And the way she responded to my every touch yesterday was magnificent. I’ve never felt so connected to someone, not even with Tonya. In such a short amount of time, Charleigh seems to know what I need exactly when I need it.
Ihaveto tell her about Layla. Fear of her being done with me is the only thing holding me back, but she deserves to know. Especially since I plan on being a big part of Layla’s life. I’ll tell her today. Before we get any deeper into this relationship.
We haven’t even defined what we are. Maybe she just wants this to be casual. I haven’t seen anyone else since I starting pursuing her. And, I definitely feel more than causal about her.
I feel Charleigh begin to stir. Toes pointing and arms reaching overhead to stretch. She slowly opens her eyes, squinting into the now bright sky.
She sits up so quickly she almost hits my head with her own. “Oh, shit.” She looks around confused and wild eyed. “We’re still in the field.”
“No, really?” I tease. “Here I thought we were in the fanciest of hotels.”
“Don’t be a smart ass,” she smacks my chest with an open palm. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Shrugging I sit up. “You were sleeping, and looked adorable by the way, so I figured why not have an unplanned campout.”
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever slept outside in my life.” She leans over me pressing a quick peck on my lips. “Look at you turning me into a country girl.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Sweetheart, a bonfire and one night of sleeping in the bed of the truck doesn’t quite make you a country girl. But, it’s a start.”
“Whatever,” she smirks. “I can call myself what I want, and if I say this makes me at least a little bit country, you’ll just have to get over it.”
I pull her down on top of me, pressing light kisses on her neck, as she giggles. My hands roam to the bottom of her shirt and slide underneath, caressing the small piece of skin that is now exposed.
“Jake,” she whispers. “I’m not having sex with you in the back of a truck in the middle of a field.”
“Who said anything about sex?” I ask. “You should really get your mind out of the gutter.”
The laugh that erupts from her mouth is loud and causes her entire body to shake. “Yeah, like your head wasn’t already there.”
I groan. “You’re killing me woman.”
“Sorry,” she says as a smile takes over her face. “Do you think you can take me home? I feel pretty gross in last night’s sweaty, smoke smelling clothes.”
“I’ll take you to my house so we can both clean up, then I’ll take you home. Sound good?”
“Sure,” she replies. But I can hear the nerves that have crept into her voice, making it shaky.
I’m sure she’s wondering what she’ll see when we get there after all the things I’ve said about my parents. But, if I’m lucky they’ll be gone to play golf, or do whatever it is they do on Saturday mornings.
* * *
Luck is definitelyon my side because when I pull up to my house, the driveway is empty. I breathe a sigh of relief. Not because I’m ashamed of Charleigh, but because my parents can be utter assholes. I don’t want to subject her to their ridiculous views because they aren’t my own. If I’m being honest, I’m ashamed of them.
The truck gives a slight lurch as I put into park. I look at Charleigh gauging her reaction to where I live. Her eyes are wide, and staring, at the larger than most house I grew up in.
Gently nudging her shoulder, I ask,” Are you ready to go inside?”
She at me in total amazement. “Your house is kind of ridiculous, you know?”
I shrug. There’s not really anything else I can do. “It’s where I grew up.”
We exit the truck and Charleigh doesn’t even give me a chance to open the door for her. As we make our way to the house, she studies the landscape. Huge bushes line the front of the house, stopping just below the windows. Trees not only line the driveway, but they are strategically placed so that almost the entire yard is shaded.
I unlock the door and push it open only to hear Charleigh gasp. “You actually live here?”
“Live is a relative term,” I say. “I’m usually only here to sleep. Otherwise, I stay away as much as possible.”
“Why?” she asks, incredulous. “You have so much space you would hardly even see your parents.”