Oceanside by Michelle Mankin

Author:Michelle Mankin [Mankin, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ROCK STARS, SURF AND SECOND CHANCES series
Publisher: Michelle Mankin
Published: 2018-04-14T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ashland

“You’re welcome, little one.” I inhaled and exhaled like I had seen her do to center herself. It helped some, but looking into her approving eyes worked better for me than any yoga breathing technique.

Don’t blow it with her, my cousin had warned.

I didn’t think he had realized at the time just how soon his words would come into play.

Not blowing it meant getting a handle on the jealousy that had crested like a rogue wave inside of me the moment I overheard Fanny mention the fact she had a boyfriend.

It meant realizing that I had her right now looking at me as if she believed in me.

Not him.

It also meant giving her more reasons to believe her faith was well placed.

“Would you mind helping me set the table?” I asked.

“Sure.” So sweet. So eager to please. I set the issue of the boyfriend to the side. Not dismissed, no fucking way, but on the agenda of things to be addressed at a later time.

“Great.” I stood offering my hand to her. She placed hers in mine without hesitation. Proof of her faith. Liking that as much as the way she was regarding me, I drew her up and directly toward me.

“Whoa,” she said, rocking unsteadily. Maybe I had reeled her in a little overzealously. Her hands automatically came toward my chest for balance, but I captured them before they got there, enfolding them in my own. “Ash,” she breathed, peering up at me through her lashes. Ok, maybe this look I liked even better than the other.

“Fanny,” I returned, my tone nearly as urgent. She felt so good in my arms. Our gazes locked together. Her face tipped up to mine. Her compelling warmth. My thighs brushing hers. Our upper bodies separated only by the width of our joined hands.

“So.” Her pink tongue slipped out. She swiped it across her lush lips. They glistened temptingly. Her lids fluttered closed. I swallowed, wanting nothing more than to lower my head and press my lips to hers…to feel, to explore, to learn their texture and shape. Kissing her would be a plunge into pleasure. But not yet. It was too much, too soon. Given her innocence and my unspoken issues, I had to take this slow.

“The others will be back soon,” I reminded her, and her eyes snapped open, their dark grey clouded with disappointment. “So we better get that table set.” My voice rasping along the fine edge of my restraint, my grip tightened betraying my tension.

“I’ll show you where the dishes and cutlery are.” Relaxing my hold on her hands, I took a controlled step back and released her.

“Oh. Ok. Sure. Lead the way.”

I turned to do just that as voices began to drift out of the stairwell. The sound of many footfalls soon eclipsed the softer ones directly behind me.

“Here they are.” I pressed the cabinet door to open it.

“I can get it from here.” Fanny said, slipping into the spot I vacated and offering me a soft nod of efficacy.

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