This was the first I’d heard of this plan.No one had said I would be followed around by someone.Did I have to hire a bodyguard?Because I wasn’t so sure what my parents’ life insurance left behind since I was unavailable for contact with the outside world.I had no idea what they had set in place for the event of both their deaths.
“Let’s not talk about this,” he said, his tone softening.“It’s upsetting you, and I don’t want you worrying.”
That was easy for him to say, but he didn’t have to face what I did.Once I was free to face it.Right now, I was living in this limbo.One where I woke up every day, focused on just getting through it.And, well … lately, focused on when I was going to get to be around Forge.He had distracted me from so much that was going to have to be dealt with when the time came.
“That’s a little easier said than done,” I muttered, turning my attention back to the screen.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, but I could feel his eyes on me.Then he reached over and closed the screen on my laptop before doing the same to the one in front of him.
“What—” I started to ask when he stood up and put his phone to his ear.
“Not gonna be able to work tonight.You got help there.Besides, the games aren’t that heavy.Yeah.Possibly.Yep.Right.”
Turning back to me, he stuck his phone in his back pocket, then held out a hand to me.“Come on.”
I looked at his hand, then back at his face.“What are we doing?”I asked hesitantly.
He gave me a crooked grin.“Going out.I mean, notout, out, but out.The best I can do for now.”
I put my hand in his, and he tugged me up very close to his body.
“A little chill in the air tonight.I’ve got a hoodie down here you can slip on,” he told me, then released my hand and ran it over my hip before walking toward the door that led to the game room.
Excitement bubbled inside me, replacing the fear and worry.Just that easily, he could fix things.I couldn’t even wish it away—this thing he did to me.I knew I’d leave, and it was going to be hard to let him go, but for now, I could just enjoy it.
He went into the room, then came walking out with a black hoodie that I’d seen him wear just yesterday.I hoped he hadn’t washed it.I wanted it to smell like him.He’d pulled on a navy sweatshirt, too, that hadCarver’s Bootleg Whiskeyon the front.
I held out my hand, thinking he was going to give it to me.
“Hands up, Pickles,” he told me.
I laughed.“You don’t have to put it on me.”
“Hands up,” he repeated.
Still smiling, I did as he’d instructed, and he pulled it down over me.It was huge, warm, and smelled like him.I wanted to giggle like an idiot, but I refrained.I also didn’t take it and shove it against my nose like a weirdo, but I thought about it.
“That covers up your tits in that top.I’ll be able to stop thinking about sucking on your nipples now,” he said.Then he reached over to straighten the hood, bunched up behind me, and slid his hands beneath my hair, fanning it out so that it wasn’t stuck underneath.“That’s better.Food should be here in a few minutes.I’ll go out to get it at the front gate.But we can get the drinks, napkins, and utensils ready while we wait on it.I think Halo has a picnic basket in the pantry.”
Picnic basket?
“Are we eating outside?”I asked, following him as he started toward the hallway.
“Yeah, I know the perfect spot.Somewhere you’ve not been.It’ll be like you have escaped.”
I smiled at his back, letting my gaze drop to his delicious butt.The man made jeans look mouthwatering.I’d seen it naked this morning, and whew.It was a sight.One I wanted to keep forever burned in my brain.
The dimples just above it were something I hadn’t known were needed on a guy.But they were just as enticing as the way his lower abdomen cut into a V just beneath his abs.I was getting flustered.I needed to stop this.We were going on a picnic, not to the bedroom.It was Noa’s book’s fault.I had gotten worked up more than once today, reading it.
“We are drinking tonight, Pickles.Not enough to get you drunk.I want to get you naked later, and I want you fully aware of what is happening.But tipsy is fine.So, what do you prefer?”
Drinking wasn’t such a bad idea.It would loosen me up.Until I’d read Noa’s book today, I hadn’t realized just how unexperienced I was.There was so much more to making out than blow jobs and having a guy feel me up.Although last night, I’d been shown a bit more, but not all the things I’d read today.
“Um, I, uh … well …” I didn’t drink often.What did I want?
Calvin always ordered one for me if I did have a drink.Normally some fruity drink.
Forge stopped and looked back at me.“I’ve got everything.You name it.”
