Flipping to my side, I pull a pillow over my face. At least Mom and I are getting along again. She accepted my apology after my outburst and is back to working a healthy number of hours. She went gaga over Lemon when I brought her home, too, which helped ease the tension between us. We’ve also developed a couple new recipes for the food festival and are testing them out at the food truck as featured lunch specials. Both regulars and new customers have been raving, giving us the confidence boost we’ll need to bring our A game to the festival. Now if only I could get a proper night’s sleep.

Every time I close my eyes, Callum’s flawless form shows up like an ill-timed highlight reel. It takes at least an hour of tossing and turning to fall asleep, which then means groggy mornings. I can’t handle another night of less than six hours of sleep.

Pushing the pillow off my face, I sigh.

If I were a guy, I know exactly how I would handle this. I’d jerk off, enjoy the temporary bliss, then fall asleep. Such a simple solution, but there’s no chance. Callum is my competition, the person standing in the way of my business and my livelihood.

I close my eyes and breathe in the salty sea air wafting through my open bedroom window. I could never, ever do such a thing.

Could I?

Instead of scolding myself internally like I normally would when a bad idea crosses my mind, I let it unfold. Maybe indulging in one lustful, purely carnal moment wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. No one is holding me to these ridiculous standards other than myself. It’s not like anyone would ever know that I pleasured myself with impure thoughts of my enemy. I wouldn’t tell anyone.

Men do this sort of thing all the time. Why the hell can’t I?

I adjust the pillow behind my back and eye the drawer of my nightstand. May as well give it a shot.

I pull out my vibrator and press it against the crotch of my panties. I don’t even bother to lower the fabric. At this point, I’m so hot that not even a chastity belt could quell the flames inside me. Days of Callum’s naked image bombarding me combined with the sweet memory of him cuddling Lemon have had quite an effect.

I close my eyes and lean back. Already I’m trembling.

I switch it to the highest setting. This will be quick and dirty. Nothing lingering or sweet about it.

The vibrations hit, and immediately my toes curl, my jaw drops, and I’m moaning up a storm. Thank Christ Mom is sleeping with the fan on high in her room due to tonight’s heat wave. Fingers crossed it will muffle any and all background sounds.