“Haley?”
“Yeah?”
“I would be happy to eat canned spaghetti if it meant an evening with you. Not that I’m passing judgment on your cooking, I’m sure I will actually enjoy whatever you’re fixing.”
“I’m not sure if I’m offended or flattered. I’ll let you know.”
He chuckled again. Damn, had he ever laughed as much as he did when he talked with Haley? “Need me to bring anything?”
“Nope, I got it. Just bring yourself.”
“What about this bulk box of condoms I picked up a few days ago?”
“Oh, bring that. I got overwhelmed in the vagina aisle at the store and grabbed the box closest to the checkout instead. I’d never bought condoms before; it’s very daunting.”
“Vagina aisle?”
“Yeah, you know, the one with all the tampons, pads, vaginal medications, pregnancy tests, and, the item on today’s list, condoms.”
“Huh. Vagina aisle. Maybe you can show me your vagina aisle tonight.”
“You are really horny, aren’t you?”
“God yes. I don’t think my dick has calmed down since that first kiss, and definitely not since I had my hands on your spectacular ass.”
“You know, I’m sure I should be offended. Your dick and my vagina have entered many of our conversations. Yet, I am somehow unoffended.”
“That’s a relief, because those two particular parts of human anatomy, yours and mine specifically, have been on my mind pretty much nonstop since you walked into my pub.”
She laughed out loud again. He completely forgot about his knee, the icepack having slid off a while ago. “Now don’t take too long of a shower. I’m putting dinner in the oven in a few.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He clicked off and took a record-fast shower. Tossing on whatever pair of jeans was on the top of the pile, an old USC t-shirt, mismatched socks, he grabbed the nearest pair of sneakers and dashed out of the bedroom. He was halfway down the stairs when he remembered the box of condoms.
His knee about collapsed at the one-eighty midway up the stairs, letting him know on the way back up that he still had a long way to go before he was fully recovered. Ignoring the twinge, he hobbled down the stairs and plopped onto the bottom step to put his shoes on.
Zoe and Evan walked into the entry, extra slow as if a ghost sat at the foot of the steps. Zoe’s eyes looked from him to the massive box of condoms and back to him again. Evan raised an eyebrow at the mismatched socks and ripped up college shirt. Pops appeared behind them a moment later, his mouth opening and closing like a salmon gasping for its last breath.
“Uh,” Pops said. “Going somewhere?”
Biting his tongue, he grinned sheepishly at the trio. “I’ve got a date.”
Evan crossed his arms over his chest, nodding as he pretended to be okay with Finn’s sudden change in demeanor. “Kinda gathered that bit. No offense, but are you sure you’re ready for… that many condoms?”
“Well notalltonight. We’ll save some for tomorrow morning.” He picked up the box and juggled it in the air. Damn, wouldn’t that be fun? Despite his nonstop hard-on since meeting Haley, especially since getting that first taste of her, he didn’t think he could make it through all forty condoms so quickly. Too bad. “Guys. It’s a fling. A rebound. Haley’s not looking for anything, and neither am I. But she’s fucking hot, and she wants me. So, you all have a lovely evening, but I’m outta here.”
Pops nodded slowly. “Well, I guess, uh, have a good time.”
Finn flashed a wink and backed out the front door.
Haleyrealizedshe’dinvitedhim over way too early. It wasn’t even three in the afternoon. Dinner was most certainlynotin the oven, and she was still covered in paint. She’d meant to say, come over in two hours, but she was greedy and wanted himnow.
She was getting out of the shower when she heard his car. Wrapping her towel around her, she dashed to the door to the garage and clicked the automatic opener. Taking the hint, thankfully, so she didn’t have to run out in a towel to let him know her plan, he pulled into the empty stall next to hers.
As he hopped out of his car, he caught sight of her standing in the doorway… in just her towel. “Uh…” he held his massive box of condoms in one hand, slowly closing the car door with his other.
Laughing out loud at her predicament, she waved him in. “I didn’t mean to invite you over so early. But picturing you all sweaty and in nothing but your running shorts, well…”
