"That was an extremely long way of telling me that California is a big place," he said. "This is why you're not allowed to talk."
I leaned toward him and rapped my knuckles on the arm of his chair. "I forgot about Orange County. Add that to the list."
"Is that where you live?" Owen asked. "Or where you're from?"
I shook my head, laughing. "No and no," I said. "Like I said, people associate California with beaches and bikinis, but that's not how it is for everyone. I grew up about three hours east of San Diego, right along the Colorado River and the Arizona border. It's hot and dry and mostly flat, and the only kind of trouble you can get into out there is stupid trouble."
"You speak from experience," Owen said. "Nearly running your boat aground isn't your first brush with being a damn fool, I take it."
Why did I enjoy this man's insults so much? I couldn't explain it, but I wanted him to keep going. Pick apart my privilege-soaked preferences and deride my expensive polo shirts. Tear down my quirky for the sake of wonky mannerisms. Strip it all away.
"If you're asking whether I hacked into Palo Verde High's student information system and deleted all of my unexcused absences from skipping ninety percent of my calculus classes-" I held up my hands and then let them fall. "Then, yes, I might've found myself in a bit of trouble."
"Of course," Owen muttered.
"But I'll have you know," I added. "I only got caught because I took the final exam. The teacher didn't recognize me. I should've skipped that too, and then hacked back into the SIS to give myself a grade. Should've. Didn't. Me and my goddamn morals."
Owen stared at me for a long moment, his eyes narrowed and his brow crinkled. "Are there any consequences in your world, McClish?"
"There are," I said, breaking away from his gaze. "There are definitely consequences." I cleared my throat as I sneaked a glance at him. His attention was on the stars now. "Anyway, I live in Palo Alto."
"Which is in the Bay Area," Owen supplied. "Near San Francisco."
"Right," I said. "My sisters are all over the place. One in Denver, the other outside of Baltimore. My mom lives in Palm Springs now. I tried convincing her to check out Balboa Island or Marina del Rey, but she prefers the inescapable heat. I only visit her in the winter. I can't deal with summer in the desert. I feel like I'm trapped in a dehydrator and turning into beef jerky."
"You'd make for some fine jerky," Owen said, laughing.
"As would you, Bartlett," I replied. There was no humor in my tone, but I couldn't hold back the smile.
"I'd gnaw on you," he continued, eyeing my torso.
My heart was in my throat, thumping fast as I tried to breathe, swallow, think.
What the actual fuck was happening here? Was he...hitting on me?
No. Of course not. This was an awkward bit of humor gone astray, not a revelatory moment where we simultaneously flashed our queer cards.
Or maybe it was exactly that moment.
"I'm not a piece of jagged, dried out meat," I said indignantly. "I'm tender, juicy meat."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
"Yeah, you are." Owen barked out a startled laugh and pushed to his feet. "Whoa. Okay. Now I know I'm drunk," he said. "Get some sleep, McClish. Another early day is coming our way."
I nodded and babbled something in response, but I couldn't stop hearing his words in my head. I'd gnaw on you. It wasn't clear what I'd gained there, but I was satisfied with the venture.
Fresh Catch is available now!
Take a vacation, they said. Get away from Silicon Valley's back-stabbing and power-grabbing. Recharge the innovative batteries. Unwind, then come back stronger than ever.
Instead, I got lost at sea and fell in love with an anti-social lobsterman.
There's one small issue: Owen Bartlett doesn't know who I am. Who I really am.
*
I don't like people.
I avoid small talk and socializing, and I kick my companions out of bed before the sun rises.
No strings, no promises, no problems.
Until Cole McClish's boat drifts into Talbott's Cove, and I bend all my rules for the sexy sailor.
I don't know Cole's story or what he's running from, but one thing is certain: I'm not letting him run away from me.
Also By Kate Canterbary
Benchmarks (Bayside School) Series
Professional Development — Drew and Tara
Orientation — Jory and Max
The Santillians
The Magnolia Chronicles
Boss in the Bedsheets — Ash and Zelda
Walsh Series Spinoff Standalone Novels
Coastal Elite — Jordan and April
Before Girl — Cal and Stella
Missing In Action — Wes and Tom
The Walsh Series
Underneath It All – Matt and Lauren
The Space Between – Patrick and Andy
Necessary Restorations – Sam and Tiel
The Cornerstone – Shannon and Will
Restored — Sam and Tiel
The Spire — Erin and Nick
Preservation — Riley and Alexandra
Thresholds — The Walsh Family
Talbott’s Cove
Fresh Catch — Owen and Cole
Hard Pressed — Jackson and Annette
Far Cry — Brooke and JJ
Rough Sketch — Gus and Neera
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About Kate
USA Today Bestseller Kate Canterbary writes smart, steamy contemporary romances loaded with heat, heart, and happy ever afters. Kate lives on the New England coast with her husband and daughter.
You can find Kate at www.katecanterbary.com
