Chapter Sixteen
Bones
I turn on the lights in my apartment from the control panel by the door and watch with satisfaction as my luxurious, yet minimalist open-plan living space reveals itself to my guest. “Home sweet home,” I announce. “What do you think?”
Sunny turns in slow circles as she drinks it all in, her mouth comically open.
White walls, immaculate black leather lounges, plush checkered rugs—and all the mod cons a girl could ever want—greet her.
“Oh, my god. Bones ... it’s seriously fucking beautiful!
I mean, it’s not a cozy cottage with a garden, but I like it. It’s so fancy.”
I grin at her choice of words. Fancy. It’s certainly not a word I associated with growing up, that’s for fucking sure. But things have changed since then. “I’d like to think it’s minimalist and modern, but luxurious,” I say. “Just how I like it.”
She nods in agreement. “It’s definitely all that too.”
“Now, come here.” I guide her to the middle of the space. “Close your eyes and don’t open them until I say.”
“Okay. No peeking, I promise.” She covers her face with her palms and bounces on the spot excitedly, clearly a fan of surprises.
I reach for the remote on my black marble kitchen counter and lift the blinds. They slowly rise up, until the star-spangled darkness over the sleepy ocean yawns before us in a perfect panoramic view. I linger by the counter so that I can watch her face. “Okay, open up, beautiful.”
Sunny lowers her hands and opens her eyes, her lips parting in wonder as she steps closer to the wide expanse of glass—all that separates us from eternity.
“Jesus...” she whispers with reverence. “I feel like I’m on the deck of a starship or something!
” she gushes. “The stars ... the ocean ... it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. ”
My heart burns with a happiness I didn’t even know was possible. “The view’s all right,” I agree. “But I’m the one looking at the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
My honey haired angel blushes and nibbles her lower lip. “You really mean it?” she asks hesitantly. “I can stay here?”
“I always say what I mean, babe. I don’t do bullshit. You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you like. No pressure. No bills. No expectations. Okay? We’re just two girls getting up to no good, simple as that.”
Sunny grins and runs up to me, wrapping me up in a tackle hug that almost knocks the wind out of me. “Thank you. I’ll never forget this,” she promises, her cheek resting against my chest as she closes her eyes and savors the peace of the moment.
I embrace the sweetest, brightest ray of sunshine I’ve ever met and then gently hold her at arm’s length. “How about you take another shower and I’ll order dinner. I’ll leave a robe out for you on the bed.”
Sunny’s eyes glitter with unshed tears and she nods, sniffling them back. “I’d really like that,” she says with a meek smile. “I am kind of sticky...” She grimaces.
After I get my girl set up in my ensuite, I lay out my spare robe on the bed and head out into the kitchen to make the call.
I order a range of Chinese dishes I think Sunny will like and then I wash my hands, hang my cuts by the door, and change into my own robe.
Relief floods through me when I remove my socks and boots, and my bare feet hit the cool tiles.
My riding gear is perfect and comfy as hell, but there’s nothing like taking off the club uniform at the end of a hot day.
Our order arrives and I tip the delivery driver before taking the paper bags back to the counter. I lay out the dishes so that Sunny can pick and choose as she desires, then get out a couple of plates and two pairs of sleek, black chopsticks.
“Wow, that was good timing,” Sunny says as she steps out into the open-plan living area. Clothed in my robe, she’s scrunching her wet locks as she sashays toward me with a contented smile.
I nod. “Feel better?”
“Like a million dollars,” she says. “You have the best water pressure here.”
“Well, million dollars or not, I know you must be hungry, so help yourself. Dig in and have whatever you want. As for the water pressure?” I grin. “We’ll circle back to that.”
Sunny leans up on the tips of her toes and presses her lips to mine in a protracted, but chaste kiss. “I look forward to it,” she says. “And thank you for dinner.” She lowers herself back down and picks up a white plate as she looks over what’s on offer.
“Don’t mention it,” I say, my earlier promise coming back to me.
“So, did you want a drink with that?” I ask as she piles her plate high without shame, filling it with garlic noodles, honey chicken, omelet, crispy tofu with peanut dipping sauce, and a side of fried rice.
“I have a few bottles of American Honey on hand,” I remind her.
Sunny perks up some more and nods, her mouth full. “Mmhm!” she answers, lifting her hand to cover her mouth as she nods. “That would be amazing, thank you.”
“No worries. Make yourself comfy on the lounge, I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Sunny bounces off to sit on the leather lounge and sinks down. “Oh, my god. This is so comfortable! And it’s so soft!”
Pouring out a tall shot per glass, I top it off with Coke Zero and shut the fridge. After bringing our drinks over, I quickly load up a plate and join Sunny for our night in. “Any requests?” I ask, picking up the TV remote. “Anything at all?”
Sunny thinks for a moment, then takes a sip of her drink. “Mm. So good,” she remarks before answering me. “Um, I’m up for anything, honestly.”
“Okay, how about The Queen of the Damned?” I ask when it shows up as a featured flick on the main menu. “It’s always been a favorite of mine. It has a killer soundtrack, not to mention that Akasha and Lestat are both gorgeous.”
Sunny nods enthusiastically. “Hell, yes! I am a huge fan of Anne Rice! And it’s one of my favorite movies, too.”
“Then it’s settled,” I say, starting the show as I settle in beside my buxom beauty.
The familiar soundtrack plays as the narration begins and I chow down on my first mouthful of food for several hours.
The sweet sauce and crisp batter coating the chicken melts in my mouth and I sigh.
What bliss. A great movie with my—fuck buddy?
Girlfriend? Roommate? Friend with benefits?
—I have no clue. Sunny isn’t comfortable labeling things yet.
Regardless, getting to watch one of my favorite films after a long, hot, and sweaty day of chaotic sex is the cherry on top of an already unexpectedly incredible and mind-blowing day.
And I can’t believe it all started with picking up a sexy hitchhiker!
Sunny snuggles into my side as she picks at her plate, her brilliant blue gaze reflecting the movie and the stars. She notices me watching her and smiles. “Thanks for everything, Bones. You turned one of the worst days of my life into one of the best.”
I give her pale, luscious thigh a quick squeeze, and wink as I take another swig of my alcohol.
The familiar burn is sweet and warming as it blazes a trail down my throat.
This is the life, I think, as I pick up my chopsticks once more with a smile of my own.
My girl’s happy. I’m happy. Everything’s perfect.
“My pleasure, sunshine. I aim to please.”