Baewatch - Xavier Neal Page 0,63
I can see it. I can hear. I-”
“This is absolutely what I want.” My boyfriend digs into his turquoise -colored, flamingo print boardshorts and pulls out a key. “I had this made a week ago. I’ve got the receipt in my office to prove it.”
The proclamation, along with the sight of the object, gets my heart pumping harder.
Faster.
“I wanted to try to make those crab cakes, again. You know, the ones I made that we never got to eat the first night you slept over?”
Memories from that evening casually cruise to the front of my mind.
“I was gonna make them, not let my kitchen almost burn down, and give it to you then, kinda like a romantic full-circle thing, but,” his shoulders bounce once more, “fuck it. I don’t wanna wait that long. Damn sure not after having to live without you around for these past few days.”
I offer him a wide grin prior to stealing another gaze of the offering.
“You can move in whatever shit you want. And, we can get rid of whatever shit you want.”
A mischievous smirk is shot his way.
“Except my hula girl lamp,” Ax immediately inserts. “That was a gift from Fynn last time he was stateside. I’ll move her from my bedside to my office if you hate her that much, but she stays.”
I lightly snicker. “Am I ever gonna get to meet Fynn?”
“You’re staying in my life, so the answer is going to be ‘of course’.”
More excitement appears in my eyes from the continuous declarations of my permanent state in his world.
“He’s typically only stateside once a year, but we always meet up. Whether he comes down here, which is what typically happens because he loves to surf, or I have to go meet him at a festival – music, food, or antiques – we never skip the chance to catch the same wave.”
Another grin is given as I take the key into my possession. “I look forward to meeting him. Hopefully, he likes me as much as E and Bodhi.”
There’s a slightly possessive grunt out of him that ignites a thrill between my legs.
Never pictured myself being one of those chicks who thought that shit was hot or wanted a guy to go all Tarzan over her, but I absolutely love when Ax does. It makes me feel…desired.
Loved.
Protected.
Am I setting my sex back three decades for enjoying that type of shit?
“I can look over your lease if you need me to,” Ax volunteers, returning the subject back to the important one. “See how difficult and or costly it’ll be to break it.”
“I don’t think I’m gonna break it.”
His gaze instantly grows in concern.
“Rina still lives there.”
The reminder causes him to slowly nod.
“And, while I don’t want to coddle my sister forever, I don’t want to just throw her out, either.” My fingers place the key on the nearby coffee table and relocate to stroke Houndrix’s fur in a fashion that’s soothing for both of us. “My lease is up in a couple months. I’ll keep it ‘til then, give Rina time to find a job, and get settled. Maybe we’ll just end up moving it from my name to hers.” I guiltily drop my glance to where I’m rubbing. “I know I have to stop babying her so much, but it’s hard. She’s just so young and naïve and headstrong. I wanna help set her up for success yet seem to just constantly end up saving her from drowning in her latest endeavor.”
His index finger gently tips my chin back up to allow our stares to connect. “She’ll get there. She’s just…testing the waters, babe. Everyone can’t swim in the same ones.”
I nod in agreement, letting my shoulders relax just as the low buzzing finally ceases.
Ax casually leans over and lightly presses his lips against mine further mollifying any lingering trepidation. Our tongues gently greet one another both uncertain of the appropriate speed that should be taken. Echoes of our previous pronouncements are delivered during every push along with promises of building a home and a future together.
Suddenly, a realization hits causing me to quickly pull back and inquire, “Speaking of Rina-”
“We weren’t though. We were on a completely different topic.”
A small giggle and swat are given prior to my question. “Why isn’t she here by now?”
It’s my boyfriend’s turn to grow a mischievous smirk. “I may have pushed our meeting time back by a couple hours.”
“And didn’t think to tell me?!”
“Did it to ensure the chance that I’d get time to