Six

Jerrin

I saw you in a dream

My worries evaporated when I left the restricted area and saw Sky's ridiculously conspicuous hot pink bug idling there, waiting for me. As I slid into the passenger seat, I vowed that someday I'd be the one driving her or we'd have a driver while we made out in the back seat.

"Hi," she said then took me by surprise, leaning in as soon as I got into the car and hooking her arm around my neck as she pulled me toward her and kissed me.

"Hey, beautiful girl," I said against her lips, fighting the urge to deepen the kiss to an inappropriate level right here where anyone could see us. I didn't need witnesses to the wicked things I wanted to do to my Sky.

"Ready for the picnic?" she asked.

"Yeah. Where are we going?"

"The lake."

"Where the fireworks are?"

"Sort of, but no," she said. "We won't be near the crowd. C'mon… It's like you don't know me at all after all these hours."

"My bad. Sorry. You're right. I know better."

"We'll be able to see the fireworks, though. It'll be like our own private show."

"Honestly, I don't care as long as I'm with you."

"Same," she agreed. "Okay, so it'll take a few minutes to get where we're going. Just trust me that I'm not driving you to your doom."

"Oh, was I supposed to worry? I'd make a terrible kidnap victim. I was just thinking about how beautiful you are. I love your hair braided like that."

"Yeah?" Her fingers ran over the long tail that hung over her shoulder.

"Told you I like ropes."

"Maybe, I'm the one who should be scared?" she breathed, but I didn't miss her little shiver or the goosebumps that lifted on her arms. I trailed my fingers over the limb closest to me.

"With just words…" I murmured.

"You do something to me. I can't help it."

"Don't try. Soon enough, you'll find out what you do to me. It's more than goosebumps."

She glanced over at me, her gaze flicking to my lap before she jerked her attention back to the road.

"So…" She cleared her throat. She pointed out the window. "Um… So. The Spring Harbor Historical Museum is over there. And that's the elementary school I attended…"

I grinned at the obvious change of subject. We'd return to it later.

Pointing out different Spring Harbor hot spots, she navigated through town then to a more sparsely populated area on the other side of Spring Harbor where dense stands of trees rose to either side of the road. Nearly hidden driveways broke through the forest at random intervals. After a few more minutes, she veered into one of the gravel drives. Less than a minute later, we entered a large clearing that ended at the shoreline of the lake. Off to the side was the cement foundation, red-brick walls and a circle of wide-spaced pillars of what I supposed had been a gazebo.

"Welcome to the future site of Chez Sky," she said.

"This is yours?" Glancing around, I could see the potential. It was an amazing spot.

"Mm-hmm. My grandparents left each of us kids plots along the lake to do with what we'd like. Marley's is right beside mine to the north and my three brothers are directly to the south. The properties are all adjacent, but large enough we can build homes without being on top of each other."

"So sort of like a family compound."

"Sort of. Eventually, I'll have a house or a cottage here and I'll refurbish the gazebo. For now, it's just this."

"It's a beautiful area." I could only imagine what it would look like in the golden glow of the sun setting in an hour or so. "To tell the truth, I've liked all of Spring Harbor so far."

"Thank you on behalf of the town," she laughed.

We got out of the car, and she reached into the back to grab a basket, a small cooler and a couple blankets, handing the last to me. I followed her over to the remains of the gazebo where an all-weather chest was hidden behind one wall. Opening it, she pulled out cushions and a few lanterns, which she placed around the space.

"They're citronella," she said. "No need to make blood donations to the mosquitoes."

"Good plan." I set the blankets on a stone bench and helped her with the cushions. The cement was clean, making me think she must have been here earlier. When we were done, we'd created a cozy nest against one wall where we'd face the water. Sitting side by side, we delved into the picnic basket. I laughed when I saw warming packs keeping food hot from Burgers on the Go.

"I really do know how to cook, but what can I say?" She shrugged. "I knew you liked this restaurant. Based on preferences you've mentioned during our texting, I got something different from yesterday for you to try. And their tots are epic." She shook her head while she handed over things. "Has it really only been since yesterday? Why does it feel like I've known you longer?"

"It does feel longer," I agreed. "If I believed in reincarnation and soul mates, I might blame that."

Though the way fate had brought her to me, I was believing in the unknown more and more. Not that I'd ever admit it.

A soft smile curled her lips. "It is an unexpected connection for sure. Not a bad one, either."

I squeezed her hand then brought her fingers to my lips, not having words that wouldn't make her think I was some crazy person and send her running. The gesture seemed enough, neither of us feeling the need to fill the silence. We ate that way for a while, occasionally pointing out birds or other wildlife, but mostly just enjoying each other's company. The way we could just be struck a perfect chord inside me. She excited me yet calmed me at the same time.

"I heard the band playing while I was waiting for you," she said out of the blue after we'd cleared away dinner, and I tensed. "I know I told you it's not my kind of music, but they're pretty good."

"Being on the road with the same people for over a year, the shine wears off. Sometimes, I just don't notice anymore." I debated telling her the truth right then, but I couldn't bring myself ruin the moment, even if guilt ate at my gut. I justified my silence by telling myself she was getting to know the real me and not the rock star me. We were just two people without filters or preconceived notions between us.

I pulled her closer as the sun started to dip low on the horizon. I'd been right. A golden glow did imbue the area with a romantic aura. My hand skimmed up her arm to her chin, lifting her face toward me, and my mouth covered hers. She sighed as she leaned closer. I tugged her to straddle my lap.

"Mmm," she murmured, rocking into me. "Definitely more than goosebumps."

Guiding her hips even closer, I growled. "More than a bump…"

"Uh-huh," she gasped, her breathing speeding up. I watched the movement of her breasts with each tiny gasp. My hands tightened on her hips while I fought the urge to strip away her T-shirt and see the creamy skin hidden beneath it.

"It feels…big," she said. Her eyes met mine, her pupils dark with arousal and a flush splashing up her pale throat to her cheeks. Cupping the back of her head, I covered her mouth again. My tongue stroked inside, languorously exploring, claiming. She was mine. We were meant to be. I was never giving her up. Sky belonged to me, and before the end of the weekend, she'd know it.

Shifting, I rolled her under me on the cushions. Her legs came up around my hips as we made out like teenagers—at least, I supposed it was like teenagers did. I wasn't a virgin by a long shot, but I'd never had time for high school foolishness.

Overhead, an explosion lit the night with gold and the glow bathed her skin in light and shadows, the sparks reflecting in her green eyes.

"The fireworks…" she managed between our kisses.

"Ours are better."

She pulled me back down to her mouth in silent agreement while we got lost in each other.