Page 10 of Stuck with the Grumpy Silver Fox
improvising a bed and breakfast. I wonder if he ever thought of that.
Adam went to bed after we played a few games of Sorry and The Floor is Lava. I was proud of myself for cutting out the wine after how it started.
However, I am willing to accept the hot toddy Joaquin made for me once I’m out of the shower and dressed. He directs me to the living room to enjoy our teas on soft cushions instead of hard chairs.
He’s still in his sweats and t-shirt as he takes short peeks at my pajamas, basic long-sleeve top, and pant bottoms, but they’re cream-colored and silky, and the sports bra I slipped under it manages to expose my hard nipples. Trust me, this was not the plan.
“I have to ask. What made you think traveling alone through this town was a good idea?”
He’s clearly been waiting to ask me this.
“Why not?” And it sounds rather sexist.
“You’re a woman in an unfamiliar town with—“
“You can’t be serious?”
I take a sip of my toddy. The burn it gives my throat is ironically soothing.
“Well, I am. Is my question disrespectful to the female gender?¨
Ugh. There goes that uptight, tense tone and…female gender? What is this sex ed class? Maybe he’s trying to play reporter because that’s what I do?
“In some ways, yes. But hear me out, Joaquin. If driving through a town in a rental as a solo woman in an unfamiliar town is something to be shocked about…why should I trust a drink from you? A strange man I met today. That’s the same logic for the most part.”
“You’ve spent some time with me and my son. I cooked you dinner. You’ve had enough time to make a decision. But traveling to a town you’ve never been toin this weather is wild to me.¨
¨Well, luckily, I found a warm place on the side of the road.¨
He sips out of his brown mug, holding my eyes with steadiness. We both like doing this. Maybe it’s because we are attracted to each other? I can only speak for myself, but…either way, it doesn’t mean we are compatible.
¨If you had a boyfriend or a husband…how do you think he’ll feel about you driving on dirt roads?¨
¨ Let’s really think about this, Joaquin. I was on the expressway and got off because of the weather. My intent was never to drive on dirt roads. And the weather wasn’t supposed to bethisawful. I’m sure my boyfriend or husband would be advising me the same way my grandmother did. Telling me to get off and find shelter. They would not be preventing me from living like a human being. As a woman, I shouldn’t have to worry whether I’m on the expressway or on the dirt roads. The real problem is the people…excuse me, let me fix that, themenwho would try to take advantage of me in any form just because I have a vagina. Let’s talk about the real issue. The real issue isn’t women; the real issue is men that would hurt me.”
And, there I go again, drinking down my toddy as if it’s water.
He rubs his incredible chiseled jawline as I reflect how I just brought up the word vagina as if he hasn’t caused mine to flutter now and again since I’ve laid my eyes on him. I ought to tell him he needs to pet it to get back on my good side. Fuck, but someone like him would probably think I’m a whore for even suggesting it.
¨I see your point.¨ He literally just said that.
Whoa. I’m not sure if he really means that or if he wants to finally move on. Either way, the extent of us being in each other’s presence is dwindling, so there’s no point in over-analyzing each other.
I place my toddy on the coffee table. He really knows how to get me from thinking inappropriate things to wishing I could snap my fingers and be magically transported to Nonna’s house, the Hollywood Icon who played what men would view as ¨whores¨ on TV. Wait till Joaquin finds that out, if ever.
¨Well, thank you so much for the tea.¨ I turn on my gratitude.
Again, I catch him ogling me as I rise. I’m surprised I haven’t assumed the worst of him. He could be a dangerous man. Who really knows what I just drank. I don’t want to ruin my buzz with extreme paranoia, but it’s probably best I find out how cozy his guest room bed is.
¨Tomorrow morning, I’ll see about moving what I can to get you back on the road. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d prefer to drive behind you if not lead the way to your grandmother’s? I want you to get there safe, especially since there’s a high chance tomorrow will be a copy of today.¨
God, the way he’s leaned back on that sofa. His left leg lies right across it, the right one opening up as if begging me to sit between them. One arm spread across the back of the sofa, and his right-hand cups his empty mug’s rim on his knee. His gray eyes look dark and stark in the candlelight. And this doesn’t include me lingering on about how he wants me to be safe. It is definitely bedtime.
¨Ok. I see. Thank you…and good night.¨
Chapter 4
Joaquin
