Page 33 of Derailed
He points to my overnight bag. “The dress. The shoes. All of it.” Oh, that.Shit.How do I respond without tipping his sanity over the edge? I should have never accepted the offer to use Sean’s credit card. If Coy finds out? I can’t bring myself to imagine what he’lldo.
I swallow and clear my throat. “Oh,um. . .”
“One of your second hand finds?” He cuts me off and gives me an out, but I can’t lie and pretend that designer dress and shoes came from someone else’s closet. Besides, the tags and shopping bag are tucked inside my bag. He’d find outanyway.
“Trent’s mom took me shopping.” It’s not the whole truth, but it’s enough that he won’t golivid.
He meets my gaze. A hard stare. “No more of that. I don’t like owing anyone. Got that? You’re mine. I take care ofyou.”
My gaze falls and I trace my fingertip along the blanket stitching. “I’m sorry. I should have asked, but I didn’t want to botheryou.”
The bed dips, and Coy’s palm runs across my jaw, cupping my cheek until I lift my gaze. His touch, gentle and kind, pulls at my heart. “You should have. I don’t like being blindsided by my own girlfriend,” he whispershonestly.
My eyes shut with his accusation and I lean my cheek into his touch. “I’m sorry, Coy. I reallyam.”
He leans forward and his lips cover mine in a chaste kiss. “Just don’t do itagain.”
I swallow and nod. “Iwon’t.”
He kisses me again, this time with more force until my lips join the battle. He pulls away, his chest heavy with breath and his lips turning up with the trace of a smile. “Come on. Let’s pack up and head out. I have a surprise foryou.”
“Oh?” I tilt my head, a smile sneaking onto my lips as his grinwidens.
He nods. “Yeah. I was thinking we could have lunch in La Jolla, on the beach, then drive up the scenic route along theocean.”
He remembered.My heart swoons with the thoughtfulness of his offer. We’ve been struggling to make ends meet since coming to LA, then hustling to keep up with the demands of his new position in the band. He’s promised a thousand times we’d have a nice lunch on the beach once things settled down, but I didn’t want to nag. My smile takes over my face. “That soundsperfect.”
“Cool. I’m gonna grab a quick shower first.” He drops another kiss on my lips before bounding from the bed and heading inside thebathroom.
“’Kay.” I peel off the covers and crack open the curtains to let in all thelight.
That’s exactly what Coy and I need: a little more light. Excitement rushes with every movement as I dress for what is certain to be a perfect day. We’re due one ofthose.
