“You’re more than a fuck.”
“I’m not, and you don’t have to placate me. I understand and, having had time to consider what you said, I agree.”
“Is that why you flipped me off? Because you weren’t upset with me?”
“When I lift my middle finger, it elevates my mood. You should try it sometimes.”
I laugh and take the umbrella. “Thanks for the tip.”
She tucks her hand under my arm so we both fit below the umbrella. It’s brutal outside.
“Leo’s napping?” I ask.
“Mmhm. I asked Matt to come inside in case Leo wakes up looking for me.”
“You know what parents do while kids nap?”
She shakes her head.
“They fuck.”
Lake leans her weight into me and pushes me right into a puddle. Water up to my ankles, I curse and jump out of it. Lake’s laughing so hard, she’s bent over.
“You’re in trouble now,” I tell her.
“You should spank me.”
My phone rings, and I point at her. “You asked for it.”
“Aren’t you going to pick that up?”
“If I answer, I can’t go inside with you and spank you, then fuck you silly.”
“Rain check on that?”
“Sure. I’ll walk to the door.”
In retrospect,I know that this was the moment I fell for her, while she just wanted to run away.
THIRTY-FIVE
LISTEN
Lake
I rush into the hotel and wave at Alessio from the other side of the door. With his dark hair falling over his eyes, he looks even more devastating than when he’s dry. There’s something so attractive about a relentless man who doesn’t care if he’s in the pouring rain as long as his work gets done.
Alessio taps his earbud and answers the call, his blue eyes taking on a darker hue, his whole face changing into something predatory. I don’t know what the other person said, but Alessio fires back, “Who are you talking to, hm? Surely not me. I said five minutes, but I took ten. And?” He plucks his buds from his ears and drops them into his pocket, then puts his palm against the glass on the door.
I meet it with my own. The size difference makes me smile.
Alessio’s phone rings again.
I lift my middle finger, hoping he’ll understand my humor.
Alessio smiles when he picks up the line again.
I leave him to it and walk down the hallway, making my way back upstairs. Before I reach the elevator, my phone rings. I pick up without checking who it is.
