Page 72 of Our Long Days
Dex: I know you’re awake. Answer the phone, Florence.
Florence: Sorry, who is this?
Dex: The man who will spank your ass if you don’t behave.
Florence: Weird name.
The dots on my screen appear and disappear.
Dex: I want to hear your voice. See your face. Don’t be cruel.
Aww.
And like that, I’m calm.
I cut the goats a warning stare. “Zip it.”
Butt Head bleats and Vincent blinks at me innocently.
With a quick fluff of my hair and a pinch of my cheeks, I return the call.
When his handsome face fills my screen, my heart pitter patters at the sight of his warm smile. He’s unfairly good looking.
“There she is,” he says casually, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“Here I am.” I slump into the mountain of pillows behind me and prop the phone up between my bent knees. “How’s it going? Get your hands on any wood?”
We both deadpan.
“I’ve got several trucks full of wood on their way to the site as we speak.”
My lips wobble. “You know how to handle your wood.”
He rolls his eyes before mirroring my position and relaxing onto the motel room mattress. “You okay by yourself? You could have stayed with your mom.”
“Who would look after the boys?” The goat’s ears perk up.
“They’d survive.” Leaning closer to the camera, his voice drops. “Can you do me a favor?”
I nod slowly, smiling coyly.
“Sleep in my bed. Wear my shirts. I want my sheets smelling like coconut when I return.” His chest rises rapidly, as if the thought of me in his space leaves him breathless. “Nothing but my shirt, though, Florence. Got it?”
My center grows slick, nipples pebbling. “Uh-huh.”
I need him. Urgently.
“And another thing…”
“What?” My question is throaty.
“Get those damn goats back in their pen.”
My jaw unhinges.
He winks. “Good night, Trouble.” Then, he ends the call.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
