American Honey

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “What?” She asked, her eyes wide. God, she had the biggest brown eyes I’d ever seen. I had a feeling they brought more than one man to his knees.

  Before I could ask her out, Derek came up behind her and pulled her under water. Fucker. She came up and wiped her eyes, swimming away before he could grab her again.

  “Asshole!” She exclaimed and swam over to Brittany.

  Derek laughed and I wanted to punch him in the face. I bet he was one of those stupid jock frat boys in college too that thought every woman wanted to sleep with him. I was relieved to find out Kara was definitely not one of them.

  The two girls got back on the boat and chatted while the rest of us tossed a football around in the water. It was dusk when we packed it up and headed back to shore. I still didn’t get to sit by Kara, but this time she sat on an edge with Brittany on the other side of her.

  When we got back, we all helped Matt put the boat back on the trailer. We drove back to Matt and Derek’s but this time Kara ended up in Matt’s truck with Brittany and I had the rest of the crew in mine. Maybe she didn’t like me as much as I thought.

  Back at Matt’s, Chase was going to stick around for a few more beers. The girls decided to head home and I wasn’t in the mood to hang out anymore either, so I left. I managed to follow Kara down the road and suddenly her hand was out the window, waving me next to her. Was everything ok?

  As I pulled up next to her, she slowed down and I rolled down the passenger window of my truck. “Do you want to come over?”

  “Sure,” I said, trying to not to let on how excited I was she invited me over.

  “Great,” she beamed at me. “My grandparents live on the lake and tonight is a perfect night to sit out by the water. Follow me.”

  I nodded and let her take off before following her. My heart was pounding in my chest, thinking about being alone with her. Should I kiss her? Or was it too soon?

  We pulled into the driveway of her grandparents’ cute little cottage on the lake. There was a single light on in what I assumed was the living room and then the porch light. She parked next to an old Buick and I stopped behind her. She got out and smiled, waiting for me to walk to her.

  “Let’s go out to the dock.” She looked up at me and waited for me to nod before turning to walk around the garage to the back.

  I almost gasped when I saw the view they had in the backyard. It was a small private lake that was so still it looked like glass. The moon was full and it was so bright; it was perfect.

  “I love it back here,” she sighed as we walked out onto the huge dock out on the water.

  “I can see why,” I said. We approached two chairs and then some sort of bench for two. I wasn’t sure where to sit at first. I wanted to sit by her, but I didn’t want to assume anything. She made it easy for me, sitting on the bench and patting the empty spot next to her for me to sit down on.

  “I’m sorry you thought I was with Derek tonight.” She said, looking out on the water. She turned to look at me. “I know him a little bit from school. He goes to Milwaukee, but I’ve run into him in Madison a couple of times. He’s always hit on me and I think he just assumes I’m interested this summer.”

  “Are you?” I asked, scared to hear the answer.

  “No,” she shook her head emphatically. “I’m interested in someone else.” She grinned at me and I laughed softly when I realized she meant me.

  “Are you now?” I teased, sliding my arm across the back of the bench. She leaned back into me, her shoulders touching me.

  “Mmhmm,” she said and snuggled against my side. “I was trying hard to blow him off and get to you, but it was hard on that tiny boat.”

  “Yeah, I wanted to go over and pull him away from you, but I figured that wasn’t a good idea,” I admitted.

  “He probably still wouldn’t have gotten the hint. He’s a moron,” she snorted and leaned her head back against my arm. I could smell a hint of her floral shampoo.

  We sat quietly for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of the night. She sat up suddenly with a grin. “Let’s go swimming.” Before I could answer, she had stripped off her shorts and shirt down to her bikini and jumped in the water.

  I got up from the bench and took off my t-shirt. This time I wasn’t going to let her get away.

  Chapter Five ~ Kara

  “This Kiss”

  I licked my lips when he took off his shirt. Even though it was dark out, I could make out his six-pack by the light of the moonlight. Yeah, I had ulterior motives in suggesting we go swimming tonight. I didn’t get to check him out as much as I wanted to earlier this evening since Derek was in my face constantly.

  I was so annoyed with him the whole evening. I ran into him while I was in school at a few parties and he was always so all over me. He had a hard time taking no for an answer. He never crossed the line, but I always had to be firm when I turned him down and usually had to tell him a few times. Yesterday was no exception.

  I wasn’t used to making the first move with guys, so I surprised myself when I suggested JT come over. I wasn’t ready to say goodnight to him and I felt like we got cheated out of time together. I wanted more time with him. The view from my grandparents’ was so gorgeous; I wanted to share it with him.

  The first night back I must have sat here for a couple of hours, enjoying the peace and quiet. It was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city and slow it down. I realized I had made the right decision in coming here for the summer.

  He jumped in and disappeared under water. I had no idea where he went when all of a sudden I felt his hands on my hips. I squealed when he popped up to the surface, his arms wrapped around my waist.

  “Shh,” he laughed. “You’ll wake up your grandparents.”

  I closed my mouth, stifling my giggles, painfully aware of his fingers on my lower back. I pressed my scantily clad breasts against his chest and ran my hands down his back. I wanted to kiss him so badly. I wasn’t sure what he was waiting for. Maybe an engraved invitation?

  “So tell me, Kara, how come a girl like you doesn’t have a boyfriend?” He pulled me closer and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He was hard and his erection was pressed into my core. Oh my god, this was torture!

  “How come a hot guy like you doesn’t have a girlfriend?” I retorted.

  He chuckled and shook his head. That’s it, if he was too shy to make the first move, I was going to. I clutched his face in my hands and pulled his lips to mine. I caught him by surprise and he didn’t react at first, but soon his arms got even tighter around me while his lips moved over mine. He snaked his tongue into my mouth, letting it dance with mine. I moved my hands to the back of his head, letting them play with the hair at the bottom of his neck. His finger tips played with the edge of my bikini bottoms and I willed him to move them lower.

  He tore his lips from mine, his breathing ragged. “I’ve been thinking of kissing you since the moment I saw you,” he confessed, pressing his forehead to mine.

  “You have?” I asked, surprised by his admission.

  He closed his eyes and nodded. “Fuck, yeah.” He brushed his thumb along my lower back. “Kara, I hate to leave you, but I think I better go. If you kiss me like that again, I may not be able to stop.”

  “Who said I want you to?” I whispered. I wasn’t a girl that slept on the first date, but there was something about JT that seemed so right. I had never felt such a deep connection with someone after only a few days like I have with him. It didn’t help that he had a killer body and we were both half naked.

  He let out a harsh breath. “Don’t tempt me.” He cupped my face with his hand and looked deep into my eyes. “I like you, Kara. A lot. I don’t want to mess this up by sleeping with you too soon.”

  I was disappointed and my body was screaming for him to take me, but I was flattered he thought so highly of me. We swam back over to the dock and he got out of the water. He turned around to help me out and pulled me against him so I could feel his erectio
n against my thigh.

  “Feel that,” he growled. “Don’t think I don’t want you, Kara. You can feel the proof right there.” He slid his hands to my ass and gripped me tighter against him. “I want you so bad I ache.” He leaned down and kissed me. “And I will have you soon, just not tonight.”

  I nodded and he let me go so he could put his t-shirt back on. He handed me my shorts and shirt before we both slipped our sandals back on. We walked back to his truck silently, hand in hand. Before he got into his truck, he kissed me again, this time a little slower, but still full of passion and the promise of what was to come later.

  “I’ll come see you tomorrow at the diner,” he said as he jumped up to the driver’s seat.

  “Ok,” I smiled back, shutting the door behind him.

  “Thanks for tonight.” He started up his truck and I moved away from him so he could back up. I watched him leave, my fingers touching my lips. He was an amazing kisser. I went inside the cottage and found Grandma in the kitchen with a glass of water.

  “JT just leave?” She asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

  “Yeah,” I sighed, opening the fridge to get a bottle of water.

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  “I do, Grandma. I know I’ve only known him a couple of days, but it feels right.”

  She sat down on a stool at the kitchen counter. “I felt the same way about your grandpa.” She had told me the story of them meeting a million times, but I never got tired of hearing it. I’m pretty sure she knew she told me this story over and over again but I think she also never got tired of telling it.

  “It was a church function and I was sitting with my girlfriends. He was the new boy in town and everyone was talking about him. I thought he was cute, but nothing special. We literally ran into each other when he was on his way back from getting some water and I knocked it with my hand so it spilled all over him. I felt foolish and ran off without saying anything, but in school on Monday he made sure to come talk to me. We were inseparable ever since.”

  “Your parents were ok with you getting married so young?” I couldn’t imagine getting married out of high school. If I went to my parents even now at my age and told them I was getting married, they would probably freak.”

  “Oh sweetie, life was different then,” she dismissed me with a wave of her hand. “Most people got married right out of school.”

  I nodded and took a drink of my water. “You’re probably right.” My thoughts went back to JT.

  “I really like him, Grandma.” I couldn’t help but gush.

  “He really likes you too. I could tell by the way he kept looking at you this afternoon at the diner. He was watching your every move.”

  I stifled a yawn. “Really?”

  She nodded and came over, hooking her arm in mine. “Now let’s get you to bed. Sunday morning is a busy time at the diner.”

  She walked me to my room, giving me a hug and kiss before I went into my room. I flopped on the bed when I heard the ding of my phone from my bag. I dug it out, figuring it was a text message from Brittany, but I was surprised to see it was from JT.

  I got ur number from Matt who got it from Brittany. Hope it’s ok. Just wanted to say goodnight.

  A smile broke out wide on my face and I sat up on my bed, crossing my legs in front of me. I sent him a quick reply.

  It’s fine. I’m glad you did.

  I changed into my pajamas while I waited for him to respond. I thought about the way his hands felt on my bare skin in the cool lake water. I touched my lips again, my heart racing when I thought about his lips on mine.

  My phone dinged again and I quickly reached for it.

  I had a great time tonight.

  I had seen him about an hour ago and I already missed him.

  Me too.

  I threw back the blankets and climbed into bed when he sent a response.

  Sweet dreams. See ya tomorrow.

  I couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Damn, I had it bad for JT.

  Good night.

  ***

  I was up bright and early for work the next day, even beating Grandma up. I had some coffee made for them and was sitting at the table reading a book on my Kindle. I hardly slept the night before, too excited about seeing JT again today. My body was left unfulfilled too after our brief make out session and it needed more of him. A lot more.

  We got to the diner around six AM and there were already a few cars in the parking lot. Grandma wasn’t kidding when she said Sunday was busy. A lot of tourists are heading home today and don’t want to mess with cooking so they stop in. I think they just wanted to try Grandma’s home cooking. She had quite the reputation in these parts.

  Before I knew it, the place was so busy that JT was the furthest thing from my mind. The place was filled with hungry customers and even families waiting to be seated. I was on my feet constantly and didn’t have a chance to sit until almost eleven.

  I grabbed a Diet Coke and a sandwich before sitting down for a break. The lunch rush would be here soon, so I didn’t have much time. The bell rang on the door and I looked up to see JT walk in. He had on his red baseball hat, some camo shorts, and a green t-shirt. His face lit up with a smile when he saw me and I waved him over.

  “Just in time,” he said and slid into the booth across from me.

  I nodded, chewing the food in my mouth before swallowing. “Yes.”

  He reached across the table and took my hand. “I had a great time last night.”

  He was running the pad of his thumb over my knuckles, making it hard for me to think and form coherent sentences. “Me too,” I managed to mumble.

  “What are you doing tonight?” He asked.

  “Something with you?” I asked hopefully.

  “Good answer,” he chuckled. “I’ll come pick you up at six.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I have to go help Dad with some stuff, so I’ll let you get back to that sandwich.” He stood up and gripped the edge of the table, leaning down towards me. “I’ll see you tonight.” He bent down and kissed my lips softly.

  I smiled and watched him leave, suddenly not hungry anymore. He kissed me here in public! My heart was about ready to burst. I hadn’t felt this way about anyone in a long time – if ever.

  I cleaned up my plate and went back to work, a smile plastered on my face. Nothing got me down the rest of the day, not even when a family of eight came in and were some of the most difficult customers I’d ever had.

  Grandma and I closed up the diner around three like always and headed back to the cottage. Brittany had sent me a text, asking what I was doing tonight. I told her I had a date with JT and she called me to help me figure out what to wear. I filled her in on what happened last night too. She screamed into the phone and I think she was just as excited as me.

  “So are you guys just having a good time or is this something more?” She asked right before hanging up.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, confused by her question.

  “Well, aren’t you here for only the summer?”

  “Yeah.” My shoulders sagged. I hadn’t thought about that.

  “Does he know that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You should probably talk about that.” She paused. “Chase is calling me about tonight. Gotta go.”

  She hung up before I could say anything else.

  She had me thinking now. How could I bring this up? What if he got freaked that I was thinking this was more serious than he was?

  I heard his truck pull up and I checked my hair and makeup one last time. I wasn’t going to worry about where this was going. We met only a few days ago, so I wasn’t going to stress. My parents tried to plan out my whole life for me, so for once I was going to go with the flow and have fun. Hopefully, some sexy fun.

  Chapter Six ~ JT

  “Forever Summer”

  I was talking with Kara’s grandpa about the Green Bay Packers and their chances of winning a S
uper Bowl next season when she came into the room. I stopped talking mid-sentence, taken aback by the way she looked. I’d only seen her in shorts and t-shirts or her swimsuit and tonight she was wearing a light blue sundress. She left her long hair down and it curled along her shoulders in big waves. I felt underdressed in my khaki shorts and red polo shirt.

  “Hey,” she smiled shyly at me.

  “You look amazing,” I said, loving the way her cheeks got red with embarrassment at my compliment.

  “Thank you. So where are we going tonight?” She asked as she gathered up her purse.

  “I’m not sure. I have an idea, but it’s a surprise,” I winked at her.

  “I hate surprises,” she groaned and her grandmother laughed.

  “She really does hate surprises,” she said, coming over to give Karan a kiss on the cheek.

  “Well, that’s too bad,” I retorted. “Because I love them.”

  “Let’s go then.” She grabbed my hand and started to drag me to the door.

  “Goodbye dear,” her grandma called out.

  “Have fun and be safe,” her grandpa urged. When I was talking to him, he had his handgun on the table near him. I had a feeling that was no accident. He was a good guy though and was only looking out for his granddaughter.

  She continued to pull me to the truck and when we got out of her grandparents’ view, I stopped and pulled her against me. I reached up and touched the hair by her face; it felt like silk and I wanted to bury my face in it.

  “What are you doing, JT?” Her eyes were so wide and innocent and I loved the way my name sounded on her lips.

  “Looking at you.” I cupped her face in my hands. “And I’ve been thinking of doing this all damn day.” I leaned in to kiss her, my lips gentle at first. She whimpered into my mouth and I almost lost all control right there in her grandparents’ driveway.

  I ended the kiss and opened her truck door. “We better go before your grandparents find us naked out here.”