Page 114 of Shift Change

“As much as I’d like that, let’s put it on hold long enough to eat lunch.”

He rubbed his belly. “Sounds perfect. My stomach cheered as soon as you said lunch.”

We strolled down the beach to the Burger Shack, which had become our favorite lunchtime spot. Salty air, a killer breeze, and burgers that made me groan—what more could a guy ask for? After demolishing two doubles with cheese and a mountain of fries, we ordered more beer. The sun was high, and we were in the shade with nowhere to be. Nothing beats a vacation with your man.

“We’ve been here a week,” he said, tipping his chair back. “We booked for two, but want to stay for a third? The awards ceremony for the Calder won’t be for a while yet.”

We were staying at the Coral Point Resort, the best on the island. “They may not have room,” I said. “It’s a popular place.”

“If they don’t, we’ll try another place. I’m sure someone could make room for a knockout guy like you, even if you are dragging my ugly ass around.”

I took a pull from my beer and gave him a slow, filthy once-over. “Whatever your ass is, sweets, it ain’t ugly.”

He laughed, a little snort that warmed my chest. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not ridiculous. I’m right. You’re the most breathtaking man I’ve ever seen.”

“Thanks.” He dropped his gaze and started peeling the label off his bottle. “Not the most confident about that kind of thing. Or most things, I guess. You know why.”

“Yeah.” I reached across the table and placed a hand on top of his. “Will you talk to Dr. Goodman about that?”

He nodded, then took a long sip of his beer. “I have been. Even during the playoffs, I didn’t miss appointments. She says facing the truth about my childhood and coming to terms with it will help my self-esteem. Having you, knowing you can love me, has already made me feel valuable. That’s a first.”

My heart kicked up a notch. “You do that for me too. Listen, whatever you need from me, I’ll give it. I want to help as much as I can.”

He smiled, and I was sure the sun got jealous. “Be Chuck,” he said. “Love me and let me love you. Let’s focus on having fun and building a good life.”

“You’ve got it.” I bounced my eyebrows. “Want to head back to the hotel? We talked about doing something after lunch, if you recall.”

He laughed, drained the rest of his beer, and stood. “Why the hell are you still sitting there? Let’s go.”

We got naked the minute we were inside our room. The breeze poured in through an open window, lifting the curtains and keeping the air cool. We made out like horny teenagers, rolling around the bed until the heat simmered just below a boil. Before things tipped over, I slid off the mattress and grabbed my suitcase from the closet.

“The fuck are you doing?” he asked. “I’m ready for action over here in case you didn’t notice.”

I found what I was looking for and turned, letting the pair of neon blue boxer briefs dangle from my fingers. His eyes went comically wide, reminding me of the cartoon characters on the underwear. He cleared his throat but said nothing.

I gave him a look. “Would you mind telling me why my missing boxers—this very pair—were inyourdrawer back home?”

After a few more seconds of stunned silence, he grinned like a kid caught with frosting on his face. “It must have gotten mixed in with my things when I washed clothes. Sorry.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Try again. I haven’t seen these since I moved in. Well, except for one time.”

“When?”

“Remember when we got home from that road trip to Texas? You started gaming, and I did the laundry. Imagine my surprise when I was putting your underwear away and found these in your drawer.”

“I didn’t mean to take them,” he blurted. “It was an accident. I saw them the day you moved in and thought they were funny. You came right back into the room, and I panicked. I was afraid you’d think I was a perv for touching your boxers, so I—uh—shoved them under my hoodie and forgot to return them.”

“But you didn’t forget to wear them.” I narrowed my eyes.

“For a little while.”

I let several beats pass. “What aren’t you telling me, sweets?”

He was as silent as a stone.

I glanced at the boxers, then back at him. “At least you finally washed them. When I found them the first time, they were a gross, crusty mess. You beat off in my underwear, didn’t you?”

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