Page 86 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

As I tuned out of the goings-on around me, the sun sank below the horizon. It would be dark soon, making it even easier for me to hide. Emma had drifted off.

While I stared at the flames licking at the wood, I sensed eyes on me. When I glanced across the fire to my right, my gaze landed on Dana, who didn’t disguise she was staring.

Ugh.Dana was all I needed. Or maybe she was exactly what I needed. I’d clear Robyn from my brain and take care of the ache between my legs. The ache that started in the woods this morning. It seemed like a perfect solution.

I gave her a half smile, and she returned my smile. When I raised my eyebrows, she mimicked my gesture, so I ran my tongue around my lips, only to watch her do the same.

Nonchalantly, I walked over to the pile of wood and picked up two logs. When I returned to place them on the fire, I squeezed between Dana’s chair and the empty one sitting next to her. After I’d added them to the fire, I turned, and as I brushed past Dana, I said, “Meet me behind Lovingkindness Lodge in fifteen minutes.”

That path was the least traveled and most overgrown. It was perfect to escape everyone.

“I’ll be there,” I heard her say as I walked away.

I found Emma, and guilt rose in me, but I pushed it aside. Having my needs met shouldn’t be guilt producing. “Hey, Em. I’m gonna take a walk and then call it a night.”

She took a few steps back from the group she’d been talking with. “Do you want me to come with you?”

I’d anticipated her reaction, so I already had my response prepared. I shook my head. “No. I need some me time.”

Emma gave me a sympathetic nod, which made my deception feel even lousier. Still, it wasn’t like I was betraying her. Tomorrow, I’d be a model citizen and take part in all the classesextra hard. Well, except for the sharing circle. At the thought, my stomach dropped.

No.Robyn wouldn’t interfere with my pleasure.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” We both knew it was a lie. Although, I wished she could tell me why I felt like this.

Fuck it.In ten minutes, I’d forget all about this mood. Dana would ensure that.

Emma put her arm around my waist and gave me a side hug. “If you need me, I’ll be out here.”

“Thanks.” I smiled, hoping to ease the worry lines around her eyes. “A brisk walk and a good night’s sleep will do me wonders.”

I hurried off before she could quiz me any further or decide she needed to come along despite my objections. Once I’d cleared the fountain in the middle of the square, which blocked most of the firepit, I shortened my stride.

I didn’t want to appear overly eager to Dana. We’d had a week of foreplay, so this wouldn’t take long. My gaze shifted between Lovingkindness Lodge and Harmony House as I walked down the path between the two buildings.

Halfway down the path, a shed came into view. It sat about twenty yards off the path and had a dim light burning in front. A whistle sounded, so I strained my eyes and made out the shape of Dana. I’d expected she’d walk to the end of the path, but this would do.

I made my way through the trampled grass that served as a path. About ten feet from the shed, I stepped into a graveled area.Good.At least weeds wouldn’t surround us.

In the dim lighting, I could see Dana’s smirk as I approached. Her hungry gaze eliminated the need for conversation. Which was perfect because I wasn’t in the mood for talking. Excitement flashed in her eyes as I pushed her against the shed.

“By the look in your eyes, you wanna tear my clothes off,” Dana said.

I put my finger against her lips. There was nothing I wanted to say, so I pressed my body against hers. Then Robyn’s face flashed through my mind. I pressed harder into Dana, hoping to chase the images away. Instead, a series of images invaded my thoughts. Robyn dressed up forWicked.Robyn in her casual outfit. Robyn in her kayak. Robyn facilitating a session. And her face while we danced in the woods.

I stepped back—or more like jumped.

Dana’s eyes widened, and she reached for me.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered as I took another step back. “I can’t do this.”

Dana’s expression turned from confusion to irritation to anger. “What the fuck, Blake?”

“I’m sorry,” I said again, moving farther away from her. “I have to go.”

Before she could respond, I hurried down the overgrown trail.