Page 31 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)
“ T his view!” I nearly gasp, entering a room with floor-to-ceiling windows. “How perfect to be staring at the lake while thinking about social media ideas for boating on Geneva Lake!”
Brandon leans against the door as I continue to take in the large, cozy room.
The big bed is tightly made like a hotel, and there’s a sitting area with a couch, a chair, and a coffee table.
“I love how excited you are about this. If you want to take a break, I’ll be on the patio, sitting by the fire. ”
“Sounds good,” I say, flopping on the bed with my laptop and phone in hand. He leaves, and I tap my phone. It’s a little after seven. I’ll work for an hour and then join him.
Arranging the pillows to give me back support, I start reviewing the boat rental’s existing social media, creating a SWOT analysis.
Strengths: They already have a couple thousand followers on each channel.
Weaknesses: Their posts are all over the place.
Some look professional. Some are terrible.
They don’t have any posting cadence. Opportunities: video.
There are no videos. Brand voice. There’s no personality.
Threats: Time to see what his competitors are doing.
There’s a soft knock at the door. I look up and see Brandon with a glass of water in hand and some clothes in the other.
“I’m going to bed, but I thought you might want to sleep in something else.”
I look at the time on my laptop. “Shit,” I breathe. I’ve been working on this analysis for three hours already.
“So passionate,” Brandon says, setting the water glass on the bedside table.
I smile up at him, thinking how he is the sweetest guy I’ve ever hung out with. Staring into his big blue eyes, I’m so conflicted, but I know he wants something serious and I’m just not ready yet. “What’s your stance on cuddling?” I ask.
“In general? I’m a big fan.”
“What about right now?”
He groans, and I pout.
“You know how I feel about that pout …”
“That’s why I’m pouting,” I say, hopeful he will cuddle with me.
He exhales. “If I sleep next to you, please don’t try anything else.”
“Okay.” I instantly smile, although I would like to return the favor to him at some point. I mean he’s made me come twice, and I’ve never touched him like that.
“Taylor. I’m serious,” he says, deeply staring into my eyes, making me wonder if he can hear my thoughts.
“I know,” I whisper. “I’ll behave.”
“Let me change.” Brandon squeezes my shoulder, and I can’t hold back a smile as my eyes flick down him. “I smell like the fire.” He pokes my stomach, then turns to leave.
I feel so giddy when I’m with him.
I chug the water, grab the clothes he left, and then go to the bathroom. Washing my hands, I’m smirking, too happy to cuddle him tonight. I pull back the covers and slide into the bed, waiting for him. Brandon steps back in with a T-shirt and shorts, and I giggle seeing his nearly knee-high socks.
“I have to sleep with socks on,” he says, understanding why I’m laughing, and slides in next to me. We roll to face each other, and his thumb brushes my cheek. “It’s very hard to say no to you. So, please respect me.”
“I will keep my hands above your waist,” I say, knowing I’m a lot right now. It would be cruel to try anything else. I’m already cruel, throwing so many mixed messages around.