“Yeah, Pop made sure I could drive pretty much anything on any surface, and, at the risk of bragging, I can give you a good run for your money too.”
“I don’t know whether to be impressed or scared.”
“Be afraid. Be very afraid,” I tease in my best villain voice.
He snorts, about spitting the mouthful of beer he’s just taken. “Sweet pea, you may be shit hot with a vehicle, but your ‘bad guy’ voice still needs plenty of work.”
“Hey now …”
The two of us are still chortling like school kids when Daisy places our food in front of us.
“There you go. Anything else I can get y’all before I leave you in peace?”
“Nah, we’re good thanks,” Jessen answers her.
“Then enjoy. Holler if you need anything.”
“Dude, this looks incredible, but holy smokes, it’s a crap ton of food.” I’m sizing my food up, trying to figure out where to start. I swear the burger’s about the size of my head.
“Yeah, one of the many reasons I love this place. Food’s incredible, and they don’t skimp on portion size.”
Taking a deep breath, I commit the most cardinal of sins and cut my burger in half. There is absolutely no way I’m packing all of it in. I’ll take the rest home and enjoy it a second time, for dinner.
“Wish me luck; I’m going in.” He gives me a chin lift before sinking his teeth into his own.
I take my first bite and can’t hold back a moan at the explosion of tastes in my mouth.
“Told ya,” is all Jessen says, turning his attention back to his food.
Savoring the food and, dare I say it, giving it the respect its due, neither of us says a word. Who knew hamburgers could tastethisamazing? I make a mental note to bring my parents here when next they’re in town.
Finally, pushing my plate away from me, I contemplate the man sitting opposite me. He’s diligently licking his fingers clean.
“What? Can’t waste good food now, can I?” His grin is one of pure enjoyment.
It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed so much in one day. Despite our rocky start, I find myself enjoying his uncomplicated company. He’s straightforward, says what’s on his mind, and isn’t afraid to confront something – or someone – head on. You know where you stand with him; I like that. In fact, I like him.
Maybe a little too much for comfort since the research isn’t going to last forever. Then he’ll move on, and I’ll have been nothing more than a blip on his radar. Mentally shrugging, I drain my glass.
While we wait for Daisy to box up my leftovers and bring us something else to drink, Jessen and I chat. He regales me with funny stories about his teammates and things that have gone wrong on missions, as much as he’s able to.
Before we know it, two hours have passed, and the restaurant is filling up with the lunchtime crowd. Draining his glass of soda water, he nods at my own glass.
“When you’re ready we can go. It’s getting a little crowded for my taste.” While I enjoy the last of my daiquiri, he settles our bill. Back out on the sidewalk, he asks, “How about a walk on the beach?”
At my eager nod, he takes my leftovers and pops the box in his trunk. Returning to me, he drops a hand to the small of my back as we stroll over to the beach. Thankfully, it’s not overly crowded, and we can walk without being jostled or having to watch out for small children and animals running in and out of the surf.
“So tell me about your folks and their retirement adventure?”
I regale him with tales my parents have shared with me as they venture across America, determined to visit every state. Laughing at the antics of one of my parents’ cats, I catch Jessen studying me, an intense look on his face.
“What? Do I have food on my face?”
Without warning, he reaches out and snags me around the neck, gently pulling me toward him. His eyes never leaving my lips, he simply leans into me and places his mouth on mine. His tongue glides across my bottom lip, an entreaty for me to let him in.
So caught up in the moment, I couldn’t deny him even if I wanted to. Opening up to him, I’m unprepared for the onslaught to my senses. How soft his short hair feels as I sink my fingers into the lush thickness. The taste of him on my tongue. The clean, woodsy scent of his aftershave. Feeling surrounded by him.
With a sigh of pleasure, I surrender myself to the kiss.
