She snickers. “A cooler would work.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It specifically says picnic basket. Plus, we’ll need to get things to fill up the basket. Some wine, cheese, that sort of thing.”
My girl is beaming. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. Ben’s wife, Becky, mentioned this festival last week when we talked. She’s been great about keeping me up-to-date on Ben. He’s hanging in there. Becky said his therapy is intense and exhausting, so when he’s not in therapy or eating, he’s sleeping.
She’s in town this weekend to close on their house. She wants to meet Matilda before she leaves, so I’ve got to figure out a way to work that in. Maybe she’d enjoy going to the film festival with us. Except I want my girl to myself, and this thing sounds a little romantic.
ChapterThirty-Six
Matilda
“This is so cool.”
We’re at the Grove Amphitheater and Park in Austin, a venue that’s reminiscent of Grant Park in Chicago. We’ve found a great spot with a perfect view of the giant screen. Plus, it’s a little secluded beneath a tree as well. As promised, Alec bought two outdoor rocking chairs, a picnic basket, plus a blanket in case we want to use that instead of the chairs.
“It is.” Alec’s smiling again. He’s been doing that all day, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s forcing it. I suppose it’s because he feels bad about the day before. I get it.
Once the blanket is spread out, I place the picnic basket on top. I’ve got to figure out how to sit on the blanket without showing everyone my goodies since I, stupidly, decided to wear a dress to this thing. Kimmy made me bring it and also promise I’d wear it if we went on a date. Now, I wouldn’t call this a date, but since I leave tomorrow, this is as close as it’s ever going to get. At least I went with a pair of my Converse instead of the wedge sandals she lent to me. Once I’m on the blanket, my ass completely covered, I open it up and pull out the glasses that are strapped to the lid.
This basket is cool.
“Want a glass of wine, Alec?”
“Sure.”
I get the feeling he doesn’t care for wine, but it’s all we bought besides two bottles of water. I pour us each a glass, and as I’m reaching out and up to give it to him, he slides in next to me on the blanket. “Scooch over a little.”
It’s not easy with this stupid dress on, but I move over some, and when I try to go further, I feel Alec’s hand on my knee. “That’s good.” He moves in behind me and lays on his side, using his elbow to prop himself up. “Now, lean back.” I lean back like he’s my personal seat back. His hand hasn’t left my knee.
As the first movie of the double feature begins, I’m not paying one bit of attention to the film. Instead, I’m wondering if he can feel the goose bumps he’s created by doing that.
When his hand starts to move up and down an inch or two each way, I’m sure he can feel them. I want to ask him what he’s doing but fear, if I do, he’ll get the wrong idea and remove his hand.
My focus shifts when I feel his breath on my neck. “I’m happy you’re here, Matilda.”
His mouth is right there, next to my ear. Like his hand, I’m afraid to move because I like him there. Clearing my throat, I respond. “Me too.”
And that’s when I feel it. Or is it them? His lips. They’re pressed against my neck at that spot below my ear. Without thinking, I tilt my head in the opposite direction to open that spot up for more.
I hope he takes the hint.
Yippee. He does. Alec’s right hand inches up slightly higher as his mouth does wonders to my neck. His left arm wraps around my middle, holding me snugly against him. “Matilda.” His voice sounds husky in my ear.
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to respond to that or even if I can. I’ve got all kinds of thoughts and feelings rolling through me right now. I don’t want to utter his name for the sake of it. When his teeth bite gently on my earlobe, I can’t believe how good it feels. The moan I release must be the sign he needs to let him know I like what he’s doing. Without warning, I find myself being flipped around until I’m facing him. I don’t have time to think about how in the hell he did that when his lips descend onto mine. No, descend isn’t the right work. When his lips crash into mine. Yes, that’s better. It’s like he's been wanting to do it for years and this is his one and only shot.
I open for him as his tongue plunges into my mouth. I wasn’t quite ready for it to go quite so deep, so when I nearly choke, he pulls away. “God.” He looks ashamed. “I’m so sorry, Matilda. I don’t know what came over me.”
Great.
Like he’s some sort of time traveler, he’s in one of the chairs before I can even respond, leaving me on the blanket alone. So, what do I do? What any self-respecting woman in this exact situation would do, I get drunk.
Since I don’t drink much ordinarily and because I’m what my cousins call a lightweight, I’m schnockered before I’m even halfway through the bottle of wine. That doesn’t stop me from finishing off the bottle though. Nope. Because I’m a badass like that.
“Matilda?” I hear his voice from behind me.
I’m annoyed. “What?” I snap.
“Where are you going?”
