Page 75 of Rebel Secrets
“But you’re right,” I added.“We need to sit down and have a …discussion.”
His expression didn’t change, but his gaze swept over my face, probably noting the hot spots on my cheeks and the way my lips parted when I drew in air.It was hard to breathe around him.But when I did, I smelled the clean, oceany scent of his bodywash.
My gaze fell from his eyes to his lips, which I could still feel on the inside of my thighs when I closed my eyes at night, then to his throat where his pulse beat hard enough for me to notice.
What would he do if I leaned over the counter and put my lips on that pulse?Would he let me?Would he wind his fingers in my hair like he’d done Saturday night and hold me steady so he could kiss me like he was starving for me?
Was he starving for me like I was starving for him?The craving got worse every day.And yet… How had we gotten here?I needed to know.So…
“Are you going to be at the arena tomorrow getting ready for camp?”
His gaze narrowed for a second, before he nodded.
“Why don’t we plan to meet there around two-thirty?The lunch rush will be over, and I can get away for a couple of hours.We can talk about the arrangements for the camp lunches.And, um, whatever else we need to talk about.”
He didn’t say anything, just looked at me for a few, very long seconds.Those dark eyes held mine like we were alone in the room.Or back in his childhood bedroom.The arena would be neutral ground but somewhere we could talk alone.Without our neighbors and friends knowing we were getting together and blabbing it to the rest of our world.
“Sure.Tomorrow.We’ll talk.”
Then he turned and headed for the children’s section.
And yeah, his ass looked great in those shorts.
I decidedto walk to the arena Thursday.It was a beautiful summer day.The sky looked like someone had colored it with a blue crayon and the few fluffy clouds floating in all that blue looked painted there.
Yeah, it was almost eighty-five degrees, but the humidity was low, and a nice little breeze blew across my skin and cooled the heat of the sun.The trees sparkled like emeralds on the surrounding hills, and the streets were practically deserted as I set out from the bakery.Rain staffed the bookstore today, so I knew she wouldn’t be at the arena.
The walk was just over a mile, but I didn’t mind.It gave me a chance to clear my head before I had to face Rebel.We did need to talk about the lunch plan for the camp kids.I wanted his input before I ordered supplies.
I just didn’t know why we needed to talk about the wedding night.Except for the fact that every time I thought about it, I got hot all over, and I wanted to push Rebel against a wall and climb him like a tree.
I’d never wanted to do that to another person.And it was a huge change from wanting to stick my finger in his chest and tell him to lighten up.I’m not sure I wanted him to lighten up anymore.I think…I might like him just the way he was.
Turning that over in my head as I walked, I made it to the arena in twenty minutes, with ten minutes to spare.I peeked around the corner into the parking lot and saw only Rebel’s truck there.
Good.That was good.We could talk and no one would be listening in or watching us and spreading rumors about how we suddenly seemed a lot closer than we had before the wedding.
I knew the front doors wouldn’t be open, so I headed for the side doors that led into the lower level where the locker rooms and the other meeting and utility rooms were.Just as I was about to open the door, my phone rang.
I glanced at the number and felt my stomach dip.
I debated not picking up, but I knew my mom.She’d just keep calling until I answered.And since I was early, I could get this out of the way before I talked to Rebel.
“Hey, Mom.What’s up?”
“Hello, dear.I just wanted to let you know that I’m planning a short visit to St.David’s next week.”
My mouth dropped open, but I couldn’t find the words to respond.My mom hadn’t visited since I’d told her I was staying.She’d told me then that I was making a huge mistake and throwing away my life.She’d never understood that I didn’t want her life.And I loved the life I’d made here.My granddad was here.My friends lived here.The businesses I’d created.
Only one word finally came to mind.
“Why?”
I knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as the word left my mouth, but it was the only question I had.Then she laughed and confused me all to hell.
“Apparently, my daughter owns several businesses in town, and my father owns a newspaper.I think that’s enough reason to make a detour on my way to Chicago for a board meeting.”
I let out a sigh of relief, careful not to let her hear me.
