“Don’t spoil me now, Officer. You’ll have a hell of a time later.”
Wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close, he whispers, “I’ll spoil you for a whole lifetime, Trouble, and love every fucking second of it.”
“I like the sound of that.” I slap his ass and run into the bathroom to brush my teeth.
He joins me to brush his own teeth, and it feels so domesticated. In all the years I was with James, we never once were in the bathroom together. It’s a comfortable thing, fun and playful in the mundane moments.
We smile at each other with foamy paste dripping on our lips.
“Don’t look at me like that. We might not make it to lunch,” he mumbles.
“Oh we’re going.” I spit out my toothpaste and rinse my mouth. “I’m starving. Someone makes me burn too many calories in the middle of the night.”
I turn, pinching his abs.
“Not sorry. At all.” Leaning over my shoulder, he does the same as me, spitting and rinsing. But once his toothbrush is back in its holder, his lips cover mine.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“Just because I can. Because you woke up in my bed, and now we get to go to lunch. And Cooper knows and didn’t junk punch me.” He laughs.
“I would have protected you from that. I don’t need him injuring my favorite body part.”
This time he lets out a big belly laugh. “Make sure you tell him it’s bigger than his when you do.”
“I’ve heard it might be the same size.” I slip under his arm and disappear down the stairs to find my shoes.
“I didn’t need to hear that!” he yells after me.
Laughing at myself, I can’t help but feel like I won the lottery; even though Hugh wants to take it all away from me.
Hemlock Cove is the absolute cutest little town next to Balsam Cliffs. Driving up the coast, I experience the most picturesque landscape, and I grew up surrounded by mountains and blue rivers. But none of that compares to the rocky coastline along the ocean.
I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing nothing but the vast blue horizon.
“We’re here.” Wyatt pulls into the smallest parking lot I’ve ever seen with what can only be described as a seaside shack.
“This looks like… a dive bar.”
“It is. But the best one. Come on.” Hopping out, he walks around to my side and helps me down out of the truck. A much nicer ride than the back of his cruiser yesterday.
“Hey, Wyatt! What are you doing here today?” A robust older man greets us.
“If you can believe it, this pretty lady has never had a lobster roll. Or a blueberry milkshake.” He leans into the man. “And she thinks that huckleberries are superior to a Maine blueberry!”
“That is blasphemy. Come this way, young lady. I’ll give you the best seat in the house.”
We follow him to the corner of the shack, and he pushes a slider door open, revealing one table on the back deck. The furniture might leave something to be desired with its worn chairs and nineties plastic table, but the view can’t be beat.
“That’s the Pierson’s boat right there. Coming in right now to bring me your lunch.” He puts his hand out for me to shake it. “I’m Bob.”
“Sophia. Pleasure to meet you, Bob.” I place my hand in his, shaking gently.
“Rosie will be out here in a minute, but you feel free to go on down to see Kane and Granger when they get here.” He drops the menus on the table and goes back inside.
A petite blonde girl passes him. “Hi. Can I take your order?”
Her voice is barely above a whisper, but Wyatt speaks up. “Two Cokes, two fries, and two rolls, one mayo and one butter.” His lopsided grin is in full effect, and she blushes at his attention.
