Brazen Bossman: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 55
“That actually sounds incredible. I love the feeling of sand between my toes.”
“Good thing we have that in abundance just a few blocks away.”
***
If I could bottle up any scent in the world, it would be Piper’s shampoo and the ocean, both of which are whirling around me as the incoming tide kisses at our feet while we walk along the shoreline.
I’ve my slacks rolled midway up my calf because she demanded I walk barefoot with her, which I happily obliged.
There isn’t a single person on this beach right now, giving us the illusion we are the only two people on earth. It’s a nice thought.
I’ve learned so much about her just from this walk in the sand. She loves chocolate, but hates dark chocolate. She prefers live music over any other kind, and loves going to shows in the city, especially bands she doesn’t know. She calls it musical exploration.
She’s always wanted a puppy, but has never been brave enough to fully commit to raising another living being. A basset hound puppy, to be more precise.
“Come on. You can’t tell me they aren’t the cutest animals you’ve ever seen your life? Think about their rolled up skin and saggy eyes. Every time I see one, I want to squeeze it then eat it, it’s so cute.”
“You want to… eat… it?” I take her hand and pull her to spin around so we are facing one another.
“Yes. It’s like my mind doesn’t know how to process the cuteness, so it goes primal. It’s the only extreme enough reaction I can think of.” She shrugs.
Christ, she’s so adorable.
“What would you name this edible basset hound puppy?”
“Pepper Jack,” she answers quickly, without hesitation, and completely confident in her response.
“Pepper Jack? Why?” I chuckle.
“I just think it would be funny and so damn cute to have a big, lazy, droopy dog named Pepper Jack.”
She bends at the waist and picks up a perfectly shaped, blue seashell and examines it closely.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell her. “I always liked looking for the perfect ones when I was a little kid. I would give them to my mother to keep anytime I did.”
“That’s a sweet memory.” She takes my hand and places the shell in my palm. “For your mother’s collection.”
I’m not sure what I did in my life to make it so this incredible woman wants anything to do with me, but I don’t want it to stop.
If I had my way, I’d keep us right here, on this isolated beach, forever.
When we finally tumble into bed for the night, she’s on top of me, with the moonlight beaming in through the uncovered window in our bedroom, rocking slowly while my hands explore every inch of her skin, I know, deep in my gut, this is more than a deep infatuation. It’s more than a passing fling or an itch I need scratched. I’m addicted to her… mind, body, soul… and heart.
Chapter 20
Nathanial
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I actually sleep. It wasn’t a full night by any stretch of the imagination, but I can’t balk at getting six full hours.
I lay beside Piper in bed, watching her sleep, for longer than I’d ever admit out loud, tracing her beauty marks and freckles that dot her pale skin.
My favorite is the freckle that resides directly underneath her right breast. I have made a quick habit of kissing it any time I’m lucky enough to be offered her body.
When I checked my phone and saw it was half past nine, I actually decided to get out of bed and let her sleep for a while longer. She clearly needs the rest, and I could use an hour or so to try to get some work done before she wakes.
Coffee has become a life source for me the past six months. Honestly, I may as well mainline it directly into my veins at this point. Piper is acutely aware of this because when we made the grocery order yesterday afternoon; she made sure to include the exact coffee I prefer and the oat milk I put in it.
It’s the small things that don’t matter in the grand scheme that matter the most sometimes.
I knew last night, about the time she fell asleep curled into me with her head right over my racing heart, I wanted to tell her that I want to try something… more… with her.
I don’t want to sneak around like children. We are adults, and I want to and am willing to try something more serious with her.
She’s the first woman I’ve ever considered this with in my entire life. I’ve never relished the idea of a “girlfriend.” It always seemed like nothing more than a hassle and a distraction from what really matters in life.
I’m able to finish two cups of coffee and work for a solid two hours when I finally hear footsteps padding across the living area and into the kitchen.
“I was wondering when you’d wake up.”
I turn around, expecting to see Piper standing before me, maybe naked, maybe in my T-shirt, but instead, I find my mother and father.
“Nathanial? What are you doing here?”
Piper
I’m sore in the most delicious way.
I stretch my arms high above my head, delighting in the ache I feel in almost every muscle I have. He wasn’t gentle with me last night when he had me bent over the kitchen table, and I certainly wasn’t gentle with him when I rode him with every ounce of energy I had inside of me.
It was the best sex I’ve had in my life. Hands down.
I know it’s because the emotions are running so real and so raw between us.
I sit up in bed, letting the sheet pool at my waist and realize I am completely alone. The bathroom light is off, so I know he isn’t in there. I was hoping he’d sleep at least a little last night.
Taking my cell phone from the nightstand, I open