Page 48 of Watercolor Skulls

I snuggle into him, reveling in the warmth he provides. “No, I suppose not. She was my bright spot.”

“It’s been two years since I’ve been home. Meeting you made me want to come back. I don’t know why, like I said you are my sunflower on a cloudy day. I felt like I could do it with you by my side.”

“Is that where we are going after this? To your parents?” I wrap my arms around his neck, placing my forehead to his.

“If you’ll go with me?” he asks hopefully.

“Yes, I’ll go with you. Your mother sounds lovely.”

“She won’t recognize me,” he says, pain etched into the space between his brows. I lean in and kiss him there, wanting to erase his hurt. My kisses become frantic as I place them all over his face. He grabs the hair at the base of my neck to stop me. He stares deep into my eyes. “You think you can kiss me better?”

A grin spreads across my face. “Is it working?”

The corner of his mouth turns up. “It’s working too well.” He grabs my hand and moves it over his growing erection.

“Oh, oh shit. I’m sorry,” I yelp, pulling my hand away. “I didn’t mean…”

He kisses me soundly on the mouth to shut me up.

Breathless, he leaves me breathless.

We finish the day with a hayrack ride out to the pumpkin patch. We purchase a few smaller ones, hoping we can fit them in his saddlebags.

When we get to his childhood home I shake my hands out. I’m so nervous. Before we even get to the door it swings open. A big guy as huge as Dan bursts through. He wraps his son up in his arms, picking him off the ground.

“Goddamn, boy, it’s good to see you.” He puts Dan on his feet and then turns to me. I brace myself for what’s coming. Yep, soon I’m wrapped up in strong arms, my feet dangling in the air.

“Oh, she’s a tiny thing like your mother,” he tells Dan, setting me back on my feet.

“Dad, this is Lily. Lily, this brute is my dad, Ray.” Dan’s eyes shine proudly over his father. A pang of jealousy sticks me in the heart.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say softly.

Ray let’s his eyes roam over my body, taking me in. When he’s finished with his assessment his gaze travels back to his son.

“How’s mom?” Dan asks nervously.

“She’s good, her health anyway. Mentally, well it depends on the day.” He motions for us to come inside. “Come on let’s go in and have supper. Your mom made all your favorites.”

“She remembered?”

His dad pauses. “I may have nudged her in the right direction.” He places his arm around Dan’s shoulders when he notices the disappointment on his son’s face. “She did remember how to make it. That’s something to hold onto, kid.”

“Yeah,” Dan says sadly.

The house is cozy. There is a lot of biker memorabilia hanging on the walls. I pause to look at a photo of a small boy on a Harley, a young couple standing beside him with big grins on their faces. Awe, Dan was such a cutie.

“Don’t be asking to see any butt naked pictures of me because there aren’t any,” Dan says over my shoulder, laughing.

“You were so cute,” I tease.

The house is warm and smells like cinnamon. I close my eyes and try to imagine what growing up here would be like.

He grabs my hand and walks us into the kitchen. A petite woman with the most beautiful white flowing hair turns to look at us as she sets the table. Dan’s father walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. He whispers something in her ear. She smiles and dips her head.

Dan seems frozen in his spot, he gulps loudly. I squeeze his hand and we turn to face each other. Slowly a smile grows on his handsome face. “Thank you, sunflower,” he whispers. I nod and step forward.

“Everything smells so wonderful,” I say to his mother.

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