Page 24 of Wrecked
It’s so flattering. It makes me feel good about myself. “Thanks,” I say, smiling.
Dinner is just as amazing as I hoped it would be and after we get it all cleaned up, we grab another drink and head into the living room. Deciding to watch a movie, we sit on the couch, as he turns the television on.
During the movie, Asher ended up on his back with me tucked into his side. It’s comfortable, it’s affectionate, it’s safe. Trailing his fingers lazily up and down my arm, almost like it’s happening without a thought, makes my pulse pick up.
“Hey Payton,” he says, breaking through the silence we’ve had since the movie started.
“Hmm,” I reply, realizing how tired I am.
His fingers stop, resting on my arm. “Tell me something about yourself.”
“Like what?” I ask, hoping it’s something general.
Pressing a soft kiss beneath my ear, he whispers, “Anything. How about what your job was before coming to the garage?”
My job before the garage, that should be easy. It is easy, it’s just thinking back that far makes my pulse race. Only this time it’s not from Asher’s touch. Closing my eyes, I force myself to relax. “A hiking guide.”
Turning so we are both on our sides on the leather couch, he brushes my hair out of my eyes. “No shit. That sounds exciting. I thought you just enjoyed hiking. I had no idea you were a guide. It’s shocking honestly,” he says, smiling an honest smile.
“Yeah, I was a guide and I loved it. Sometimes it would be school groups that would come through and the kids would be so wide eyed. They loved learning about the nature that surrounded them. Honestly, everyone did. It wasn’t just fun, it was rewarding,” I say, around a smile. Thinking back on all the good times I had.
He captures my mouth, kissing me. It’s not rushed or rough, it’s slow and tender. My heart aches with the emotions he is making me feel from being so gentle.
Breaking the kiss, he searches my eyes. “When you get excited about something, I see this flicker of life in your eyes. It’s not always there, but damn, when it is, it’s amazing. Why would you leave something you love so much to come here and work in the garage?”
Swallowing through the lump in my throat, I rest my hand on his cheek. “It was time for a change.”
