My Bad Boy's Diary

~Sixty-Four~ Take Me With You

As soon as my last class on Friday ended, I was flying out the doors.

I raced back to my apartment to throw things wildly into my backpack. I was on the phone at the same time, calling Dalton.

It rang seven times then went to voicemail.

'Hey, you've reached Dalton Patricelli. I've gone camping for the weekend and won't be back 'til Sunday night. I'll return any calls on Monday afternoon.'

Just the sound of his casual voice wrenched my heart in the most deliciously painful way.

The tone of the message machine sounded in my ear and I took a deep breath. "Dalton, hi, it's me. I guess you won't get this until Monday, but...I would've liked to go with you. I just want you to know that, and...I hope you have a fun trip. And be safe, please." I closed my eyes.

For some reason, I had this horrible sinking feeling in my stomach, like I was never going to see him again.

Suddenly my phone was beeping at me and when I pulled it away from my face, I saw that Dalton was calling me back.

I hastily pressed the accept button. "Hi, I was just leaving you a voicemail." I said with forced casualness.

I had almost just told him I still loved him over the phone...

"Hey, I'm glad you caught me." He laughed, such an easy, warm sound. Like the sun bursting out from behind dark storm clouds. "You change your mind about comin' with me, gumdrop?"

"Yeah, actually. I did." I knew I was insane for taking this risk, again, for trusting him, again, but I was smiling.

I hadn't felt this happy in a long time.

###

Dalton picked me up on his motorcycle a few minutes later. I left Tara a note that I had gone camping with an old friend, then I put on his spare helmet and climbed on behind him.

I wrapped my arms around him as we flew out of the city, heading North.

We rode for miles without speaking, except for times when we stopped to refuel and get snacks. Even then, we didn't really speak unless we had to. We smiled at each other shyly and I let him touch me; let him take my hand, wrap his arms around and hold me as we enjoyed being in the sun together.

The scenery grew increasingly breathtaking and by dusk, we stopped in a secluded campsite deep in the Forest of the Redwoods.

I helped him set up camp and I felt an unbidden thrill as I realized how tiny the tent was. We'd have no choice but to sleep in each other's arms.

When camp had been set up and I had a fire going, we ate a dinner of canned soup, then went on a walk.

We held hands and listened to the sounds of the forest as all the night creatures ventured out of their homes to play and hunt.

"I'm so glad you're here with me." He said softly.

I stopped to face him and really look at him by the low, glimmering light. "Me too."

"What did you tell your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend anymore."

"Really?" Dalton didn't smile. He eased a step closer to me, though.

I nodded, biting my lip to keep back my incongruent smile. "You were right, he did bore me. He was sweet-"

"Too sweet?" Dalton grinned now. "And we both know you love a guy with a bad boy edge, don't we, baby?"

I turned away, shaking my head now. He caught up to me easily, sliding his fingers through mine.

We strolled together through the golden rays of dusk as the first stars ventured out, and it was a beautiful moment; I wish I could somehow freeze it in time.

"How did your cold case theory go?" He asked me after a while, breaking the magical, breathless silence.

I let him help me across a little creek, holding his hand as I hopped from rock-to-rock. "It went well, thanks so much for your help. We were right, it turned out; he was being set up by the couples. He was sleeping around and when one of the couples figured it out and confronted each other..."

I slipped on the last stepping stone and tumbled forward.

Dalton was right there to catch me and even I wondered if I had subconsciously caused myself to trip so that I would end up in his arms.

He pulled me close, smiling tenderly down at me. "Easy there, I've gotchu."

I splayed my hands open on the front of his shirt. The soft fabric felt amazing over his warm, solid muscles.

I had completely lost my train of thought.

"So?" He said, still smiling that somewhat indulgent smile. "What did the crazy couple decide to do when they realized the truth?"

"Oh yeah." I blinked and stepped back, out of his arms. "Well, they weren't happy and the most compelling evidence still standing is that Mr. and Mrs. Doe decided to get the ultimate revenge on the other people involved in the torrid affair. But because the suspect ran off, we'll never get to see how the trial would've gone. Anyway, my professor seemed really pleased with me; I was the only one who presented that angle, so...thank you, again. Really."

He took my hand once more and tugged me coaxingly towards him.

I faced him, but I found it hard to meet his gaze right then for some reason.

He cupped my cheek, but he didn't force me to look at him. "You're very welcome, Brooklyn. I'm always happy to help my best girl."

I smiled, but I was still avoiding his gaze.

It was growing steadily dark so we soon turned back and we hardly spoke another word to each other as we returned to camp and got settled in for the night.

We snuggled together in the large sleeping bag that night and Dalton was a total gentleman; only fondling me a little as we kissed.

I was the one who took the lead, kissing and biting his neck.

We made love for hours that night; just trying to make up for lost time.

~*~*~*~

Well, folks, this is the second to last chapter, final chapter to come! Hold on to your hats!

Happy Autumnal reading, everyone!

HRH