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“Your stomach’s growling. Loudly.” He smiles at my mid-section.
The sun’s now on the other side of the lake, setting. “Oh, what time is it?” I ask as my stomach growls again.
“Time for dinner. Where do you want to go?”
While we collect our things and toss everything back into the bag, the options flutter through my mind. “I don’t know. I picked the last one. Why don’t you tell me what you like, and I’ll pick a restaurant that’s fitting.”
“Okay, let’s see…” He trails off in his thoughts. “How about something nice, classy? I’d like to treat you to a fancy night. If that’s all right with you?”
“I’d be okay with that. I don’t eat fancy often, but I hear Richie’s is good. It’s in Eugene, so it’s a bit of a drive, and I’m not sure how much it’ll cost. Honestly, I’m good with a food cart and beer too, doesn’t have to be fancy.”
He tugs me tight against his chest, his body vibrating with laughter. “We’ll catch beer and food carts next time. Tonight, let’s do something nice.”
A giggle slips free as I lift on my toes to reach his lips. “Sounds good to me. We better get going then. We’ll need to shower and stop by Dad’s with his dinner before we head out.”
Once we reach the car, he opens my door and tucks me safely inside. He stuffs the rest of our stuff in the trunk and slides into the driver’s seat.
Our return trip is quick, and before I know it, we’re pulling into the driveway. Jaxton squeezes the leg he’s touching. “I’m going to run to the hotel and check in with my brother, but I’ll be back before you can miss me.”
A tinge of sadness spears my heart, serving as a reminder that getting attached isn’t smart, since he’ll be leaving soon. “It’s too late for that.” I offer boldly, running my fingers through the hair feathering the back of his neck.
He leans closer, a confident smirk tilting his lips, before they lightly claim mine. “Tempting, tempting. Let me help you inside before I go.” He exits the car and quickly unloads the trunk. The cool evening air is refreshing as I unlock the front door.
Jaxton helps unpack, tossing our used towels in the bathroom hamper. When he’s done, he corners me against the kitchen counter as I wash our water bottles. His front lines perfectly with my back as he kisses the shell of my ear. “See you soon.”
The warm breath against my skin begs for me to say fuck dinner and drag him back to my room like a cave woman.
The counter’s the only thing propping me up as I swoon, even after Jaxton pulls away and laces our fingers, tugging me toward the living room. He opens the front door, but then turns back for a quick peck.
“Don’t take too long.” I call after him as he climbs into his car, waving once he’s on the street.
When the goofiness dissipates and my senses return, I notice a new silver Audi across the street, and smile. My neighbor must have gotten the promotion she told me about. She said the first thing she’d do was buy a new car.
Sighing, I close the door and head for the shower. Unprepared—I screech—the water like bee stings attacking from every angle. A moment passes before I realize sunblock wasn’t a part of today’s outing.Freaking, idiot.
I dig down deep and power through the rest of my shower, already knowing the burn has set. The only thing left to do is face the music and wipe the mirror.
“OH. MY. GOD.” I say out loud in slow motion.I’m a lobster!“There’snoway I can go out like this.” Not only am I beat red, but it hurts to move. Imagining clothes against my skin is torture.
As per the myth that I follow, I jump back into the shower and turn the water as hot as I can stand. Supposedly, the increased temperature helps decrease the burn in a matter of hours, instead of days. When I’m finished, I check the mirror, hoping for a miracle. No such luck. Still as red as a beaten ass.
Going out in public is not on my to-do list tonight. Instead, I locate my cell and dial Jaxton’s number. I’m going to have to cancel our dinner plans, intending to lie around the house in a cocoon of lotion instead.
He answers after a couple of rings. “Hey, Kitten. You miss me already?”
His words easily coaxed a smile. “I have to cancel on you tonight.” There’s a brief pause.
“What? Why? What happened? Are you okay?” The rapid questions are laced with concern.
“Yes. I’m perfectly fine… somewhat. Nothing major.” I laugh at myself.
He’s quiet again, waiting for me to elaborate, and when I don’t, he grows impatient. “Are you going to tell me why, and what’s wrong?”
“You can’t laugh, okay?” I hesitate, trying to sound less lame, but decide to just bite the bullet. “I forgot to put sunblock on and got a sunburn at the lake. It hurts.” The laugh on the other end is barely audible, but enough to know he’s fighting back his hysterics. “I can hear you.” My tone is firm but playful. “It’s not funny. I have to sit around in a cocoon of lotion tonight and you’re laughing.” This time, he doesn’t try to hold back. “Are you done?”
“Sorry, babe.” He’s sonotsorry.
“Yes, fine, it’s hilarious, but I still can’t go anywhere tonight.”
