It's not solely about her looks, though her unusual eyes—aquamarine with adeepgold ring around the center—were enough to stop a man in his tracks. She's smart, kind, funny as hell. But of course, the first woman to catch my eye in over ten years would have aboyfriend.
Crazy to be hung up on this one woman, right? I mean, I can have almost any woman I want, and I have. My rep is what it is because I don'tdate. Ifuck. I'm not interested in commitment or settling down. Tried it once before, and all I ended up with was a broken heart and a former best friend.
So no getting attached. No expecting anything more than a good time. I screwed up withLibertyby allowing the lines to blur, and she's still mad at me. Now I'm sure to beclear about the rules with every woman I've been with, and usually avoid anyone I work with. A night, a weekend, once an entire week with a flight attendant on abreak—never more than that.
I can't explain what it is withPalmerthat makes me want to try again. She's nothing like Angela.Mattcan't understand how I can be crazy about a woman I've never been out with, letalonetaken to bed."Once you get in her pants, man, she'llfallright off that pedestal you've got her on,"he told me one time when he'd caught me scrolling through her social media feed."It's the fantasy of the unattainable."
He could be right, but I don't think so. Because whenPalmeris around, I'm not thinking about what she'll look like splayed across my bed, what she'll taste like when she cums on mytongue, what sounds she'll make when I hit the right spot. Okay, I'm notonlythinking of those things. I'm also imagining us cuddling on the couch on a rainy morning or exchanging funny reels throughout the day. Or going out foricecream, like now.
"So, uh, how are things going? Other than with thegame, I mean,"I ask, my hands tucked in my pockets so I'm not tempted totouchher and freak her out.
"Been better, I guess,"she says with a flat smile."Found out myboyfriend—exboyfriend—is marrying my cousin."
"Wow."
"Yeah, sums it up."Her chortle is bitter. I want to kick hisassfor hurting her.
"Same guy you were living with, I take it?"
"Yeah. Except we broke up in January. New Year's, to be precise."
I raised my brows in surprise."I didn't know."
"It was the off-season."She shrugs."Iwasn'texactlybroadcasting it."
"Huh."She's been single for four months? I had four months to try to woo her and I wasted every one of those days. Stupid."You okay?"
She shrugs again."It's fine. I mean, it's notfine-fine. It will be fine. What really bothers me is not knowing ifRaniawas in the picture when we broke up. I feel kind of foolish."
I move in front of her, making her stop."He's the fool."
"Thanks,"she says, skepticism coloring her tone.
"I mean it."I wait for her to look up so I can bend my head to look her straight in the eye."You're afuckingprize,Palmer, and he's a fool for losing you."
She swallows and blinks her eyes a few times before saying quietly,"Thankyou."
Igrin."It's the truth."
I lead her across the street and down another block to Cal's, my favorite soft serve in the neighborhood. The sweet scent of peaches as she squeezes by me puts all my senses on high alert and when she grazes mychest, it's all I can do to command mycocktostanddown so I don't embarass myself or her.
"Evenin', Marnie,"I greet the middle-aged woman behind the counter holding a large pail.
"Evenin', hon,"she replies."Let me put this one in the back, and I'll be right out."
"So many choices,"Palmersays, peering into the cooler.
"Do you prefer it hard or soft?"
She side-eyes me and raises an eyebrow. Ilaugh."Youricecream, although I think I like where your mind went."
She rolls her eyes, but the corners of her mouth turn up.Slow your roll, Salinas. Don't scare her away.
"I like soft serve, but these flavors are calling to me."She taps the window. Marnie returns and offersPalmera taste. She chooses the black raspberry-chocolate chip combo.
"Mmm,"she moans, dragging the flat woodenstickbetween her lips. I look away as my dick twitches."So good. Can I try the strawberry-pineapple-fudge swirl?"
Marniegivesher another flatstick. Again, thestickis licked clean and she's making another grunting noise. She's going tofuckingkill me if this keeps up.