“Umm.. so would you mind driving me to the bus stop? Or if it’s not too far, I can walk,” I say, lifting my head and holding my chin up high. I might not be able to meet his eyes, but I won’t cower. The next thing I know, though, he steps in front of my darting eyes. Still in nothing but that dang towel.
“Where are you thinking about going, Star?” His voice is low, but his tone is deadly calm. My nipples pebble again, and it takes everything in me not to rub my thighs together.
“Uh, I figured after this morning you’d be ready for me to move on. I have a bit saved up so I can start over…”
“That’s not happening, doll. I didn’t jump and run out of bed this morning because I was freaking the hell out. I was close to either fucking you or taking out my cock and marking your whole body with my seed. I was worried about scaring you away or pushing you too hard, but let’s get one thing clear, little Star,” he says, getting even closer, dang near nose to nose with me now, before continuing. “This morning, when you rode my cock and leaked all down my shaft, you sealed your fate. You're mine now, Gracie, and I don’t think I can let you go.”
And within the next breath, his lips are on mine, kissing me like he has seconds to live and I’m his only cure and somehow already… I’m addicted.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LOOT
Iwas a little worried that I might have been a bit too honest with my Star this morning, because after my confession, she scurried off to the bathroom in a mighty big hurry and took her time getting ready for the day. By the time she walks out, she’s dressed in a pair of long, baggy jeans, and a sweatshirt, I’m pulling the last waffle from the fryer and cutting off the bacon as she nervously walks over to me. I can’t help but look her up and down.
She might hide that body under those baggy clothes now, but it wasn’t less than an hour ago I woke up to those sweet heavenly curves grinding and shaking against my body. Fuckkkk, I've got to get it together before I have to take another cold-ass shower.
“So, what do you want to do today? Anything at all,” I ask, loading her plate up and handing it to her with the option of orange juice or milk.
“Actually, I was going to see if you didn’t mind dropping me off back by the motel. I need to let Eddie know what happened last night and hope I still have a job,” she says, biting her lip nervously.
“Already took care of it. Called to talk to Eddie this morning. Explained what I walked in on, and he agreed you needed somemuch-needed time off. Told me to tell you to get some rest and that he would see you in no less than a week.”
“I…” she starts to argue, but I cut her off.
“I promise you still have a job. Eddie was more worried about you than the door. Fucker wouldn’t even let me pay to fix it. Take the time you need, Star,” I tell her, and I can see she’s battling with it. “Let me ask you this. When was the last vacation you took?”
Her eyes dart around, not meeting mine. “I don’t really get vacations. Do moves in between towns and jobs count?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call that relaxing. I also took some time off. First time since coming home from the service.” That last part, I don’t really mean to add, but I realize it’s true.
I’ve been going, going, going so much. Never taking time to stop, and the thought of it all has my breath picking up, my heart racing wildly, and my palms sweating. There’s a reason I haven't taken time off. The more time off, the more time secluded, the more my thoughts turn back to that day.
I feel Finick run against the side of my leg, and it shakes those thoughts away. I take a deep breath, push against the back of my ear (the pain helps me come back into focus), then shake my head, hoping I can shake it entirely for the day.
It’s not until I feel a small hand in mine, though, that the world comes back into focus. Looking down, I meet her soft, concerned gaze. She gives me a small smile and a squeeze when she realizes I’m fine now. That’s all it takes; a smile overcomes my face, and the excitement at the thought of the day returns. Fuck, this little lady has such a tight hold on me already. What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
“So, um,” she looks down, clearing her throat before pulling back completely when all I want is to pull her closer. “What would you normally do on a day like today? I’d usually say knitting, but I’m feeling a bit too antsy for that today.”
She twirls her hands together in front of her, and it makes me wonder if she’s amped up from last night's events or from this morning. Fuck, nothing has ever felt so damn good in my life. Coming back to her question, when I catch her staring at me, waiting for my answer.
“Actually, all my free time is going into getting this place the way I want it. Think I’ve about accomplished that. Got a few small things here and there, but for the most part, it’s home,” I say, looking around the place and taking in every nick and scratch, knowing I had my hand in restoring its beauty.
“Would you take me to see the pond? I caught a glimpse through the bathroom window, and it looks stunning,” she asks hopefully.
“I can do that, Star. Want me to load up the fishing poles? I bet they're biting real good this early in the morning.” I glance out the window to see the fog still close to the ground. Oh yeah, perfect time to catch something. Maybe if I’m lucky, I can get my girl to catch some feelings. Lord knows I’m already fucking hooked.
She gasps before turning and smiling widely, bouncing a bit, which causes those delicious tits to bounce, distracting me. “Can we really? Oh, I haven't been fishing since we lived out in the Smoky Mountains when I was a kid. We camped by this little river for four months before my tent was torn in a storm, and we had to move on. I remember fishing almost every single day; it was so peaceful.”
“How about you pack us up some of that breakfast, and I’ll get everything loaded onto the four-wheeler,” I tell her before turning toward the door.
I hear her giggling a bit as she rushes over to the counter and starts looking through the cabinets. I stop and watch her for a minute; she's opening each cabinet, taking out to-go containers, and a small cooler I didn't even know I had. She’s made herselfat home, no longer holding back. Hell, if I'd known fishing was the way to her heart, we definitely would have been fishing in the dark weeks ago.
I’m whistling a tune as I make my way over to the barn. When I open the door, I turn to the left, and there's a stall with all my fishing gear. I haven't been fishing in a few months, focusing on the house instead, but at the thought of getting out the gear, I can't help but put a little pep in my step. Fishing is so freeing for me, and as my Star said, it's peaceful. Being able to let go of everything, letting the rest of the world fall away, and surrounding yourself in nothing but water and silence, there's just nothing else like it.
Grabbing my two best rods and turning to my tackle box, I hesitate, eyebrows drawing down in confusion. The snap on my tackle box is unlatched. Opening it up, I take inventory of every lure, bobber, anchor, and hook. Every knife, bait, and plier set. Nothing seems to be missing. Still, there's a nagging feeling that the latch is open; usually, I'm meticulous about my gear. Everything has its place, and everything is in its place. Still, it's just an open latch. Deciding keeping my Star waiting would be criminal, I turn and head back out of the barn.
I’m on a mission to show my girl what a great vacation looks like and try to convince her to stay forever.
