17. Gage #2
I lean back and put my arm around her shoulders. “Thanks for bringing me here. This is a special place.”
She looks up at me from underneath her eyelashes. “I'm having fun too, but now I’m also hungry. So let's eat before the sun sets.”
I’m going to remember this night for a long time. I keep my arm around her as we snack in silence and watch the sun go down. Her ponytail tickles the skin on my arm, and I imagine running my hands in her thick hair. I don’t know what I feel, but it’s nice, sharing my day with her and relaxing here.
The horizon is bright pink with streaks of purple and orange over the bay, and she snaps a few pictures with her phone. I rub small circles on her smooth skin of her arm. When we're done eating she leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder. She fits so perfectly next to me.
She reaches over and traces her fingers across my stomach. “So, do you still want to have something else to eat at the pub?”
My dick twitches at her tender touch, wondering if it’s the green light to do more. I really want to pull her onto my lap and kiss her senseless, but that might be pushing it if I tell her that. Instead, I mumble, “Sure, do you want to split something?”
“Yeah.” She stands up and stretches causing her shirt to ride up and exposing part of her toned belly. “Let’s go before it’s dark.”
We walk hand in hand down the trail to the parking area.
My rough hand covers her soft one, our fingers intertwined.
I can’t fucking believe it, maybe waiting for her to take the initiative was the right choice.
It's almost full dark by the time we get to the Jeep, she rubs her arms. “It’s chilly now,” she says as she bounces in place.
I slide my bag off my shoulder and pull out my sweatshirt. “Do you want to put this on?” I ask as I hold it out for her.
“Yeah, thanks,” she answers before she slips it over her head. It hangs down below her shorts, but damn if she doesn’t look adorable in it. “It’s huge on me.” She laughs lightly.
“I like it on you.” I zip my bag up and wait for her to unlock the Jeep. I think I might be inching my way out of the friend zone.
At the pub, we sit across from each other in a booth in the back. She still has my sweatshirt on, letting everyone know we’re here together.
“What are you in the mood to eat?” I ask.
She studies the menu and then her eyes pop to mine. “I feel like eating some junk. You?”
I flatten my palms to the table. “Sure. Get whatever you want.”
“Okay.” Her tongue darts out to lick her lips. “I want the loaded fries.”
“I’m going to get wings,” I say in a low voice, imagining her licking the messy sauce from her fingertips.
The server arrives to take our order, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Charli, who ends up nudging me under the table. We each choose a local beer and our junk food. Our conversation is easy. We talk about the best beaches in the area and my favorite ones that I’ve traveled to.
Our food arrives and she digs in hungrily, snatching fry after fry covered in cheese, bacon, and a special sauce. She licks her lips after every bite, forcing me to zero in on her plump lips, pink tongue, and the fucking sounds that she’s making.
She looks up at me. “Aren’t you going to try any?”
I shake my head at her. “It’s fun watching you enjoy yourself.” I lift my eyebrows. “You’re really into your food.”
She wipes her mouth, a knowing smirk on her face.
“Pass me a wing, please.” She picks up a large one and starts to take small bites slowly, never taking her eyes off mine.
A drop of sauce hints at the corner of her mouth and she licks it away with her tongue.
By the time she’s done with it, her fingers are coated in the thick sauce.
She pops them into her mouth one at a time, sucking them clean.
Fuck me. I asked for it. “How’s it taste?” My mind drifts to thoughts of her sucking on my cock with those soft lips of hers and I feel myself grow in my shorts. Good thing I’m sitting down.
“They’re tangy, but not too hot.”
My jaw tightens. “Can I have some fries?”
She pushes the plate closer to me and I grab three that are stuck together, taking a big cheesy bite.
The corner of her mouth lifts. “You have some cheese right there.” She gestures toward my chin, where my scruff needs a trim.
I take another bite, finishing my fries and wiping my face. “Better?”
She nods.
“I don’t mind getting messy for something that tastes so damn good. I like the full experience. You know?”
Her eyes widen for a split second before she responds, “Mhmm. Me too.”
We spend a few more minutes eating the rest of the appetizers and finishing our beers. I pay for the meal while she uses the bathroom and we walk out hand in hand. We linger outside of the pub for a brief minute.
“This was a nice night.”
Her lips quirk into a smile. “It was.” She grabs the drawstrings to my sweatshirt, twirling them in her fingers. “I have to work tomorrow, so . . .”
“I can just walk back to the boat.” Tonight was progress, but there’s still miles to go.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. Keep the sweatshirt for tonight too.”
“Thanks.” Even in the dim light, I can see the blush that creeps up her cheeks. She hugs it to her chest.
“Do you want to do something later in the week? I saw a flier for Movies in the Park in Port City.”
Her face lights up into a smile. “Yeah. I’d love that. Text me more information about which night it is.”
“I will for sure.”
“I can pick up some food for us too.”
I shake my head. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Yeah, of course.”
I reach for her and pull her into another hug. She flattens herself to me and I bury my head in her neck, enjoying the vanilla scent. Slowly, I drag my hands up and down her back, letting them settle just above her ass.
We separate and I miss her already. I turn and walk away toward the pier. I look over my shoulder as I cross the street and she’s watching me, her hands in the pocket of my sweatshirt. She smiles and waves at me before walking up the sidewalk to her Jeep.