Page 37 of Be My Summer

Saul shook his head, gazing up at me in the window.

“I have every intention of holding you hostage until work has you for the week,” he explained.

My smile peeled my lips backward.

“I didn’t know you could play.”

“There’s so much you don’t know about me, Summer, but I promise to take my time and teach you. Day by day, baby.”

I stared, unable to move. He was condemning and liberating at once.

“Put me out of my misery–” he begged.

“Coming down.”

I lowered my window and slipped my arm through the overnight bag I’d had packed since he promised me his weekend. I made it down the stairs and into the living room within seconds.

“Goodnight, old man. Don’t wait up.”

I placed a kiss on his forehead.

“I won’t,” my father coughed.

Out of the front door and down the walkway, I met my lover. The man I knew, undoubtedly, I’d be doing life with. He was as simple as kindergarten math in my book.

The saxophone had disappeared. It was no longer in his hands. I was. All of me his ten fingers, wrists, and arms could handle. My mouth joined his.

“Good evening, my Summer.”

“Good evening,” I hummed against his lips, wishing I was even closer.

Embedded in his skin.

Caressing his brain.

Guiding his thoughts.

“You ready?”

He lowered me to the concrete. My dress flowed past my ankles. The fabric fought against the breeze, toying with my skin with each movement.

“I am.”

He opened the passenger door and assisted me into the truck. I leaned over and pushed his door open as he rounded the back.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

His right hand roamed my thigh until he found my fingers. As he settled in, he wrapped his around mine. Hand-in-hand, we began the journey toward the park I loved visiting. Toward his place of residence.

The wordless sounds coming from his stereo were soothing. I allowed my head to rest on the seat behind me. I felt heavy and light at once.

“Summer.”

I lifted my head and trained my eyes on Saul.

“Yes?”