Page 13 of Justus
“Youcalled me a cow!”
“Asa term of endearment!”
“Cowmeans fat,” I insist, crossing my arms.
Justuslaughs and puts his hands on my hips. “You could never be called fat, but Iapologize. That wasudderlyout of line.”
“Ugh,”I groan. “I hate you.”
“Justkeep saying that. You might convince yourself you mean it.”
Momstands back and watches us with a mixture of amusement and joy. Apparently, we’rehaving no trouble convincing her we’re crazy about each other even with ourchildish bickering.
“Wehave to be at the spa at nine tomorrow. I thought we’d have breakfast at therestaurant next door to it.” Mom turns to Justus. “You’re welcome to join us,but if a day spa isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to hang out with Doughere.”
“Areyou kidding?” Justus pretends to buff his nails against his shirt. “My nailsare a wreck. I’m totally game for a spa day.”
“Fantastic!”Mom claps her hands. It’s good to see her so excited. “I’ll call and tell themto add another person. We’ll get the works!”
Dinneris a pleasant and lighthearted affair, broken only by Doug grabbing a plate oflasagna and heading back downstairs. We spend the rest of the evening watchinga movie with Mom, until I start to yawn.
Justusslips his hand into mine, interlacing our fingers. As he promised, he’s takenevery opportunity to touch me. Either his arm is around me, his fingersstroking my shoulder, or his hand is on my thigh. I don’t exactly hate it. Atsome point in the evening it slipped my mind that he was pretending, and Ileaned into him, enjoying the physical affection. “We should probably go to bed,Sweets. You didn’t get much rest last night,” he says, and I watch my mom’s expressionsoften.
Aftera quick goodnight, we head upstairs.
“Areyou sure you want to go to the spa thing tomorrow?” I ask after we’ve takenturns showering and settled into bed.
“What?You don’t think I can be one of the girls?”
Mygaze travels down his body, now clad in only a pair of shorts. There’s not adamn thing that’s girly about him. As much as I hate to admit it, my fingersare itching to travel over his broad shoulders and down his well-defined chest.
Hegrins as if he knows what I’m thinking. “You know waxing is included, right?” Itease.
“Babe,I’m an exotic dancer. I’m completely deforested.”
Yeah,I saw that last night. And now I’m picturing it again. “Hmm, I guess itprobably makes your penis look bigger, huh? Every little bit helps.”
“Ifyou want to see cock-a-saurus again, all you have to do is ask.”
“Nothanks,” I yawn, turning over. “Keep that Tic Tac to yourself.”
“Freshenyour breath right up.” My body shakes with laughter as he drapes his arm overme.
“Youknow, my mom isn’t going to come in to see if we cuddle at night. You don’thave to fake it when we’re alone.”
“Ilike to cuddle, so you’re just going to have to deal.”
“Fine,”I reply trying to sound aggravated, but falling far short. “Then keepcock-a-saurus from poking me in the ass.”
“Helikes you.”
“Goodnight, Justus.” We made it through day one and it actually went much betterthan I thought. The spa day tomorrow should be interesting.
“Night,Sweets.”
* * * *
Despitehis big talk, Justus looks completely out of his comfort zone when we check inat the day spa. “What are you signing up for?” he whispers as we peruse theoptions.
