The next morning is a whirlwind of activity, and all traces of lazy, unscheduled days disappear as we’re hustled off the ship after a quick breakfast. We’re off the ship and delivered to the airport right on time to catch our long flight back to Seattle.
We’re both quiet for most of the journey. I’m so preoccupied with what’s happening between Penn and me, I forget to be nervous about the flight, which is maybe the one good thing about the trip home.
We’re in the Uber on the way home from the airport when Penn finally turns to me and says quietly, “I’m going to do it. I’m going to tell everyone about the shelter next time we see them.”
A smile breaks across my face, and pride bubbles up in my chest. “Yes! Penn, that is amazing. I’m so glad! You know everyone is going to be so proud of you. We’ll all do as much as we can to help you. It’s going to be incredible!” I can’t stop myself from reaching across the back seat of the car and grabbing his hand in my excitement. What I really want to do is take him in my arms and kiss him until he forgets his own name. But we’ve barely touched each other since the planetouched down. Like we’re both desperately trying to stick to the agreement we made, following it to the letter.
Penn nods, chewing on his lip. “I know they will. I’m still nervous about the whole thing going down the drain though. I really don’t want to fuck it up.”
I shake my head and squeeze his hand. “Penn, even if something happens and it doesn’t go ahead, you’ll have everyone’s support. I promise you. But I know,I know, you can do this. It’s going to happen.”
He gives me a slightly watery-looking smile. “Thanks, Hunter,” he whispers.
We hold hands for the last five minutes of the ride until the Uber arrives at my place. I swallow hard before opening the car door. Fuck, I want to kiss him so much. I look down at where our hands are clasped in the middle of the back seat, fingers laced together. Fuck it. I lean in and plant a kiss on his mouth.
He gasps, surprised for a moment, before responding eagerly. Our kiss is sweet, our lips moving against each other gently but firmly. It’s somehow hungry and desperate but chaste at the same time, knowing this is it. Our little vacation fling is officially over. I try to pour all the things I can’t put into words into the kiss, my heart pounding in my chest. Everything I want to say but can’t bring myself to is on the tip of my tongue.
Finally, we pull apart and look into each other’s eyes. There’s so much I want to say to him, but it’s all too late. We’re home, and our vacation from reality is officially over.
“Thank you, Penn. This was one of the best weeks of my life.”
His eyes are glassy, and I hate that his beautiful blue eyes aren’t filled with laughter the way they usually are. “Thank you, Hunter. It was one of my best weeks ever too. I… Thank you.”
Stepping out of the car, I hoist my heavy suitcase out of the trunk and begin walking toward the front door of my building. I can’t help but turn and watch as the car pulls away from thecurb, taking Penn with it. My stomach sinks as I stand and watch the car disappear around the corner. The weight of the real world has descended back onto my shoulders, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, my solo existence in my little condo feels empty and lonely instead of feeling safe and protected from the world.
Chapter twenty-six
Penn
Walking into Pixels & Pints, the familiar cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses wraps around me like a warm embrace. I scan the crowd, seeking out that head of tousled brown hair I’ve been missing like a lost limb these past few days.
“Penn! Over here!” Serah’s voice cuts through the din, and I head over to where our group has commandeered a large booth. Her curly blonde hair is up in a ponytail today, and I give it a gentle tug as I wrap my arms around her. Cooper gives me a bear hug that leaves my ribs creaking while Kelly raises their glass in a silent toast.
“Where’s Hunter?” Logan asks, eyes darting around as if expecting him to jump out from behind a potted plant.
“No idea,” I lie smoothly, though my insides are buzzing with anticipation. I know we agreed to cool it, but damn if I haven’t been counting the seconds till I see him again.
“Speak of the devil,” Cooper says, and there he is. Hunter Davies, not looking any different than he did a couple of weeks ago, but the difference to me is that I want to run over and climbhim like a tree. He’s wearing a new leather jacket that should be illegal for how good he looks in it.
“Hey, guys.” His voice is something I’ve come to crave more than my next breath. He slides into the big booth, not anywhere near as close to me as I want him. Although what I want is to be sitting on his lap with his cock buried inside me, which may not be appropriate right now.Alright, stand down, horndog. It’s only been a couple of days.
“Missed you, man.” Logan grins at him. “So, how was it?”
“It was great. We had an awesome time.” Hunter shrugs, shooting me a quick glance that no one else catches. A jolt of electricity zings up my spine.
"Oh, sure, that’s all we need to hear.” Logan rolls his eyes, sitting back and taking a pull off his craft beer. “You guys go away for a week together on an ultra-luxurious vacay on one of the fanciest ships in the world, and ‘yeah, we had a great time’ totally satisfies our need for details. Next topic, everyone!”
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. Simmer down, jackass.” Hunter grins and jabs him with his elbow. “We did have a good time! What more do you even want?”
“Oh my god, seriously, Hunter!” It’s Serah’s turn to roll her eyes as she shakes her head, shooting him a look in mock irritation over his cluelessness. “How about maybe telling us what the ship is like. And the beaches and the food? What activities did you do? Come on, we want to hear all of it!” She makes a rolling “hurry up” gesture at him before taking a sip from her glass of white wine.
“Well, we did almost miss the boat,” I volunteer. “Plus, the beaches were incredible.”
“Whoa, wait, what? Missed the boat? Story, please. Now.” Cooper grins at us.
“Let’s get some drinks in,” Serah suggests. “This sounds like a good one.”
We all murmur our assent, and Kelly, who’s sitting between Hunter and me, nudges him so he can slide out.
