Page 69 of Dandelion Sighs

“You can put your tongue on anything you want.”

I turned into a marshmallow, getting hot and soft inside. Just like he was doing to me. “Deal.”

“That’s just the beginning. I have three more condoms, and I think that counter in the kitchen is the perfect height.”

“I’m supposed to rent it out to guests in a couple of weeks.”

“The guests are going to be doing the same thing, and that’s what the cleaning closet is for.”

I might have to fan myself. “After that you’ll have two condoms left.”

“There’s going to be more soaking in the tub.” He snapped his fingers. “You need a hot tub.”

“I can’t afford one.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” He rubbed his thumb along his lower lip. “I think the third condom will get used in the morning.”

Three times? A tremor worked its way down my spine. “I might need all my energy for painting.”

“I’ll do all the work.”

I laughed, the sound carrying across the lawn. “I do like the sound of it.”

He grinned and finally reached for his s’more. “So that’s the plan.”

“It sounds strenuous.”

“We don’t have to follow through. We can do whatever we want.”

“You’re good at that.”

He stopped with his treat closer to his mouth, confusion etched into his brow.

My arousal was thoroughly doused. Crap. I hit him where it hurt and I hadn’t meant to. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I was being playful, and I sucked at it.”

“You don’t suck at it. I’m just being sensitive.” He took a bite. The muscles in his jaw bunched before he swallowed.

“I really didn’t mean⁠—”

“I know.” He finished eating his s’more.

The quiet was uncomfortable when the crackling of the logs should’ve been anything but. “I’m sorry.”

“Sheridan, it’s not you. And you’re not wrong.” He adjusted his ball cap and blew out a breath. “I was coasting. I wasn’t planning. How could I fly by the seat of my pants for months and not even apply for a job?”

The flutters in my stomach turned to cramps. I pressed a hand to my gut. I’d said that before. To my ex. Had I unconsciously jabbed Jasper where it’d hurt? Was I trying to keep a distance between us? Just sex was easier if I kept reminding myself why we wouldn’t work beyond, well, work.

“I don’t know about you,” I said honestly, “but I also have been accused of not making a plan. Or that they’re not well thought out.”

“I always believed that there was such a thing as thinking too much.”

“I haven’t been accused of that. Only by you.”

He held his arms out. “Guilty. It’s my job to make sure you don’t overthink.”

Everything we’d done last weekend ran through my head, leaving behind a sizzling heat. “You have a unique method. I’m a fan.”

His grin turned wolfish. “I’d like to get started on that. We have an early morning.”