Page 46 of Slapshot Summer
Hourslater,theysatside by side at a picnic table on the dock, their rental bikes parked nearby.As they chowed down on the best fish tacos Lexi had ever eaten, they gazed out at the water, sparkling as though diamonds floated on its surface.
He reached over and flicked something from the corner of her mouth with his fingertip.Such a natural gesture.“What do you want to do tomorrow, baby?”
“Well, let’s see.We have three and a half more days.”She began counting off on her fingers.“We’ve walked around town, danced at the Warehouse, rented bikes, and eaten tacos at Flip-Flops, among other things.I think we’ve hit the tourist nail on the head pretty well.But I’d still like to check out the Tipsy Pelican.”
“ThatTipsy Pelican?”He jerked his head toward the dive bar farther down the dock.
“Yep.They’re hosting a band called the B-Sides this weekend that would be fun to see.I hear they’re a great dance band.You could show me more of your moves.”She gave him what she hoped was a sexy smile.
“I’m alwaysupfor showing you my moves, babe,” he chortled.“But if you really want to go, we could do that Thursday night.I’d like to take you out for a really nice dinner Friday.You know, for our last night?”
Thunk.And there it was.Reality again.Their time together was finite, and it was flying by too fast.
“I’d also like to drive up the coast,” he continued.“Why don’t I rent us a car tomorrow, and we’ll go shelling?You can add to your collection.”
“For the whole day?”
“Well, we’ll have to set aside time for the mandatories.”He gave her a knowing leer and squeezed her upper thigh.
“Mandatories?”she snorted.
“Yeah.Like watching movies.We have lots of movies to watch.”
She laughed at the inside joke.They had started out streamingThePrincess Bridebut hadn’t gotten past Buttercup’s kidnapping scene before their mouths were fused together and they were pulling off each other’s clothes.Same result when they tried watchingInterstellar.
Still chuckling, she leaned into his shoulder.He put down his half-eaten taco and dropped his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close to drop a kiss on her head.She loved this feeling of sharing time and experiences with someone.Of harboring their own private world.Of being a couple.Even people at the hotel, like Matt the bartender or Neil the snake, acknowledged them as a couple.One elderly woman had even pulled her aside to gush about how she “loved to see young people in love.”
Lexifeltlike a couple.An intimate couple who shared bedroom secrets.It was … liberating.Exhilarating.She could definitely get used to it.
Thenextmorning,withthe “mandatories” completed to everyone’s immense satisfaction, they headed for a cherry-red Mustang convertible the rental company had delivered.Josh carried a gigantic picnic basket he’d had the hotel pack for them, which he stowed in the trunk.The basket was an unexpected, thoughtful surprise Lexi was dying to peek at.
“Not till I say it’s time,” he barked when she tried to lift the lid.
He opened her car door, rounded the hood, and hopped into the driver’s seat.As he got familiar with the controls, she tugged on her bikini bottoms beneath her mesh cover-up and adjusted her ball cap.
“Yo, co-pilot.My phone’s connected to the car’s audio now.Find us some cruising music,” he commanded.
She scrolled through playlists.“I don’t think I realized how bossy you are until now.”
Sliding his mirrored sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, he gave her a pointed look.“Really?You’re just now appreciating who’s in charge in bed?”
“Hmm.You have a point there.Youdoenjoy taking charge.”And I do appreciate it.
“Glad you noticed I have apoint.Especially with the workout you’ve been giving it.”With a gleeful cackle, he shoved the glasses back into place and started the engine.Paused and side-eyed her.“Wait.I thought you loved me taking charge.”He was so earnest; she nearly burst out with a laugh.
Instead, she answered with an eye-roll.No need to boost his swagger, even if she didfind it irresistible.
A cocky grin curved his sensuous mouth.“Yeah, I thought so.You love it.”
Yes, I do.
Soon they were heading down the highway, miles of pristine sand that brought to mind unbleached flour on the right, with the shimmering sapphire waters beyond.“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison blared through the speakers.
He swiveled his head toward her.“Did you pick this?”
With the sunglasses on, she couldn’t read his expression.Had she chosen wrong?Conrad hadhatedhair bands, but she’d always loved singing out loud to the familiar tunes.
“Yes.Is that okay?”
