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“Cedar Lake.” He pulls in between two large trees to the right, then pops the truck in reverse, backing us toward the water that has come into view through the back window. “My dad used to bring me fishing here all the time as a kid.”
“You fish?” I question. Like many things with Thad, I find that hard to imagine.
It’s easy to pretend we’re from the same world but when I really sit back and think about it, I don’t think our worlds could be further apart.
“I used to.” He backs the truck right up to the water before he shoves it into park, killing the engine moments later.
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?”
“Two days ago.”
“Two days ago?” I question.
“I like to come here to think. Helps me reconnect with who I used to be. Reminds me of who I want to be.” He pulls open the truck door and quickly slips out before I can respond.
Waiting until I’ve slid into the driver’s seat, he offers me a hand and guides me out of the truck, spinning me to face the water the instant my feet hit the ground.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” he speaks directly into my ear, his breath tickling my neck.
“Beautiful,” I agree, loving the way the sun hits the water just right, making it look like it’s sparkling.
We’re in a pretty heavily wooded area. Other than the small gravel road we took to get back here there doesn’t appear to be any other openings in the woods–at least not that I can see from here. In fact, I see nothing at all. No houses. No docks. No boats. It’s just us. Us, the water, and nature.
“Come here.” Thad steps around me, taking my hand before leading me around to the back of the truck.
“What are you up to?” I question when he lowers the tailgate and offers to help me up.
“Just shut it and get in the back of the truck.” His smirk turns into a full smile when I roll my eyes and allow him to hoist me up.
I push to my feet and step to the side to let Thad hop up. He intentionally brushes his body against mine as he slides past me.
Popping open the large tool box that’s attached at the head of the bed of the truck, Thad pulls out a blanket. He fans out the thick material before laying it down, the edge coming to rest just at my feet.
“Sit,” he orders, retrieving a small cooler hidden inside the tool box.
I don’t hesitate taking a seat in the middle of the blanket, watching him with unhidden curiosity as he sets the cooler off to the side and slides down next to me.
“What’s in there?” I ask, eyeing him up and down.
“Drinks and snacks.” He smiles, popping open the lid before retrieving two waters.
“Drinks and snacks,” I repeat slowly, not sure what to think about him right now. This whole thing seems completely out of character for him and yet at the same time feels right. Like he’s done it for me a hundred times before.
“In case we work up an appetite.” He winks, his smile turning wicked.
“And you’re not at all concerned that my family is expecting us home?”
“Nope.” He looks extremely proud of himself as he continues, “I called your mom when I got to the airport. Told her your flight had been delayed a couple of hours. By my calculations we have approximately three hours before they’ll be expecting us.” He extends a bottle of water to me which I take and set off to the side.
“Well aren’t you clever,” I tease, completely surprised that he thought all this out just to get some alone time with me.
“I’ll show you clever.” He chuckles, tossing his bottle of water to the side before grabbing me by the forearm and tugging me into his lap.
I go willingly, straddling his legs as my arms go around his neck.
“You better be careful, Mr. Mitchell. A girl could get used to this,” I warn, smiling down at him.
“Oh I’m counting on it.” He leans forward, kissing the middle of my chest where my shirt dips at the same time that his hand slides up the back of the material, his fingers dancing against my spine.
