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“That’s so fucking hot,” she groaned, picking up the pace, fingers meltingly good against my clit, sending pleasure flooding through me. “Want you to come for me, babe—come while I play with your perfect pussy—”

I gripped my hands tighter against her, rocking her hips on my thigh, grinding against her wetness, as she pushed me over the edge—I went with a cry, barely muffled enough for how public we were right now, and Brooklyn gave herself over too, collapsing against me as the two of us moved together, orgasm explosive in all of my senses until I softened, melted, into her at the same time she did into me, looking at me with that gentle gaze of total adoration.

“Brooklyn…”

“Do you think we were too loud?”

I laughed breathlessly, luxuriating in the way she kept her hand against me, still working slowly, gently, just short of overstimulation. “I… don’t care.”

“Okay, yeah, me neither. God, you’re so beautiful.”

I slipped my hands up, cupping her face, and I whispered, “You too, Brooklyn. The most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

I kissed her, softly, sweetly, adoring in every way, and her eyes shone as she met mine, and said, softly, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Mm. Better than sad masturbation, I assume.”

She laughed shortly. “Much. Yeah, lots better. Are you done, or do I get to drop down here and lick your pussy?”

“Wow. Um…” I cleared my throat. “I think I need, like, a glass of water first. And then that sounds great.”

She laughed, planting another kiss against me before she stood up, a little wobbly. “I will be right back with that. You keep your cute ass right there and wait for me.”

Oh, I’d wait for her. And look at her cute ass, too, while she was walking.

I tilted my head back to look out over the water—at the old life that lay somewhere beyond it—and I laughed. To myself, to the world. Didn’t matter.

Not half bad, as far as vacations went.

Epilogue

Brooklyn

Greer took the rag out of my hand as I turned to wipe down the bar for the millionth time, and I limply protested.

“Go get out of my bar,” she said lightly, and it wasn’t like I wanted to argue, but it felt like the right thing to do.

“It’s Friday. Last Friday of the summer. We’re going to be slammed. And all you’ve got for the next hour is Ramón.”

She smiled serenely. “I know. I’m making my peace with the situation. But there’s a fifty percent chance that you’ll quit to go see your girlfriend if we keep you any longer. Move along. Tell her I said hi.”

I relaxed, tossing the rag into the hamper, giving her a grateful smile. “You’re not the worst boss I’ve ever had, y’know.”

“And you’re not my least favorite employee. Okay, go. I’ve got things to do here.”

Well, she didn’t have to tell me twice. I didn’t think I’d ever changed out of my uniform so fast, practically tripping over myself as I swept through the back and changed down to my light summer shirt, and I was out the door faster than Ramón could spot me and try to pull me in for a meandering chitchat.

The airport was bustling with activity when I got there, which meant I wasn’t a moment too soon—there weren’t exactly a ton of flights in and out of the place, so it must have been Ryan’s flight that had landed and was waiting to deplane. I parked the car as close as I could and took quick steps across the lot, half-running by the time I got to the arrivals gate, and I did a double take when I saw Allison close to the doorway, looking a little frazzled in her work uniform but giving me a shit-eating grin.

“I thought you were working,” I said, making my way over to punch her shoulder playfully. She laughed, returning the gesture.

“Look who’s talking. I knowyouwere on the schedule today.”

“Yeah, well, Greer didn’t want me sad-puppying at work thinking about missing Ryan at the airport. You don’t have an excuse. Your girlfriend’s not the one showing up.”

She laughed. “I don’t need an excuse. I told them I wasn’t feeling well enough to keep going for the day. I didn’t feel like sticking around.”

I folded my arms with a scoff, falling back against the wall as the crowds kept chattering around us. “Getting a girlfriend ruined you. Your work ethic’s down the toilet.”