20 Questions

Chapter 13

"Hey there!" I gasp.

"Hey, beautiful. Sorry if I startled you."

"No, it's fine," I say as if I didn't just pee a little in this hot tub. "What are you doing here? I thought you were out with the guys."

"I was," he coolly replies. "They are still there and I fully expect them to close the place down. To be honest, I couldn't concentrate on the games or anything else for that matter, so I decided to grab a cab and come back. As it turns out, I spent the short amount of time I was there thinking about some pretty little blonde in a black bikini." I bite my lower lip, his eyes widening at the gesture.

This is not what I expected to happen tonight, but I'm not the least bit disappointed. I've been sitting in this hot tub alone, fantasizing about being on his lap in the water, our bodies pressed together, his arms wrapped around me and his lips on my neck.

Plus, I owe him an apology.

Here he is standing in front of me and I couldn't be more excited, yet the anxiety is crawling up my body like little fire ants. "If you haven't completely turned into a California Raisin, would you mind if I joined you?"

My eyes dance at the words "California Raisin" as I drift back to my childhood. My grandfather had a collection of California Raisins that he picked up each time he would eat at Hardee's. They were the most hideous figurines, but he was obsessed with him. So obsessed that he actually screwed them into the dash of his old piece of shit car. The worst part about it is that he used to pick Jansen and me up from middle school in that Flintstonemobile. I'm not exaggerating, there was a hole in the floorboard. As if the car weren't embarrassing enough, he would get out of the vehicle and yell for us to come over, proclaiming his everlasting love for his grandchildren. I was convinced that he used to sit around and think of ways to humiliate us, but I guess that is the perk of getting old and not giving a shit anymore. I'm in my memories when I finally realize that I haven't given Hunter an answer.

"Sorry...yes...absolutely, come on in," I finally fumble out and wave him in. He smiles and tells me that he needs to go change, but he will be quick. As he walks back into the lodge, I secretly applaud myself for shaving my legs this morning. Nothing kills the mood faster than cactus legs. I'm anxious, making me wish I would have brought a glass of wine out here to calm my nerves. I quickly adjust my bathing suit and make sure the girls are actually where they need to be in this suit because the last thing I need is a wardrobe malfunction to completely humiliate myself.

Five minutes later, Hunter returns and the sight of him literally takes my breath away. How is it that he can be wearing a hotel robe and still look this damn hot? In his large hands, he carries a bottle of wine and two plastic cups. In addition to being a damn stud, he's also a mind reader.

That may not be a good thing. My brain is full of dirty and distracting thoughts I would rather not have leaked out.

He sets the bottle on the table. "I remember you drinking wine on the plane so I thought I would bring some out here. I don't know what kind it is or if it even tastes good, but it was the only wine they had left at the bar. I don't think they trusted me with wine glasses, so they gave me these," he says, holding up the two plastic cups.

I giggle and give him a nod. I love that he remembered what I drank on the plane. He looks satisfied, opens the bottle and pours some into the two glasses. He hands one cup to me and we give a celebratory tap of the glasses before he takes a drink out of his. His nose crinkles, obviously more of a beer or liquor guy. I'm flattered that he thought of me and extended this sweet gesture though.

"I guess I should take off this robe off and get in. It's cold as shit out here," he says, rubbing his arms.

Yes, yes you should.