Page 19 of Stick Games
“They have four-wheelers, or we could do scuba lessons, or even do some paddle boarding. If we take the four-wheelers, we could probably see some monkeys and wildlife. I know you like that.”
I release his cock and turn him around, to run my hands over his broad back. “How do you know that?”
He glances at me over his shoulder, a smirk on his face. “Come on, you loved the museum of natural history, especially when they had wildlife shows.”
Okay, I’m touched that he remembered that. “It sounds like a lot of fun, actually.”
“Great, I’ll arrange it.”
“Okay, you’re clean.” I move so he can rinse off, and once we’re done showering, he climbs out first and hands me a big fluffy towel. “I should probably run back to my room for clothes, if room service is coming.”
“Nah.” He winks at me. “We can wear robes, with nothing on underneath but our birthday suits.” I laugh at that as he steps into the hall and pulls open the closet and hands me a robe, and a pair of slippers. I wrap myself in the robe. “We can dress after we eat.” He rubs his rock-hard stomach. “I’m starved.”
“What did you order?”
Just then a knock comes on the door, and he pulls on his robe as he hurries to it. “Hey.”
A young man dressed in a white server’s uniform stands at the door with a cart full of plates covered in domes. “Where would you like this, sir?”
“Right out on the deck.”
I hurry to the deck doors, peel back the curtains and open the sliding door. The nice young man smiles at me as he wheels his cart through the room, and stops at the door. He picks up one of the many trays and sets them on the outside table. My God, did Gabe order one of everything?
As the server prepares our table, I go back inside and grab my phone, seeing that my brother texted me. I smile at his birthday wish, and his promise to celebrate with me the next time we’re together. I quickly shoot him a message back. He responds right away and I glance up to see Gabe giving the delivery server a generous tip. He comes toward me, and I walk him down the hall, and open the door for him. After he wheels his cart out and gives me a curt nod, I join Gabe on the deck.
I begin to take the domes off the food, and my stomach grumbles louder when I see French fries, chicken nuggets, nachos and cheese, plus a whole lot more deep-fried foods. All the things I love but don’t normally eat.
He grins at me and I shake my head. “I guess it’s a good thing that what happens in the Caribbean stays in the Caribbean.”
His smile falters for a brief second, but then it reappears as he snatches a nugget and bites into it. “Jesus, that’s good. But I’m afraid it’s not going to stay in the Caribbean.” He pats his rock-hard stomach. “This is coming back with me, right here.”
I laugh and reach for a nugget. “Good thing I’m not still training for the Olympics.”
His eyes narrow in on me as he sits. “I’m sorry an injury stopped you in your prime.”
“It’s okay.” I dip my nugget into the sweet sauce, trying to keep my tone light as I take a bite. “I got to go once, and that’s more than most people can say.”
His eyes soften. “I called you, you know. I was so proud of you, Millie.”
Guilt stings deep inside me, sharp like a thousand angry hornets. I never answered his call, and I’ve regretted it ever since. I was younger then, too wrapped up in my hurt and confusion, thinking I had some unspoken claim on him just because he took me to prom. It wasn’t fair—he didn’t owe me anything. And looking back, it was such a kind thing for him to do.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
He hesitates for a moment, the worry clear in his eyes, a deep line forming between his brows. “Did you get my message?”
I pause, the weight of his vulnerability hitting me. He’s been carrying this with him all this time? I swallow hard, suddenly wishing I could go back and undo the silence that stretched between us for so long. “Yes,” I say quietly, picking up a French fry to give my hands something to do. “I’m sorry I?—”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” His voice is gentle, cutting through my apology before I can finish. “I just wanted to make sure you got my message.”
The look on his face makes my chest tighten. I hate that I hurt him like that, even if I didn’t know it at the time. He squirts ketchup onto the fries, the tension easing as he wags his eyebrows playfully.
“Eat up,” he says with a grin, trying to bring the moment back to something lighter. “You’re going to need all your energy.” He holds a fry out to me, and I open my mouth as the breeze carries in floral scents. He breathes deeply and glances at the ocean. “This place really is incredible.”
I chew and nod. “It sure is.”
“Do you miss Minnesota?” he asks, and everything about this reminds me how fun and easy he was to be with. I missed this. I missed him.
“I miss my parents, but my friends have moved on, and I’m getting used to Boston. As you know, I have my cousin Tanner there and I love Maeve, so that’s really nice.” As I think about the storm they’re having at home, I quiver. “Although living somewhere with less brutal winters would be nice, too. I envy Ryder out in California.”
