Page 1 of Tempting Me (The Asher Family #3)

SHAY - LAST SUMMER, A.K.A. THE SUMMER OF HUDSON AND SADIE’S STORY

“Just set it down over there.” I point to the left side of The Marina’s front doors, where all the other construction materials have been placed, doing my best not to squeal at how excited I am right now.

It’s happening.

It’s really happening.

The Marina is finally getting the upgrade it deserves. As soon as it’s done, people will return, memories will resume, and business will thrive.

Just like it did when I was a kid.

All because of me.

Yay!

Those were the best days, and I have my fingers crossed that in a few years I’ll get to create those same memories with my own family.

The early summer breeze off Lovers Lake tickles my skin just enough that the eighty degree temperature of the day is bearable.

There are a few people on the water, mostly those who own a boat, but we did have a few jet ski rentals today.

Not as much as we used to. The bar and restaurant are outdated, and the weekend events that The Marina used to hold are nonexistent.

The Marina—yep, that’s what my family named it—has been under my older brother’s management for the last three years, and it’s clear he doesn't see the potential I do. He let this place go, and I plan to bring it back.

First, the main building, then minor touches to the bar, then the restaurant, and finally the ten lodges we rent out. It’s a long list, but I can do it. I mean, come on, the entire backside of The Marina faces the lake, with a wraparound porch that used to be the spot here.

One could sit and watch the sun go down just over the lake and mountains that surround it, finally hearing themselves think as the night breeze cooled the sunburn they earned after a successful day on the water.

Maybe even a sweet drink in hand as their family or friends joined them for the evening, saying something like, this is the life .

I want that back.

Watching the company I hired unload their supplies makes me giddy with what is yet to come for this place.

“Did you have time to put a schedule together?” I ask Brent.

He’s my main point of contact for the company.

I told him all of my goals, and he said he could get it done.

I just need some proof that there is a plan.

I’ve seen the blueprints for the final product, but I want to know their day-to-day schedule so I can have the first two parts of my plan done before snow takes over in four or five months.

You really never know when it’s going to hit when you live in Wyoming, so getting things done is a must .

Brent grunts, refusing to look at me, but I just keep smiling.

Hiring him and his team was already a risk because they’re from out of state. When you live in a small town and there’s only one option for a builder, expanding your options is just a smart business move, but people talk and I can’t let this town think I made the wrong choice by hiring elsewhere.

So I choose to ignore the fact that he seems a bit sensitive that I've asked him about his plans. I don’t want to chance him running off all because I can be a little … orderly, particular, and slightly pushy.

“I’ll get the job done,” he says, finally glancing my way with annoyance.

I don’t want to piss him off.

His touchiness makes him seem flighty.

Breathe, Shay—you’re just being paranoid about the timeframe. Everything is fine.

“Great.” I make my smile bigger and then turn, rolling my eyes when he can’t see me, only to let out an unattractive noise at the truck pulling into The Marina’s parking lot.

Of course he’s showing up right now.

Of course he’s scowling at me through the front windshield as he parks.

Of course his dark gaze never leaves mine as he exits his truck.

I swallow, hold my head high, and take a discreet breath.

I have to. Luca Asher is walking toward me, and I have to prepare myself for our personas when we are around each other.

It’s what works best.

Especially when he runs his hand through his hair to tuck back that single brown curl falling over his face. Or when his walk holds such a commanding purpose that I can’t pull my eyes away if I tried.

Or the way his simple stupid navy blue Asher Construction T-shirt is tucked into the front of his light wash jeans, revealing his tan belt and showing off how lean and toned his abs are.

You can't actually see them, but my god, are they toned.

Owning a marina means I’ve seen my share of the town in very little clothing, but Luca—yeah, he’s memorable.

In more ways than I’d like to admit.

“What the hell is this, Shay?” He folds his arms in front of his chest and widens his stance.

I mimic him and tilt my head.

Here we go.

“This is me owning and running a business that has nothing to do with you, Luca.”

With that, I turn on my heel.

Even if I couldn't hear the crunch of gravel under his boots behind me, I'd know he was following me. My body is constantly aware of Luca when he’s nearby.

Traitor.

“You hired someone from out of town. No, no, out of state. You may as well just punch me in the face or something.”

“Is that an option?” I ask with more excitement than Luca cares for.

He ignores me, so I continue on inside The Marina. Despite business being slower than it used to be, I do still have a few customers daily.

“Why would you do this?” Luca goes on .

“Again,” I begin with a much calmer tone than his and without turning around, “none of your business.”

“This town is my business.”

Ugh. His loyalty to everyone around him is bullshit.

I know firsthand.

“Don’t act like you care about this town and the people in it.”

I round the corner to the bar inside The Marina and drop the wooden countertop door to block him from following me back here.

He lifts the counter door and steps right next to me. He clearly didn’t get the memo.

I ignore the firm hills of his chest that I feel under my palm as I push him back to the other side.

I drop the door and then look him in the eye.

“I work on this side. You stay on that one.”

“Shay, come on. This place is like?—”

“A marina to you and nothing more.”

His hands land on his hips as he glares at me.

Years ago, I would have fallen under a trance at the fact his ocean-blue eyes are focused on me and only me, but I'm not a silly teenager anymore who follows my brother and his best friend around the lake all summer.

No, I'm a grown woman who knows better.

Luca’s voice lowers as he says, “You know that’s not true.”

For a split second, I swear I hear emotion in his tone. Pleading. But then he steps back and points at me.

“You know this is wrong.”

I shake my head.

“I think you can go now. ”

“Shay, think about it. I know this place. If you want it remodeled to be like it was—because hell, you and I both know this place was the best when we were kids—I'm the right man for the job. Let me help you.”

It takes everything in me not to smile or agree with him.

I’ve had all those same thoughts, but none of that changes our past.

My family would sell this place in a heartbeat if I hired Luca to bring it back to life.

He might be the right man for this job, but he lost that opportunity the day he betrayed my brother, my family, and me .

“Goodbye, Luca.”

He steps back, our eyes locked as he challenges me to change my mind.

I won’t.

I watch him walk away with a growl.

It’s easy.

I’ve been doing it my whole life.