“What, no breakfast after to refuel?”
“Next time,” I say and can’t help the tug at the corner of my mouth.
“By the look on your pretty face, you’re going to meet up with your Kansas girl.”
“A gentleman never kisses and tells.”
“Gentleman, my ass. There used to be a time you sang like a canary, Saint Clair.”
“Will you stop calling me that, asshole?”
“Yup, just like I thought. Not only did she use her pussy-lasso, she took your man card.” Kyle chuckles and darts up the sidewalk. “Meet you on the other side,” he calls out.
His words take a moment to sink in as I watch him jog up the sidewalk.
My man card? Hardly. But one thing is for sure, she’s got a tight hold of my balls and hell if I want her to let go.
“You should come to the set, man. We’re filming on site in downtown LA in a couple of weeks,” Levi says after he tips back his beer.
“Ah, man, that would be great,” I say with a little bit too much excitement as a photographer snaps a candid photo of us talking.
“We wouldn’t be in the way, Levi?” Delilah asks as she reaches for a chip in the bowl.
“Nah, not at all.” He kisses Sydney on the side of her head. Another picture snaps. “Besides, Syd could use the company. She was bored the last time she was there when we had a ten hour straight run.”
The beer quenches my thirst as the Southern California warm weather mixes with the cool breeze from the Malibu coast. We have been at this party for the last couple of hours and Delilah’s laugh is intoxicating as we continue to shoot the shit.
The three talk about the fun times they had as kids. Delilah spoke of her new project she’s working on. Sydney talked about her end of the school year production with her students and Levi told us a few spoilers to the upcoming episodes of Silver Badge.
As more people arrive, Levi needed to be a good host, and tend to his guests, leaving me and Delilah alone.
I can’t help but gaze at Delilah’s short denim skirt that shows off her tan legs and don’t let me get started on the floral tank top that covers a small black bikini top with the strings tied around her neck.
“Are you having a good time?” she asks in her shy tone.
“Of course. I’m here with you.” I take a sip of my beer and tap my knee to hers.
Delilah sips her wine as she looks over to her friends on the other side of the yard. “It’s really good to see them together. It feels like ages since I’ve seen him.”
“If you hadn’t left the club that night you would have seen him then.”
“And if I had stayed, I would have been the third wheel.” Delilah points her chin toward Sydney with Levi’s arms draped over her shoulders. “And I would have had to get an Uber anyway.”
“Is that why you left?”
“Yes and no.” She pulls her hair up and twists it in a bun on top of her head as she wraps a rubber band around the ball of hair.
I’m surprised when I see a sun tattoo at the base of her neck. It’s sexy as hell sending a jolt straight to my balls. I shift in my seat and think of something quick or my board shorts will sprout wood at this pool party.
“Spend your life chasing sunsets,” I read the quote of her tattoo, resisting the temptation to touch it and press my lips on her skin.
“Something my mama’s been telling me since I was a kid.”
I take a sip of my now warm beer and I lean back in the lounge chair with my arm spread out over the top, raise a brow waiting for her to finish.
“She said that the pot of gold is not at the end of the rainbow. The sun is made of gold, so I should chase after it rather than look for it at the end of the rainbow.”
“So how cliché is it for me to call you Dorothy right about now?” I chuckle.
“Whatever,” she barks out a laugh and slaps my arm playfully.
“You know, it’s not all about chasing the sunset. It’s about the journey getting there and if you can weather the storm.”
“I have definitely weathered the storm,” she mutters, and I immediately think she’s referring to her ex.
“Anything you want to talk about?”
“Not really.” Delilah reaches for a chip in the bowl as her skirt hikes up her legs.
A few men turn their heads and I don’t like how their glassy eyes are ogling her long tan legs. Those donkey-holes have more balls than brains. My protective instinct kicks in as I level my stare at them. It’s not jealousy, it’s called being territorial.
The music escalates and the buzz of the crowd grows as more guests enter Levi’s massive home. There are a few people at the bar area taking shots with Levi and Sydney.
I tip my beer to Levi as he motions a toast from across the pool. Sydney slowly turns and looks our way. Her wobbly steps tell me she’s had a few too many and will most likely be spending the night here.
I glance over at Delilah as she plays with the charm on her necklace, a habit I notice when she’s nervous about something.
Another man ogles her, and I can see it makes her uncomfortable.
I grab her hand and squeeze it. “Let’s get out of here.” I put the bottle on the table and pull her up with me.
“Where are we going?”
“Someplace quiet.”
She nods. “I’d like that.”
Thank fucking Christ.
Chapter Twenty
Delilah
Our joined hands swing between us as we walk on the sand. The moon is full and brightens our path as it also shines across the ocean and the crashing waves beside us.
“Before I left for the navy, I used to come out here all the time.”
A breeze whooshes and I push a wayward lock from my face. I want to tell him about Dylan being in the navy too. But decide not to because this evening is about us, not anyone else.
He points to a large white house with a dim light in the window. “Look up there . . . that’s the house I grew up in. No one lives there anymore.” He clears his throat and I can imagine him as a young boy. “Off the balcony is a set of stairs and when Saturday morning came, I would grab my surfboard and head straight to the beach. I’d be on those waves until the sun went down.”
“You had your surfboard and the beach for your backyard. I had my horse and miles of prairie grass.”
“Do you miss home?” he asks, bringing my hand to his lips, and he kisses my fingers.
“Very much.”
“Tell me about home.”
“It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone. I grew up on a ranch. On the weekends, I rode on my horse, Bailey. But I had to do my chores first. Mama’s rule.” I stifle a laugh. “I have three crazy brothers, Drake, Dylan, and Daxton. I’m the second youngest.”
“And your parents?” he asks.
“They’re amazing. Still in love.” I go on about my parents, my brothers, and the kind of childhood I had. Life on a ranch with two horses, a few pigs, goats and cows, and a couple of hundred acres, which has grown into our family business. I cherish every moment I had back in Kansas.
“Sounds like you have an awesome family.”