Don't Tell (Don't 1)

“So, do you want to see it?” I stepped back to gauge his mood. His smile was wide and his blue eyes toyed with me.

“I think it’s a great idea.”

“Ok, since you like that one so much, I have another one for you.” I was worried my second pitch might not be so easy.

Cole was focused on the edge of my tank top. The more he stared, the heavier my breathing became. “Hey, I’m trying to help you here. Can you stop undressing me every second with your eyes?” I looked over to see if Grayson was listening or watching us, but he was gripping a yellow crayon now.

“Would you rather I use my hands?” He tugged on the edge of my shirt, and I felt the heat tingle under my skin.

“Cole, for real. This is serious.” I pushed his hand down. “And we aren’t alone. I have an idea that might get you over this financial crisis, temporarily at least.”

He backed away. “Ok, if you have something, I’m all ears … and eyes.”

“One of the best views in this whole place is from the pool deck. From there you can see the ocean. You’ve got the pool, and it’s right in the center of the Dunes.” I nodded to the pool at the end of the motel’s property.

“Ok, go on.” He leaned against the wall.

“So, I think there is a way to capitalize on what you have. What if you have a luau and charge a small cover? We can get Sasha and her friends and Cal and Lance to help us organize it and spread the word.” I smiled and waited for his reaction.

Cole crossed his arms. “You want me to host a keg party?”

“It’s not just a keg party. I know you’re not into the party scene and neither am I, but I’ve been to a few and they can make a ton of money. We can advertise online, and I bet Sasha could sneak a few flyers through the resort. Come on. It could work. We’re talking an easy few thousand dollars. It will be enough to give you some breathing room until the end of the summer. And with Grayson here, I think it’s worth a shot.”

“I’m going to guess you already ran this by Sasha.” Both of his eyebrows were raised, making his blue eyes bigger.

“I might have mentioned it to her.” I bit down on my lip and walked from behind the desk.

“A few thousand dollars definitely wouldn’t hurt.” He rubbed his jaw.

“I’ll organize the whole thing. You just keep working on the rooms and I’ll take care of the luau, and Grayson. I can do social media posts while he naps.” I stopped in front of Cole. “Really, all you have to do is promise to be my date.”

He hooked my waist with his right hand and drew me against his chest. “Deal. But you have to promise it will stay under control.”

“Nothing crazy. Promise.”

“And you’ll wear one of those coconut bras.” His finger traced the strap along my shoulder.

I laughed. “If I can find one.”

“A party planning business woman,” he teased as his head dipped toward the exposed skin on my chest. I leaned back to let him kiss me.

“Yes, and if I’m going to pull this off, I need to get started, and you need to get to work on showerheads or doorknobs.” I inhaled as his lips grazed the top of my breast.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Party planning was definitely less appealing than Cole taking me on the office desk again, but this was business. We’d have all night to play. After we put the little one to bed.

“Go. Go fix something.” I shoved him out the door and turned to face my new work buddy.

I pulled out my phone. I needed to call Sasha before I purchased the first tiki torch.

“Hey, you have a second? I could use your help. Cole says the luau’s a go.”

23

Kaitlyn

Sasha was a godsend. Her parents had a storage shed of party supplies. Her mother was a retired wedding planner on the island and had never emptied out her decorations.