Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Amethyst
I’d only seen Arlo’s place once, when I went there with Annie a while back for a cookout. Arlo cooked us a feast, and I snuck glances at him whenever I could.
I even caught him grinning at me.
But he never made a move. Always the gentleman, despite his strong, tattooed physique, he was nothing but a ball of butter.
Something had changed. Shifted between us tonight. Was it me helping him cook?
Was it because we couldn’t wait any longer?
Cuz I couldn’t…I needed him in ways I couldn’t explain. And unless we tried it out, we would never know if it would work.
“What are you thinking about?” Arlo asked me as he steered his truck down the dark mountain road. It was bumpy and near pitch black, only the lights from his truck shining the way. You got used to it, growing up and learning how to drive on these dark roads.
“Have you always had feelings for me?” My voice was low, soft, afraid of his answer, yet needing, wanting to know.
“Since I was twelve.”
Arlo’s answer rocked my world. Since he was twelve? That meant I was fourteen, which meant…
The memories from freshman year rushed back through my head, counting down the years when we’d finally attend the same school.
I’d crushed on him for just as long, if not even longer.
“Twelve? But…but you never said anything.”
“Neither have you. But I think we both kind of knew, don’t you?”
I tossed his words around in my head. “I think we’re kind of stupid.”
Arlo laughed, his head falling back, his jawline taut and sexy.
“Sometimes it’s not the right time or we don’t take the chance when we should.
But I’m also tired of waiting. Tired of pawning.
And seeing you come to life, helping me tonight, it just confirmed what I knew all along. You’re an amazing woman.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks as Arlo parked his truck in his driveway and killed the engine. Darkness formed around us.
I quickly wiped away my cheeks before he could notice. “You’re amazing, too.”
“Are you hungry?” Arlo asked out of the blue.
“Actually, I am.” I smiled, my tears gone, and Arlo led me inside, promising me delicious food and a cozy lemon drop cocktail before bed.
Inside, the place looked like how I remembered it, except for his kitchen. He had completely remodeled it.
“I ungraded the counter tops with marble ones and this section is stainless steel for preparing food. All of my appliances got updated, too. It took me a while but it’s a good setup, especially for filming videos. Annie helped me pick the fridge.”
He showed me more of his place than I had seen before, with his back patio and underground pool, and his upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. He had the basement finished and his office was down there with another spare bedroom and a laundry room.
“It looks great. Especially the kitchen.”
“Thanks. Are you still living in the apartment you were sharing with Annie, or did you find a smaller one?”
I cringed at the question as we walked back to the kitchen, Arlo promising me food. “Uh, I actually moved back in with my parents. I know. Ew.” I slid onto a bar stool at his kitchen island.
“That’s not ew. Sometimes shit happens. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
I smiled, my shoulders relaxing. I should’ve known he wouldn’t judge me as he never had before. “I couldn’t find anything small worth the price. Then I got comfortable.”
“Your parents make it easy, I’m sure. Especially since the basement is already an apartment.” Arlo immediately went into work mode. “How about a grilled cheese and tomato soup?”
“Sounds great.”
Arlo winked before he turned to the fridge, pulling out plastic containers of soup from his freezer.
Then he grabbed cheese, mayonnaise, and butter from the fridge, bread from his bread box, and a butter knife.
He got busy making the sandwiches as he warmed up the soup on the stove and made us both a drink.
“I can make the drinks if you’d like.”
“I got it, don’t worry.” Arlo winked.
He wouldn’t let me lift a finger.
The lemon drop with a sugar rim was delicious, the tart and sweet flavor blending well.
His soup was divine, the flavors on point, the onion and garlic popping through.
And the melty, buttery grilled cheese with the perfect crunch, even more yummy when dipped in the soup.
“I didn’t think grilled cheese and tomato soup could be leveled up but wow, this is good. ”
“Thank you.” Arlo tossed me a wink and his adorable smile. “I’d tell you my secrets, but then…”
“Then you’d have to kill me?” I finished the old saying.
“No never. I’d have to kiss you.”
“Oh, then, please tell me.” I said with a giggle, but I meant it. Kiss me, please.
“It’s the small things that make a big difference, like with most things.
Instead of just buttering the outside of the bread for the grilled cheese, you use some mayo too.
It browns nicely. Always use a good quality cheese, one you cut off a block yourself.
And good bread too. That’s some of my homemade bread. ”
“You make your own bread too? My god your kids will eat so well.”
“Oh only natural foods for them. No processed junk.”
I laughed. “Until they say they want an ice cream come.”
“Ice cream wins.” Arlo laughed along with me.
We chatted and finished eating and drinking before cleaning up.
“Want to watch a movie?” Arlo asked as he led me into the living room.
But I didn’t want to watch a movie.
I had something else on my mind.
I shook my head no and licked my lips as my eyes traveled over his sexy body, the one I’ve dreamed and fantasized about so many damn times.
“What do you have in mind? I could give you a ride home, though I really don’t want to.”
“I don’t want you too either.” I stepped closer. It was time to make my move. I couldn’t wait for him any longer. I needed a kiss, desperately wanted one, ready to explode into a thousand pieces. “Kiss me. Please.” I said the words out loud this time.
Finally, Arlo’s lips connected with mine and everything fell rightfully into place.