She gave him a withering look. “I not only brought the classic trash but O’s story and the Rosetta stone to help us translate.”
“No wonder your backpack’s bulging.”
“There’s other stuff inside.”
“Sex toys?” He reached for it.
She pushed it toward her door. “Toiletries, fresh underwear, and other things I’ll need.”
He would have guessed the bathroom sink but didn’t want to wound her. “I do have wet wipes to clean up or we can bathe in the ocean, though it does leave salt. But you can use your jeans to rub the film off yourself. The denim provides great friction.”
Her frown kept getting worse.
Time to shut up. “Whatever you brought, even if it’s a battery-operated microwave, I’m good with it.”
“Do those things exist?”
“Yeah. I got one in the back. Popcorn’s hard to get right over a fire.”
Awe lit her eyes. “You’re freaking amazing.”
Hell, it was only popcorn, but he liked how she talked. “Thanks.”
She kissed him hard and deep then tenderly before easing back, her lips damp from him. “I brought first-aid stuff and things to keep bugs away. I hope you don’t mind.”
He’d done the same but pretended he hadn’t. “No way. I’m glad. We’ll battle bugs, read sexually-explicit material that would make a conservative go blind, and watch porn on our smartphones when we’re not fucking like crazy.”
Her cheeks pinked up. “What are you waiting for?”
Nothing now. He put his Jeep in gear and tore away from the grounds.
A cloudbank on the horizon already hid the setting sun, increasing the gloom. Eager to get to their destination, he floored his vehicle.
Bree grasped his wrist. “Careful. You don’t want a cop stopping you. That’d take time. Having your Jeep impounded would waste even more.”
She had a point. Tempering his enthusiasm, he drove like a golden ager on his way to a prostate exam.
The ride should have seemed endless but Bree’s questions kept Tav busy. She asked about animals they might have to fear, whether the forecast had been wrong and there’d be rain tonight, if a tree would fall on them should an earthquake strike, would there be anywhere to hide from lightning since it was known to happen even in fair weather, and what kind of poisonous snakes slithered around campgrounds.
He assured her no bears would eat them, they had a zero percent chance for a shower, the trees were well-rooted and would stand long after they’d gone, lightning had never struck anyone dead in the campground—the bolts always chose the ocean since they were attracted to water, and unless a hard rain had washed snakes from their natural habitat, which it hadn’t, the reptiles wouldn’t be anywhere near. “Rocks are a favorite place for rattlesnakes to hide, and—”
“What?” She dug her nails into his wrist. “There are rattlers where we’re going?”
They lived throughout the state, not that he felt it wise to tell her so. She’d never again relax at her club or home. “They love to hide under rocks. But the state’s not crazy. They don’t put up reptile motels for the things to wait in so they can bite unsuspecting tourists. The government’s livelihood depends upon those dollars. Where we’ll be has no brush around to attract any animal that might want to hide and the biggest rocks are pebbles. Even baby rattlesnakes would have a hard time hiding beneath them.”
She chewed her thumb. “I should have brought snake repellent.”
“I did. It’s also in the back.”
“What?” She smacked his leg. “Why didn’t you tell me so to start with?”
“I didn’t want to worry you or get beaten up.”
Her frown collapsed. She stroked his thigh. “Sorry.”
“You will be. That earned you a spanking.”
Laughing, she bumped his arm. “You’ll have to catch me first.”
“Once I take off your sneakers and socks, you won’t have a chance and I’ll have my way with you.”
Stopped at a light, they stared at each other, both breathing fast.
She spoke first. “How far did you say this place was?”
“A few more miles.”
He checked them in at the entrance and cursed the five-mile-an-hour speed limit posted every-fucking-where. There wasn’t anything around for him to hit, not even a seagull walking across the road.
At last, he reached the spot nearest the ocean, though they’d have to hike a way to reach it. Nevertheless, a briny scent infused the moist air, vegetation also perfuming it.
Tav parked the Jeep, grabbed his lantern, then jumped out to get Bree’s door. “Our palace is over there.”
She smiled wanly then gaped at the tent he’d already set up, not the crappy kind parents put together for their kids to ‘rough it’ in the backyard. The octagon-shaped structure fit eight adults, could be separated into two rooms—which wasn’t necessary for him and Bree, owned enough height for any man to stand upright in it, and sported a king-sized mattress, sheets, pillows, plus a blanket, the bed supported inches above the ground by a metal frame. To keep the creepy crawlies from getting close.
This was far more than he was used to, but he’d eagerly bought it for her so she wouldn’t feel grubby or deprived. He took her hand. “Want to go inside and look around?”
“Definitely.”
“Give me a sec to turn on the other lanterns.” Similar to the one he carried, they were also battery-operated. Even if they burned out, he had countless fresh batteries in his vehicle so he and Bree could see everything while they were here.
She stroked the flannel bedsheet, which smelled like fabric softener, then bounced on the mattress and smiled.
It had felt good to him too.
At the table he’d also set up, she regarded the snacks, mostly her fave chocolate.
She pressed her hand to her chest. “This is too nice.”
He stopped himself before he laughed. “Thanks, but it’s still a tent.”
“Even so, it’s better than what I grew up in.”
His childhood memories were the same. He put his lantern aside and nestled behind her, his arms around her waist, chin on her shoulder. “I’m sorry those times were bad.”
She shrugged and touched the candies.
Rather than force the issue concerning her past, he opted for a neutral subject. “You want a chocolate, don’t you?”
“I shouldn’t. At this rate, I’m going to give myself diabetes.”
“As long as you also eat good stuff like popcorn, turkey jerky, dried fruit, and trail mix, you should be fine.”
“Gah. Turkey jerky? Trail mix?”
“Don’t knock something you’ve never tried.” He opened a plastic container, grabbed a fistful of trail mix, and showed it to her. “Look, nothing except cashews, walnuts, almonds, granola, raisins, banana chips, and dried cranberries and apricots. Food for the gods.”
“I heard they’re into ambrosia.”
“Camping World was all out when I dropped by.” He shook his hand slightly, a cashew falling off. “At least try a bite.”
She pinched a bit, closed her eyes, and tasted the stuff.
“Don’t worry.” He slipped his arm back around her. “If you pass out, I’m here to keep you from falling. If it gets worse, I’m prepared to perform CPR.”
“I bet.” She kissed him deeply then released him too soon. “That trail stuff is freaking good.” She ate what he had in his palm and grabbed another mouthful, chewing away. Finishing it quickly, she popped a chocolate in her mouth, selected another, then chased it with more trail mix.
“You look hungry.”
“I am.” She spoke around the food. “Haven’t had anything since this morning.”
“No way. Hang on. I can nuke the burgers I’ve already made. They’re my mom’s secret recipe. Super good. Unless you’d prefer hot dogs.”
“Let’s do both. I really love wieners.”
He thrust out his hips. “
You’d better.”
She laughed. “Did you bring mustard?”
“Please.” He gave her a wounded look. “How can you even ask?”
“Sorry. We must also have ketchup, relish, and barbecue sauce, right?”
He hadn’t thought that far, spending more time on their bed and tent than anything. “Not the relish or sauce.”
“No biggie. We’ll rough it.” She cleaned her fingers on her jeans then opened the other plastic containers, stuffing chips, marshmallows, and dried apples into her mouth.
Tav liked a woman who enjoyed food rather than treating it as an enemy, but still… “Easy. You’ll ruin your dinner. The burgers are something else.”
“I can’t wait, and I’ll be fine.” She pressed her lips together, suppressing a belch. “Can we roast the dogs over a fire?”
“Once I start one, sure. However, it will take more time than nuking them.”
“But it’ll give me a chance to work up my appetite again.” She brightened. “See how good everything turned out?”
While she was around, yeah. He never wanted her to leave and needed to show off. “I’ll have a blaze going in no time.”
“I’ll help.”
“Take this.” He handed her a lantern, grabbed his, and the fire extinguisher he’d already put near the table, another in his Jeep.
She looked at the device warily, likely expecting a conflagration, but followed him outside, then dashed back to the tent.
He called out, “What are you doing?”
“Getting something.”
She returned, her lantern in one hand, trail mix and chocolate in the other, the healthy balancing out the bad. “What do you want me to do for our fire?”
Nothing as long as her hands weren’t free. Not that he would have asked her to work anyway. “Take a load off. There are folding chairs in the back of my Jeep.” He put the extinguisher down and tossed her the keys.
She caught them between her thighs. “Damn, I’m good.”
“You’ve never missed your mark with my cock.”
They both laughed.
After finishing her snack, she ran to the Jeep then brought a chair to where he was. “I’ll get yours in a sec. Couldn’t handle two at once and a lantern— Hold on.” She dropped the chair and pointed at the fire ring. “You said there wouldn’t be any big rocks where we are. What do you call those boulders?” Swinging the lantern to see better, she glanced around the ground and kept raising her feet.
She looked so adorable he wanted to hug her. “Snakes don’t like fire. They burn the same as everything else. Plus, I kicked the rocks while you were at the Jeep.” A lie, but what did it matter if she relaxed? “Nothing came out. Not even bugs.”
“Are they asleep?”
He hadn’t a clue. “Probably. Maybe eaten by birds.”
She looked upward and pressed her hand to her chest. “God.”
“What?” He jumped to his feet, wishing he’d brought his axe over to clobber whatever had startled her.
“There.” She pointed.
Stars by the hundreds dotted the sky, thin clouds partially shrouding the moon. Nature at its finest. Nothing man-made could surpass it. “Nice huh?”
“No wonder you love it here. This is spectacular.”
“I know.”
Their shared smile warmed him clear to his marrow. She wasn’t the mistress of sin at a provocative sex club any longer. Out here, she was a yearning soul, the same as him, a woman who needed emotional intimacy even as she avoided it. He hoped she wouldn’t tonight. She’d looked awesome in the vinyl outfit and her black suit, but dressed down she was more beautiful than he could have imagined. Chocolate smeared her mouth, granola clung to her chin, crumbs dotted her tee, wind had tangled her hair. Venus rising from the sea couldn’t compete. “Ready?”
Her gaze softened. “For what?”
“Magic.” He lit the fire.
“Whoa. Cool.” She put down her lantern and clapped.
Her praise meant everything. He’d liked playing Dom in her club and the sack, but deep down, he was a simple man, wanting someone to cherish him.
She bounced on her heels. “Should I get the wieners?”
He like her using that word. “If you don’t mind. The cooler’s in the tent beneath the table.”
“Be back in a sec.” She lifted her lantern and jogged away.
Chapter 10
Bree was no Girl Scout, but her distaste for dirt, bugs, and anything uncivilized waned thanks to the breathtaking sky and Tav’s patience despite her incompetent camping.
He plucked her dropped wiener from the fire, blew away flames, then handed her his long fork, his dog speared on the end. “Take mine.”
It was perfectly cooked. “I shouldn’t.” She put her beer aside. “I can do this.”
“I don’t doubt it, but maybe you shouldn’t drink and roast.”
She slanted him a look. “I only had a few sips.” Enough so she wouldn’t care if she fucked up. “Let me try again.”
Half the package disappeared before she conquered outdoor cooking. Never had a dog tasted as good. The same went for the marshmallows they toasted. His were always spot on, hers not so much. “How long have you been doing this?” He was as clean as if they’d dined in a five-star restaurant. Black streaks dirtied her jeans, mustard and ketchup staining her tee. “Did you start when you were a kid?”
He checked the microwave for their nuked burgers and plopped the steaming meat on a plate. “Been doing this since I was five or so.”
“Your mom likes to camp, too?”
“Not really. Give me a sec while I toast our buns and then we can build our sandwiches.” As he held the bread over the flames, he grew pensive. “We didn’t always have a place to stay when I was a kid. Section eight housing took an incredibly long time to get and vouchers for motels weren’t always available.” He rotated his fork, the buns turning golden brown. “So we stayed in the van, when we had one. When we didn’t, we camped in parks and cooked outdoors. Yours is ready.” He handed her the bun and platter.
No sadness filled his eyes for his bleak childhood. He might as well have been talking about someone else’s life. She took the food. “Thanks. Can I ask you something?”
He looked at her, his blue eyes reflecting the flames, his manner honest and open.
She envied him. After her evening with Lucius, her caution amplified, the only way she could withstand missing him through endless, empty days then face the same with Tav and Cody. Her approach had worked, until tonight. Too easily, Tav broke through her defenses as Lucius had. Rather than let him see into her heart, she focused on the burgers.
He pointed at their blackened edges. “Those are seared parts not dirt, I swear. They may look overcooked, but the crunchy corners actually make them better.”
They smelled fan-fucking-tastic, her stomach begging for a taste. “Okay.”
He smiled gently. “That’s not what you wanted to ask, is it?”
Her poker face never worked around him. “Not really. But it’s all right.” She waved her hand. “Forget it.”
He caught her fingers, caressing them. “I’d rather not. What did you want to know?”
It wasn’t easy to say, but she couldn’t turn back now. “How can you enjoy being outdoors since you were forced to live this way as a child when other kids had houses or apartments to go to?”
His eyes sparkled, happiness filling them. “Our camping adventures, as my mom liked to call them, were some of the best times in my childhood. When residents or cops didn’t chase us away, we slept beneath the stars, everyone huddled together, close and safe. During the summer, when people picnicked in the park, my sisters would ask if they had any spare dogs or burgers. Not many could say no to two skinny little girls.” He finished toasting his bun and dropped it on the platter. “On those days we feasted. While my mom cleaned up afterward, my siblings and I played tag or whatever game we could think of. For us it was normal.” He glanced aro
und the campground. “Coming to places like this brings back good memories.”
He was amazing, as she’d said earlier, sweet and forgiving of a disgustingly rich nation treating his family so harshly, leaving them to face survival alone. “I’m glad you enjoyed those times.” During her youth, she’d experienced nothing except a pressing hunger to escape poverty and live like a normal person. “Didn’t the state even try to help?”
“I suppose.” He built their burgers, cooked two more dogs, and slipped them into toasted buns. “I didn’t understand everything that was going on then. By the time I was old enough to attend school on a regular basis, we finally had housing but also social workers making regular visits. Their periodic checks were the worst.” He handed Bree her dinner on a paper plate. “We always worried they’d put us into foster care and we might not see each other again.”
She hurt for him, her throat tightening. No wonder he thought living like this was great. “I’m sorry.”
He lifted his shoulders. “Thanks, but it made me appreciate things many people don’t notice.” He put his fork to the side and rested his plate on his lap.
“Wait a sec.” She grabbed his food, putting it next to hers.
“Wow, you are hungry. Glad I brought so much.”
Before he could impale the remaining dogs to cook them, she stood. “Take the plate off your lap.”
He looked at it then her. “Why?”
“Please, just do it.”
Once he had, she snuggled onto his lap, her legs hanging over the side, feet supported on her chair. Comfortable, she presented the plate. “Dig in.”
“I like how you eat.”
He made doing this too easy. She should have been distant or merely polite, discussing business, politics, reality programs, even the weather to keep them friendly strangers, but couldn’t. Cuddled close, she welcomed his arm around her waist, his hand on her thigh, and bit into her burger.
Smoky, buttery, and salty flavors she’d rarely experienced awakened her taste buds, the beef surprisingly juicy, the crispy parts adding texture. Now, this was a burger. She swallowed quickly and licked her lips. “Damn, this is good. What’s in it, besides grilled onions?”
Submission: Surrender, Book One Page 16