Page 94 of Caper Crush
“Uncle Tony said I shouldn’t date you because it would be too messy. You know, that I’m too much of a risk for you. But my intentions are honorable.”
“I’d rather they were dishonorable,” he says.
I smile back. “That can be arranged.”
His gaze intensifies, and he lowers his head to kiss me. His lips are firm against mine, and he caresses my cheek. His hand slides into my hair around my ear, leaving quivers of scorching yearning. My arms circle around to hold him. I fall back onto the blanket, and he follows, his chest to mine, as his arms hold me. I run my hand through his soft hair. I am conscious of nothing but him, his kiss, his mouth exploring mine, nibbling at my lip, his body hard against my body.
We break apart, breathing hard. He rolls us over so that we are side by side.
“I’m thinking we’re about to cross the PG line and we should head back to your place,” he says.
I kiss him on the lips. “I hope you don’t think I’m easy.”
“I think you’re complicated.”
“Too complicated?” I ask.
He pulls me closer to hug me.
“Not too complicated,” he whispers as he kisses me again.
William is still sleeping. I rest on my side and admire him. I am definitely enjoying exploring all the hidden sides of William. And his playful and affectionate side did not disappoint last night.
He opens his eyes and smiles. He reaches out to pull me closer to him. I snuggle into his warmth.
“Mmm … this is nice,” he says.
I look up at him, and he tenderly smooths back my hair from my face.
His phone beeps. He checks it and says, “That’s my dog walker. She just walked Sora and Pochi again this morning.” He looks around the room. “You have a lot of guitars.” Three guitars rest in my five-guitar stand in the corner.
“I only have five,” I say. A light breeze comes in from the open window with the smell of wet leaves.
“Only five.”
“I love guitars,” I say. “They each make different sounds. That’s my first guitar, and that’s my high school graduation present. I bought that third one with my summer savings.” William traces the curve of my shoulder, a light, feathery touch that sends tingles down my spine, making it hard to concentrate. “The other two are with the band. They were also graduation gifts.”
He is now tracing my collarbone. His fingers caress my skin, soft brushes igniting shivers of desire.
“I can make eggs for breakfast,” I say. “I actually make very good eggs. But that’s because I also sometimes make eggs for dinner. It’s quick and filling—”
William kisses me. “Do you want breakfast now?” He is tracing wider and wider lazy circles around my collarbone, going lower and lower. I catch my breath, craving more.
“Maybe not right now,” I say, my hands massaging the muscles of his back.
Chapter twenty-three
Afteraverylatebreakfast, we’re spending Sunday afternoon at the Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers, a forty-six-acre former estate that is now a public garden. William says it is like walking in a living piece of art.
I had suggested that William search Edmund’s apartment because Annabelle texted that she and Edmund were having brunch with Mom and John, if I wanted to join (that was a “no”). William reminded me of my earlier “rational” decision not to search Edmund’s apartment in case that tips him off. After all, we’re meeting Miju and Lena on Thursday night, and we should follow Takashi’s suggestion to look unaffected. If Edmund or Vinnie is following me, our doing fun activities will support that illusion.
We start at the Vista, which is a long, stone series of stairs flanked by Japanese cedars and forest grass ending with a majestic view of the Hudson. At the base is the Overlook, across from which we can see the New Jersey Palisades—rocky cliffs dotted with green trees, the brown and green reflected in the Hudson waters. We walk around the Walled Garden. William asks another couple to take a picture of us in front of the hydrangea. At the reflecting pool, koi and goldfish dart between water lilies. My phone beeps.
Vinnie:You asked me about possible art shows. Check out this Tribeca one on Thursday. I can talk to dealer for you. He has paintings similar to your style. Will text you address.
I show the text to William, and we both agree we should go before we meet Miju and Lena.
We clamber around the Rock and Stream Garden. Finally, we climb up the rock pathway to the Temple of Love and sit on a bench made for lovers. The waterfall pitter-patters below, and two bluebirds chirp to one another.
