Page 26 of Hot Stuff

Dan

After our time on the balcony, I rolled us over. Karol’s body draped over me, I covered us up with the throw blanket I’d kept outside. We stared up at the sky while we caught our breath and thoughts.

Life was good.

Better than good. It was great.

I was waiting to hear back from the shop owner about the offer I’d made, and I was nervous. Even if he didn’t take it, though I didn’t think he’d it turn down after Abel scolded me for offering over asking price, I wasn’t going anywhere. I belonged anywhere Karol was. I kissed the top of her head, and she sighed.

“Look.” She pointed, and I saw it.

A star streaked through the sky, and I held her tighter in my arms. I didn’t have to ask to know we both made a wish in that moment. I kissed her temple, and her head popped up.

“I should go home.” That was the last thing she should do.

“We should go inside,” I suggested instead.

I knew what she was doing.

In her eyes, my two weeks was coming to an end.

I hadn’t told her about the shop. I’d wanted to, but I’d held back in case my offer wasn’t accepted. And because she didn’t know, something I only had myself to blame for, she was starting to build walls around her.

“Dan—"

“You think we just made another wish on the same shooting star, and I’m gonna let you go home?” Her lips twitched like she didn’t want to smile because she thought I was cute. I hefted us up, and she wrapped her body around me like my very own koala bear.

“You’re kinda bossy.” She pouted, and I chuckled. Kissing her forehead, I pulled back and winked.

“You kinda like it.”

“No.” She shook her head before pressing her cheek against mine. “I love it,” she whispered. My heart picked up speed.

I knew what she was saying without saying it out loud. She loved me. I loved her. Fuck, I am a prick. Geoff Bennett, the owner of the shop, was supposed to call me first thing in the morning with his decision. I just had a couple more hours to wait before I could tell her my plans and lay out just how much I felt when it came to her.

“That’s a good thing, baby, because you’re staying with me tonight. You don’t work this weekend, and I have plans for you,” I rasped. She pulled back, her smile brighter than the way the stars reflected against the ocean water behind me.

“Bossy,” she mumbled. I dipped my head into the crook of her neck and slowly showed her just how bossy I could be.

I woke up moments before the sun started to rise over the horizon. I watched the new day fill with light. The world slowly came to life while I held my sweetness in my arms. Karol. Her scent filled my lungs. The room smelled like the salty ocean air since I hadn’t bothered to close the French doors that led to the balcony, but it also smelled like sex and my girl.

Mine.

She was mine.

Fuck. I couldn’t believe how lucky I felt. How fucking blessed. I’d always been a man of action and facts. I’d never been a religious one, but with Karol tucked beside me, her breathing slow and soft against my chest, our nude bodies skin to skin, it felt like the possibility of something bigger could exist.

My phone started to buzz on the nightstand closest to me. Carefully, without waking her up, I rolled out of bed and grabbed a pair of swim trunks off the ground. I pulled them on and grabbed my cell, then quietly walked out of the bedroom and made my way down to the kitchen.

“Morning, Mr. Bennett.”

“Jesus, kid, you make me feel old. Call me Geoff.”

“Right.” Geoff was easy going and didn’t do with a lot of formalities, but I wasn’t going to take a risk at losing this business opportunity with familiarities.

“I looked over your offer.”

“What did you think?” I asked when I reached the kitchen. I made my way to the coffee maker.

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