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“I guess we should go. I’d hate to be busted twice in one night.” She pushes away from me.
“Eliot—”
“Do you—” she begins. I hold my tongue as she looks back up at the sky. When she looks back down at me something in her has changed. Her gaze is on fire like she’s finally settled on a decision she’s been wrestling with. “Do you want to come to my place? It’s such a nice night I hate to waste it.”
“I’d love to come over.” I can feel her gaze on me as I lift myself out of the pool. I redress and carry the towel to the end of the pool she’s at. I hold it open waiting to see if she’ll come take it from me. She doesn’t hesitate as she stands and faces me.
She owns the pool as she walks through the shallow end. My chest starts to heave and my heart hammers in my ears as her body slowly emerges from the water. Her skin is alabaster, her nipples a soft pink, and her hips flare in the perfect handhold.
I would close my eyes again to recapture my control, but I don’t want to miss a minute. She slowly wraps the towel around her before gliding to her clothes.
“Jesus,” I whisper. She gives me a saucy look over her shoulder. I moan and turn toward the door. If I don’t leave right now, neither one of us is leaving anytime soon.
I move through the rooms making sure no one other than Arlo came in while we were in the pool. Slumping onto a bench in the foyer, I wait for Eliot to appear.
“Ready,” she says, stepping around the corner.
“You have no idea.”
* * *
ELIOT
I can’t believe I did that. It’s one thing to walk around naked when you’re cut like a marble statue like Owen. It’s another to do it with hips that are a little too round, a stomach a little too soft, and breasts that are already debating their downward plunge. But the way he held out the towel was like a dare. And the new young and wild me wanted to take that dare.
That side of me is long gone as I sit in his cruiser for the short trip to my house. I can’t think of anything to say so I’m just staring out the window in silence. I chance a glance at Owen. He doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the silence. He has a small smile on his face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask when I can’t stand it anymore.
“I was thinking that of all your escapades, this one was by far my favorite.” I turn to the window so he can’t see my grin. It was my favorite so far too. When I’m back under control, I turn back around.
“So, what you’re saying is getting shot with a Roman candle wasn’t at the top of your list?”
“I’d say getting shot by a rocket ranks just below colonoscopy.”
“But just above eating a slug.”
“Have you eaten a lot of slugs?” He laughs, and I feel myself relaxing.
“One time in elementary, Josh McGuire held me down and made me eat one.”
“Do you want me to hunt him down and teach him how to treat a woman?” he asks.
“Nah, I’ve moved past it.” He laughs again as we pull up to my house.
The minute of confidence I felt is wiped out. My nerves ratchet back up to a critical level. What was I thinking inviting him to the house? He turns off his cruiser and hops out. Apparently, he’s not freaking out like I am. He opens my door.
“Are you still okay with me being here?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Yeah, that sounded impressively cool. I can do this. I’m the new and improved Eliot Caraway after all. He follows me to my door. Every scenario that can happen once we’re inside flashes through my mind.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure.” He wanders into the living area. My kitchen, dining room, and living room are just one large room divided by furniture. I bought it five years ago. It needed some work that I’ve slowly been finishing, but I love it.
I open two beers and carry them across the room. Owen is sitting on my couch with his legs stretched in front of him.
As far as I see it I have two choices at this point. I can hand him the beer, and we can go out back to stare at the stars. Or, and I like this idea slightly better, I can straddle those long legs.
