“Good. I want to tell you all about my time at Rush’s, this plan I have for him, and how awesome the inside of their house is.”
Her excitement is infectious. Laughing, I pull her to me and hug her tight. “Looking forward to it.” I let go. “I’ll be right back. Wait for me in the pool, yeah?”
She nods.
I walk backward to my bedroom, liking the shine in her eyes, the shy smile on her face, and how beautiful she is with her black hair falling to her mid-back. Sorrow Sophia is absolutely gorgeous when she is happy, and I aim to be the better guy and tame my temper.
Sorrow doesn’t want to change me, tie me down, or strip me of my options.
We agreed on three weeks of compartmentalizing the physical from the emotions. We won’t tie one another down by becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. I won’t follow the path Malice and Seven are on.
Except, my excitement dies a quick death at the thought of not having Sorrow around. I switch my mind to traveling down the path Malice and Seven are on. They have their girls who support them. Those dudes are always out and about with them and talk nonstop about them. My buddies are happy. I’ve never seen them so happy.
I want to be just as happy.
I blow out a breath and rake my fingers through my hair.
I’m a fucking goner.
13
Trace
After I change into swim trunks and grab bottled water and towels for Sorrow and me, I sit on the edge of the heated pool and watch her swim on her back. Her black hair fans out around her. Moonbeams highlight her creamy skin. Pink looks good on Sorrow.
“The stars are so bright.”
“And you’ll miss them if you move to the big city. Light pollution.”
“Light what?” She stops swimming and, grabbing the opposite edge of the pool, tilts her head in my direction.
I cup my hands over my mouth. “Light pollution, baby,” I say. “Too many lights. Can’t see the pretty shit, like your stars and constellations, past all the bright lights.”
“I bet you can’t see them from Dumas.”
“You challenging me, woman?”
She laughs. “Well, can you or not?”
“Not sure. Maybe we should find out.”
“We should. Can we go during the week? It’s, what, an hour drive?”
“We can.” I twist off the cap and guzzle down the water. I’m thirsty, taking in the view in front of me. One tug and her bikini top would end up at the bottom of the pool. Two tugs and there goes Sorrow’s bikini bottoms.
“They’re doing something special at the botanical garden. We can go there, too, then roller skating afterward.”
“Sounds fun.” She pushes off the edge and swims to me.
“It’s a plan, baby.” I raise my bottled water like I’m toasting before I take another long draw.
“You won’t be too tired to drive home?” She swims up and hangs on to the edge next to my leg.
“I’ll be fine. We’ve gone home much later before, remember?”
“Yes.” Her hand flits to her throat. “Midnight’s Friendsgiving party.”
“Yes, baby.” Fuck me, I can’t stop calling her my baby. “Sorrow?”
