Page 16 of Thick Girls Take Chances

“I had a really great time tonight, Eve.”

The wind kicked up and I shivered. He slid his hands up and down my arms, warming them before pulling me back against him and wrapping his arms around my waist. I nodded in agreement then leaned my head against his shoulder and enjoyed the view of the moonlight shining off the rippling waves.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re older than me. How many couples are exactly the same age?” I assumed that was a rhetorical question so I stayed silent. “We’re both adults. There’s no reason we shouldn’t see each other again. Unless you don’t want to?”

How could I not? From the first time I laid eyes on Max, I had a feeling of déjà vu. Even now, I feel like I know him, even though we’ve only spent a few hours together. That has to be a sign of something, right? I just need to get over myself, take a chance, and explore whatever it is.

I shook my head, then realized he could interpret that two ways.

Shifting my head slightly to look up at him, I said, “I want to.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up into an adorable smile as he turned me in the circle of his arms and pressed his mouth to mine. His kiss was tentative at first, a mere brushing of lips, but it still felt amazing. And that was just the start.

He nibbled at my bottom lip then gently tugged and fully opened his mouth over mine. I dropped my sandals and wrapped my arms around his neck, melting against his chest. I matched his tongue stroke for stroke and our surroundings faded away as all my senses focused on the taste and feel of the man in my arms.

Max tightened his hold, pulling me onto my tiptoes and I groaned as my tight nipples pressed against his hard chest. His mouth was still feasting on mine and with one arm wrapped around my waist holding me in place, he slowly stroked his hand up to cup my breast. Sensation zinged down to my clit when he flicked his thumb against my nipple and I leaned my hips into him, pressing against his erection. He pushed into me once, twice, three times before pulling back slightly to put some space between us. My heels settled onto the sand as Max loosened his hold and slowly ended the kiss.

Max

I carried the last sheet of drywall into the house and set it down against the rest of the stack. Pop and I are done building structures at the festival grounds and picked up where we left off on our job list. Today we’re hanging drywall in the two-car garage we built for Mitch Beckett last spring. He didn’t plan on putting up walls, but his wife didn’t like the look of the bare studs. So here we are.

The job should be relatively easy, but it is labor intensive. Which suits me just fine today. It’s been two days since my date with Eve and I still get a semi when I think about that kiss. I don’t remember the last time I got so turned on while still fully clothed. Probably not since I was a horny teenager. Hopefully the physical work will keep my libido under control.

“We’ll start down there,” Pop said, pointing to the back wall.

I picked up the drills and set them on the floor over where we’ll be working, while he filled his toolbelt with screws. When he was done, he picked up a piece of drywall.

“I can do it,” I said.

“So can I.”

He walked past me, grumbling under his breath. Instead of arguing with him, I grabbed a sheet, carried it across the garage, and set it next to his. We did that twice more, then started hanging.

“Your mother called last night,” he said.

Thankfully he had enough screws in so when I flinched, the drywall didn’t fall. He finished securing it to the wall before answering.

“What did she want?”

I set the next sheet into place and waited for him to answer.

“She asked if you’re okay.” He drilled a screw into place. “Said she’s been calling you but you’re not picking up and haven’t called her back. That true?”

“Yeah.”

He shrugged and continued working. I thought he’d say more about their conversation, but as we finished hanging the drywall, he was either quiet or spoke about work.

I looked around the garage, happy with our progress. Aside from a few special cuts, the drywall is hung. When we come back from lunch, one of us will take care of those while the other starts taping the seams.

We normally bring something to eat on site, but we’re working right down the block from Whitman's Cafe so decided to eat there instead. It’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned. We’ll have a delicious lunch and Pop will actually have to take a real break.

The cafe is crowded this time of day, but we found a table for two near the back. After placing our orders, Pop headed to the bathroom to clean up and when he returned, I did the same. As I washed my hands, I chuckled at my reflection. My dark hair is sprinkled with drywall dust, giving it a salt and pepper look. I dampened a paper towel and ran it over my hair to clear out the worst of it then headed back out to the table.

“So why aren’t you answering your mother?” Pop asked once I got settled.

“You know she only calls me when she wants something.” I took a drink of water then shook my head. “Last time she was badgering me to do that reunion show.”

“You should at least answer to see what she wants.”

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