Page 85 of Sugar Coated Secrets

I roll Sadie’s naked body on top of mine, then cover her with the fur blanket, pulling it up to her bare shoulders. I kiss the top of her head.

Her cheek rests on my chest. She’s been quiet for some time, answering my questions with few words.

Me - “How are you?”

Her - “Fine.”

Me - “Am I crushing you?”

Her - “A little.”

Me - “Are you cold?”

Her - “No.”

Now, I’m wondering if something is wrong.

She’s on me but not snuggling against me. Her body is more like a blanket I placed a certain way. I can’t believe we had sex. It was the best sex of my life, and it was with Sadie. Never had I imagined she’d be this way. Never.

“Sadiecakes?” I stroke my hand down her clammy back. “We shouldn’t stay out here for too long. I’d hate for you to get sick from the cold.”

She nods against my chest and then pushes herself up, taking the blanket with her.

“I didn’t mean right this second.” I grab another blanket from the other side of me and cover my naked body from the chill.

“It’s okay. We should go.” She avoids my gaze and gathers her clothes.

Dammit. Something is up. She couldn’t have hated the sex. It was obvious in many ways that she enjoyed herself. A worse thought comes to mind. I tense. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she snaps, as if the question is absurd.

It isn’t. We had rough sex and I’m big. She’s dainty. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she were sore considering how tight she is.

I get my phone, then turn on the flashlight so she can find her clothes in the blankets. She collects her sweater and pants. I watch her dress, checking for any marks or bruises on her body. The wood floor is hard, even with the layers of blankets. Nothing stands out other than how glorious she looks naked. Her body is perfectly proportioned for her size.

Realizing I’m staring, I quickly grab my clothes and get dressed. She collects our jackets, then hands me mine as I gather the blankets. I need to say something to ease her or find out what’s wrong, but I haven’t a clue how to go about it.

She slips on her boots and eyes me. “Ready?”

I tie my shoelaces, then gather the blankets in my arms. “Yep.” What the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I think of something more or better to say?

With anyone else this sudden distance and desire to leave would be normal. I wouldn’t think anything about it other than we did what we came to do and now it’s over. But this is Sadie. My closest friend. My houseguest. My brother’s wife’s best friend. She’s different and an important part of my life.

We climb into the boat. It rocks slightly. Sadie takes the blankets from me and sits on the back bench, holding them on her lap. Probably to keep warm. The colder temperature and the wind on the ride back will be chilly. Before turning on the spotlight so I can steer us back to shore, I catch Sadie taking in the stars. Thousands twinkle above us and reflect on the surface of the lake. The peace and beauty almost take my breath away. The fact that I’m sharing it with Sadie makes it that more special.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I say.

She nods, her gaze still toward the sky. “I love the stars. When I was little me and Everleigh would sneak onto her roof and watch the stars. Sometimes, if we were brave, we’d go down to the lake up the street and watch them from the grass with our feet in the water.”

“You weren’t afraid of gators?”

“I was young and not afraid of much.”

“What changed that?”

She inhales a deep breath. “Honeycomb is small, as you know. Everyone knows everyone. News travels fast. A woman who worked with my mom at Mimi’s, the consignment shop downtown,” she adds like I’d know it.

I shrug, clueless.

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