Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Dash’s surprised gaze landed back on mine. “No one’s ever asked me that question before. I’m not a hundred percent sure. I’d guess my father’s side of the family. They’re all successful for generations back. But my motivation’s different from the rest of my siblings. Right now, my goals are pretty simple. I want to practice law at a big firm. Get some experience and clients under my belt then go out on my own. I want to work on pro bono cases to help those in need, but I understand I’ll need capital to make it happen.The rest of my family works for my father’s company. All of them do. They had me later in life. I’m the tenth one—it’s the meaning of my name. Dasham means ten.”
“Mmm. I’ve only ever been an only child. I don’t know what it’s like to have brothers and sisters.”
Dash’s goals and family dynamic fascinated me.
“So if you’re too young when you graduate law school then no agency would hire you, right?”
“Absolutely not answering. It’s your turn to answer a question,” he stated firmly. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“I like to fish a whole lot. It’s quiet, and I like the quiet. I think I’d like to have a job. I work any chance I get, and I like the idea of having my own money in my pocket,” I said, saying things that I’d never said to anyone before. “But jobs around here are hard to come by.”
“My dad has a deep-sea charter fishing service connected to the resort. I bet I can get you a job doing something with them,” Dash offered. “They’re having a hard time finding locals who want to work.”
I was instantly intrigued, and at the same time, I could hear my grandmother’s strong disapproval. She’d be mad at me for siding with the enemy. Dash barked out a laugh at whatever he saw cross my face.
“I get it. If anyone found out, you’d be public enemy number one but think about it. I’m sure I could get you hired.”
“So do you really work as a lifeguard?” I asked.
His frown caused me to laugh. “Yeah. I’m surprised more people haven’t drowned.”
“That’s why you’re so tan. I bet the girls go nuts over you.”
That sent Dash into a low groan. It probably wasn’t meant to entice but it did. All the fluttering in my belly took flight inside me again. Unfortunately, the alarm on his watch beeped, alerting us of the five-minute mark before I was due home.
“Dammit,” he muttered and worked the controls on his watch. “This is the best time I’ve had in a long time. It flew by.”
Of course, I agreed. I turned my head and stared out the front window. From where we were parked, I could sprint across the open field and be home ina couple of minutes.
“Thank you for bringing me home,” I said and let that be enough as I reached for the door handle.
“I had a good time.” Dash’s captivating smile happened again, stopping me from opening the door. He rolled his eyes at something unknown, followed by a frustrated sigh.
“What?” I asked.
His lips mashed together as he reached for his phone in the center console. “What’s your phone number?”
“I don’t actually know,” I answered honestly. It never occurred to me to learn my number because of caller ID.
“Give me your phone.” Dash didn’t hesitate to grab it before I had a chance to extend my hand. His thumbs raced over the number pad until his phone rang. He made sure the number was there before handing it back to me.
“I’ll drive you around.” He righted himself in the seat and reached for the key to start the engine. Automatically, my hand reached out to stop him before the car’s lights drew attention to us.
The touch made my heart begin its version of the electric slide, all happy and cozy. He paused and didn’t move his hand out from underneath mine. I couldn’t get my hand to budge either.
“My grandparents’ place is right there,” I whispered about the old three-story home surrounded by the trees that hid us. “If you drive me, you’ll have to go around the other side and I’ll be late.”
With an inner strength I didn’t realize I possessed, I moved my hand off his. My gaze shot to my feet to gain perspective. His skin felt like sat into me. Something I needed to remember for later.
“Which room’s yours?” he asked, his voice low and intimate.
When I cracked the door, the cooler night air and humidity seeped inside. The fresh air helped add to the mystique of the night. “Third floor,right side.”
“And you’ve climbed out of that?” Dash asked, astonished.
“I can climb out of anywhere. I lack fear, if that makes any sense. My mom hates it.” I put a foot out on the pavement and started to slide out of the seat, very aware of the hard-on pressed against my jeans. I stayed bent at the waist and dipped my head back into the car. “Thanks for bringin’ me home.”