Page 154 of The Way I Hate Him
“I don’t mind at all. It’s beautiful down here. I can see why it’s your favorite.”
I lead her to the very center of the bay and set my backpack down. Cliffs as tall as five-story buildings surround us, an almond-shaped opening leading out to the ocean, giving us the perfect view but also seclusion at the same time.
“I also brought a light in case we’re still out here when it’s dark.” I pull out the blanket, and I lay it down on the sand.
“You thought of everything,” she says while taking a seat.
I pull out the pickles. “I tried to.”
Her eyes soften as an appreciative smile passes over her beautiful lips. “Oh God, you’re going to make it really hard to keep my hands to myself, aren’t you?”
“Just trying to show you that I care about you is all. I haven’t really done this, at this capacity, so tell me if I do something wrong.”
I take a seat next to her, and her hand slips behind my neck as she says, “You’re doing pretty great so far.” She presses a kiss to my lips, and I inwardly sigh as her soft mouth moves over mine. I could easily sink into this, lie down on my back, and drag her with me, but that’s not the point of this date. So I pull away and take a deep breath as my head spins with desire for this woman.
Christ, ever since she walked into my life, I hadn’t allowed myself to taste her and now that I’ve broken the seal, it’s like I’m crazed and unable to get enough.
“Jesus,” I mutter as I reach into my backpack.
“What?” she asks.
“Your mouth.” I meet her eyes. “It’s what sins are made of.”
She smirks. “I could say the same about you.”
“Something you’ll find out about soon.” I wink and then pull out the cheese I put in a small cooler, as well as the drinks and crackers with some grapes. I lay everything out and say, “I wish I had some fancy plating for you, but this will have to do.”
“It’s perfect,” she says as waves lapping the shore set a relaxing soundtrack for the evening. I don’t think I could have picked a more perfect spot for us.
“This looks delicious,” she says as she picks up a piece of Colby jack cheese and pairs it with a cracker.
“I also brought a fork for your pickles so you don’t have to dip your fingers in the juice, leaving you with a pickle hand.”
“Is there something wrong with pickle hand?” she asks.
“Depending on what kind of pickle you’re touching,” I answer with a wiggle of my brows, causing her eyes to widen.
“Gross.” She pushes at me, making me laugh. “That was such a typical male response.”
“Oh . . . fuck, sorry, did I not mention I’m a man? That must have slipped by me.”
“Is this how it’s going to be? You’re going to be a smart-ass?”
I push a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Unfortunately, for you, yes. You want to know the real me? This is it.”
“If that’s the case.” She stands, but I tug on her hand.
“Sit the fuck back down.”
She laughs and then crosses her legs, draping her dress in just the right way so nothing shows. “Guess I’ll stay then.”
“Damn right, you’ll stay.”
* * *
“I know nothing about your parents,”Hattie says as she leans back on her hands. We just finished eating, and I packed up the empty bins. We joked around a lot, talked about Mac and how strong-willed but sweet-hearted she is, like Cassidy, the loss of her dad—I’d had no idea he died in a tour bus accident when Mac was one—and how she’s doing since she’s lost Cassidy.
“What do you want to know about them?” I ask as I pull her closer to me, our shoulders now bumping up against each other.
