Page 100 of Designs on You

She sputtered out a laugh, then took a swallow of water. “You can get that anywhere.”

“Yeah, but it’s still my favorite thing to do with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Pick something besides sex.”

“Mmm. Walking the beach. It relaxes me.”

“So maybe that’s your next living adventure.”

“The beach? Nah. I like it, but it’s more fun as a vacation.”

“You’re telling me you wouldn’t want to live by the ocean.”

“No, I really wouldn’t. Beach areas are always touristy and I like to live somewhere quiet.”

She leaned back in her chair and sipped her wine. “Oh, so you can make noise in your game room?”

“Hey, that’s different. I’m in my own place in a soundproof room. Not bothering anyone. But if I want to sit outside, it’s quiet. I enjoy the silence sometimes. The only sounds are birds, crickets, sometimes cicadas.”

He looked over at her and found her staring at him, a look of disbelief on her face.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“What?”

“I mean, you don’t strike me as a ‘listening to the silence’ kind of guy. You’re more…how can I put this…a pool party blowout kind of guy.”

He laughed. “Oh, how little you know about me, Ms.Parker. I can be very zen at times.”

“Okay. Next full moon we’ll zen it out in my backyard. Candles, crickets, the flitting sounds of mosquitos flapping against the pool covering, the whole ASMR experience.”

His lips curved. “I’ll bring my tortured soul.”

She laughed. “You do that.”

After dinner they had coffee, then paid the bill and walked out on the deck that paralleled the water. The night was warm, the moon was bright—though not yet full—and there weren’t too many people walking the boardwalk, so it felt like just the two of them, all alone.

Eugene put his arm around her as they stood at the railing listening to the sounds of the ocean.

She liked that he didn’t say anything, just leisurely rubbed his hand up and down her back. She leaned into him, stroking her hand along his chest. Suddenly she was in his arms, and his lipswere on hers. The kiss heated up in a hurry and Eugene lifted his head to look down at her.

“I think we should take this to a less public place.”

She smiled up at him. “So, the car, then?”

He laughed. “Hey, I’m game if you are.”

She smacked his chest. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”

“Okay.”

“And, Eugene?”

“Yeah?”

“Drive fast.”

He nodded. “I’m on it.”

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