Read One Little Thing for Free Online Page B

and it was a bit of an assault on her already-heightened awareness of him.
    She’d spent too much time picturing him—before she knew it was him—appearing on her verandah, pushing her up against the clapboard siding and . . . In her mind, she’d had her tongue against that skin a dozen times, traced the shape of the muscles under his skin with her fingertips . . .
    Having a fantasy appear in the flesh was enough to throw her off her stride. She had to force herself to concentrate on
Quinn
, the man in front of her
now
who had not been privy to her activities with Studly.
    She cleared her throat and forced the pictures aside. “Then why don’t I bring something out here?” Then she remembered she wasn’t exactly set up yet for entertaining. “I don’t actually have any coffee . . .”
    â€œA glass of water would be great.”
    She looked around at the wicker furniture, still in its plastic wrap.
So much still to do.
“Feel free to unwrap a chair and have a seat.”
    In the kitchen, she splashed water on her heated face again and took several deep breaths to get her head together. Then she grabbed three bottles of water and a metal mixing bowl. It wasn’t fancy, and it went against all her hospitality training, but it would have to do. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass front of the microwave and wished she’d spent a few extra minutes on herself this morning, then shrugged. She returned to the porch to find that Quinn had industriously unwrapped two of the chairs already and was starting on a third. She set two of the bottles of water on the table, then poured the third into the bowl and set it on the ground for Scoop.
    Scoop drank greedily, splashing water everywhere, then shook herself, sending a fine spray of damp sand everywhere. Quinn laughed. “And that’s why we’re not allowed inside.” He stretched out his legs under the table and leaned back. “How long until you open?”
    â€œThe first guests arrive July fourteenth. It’s a soft opening, just a few rooms to work out the kinks, but then we’re booked almost solid starting the twentieth.”
    â€œImpressive.”
    â€œI’ll be able to catch the last of the season, so that’s good. Income instead of outgo will be a nice change.”
    Quinn nodded and drank while Scoop watched the people below with longing on her face. The silence wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable, but it was dragging out, making Sophie feel like she needed to say something. And with Quinn right there looking all well,
studly
, all her questions about last night were bubbling to the surface. She could placate herself with the knowledge that he wouldn’t be here
now
if she’d made a fool of herself or said or done anything too off-base, but having only ragged edges of a memory was frustrating at best.
    â€œThanks for walking me home last night. I don’t know how I would have made it alone. They’d have found me sleeping in someone’s yard this morning, and that’s not quite the impression I want to give people this early into my return.”
    An eyebrow quirked up. “You were that far gone?”
    â€œEnough for everything to be all fuzzy.”
    â€œWell, you covered it well.” He sounded a little impressed.
    â€œAt least I’m not an obnoxious drunk, right?” That sounded a little too hopeful, and she cringed slightly even as the words left her mouth.
    â€œYou are a charming drunk,” he said with a grin.
    The front door, visible from their spot on the verandah, opened, and Alyse backed in, her arms loaded down with brand-new cleaning supplies. Scoop jumped to her feet, tail wagging, and Quinn rose as well. “You need some help?” he called.
    â€œI got it.” Alyse dropped the supplies into a pile at her feet. “Morning, y’all. It’s such a beautiful day, isn’t