Her eyes are warm as they gaze into mine. There’s a gust of wind that blows her wavy brown hair across her face. The timing couldn’t be any better. I reach up and tug on the strand of hair, tucking it back behind her ear. Those eyes close when I touch her.
THIRTY-ONE
Ava
When my eyes open back up, all I see are those clear-blue eyes staring back at me. They remind me of the ocean. My hand moves to cover his. The electricity that zings down my arm shakes my body. “Thank you.” I manage to say, not moving an inch as I soak him up.
It brings me back to that night we had at his house before I left. He covered me with a blanket and never once expected anything from me. It’s rare to have a guy not expect something. I think that’s why I kept the connection when I was away, why I can’t seem to stop thinking about him, and after our night together this week…he’s all-consuming.
The server comes over to the table asking for our orders. We haven’t even picked them up to browse what was available.
He nicely says, “Do you mind coming back in about five minutes? We were caught up in our conversation to decide on what we’ll be eating.”
The smooth sound of his voice washes over me. I could listen to him talk all day long and have no complaints. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m not sure I’d ever have any complaints about him. He truly is a nice guy.
He leans over to me, whispering, “What do you think you want to eat?” His scent invades my nostrils—leather and citrus. I could lather that all over my body or, better yet, he could do it for me. Touchingevery inch of my body, his hands roam, grazing all my sensitive spots. I shift my body, crossing my legs.
I take a deep breath. Picking up the menu, opening it, and reading the options. “There are so many good choices. How will I decide?” I move my finger along the menu as I figure out what I’m in the mood for. Seafood, baked, fried, chicken dishes, burgers, salads…
“I’m ordering fish tacos,” he says matter-of-factly as he closes his menu to lay it down on the table beside his setting. “I almost had them the other night, so tonight it’s fish tacos.” Very passionate about his tacos. I shake my head at him.
“You’re too quick.” I’m still scanning my options.
He leans back in his chair, crosses his arms over his chest, and glares over at me.
“Oh my, what now?” I mimic his posture with my arms crossed over my chest and squint back at him.
“I just want to set the record straight. There’s only one thing I do quickly, and that is make decisions. It’s one of my finest attributes, I mean, if you’re looking for more of them…” His smirk has me smiling and my breath hitching. We’re on the same wavelength; I know what he’s talking about. I’m just a fifteen-year-old boy trapped in a thirty-two-year-old woman’s body…It’s fine, everything is fine.
“I’m over here taking notes. Is there anything else you’d like to add to the record?” I say with a snarky tone and a smirk to match his all over my face. I unfold my arms, pull my palm open, and use my other hand as a fake pen, like I’m taking notes. “I’m waiting.” I tap my imaginary pen on the notepad.
His guttural laugh vibrates through my entire body, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Well, if you’re taking notes.” He leans in slightly, voice low but teasing. “Here’s what you should know. I’m a nice guy—like, genuinely. I’ll probably put your needs before mine, evenwhen I shouldn’t. I love making you laugh, and yeah, I enjoy being around you more than I’m ready to admit. He pauses, eyes searching my face for something. I don’t know what. “But you should also know—I overthink things. I get quiet when I’m overwhelmed. I’ve got a stubborn streak that’ll drive you nuts, and sometimes I joke when I should just say how I feel.” He shrugs, soft and deliberate. “Still think I’m worth the ink?” Then wiggles his eyebrows, trying to lighten the moment, but there’s something in his gaze that lingers. Like he’s hoping I see past the charm and choose him anyway.
He’s exactly what I need in my life, and this moment seals it. I need him in my life. I twist in my seat, holding both hands to his face, creating the connection we both need for me to say this. “You’re worth all the ink in the world.”
He scoops under my arms and brings me into an embrace, rubbing his hands on my back while mine caress the back of his neck. “Having you in my life, it’s a life changer,” he mumbles into my shoulder. “If I could hold you right here forever, I would.”
Pulling his head forward to meet my eyes, I whisper on his lips, “You have me, all of me—every inch is yours.”
The moment I see his shoulders relax, his eyes close, and then open again, everything has changed. The words spoken out loud—it’s like we've confessed the feelings that have been bubbling over since I was away. Since we talked or texted every night, every single night.How could we not completely fall head over heels for each other?My body lights on fire when he’s around. And the sex, phew, it’s magical; he’s magical.
When we finally untangle from each other, it doesn’t matter that people are looking.
“I might be starving. Have you decided what you’re ordering? He tracks his eyes from me to the menu on that table and back to me.”
“I’ll order the raspberry vinaigrette salad with double grilled shrimp. It sounds just right for a light lunch.”
We order when the server comes back. The sun is high in the sky. All I can see are boats speeding by on the lake. “I could live on the lake,” I say it out loud, not even thinking he’d answer.
“Lake living is the bomb. Speaking of, when are you coming back over? The boat is calling your name. After lunch, maybe?” He says, staring into my eyes.
THIRTY-TWO
Kai
It was a bold ask to spend the entire day with her. Still, after we spent the morning together, with the warmth of her body against mine, the way her fingers traced the back of my neck, it feels right to just be with her today.
