My lips pressed against hers in a butterfly-level kiss, soft, testing her response. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled back, keeping one hand on her cheek as I used the other to open my phone. "Hayden wants me to come get her."
Saylor stepped back, and I wasn't sure what she was thinking from her expression. Did she regret the kiss or the interruption?
Either way, it didn't matter because Hayden came first.
Saylor smiled reassuringly. "I'll clean up and wait for the fire to burn out."
"Thanks," I said as I moved away from her, wondering if I was making a mistake leaving in this moment. Hayden was my priority. She was the reason I'd left the military, and I wanted to be here for her in moments like this. Hayden needed me. I didn't have a choice.
Chapter Ten
Saylor
I watched Marshall walk away from me. Logically, I knew he had to go. His daughter would always come first, and I understood that. But the romantic side of me wanted a moment with him that wouldn't be interrupted.
I touched my lips, which were still tingling from that soft kiss. Would he have continued if Hayden hadn't texted? Would we still be kissing under the stars or dancing to another song?
Was walking in on me in the bathtub a catalyst for a more intimate night? Had it broken down some of the walls between us? Was he considering revisiting our relationship?
I wasn't sure how I felt about that. We were roommates, and I was helping him with his daughter. But we were both adults who were physically attracted to each other. And we had a history.
I wondered if we were together, if he would have joined me in the tub. I kind of liked the idea of him slipping into the bath with me before we made dinner together. It was a domestic scene I'd never craved before.
We were playing house together and flirting with a relationship, cooking in the kitchen, spending time in front of the fire, and dancing by the pool.
It was romantic. Intimate even. But what did this kiss mean? Did he want more? Would it have led to more if we hadn't been interrupted?
I sat in the chair by the fire, my entire body vibrating with unrestrained desire. I wanted him, and it wasn't because we dated before or that I felt like I was in love with him at some point in the past. It was because I liked the man he was now.
I wanted to get to know this man better. I wanted to explore this thing between us. But there were other things at play: his daughter, his family… and I needed to leave at the end of the summer.
I waited by the fire, running the possible scenarios through my head. Could we start something even though I'd be leaving in August? What would that be? A summer fling? A rebound? Was that a good idea?
Sometime later, the slider opened, and Hayden said, "You had a fire without me?"
I laughed at her enthusiasm. "I didn't realize you wanted one."
"Dad is grabbing the makings for s'mores," Hayden said as she sat next to me. "This is so nice."
I smiled, my stress dissipating. "Did you have a good night with your friend?"
Hayden sighed as she relaxed against the cushions. "It was nice to talk to another girl, you know? I missed seeing my friends in person."
"I bet." Friendships were important. The reminder only highlighted the fact that mine had been radio silent since I discovered Flynn's betrayal.
Marshall came outside with a box of graham crackers, a bag of marshmallows, chocolate squares, and the spears for the fire. He popped open the bag and speared the marshmallows with the sharp ends before hanging one to each of us.
We stood and moved closer to the fire, trying to find the perfect flame to heat our sweets. Once mine was browned, I removed it from the fire and handed it to Marshall to stack the s'more.
Marshall raised a brow. "Is yours done?"
"You have to wait until it's black," Hayden said.
"I didn't realize you like your marshmallows burned," Marshall said, and I wondered if he was thinking about how much else he'd missed about his daughter over the years.
"That's the best," Hayden said with a smile.
I hadn't seen her this relaxed since they'd moved in. She was usually tense and quick to talk back to Marshall. But tonight, she was easygoing and happy. I wondered if it was hanging out with a girlfriend that had prompted the change. If so, Marshall should encourage her to spend more time with friends on the island.
