Page 80 of Body Shot

On the drive back to Hayden’s place, I make her laugh more by telling her about Joe and Helena’s latest fight. “They were arguing about which of them is more likeable. Comparing how many friends they have and why.”

“Oh my God.” She touches her fingertips to her smile.

“Yeah. It was actually hilarious, because at that moment everyone in the bar was thinking they’re both complete asses. Last week, they fought over where to put the ketchup in the fridge. Joe was insisting because it’s a tall bottle it goes on the top shelf with other tall things. Helena said it’s a condiment and therefore must go in the door.”

“Well,thatis totally right. Everyone knows the condiments go in the door.”

“Absolutely not. The door is for small shit that gets lost in the back of the fridge.”

“Like what?”

“Um . . . capers.”

She stares at me. “Capers? Seriously?”

“I’m just yanking your chain. I don’t give a shit where stuff goes in the fridge. And I sure as hell wouldn’t spend a lot of time arguing over it. I’d rather fuck than fight.”

“Oh.”

“Speaking of fucking, we have some sexy toe sucking to get back to.”

“I think you were not being completely honest about the foot fetish thing.”

I smile. “There are probably some other kinky things we could explore if you’re not into feet.” Oh hell, yeah. There are a million things I still want to do to her. The taste of her pussy has become addictive, along with the feel of her mouth on me and the way she kisses and . . . yeah, I’m hooked.

19

HAYDEN

“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave.”

I tip my head back, smiling, the sun warm on my face with Beck’s convertible roof open as we cruise along I-5 a few weeks later on a Saturday afternoon. “I can’t believe it either.”

Beck has been taking me on a series of “adventures,” some tame like this one, others more daring. He’s been careful of my dislike of surprises but still manages to create excitement for me every time we see each other and has been considerate of my busy work schedule and need to help my aunt and uncle.

He has to work tonight but we’ll have the day. He gave me instructions about footwear since the steps through the tunnel into the cave could be slippery. Since I like to be well prepared, I googled the cave to learn more about it.

“What happened to dinner in a nice restaurant as a date?” I ask.

“What?” He slides me a sideways look as he drives.

“You’re taking me to a cave. We’ve gone go-karting, mountain biking, and now you’re taking me on a date to a cave. Some guys would make dinner reservations at Emilio’s.” I name a pricey restaurant in Coronado that I’ve never been to.

He laughs. “Oh, come on. You can go on a dinner date with anyone. I’m going for unique and fun, remember?”

“Right.”

The only problem with adventures instead of staid dinner dates is that you really get to know a person on a different level. And the more I get to know Beck, the more I like him. And that’s scary.

“After all, whatshisdick took you to Conquistadors on a date.”

I choke on a laugh. “Whatshisdick?”

“Whatever his name was.”

“What’s wrong with Conquistadors as a date? Hey,wesort of had a date there too.”

“Oh yeah. Right.” He pauses. “And what about tonight? We’re doing another tequila tasting night. Want to come?” Another pause. “That sounded dirty, didn’t it?”

---