Chapter Thirty
CHAPTER THIRTY
The door to the bathroom opened and steam poured out, along with Natalie, wrapped in the hotel’s bathrobe, a towel on her head. How could a woman dressed head to toe in white fluff look so…hot?
Yeah, Eugene, you’ve got it bad for his woman.
No lie there.
“Just FYI,” she said as she grabbed a tube of lotion from the dresser, “I’m taking that steam shower home with me. You can bill me for it.”
He grinned. “Got it.”
He’d intended to take Natalie out for a nice dinner last night. Instead, they’d ordered pizza and stayed in bed, watching movies until…well, hell, he couldn’t remember what time they’d fallen asleep. They’d talked about anything and everything from their childhoods to college and best friends and enemies and first loves and heartbreak. Eugene couldn’t ever remember being so open and comfortable with anyone. Natalie made it easy for him to tell her things he’d never told anyone. Maybe it was because she hadn’t judged him for some of his stupid mistakes and admitted she’d made a few herself.
She’d told him they’d both been very young when they’d broken some hearts or hurt someone’s feelings, and as long as they learned from it and tried not to do it again, then it was a good lesson.
She made him think, and that was a good thing.
They’d slept in, so after they got dressed, they headed downstairs to have a late breakfast.
“I don’t want to eat too much,” Natalie said as they took their seats in the dining area. “Need to save room for beer and hot dogs at the ballpark.”
He laughed. “Yeah, that’s all important.”
“Not to mention nutritious.”
They had coffee and ordered their food. Natalie took a sip and sighed, then immediately yawned.
“You stayed up too late.”
She slanted a look at him. “And who’s fault is that?”
“Yours. You talk too much.”
She sputtered out a laugh. “Oh right. You gave me a blow-by-blow of your entire childhood. I even know who your second grade crush was.”
“Hey, Tildy was the love of my life. We meant something to each other. At least until she stole my favorite pencil, crushing my dreams of us living happily ever after.”
“No doubt thereafter clouding your view of women.”
“Nah. Then there was Melissa in third grade, Amelie in fourth, oh, and then I took Heather to the sixth grade dance.”
“Wait, wait,” she said. “What happened to fifth grade?”
He shrugged. “None of the girls liked me then. I don’t know what was wrong with them.”
He winked at her and she rolled her eyes. “Okay, heartbreaker. I can see getting an in-depth look at your growing-up years will take even more time than I imagined.”
He took his coffee cup and leaned back. “We haven’t even hit my high school years yet.”
She gave him an affected grimace. “Not sure I even want to know.”
“Oh, come on. Surely you were popular. I mean, look at you. You must have had boys chasing you from early on.”
“Hardly.” She paused while their server brought their food. Then they dug in and started eating, and the conversation was momentarily halted. But Eugene hadn’t forgotten, so once they had finished, he took a sip of water and put his empty plate to the side.
“What did you mean when you said, hardly?”
She frowned. “What?”
“I had asked you about boys being after you and you said hardly.”
“Oh. I was awkward and painfully shy. Boys weren’t interested in me and I wasn’t interested in them. Not until high school, anyway.”
“Really. No early crushes?”
“Nope. I was into book crushes.”
“Huh. Who?”
“Oh. Well. Where do I even start? Nancy Drew. Mr.Darcy from Pride and Prejudice . Also Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice . Lestat from Interview with the Vampire . Meg Murry from A Wrinkle in Time , Jamie Fraser from Outlander . Aragorn from Lord of the Rings . I mean, I could go on for hours.”
“It’s good to have crushes, ya know.”
She lifted her fork to her lips and paused, smiling. “Indeed, it is.”
The way she smiled at him never failed to cause his stomach to tighten and his heart to feel swollen with…with something.
They finished eating and headed back up to the room to freshen up before heading out for the game. Natalie wore team-color capris and a short-sleeve shirt, along with tennis shoes. And she looked damned beautiful—like always.
“Very game appropriate,” he said.
She walked over to him and slipped her hand around his neck, drawing him in for a kiss. After she pulled back, she said, “And you look hot.”
He looked down at himself. He wore a T-shirt, jeans, and his kicks, so nothing special. But if Natalie thought he was hot, he’d make a note to dress like this more often.
Since parking was a nightmare, they’d ordered a car to take them to the stadium. They made their way to their seats along the first base line.
“These seats are amazing,” Natalie said, looking around. “It’s incredible here.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” Eugene loved baseball. He’d always been a huge fan of San Francisco’s team, but as long as it was baseball, he’d enjoy it. No matter what city he traveled to, if it was baseball season, he’d find time to go see a game. So he was excited for their plans today, even more so knowing that Natalie was also a fan.
As the stadium filled, he noticed Natalie eyeing all the women wearing the Miami team’s jerseys and T-shirts.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
She nodded, her focus on watching the players warm up.
He went to the concessions and sales area and surveyed the T-shirts. It didn’t take him long to choose one that he thought Natalie might like. He paid and headed back to their seats.
“For you,” he said, handing the T-shirt to her.
Her eyes widened as she lifted the shirt up to inspect it. “Really? Eugene, you didn’t have to do that.”
“But I wanted to. And you were salivating over everyone wearing theirs, so I figured you might want one.”
“I did, in fact. Thank you.” She leaned over to kiss him. “I’ll be right back.”
She hurried off and came back a short time later wearing the new shirt, her original shirt in her hand. “What do you think?” she asked, standing in front of him.
He sighed. The colors showed off her skin and hair and brought out the bright green in her eyes. “I think you’re beautiful. Like always.”
She slid into her seat and pressed her arm against his. “Now I’m game ready.”
“Almost.”
She frowned. “Almost?”
He signaled for the vendor selling beers, then shortly thereafter he dashed up to the concessions to grab them a couple of hot dogs. He handed one to Natalie and she grinned, holding the beer in one hand and the hot dog in the other.
“Dream come true, right here,” she said.
“Hang on.” He pulled out his phone and snapped a pic, then showed her the photo.
She laughed. “Perfect. Though, maybe…” She took his phone, leaned against him, and took a selfie of the two of them.
He looked at the picture, suddenly struck by how…perfect they looked together.
He waited for some warning signals to ping in his head at that thought.
But nothing came. So, instead, he sat back, ate, and drank, so ready for the game to start.
· · ·
Natalie had the best time. Not only had Miami won with a walk-off home run, but she’d had two hot dogs, two beers, and now had a new T-shirt of her favorite team, thanks to Eugene.
After the game, it took a while to get a car and then fight through traffic, but Natalie was hyped up after the exciting finish to the game, so none of the waiting bothered her.
“Feel like hitting the beach when we get back?” Eugene asked.
Knowing they were heading home tomorrow morning, she wanted to maximize fun in the sun as much as they could. “I’d love that.”
When they got back, they changed into their beach clothes, and Natalie wound her hair up into a ponytail, applied sunscreen, then put on her sun hat and sundress and slipped into her sandals. She came out to find Eugene in a sleeveless tee and board shorts, showing off all his delicious arm muscles.
She had to admit that having him all to herself these past few days was not a hardship. Then again, this was just fun and play. A dreamland that was nothing like her reality. A reality she was shortly going back to.
So just enjoy it.
Right.
They headed down to the pool and grabbed a cabana. Natalie grabbed her book and got comfortable on her chaise while Eugene decided to do a few laps in the pool. When a server came by, she ordered drinks for both of them.
Her phone buzzed, and she saw Sean’s name and a FaceTime call.
This couldn’t be good. Her stomach tightened, and she hoped nothing was wrong with the kids.
“Hi, Sean,” she said.
“Hey.” He was smiling, which was odd. “Nothing’s going on so don’t panic. Christopher misses his mom and wants to talk to you. So does Cammie.”
Relief filled her. “Oh. Of course. Thanks!”
Within a few seconds, there was Christopher’s sweet, chubby face. “Hi, Momma.”
“Hey, sweet boy. What are you doing?”
“Daddy and Cammie and me went to breakfast, and then we went to see a movie, and then we went to Gramma and Grandpa’s house. Now we’re gonna go swimming.”
“Wow. That sounds so fun. You’ve been busy.”
“Uh-huh. And we played Uno with Gramma and Grandpa last night and then we had pie that Gramma made and Cammie and me stayed up late watching movies with Dad.”
Her heart did a small leap at the thought of Sean spending quality time with his kids. “You did? That’s great, Christopher.”
She heard Camryn in the background, and then she and Christopher argued over the phone. Sean said it was Camryn’s turn.
“I gotta go, Momma,” Christopher said. “When you coming home?”
“Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I love you, sweet boy.”
“Love you, Momma. Bye.”
Then she talked to Cammie, who filled her in on every single detail of their time with Sean, even though she’d already heard most of it before. But that was fine. While she was talking to Cammie, Eugene had come back and grinned as he listened in. When she finished, she told Cammie she loved her, and then spoke briefly again with Sean, thanking him for calling her so she could talk to the kids.
She hung up, sighed, and laid the phone down.
“Everything okay?” Eugene asked.
“Yes. Sean called and said that Christopher wanted to talk to me. Nothing urgent. He misses me.”
“Aww. Of course he does. He’s your baby.”
She smiled. “Yes. And growing up way too quickly. They’re little for such a short period of time and then, poof, suddenly they’re growing up and all independent. I just miss that baby stage.”
“Do you want more kids?”
“Oh God no. I might miss them being babies, but the thought of going through all that again? The diapers, the crying, the sleepless nights? No, thanks.”
“Huh. I’m gonna grab a drink. You want something?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
He left and Natalie wondered if what she’d said had upset him in some way. But how could it? They weren’t a couple, definitely not permanent. Besides, she was almost thirty-five and more than ready to be done having kids. Eugene, on the other hand, could make babies for…well, for a long time to come.
The thought of him having beautiful children with some other woman made her ache all over. Then she was irritated because why would she even care? His life was his, and once he was done with this project he’d be off to another one. Sure, they were having a good time right now, but that didn’t mean they were in love or anything.
You sure about that, girl?
She shook off thoughts of falling in love. It wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever. She liked her life the way it was, focusing on her job and her kids. On herself.
Shouldn’t she be allowed to put herself first for a change?
Eugene returned and plopped down on the chaise, flipped his sunglasses over his face, and sipped his drink while he looked out over the water. Natalie watched him, trying to find the words that she wanted to say, but unable to say them. Or maybe afraid to say them because their time together had been so idyllic, and if what she said destroyed this paradise they’d been living in, she’d be heartbroken.
But not knowing was killing her, so she had to know.
“Do you want kids?” she asked.
He shifted his gaze to her. “What?”
“You asked me if I wanted more kids, and my answer was pretty definite. Do you want kids, Eugene?”
He swung his legs over the chaise so he faced her. “I don’t know. I like kids a lot. But having my own isn’t something that’s on my priority list. I guess I’ve always thought that when I meet the person I’m going to love for the rest of my life, that’s something we’ll decide together, ya know?”
“That makes good sense.” It was such a mature answer, and she appreciated his honesty.
He came over to her chaise, and she shifted to make room for him. He lifted his sunglasses to the top of his head. “What’s this about?”
“I don’t know. Nothing, really. I’m being ridiculous.”
He picked up her hand. “Talk to me, Natalie. There’s nothing you can’t tell me.”
His words were so earnest, and when she looked up at him, she saw the same in his eyes.
“You asked about kids and I blurted about not wanting any more. I guess I feel like I hurt your feelings.”
“You didn’t hurt me, Natalie. The one thing I appreciate is honesty. And I’ll always give it right back to you, and I was telling you the truth when I told you that I don’t even think about having kids of my own.”
He caressed his hand over hers, and the sensation was like a balm to her tortured feelings.
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m overthinking. I have a tendency to do that. Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. You were considering my feelings, and I appreciate that.” He pulled her back. “But let me tell you that I don’t and never will think of you as a potential baby-maker. I like you for who you are and respect where you are at this point in your life. I like your kids a lot, too. I’m happy with the way things are between us, Natalie. Understand?”
She nodded. “Understood. And thanks.”
They lay like that together for a while. And while she felt more settled about the whole kids thing, the one thing that still unsettled her was the fact that their age difference was still a prominent factor in their relationship.
They were still in two different places in their lives.
· · ·
After a couple of hours frolicking at the pool, they decided they were hungry, so they headed inside to clean up for dinner. Natalie had shaken off whatever weird mood she’d been in earlier. The late-afternoon sex and an incredible orgasm probably had a lot to do with improving her outlook on life and everything in general.
Eugene told her they were going somewhere upscale for dinner, but not overly fancy, so she slid on a black sleeveless dress and silver heeled sandals, adding hoop earrings and a silver chain. Eugene looked delicious in black slacks and a white button-down shirt.
“You dress up nice,” she said as she stepped out of the bedroom.
He walked over to her, picked up her hand, and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “And you are stunning. Not just tonight, but always. Every day. No matter what you wear.”
Damn if her heart didn’t flutter. “You’re very good at compliments, Eugene.”
“I’m good at being truthful, Natalie.”
With a sigh, she slipped her arm through his and they headed downstairs. They got a lot of looks walking through the lobby. She had to admit she enjoyed the attention of being seen on the arm of a spectacular-looking man.
A younger man, at that.
What a buzzkill. Her subconscious should really shut the hell up.
They drove to a restaurant near the ocean. Natalie was glad she’d dressed up because it was, indeed, upscale. Dark and atmospheric, the walls were adorned with rich wallpaper, and the tables were elegantly dressed. They were seated in a moody, romantic corner by the window with spectacular views of the ocean.
Their server brought them wine, and Natalie sat back and enjoyed the view.
“This has been fun,” she said as she took a sip of the delicious cabernet.
“Trip’s not over yet.” Eugene took a swallow of wine and smiled at her. “There’s still magic to be had.”
She cocked her head to the side. “You know I don’t need magic, right?”
“Why do you say that? Don’t you think you deserve a little fantasy?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe what I’m trying to tell you is that just a regular trip to the beach satisfies me. Everything doesn’t have to be so…” She looked around. “Extravagant.”
“Uh-huh. Why? Because you feel like you don’t deserve it?”
Her earlier mood had returned, and she didn’t understand why she was pushing this. “I guess because I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of…what exactly?”
“I don’t know. This has all been amazing. Relaxing. Beautiful. But it’s not real life, Eugene. Not my life, anyway. My life is hectic schedules and kids and now a dog and trying to juggle all of it, and sometimes I don’t do it all that well. My real life is not this idyllic fantasy where it’s just the two of us wrapped up in each other.”
“Of course you know that, and so do I. But you’re entitled to get away and indulge every once in a while, aren’t you?”
She started to object, then realized she was pushing against the whole idea of enjoying herself, of letting her guard down and just letting herself be, which was utterly asinine.
She rubbed her temple. “I’m sorry. I’ve been in a weird mood all day. I’ve enjoyed the hell out of this trip, and I think I’m being cranky because it’s almost over.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Now that I understand. Who wants real life when you can have all this? If we were all gazillionaires, it’d be like this every day.”
“I don’t know.” She took another sip of her wine, then said, “I think having an experience like this every once in a while makes me appreciate it more. I wouldn’t want to be a gazillionaire. I’d take all this for granted.”
They perused the menus, and when their server returned, they ordered.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up, then slid it back into her bag.
“Anything important?” he asked.
“No. It can wait.”
“Kids are okay?”
She nodded. “They’re fine. That was work stuff.”
He studied her, giving her a smile as he watched her tap her fingers on the table.
“What?” she asked.
“Are you anxious to get home? Get back to work?”
She didn’t want him to think she was ungrateful for the trip. “Yes and no. I mean, I miss the kids, of course, and the last week of school is next week, so there are things that need to be done and I need to be there for them. I want to be there for them.”
He gave her a smile. “Home means a lot to you.”
“Home is my kids. My sister. My mom. I’m sure it’s the same for you. Minus the kid thing, of course.”
“Right.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. My home hasn’t really been a single place since I left for college. I’ve lived all over since then, with occasional visits to where I grew up to see my mom and brothers. So I don’t know exactly what home means anymore.”
Her heart ached at his words. “That’s sad, Eugene. Everyone needs to feel like they have a home.” She reached over and laid her hand over his heart. “A place where you feel it here.”
He didn’t answer, just looked at her.
Had she overstepped, said something that hurt him?
“Eugene, I—”
Their server brought their food, so whatever had been going on in his head was put aside—at least temporarily. Eugene seemed to act normally while they ate and shared bites of their food. She had salmon and he had lobster, and both were amazing. And it wasn’t like conversation had stopped between them, but the emotional, more personal stuff had apparently been tabled. They’d rehashed their entire trip, picking out favorite things they’d done.
“I think for me it had to be the baseball game,” Natalie said. “So much fun.”
Eugene slipped a forkful of rice between his lips. After he swallowed, he said, “Gotta be the sex for me.”
She sputtered out a laugh, then took a swallow of water. “You can get that anywhere.”
“Yeah, but it’s still my favorite thing to do with you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pick something besides sex.”
“Mmm. Walking the beach. It relaxes me.”
“So maybe that’s your next living adventure.”
“The beach? Nah. I like it, but it’s more fun as a vacation.”
“You’re telling me you wouldn’t want to live by the ocean.”
“No, I really wouldn’t. Beach areas are always touristy and I like to live somewhere quiet.”
She leaned back in her chair and sipped her wine. “Oh, so you can make noise in your game room?”
“Hey, that’s different. I’m in my own place in a soundproof room. Not bothering anyone. But if I want to sit outside, it’s quiet. I enjoy the silence sometimes. The only sounds are birds, crickets, sometimes cicadas.”
He looked over at her and found her staring at him, a look of disbelief on her face.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“What?”
“I mean, you don’t strike me as a ‘listening to the silence’ kind of guy. You’re more…how can I put this…a pool party blowout kind of guy.”
He laughed. “Oh, how little you know about me, Ms.Parker. I can be very zen at times.”
“Okay. Next full moon we’ll zen it out in my backyard. Candles, crickets, the flitting sounds of mosquitos flapping against the pool covering, the whole ASMR experience.”
His lips curved. “I’ll bring my tortured soul.”
She laughed. “You do that.”
After dinner they had coffee, then paid the bill and walked out on the deck that paralleled the water. The night was warm, the moon was bright—though not yet full—and there weren’t too many people walking the boardwalk, so it felt like just the two of them, all alone.
Eugene put his arm around her as they stood at the railing listening to the sounds of the ocean.
She liked that he didn’t say anything, just leisurely rubbed his hand up and down her back. She leaned into him, stroking her hand along his chest. Suddenly she was in his arms, and his lips were on hers. The kiss heated up in a hurry and Eugene lifted his head to look down at her.
“I think we should take this to a less public place.”
She smiled up at him. “So, the car, then?”
He laughed. “Hey, I’m game if you are.”
She smacked his chest. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
“Okay.”
“And, Eugene?”
“Yeah?”
“Drive fast.”
He nodded. “I’m on it.”