JENNIE

The following morning, I was sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs in the yard with a cup of coffee when a text popped up from Lisa.

My dad will not shut up about you.

Haha. What's he saying?

Just going on about how sweet you are, how pretty you are, how lucky it was that you showed up when you did. Basically he's in love.

It's mutual.

He told me I should take you out to a fancy restaurant while the kids are gone.

Oh really? And what did you say?

I told him I was already fucking you at home for free.

JERK.

Kidding. If you'd like to go out, we can. I just like being alone with you. I don't want to share. I also don't want people talking.

It's fine. I don't need fancy restaurants. What I need are clothes. Any suggestions?

Lots of skimpy things. Maybe something see-through. Or those panties without a crotch. Might be tough to find in Daisy Harbor.

That's not what I meant. What SHOPS should I go to? I want to buy local.

Oh. I have no idea. Ask Ryujin?

Good idea.

I didn't expect Ryujin to answer, so I was surprised when she picked up. "Hey, Jennie!"

"Hi!"

"I was just thinking about you. How are things going?"

"Great," I told her. "Really great. How's the dig?"

"Fantastic," she bubbled. "Are the kids in California?"

"Yes. They left on Saturday."

"Has my sister been a bear ever since? She's extra hard to live with when she's away from them."

"She's been okay," I said casually, although extra hard was accurate too, just not in the way she meant.

"So you're getting along?"

"Yes."

"Good. Lisa can come off prickly, but once you get to know her, she really is sweet. She'd do anything for people she cares about."

"I can see that about her."

"I don't know how much she's told you, but she practically raised me and my brothers."

"She's told me a little," I said. "Sounds like she had to grow up fast after your mom died."

"Totally. Lisa basically took over as a second parent back then, because my dad had to work so much to support us all. But my dad sort of returned the favor when the twins arrived."

"That's what it sounds like. I know you guys have been through some really hard times, but it's nice how close you all are."

"It is," Ryujin said, emotion in her voice. "And Lisa has been so strong and so supportive of every single one of us. I hope one day she does something for herself."

"Me too. I was asking her about starting her own furniture business."

"Good luck. I'm always on her about that, but she thinks my dad would be upset."

"Would he?"

"I mean, maybe. But he's a grown man. And he's a great father. I think he'd want to know Lisa's true feelings." She sighed. "But my sister is not good at sharing her true feelings, which is probably why she's still single."

"She mentioned she doesn't date."

"Nope, that person lives like a monk."

Not this week, I thought.

"She says she doesn't have the time," Ryujin went on, "and it's true she doesn't have much to spare. But sometimes I think that's just an excuse."

"An excuse for what?"

"She would never admit this, but I think she avoids relationships so she won't have to be real with someone."

"Maybe," I said, thinking that she'd actually been fairly real with me. "Has she always been that way?"

"As far as I can remember. Taeyong told me that even when our mom died, Lisa never broke down. Ever. Our dad even told the them it was okay to cry, but Lisa refused."

A lump was swelling in my throat as I pictured a twelve-year-old Lisa with dark hair and big brown eyes holding her sadness inside because she didn't want anyone to see it. Did she feel like she'd have been letting someone down? Her dad? Her mom? Herself? "That hurts my heart," I said to Ryujin.

"I know. Mine too." She exhaled. "And what sucks is that Lisa would be a great partner, you know? She's so giving. And when she lets herself relax, she's a lot of fun."

Can confirm, I thought.

"But no woman I know wants to be with someone who keeps her feelings under lock and key."

"She does seem to keep some things bottled up," I said, recalling her words. Certain emotions are kind of pointless. "But once she warms up to you, she lets down her guard. I've seen it."

"See if you can get her to leave the house," Ryujin encouraged with a laugh. "Take her on a play date. Go to dinner at The Pier Inn. It's my favorite restaurant in town. The food is great, and the view is amazing."

"I'll try," I said. "I was actually calling to see if you had any suggestions about where to go for some cute clothes. I can order some things online, but I'd like to shop local too."

She named several stores she liked in town, and I made notes in my phone. "Thank you," I said. "I appreciate it."

"No problem. Hey, don't tell Lisa what I said about feelings, okay? She gets mad when I bug her about that stuff."

"No problem. I won't say a word."

After hanging up with her, I texted Lisa again.

Hey. I just talked to Ryujin and she said I need to have dinner at The Pier Inn. Want to go with me?

Meh.

Don't be a stick in the mud. I'll make a reservation.

But people will be there. I don't like people.

I'll be there. You like me, don't you?

Only when you're not trying to get me to do shit I don't want to do.

Come on. Please?

Fine. But you have to let me eat you for dessert.

Deal.

OMG

Your dad better not be standing there reading your texts.

I made him take an early lunch. He wasn't doing any work anyway. Just singing your praises.

Are you sick of hearing about me?

No. But I'm not productive when all I can think about is how you taste.

And all the places on my body I want those red lips.

And what I want to do to you when I get home.

My nipples tightened. I crossed my legs.

You're turning me on.

I'm turning myself on.

I think you should come home for lunch.

Fuck, I want to…

I'll serve your favorite meal.

Be right there.

When she arrived twenty minutes later, I was stretched out on my side on the dining room table, wearing just a black lace bra and matching panties.

She unlocked the back door and came striding through the kitchen, probably on her way upstairs. Spotting me, she stopped and stared. "Holy shit," she said. "I thought you'd be up in bed."

"Want me to move?"

"Don't you dare." She came toward me, and my heart began to pound. "I'm hot and sweaty."

"You're gorgeous."

"Come here." Standing at one end of the table, she grabbed one ankle and tugged me closer to her.

I rolled onto my back and let her pull my underwear off, then I propped myself up on my elbows and watched her push my knees apart. "Goddamn," she said, her eyes on fire.

"Hungry?" I teased.

"Starving. I'm going to devour everything on my plate and lick it clean." She bent down and stroked me with her tongue, one long, decadent sweep.

My stomach muscles tightened, and my legs began to tremble as I watched her head move between my thighs, her mouth slanting this way and that, her hands spread on the edge of the table. When she'd gotten her fill and had me arching and crying out so loud I would never be able to face the neighbors again, she yanked me to my feet, spun me around, and bent me forward over the table.

She placed a hand on my back. "Don't. Move."

I stayed right where I was as she hurried upstairs. She was back in less than fifteen seconds, and stood behind me once more.

I heard her belt buckle coming undone and rose up on my tiptoes, spreading my legs wider. I imagined her freeing her cock from her jeans and rolling on the condom, my core muscles clenching in anticipation.

Both of us moaned as she penetrated my body and began to move. I was already soaking wet, still sensitive from the orgasm she'd just given me. Her hands gripped both my hips as she drove her thick, hard length inside me again and again. She was rough with me, the force of her thrusts rattling my bones, and I cried out with every powerful stroke. She was hitting some hidden spot deep within me, and my body tightened around her like a vise. My eyes watered. My legs hummed. I wished I had something to grab onto, but the table was wide, so all I could do was flatten my palms on its warm, wooden surface. Behind me, Lisa's breaths grew more ragged, her pace more frantic, her fingers digging hard into my flesh until finally she stopped moving and buried herself deep, her cock throbbing rhythmically as my second climax ripped through me.

When it was over, Lisa braced her hands on the table and kissed my back. "Thanks for lunch. What time is dinner?"

I laughed. "You have a very healthy appetite."

She pulled out and kissed my tailbone. "I hope that wasn't too rough."

"It wasn't. I liked it." I let her help me up and turned to face her. "Chan used to call me his teacup, and it always drove me nuts. I'm not some fragile, breakable thing."

"Teacup!" she scoffed. "Fuck that. You're more like . . . a beer mug."

I laughed. "A beer mug?"

"Yeah." She disappeared into the bathroom for a moment but kept talking. "Something sturdy and durable. I mean, you're pretty and all, but you can take a pounding."

"Is that a compliment?" Spying my underwear on the floor, I snagged it and tugged it on. When I turned around, Lisa was standing there, ready to pull me into her arms.

"It was a compliment," she said, holding me close. "You know I think you're strong in every possible way. But I hope I didn't hurt you."

"You didn't." I looped my arms around her waist and tucked my head beneath her chin. Her body was warm and smelled sweaty, but it was a good sweat—hard-work-in-the-sunshine sweat.

"I never want to hurt you." Her voice was quiet but strong.

I closed my eyes. "You won't."

That afternoon, Lisa texted me that Taeyong needed her help at the bar tearing out the old bathrooms and told me not to worry about making dinner—they were just going to grab sandwiches. She said she'd message me when she got home.

Since I had a little extra time, I walked down to the senior mixer, taught my dance class, and stayed around afterward chatting with some of people who'd attended. After arriving back at home, I made myself some boxed mac and cheese for dinner, but I ate it with a salad using veggies from the farmers' market, so I figured it all evened out. When I was done eating, I cleaned up the kitchen and went back to my apartment.

Around ten p.m., I took a shower and got ready for bed. In the bathroom mirror, I examined the bruises she'd left on my hips, surprised to find myself aroused by them.

But maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. Maybe it made perfect sense that I would like wearing the evidence of Lisa's powerful desire for me, that they made me feel strong and sexy. Maybe it was part of reclaiming my body as my own—I could decide when pain felt good. I could decide that bruises were beautiful. I could decide to be a canvas for my own pleasure—and for hers.

I checked my phone one last time before crawling into bed, trying not to feel disappointed that she hadn't texted or called. A glance out the window told me her truck wasn't in the driveway.

Get over it, I scolded myself. It's just one night. It's just sex. Okay, maybe it's earth-shaking, mind-blowing, soul-shattering sex, but you went without it for twenty-nine years, so you can certainly handle going without it tonight.

But we only had three nights left. What was I going to do when our time was up and I had to go without it forever?

Don't think about it.

I slammed my eyes shut, but I was still awake when I heard my phone vibrate. My hand shot out to grab it off the nightstand.

Hey. Sorry to text so late. Taeyong was fucking everything up and I had to fix things. You still awake?

Yes.

I'm getting in the shower. Want to keep me company?

Yes.

I'll leave the back door open.

Okay.

Hurry.

I've been hard for you all day.

The shower was running when I slipped inside the bathroom, the marble tiles cool beneath my bare feet. The shower door was steamed up, but the blurry shape of her behind it made my breath come faster. Eagerly, I stripped off my clothes.

She pushed the door open, and my heart careened at the sight of her—wet and muscular and, as promised, already hard.

"Hi," I said breathlessly.

"Hi, baby." She looked me over head to toe, then studied my hips. "Are those marks from me?"

"Yes."

"Fuck." Her hands skimmed over them. "Do they hurt?"

"No."

Her dark eyes smoldered. "Will you think I'm a dick if I tell you I like the way they look?"

I shook my head. "Will you think I'm crazy if I ask for more?"

"I think you're fucking perfect." Wrapping her arms around me, she sealed her mouth to mine as the hot water streamed down our bodies. Her hands roamed freely, gliding easily over my wet skin, while her tongue stroked mine with possessive fervor. I worked my hands up and down the solid length of her erection as the steam rose around us.

She turned me to face the wall and pressed up tightly behind me, reaching between my legs with one hand and covering my breast with the other. I braced my hands on the tiles, which were rectangular, charcoal gray, and laid in a herringbone pattern. It was so cool, I was momentarily distracted. "Wow, this shower is gorgeous. Did you remodel this bathroom yourself?"

"Yes."

"I love it."

She slipped a finger inside me. "Can we please talk about that later?"

"Sorry—yes." But god, it turned me on that she was so talented. So good with her hands.

Her lips moved down the side of my throat as her fingers rubbed my clit. She sucked hard on the spot where my neck sloped toward my shoulder. "I want to leave a mark right here," she told me, her voice low and gravelly.

"Yes," I whispered, even though I knew it would be visible in most of my tops. "I want it where I can see it."

With her mouth and tongue working on my neck, she used her hands to deliver an orgasm that turned my bones to jelly. her name was still echoing off the tiles when she turned me to face her. She fisted her cock with one hand while she pinned me back against the wall with her other hand on my throat, her thumb stroking the bruise she'd left with her mouth.

"Fuck," she rasped, her eyes traveling over my skin. "You're so damn beautiful."

Held immobile against the wall, I watched with wide eyes and heavy breaths as she pumped her hand up and down her shaft, the muscles in her arm working, her abs flexing. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her jaw was clenched. "I could come just looking at you."

"Do it," I whispered. "Let me watch. Put it on me."

"Is that what you want?" she growled. "My cum on your skin?"

"Yes," I panted. "You can mark me like no one else ever has."

Within seconds, she was ejaculating onto my stomach in quick, hot bursts. Then she took her hand and rubbed it into my skin—over my breasts, down my ribcage, and over the bruises on one hip.

Finally, she let go of my neck and pulled me toward her, wrapping me in her arms. She didn't say anything right away, and it took a minute for her breathing to slow. I felt her heartbeat against my chest.

"There's something about you that brings out the caveman in me," she said.

"You're not always like this?" I asked.

"Never."

"Good." I smiled, pleased that this was a side of her she'd never shared with anyone else. "Neither am I."

"Let me do something nice for you."

"Like what?"

"Like . . . wash your hair."

I leaned back and looked up at her in surprise. "You want to wash my hair?"

"Yes. I fucking love your hair. I remember the day we met, when you came back after taking your hair down, I couldn't stop staring at you."

"I believe you were scowling at me."

"That was only because I was mad at you for being so beautiful. For making me want you." She let me go and reached for her shampoo bottle. "But I won't hold a grudge if you let me wash your hair."

"With your shampoo? Is my hair going to smell like wood chips and baseball glove?"

"It's all I have," she said apologetically. "But I am very good at washing hair. I won't get soap in your eyes."

I laughed. "Okay. Then it's a deal."

Later, when the lights were off and I was tucked against her side in bed, she told me she'd made a dinner reservation for Saturday night at The Pier Inn.

"You did?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. There was no way we were going to get in so soon without a little help. My cousin Delilah is a manager there. She reserved a table for us at eight."

"That's so nice," I said. "Will I get to meet her?"

"If she's there, I can introduce you."

I smiled. "I'm excited. I want to get something new to wear."

"It's not fancy or anything."

"Hush." I swatted her bare chest. "I want something new for our date night." As soon as I said it, I was sorry. "I didn't mean date night like date date," I said quickly. "I know it's not a date. We're not dating. It's just dinner with a friend."

"Relax," she said. "It doesn't matter what we call it. People are going to see us and make up stories anyway."

"Really?"

"Definitely. By Sunday morning, everyone will know Lisa Manoban took her runaway bride nanny to dinner, and there will be half a dozen rumors about what it means."

I giggled. "What will they think it means?"

"Well, someone will swear to god they saw a ring on your finger, so it probably means we're secretly engaged. Someone else will say they saw us sitting at the seawall at sunset, so you're definitely pregnant. And someone else will say they heard from their sister's best friend's cousin's ex's dog groomer, who lives in Chicago, that I attacked your former fiancé with an axe right on Michigan Avenue."

"Those are some serious rumors."

"Yeah, well, Daisy Harbor is a small town with two specialties: fudge and gossip."

"But it's so charming! Everyone I've met has been so kind. It must have been a wonderful place to grow up. And it's a great place to raise a family."

"It is." She was quiet for a moment. "Do you want kids?"

"Yes. I've always had this dream about belonging to a big family. I was so lonely growing up, so envious of kids at school who had lots of brothers and sisters and cousins around."

Her hand began to stroke my shoulder, soothing and sweet.

"But pursuing that dream wasn't as easy as pursuing dance. It would have meant handing over a part of me I was used to keeping to myself. My mom always said, Guard your heart like it's your home. Be careful who you let in. I did a good job of that."

Lisa didn't say anything, but her hand continued to caress me.

"I think that's part of why I agreed to marry Chan. I had this idea that being part of a family like his would fulfill that yearning I'd had as a child." My fingers played on her chest. "But it backfired. His family was awful. I didn't fit in, they never accepted me, and I ended up feeling unwanted all over again."

"What do you mean all over again?" Lisa asked quietly. "Who didn't want you before?"

"Well—my father," I said. "And my grandparents. The only other family I had besides my mom."

Her hand stilled for a moment.

"That probably sounds stupid," I said quickly. "Because it's not like they knew me and rejected me. It wasn't personal. They just didn't want me in the first place. But it . . . it felt personal. I always wondered what was wrong with me."

"There is nothing wrong with you." She pulled me in a little tighter and kissed my head. "There never was."

"Except that I can't seem to get a relationship right, which is eventually a problem if you want a family."

"And yet somehow I managed it," she said wryly.

I smiled. "You did. But I'd like to share a life with someone. I just need to get better at trusting people not to hurt me. Or at least better at choosing who to put my trust in." I picked up my head and looked at her. "I can't depend on you to punch every guy that hurts me."

"I would," she said seriously, tucking my damp hair behind my ear. "Honestly, I fucking would."

My heart liked that a little too much.

"God, I didn't mean to dump all this on you." I put my head down again. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'm glad you did. I like knowing things about you."

"I like knowing things about you too. You just don't talk as much as I do."

"No one talks as much as you do. Not even Ryujin."

"Okay, but tell me one thing about yourself."

"Like what?"

I thought for a moment. "Who did you admire most growing up?"

"My dad," she said without missing a beat. "He was always the strongest person I ever knew. I wanted to be like him."

"You are," I said softly.

She kissed my head again and sniffed. "You're right—your hair totally smells like wood chips and baseball glove."

Laughing, I put my arms across her chest and held her tight.

But my smile faded when I remembered that we only had three more nights together.

I didn't want this to end.