“I am conveniently right through the bathroom,” Grant said with a flourish.
She gave him a look. He grinned. His long hair made him look younger, more boyish.
“You can’t resist me,” he said as he swept her up and twirled her around the room.
“I can’t!” she protested. “I smell, and my hair is so greasy I could fry an egg in it.” Grant ignored her in favor of leaning down to kiss her while unbuttoning her blouse.
“Lucky for you,” he said as he undid her lacy bra, “I am used to being around people who smell like garbage.”
“‘I don’t smell that bad!” Kate said in mock outrage.
“No, you smell good,” he said as he bit her lightly on the shoulder and breathed in the scent of her neck then kissed his way down to her navel while she ran her fingers through his hair.
“You’re just horny,” she told him. “You should have gotten a girlfriend while I was gone.”
He looked up at her seriously. “I only want you. I told you that.”
She sighed. He slowly ran his fingers up her thigh then slipped them into her panties and stroked her.
“I shouldn’t be doing this,” she said softly.
“And yet,” he said, kissing her mouth, his tongue taking her mouth as she knew he was about to take her body, “you will.”
He shrugged off his shirt and pants, and she took in the sight of him. Now that he wasn’t so stressed out and had better food, he had added even more bulk. Kate reached up and ran her nails across his skin, catching on the ridges of his chest. She felt him jump, and she scratched him.
“You’re going to pay for that,” he growled.
He threw her back onto the bed and pinned her arms above her. She felt him slide into her. She arched her back and wrapped her legs around him.
“Take me,” she told him. He pressed his mouth to hers, silencing the screams of pleasure that wanted to burst out of her.
When it was over, they lay sweat drenched in each other’s arms.
“It is so hot in here,” Grant said breathlessly.
“I’m sure we can find you a fan, or you could have, you know, not picked the hottest part of the house.”
“It’s worth it for this,” he replied.
She rolled over and stroked his face with her palm. Grant seemed more grounded, happier, even. He turned his head and kissed her palm.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” he murmured.
She ignored him and sniffed herself. “I need a bath.”
She pulled away from him and stood up. She felt him watch her for a moment, then he followed her into the small bathroom.
“Ugh, I hate these old houses,” she complained as she took in the exposed brass pipes and cracked porcelain fixtures.
“What? These are nice accommodations!” Grant said. “At least you can shower, and look”—he pointed—“there’s even a toilet.”
She rolled her eyes and started the water.
“You should try taking a dump in a plastic bag in the middle of the desert,” he continued.
“Gross,” she said.
“That’s the part where you laugh, Kate,” he said, his hands on his hips.
