Chapter 18
Raphael
As the runway comes into view, I finally allow myself to take a breath. I’ve been tense as fuck for the past half-hour. No, I'm not afraid of heights but I am afraid of what I'll do if I spend one more minute alone with Evangeline.
I still can't believe how out-of-control things got on that trip. It was supposed to be all business but the pleasure definitely found a way to win out. I know that she’s upset now, sitting in her seat with those delicate arms folded across her chest and a pout on those sexy lips, but long before this thing spiraled into a lust fest, we promised each other that we wouldn’t bring it to Reyfield with us.
Even still, I can’t stop thinking about the way she purred and clawed at me as if her life depended on the next kiss, the next touch, the next orgasm. Or the way she fell asleep in my arms, breathing into the curve of my neck when her beautiful, supple body couldn't handle any more of the vile things I was doing to her.
She felt so good laying on me. I just kept telling myself, "Just one more minute, just one more minute," because I can't remember the last time I felt this connected to someone.
I scrub my hand down my face again as if I can somehow wipe away what I did or what I feel. I can't. Christ! My feelings are getting out of hand.
I know that she's my best friend's little girl but with her bee-stung lips, her crystalline eyes and her long, shapely legs, how is a man supposed to resist her?
When the aircraft lands in the small airfield on the north-western edge of Reyfield, the stewardess pops open the door and I hurry down the trio of rickety stairs. Eva is right behind me.
Once on solid ground at the foot of the staircase, I offer her my hand because I'm not a total dick. She gives me a death-stare, narrowing her eyes on me and grunting before reluctantly accepting my hand. When she places her palm in mine, energy explodes all around us. We both feel it and I'm not too macho to admit that my knees go weak for a second.
But then she’s back to giving me the silent treatment as we go through the motions inside the airport terminal. Thankfully, there isn’t a crowd at this small local airport and in a matter of minutes, we’re walking out of Arrivals.
And there they are – Bob and Laurie Brooks, two of my closest friends in the world…The parents of the girl I debased all night long.
Jeez.
My eyes stay on them to see if they'll pick up on this budding chemistry between their daughter and me. As Laurie rushes toward Eva, I realize that my fears are unfounded. She shrieks as she scoops her daughter into a hug. "Baby! Look at you!"
Eva beams, hugging her mom back and planting a kiss on her cheek. "Mom, what on earth did you do to your hair?" Laurie tucks her daughter under her arm and begins to explain how her long, blond tresses have suddenly transformed into bright red spikes.
Bob comes up and claps me on the shoulder. "Hey there, buddy."
We share a quick hug. "How ya doing, man?" His pudgy stomach gets trapped between us. "I see that you're still indulging in Laurie's cooking," I joke…because really, Laurie only has one recipe in her cooking arsenal.
He runs a hand down the front of his checkered shirt and laughs. "I'm a married man, Silver. Twenty-four years this September. No need to keep myself in shape. I'm not an eligible bachelor like you."
Laurie comes over and taps him playfully on the stomach as she rolls her eyes. "You need to follow Raph's example," she says, "I'm sure his cholesterol is under control unlike some people." She tilts her head suggestively in her husband's direction as he throws an arm around their daughter. Meanwhile, Laurie pulls me in for a hug. "Oh my, you really are all rock hard muscles under there, huh?" she coos, holding on for just long enough that it starts to feel awkward.
Bob clears his throat. "Really, Laurie? Really?" He pretends to look offended. Or then again, maybe he is. Who knows? It’s hard to believe that he’s actually a few months younger than I am. He’s woefully out of shape. Plus, the checkered shirts with suspenders and hamburger-patterned socks don’t help at all.
Laurie tosses her head back and giggles. "Don't grumble. I do my part to keep things fresh and exciting.” She gently taps her garish new hairstyle in illustration. “You're the one who chooses to sit on the couch and binge-watch CNN every evening instead of going for a run with me. Us girls, we like muscles, don't we, Eva?"
My eyes go to Eva and her cheeks are flaming red, just like her mother’s hair. She avoids eye contact with anyone. "Argh, mom. Stop it," she hisses.
Laurie sighs, frustrated that no one is enjoying her jokes. "Anyway, I'm going to fatten you up over the next few days while you're in Reyfield," she tells me, "When you texted this morning and said you were bringing Eva home, I went out and got all the ingredients for my world-famous meatloaf, I fixed up the guestroom, I –" She counts the items off on her fingers.
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
I've got to put the brakes on this runaway train. Poor Laurie doesn't know that I can no longer be trusted under the same roof as her little angel.
"I'm sorry, Love. I've reserved a room at the Sapphire Inn this time."
Her face drops and Bob's shaggy eyebrows dart up. "The Sapphire Inn?"
Of course, they're surprised. I always stay with them when I'm visiting Reyfield. This time is different, though.
I give them a bullshit excuse. "Yeah, I've got some business to attend to. I'll be working a lot so I decided to get a hotel room. I won't make a good houseguest."
There's no masking the disappointment on Bob and Laurie's faces. Or on Eva's. "Well, that's too bad," Bob says.
"Don't worry," I assure him, "We'll catch up. Drinks tomorrow night?"
He gives me a weak nod. "Drinks tomorrow night."
I let out a breath as I pull my duffel bag onto my shoulder. "Ladies." I offer a small salute.
I don't wait for them to respond. I hustle away to the rented sports car that awaits me, eager to get out of here before my friends start to question my behavior.
Just before I slide into the car, I look over and my eyes catch Evangeline’s. She gives me an ambiguous look that masterfully disguises the mix of contempt, desire and sadness that I know she feels. I'm acutely aware of the knot in my own gut.
I already miss her.