Page 68 of Axe Backwards
“Thanks. I need this today.”
Words.
I should speak words.
Yes, brain. Good plan.
“Wow.”
Fuck. It was like I’d never seen a pretty girl in a bathing suit before.
Scratch that. I’d seen lots of pretty girls.
But I’d never seen a woman so sexy. Her proximity made it hard to breathe.
“It’s gonna be hot today,” I said. “You should turn the AC on.”
The month of June in Maine was like one extreme mood swing after another. The temperature could be anywhere between thirty and ninety degrees. We’d had a frost a couple of weeks ago, but today was already stifling.
Though it could be because there wasn’t enough oxygen in this apartment.
With a nod, she took another sip of coffee.
“You look…”
Words. Need words.
Good words.
“Very beachy.”
Beachy?I wanted to slam my head into the wall.
“My parents are hosting a party at their lake house today.” She sighed, holding her cup to one side so Tess couldn’t reach it. “Or compound, as my mother insists on calling it.” Hip jutted out, she rolled her eyes. “I didn’t plan on going, but then I remembered that I bought this cute swimsuit when my annual bout of winter depression was at its peak.”
She put Tess on the rug and dragged over the basket of toys she’d collected.
Sweet mercy. I could tell the suit cut high on her backside, but the sight of her full ass on display was enough to cause a guy to stroke out. The ass I’d always thought was quite nice, I suddenly discovered, was so much greater than that.
“What do you think? Too much? I’m probably way too old to pull this off.”
“It’s sexy,” I blurted out, sweat suddenly beading at my temples. “You look confident and beautiful.” I tore my hat from my head and wiped at my brow with the back of my wrist.
Her neck and chest flushed. Damn. I’d never get tired of seeing her skin go pink in response to my compliments.
“Thanks.” She lowered her head and focused on her feet, as if she could hide the reaction from me. “So,” she said, her shoulders deflating. “I wasn’t going to ask. But…” She covered her face with her hands. “Can you come with me? You know, as my doting boyfriend?”
“Yes,” I rushed out without a moment to think it through. “I’d love to.”
I’d do anything she asked if it meant seeing her in that bathing suit again.
I may need to take a very long shower first.
“It’s okay if you—”
“No.” I held up a hand. “We planned to swing by my mom’s for a play date with Thor. I’ll text her. I’m sure she’d love to hang out with Tess for a few hours.”
She nodded. “It was a last-minute invite. It will probably be awful, so I’ll apologize in advance.”
