Sunlight tinges the back of my eyelids red, pulling me from my deep sleep back into the world of the living. Despite the hazy swarm of bees buzzing just behind my eyes, angrily reminding me that I spent yet another night staying up too late and drinking too much, I’m still happy to open them and leave the ghosts that haunt my dreams behind.

Stretching my arms high above my head, I spread my fingers out and try to remember where I am. Since I decided to follow up my time in the SEALs with a year on the road, every bed and futon and flopped mattress on the floor are all blending together. I’m never quite sure where I’m waking up anymore. What city I’m in or whose bed my night of partying took me to always takes a little detective work in the morning. And that’s the way I like it. It suits me just fine to get caught up in the whirlwind of travel. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly the air can permanently be stolen from our lungs. I know my time on this earth might last eighty years, or it might last eighty seconds. There’s no way to tell when it’ll be over. So, I might as well spend the time I have enjoying my life.

My eyelids finally pry open and I sneak a look at the wild flames of long hair twisted around on the white pillowcase next to me like a bonfire burning out of control. I can’t help the smirk that twists my lips up in the corners as I remember just how much Red helped me enjoy my life last night. That girl is trouble. I can tell from the way she makes my thoughts scramble and all my good intentions disappear. The way she moves her body or even the way she touches her plump lips, it’s pure sex. She’s like every fantasy I’ve ever imagined. I run my palm over her smooth, soft skin. I breathe in her scent and enjoy the very real memories of last night.

I can see there’s something beyond the passion in her eyes, though. There’s something fueling her need for adventure, and my gut tells me it isn’t all sunshine and roses. I have no idea what she’s running from, but I know if she rides out of this town with me today I’ll keep her safe. I understand better than anyone what it’s like to need some space between you and your past. If that’s what she needs, I’m her man.

“Mmmm, good morning.” She rolls against my body and flutters her eyelashes open. Her hair is tousled around her face, framing her milky skin like the deep oranges and hues of red that cast their final light across the snow in a winter’s sunset.

“Good morning to you.” I slide my hand down under the blanket, sweeping it over the curve of her hip, and pull her closer. She feels so good pressed tight against my frame. Her body, small and fragile against mine, and yet, her rebellious streak shoots through her like a white flash of lightning streaking across a humid summer’s sky.

“Ugh, what time is it?” She peeks up over the mountain of blankets we’re buried under and searches across the room for her clock. “Is it really nine already?” Her voice is still a bit creaky from sleep.

“I guess so.” I shrug. “Do you have somewhere to be?” I search her face. Has she changed her mind about taking off with me today? Was all that talk just the tequila? Or was she serious?

Red’s muscles tighten as she looks over at the door in her studio apartment and then back at her clock. She tosses her hair back from her face and her green eyes narrow. I can see the mental game of ping-pong in her mind as her eyebrows furrow together and she chews on her bottom lip. She’s weighing this all out. I wonder if her big plans to escape this stagnant place still look good in the light of day.

“No, I suppose I don’t,” she finally answers and her body relaxes with the realization. “Well, not until you’re ready to get out of here, that is.” She slides back down next to me in the bed and presses into me.

Her natural scent wafts around me, making my morning wood throb against her thigh. I know I kept her up all night fucking, but my body can’t get enough of her. She’s an instant addiction and I’m already craving my next hit. I need her pussy around my cock again like I need to pull air into my lungs and breathe. It’s not like a choice, but a fucking necessity of life.

Red’s eyes grow wide as my cock digs into her fleshy thigh. Desire tattoos her face, but there’s something holding her back. Something else is competing for my attention in her mind.

“What’s wrong?” I search her face for an answer.

“Nothing, I’m just…” Her cheeks burn bright.

“What?”

“It’s not you. Don’t worry. I guess I can’t handle my liquor as well as I thought, that’s all. I’m pretty hungover,” she admits sheepishly.

“Hungover? Really?” I try not to laugh after all her brave talk last night about how she had two talents, drinking and pool. It turns out she was wrong about both. “Well, lucky for you, I know a hangover cure.”

“Those things don’t work,” she moans and throws herself back against her pillow.

I toss the blankets aside and stand up, not thinking about my lack of modesty. Not until I hear the low whistle of Red sucking air in over her teeth. I turn toward her, and she can’t help but stare at my thick cock in all of its rock hard morning glory.

“But then again, I should give it a try.” It’s a struggle for her to tear her eyes from my throbbing shaft.

“Great.” I smirk, standing a little taller. “Do you have any bananas?”

“Hmmm?” Red’s eyes flicker back up from my cock, trying to pay attention, but something seems to have her a bit… distracted. Of course, this is nothing compared to how distracted I’m gonna have her after she gets this hangover sorted out.

“Yeah, ummm, over on the table.” She vaguely points to the two-person table in the corner and I walk away.

“And I’m guessing you have pickles.” I pull open her almost bare fridge and sure enough there’s a jar of dill pickles on the shelf. I take it out and grab a glass from the drying rack by her sink.

“What are you? Oh, ewww.” She crinkles up her nose as she watches me from the bed.

I pour about a shot glass worth of pickle juice in her cup and quickly snatch a banana from her table.

I bring them back to the bed and Red shakes her head violently from side to side.

“Nope, no way. I’ll grab some Tylenol. I’m not drinking that.”

“It’s up to you, but I guarantee this is better than any painkiller. Just drink it like a shot and then eat the banana. Your head will be good as new in ten minutes, I swear.”

Red eyes me suspiciously. Like there’s a chance I might just be fucking with her. I hold out the glass and banana and she sighs. “Fine, whatever.” Before she can second-guess it again, she tosses back the pickle juice in one gulp and slams the cup down on her bedside table, scrunching up her face as she forces herself to swallow it down. “Yuck!” She finally opens her eyes.

“Now that banana.” I sit back down on the bed and pull the covers over myself.

Red nods and peels back the yellow skin, and the way her plump lips circle the pale flesh makes my cock pulse with my own heartbeat. She takes a big bite and my mind calms down as I focus on the teeth marks left behind.

She quickly eats the banana and lays the peel down on the table next to the glass. “Now what?”

“Give it a few minutes.” I laugh. I lie back down in the bed with her and pull her onto my chest, combing my fingers through her hair. “So, you’re feeling good about coming with me today?”

Red nods against my chest, her hair cascading down over my shoulder. “Yes. I mean, if that’s still all right with you.”

“Of course it is.” I kiss the top of her head. “Is there somewhere in particular you want to go?”

“I’m not sure where you’re heading.” She sounds hesitant. Like she doesn’t want to push her luck.

“I’m easy. There’s no direction I won’t explore.” I breathe her in.

“I was thinking of going to stay with my grandmother.” She trails her fingers over my chest.

“Oh yeah? Where’s she living?”

“In Portland. But if that’s too far, or whatever, I’m happy to just get close.”

“Not too far at all. I’m originally from Seattle, so it’ll be nice to head back up that way. But before we hit the road, I’m gonna get cleaned up. How’s your head doing?”

Red runs her fingertips over her forehead. “I can’t believe it. That really worked.” She smiles.

“What did I tell ya? Now let’s get cleaned up.” I sit back up and Red joins me.

She lets her gaze lick my body slowly, traveling down over my pecs and abs until it settles on my cock. “Or maybe we could get a little dirty,” she purrs.