Rowan
The scent of fresh and crisp apples mixed with delicate mint, that I loved so much, drifted into my nose. Whether it was first thing in the morning or after a nap on the couch, like now, it soothed me with the knowledge that Milo was in my arms. I took a deeper breath to take my fill and buried my face in Milo’s nape where his short hair tickled my skin.
He murmured something unintelligible and backed his ass to my crotch.
We’d spent a lazy morning in bed, fooling around, then grilled vegetables and chicken for lunch, and settled inside by the open doors to the backyard watching the brief rain patter on the grass. When Milo had curled up next to me on the couch and his breathing evened, I let myself drift off with him.
During a bingo night at the cafe, I had the opportunity to talk to Ethel while Milo had been running in circles to make sure everyone was happy and fed. She’d told me that Milo didn’t like celebrating his birthday, which was on August nineteenth, so I shouldn’t be surprised that he hadn’t mentioned it. She hadn’t said why, and I had not been my place to pry. Milo deserved the celebration, but if he wouldn’t want it, I’d figured a cabin getaway a week before the date itself wouldn’t scream it’s about his birthday. Judging by his messy hair and relaxed expression, it had been a good call.
“Oh, look at the time.” Milo tapped his watch, where he sneakily checked messages from Sophia about the cafe when he thought I wasn’t looking. He was relaxing anyway, so he was being good.
“What about it?”
“It’s coffee o’clock.” He grinned.
Of course it was. “I can set up a blanket so we could sit outside since it stopped raining.”
“I’ll make iced lattes if you want.”
“That would be perfect,” I kissed him briefly. Until now, he’d insisted on hot coffee. It tasted best that way, according to him. But it was damn hot in here. We had the ceiling fan on but wanted to avoid the AC to enjoy the fresh outside air.
“My chest is sticky.” Milo frowned, his expression analyzing.
“Not my cum this time.” I booped his nose.
“I ate that clementine like a pig and the juice splashed at me.”
“That must be it. Now, my arm is sticky too.”
“Quick shower, then coffee?”
I nodded. We had to space our showers or take them in different bathrooms to avoid getting lost in each other, but Milo was on a mission to get his caffeine fix, so we’d be quick. Besides, the stall was too small for both of us.
Air-drying and wearing only a pair of boxers each, we ventured into the kitchen and while Milo was busy, I arranged essentials in a picnic basket I found next to a relic of a tiled stove that must have been left for decorative nostalgia.
“I can’t believe you brought your own grinder and French press,” I said, leaning against a wall, watching Milo do coffee magic.
“Seriously? Have you met me?”
“Okay, fair. It’s the most you thing to do.”
He did a little happy shimmy retrieving ice from the freezer, then added it to our drinks.
The cubes clanked in our glasses as we went outside, where I set up the blanket on the grass overlooking the forest stretching behind the cabin. Milo settled in the cradle of my legs and, despite the heat, I loved when we stuck to each other.
“Do you know how to play Canasta?” Milo sat up and stretched his arms over his head. He was wearing only briefs that left nothing to the imagination, which suited both of us just fine. He’d started the morning in a cute crop-top and jorts, but by noon, it had become insanely humid, and we decided on an underwear-only policy for the sake of the furniture in a rented cabin. Otherwise, we’d be naked.
“Is that a card game?” I asked. “I think I’ve heard it mentioned in a show my grandma loved to watch.”
“Yeah. It works best with four people in pairs, but three or even two is good too. I used to play it with Anabelle and Ethel a lot. They played with my parents when we’d visit, and I was too young to understand the rules.” He wiggled around to face me. “Want me to teach you?”
“Sure. Do you have the cards?”
“I packed the coffee press, remember? I wouldn’t forget cards, pfft. I know my camping necessities.” He sprang to his feet and returned bouncing with two decks in his hand.
“What do I do?” I asked.
“Can you shuffle?”
