I glance around again, and even though it’s dark, it appears to be just woods and open air. I don’t see a lake, thankfully, because I’m not sure I could stave off the panic attack if I had one.
The dome light slowly turns on, and my elbow falls to my thigh when my door pulls open.
Seamus stands with his phone in his hand, the flashlight shedding light on the ground so I can step out of the truck. I slide my hand in his extended one, giving myself something to hold on to.
“This way,” he says, leading me to the back of the truck. He doesn’t let go of my hand and he gently pulls us forward. I smile to myself when he rounds the back of the truck, popping open the tailgate. He’s acting like we are going to climb a mountain and it’s imperative that I hold his hand, but no. We literally just rounded his truck and walked to his truck bed.
With the truck gate open, he presses a button on the inner left side, and a string of twinkling lights glow soft white, trailing the sides of the truck.
A small gasp leaves my lips as I see a mound of fuzzy, warm blankets and a long, soft pillow laid across the back. A set of binoculars and a plate full of snacks sit on either side of bed.
I turn to look at Seamus as he appraises me with so much adoration. Between the gorgeous man in front of me and this entire set up, it’s all so romantic.
It’s alsosotriggering.
28
SEAMUS
“What’s this?” she asks with more confusion than excitement.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting her reaction to be at the recreation of our nights at camp, but she’s hesitant and totally on edge. I know the last time we saw each other was in this exact setting, minus the truck, but I want to explain everything. I want to share with her what happened and show her how much that short time meant to me.
“I wanted to relive my most cherished memories with you.” My reply is instant, because those are the nights that are a constant loop in my mind, and she has no idea how much they helped me get through the last ten years.
I lived off the memory of her for too long, and now I intend to live off her presence.
A hint of a smile hits her lips before it falls again, as she takes a deep breath. She lifts her chin and rises to her full height as she turns around. Placing the palms of her hand on the back of the truck bed, she gracefully bends her knees as she jumps, sliding her butt onto a secure spot at the back of the tailgate.
“Well, now that you’ve got me here, what are you going todo with me?” she asks the same exact question from years ago in the same playful tone.
Stepping between her legs, I meet her face to face and smile at the memory of everything that happened that night.
“Wanna play spin the bottle?” I playfully banter back.
Her neck cranes back as she pins me with a look of curiosity.
“Was that a joke, Rambo? Has my old Seamus finally returned or are you still the rigid Mr. Matthews?” Her lopsided smile melts my cold, dead, black heart.
Every encounter we’ve had since that night at Afterburn has been tense. She’s on edge and uncertain, and I can’t seem to say the right things. The years of holding myself back, not getting close to anyone, and years in the service have changed me. I’m not the same Seamus she knew those couple of weeks, but I’ve never felt closer to him than I do when I’m with her.
Her chocolate brownie eyes sparkle in the moonlight and a light sheen of gloss shines over her lickable lips. My eyes bounce between both, because I don’t want to stop staring into the eyes that I’ve been craving for a decade, but I’m dying to kiss her.
There’s no denying the sexual chemistry between us. The spark is like a gasoline fed fire that ignites into an uncontrollable inferno, and I feel her burn everywhere. But we need to talk before anything more happens between us that she can try and regret.
“Let’s find Orion.” Using my old friend as an icebreaker, I climb into the back of the truck and lay down with my arm splayed out to the side, inviting her in. She follows effortlessly like she always did and it feels like a lifelong puzzle is complete.
We lay in perfect silence, the scent of pine trees and sap heavy in the air. The breeze cascades through the brush, creating mother nature's soundtrack, and it’s something I’ve been craving almost as much as I’ve craved her touch.
I stare up at the sky, breathing her in, feeling her mold against my body like a glove that was made just for me.
“That night was the best night of my entire life. Followed by the worst twenty-four hours after.” I tell her, as she tips her chin up, resting it on my chest and I tilt mine down to meet her gaze.
“Tell me about it?”
29
SEAMUS
