Stone was waiting for her when she arrived at the park. He had a big paper bag and a picnic blanket. As she approached he stood up and smiled her, making her heart stutter.
'Look at you. All rosy and shit.' he teased, stroking the back of his finger over her cheek, which was indeed flushed pink.
She smiled but didn't take the bait.
'Have you been here long?' she asked touching the back of his hand in greeting.
'About ten minutes, the traffic was good.'
He looked around. 'Anywhere in particular you'd like to sit? He asked.
'Can we sit under the big trees?' she looked down the hill past the museum. 'I like the Sequoias.' she dimpled.
'Yeah sure.'
They meandered down the hill to the quiet side of the park, away from the pond and the conservatory. Stone lay the blanket out under one of the huge trees and Billie flopped down with a groan.
'Y'alright?' he enquired sitting across from her on the blanket
'Yep, just tired and hungry. Tell me you've got something tasty in that paper bag.' she eyed it hungrily.
Stone unrolled the top and pulled out two paper wrapped packages.
'Just sandwiches, unfortunately.' he said with a mock sad face, then unwrapped them. 'Turkey-cranberry and Reuben,' he waved dismissively at the two most enormous, absolutely stacked sandwiches Billie had seen.
'Oh god, can we split?' She looked up to find him smirking at her and nodding.
'Be my guest.' he gestured toward the food then pulled two juices out of the bag, placing the orange in front of Billie and the tropical on his side. She smiled to herself. He paid attention.
'Thanks Stone, this is lovely.'
They ate, companionably in silence for a while, taking their time and people watching. After a little while Billie reached into her pocket and took out a little paper bag and offered it to him.
Stone peered inside to see a selection of nuts. He took a small handful then watched Billie pick out some walnuts and cashews and toss them under the tree. Immediately a couple of squirrels appeared, watching closely, their little heads cocked as if looking to see if it was a trick.
Eventually the smaller one got brave enough to come down to the base of the tree and snatch a nut, then retreat to a hollow at the bottom to eat his lunch.
The bigger one was braver, she came quite close for the largest nut and Billie chittered to her, making her look up curiously with her shiny black eyes. Stone smiled at the softness in Billie face as she watched the squirrels collect up the nuts.
'You brought those nuts just for them?'.
Billie looked over her shoulder at him then nodded in acknowledgement.
'Look at them,' she indicated the group of squirrels that had grown. She scattered more treats around the tree. 'they're the cutest.'
She lay down and rested her head on her arm to watch the treasure hunt proceed.
Stone reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. Dappled sunlight sparked the strands into gold.
'I missed you,' her told her, laying down behind her and pressing a very soft kiss to her shoulder, making her shiver.
She didn't say anything but she rolled backwards a little, just enough to press her body against his for a moment in agreement.
Stone reached out and laid his fingers on her hip where her light cheesecloth shirt had lifted and exposed the skin just above the top of her jeans. Her body stilled and she remained watching the animals quietly.
'Are you ok?' he asked softly.
Just from his simple touch, Billie was full of feelings that she struggled to control. His touch was comforting and arousing in the same moment. She was glad he couldn't see her face.
'I'm fine.' she lied but her voice wobbled.
Stone pulled a little on her hip, wordlessly asking her to face him and she rolled over, startling the squirrels a little. She didn't look at him but put her forehead against his chest instead, hiding her face.
'Hey?' his voice was calm.
'I'm just tired, I haven't been sleeping well, that's all.' she looked up at him and he could see the truth of it in the dark circles under her eyes. 'No one to rock me to sleep.' she joked wryly.
He pushed her hair behind her ear.
'I'm sorry.' he said his fingers delicate on her face and she shrugged.
'S'ok. My house and studio are clean and I'm up to date with most of my work. So there are upsides.'
'The church window?'
'Done. I'm taking it over to install next Wednesday.'
'Are you busy this evening?'
'I've got band rehearsal tonight. We are playing on Saturday.'
'Oh. Ok.' he was quiet for a minute.
'I mean, you can come over, but maybe after?' her face was tight. 'I just would like to keep whatever this is to ourselves for a bit. I mean, I don't.. ' she floundered
'It's alright Billie, I am happy to keep it quiet too.. for a while, but Billie?' he pulled on her hair a little making her look into his face.
'hmm?'
'Not forever ok?' his eyebrows went up in question and she looked into his earnest hazel eyes and warmth bubbled up inside her and she nodded then blushed and pressed her face against his polo.
They lay there together with the breeze blowing over them, watching the tree branches move and Billie tossed the squirrels the last of her nuts. She asked him about work and he explained to her a little about some of his projects.
While she was listening, she traced her fingers from his hair, around his ear, down his neck and shoulder and along his arm to his hand where she drew patterns in the palm of his hand.
'That feels great.' he closed his eyes and turned his face to the sun, letting his hand relax in her grip. Billie massaged it gently. She stretched out his fingers, then took the other and did the same, making him groan.
'Fucking hell that feels good.'
'You have beautiful, strong hands.' she smiled down at him as she dug her fingers into the base of his thumb and he moaned again. Then, suddenly, he pulled her down against him, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
'If you keep doing that,' he whispered, 'you are going to drive me mad.' and he pushed against her and she could feel his hardness on her thigh.
Billie felt a jolt of desire run through her, melting her from the inside. She let her weight press on him and squirmed a little so their bodies fit together in all the places. Stones breath went out of him with a sigh.
'A little madness is good for you sometimes.' she breathed, laying a string of kisses behind his ear which made him shiver. Then, she rolled off and scooched in beside him and ran her fingers through his hair until he relaxed again. She watched him lay, eyes closed in the green light under the tree and she was grateful for the peace she felt growing inside her heart.
His face turned towards her and he opened his eyes to find her watching him tired but serene. He smiled.
'Need someone to rock you to sleep tonight?'
She just smiled and nodded.
