“Let’s go,” Milo lifts the heavy ice box. “We need to make a quick stop.” He carries it towards the exit like it weighs nothing which probably makes sense. The man looks incredible. Fit. That thick mustache adds a layer of elegance and dominance to his friendly manner.
I open the door for him, trying to catch up with his long strides for a few minutes until we reach the bar’s dark-brown door where a man restlessly fidgets by the entrance.
Milo delivers the ice box straight to his hands, “Hope that’s enough.”
“Thanks, Milo, our machine broke down.” He exhales a breath of relief.
The two continue to chat while I zone out and find the burgundy ball cap guy I bumped into previously amongst the crowd, not far away.
What’s his problem?I squint my eyes, zooming in on him.
He is packed in pure muscles, a tall frame, ringed fingers, and bracelets—drawing attention. Even the way he talks, as he tucks the smoke between his lips and puffs, is sexy.
That silver lip ring in the center of his bottom lip has me bitingmy lip.
Still, I can’t capture a clear image of his face with the shades covering a significant part of it. Anyway, he’s just an asshole who happens to look sexy.
I don’t need this. I came here for myself to start a new chapter after eight uneventful months.
My gaze drops to my black Converse, I open the tab and it pierces the can with a satisfying pop sound that paints goosebumps on my skin. I’m probably smiling to myself like an idiot.
I don’t care.
I take a long sip, enzymes swim inside the drink, and fizz all over my tongue, and right as I swallow it down, my eyes encounter his face which is turned in my direction.
Another tuck and a puff.
He demonstrates it slowly.
Letting his lips round the butt of the cigarette, he presses them softly.
Inhale.
And blow a cloud of smoke.
A tiny curve forms at the corner of his mouth as he mouths the word,Gotcha.
“No problem. If you need more, call me. Two liquors on the house for the free hour.”
“It’s not necessary you already helped me.”
“Happy to, Russ. Don’t mention it, enjoy the rest of the day.”
“Thanks, Milo, I’ll see you later.”
Mouth gaped, I lick my lips at the sound of the men’s conversation coming to an end. I gulp the liquid down to cool my system from the thing that just happened.
“Blakely, right this way.”
As soon as I turn back to Milo, he motions to the huge, scuffed motel sign near the parking lot, where I parked my pickup truck earlier next to a wide structure.
They don’t have much here but parking lots they have in abundance.
I count the steps on the asphalt to ease my hiking nerves.
One. Two. Three… Forty.
I don’t know why I’m nervous.
