perfect! I’ll go change. Let’s do it!”
The duo found the perfect spot to set up their camp for the day. They each had their own beach bag, fully equipped with lotion, magazines, books, snacks, and much needed hair accessories. They carried the cooler together to the flat, sandy spot, each one grabbing a handle. Their shoulders were loaded down with a beach chair and bag.
“Ok, spill it, chick.” Maggie snapped back the ring on a diet soda and settled in to hear the juicy details.
Blair squealed. “He’s so hot. Seriously, mind-blowing, I-can’t-get-enough hot!”
“That part I know. Tell me, what did he say to make you cave so quickly? You were pissed, girl. You made up faster than I thought you would.”
Blair chewed on her lip a second. “I’m kind of embarrassed I made such a fuss about Justyn not calling. After the afternoon we spent in my room, it seems silly.”
“But what did he say?” Maggie leaned forward.
“You know, he said he was sorry, blah, blah, blah. But he told me he has feelings. Real feelings.”
Maggie sat up in her chair and spit out her sip of diet soda. “What? What about straight up sex?”
“Calm down. We have an understanding. We’re both on the same page. We talked a little and we both know this is only for the summer. We just want to be together this last month.”
“Right. Ok. If you say so. But it sounds like it’s more serious than a summer fling.” Maggie couldn’t see how this could end in any way but total disaster for her friend. Blair put up a tough exterior, but Maggie knew her softer side.
“It’s going to be fun. Sex like that is totally worth it. So anyway, what’s going on with you and your no-attachment-to-Reid relationship?”
Maggie decided to stop pressing about Justyn. When Blair’s mind was made up, there was nothing she could do to persuade her otherwise.
“Ugh! He gives me such mixed signals all the time. I don’t know what’s going on with him. We talk all the time, so I think he’s into me, but he still hasn’t really asked me out. I keep thinking he wanted to get together—just the two of us—but I haven’t seen him since the pier. Do you think he’s put me in the friend zone?”
“What? No. No way. Reid likes yo
u. These island guys are just different.”
“You think so?” Maggie asked, hopeful that everything Blair said was true.
Blair grinned. “Trust me. I know so. Have you told him yet who your dad is?”
Maggie exhaled. “No. It hasn’t come up again, and I don’t know how to say, by the way, that guy you hate, yeah, he’s my dad.”
“When you put it like that, I don’t see how you’ll ever tell him. But maybe you won’t have to. You can probably skate by another month without it coming into play, don’t you think?”
“Well, actually there is something I wanted to talk to you about that has to do with my dad and Reid. Reid has been working on this big proposal for the boat business. He’s trying to pitch the company concept they have to some local investors in Beaufort.”
“Ok, so?” Blair reached into the cooler and pulled out an icy diet soda, slid it into a koozie, and took a sip. “What does this have to do with your dad?”
“So, I think I can help them get real investors for the business, not just low-budget, local money. My dad. I know he has great contacts in Charlotte.”
“So much for skating by for the next thirty days. When are you planning on telling Reid?”
“I don’t want to mention it until I know for sure I have something set up for them. Don’t mention it to Justyn either, ok? It might not even turn into anything.”
“Ok, sure. But are you certain you don’t want to talk to him about it?”
“I don’t want to bother him with it before I can even lay the plan out in front of my dad. I know how to do this. I’m supposed to meet my dad next week for his birthday weekend. I’m going to discuss it with him then. When I get back, we can tell the guys.”
“Wouldn’t that be awesome if you got some big investors involved in their business? Reid would love you.” Blair giggled. “Love you in the no-entanglements kind of way.” She smiled at her friend.