This is it! The last weekend before the launch of FOR SPARROW, on Oct.3!
The third book in the Dream Dominant Collection is set in Palm Beach County, Florida, my home for over 25 years. In this series of posts, I’m taking you on a tour of some of my favorite places. This week, we’re going to the gorgeous beach-side town of Jupiter, the location of several scenes in the book.
The first place Judd and Jessi visit together is my favorite bar on the planet (okay, I have about five of those), Square Grouper. It’s a casual, outdoor tiki bar on the Jupiter Inlet, across from the Jupiter Lighthouse. It’s the place to go if you want to completely decompress and let your stress melt away.
A stone’s throw from Square Grouper, in fact you park in the same lot, are the two locations from this week’s excerpt, Guanabanas and Blueline Surf & Paddle.
Guanabanas is another outdoor tiki place, more restaurant than bar, but they serve a mean Cat 5 hurricane. The food is Florida fresh, and there’s always a crowd. It’s on a strip of land between A1A and the Loxahatchee River, and the river views are utterly tranquil. There are docks, and some folks arrive in their boats. It’s also a great place for stand-up paddle boarding, and you can put in right there at the restaurant.
Directly across A1A is the Blueline Surf & Paddle Company. They sell surfing and paddle boarding equipment, but you can also rent from them and get lessons. You walk across the street and put in at the Loxahatchee River. Notice the paddle boarders directly in front of Guanabanas.
As Jessi’s Dominant, it’s Judd’s position to push her beyond her comfort zone. In this scene, he does just that.
Here’s an excerpt from FOR SPARROW…
Back inside the house, Judd washed up in the kitchen sink. Jessi handed him a dish towel to dry his hands. He eyed the old dishwasher, then looked to Jessi.
“I don’t really feel like messing with a dishwasher today, do you?”
Jessi’s eyes widened. “Oh, well, no, of course not. I’m sure you have plenty to do. Don’t worry about it at all,” she said quickly.
Judd shook his head. “It’s a beautiful day. Why spend it inside?” He stood straight, hands on his hips. “How do you feel about stand up paddle boarding?”
She worked her mouth for a moment, frowning. “I don’t guess I’m opposed to it, as an activity, you know. I’m sure people enjoy it. Live and let live,” she giggled nervously.
“I mean,” he cupped her elbow gently, “how do you feel about going? With me. Today.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Judd. I’m kind of the queen of klutz.” Jessi’s face turned bright pink. “I don’t know if I’d be any good at it.”
Judd’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Not sure I like my little one putting herself down. Besides, there’s nothing to be ‘good at,’ you just…stand and paddle.” He pantomimed for her.
He saw the reluctance in her face and gave his best reassuring smile, eyes sparkling. “Come on, Jessi, it’ll be fun.”
Slowly, her smile spread to match his. “Okay. Let’s do it.” She went upstairs and quickly changed into her swim suit and beach cover up.
On the way to the surf shop, Judd stopped by his place to pick up his paddleboard and gear. He let them both into the townhouse and Jessi waited as he bounded up to the second level.
“It won’t take me a second to load my stuff into the truck,” he called from upstairs. Jessi clutched her hands together anxiously as she surveyed Judd’s living room. Everything was neat and tidy. She didn’t know why that surprised her.
You just think about the stereotypical ‘bachelor pad,’ she supposed.
Crossing the room, she saw that the view from the sliding glass doors was breathtaking. She imagined what it would be to wake up with a view of the ocean every morning.
“Almost ready,” Judd said, returning downstairs wearing aqua board shorts, a white t-shirt, and a Marlins ball cap. A pair of black Oakley sunglasses hung around his neck from a black strap.
He held up a small black cube. “I want to try out my new GoPro while we’re out there today,” he grinned.
Five minutes later, they were on their way north, heading for Blueline Surf and Paddle on A1A. They rented gear for Jessi and declined the offer of a lesson. “I’ve got it, man,” Judd smiled to the clerk.
Jessi was surprised to find that they were going to put into the river right next to Guanabanas, a local outdoor dining hotspot just across the street from the surf shop. “Afterwards, I’ll buy you a cocktail,” Judd promised.
After a brief orientation, Judd helped Jessi onto the board and gently pushed her out into the Loxahatchee River. “Am I supposed to wear the life jacket?” Jessi called back to him, indicating the ocean blue PFD currently resting on the nose of her board.
“Can you swim?”
“Of course!” she returned.
“Then you don’t have to wear it. But you do have to have it with you, it’s the law.”
Judd smiled as he watched her wobble slightly. She looked hot in what was actually a modest blue tankini, her auburn hair clipped up and off her neck, the red highlights gleaming in the sunlight. He could only imagine Jessi in a bikini. Did imagine it. Then tried to think of something else, before she noticed his arousal.
Sighing deeply, he clipped the GoPro to the bill of his cap and paddled quickly to catch up with her.
When their hour was up, they returned Jessi’s gear to the shop, and put Judd’s things back in the truck. With Jessi’s white beach dress back in place, they wandered into Guanabanas and found a small high-top table in the bar area. A lone guitarist was playing Jason Mraz covers on the tiki stage.
Jessi ordered a Cat 5 hurricane while Judd opted for a local brew, and they chose a few appetizers. After the server left, Judd pressed the button on the GoPro. “So, Jessi, what do you think of paddle boarding?”
Her grin was stunning. “I loved it! It was so much fun, and way easier than I ever thought.”
He leaned into her and held the camera at arm’s length. “Well, you had a kick-ass teacher, so…” They both laughed into the camera.
For Oliver West, the local night clubs were his kingdom, until the lovely 
Pandora Spocks 