Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Dammit. With a sigh, I slide my finger across the screen and put it to my ear as I walk to the door he’s holding open. “Hey, Mom.”
“Oh, yay! You’re awake. I wasn’t sure what time zone you were in,” she says happily as I squeeze past Walker.
“Yep, just heading for my snorkel place now, so I don’t have long to chat.”
“That’s okay. Are you having fun?”
“So much fun.” I startle when Walker takes my hand. “Umm… is everyone good there?”
“Your dad is worried about you, but that’s nothing new.”
“I’ll call him,” I say quietly, trying not to get annoyed. I love my dad. I even appreciate his concern for my wellbeing. But there are times his worry makes me feel incapable, even when I know that’s not his intention.
“So what did you do last night?”
“I just kind of passed out after spending the day in the sun,” I lie, and Walker squeezes my hand.
“You’re wearing sunscreen, right? Skin cancer isn’t anything to play around with.”
“Yes.” I laugh, relaxing.
“Good,” she says quietly, then asks, “Have you figured out if you’re coming home next month?”
“I haven’t gotten my schedule yet, but I should have it by Friday, so I’ll let you know soon.”
“Okay, good. I just don’t want to plan our trip to see Grandma and Grandpa when you’re going to be here.”
“I could meet you guys in Florida instead. It would be nice to spend a few days with them.”
“They would love that. Just let me know the dates when you have them.”
“I will.” I watch Walker press the button for the elevator. “Mom, I’m gonna let you go, and I’ll call you back when I get to my hotel.” I squeeze my eyes closed. “Not that I’m not at my hotel right now. I just mean when I get back from my excursion,” I babble, digging my nails into Walker’s hand wrapped around mine when he chuckles.
“All right, honey. Love you. What time is it over?”
“It shouldn’t be more than a couple of hours.”
“Well, if I’m sleeping when you call back, I’ll talk to you tomorrow when you get home.”
“Okay. I love you too, Mom. Hug Dad for me.”
“I will,” she says softly before hanging up. I tuck my phone away and step onto the elevator with Walker when the door opens.
“You’re going back to the States?”
“Yeah, I try to see my parents every couple of months when my schedule allows.”
“Where are they?”
“Just outside of Nashville in Tennessee.”
“My sister lives in Nashville with her husband and son.”
“Have you been?”
“A couple of times.” His fingers tighten on mine. “I don’t get back to the States very often.”
“What about your parents?” I ask as we walk through the lobby after exiting the elevator.
“They live in Washington state.” Since he doesn’t willingly add more, I don’t ask the questions I want to—ones that are inappropriate in this situation, because they’re things you’d ask if you’re dating someone. Like, “are you close?” or “what do they do for a living?” Instead, I allow the comfortable silence to settle between us as we get into a cab.
With almost no traffic, we arrive at my hotel in less than ten minutes, and as soon as we get up to my room, I tell him to make himself comfortable while I go directly to the bathroom and start up the shower. Even if I don’t have lots of time to spare, I still wash my hair and go through my entire routine before getting out and wrapping a towel around myself. Brushing my teeth, as I stand in front of the mirror, my towel slips, allowing me a glimpse of the marks he left on my breast, ones that match the marks I spotted in the shower on my lower belly, right above my pubic bone. I can’t remember a guy ever leaving me with a physical reminder of us being together—certainly never ones that looked like some kind of claim.
Trying not to think too much into the possessiveness of his marks, I finish brushing my teeth and wrap my towel tighter around myself, then open the bathroom door. Before I even step into the bedroom, I can hear him on the phone talking to someone in Spanish. So with my hair still dripping wet, I go to my bag and start digging through it for a swimsuit to wear, while avoiding looking at where I know he’s lounging on my bed and watching me.
Finding a pair of bottoms, I put them on under my towel, then find the matching top that looks similar to a sports bra. I turn away from him and put it on over my head before dropping the towel, pulling the swim top down completely. Once I get my wet hair free from the straps, I turn back to the bed, and the moment my gaze slides up to his, my cheeks warm.