Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
After my terrible breakup with Daniel, the last thing I wanted was to get into another relationship. But Daniel breaking my heart had opened the door for me to explore my sexuality. I’d previously resigned myself to only ever being with one guy, but I’d always been curious what it would be like to be with someone else—someone new and exciting. Maybe a little older and mysterious. Maybe that was asking for trouble, but I couldn’t quell this itch inside of me right now.
Yet I was still stalling when it came to clicking on the message. I stared down at Tate’s photo again. In it, he was leaning against a truck, dressed in a fitted, charcoal gray shirt with his inked forearms crossed. His blue eyes shined. He was an unattainable type of gorgeous. Why this guy needed an app to meet women was beyond me. Surely all he’d have to do was go to a bar, and women would flock to him. But maybe he didn’t want to deal with all that, and the app was just easier.
Since I’d never used a hookup app before, it had taken me a while to create my profile. I’d selected a fake name—Delores—and made myself ten years older, twenty-nine. Maybe that was a bit much, but it was too late to change it now, at least as far as Hot Lobby Viking Guy was concerned. In retrospect, I probably could’ve picked a more age-appropriate name—okay, a lot more age appropriate. I didn’t know anyone under the age of seventy named Delores.
I’d said I was willing to meet men within a one-mile radius, and the app had shown me three options. Two were men in their sixties, so I immediately rejected them. (I hadn’t set an age limit, but that was taking it too far.) The last one, though, was Hot Lobby Viking Guy, whose message was currently burning a hole in my phone. And he had a name now. Tate. That seemed to fit him.
Am I really gonna do this?
I stared at his image a little longer before biting the bullet. I remembered being unable to take my eyes off him the day I’d checked in. He was stunning, his slight dark beard peppered with a few hints of gray. But I hadn’t seen him again since that first day. I might’ve convinced myself I’d imagined him were it not for today.
After I closed my eyes for a moment, I clicked.
Tate: Is it really you? I haven’t seen you since check-in.
He remembered me?
I typed.
Delores: You remember me?
A few seconds later, he responded.
Tate: I saw you looking over at me in the lobby a few days ago, but I haven’t seen you since. How is that possible? This place isn’t that big. Where did you disappear to?
He had to mention that I’d been checking him out that day? Even if it was true, it sucks that he noticed.
Delores: Apparently, it’s big enough if we haven’t run into each other since.
Tate: I have to admit, I’m relieved.
Delores: Why is that?
Tate: I thought you were a lot younger. When I saw you were 29 on the profile, it was an easy swipe.
Crap. Guilt set in as I typed.
Delores: I guess that makes us seven years apart.
Or seventeen. Details.
Tate: Are you here at Midnight Key alone? I assumed you were with someone.
Delores: All by my lonesome. How about you?
Tate: I’m here alone as well.
Bracing myself, I decided to make the first move.
Delores: Do you want to meet up?
Tate: Absolutely. Where would you like to meet?
Shit was getting real. This guy could easily overpower me, and I had to look out for my safety, at least until I got to know him.
Delores: The kiddie pool.
Tate: LOL. The kiddie pool?
Delores: Yup. I have no idea who you are. So I’d prefer a safe place.
Tate: Ah. OK then. Smart. Can’t fault you for that. Kiddie pool it is.
Delores: Want to say half an hour?
Tate: Sounds good to me. See you then.
Holy crap. This is really happening.
Chapter 2
* * *
BLAIR
Not wanting to seem too eager, I decided to show up at the kiddie pool five minutes late. Wearing a black mesh cover-up over my pink bikini, I walked slowly toward where I was supposed to be meeting Tate.
Goose bumps formed on my arms as I spotted the brawny hottie sitting on one of the chairs typically occupied by parents looking on as their kids swam. He hadn’t noticed me yet, so I took a moment to admire him from afar while also attempting to calm my nerves. Next to him on a small table were an assortment of drinks. He was wearing shades, but there was no mistaking him. His was a body you didn’t forget. Maybe it was a little ridiculous that I’d had him meet me here. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now it felt kind of odd.