“You, okay?” His whisper against my ear sent another shiver through me.
“I didn’t know it would be like that.”
“What was it like, baby?” He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at me like what I was going to say mattered.
“It felt like…” I struggled to find the words to describe it. “I don’t know. Like touching the sun, maybe.”
“Touching the sun. I like that. Let’s see how many times I can make you touch the sun today.”
CHAPTER9
TRITON
With no plansand no one expecting us anywhere, I could have spent the whole damn day in bed or better yet, inside of Bess. It didn’t take her long to get comfortable telling me what she liked and what drove her absolutely wild. We fucked and napped, napped and fucked some more. She was much more adventurous and curious than I expected and probably would have been up for just about anything until we ran out of condoms.
It was late afternoon when I smoothed her hair back from her face and told her we needed to get out bed. Her stomach had been rumbling for at least an hour.
“Let’s go get you something to eat.” I could have laid there just looking at her forever, but we both needed food. Owen had brought over stuff for breakfast and some snacks, but nothing I could use to make a real meal.
“Do we have to?” She lifted her cheek from my chest and stuck out her bottom lip.
“Yes. I’m not going to have you waste away while I’m supposed to be taking care of you.” I rolled her toward the edge of the bed.
She laughed. “I think I have a long way to go before I get anywhere close to wasting away.”
I climbed over her and reached for my jeans. “I’m not going to chance it. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Her smile faded. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes, I mean it. I told you I’d never lie to you.” I reached for her hand and tugged her to her feet. “Do I need to show you again how hot you make me? I’ll drop to my knees right now if you need proof.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk as it is.” She snuggled into my chest.
I rested my chin on top of her head. We fit together like we were made for each other. The way her soft curves melted into me made me want to stand there and hold her forever. I’d never entertained the idea of a long-term commitment to anyone or anything. My past had taught me that people didn’t stick around. The ones who promised were the most likely to let me down.
But holding Bess, her heart beating against mine, I let myself imagine what life would be like if I let myself really love someone. What would it feel like to wake up next to her every day and be greeted by her beautiful smile?
“Let’s go. We’ll stop by Mama Mae’s so I can pick up some clothes, then you can decide if you want to eat out or stop by the store and bring something back to make here.”
“If I’m going to meet Mama Mae, I should get cleaned up first.” Bess rummaged through her bag and pulled out a sundress and her toiletries bag. “Give me fifteen minutes?”
“Take all the time you need. I’ll check in with some of the guys while you get ready.” I wanted to join her but felt like we’d never leave the cottage if I did. Instead, I tortured myself by picturing her in the shower while I pulled out my phone and dialed my buddy Drak.
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in. Any updates on the cartel?” We hadn’t even been gone twenty-four hours, so I didn’t expect any news. I’d asked a few of my MC brothers to keep an eye on the church property and make sure Pastor Trammer didn’t do anything stupid.
“All’s quiet here. Haven’t seen any sign of them. How are things with the preacher’s daughter?”
“Good.” I wasn’t going to kiss and tell. Things between me and Bess went deeper than a casual hook up, and I wouldn’t disrespect her by sharing details with one of my friends.
“You sure didn’t seem disappointed about leaving town with her. Anything going on there?” Drak had known me for years and in all that time I’d never been interested in making any kind of commitment. That meant he also knew me well enough to sense when something had changed.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” I hung my head and lowered my voice. “She’s so young and her dad would never be okay with us being together. When it comes to dating his daughter, I’m probably his worst nightmare.”
“What does that make me?” I could picture his shit-eating grin through the phone.
“There’s something about her, but I don’t know if it would last.”
