Page 34 of Wasted On Us

“Thank you. That means a lot. This place is definitely a lot nicer than a cardboard box.”

Her smile lights up my world. “Trust me. I picked up on that from the credit card charges. You certainly pulled out all the stops,” I joke, glancing her way.

“Yup, I did,” she confirms with a nod, the guilt replaced with a gleam of anticipation.

“And I’m glad,” I reassure her, placing my hand over hers and squeezing.

A moment of silence fills the car before she clears her throat, her voice going a notch lower. “There’s something else I want to talk about. I mean… before we get there.”

I glance at her, my attention fully drawn by her serious tone. “What’s up?”

“We’ve been careful, right? About protection, I mean.” Her gaze remains fixed ahead, hands clasping tighter on her licorice rope.

“Of course,” I confirm, curious about where she’s going with this. “It’s something I’d never neglect, Eden.”

Her grip loosens a bit. “I know, I know. And I appreciate it, Mateo. But... I’ve been on the pill. For a while, actually.”

“Okay…” I draw out the word, considering her words, guessing at the implications.

The thought of being inside Eden with nothing between us makes my dick roar to life. I’ve never been with a woman bareback before. And the fact that it could be withthiswoman? Gah. Even if I floored it and drove to Sunset Bluffs at a hundred miles an hour, I wouldn’t get there fast enough.

“And I’ve been tested. You’ve been tested too, right?” she adds, finally meeting my gaze.

“Yes, I have. Totally clean.” Realization dawns on me. “So, you’re saying…”

She nods, biting her lip. “Yeah. Maybe... maybe we don’t need to use condoms anymore. If you’re okay with it, of course.”

A grin spreads across my face. This is a big step. An exciting one. “Yeah, Eden. I’m more than okay with that. As long as we’re on the same page, it’s all good.”

Good isn’t a ‘good’ enough word to describe what I’m feeling right now. My heart’s about to beat out of my chest cavity.

A visible sigh of relief escapes her, and the tension melts away from her body. “Thank you. I just wanted us to be transparent about this, you know?”

“Absolutely, communication is key,” I affirm. “I appreciate you bringing it up before we got into the heat of the moment.”

She smiles again, her tension easing, and I know this weekend is going to be unforgettable for so many reasons. I don’t usually get along with people on car trips. They keep changing the AC or have terrible taste in music, or they try to backseat drive the whole time. But that’s not the case with her. Even though we get stuck in gridlock traffic on the interstate for half an hour because an eighteen-wheeler broke down, and my stomach starts to feel a tad off from the mountain of candy she keeps handing me, the ride feels quick and painless, and we’re following the directions to the resort before I know it.

As we wind down the narrow drive toward Go Jump in the Lake, a sense of awe overtakes me. The towering trees, their branches reaching out like arms over the road, filter the sunlight into a dappled pattern on the crushed gravel beneath our wheels. Each tree seems older and wiser than the next, a silent testament to the decades they’ve witnessed. It feels like we’re being welcomed into a hallowed space.

The landscape opens up to reveal the resort’s main office, a charmingly rustic building constructed of timber and stone, a nostalgic nod to old-world craftsmanship. Its log facade and shake-shingle roof perfectly meld with the surrounding wilderness, creating an idyllic postcard moment.

The resort is a sprawling expanse of seclusion and tranquility, its very layout designed to nurture privacy. Gravel paths meander away from the main building, disappearing into the dense forest, each leading to secluded cabins nestled among the trees. Their red cedar exteriors and green tin roofs complement the landscape, their wide porches inviting and cozy, promising quiet evenings and peaceful mornings. The spaces between the cabins are generous, ensuring that our time here will be intimate, a world away from prying eyes.

Emerald-green lawns, meticulously maintained, stretch out around the cabins, adding a touch of civilization to the wild beauty. There’s a glimmer of the lake in the distance, a sapphire amidst the emerald and jade, its serene surface promising aquatic adventures and languid sunsets.

Leaving our luggage in the car, we approach the main office. The warm glow of the interior lights spills out through the large bay windows, inviting us inside. It’s manned by a woman, maybe early twenties, with a level of poise that belies her age. Her welcoming smile seems to promise an experience that matches the captivating aura of the resort.

As I look around, taking in the details, I can’t help but think that this place is more than a retreat. It’s a sanctuary. A place where time slows down, where the outside world fades into insignificance, allowing you to reconnect with what’s truly important. And with Eden by my side, I know that this weekend is going to be more than just a getaway.

Giving her shoulders a squeeze, I whisper in her ear, “Nice choice on the long weekend location.”

She beams up at me, and my heart trips over.

The woman at the reception desk greets us with a welcoming smile. “Hello, welcome to Go Jump in the Lake, the oldest family-run resort in Sunset Bluffs. I’m Fallon. Do you have a reservation with us this weekend?”

Before I can even start to speak, Eden chimes in. “Yes, thank you so much. I think I spoke to you on the phone when I booked. You were so helpful. The reservation should be under Eden Lorenson. Tonight through the weekend, with a Monday morning check out.”

“Eden Lorenson, Eden Lorenson, show me your tits!” something squawks with a raspy voice.

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