What I didn’t tell Colt was that I had a twist planned for the day. I wasn’t just going to take him to one place. I was going to take him to all my favorite places around town, to have him see it through my eyes. Hopefully, it would help him come to love it the same way I did. In the end, though, I wouldn’t have lied because Rockdale as a whole was my favorite place.
Sure, I wasn’t a world traveler and I didn’t have a whole hell of a lot to compare it to, but it was home and I loved it. If only I could show Colt why, perhaps he’d realize that the fancy, jet-setting, city life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and he’d consider coming back to stay.
I looked at him from across the table, reminded of all the times I’d sat right here and pined to have the chance I had right now, and I smiled. “Yep. My favorite place. You’re going to need comfortable shoes and a clear schedule.”
“I have both those things,” he said with a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” I wasn’t trying to be mysterious.Okay, so maybe I’m trying to be a little mysterious, but I also really want the surprise to be a part of it.
“When we’re done here, I’m going to run home to have a shower and then we’ll meet outside in half an hour.”
“You could have a shower here,” he suggested, heat flaring in his gaze when he dropped it to my abdomen and once again drank in the sight of me wearing his shirt. “We could save water by showering together.”
I laughed, but I wasn’t really surprised that he was so insatiable as a quasi-boyfriend. He had that raw sexuality about him that had always suggested that he’d be this way in a relationship. A ruthless, alpha-male type in business and a confident, incredible lay.And he’s funny and sweet, too. The whole package, alright.
“Has anyone ever actually said yes to that line?” I asked when my giggles subsided. “It so darn cheesy, but on the other hand, it’s a fair point. We should all be doing our best to conserve water.”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but it sure sounds like you’re about to say yes to that line. Let’s conserve a little water together, shall we?”
“Sorry, I’m not going to be doing my bit to save water with you today. I’ll make it up by having a super quick shower, but I’d need to go get clothes and all my stuff anyway. There are also a few things I need to check on, but maybe tomorrow.”
“Fine.” He heaved out a big, fake sigh, then carried on inhaling his breakfast. I’d known this used to be his favorite, obviously, but I hadn’t quite expected the gusto with which he tucked into it.
Finishing my own plate, I waited for him before we washed up together. Then he snaked an arm around me and dipped me down low right there in front of the sink. After laying a big kiss on my lips, he grinned. “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider on the saving water thing?”
“At this rate, we’d end up staying in the shower for so long that it’d definitely not be saving water so much as wasting it.” I straightened up when he lifted me back to my feet and squeezed his hand before I released it. “Besides, it’s only half an hour. You’ll survive it without me.”
“Maybe barely.” He raked a hand through his hair and nodded. “I suppose I will. Be quick, baby. Or else I’ll have to punish you for it later.”
“That sounds… promising.” I laughed at the surprised look on his face, then winked as I reached around him to spank his fine butt. “We’ll see about who punishes who, though. See you soon,baby.”
Making my escape in his borrowed clothes and my dress hung over my arms before he managed to convince me to stay after all, I darted toward the front door and let it swing shut behind me. Once I was back in my own house, I raced through a shower and got dressed, and I was ready to go by the time he knocked on my door thirty minutes later on the dot.
Instead of letting him in, I went out and locked up behind me. He frowned. “I’m not coming inside?”
“Nope. Everything we need is in the garage.” I led him over and turned to watch his face when I opened it and motioned to the pair of bicycles against the wall. “Voila. Our mode of transportation for the day.”
Incredulity played out across his features. “We’re going to be riding bikes?”
“It’s the easiest way to get around town,” I replied, smiling. “You still know how to ride, don’t you?”
“What’s that expression?” he asked, then snapped his fingers. “Oh, yes. It’s like riding a bike. I haven’t done it for years, but I’m sure I’ll get my sea legs back in no time. Why do you have two?”
“The other one is Teddy’s,” I said. “We still ride a couple times a week. Are you ready to go?”
“I guess so.” He gave his sister’s bike a sidelong glance and then fiddled with the seat to adjust it for his height.
Peddling toward downtown along a dedicated path, I stood up and took a quick look at him over my shoulder. Although it was obvious that he had been able to ride properly once upon a time, it was equally obvious that it had been a while since he’d last been on a bicycle.
“Are you going to be able to keep up?” I teased. “You never used to suck so bad at riding. What’s going on, Colt? Is it not like riding a bike after all?”
He grunted, narrowing his eyes at me even if I could see him fighting a smile. “Shut up. You could be a little nicer about it considering that I’m doing it for you.”
I laughed. “You’ll get the hang of it again soon enough. Chin up. Wait until you see where we’re going.”
It turned out that my words were prophetic. Before we’d gone another block, Colt had recovered and was soon racing out ahead of me. When he was the one to turn and look at me this time, I pointed him in the direction of the old drug store.
I enjoyed feeling the wind in my hair and the sun on my face, ogling Colt’s butt as he got all fancy and started zigzagging up ahead of me on the path. Every so often as he banked to one side or the other, I caught a glimpse of the expression on his face.