Page 47 of Take Me
But she’s not having it.“Come on, Mace.Leave the clothes and let’s get inside where it’s warm.”
“Uh, I need to—” What?What do I need to do?“Check the chickens.”
“The chickens?”Erika blinks.“How drunk are you right now?”
Fuck it.We’re honest with each other, right?
“Look, you’re giving me a woody, okay?”If I say it like that, it sounds jokey and fun and not like I want to bang my best friend.“Not that I’m suggesting it’s your fault.This isn’t some patriarchal bullshit where I blame you for my body doing its thing instead of taking responsibility for?—”
“Mason.”Rolling her eyes, she turns to the door.“If you want to stand out here babbling about boners, be my guest.I’m going inside.”
She strides into the cabin, and I watch her go, which is a huge fucking mistake.“Since when do you wear thong panties?”
“Since Hazel told me I couldn’t wear boy shorts with a silk dress.”She’s shouting over her shoulder as she heads for the bathroom.“It’s not a big deal, okay?”
“Okay.”I can do this.Ican.
Just to be sure, I step into the rain, letting it pelt me like tiny cold needles.I stand in my underpants, breathing the bright scent of wet grass and evergreen, telling myself this is not a big deal.
Inside the cabin, the water turns on.From here I’ve got a peek-a-boo glimpse of the shower.Of Erika stepping inside, still in her panties and boob stickers.She doesn’t look back as she pulls the curtain closed, steam wafting up from the top.
“Get it together, Mason,” I mutter under my breath.
Since I’m standing in the rain in my underwear, creeping on my best pal, I’ve got a long way to go on that goal.
“Ouch!Goddammit.”
“Erika?”
“Motherfucker!Holy shit, that hurts.”
Her next yelp of pain sends me bolting inside, kicking the door shut behind me.I don’t even think.I just charge through the cabin as Erika lets out another sharp hiss of discomfort.
“Ow, ow, ow, ow!”
I yank back the curtain, and Erika squeals.Whirling to face me, she covers one boob with her hand.“What are you doing?”
“You sounded hurt.”I drop my eyes to her hand, frowning at the angry red mark at the edge of her breast.“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t get these stupid things off.”Dropping her hand, she reveals she’s still wearing the stickers.“I forgot the directions said not to get them wet.I’m not sure how to peel them off without ripping my freakin’ nipples.”
I sober up quickly, hating the thought of Erika in pain.“Would oil help?”
“Motor oil?”
“No, body oil.”I saw some fancy stuff sitting on the edge of the tub.“One sec.”
Letting go of the curtain, I pivot and locate the small plastic bottle wrapped up in gauze and a whisper of ribbon.Tearing it open, I return to the shower and peel back the curtain.
Erika’s bent over rinsing the mud from her hair.She’s still wearing panties, so at least there’s still blood in my brain.“Here.”
Flipping her hair up, she reaches out to take it.“Thanks.I’m thinking if I just squirt some of this on my boobs, maybe I can peel off—ow!Fuck.”
“Careful.”I shouldn’t keep standing here holding the curtain like this is my private peep show.“Maybe it needs time to soak in?”
“Ow.”Never one to be patient, Erika tugs at the edge of a sticker.Wincing, she smashes her boob with one hand.“The instructions said to hold the skin taut to remove them, but?—”
“I’ll help.”God help me.“Want me to squirt or hold your boob still?”These are my options?But yes, yes they are.
