Page 100 of Cookout Carnage
Everyone moved at once. Clara grabbed the jug of water and threw the contents at his chest, dousing the heat as well as his cry. Emmett got to his feet, throwing napkins in his general direction, and Amy pulled off her apron and started dabbing him with it.
‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry!’ Sherilyn repeated over and over again, shaking like a leaf.
‘No harm done,’ he said to her with a smile. ‘I’m not hurt.’
‘Sherilyn dear,’ said Clara, ‘why don’t you take Tristan to his accommodation and we’ll see you at home later?’
Emmett dropped some bills onto the table. ‘Can you escort us out?’
Amy manoeuvred the screen so they could exit through the kitchen door at the rear of the diner and they followed Emmett and Clara out into the alley.
Emmett extended his arm towards him. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Tristan. Clara and I will swing by yours tomorrow at nine, if that suits you?’
‘Yes, absolutely. I’m looking forward to it,’ he replied. ‘Lovely to meet you both.’
Clara squeezed his hand. ‘And you, Tristan. You’re a fine young man.’ She turned to Sherilyn. ‘See you later, honey.’
Sherilyn simply nodded in reply. She was all out of words.
31
On the short walk back to Tristan’s rental, Sherilyn didn’t have the energy to drop his hand. Every few steps he would give hers a reassuring squeeze but it did nothing to lighten her mood. This incredible man had flown halfway across the world for her and all she had done was lie to him and nearly land him in the emergency room.
At the door he paused.
‘Would you like to come in for a bit?’
She stared at his stained shirt, mortified not only at the damage but where her thoughts headed as the wet fabric clung to the muscles of his chest.
‘It’s only a shirt,’ he continued, his thumb making hypnotic circles on her palm. ‘Don’t worry, befrappé.’
She looked up at him. What did he say?
He was smiling. ‘You’rebrew-ti-ful, Hot Sauce. Where have youbeanall my life?’
She raised her eyebrows. Was he really this cool about what just happened?
‘Youmochame very happy. Thanks alattefor today. It’s been amazing.’
As her smile started, his grew broader. ‘Words cannotespressohow much youbeanto me, Sherilyn.’
‘Am I experiencing déjàbrew?’ she asked.
He nodded with a massive grin as if he’d won the lottery.
‘Hot Sauce, I think we’re the perfect blend.’
He opened the door for her and she walked into the house, kicking off her shoes suddenly shy. At the front was an open-plan family room and kitchen. Through another door she guessed were the bedrooms and bathroom. She leaned against a countertop and fiddled with the bottom of her cut-offs. Tristan filled a glass of water at the sink.
‘Would you like anything to drink?’ he asked.
She shook her head. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’
She watched the movement of his throat as he drank, clenching her thighs together.
‘Tris,’ she began.
He put the glass down and faced her, two feet of electrified air between them.
