Page 41 of #Resort Love (Lakeview Harbor #1)

“We all just really hit it off from the get-go. And back then, we didn’t realize how different we all were or how different our backgrounds were.

Axel grew up in foster care. Connor comes from a very wealthy family, and Milo was primarily raised by his grandparents.

Slater’s dad was a professional baseball player, so he came to the resort with his mom and grandparents while his dad was on the road for the season. ”

“Dang, that’s something else he never mentioned! Is there a reason for that? Like, do they have a bad relationship?”

“No, nothing like that. His dad wasn’t around a lot while he was growing up, but they’re close now. They do a lot of these extreme sports and adventures together. It’s really kind of cool to see.”

“Then how come…?”

“Growing up, a lot of people only befriended him because of his dad. I think he just learned not to bring it up. If you mentioned it to him, he wouldn’t be offended, just don’t…you know…gush.”

“Believe me, I wouldn’t. I don’t follow baseball, so even if you told me his dad’s name and all his accomplishments, it would mean nothing to me.”

“Good to know.” He paused. “Let’s see…who else…oh, Jayce! He used to come up with his extended family and they would spend weeks at the resort. Kelsey’s family always had the cabin next to them and the two of them were friends from the time they were young.”

“I love their story,” she said. “Kelsey told me how they reconnected at the resort and it was like the universe wanted the two of them together. I mean…what are the odds of them both showing back up all those years later at the same exact time?”

He nodded. “I know. It was wild, for sure. Kelsey became best friends with Lexi Sullivan. They were the only girls we allowed in our group, but they were cool, so it was okay.” He chuckled.

“Once we hit our teens, Kelsey and Jayce sort of started getting closer, and the same happened with Lexi and Connor.”

“Ooh…and what happened to Lexi? Do you still keep in touch with her?”

“We do. She and Connor didn’t really last beyond the summers because his family didn’t approve. They had money, Lexi’s didn’t.”

“Seriously?”

“Oh, yeah. It was a big thing. Their summers, though? They spent every minute they could together, but by the time we were all in high school, we stopped coming as often, and they just drifted apart. Lexi got married and has a son, Connor married someone his parents approved of, had a daughter, and then got divorced. Sometimes I wonder if he ever confronted them about their taste in women they thought were right for him, but I didn’t think he’d appreciate the reminder. ”

“Probably not.” Just thinking about that made her sad because it was a lot like her and Walker. He came from money, but she didn’t. And then there was the whole her dad’s a murderer thing, so…where would that leave them?

“There were a bunch of other kids, but we lost touch with most of them,” he went on, unaware of her inner turmoil. “But that’s the way it usually is, right? You don’t stay friends with everyone from camp.”

“I guess not,” she commented, but wouldn’t know personally. There’d never been enough money for her to go to camp.

Sigh.

The rest of the drive they talked about hobbies—Walker mentioned that he brought his guitar with them and casually mentioned that there was some scheduled painting time at the glamping resort. Like a group of people with canvases could paint the scenery.

While drinking wine and enjoying a charcuterie board.

“When I saw that, I knew this was the resort for us to go to.”

Tears stung her eyes at his words. “That’s another thing I didn’t see on the website. How did you find all this out?”

“I read reviews and then I called the resort directly. I wanted there to be stuff that you’d enjoy. It shouldn’t only be about one of us enjoying ourselves.”

“Um…Walker? The two of us alone? We were both definitely going to enjoy ourselves.”

His grin was downright sexy. “I can’t wait to get you alone in our tent.”

“Believe me, I’m looking forward to it too.” She sighed happily. “How much longer?”

“Ten minutes. So let’s keep the conversation PG until we’re all checked in.”

And they did.

Dinner options, guitar tuning, favorite types of paint…and before she knew it, they had arrived.

Check-in went smoothly, and they were given a map with directions to their private campsite.

They couldn’t take their cars, but bell services—who knew a campsite would have such a thing?

—could take them there by golf cart. Walker was ready to decline the offer, but she reminded him of how much faster they’d get to be alone.

“Yes, thank you!” he said excitedly. “We’d love a ride to the tent!”

Five minutes later, she was standing in front of a massive tent that looked like a small house.

It had wood framing that the canvas—or whatever material it was—was fitted over it.

You could open it in the front and back for a good cross-breeze, and inside was exactly as the website described.

It had everything you’d find in a hotel room or one of the cabins at Walker’s resort.

It was cozy and rustic, and really rather nice.

Out back was a hot tub with a privacy wall around it. The nearest tent was easily ten yards away, but she still had to wonder about total privacy.

Like if they wanted to get loud while making love.

I guess we’ll find out…

Walker put their bags—and guitar—down and followed her around the room, checking everything out. Flavored coffee pods, super plush robes, tons of pillows on the bed…

He came up behind her, his large hands gripping her hips. “I can’t wait to get you naked in that hot tub.”

Shivers of delight ran up and down her spine. “I like the sound of that. But do we do that before we test out the bed, or after?”

He began peeling her shirt off, his breath hot along her throat. “After. Definitely after. I’ve been thinking about seeing you here all week.”

She hummed seductively, tilting her head to give him better access. “All week, huh? That is a very long time.”

“I dreamed of having you alone like this. Both of us away from work and all our worries. Nothing to think about but relaxing and enjoying each other.”

“Mmm…yes…”

Slowly, Harlow turned in his arms, smoothing her hands up over his abs and chest. There were so many sexy thoughts and things she wanted to say, but the look of pure desire on his face stopped her.

She didn’t want to talk; she wanted to feel, to give him everything he’d been dreaming about this week.

She took one step back and then another until she was next to the bed. Without a word, she kicked off her shoes and shimmied out of her jeans. Standing there in nothing but her bra and panties, she crooked a finger at him.

It was like waving the red flag in front of a bull.

One minute she was standing, the next she was momentarily airborne before landing on the bed. Walker followed her down, and after that, he did a very thorough job of showing her everything he’d been thinking about.

They’d made love and then soaked in the hot tub.

They’d gone to dinner at the resort, soaked in the hot tub again, and made love a second time.

Over the course of the weekend, they’d played miniature golf, gone on a leisurely bike ride, Harlow painted, Walker played guitar, and they’d even managed to do a little kayaking.

Sunday came way too soon and she hated the thought of packing up and going back to reality.

This break was such a wonderful thing for them and it sucked that it was over already.

They were both a little quiet on the drive home. They talked about what they loved about the weekend and how they’d consider coming back, but there were a lot more lulls in the conversation than there had been on the drive on Friday.

“Do you want to stop anywhere on the way home and have an early dinner, or should we just pick up something and eat at your place?”

“I’m good with either,” she told him. “But if I had to choose, probably takeout at my place. What about you?”

“I’m good with that. When we get closer to home, let’s call something in.”

So that’s what they did. Harlow called in an order for Chinese food and they picked it up as they drove through town.

At her apartment, they slowly made their way inside, and she hoped he was going to stay for the night.

Her tiny place wasn’t nearly as nice as that glamping tent was—which was a little depressing now that she thought about it—but she wanted to extend their weekend just a little more.

Walker put her bag in her bedroom while she set up their dinner. They opted to watch some TV and eat on the couch. It was mindless and while nothing like the weekend they’d just enjoyed, there was something to be said about unwinding before having to go back to work the next day.

They shared dumplings and crab rangoon.

They laughed in all the right places in the sitcom they were binging on.

And when they were done, they worked together to clean up before Harlow took Walker by the hand and led him into her bedroom.

He grinned and let her take the lead. “I guess we’re gonna end the weekend with a bang, huh?”

Laughing, they fell onto the bed and thoroughly enjoyed the hell out of each other until they were too exhausted to stay awake.

And it was perfect.