“Maybe.”
We’re quiet for a minute. “Hey,” Alka says, sitting up. The hammock rocks dangerously, and I grip his shirt, so I don’t fly right off the front. He grins, grabbing my arm while I sit up with him. “Come meet Oscar? Then we’ll go to dinner.”
My breath catches. “You want me to meet your husband?”
My breath catches for a different reason when he cups my face. “Yes. Just quickly. I’m hungry and I want to eat dinner with you, but I want to see if he wants me to bring him home something. It’ll be weird if I ask you to wait outside. Besides, I want you to meet him.”
Nerves make me tense as I nod. “Okay.”
Alka leans in and presses his lips softly to mine. “Briefly. Promise. I like you and I want to keep seeing you, and… I think it’s important for you two to meet.”
“I want that too,” I admit.
He smiles, brushing his lips to mine over and over again. “Good.”
The walk back down the beach to his bungalow is comfortable. We hold hands and continue to discuss kids and marriage and futures. Part of me thinks this is an interview, like we’re scoping each other out to see if we’re compatible, but I love the conversation. I love learning the different ways we think about the same points.
When we step up onto the deck of his bungalow, Alka kisses me again and squeezes my hand. “I’m going to have him come outside. I don’t want it to get awkward if he’s wandering around in his underwear or something.”
I laugh. “Does that happen a lot?”
“More than you might think. He’s a porn star, so he’s used to being mostly naked in front of people. It doesn’t truly cross his mind that he should put on some damn clothes.”
“Oh jeez.”
Alka grins and turns to the sliding door. It’s cracked open, and he pushes it open all the way to poke his head in. “Oz?”
I don’t hear a response.
“See? This is why I’m peeking. Put some clothes on and come outside. I want you to meet Ruby. Why are you only in a towel?”
I’m suddenly very curious about their life. Does he have random guys come over when Alka’s not there? Has Alka watched a scene? Does he ever get jealous?
“Ah. Fine.” He steps back and joins me again. “Washing chlorine off. They use a lot in the small private pools.”
“You have a private pool here?” I ask.
Alka nods. “Yep. Around the side. They set up these bungalows so we have a little of everything. Privacy with the fenced-in front yard that encompasses a grill and grass. The side has the pool. The back has a deck that overlooks the ocean and sits on the beach. It’s kind of perfect. We always say we want to try out other accommodations, but this one always wins out.”
I don’t get a chance to answer because the door slides open and a man who isdefinitelymade to be drooled over steps outside. He’s already smiling. Goddamn.
“Hey,” Oscar says.
Alka smiles. “This is my husband, Oscar. This is Ruby.”
Oscar offers me his hand, and for a split second, I think,Holy hell, I’m going to touch a real-life porn star.I shake the thought away and accept it. “Hello,” he says. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Alka hasn’t stopped talking about you.”
Flushing, I glance at Alka who’s smiling unapologetically. “Same. He doesn’t stop talking about you either.”
Oscar bows his head and releases my hand.
“We’re going to grab something to eat, then I’m going to walk Ruby back to his room. You want anything?” Alka asks.
Oscar nods. “Whatever you pass is fine with me. I’ve been snacking on our dried fruit selection, and it’s not as fulfilling as it might seem.”
