Page 19 of Stone Deep
She stared at me with those chocolate brown eyes thatcould look right through me. “That must have been awful. Where are your parents now?”
“Mom died when we were still in school, and Dad died when Hunter was eighteen. Bad heart, bad liver, bad aura.”
“Bad aura?”
“Yeah, it’s a theory of mine. You know how they say people walk around with an aura that sort of reflects their character? I figured my dad’s aura was so black and bitter, it finally got tired of having to float around him and just sort of swallowed him up.”
Again, her dark eyes gazed up at me.
“Shit, Tink, I’d swear you are reading my mind when you look at me like that.”
She hopped on her tiptoes, pressed her palm against my face and kissed me lightly on the mouth. “I don’t need to read it. You just told me a lot.”
I’d revealed more of myself to her in a few short minutes than I ever had to any other girl. I wasn’t sure why except I knew she’d listen. And she had . . . with that face that really did look as if it belonged in a magical story. “What about you, Tink? Are your parents nearby?”
“Iowa, which is close enough, thank you. But really, I do love them. They worry that I’m too wild and reckless and well—impulsive. They’re right for the most part. Anyhow, my sister’s death has really aged them. I go to see them on holidays, but being home”—she paused—“it’s hard.” She walked over and glanced at a few more pictures. “Let’s change subjects. I don’t want to start our road trip on a downer.” She looked around the room. “I take it you grew up in this house?”
“Yep. Excuse the general ugliness of the place. We aren’t really big on interior design . . . or cleaning for that matter. Although it is way better in here now that Amy lives with us.” I put my duffle on the floor and walked over to her. My gaze dropped down to her dress. “Just so you know, that dress is making my whole day.”
She held out her arms and spun around once. “You like? I’ve never been to the desert, but I hear that Palm Springs gets really hot. I thought this dress would work.”
“Uh, you do realize that there are hundreds of miles and at least two dark and dingy motels between here and Palm Springs?” I ran my finger under the thin strap of the dress. “And I’m pretty sure this dress will have to come off more than once during that time. In fact, I’ve got to get this over with right now so I don’t keep thinking about it while I’m driving.” I looked at her. “I do get to drive, right?”
She pointed a long finger at me. “Aha, now I see the whole reason behind this road trip. You just want to drive my car.”
“I admit, the car played a part.” I curled my arm around her waist and pulled her against me. “But this was my real motive, and it’s purely selfish.” I lowered my mouth over hers and lush, plump lips met mine. I kissed her long and hard enough that her body nearly melted into mine as she softened in my grasp. I lifted my mouth, and her long lashes fluttered open. “Damn, you taste as sweet as you look. I’m glad you walked back into my life, Britton. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that first night.”
“That’s because you are walking around with a stab wound that I caused.”
“True. But that’s not it. There’s just something aboutyou, and it’s not justthis.” I went to wave my hand, and she grabbed my wrist.
“All right, let’s make a promise right now to stop the hand waving and referring to each other asthis.”
The front door opened and Hunter and Amy walked inside. A huge smile broke out on Amy’s face the second she saw Britton.
She walked right up to her as if they’d known each other for years. “You must be Britton. Ilovethat pixie haircut. It goes so perfectly with your beautiful face.” She lifted her arms. “I’m Amy. I guess I should introduce myself before I give you a big hug.” The hug followed. Britton smiled.
“You’ll have to excuse Street, I mean Amy, she gives the wordoutgoinga whole new meaning. By the way, this is Hunter. You probably already guessed it since the house sort of tilted on its foundation when he stepped inside.”
“Nice to meet you,” Hunter said. “Where are you two going?”
“California desert. Road trip, baby,” I said.
“Vegas?” Hunter asked with some interest.
“Palm Springs,” I answered.
He raised a brow. “You’re going all that way to watch old guys drive around in golf shorts?”
“Yep. Of course, if you two are going to miss me too much?—”
“Fuck no,” Hunter said. “Why are we even holding you up?” He looked at Britton. “Thanks for peeling him off the couch.”
I picked up my bag. “I’ll see you when I get back onTuesday. Come on, my tantalizing little travel buddy, somewhere out there is a sleazy motel room with our names on it.”
“Sleazy motel rooms and Palm Springs,” Amy repeated. “Actually, that sounds fun.” She kissed my cheek and hugged Britton again. “Drive safe.”
TWELVE
