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I get up. “Sorry, should have turned the ringer off.”
“I’m not tired,” she grumbles.
“Alright, sweetheart,” I say, reaching for my clothes. “If you’re not hungry, want to come into town with me to grab groceries?”
That perks her up. She climbs out of bed and pulls her phone off the charger.
“What’s the town like?”
I shrug, fastening my pants and getting my boots from the closet. “It’s just a little New England town. Kinda rustic, but there’s a grocer and a coffee shop.”
“So, no flip-flops?”
“I wouldn’t, not if you want to do any shopping.”
She cocks her head, eyeing me. “What kind of shopping?”
“Little boutiques ’n’ shit.”
“And who’s paying?”
I walk by her and smack her across the ass, making her jump. “Who do you think is paying?”
In the bathroom, I turn on the sink. Over my shoulder, I can see she’s biting her lip, eyes still narrowed, but she’s as pink as her hoodie. Then she flips me off and goes in search of her sneakers. The thing about Serena is she’s actually pretty damn sweet under all that sour. But she needs to be handled with care. Sometimes that care means telling her what the fuck to do and smacking her ass. It resets something in her brain and gives me a little time before she starts mouthing off again.
I leave the bathroom. She has her matching pink sneakers on, and she’s texting by the door.
“You ready?”
She nods, leaving the room without looking up from her phone. I wonder who she’s talking to, but don’t say anything. I grab my keys and herd her through the front door, locking up, and leading the way to the truck.
“Hop in,” I say, holding the door.
She does, flashing me the edge of her panties as her shorts ride up. I can’t help myself; my arm shoots out and gives the round undercurve of her ass a quick squeeze before I shut her door. She’s scowling when I slide behind the wheel.
“You’re handsy today,” she remarks.
I spin the wheel, backing down the drive. “Well, you are very hot.”
She’s quiet. I pull on the state route and head toward Little Fairmont, a tiny tourist town about eleven miles west.
“Really?” she asks finally.
“Huh?” I glance over at her, where she’s cross-legged, her sleeves pulled over her clenched hands.
“You think I’m that hot?”
She’s not looking at me. I reach out and put my hand on her knee, rubbing the silky skin with my thumb.
“I think you’re very sexy,” I say honestly. “I’m still halfway hard from touching your ass.”
She smiles, pinning her bottom lip between her teeth. I’ve noticed she chews on it a lot.
“Thanks,” she says. “But don’t get too comfortable.”
“I won’t. I’m sure I’ll fuck something up in a minute here.”
She tsks me, lifting a finger. “You’re learning.”
