Dirty Girl

Sleep walking

For the rest of the day, Jordan couldn’t stop thinking about Jake. The imprint of his hand on her bare shoulder lingered, and she imagined him tracing delicate patterns on her skin with his fingertips. He’d start at her collarbone, then skillfully glide down each rib, making his way to where the lace of her panties hugged her waist. She could almost feel his fingers slipping beneath the delicate fabric, her hips instinctively rising, craving his touch—until he led her to pure, unfiltered ecstasy.

That night, she tossed and turned, her mind consumed by thoughts of Jake and the intoxicating scent of his cologne. Her body ached for his touch.

“Get hold of yourself, Jordan!” she chastised herself. “You have to stop this. He’s too young for an old lady like you. You don’t do flings. He lives in Hawaii. You live in Thunder Bay. This will never work. Just go to sleep and forget about Jake.”

“Forget this.”

She threw the duvet aside and swung her legs out of bed. Slipping on her slippers, she wrapped her silk nightgown tightly around her slender frame. She stepped onto the balcony and gazed out at the moonlit ocean. Inhaling deeply, she let the salty air fill her lungs, reveling in the sheer beauty before her. The rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shore was hypnotic.

It occurred to her that she’d come all the way to Hawaii and hadn’t even swum in the ocean. A moonlit swim—now that was something Jordan’s Era should include. Excitement flared in her chest at the thought of doing something spontaneous, something daring, something that defied her cautious instincts.

She changed into her bikini and pulled a yellow sundress over her shoulders, smoothing it over her stomach and hips. Grabbing a rolled-up towel from under the bathroom sink, she draped it over her arm, then opened the door and smiled with determination.

This is going to be fun.

The elevator dinged as it arrived on the main floor, the doors gliding open with a whisper. Normally, the soft sounds would be lost in the symphony of a bustling hotel, but now it stood stark against the stillness of the early morning. As she stepped into the lobby, she noted how different it felt compared to the lively energy that had filled it just hours ago.

With the absence of guests, she could truly appreciate the grandeur of the space. White marble veined with gold adorned the floors, walls, and even the ceiling. In the center of the lobby, an elegant fountain encircled by a hand-carved maple bench served as the room’s focal point. Lush, perfectly manicured plants—curated by world-renowned interior designers—added vibrant splashes of color and an intoxicating medley of scents. A gentle ocean breeze wafted through the open-air lobby, making the greenery sway ever so slightly. Outside, dining tables were draped in crisp white linens, each adorned with a single tea light nestled in a crystal candleholder.

A server dressed in a white tunic moved silently among the tables, setting out water goblets and meticulously arranging silverware. She adjusted each chair with precision, her movements graceful and practiced. Jordan swore she heard a soft, angelic hum escape the girl’s lips and smiled at the thought of her effortlessly acing a job interview simply by exuding such serene presence.

She glanced at the receptionist, who met her gaze with a warm smile. “Good morning, Ms. Malone.”

It still amazed Jordan that the staff knew her name. When she’d first mentioned the resort to a bank teller back home, he had raved about the impeccable service. He’d told her that the staff made it a point to memorize each guest’s name before their arrival. Even knowing that in advance, she was still taken aback by the thoughtful detail.

This place really does go above and beyond.

Jordan stepped onto the patio and looked up at the star-drenched sky. The air was cooler than expected, and doubt crept in. Was it too cold for a swim? Was this a ridiculous idea?

Shaking her head, she brushed aside her hesitation. She was doing this—even if only for a few minutes. Caleb would get a kick out of hearing about it. She could already imagine bragging to him about how his “old mom” still had a wild streak.

The path to the beach was illuminated by soft solar lights embedded in the ground, while twinkling fairy lights intertwined with the trellis above created the most romantic setting she had ever seen. The only thing missing was a man to share it with—and she knew exactly whose hand she wished she were holding.

Damn it, why couldn’t she stop thinking about Jake?

The path spilled onto the white sandy beach. Jordan kicked off her flip-flops and scooped them up, savoring the sensation of warm, fine grains beneath her feet. She looked around, feeling strangely self-conscious, but found herself utterly alone.

This moment was pure magic. Here she was, standing on a pristine Maui beach, and she had it all to herself.

One of the perks of being an early riser, she thought with satisfaction.

She stepped forward, letting the waves kiss her toes. The water was surprisingly warm—a far cry from the frigid temperatures of Lake Superior.

All hesitation vanished, replaced by an irrepressible urge to surrender herself to the sea. She peeled off her sundress, tossing it into a crumpled heap alongside her towel and flip-flops. Laughing, she ran toward the ocean, diving into the next rolling wave. The saltwater enveloped her, washing away the weight of her worries.

She had played in the ocean before with Caleb. A memory surfaced of their trip to Florida when he was just five. They had planned a week of Disney World adventures, but after a few days, the overwhelming crowds proved too much. They decided to forgo any more visits with cartoon characters brought to life and headed to the beach. The weather was too cold for the locals, so they had the ocean all to themselves. For hours, Jordan and Caleb jumped through waves, laughing until their stomachs ached.

Jordan chuckled, remembering the sand getting into places she never imagined possible. She had spent days cleaning it out of their clothes, shoes, towels—even the Mustang convertible they had rented. Caleb had loved Disney, but when asked about his favorite part of the trip, he always said it was that day on the beach.

Jordan floated on her back, letting the waves cradle her, lost in nostalgia. She stayed there until the first hints of dawn painted the sky.

She turned toward the shore and noticed a silhouette—a worker raking the sand. A silent cue that it was time to head back.

As she reached for her towel, movement caught her eye. A couple was strolling along the beach, hand in hand, utterly lost in each other. Jordan’s heart clenched.

Jake.

And a woman.

Her strawberry-blonde hair was swept into a messy bun, and she wore yoga shorts and a pink Lululemon tank top that hugged her curves in all the right places.

As they neared, both smiled politely before continuing down the beach. Jordan’s heart pounded. She waited, hoping—praying—that Jake would turn back, acknowledge her, something.

But he didn’t.

“What the hell?” she muttered aloud.

The worker raking sand glanced up. “Ma’am?”

Jordan shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, hastily slipping her sundress over her damp skin.

Had Jake really just pretended not to know her?

Was he just some flirt, charming every tourist in sight?

She felt so unbelievably foolish.

Well, that’s the end of that fantasy.

Straightening her shoulders, she turned back toward the resort. She had a Mud Run to help set up for—and a reality check to swallow.