“You saw?”
“Baby, I have never been far away,” I divulge. “If you want to get mad at me for staying close, go ahead. I told you, I’ll endure it just as long as I get you in the end.”
“Get me how exactly?”
“Mind, body, and soul,” I tell her simply.
Ellie looks at me skeptically. What I wouldn’t give to be telepathic right now.
“What are you thinking?” I ask.
“What kind of stipulations come with those things.”
“None. No strings, no expectations, no demands. I told you that before. I will take whatever you’re willing to give me. And I mean it. I never go back on my word. You may not believe it now, but someday you will.”
“Are you always so sure of yourself?”
“Yes. When I want something, I get it. First rule of survival, identify your surroundings, accept them, and then try to improve them. I’ve identified, accepted, and now I’m trying to improve.”
“Sounds like a lengthy process.”
“Depends on the crisis.”
“Are we in a crisis?” she creases her eyebrows.
“At the moment, no. But if your boy toy becomes a problem, maybe.”
Ellie stares at me silently as the sun creeps up over the water brightening the room. Then she smiles impishly. “What boy toy . . .”
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
I FLOP ONTO THE BED, beat.
The last five days have been the very best of my life, hands down, undisputed. Every day with Ellie I learn something new about her and myself. Her energy and love for life is infectious. She laughs more than I thought possible for a single person; she’s always smiling, always frisky, always playful. I never thought I’d say this, but she’s freaking wearing me out.
“Tired, old man?” she yells from the sundeck. Ever since she found out I was a whole five years older, she has teased me about my age.
“Not a lick,” I lie, waiting for my second wind. I’ve always been energetic, but Ellie takes stamina to the next level. She never stops, whether we’re out somewhere or in between the sheets. Not only have I met my match, I’ve met my competition.
I check my phone. No new messages. I haven’t heard from Juice in three days, so I’m taking that as a good sign. Although in the spy game, no news isn’t necessarily good news.
I shoot a quick text to Jett.
Me: Hear any good gossip?
Jett: No. Stop being a busybody. Only worry about that hot little piece of ass you’re hell-bent on keeping all to yourself.
Me: I was never taught to share. Fuck off.
And you wonder why I’m a possessive lunatic when it comes to Ellie. Everyone wants her, even my best friend. Not that he’s stupid enough to touch her, but he’ll let it be known the interest is there.
“Kayne, what are you doing!?” Ellie shouts from the sundeck. “Come outside, and let’s go swimming!”
I lift my head to look at her with wide eyes as she dips her foot into the pool. “We just spent the whole day snorkeling.”
“So?” She shrugs.
I can’t stop the smile from cracking my face. Energizer Bunny!
