Page 67
I sink onto the edge of the bed. “What? Can’t get in the mood in a bubblegum pink room.”
He drops the bags by the door and kicks it shut with his boot.
“I’m pretty sure I won't have a problem with it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
COEN
She wants a shower, so I go out in search of something for dinner. I don’t have to go far before realizing there’s a taco truck parked at the far end of the parking lot. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had buying food so far. Nobody recognizes me, or if they do, they keep it to themselves. Instead, I ask them about business. The manager, a man with a mustache and a slow way of talking, like he’s been everywhere, leans in the window.
“We come up through Nevada a lot,” he says. “And over to Texas for the rodeo.”
“You mind traveling that much?” I ask.
The scent of grilled shrimp has my stomach tightening. He squints over the motel roofs and shrugs.
“Nah. We’re lucky to be doing what we do. And we make some good money.”
“What’s good money?”
“All our bills are paid.” He shrugs again. “And we get to see all this. It gets beautiful out here in the desert.”
I’m quiet, wondering how many times I’ve traveled through the desert without bothering to lift my head from where it laid against the bus window. I’m hit with a wave of guilt, but I’m saved from wallowing in it by the arrival of two paper bags of tacos. I thank the manager, shake his hand, and head back to the room.
Inside, the room is steamy and smells like something sweet and tropical. I set the food down and dip my head in the bathroom. She’s drying her hair, clad in just her panties and a bra.
My eyes drop to her ass. Goddamn, it looks good.
Down below, my dick stirs, but I’d like to feed her before I fuck her at least.
“What’d you find?” she says.
“Shrimp tacos from the food truck outside.”
She reaches for her shorts, but I snag them and toss them outside the bathroom. It takes her a second to recover as she turns in confusion. Gently, I lift her onto the counter and cage her in between my arms. Confusion turns to something I like far more. Her eyes soften, and her lids drop, the way they do when she’s aroused.
“No fucking before we eat,” I say. “I just wanted to tell you something.”
“What?” she whispers.
“Your ass might be the best ass I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
She rolls her eyes, but I know she loves it. Taking the towel from where it fell on the floor, I gather up her hair and start pressing it dry. I love all the little wispy bits, especially when they fall over her forehead and cheeks when she’s busy. Gently, I gather up the wet ends and scrunch them in the fabric. With my other hand, I lightly touch the freckles across her nose.
She’s quiet. I’m quiet too.
My stomach jerks.
I’m careful with my thoughts, my feelings. They’re worn down, and I’ve learned not to trust blindly. But this girl…she is something different.
I haven’t felt like a person in so long. She makes me feel like an ordinary man.
The towel slips from my fingers. She leans up and kisses me, sending heat in waves through my body. What is it about her that drives me so wild? Maybe it’s just the age old reason why people click. There’s something deep in our chemistry, in the breakdown of our matter from when the universe was just an exploding star, that fits together. Whatever it is, it’s clicking.
Her lips part. I taste the tip of her tongue before she pulls back.
“I’m hungry,” she whispers.
