CHAPTER 10 #2
“I know what you mean,” Mindy said, delighting in the mature subject matter.
She and Galen had shared fries at a fast-food place yesterday while talking about their favorite fantasy movies.
(Legend for her, The Dark Crystal for him.) “I lifeguarded over the summer, which was gratifying, but also strange, since I’m used to having three months of complete freedom.
But I suppose letting go of that is part of being an adult. ”
“Exactly,” Vonn said, his head tilting. “Keisha didn’t mention that you’re a lifeguard. Is that something you want to make a career of?”
“Not really. To be honest, I don’t know what I want to do after graduating.”
“What are you passionate about?”
She took a mental step back and tried to view her life from the outside. “I’ve always been a bookworm.”
“A librarian then.”
“No!” she said, shaking her head. “Oh my god, that sounds so dowdy.”
“I don’t even know what that word means,” he said, leaning back and looking her over with dark twinkling eyes. “Maybe you should be a teacher.”
“Is it wrong that I want a career with a little more sex appeal?”
“What are you talking about? Librarians and teachers are sexy.”
“Oh!” She adjusted her hair playfully. “Well in that case…” She thought about the subject as their appetizers arrived, waiting until they were alone before adding, “Maybe an author.”
“Oh yeah?” Vonn asked in interest. “What kind of books does this author with sex appeal write?”
“Erotica,” Mindy said in casual tones. “With a little romance thrown in, just to prove to the world that I’m not a cold-hearted fuck machine.”
Vonn practically choked on a stuffed mushroom.
“I’m all talk,” she confessed as he took a wide-eyed sip. “If I wanted to write that sort of thing, I’d need to do a lot more field research.”
“Just let me know if I can be of assistance,” he squeaked before clearing his throat.
They moved on to topics more wholesome for the rest of the meal, laughing over childhood memories and discussing university options, since Vonn had planned on going to college before changing his mind at the last minute.
“KU is on my shortlist,” Mindy confided, “but only because I love Lawrence. That town has the best energy.”
They split dessert. He paid. Mindy left the restaurant satisfied but not overwhelmed. Vonn had eaten the larger portion of everything they had shared, which she didn’t mind. Nor was it surprising, since he was so big. Not huge like Diego, but all that muscle must need a lot of fuel to maintain.
“Wanna catch a movie?” Vonn asked.
That would take up so much time. Besides, she had just been at the Silver Screen Cinema with Galen the day before. They saw Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which was hilarious, but going to the movies again so soon would feel like a rerun.
“Maybe a nice drive instead,” she suggested casually.
“Sure! Where to?”
“Oh, I don’t know… around Lake Integrity?”
He seemed a bit puzzled by this request, perhaps because the weather was still chilly, but he didn’t second-guess her.
They chatted idly on the way. Mindy chewed a piece of gum, so her breath would be fresh.
Vonn accepted one when offered. Hopefully that would be hint enough, but if not, she kept an eye out for a secluded place.
“That’s a nice view,” she said while pointing. “Want to stop and take it in?”
“Sure.” Once they were parked, he shifted to face her. “This is the first date I’ve been on where the woman is making all the moves.”
“Welcome to the nineties,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt so she could get at his lips.
They kissed, having to pause briefly to dispose of their gum.
Vonn was a gentleman and kept his hands to himself.
Galen was all over her boobs last night.
Now that the floodgates had been opened, he couldn’t get enough.
She liked the attention, but it was focused so intently on her that it remained one-sided.
Mindy leaned back and nibbled her bottom lip while looking Vonn over. “About that book research I need to do.”
He chuckled warmly. “What did you have in mind?”
“Last time, you got to touch me…” Her eyes dropped to his lap. “I’d like to return the favor.”
Vonn reached for his belt. “You sure about that?”
“Mm-hm!”
“Just tell me when to stop,” he said.
She pantomimed zipping up her lips and throwing away the key. As soon as his jeans were open, she was tempted to grope him through the strained underwear but was too curious and didn’t want to halt his progress. Vonn snagged the waistband and lifted his rump while slowly pulling down.
She gasped when it finally flopped out. Mindy had never seen one in real life. Not since she was a little enough to share a bubble bath with her cousin, but this was a grown man. Emphasis on the grown, because it was much larger than she’d imagined.
“Knock yourself out,” Vonn suggested.
Mindy took hold of him, concerned when he groaned in response. “Is that all right?” she asked.
“You can literally do no wrong,” he said, his voice full of need.
Those dark eyes were pleading with her, like only she could give him what he wanted.
Mindy felt powerful. And excited! She tore her attention away to check the clock on the stereo.
A fifteen-minute drive home, plus some snuggle time to keep it respectable…
She had about half an hour to do whatever she pleased.
This was way outside her comfort zone. Quite a few people in her life would disapprove.
Somehow that only made the prospect more appealing.
Squeezing playfully, Mindy made the most of every single second.