Page 46 of Life

As in one.Uno. Singular. I close my eyes. A red devil appears on my right shoulder and a white angel on my left. Red Devil is fist pumping the air and cheering as though she’s won a marathon and received a shiny new trophy. White Angel is wagging her finger and shaking her head, obviously disappointed. Then, Red Devil walks along my shoulder, throat-punches White Angel, and shoves her off my shoulder.

Decision made.

Our room.

Our bed.

Lord, have mercy on my soul.

Eli comes back and heads to the fridge. “Wine or beer?”

I scrunch up my nose. “You have food here?”

He smiles. “I called a local college kid I work with on occasion to come ahead and fill the fridge with some essentials.”

“Which would be wine or beer?”

Eli pulls out a bottle of beer and a bottle of chilled white wine.

“Obviously.”

“White, please. What else?”

“Some meat for grilling, veggies, sandwich and breakfast stuff.”

I shrug. “As long as you’re the one cooking I’m happy to be the one eating.”

He laughs full and deep. The rumble tingles against the sensitive space above my tailbone like a feather tickling me seductively.

“Don’t worry, Spicy. I got you.”

I nibble on my lip and watch while his muscular arms shift and move, working the wine cork like a professional. The black lines of tattoos running down both arms add to the intensity and fierceness that seem to be such an integral part of his personality. One I’m becoming far more attached to than I’d like to admit.

“But you’ll be the one doing the dishes if I’m the one cooking. Deal?” He hands me a glass of white wine, and I take a sip. The crisp, fruity flavors of the Pinot Grigio rush over my taste buds in a flurry of citrus tingles.

“Mmm.Muy bien. Gracias. Si,I’ll do the dishes. Noproblemo!”

“How’s about we kick off our shoes and take these on the beach? I’d like to show you something.” He extends his arm toward the wall of windows.

I follow Eli through the living room, past the stunning porch complete with teak patio furniture, a fire pit, a stone hot tub, and a calming waterfall. The thought of soaking my sore muscles and body has me drooling, but I didn’t bring a swimsuit.

Eli waits at the gate as I look longingly at the hot tub.

“You coming or are you going to take a soak in the tub? Because if that’s what you want to do, feel free to strip right here. I’ll protect you.” He grins wickedly and waggles his brows.

“Cállate!I didn’t bring a swimsuit so I won’t be going in.” I lift my chin and push past him where he holds the gate open. There’s a small path of stone stairs that leads right to the beach. As in, the sand of the beach covers the last of the steps.

When we hit the bottom, we both kick off our boots. He tucks his socks into his shoes and then wiggles his toes in the sand. There’s something so cute and boyish about the movement, I giggle.

He frowns. “What so funny?”

I grin. “You and your feet.”

This time he scowls. “What’s wrong with my feet?”

“Nothing.” I snicker behind my hand.

“Then why are you laughing?” He lifts one up. “They’re too big? You know what they say about big feet?” He tries to go for the old standby joke.

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