Believe me. There were a hundred reasons Roxy and I shouldn’t have worked — but we did. Besides, how long has it been since you’ve—”
I cut him off. “Easy.”
Gage laughs. “So why are you still here?”
I stand, pushing my nearly full beer away. “That’s a good fucking question.”
I leave the bar, telling myself I am riding my motorcycle back toward the Highway Motel to keep an eye on things, to make sure no shady shit is going down — but in truth, I want to make sure nothing happens to Calico tonight. Because if something happens… and I could have prevented it, I’d never forgive myself.
The moon is out by the time I park my bike, and I sit in the parking lot, watching her door. Not like a stalker — like a fucking bodyguard. Because that is what she needs. Whoever she is running from might find her. And I won’t let that happen.
Their room is dark, there aren’t any lights on. An hour passes before something startles me.
The motel room door opens. And out she slips, a towel in her hand. She’s in the same sundress she wore earlier, blue and white stripes hitting her knees, flip-flops, long golden hair. She looks younger than her age, somehow. Her skin is tan, freckles on her cheeks. Her eyes are green and bright and fucking beautiful. I could have sat opposite her at the diner all night long, watching her eat her french fries. She’s cute as fuck, curvy too, and those tits of hers… they’re trouble.
She sees me.
She startles. “Conley?”
I get off my bike. “I wanted to make sure you were safe.” I run a hand over my jaw. “This place is so close to the highway.” I shake my head, laughing. When have I done something so reckless? “Does that freak you out?”
She licks her lips. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“But what if I want to?”
She smiles wryly then. “That would be a new experience. A man worried about my wellbeing.”
“I hate that someone hurt you.”
“Me too.”
“Where are you going with that towel?” I ask. “Something wrong with the bathroom?”
She shakes her head. “No. I was going swimming. There’s a pool behind the building.”
“All by yourself?”
She laughs softly. “Conley, I’ve been on my own since forever. I think I can handle a late-night swim by myself. But if you want to join me to make sure I don’t drown, I won’t stop you.”
“I honestly can’t think of the last time I went swimming. What does that say about me?” I walk toward her, but she’s a few steps ahead of me. I certainly enjoy the view and slow down.
“Me either,” she says, turning her head over her shoulder. Her eyes meet mine. “Sounds like we both need a little more fun in our lives.”
When we get to the pool, it’s empty — thank God. And there aren’t any lights beyond that of the moon.
“River okay alone?” I ask, wanting to check on her comfort level.
“He’s fine. Watching a superhero movie until he passes out.” She sets her towel on the ground, steps from her sandals. “You gonna stand and stare or are you planning on joining me?” she asks. She pulls off her sundress and steps toward the pool, not giving me much time to take in her curves before she dives in, head-first.
I laugh, surprised, and admire her ability to go all-in. I don’t want to be left behind so I strip quickly, and dive in as she surfaces. She is smiling as I break through the water, and the warm night air is a perfect contrast to the cool temperature of the pool.
We swim, silently, on our backs. Looking up at the same sky.
“I’m glad you were stalking me,” she says as our bodies glide through the water.
I stop swimming, treading water instead. She matches my motions. “It wasn’t stalking. I felt worried. I felt this pull to protect you.”
We’ve moved to shallow water. My feet touch. I move toward her and she moves toward me, and then we are together.
“Do you feel that pull?” I ask her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “That need to be near me?”
She closes her eyes. Water on her eyelashes. Droplets on her nose. Her chin. “I feel it.”
“I want to kiss you,” I say, my voice rough, desperate. Clawing. “I need to kiss you.”
“I made a wish tonight, after you saved me from that car running me over.”
“What was your wish?” I ask. Her hands press