Page 65 of Roads Behind Us
“You’re beautiful,” I said. “I don’t think I could ever do you justice.”
She ignored my compliment, focusing harder on my sketch. “It’s not just scribbles. This is art.”
“Barely.”
“Bax, you made me look sexy. Only an artist can do that.”
“Then you’re an artist, too,” I said, feeling kind of shy and silly, coiling a lock of her hair around my finger now, “’cause you’re sexy every day.”
She blushed. “I don’t see myself that way.”
“Why not?”
She rolled and set my sketchpad on the bedside table, flashing me the perfect view of her ass. Reaching out, I slid my hand between her legs, gripped her thigh, and pulled, and she rolled back toward me and tucked her hands beneath her cheek.
“Dunno,” she said. “I guess I’ve always been a little different. You know? On the outside, all I see is short and chubby.”
“Chubby? You’re nuts. You’re perfect.”
The blush darkened. In the smallest voice, she said, “Thank you.” After a minute, she shivered and shook her head, finally interrupting the eye contact we couldn’t seem to break. “I’m not overweight. I know that. I’m more like a string bean—curve-less—but it’s just this thing in my head.
“When I was little, my daddy called me Belly. Apparently, I had a habit of runnin’ around without a shirt. My mama said I hated them, and I’d take mine off in the most inappropriate places. Church, the grocery store, when they pulled up to a drive-through window. And I had a pot belly, so my dad would pat my stomach and call me Belly, like an old man after Thanksgiving dinner.
“I guess it stuck with me.”
Caressing my hand over her stomach, I leaned down to kiss it. “No old-man resemblance here. You are beautiful and perfect just the way you are.” I dragged my lips over her soft skin and taut muscle, and she shivered and laughed. “God, I love when you laugh. If we could bottle it, we could sell happiness to the masses.”
“Shouldn’t we get dressed?” she asked. “What if Athena and Shaylene wake up?”
Bea had fucked me long into the night. She was well sated now, three orgasms later. One I’d given her with my cock, another with my mouth when she rode my face again, and the other with both. The girls were fast asleep. Bea had checked to make sure, and my door was still locked.
“No. I told you I want you naked.”
“And I told you I think we should sleep fully dressed with our winter coats, socks, and boots on. That way, if Athena does see us, she won’t think anything’s goin’ on.”
“Would it be so bad if she did?”
“It wouldn’t be the end of the world, no. But I don’t wanna hurt her, Bax. I’ve only been here a week, and I’m leavin’ here once the job is done. Remember? The job in which I work for your brother?”
“Yeah. I remember, but if I told him I really want you, he’d accept it.”
What I’d said gave her pause. Her green eyes roamed my face.
“Would he? I’m not so sure. And besides, how are we gonna have a relationship seven hours away?” She blushed again. Roses appeared on her cheeks like two full harvest moons, and I rubbed my thumb over the warmth. “I mean, you didn’t say the word ‘relationship,’ but I’m assumin’ that’s what you meant. But if you just meant sex?—”
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that, about the distance.”
“What about it? If you’re about to ask me to give up my job this soon, I’m sorry to tell you, my answer will be no.”
“I wouldn’t do that. And we’re not there anyway, but what if there was a reason for you to stay? A new job?”
“What new job?”
“The guys and Abey and I have talked about buildin’ an inn. We need a boathouse, concession stand, and other buildings. A bunkhouse for the seasonal employees. At least one more barn.”
“And Brand has agreed to build it all?”
“No. I mean, I mentioned the inn idea to him, and he liked it, but no, there’s no official plans yet.”
