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  Dayton

  Insta Love at First Sight: Book 2

  Flora Madison

  Copyright © 2020 by Flora Madison

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  **Edited by Geeky Girl Author Services**

  Contents

  1. Dayton

  2. Brynn

  3. Dayton

  4. Brynn

  5. Dayton

  6. Brynn

  7. Dayton

  8. Brynn

  Epilogue: Brynn

  Have you met Ryker?

  Also by Flora Madison

  Thanks for Reading

  1

  Dayton

  My toes squish into the wet sand. Soon enough, my family’s beach house will be long gone. A pang of sadness explodes in my chest. With a long sigh, I release the tension I’ve been holding. At last things are nearly done. I can move on with my life, even if it means going at it alone.

  “Dayton, it’s a great offer.” My real estate agent, Charity’s voice pings in my ear. “More than you were asking. As soon as they sign on the dotted line, you’ll be free of that big, empty house.”

  Empty now, but that wasn’t always the case. “You’re right.” I force a smile, a technique I use to seal big deals, and when I want people to believe me. “It’ll be good to downsize and move closer to the city.” My eyes glance out into the ocean. Waves crash against the shore under dark looming thunderclouds.

  “I’ll be in touch the moment the ink dries.”

  “Sounds good, my friend.” I hang up the phone, wiggle it into my pocket and take a look around. This beach used to be my happy place. As a child, I’d come here with my parents for the entire summer. We’d have clambakes and picnics with the other families who owned or rented beach front properties. Now, those days have passed.

  The familiar faces of yesterday have all sold their houses or stopped coming to the shore altogether. With mom and dad both gone, there’s really no reason to keep the place. I trace a line in the sand with my big toe, then peer over my shoulder in the direction of my family’s beach house.

  Time passes and there’s nothing you can do about it, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. With a deep breath I head closer to the water. The wind whips my hair from my face, harsh and stinging. The weather took a turn in a matter of minutes today. It was warm and sunny not an hour ago.

  I’m about to head back inside when I notice it. Someone in the water. My eyes narrow, taking in the scene. I raise my arms over my head, trying to signal to them with hopes that they can see me. But they don’t respond, their head bobbing up and down in the water—a sure sign of drowning.

  My head darts from side to side. With the beach closed for the day, there’s no lifeguard on duty. I can’t let them drown out there. I tug down my pants, and rip off my shirt. The water is cold, but not freezing. My feet splash against the tide and three steps later, I’m underwater swimming out toward the person.

  I’m not the best swimmer in the world, but growing up on this beach instilled a confidence in me; I feel like I’m one with it. I’m nearly in arm’s reach when the person’s bobbing head goes under and doesn’t come back up. I take a deep breath and plunge under the surface. My hands scramble in search of contact. I’m lucky. I catch a grip on the first grab. I kick my feet and press upward. Soon, we both resurface.

  I see now that it’s a woman. She gasps for breath, coughing, her hair stuck to her face. As quick as I can, I swim us to the shore. A silent prayer floods my brain, thanking God she wasn’t that far out. Back on the beach, she’s weak but able to walk. A few steps later, she falls to her knees.

  I turn her over onto her back, moving her hair out of her face. My breath catches in my throat. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in all my life. Her slightly parted, full lips shiver against the chilly air. Tiny droplets of water stick to her long, dark lashes. Her red swimsuit leaves little to the imagination, her perfect curves on full display.

  Shame on me! This woman nearly drowned!

  “Can you hear me?” I lean in closer, pressing my hand against the round of her face, her creamy skin peachy and flushed. The woman draws ragged breaths. I spot my clothes a few feet away, and even though I don’t want to leave her, I rush to scoop them up. A far cry from a warm blanket, but it’ll do. She won’t stop shivering.

  “Can you hear me?” I try again. The woman nods her head, and I expel a sigh of relief. She seems to be breathing okay, but I need to get her inside. She needs to warm up. “My name is Dayton Yates. I live nearby. Can you breathe okay?” Again, she nods. “You need to say something, so that I know you’re okay.”

  “I can breathe,” she finally says. Her eyelids flutter open revealing the stormiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Specks of gray invade her bright irises. “It was just a cramp. I was swimming and my side cramped.” My whole body stiffens. Who is this goddess I’ve pulled in from the sea?

  “What’s your name?”

  “Brynn.” Her voice, smooth as honey, sends shivers up my arms.

  “Brynn what?”

  “Brynn Williams.” I grab her under her shoulder blades and the back of her knees, cradling her cold body, wet with sand.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “My house.”

  “What? Why?” Panic lines her voice.

  “You’re freezing. I need to get you warm, and make sure that you’re okay.”

  “Thank you,” she mutters, exhausted. Her head rolls against my bare chest, eyes wide and alert. She feels so right in my arms, like perhaps this is kismet. Maybe it is? One thing’s for certain, I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in all of my life.

  2

  Brynn

  My head presses against Dayton’s firm chest as he makes his way across the beach. The man is massive. At first I didn’t think he was real, this big, superhero of a man towering over me. Being this close to him, our wet flesh stuck against each other, isn’t making breathing any easier.

  I knew I shouldn’t have been swimming. But the beach is my happy place, and being in the ocean is the only thing that helps me forget my problems, albeit for a few minutes. I needed a break from my shit show of a life.

  I shiver against the wind as hot tears form in the corners of my eyes. “I think I can walk on my own.”

  “No way.” His thick, authoritative voice cuts through the air. “You’ve suffered a shock and I need to make sure you’re stable before I let you start walking around.”

  “Are you a doctor?” My eyes flicker upward. Dayton’s gaze remains firm, locked straight ahead. It gives me a chance to really take in his features. His nose hooks downward ever so slightly, chin a perfect square. His wet hair appears jet black. He must sense my staring because he glances down at me. I’m able to catch a passing glimpse of his warm, espresso eyes before I feel obligated to look away.

  “I’m not a doctor, no. But I’m well versed in First Aid and CPR” My heart pounds in my chest, and I’m not certain if it’s from a near death experience or being rescued by a Greek God. “Once we’re at my house, we can see if you need to go to the hospital.”

  The hospital? No. That sounds expensive, and I have nothing right now except the overnight bag I’ve been—

  “Oh my God, my bag!” I buck in his arms, but Dayton holds firm.

  “This is a private beach—”

  “I know. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m sorry.”

  “Let me finish.” His confident tone silences me. “I’m saying that it’s safe. I’ll go back for it later.” His Adam’s apple bobs in h
is throat. I want to bite it, hold it between my teeth and feel it moving against my tongue. I nod my head, damp hair sticking against his bare chest.

  Dayton heads up a long, narrow set of stairs. With one hand, he pops open the gate. When I see the house, my jaw drops. “This is where you live?”

  “Sometimes.” I can’t help but note the sadness in his voice. How could anyone be sad living here—even sometimes. The two-story house boasts a wall of windows. Trees surround it, blowing in the wind. We pass by a swimming pool and hot tub on our way inside. Pinch me I’m dreaming. I’d kill to live here.

  To live anywhere these days.

  Dayton slides the screen door open with one arm. “Okay, you can set me down. I promise if I feel like I’m going to fall, I’ll let you know.” He grunts, and gently sets me down on my feet. I brush my hair back from my face, still shivering in my wet bathing suit, as he slides the door closed behind me.

  The inside is even more beautiful than the outside. It looks updated, and fancy. Dayton must be rich. He leads me to the sofa, and wraps me up in a warm blanket that probably costs more than all of my current belongings put together. “Just warm up, first.” His dark eyes dance back and forth between my own.

  I wonder what his lips taste like. Why I couldn’t have been so lucky to have gotten a little mouth to mouth from him. His broad back flexes as he throws logs into the fireplace. For a moment, I allow myself to pretend that he’s my husband and we’ve just come in from a swim, the night settling in around us.

  The fire ignites, and an instant feeling of warmth washes over me. “Can I get you some tea?” His dark eyes sparkle against the growing flames. I nod, and swallow back my shameful thoughts. A man as privileged as this is only doing me a favor. Once I’m better he’ll send me on my not-so-merry way. Back to my car, where I’ve been living for the last three months.

  “I’d love some.” The corner of Dayton’s mouth twists up into a smile and another wave of shivers dance over me.

  “You should get out of those wet clothes,” he says, and disappears down the hall. The fire crackles in his absence, and I note the lack of personal affects in the room; no family photos, no plants, not even any artwork.

  When he returns, he’s holding clothes. “They’re probably going to be huge on you.” He hands me a pair of boxer shorts and a cozy sweatshirt. “Take a shower. Put these on.”

  “Thanks,” I say.

  “Bathroom’s down the hall.” When he points, his tricep flexes like a football player’s. I take off the blanket, and rise from the couch. Dayton’s eyes flicker straight to my nipples, stiffened into tiny diamond peaks against my lycra swimsuit. He licks his lips, and my center ignites, imagining pulling the little strip of material covering my mound to the side, exposing my dripping wetness.

  My face flushes and I head down the hall. My mind’s in a mixer. This rich, handsome stranger rescues me, brings me to his beach house, and checks me out?

  This near death experience feels more like a winning lottery ticket.

  3

  Dayton

  I pull down two mugs from the cabinet and place two teabags inside while the shower pounds in the other room. Images flash through my head faster than I can stop them. Brynn naked, those glorious curves of hers glistening in the hot water, suds rolling down her stomach, stretching to the forbidden candy in between her legs. I stiffen in my jeans, rock hard up against my zipper. It takes all of my might to push the image aside. I’m supposed to be helping her. I know nothing about this woman, save for the fact that she’s the most glorious creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  The shower stops and I head to the sofa with two mugs of steaming tea. Brynn enters the room wearing my clothes, sexy and oversized. My lip curls at the sight. There’s nothing sexier than the sight of a gorgeous woman wearing my clothes. Her wet hair stains the YALE sweatshirt hanging down to her knees.

  She brings her sleeve to her temple. “I can’t believe this fits.”

  “What do you mean fits? You’re drowning in it.” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, body wiggling like she doesn’t know what to do, or where to go. “I’m a big man, you’re a tiny flower.”

  Her face flushes bright red. “I wouldn’t go that far.” She mutters under her breath.

  “Come.” I pat the seat next to me. “Have some tea and sit by the fire.” Brynn obeys, her bare feet tiptoeing against the hardwood. I wrap her up in the blanket, rubbing the sides of her arms to help her circulation. Brynn leans into my touch.

  “You’re very kind.” Her stormy eyes flicker up toward mine. All of the air drains from the room. My breathing grows shallow. I don’t believe in love at first sight, I never have, but electricity jolts through every nerve ending inside of me. Tunnel vision takes over and all I see is her, my Brynn, lounging by the pool, pouring wine at a dinner party, helping the kids put on their water wings before they head into the ocean.

  Tires screech inside my mind. I just met this woman, there is no way I can possibly be feeling such intensity toward her. Can I? I wish my parents were still around, so they could replay the story of how they first met. I believe they met and married within six months of knowing each other, but it’s getting harder and harder to remember the stories.

  “Dayton?” Brynn’s voice wakes me.

  “Are you still cold?”

  A smile spreads across her heart shaped face, lighting up the room. My stomach twists in on itself. “No. The shower warmed me up.” She glances down at my hand, still pressed against her arm. I slowly remove it and sip my tea.

  “I should go and get your bag. Any idea where you left it?”

  Brynn’s smile fades. She shuffles on the sofa, sitting on one leg. “I can go and get it.”

  “Absolutely not. I’m sure it’ll be easy to find.”

  “Actually, it won’t.” Brynn sips her tea, keeping her eyes trained on the fire. She takes a deep breath. “My bag is hidden under the dock, under a pile of driftwood, by the No Trespassing sign.”

  “That’s nearly a half-mile away.” As the fire dries her hair it lightens, turning from brunette to blonde.

  “I wanted to keep it some place safe.” Her is soft, a whisper. “It…it’s all I have.”

  “The bag?” My voice booms, and I instantly regret it. I clear my throat, and round out my tone. “It’s all you have, like, with you?”

  Brynn turns to me, steaming mug in hand. Wetness rims her eyes, the tip of her nose turning pink. “And my car, which I’ve been sort of living in for the last three months.” Her head bows, a curtain of blonde hair covering her face. On instinct I unwrap her tea from her fingers, and set it on the coffee table. My legs shift closer to hers until they’re touching.

  “You’re homeless?” The word sounds harsh, but I’m not sure what else to call her situation.

  Brynn nods, sucking in a deep breath. “I lost my job because I skipped a shift so I could bail my mother out of …” She looks up at me, cutting off her words. “Of a bind. It took every penny of my savings. So, then I was padlocked out of my apartment when I couldn’t pay the rent. Thank God I have my car. I’d be on the street or worse, stuck in some shelter.”

  I gently take her chin, turning her face toward mine. “I promise you, I will not let you end up on the street, or in a shelter. You’re staying with me until you get on your feet.” A hot tear trickles down her cheek, and stings my palm.

  “I can’t do that.”

  “You don’t have a choice.” Brynn’s eyes widen, and she licks her full lips. “I’m not letting you go until I know you’re okay, and that you have some place safe to go.”

  “But Dayton, I can’t impose on you like that.”

  “You’re no imposition, beautiful.” Her lips spread into a shaky smile. “You’re not going anywhere. Understand?” Brynn nods, and breathes a sigh of relief.

  A good deed on my part, yes, but there’s more to it than that. I want Brynn for my own, to claim her and keep her safe forever. She doesn’t know it yet,
but I never plan on giving her up.

  Brynn is meant to be mine.

  4

  Brynn

  My eyes flutter open. Sunlight streams across my face, and I raise my arm to block it. My dry mouth smacks open and closed as I take in my surroundings. For a moment, I have no idea where I am, then I bolt straight up, sending the blanket onto the hardwood floor. My memory returns slowly, like a developing Polaroid.

  A snoring Dayton sleeps in the chair next to the couch. His body’s curled into what looks like an uncomfortable position. His massive frame makes the chair appear miniature, feet and ankles dangling off the ottoman. It makes me smile, seeing this gigantic savior of a man sleeping so soundly. His temple rests on his fist, bicep flexed even while unconscious. I remember how his arms felt around me on the beach I wish I woke up nestled in them once more instead of over here on the sofa. But, I’m a realist. I’ve learned that you can’t count on anyone but yourself. Everyone lets you down eventually, using you for their own personal gain. Even someone who’s just saved your life.

  As if sensing my stare, Dayton’s eyes flutter open. My first instinct is to pretend to be sleeping, but it’s too late. He sits up straight, taking a deep breath through his nostrils. “You’re up?”

  “Barely.” I pull the blanket back off the ground, and cover myself up.

  Dayton stifles a yawn. “It’s nice to wake up to someone in this house, again.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. My chest flushes beneath Dayton’s comfy sweatshirt. “I don’t know about you, but I need coffee.” He wiggles out of the chair with a half-smile that sends me into a tailspin of daydreams. Of morning sex and midnight swims. Of waking up in this warm, cozy beachfront cottage every day. The way he looks at me, maybe he’s as attracted to me as I am to him?