Page 11 of Honey Bun
“No,” he said.
I returned to safer ground. “Well, I’m glad we’re friends now. I was always slightly jealous that you had all these brothers and your parents were so proud of you. When I’m with my daughter, I try to remember how I saw you and your mom.”
He swam past me, and it was like his muscles and the waters were in perfect harmony. “My mother’s a little much sometimes, but she’s great.”
I followed him. “Mine’s getting better, and we’re all trying, but it’s hard.”
He slowed down, and I pointed for us to go back. Then I wondered if I might ask him at least one personal question. We went back to shore, and as he swam beside me, I said, “When we’re in New York, maybe you can tell me what kind of woman you’re looking for, and I can help you find her.”
He brushed against my elbow, and I jumped. His simple touch rocked me. “There is no help for me.”
Because he loves me still?I dove to avoid him seeing me blush. My thoughts made no sense. As I emerged, I said, “Yeah, my husband was abusive, but he has a second girlfriend, and you’re way more handsome than he ever was. I’m sure you have more discerning taste.”
He winked, and his smile grew brighter. Heat rushed to my cheeks. He said, “Thank you. Good genes, I guess, but we need to be clear—I don’t date just anyone. I want whoever I date to be special.”
His words reverberated, and my heart beat a little faster as if he’d meant me. “Waiting for love?”
We were closer to shore when he said, “I need us both to feel the sparks. Either way, I’m completely free of entanglements right now.”
I’m not and might never be. I’d left my husband, but guilt weighed me down like an anchor. I half wondered if I would go back. Then I decided I wouldn’t even consider that thought.
As my feet touched the ground, I said, “That is surprising. How did you meet Claire?”
“Claire? The model from two years ago?”
“I didn’t read it that long ago.”
He strolled out. I hadn’t realized that water made him more delicious. Every cell in my body wanted to touch him, but I knew when I walked out, my ruined T-shirt wouldn’t cover my fat clusters. I hugged my waist as he said, “We were set up by Joel, my business partner, as she was a business client’s sister. I think we had drinks once, but the blog about my family makes us sound like players.”
“I read those posts,“ I said as he tugged his sweater over me. “So, Joel loves his wife?”
His clothes had his sandalwood-cologne smell mixed with the essence of him. I wished I could taste him again. He stepped back and tugged on his shirt, which didn’t hide much of his yummy physique. “I’d say so. It’s why I worked so hard these two weeks to give them some time.”
I shook my head. Life with Bob had never been easy. He’d slapped me for crying when we arrived in Montana, and I’d just taken it. My face burned when I went to the pastor for marriage counseling and he looked me dead in the eye and said, “Sexual intercourse is your wifely duty. Seeking pleasure for yourself and denying your husband his rights is a sin.” I doubted Arman ever used his fists to make a point or would need to go to such lengths for sex. If he kissed me, I would do anything he asked of me.
I said, “That’s good of you to give them time.”
He walked next to me, and steam inside me warmed me up. “One day, Joel will return the favor.”
I paused as we left the cave. People might see me there, though no one seemed to be around. I met his gaze. “One day soon?”
He opened my door for me. “Depends entirely on a friend.”
For a second, I could have sworn he was talking about me. I’d forgiven him for taking my private time, because being with him made me feel better. Maybe my life wasn’t destroyed after all. Working with Arman would bring him back into my life in a more permanent way, and I was grateful.
Arman
The clerk brought out our purchases and placed the bags in my trunk then waved and walked away from us. Once we were in the clear, I grabbed the bags and handed them to her. I’d picked out her new outfit fast, but in my mind, I’d seen her wearing everything.
No, that wasn’t true. I swallowed and imagined tugging those jeans off Maddie and finding a blanket to spread out for us in the cave we’d claimed as our own spot of heaven long ago. Her shoulders had traces of bruises that needed more time to disappear, and technically, she was still married. At the beach, I’d held back because I half sensed I should leave her alone, even when she looked at me like she wanted me to kiss her.
Once again, she was my exception to every rule. She’d stayed in the car while I shopped. That night, I wanted to ensure that she was happy and laughing. But I needed to figure out if I should just call it quits and walk away. I wasn’t sure what I’d do next, but either way, I was enchanted.
I pointed to the bags. “So, you can change in the back seat or get out and head into the store.”
She squeezed between the seats and climbed into the back. “The back seat is fine. Thanks for the jeans.”
“I always pay my debts.”
