The waitress tsked me. “All right, I’ll bring the one, but nice try Miss Easton. I know you aren’t of age.”
I looked over at Easton in shock. I had assumed she was twenty-one.
“No problem, I was just really thirsty. One Sex on the Beach and a water. Would you like a drink, Easton?”
“Coke, please.” She smiled but with quite the attitude at the waitress before she walked away.
“I can’t believe you’re making me try one of those girly drinks.”
“Girly? Do I look girly to you?”
I looked her up and down appreciatively. Man, she was hot. “No way, you look all woman to me. So, how old are you?”
She smiled, and I could tell she thought it was a lame line, but I was serious. If she said anything less than eighteen, it was going to take every fiber of my being to get up and walk out of here. I wouldn’t want to be a complete dick, but I wouldn’t be able to spend any more time with her and not think of her in that way. Please be at least eighteen. Holy shit, please do not be underage.
“I’m eighteen, turning nineteen in June.”
“Thank the Lord.” I blew out the breath I’d been holding and sagged in relief. “So, wait, how did you get served at Barangas but not here?”
“Small towns can be a blessing and a curse. For instance, the guys over at Barangas have known me since I was born, and they hook me up—blessing. Here, that bitch, Cindy doesn’t like me, so—curse.” She shrugged.
“I see. Well, I’m just glad I didn’t buy a drink for a sixteen-year-old or something. That would be embarrassing. Girls these days don’t look their age.”
“I can see that, but I’m definitely an adult. You don’t have to worry. So, where are you guys staying while you’re here?”
“I’m over at The Archibald; you heard of it?”
“You’re kidding, right?” She rolled her eyes. “Pahokee has the population of most city high schools. Of course, I’ve heard of it. I haven’t had the pleasure of staying there, though. I’ve heard that place is like a palace inside, super fancy.”
“I’d invite you back to my room for a drink, but I don’t want to seem too forward.”
She lifted a brow. “So, would it be too forward of me to invite myself back to your room for a drink?”
I burst out laughing. “Fuck no. That would definitely not be too forward of you. In fact, I’d be honored to accept your inviting yourself back to my room.”
“Want to take it to-go?” I nodded in the direction of the waitress bringing our food.
Easton agreed and turned to the server. “Be a doll and make that to-go, please.” She didn’t wait for a response, just directed her attention back to me with a giant smirk on her face.
I stifled a grin.
A few minutes later, the waitress dropped off our food without a word. I stood and threw some bills onto the table before putting my hand out for Easton to take. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and wove her fingers through mine, and I navigated our way through the tables in a hurry.
“The hotel isn’t going anywhere, Tanner. Your legs are a lot longer than mine. Can we slow down a little?” She tugged me back to slow our pace.
“Sorry, just can’t wait for you to see The Archibald for the first time. You’re going to be blown away by its beauty.” Hopefully, she believed that—I was just excited to spend more time with her. Plus, back at the hotel would be the first time I’d had her all to myself.
Three
What Look? I Have A Look?
Easton
He couldn’t seriously think I was buying that line of bullshit.
I rolled my eyes. “Right. I bet you can’t wait to show me all the gorgeous architecture The Archibald has to offer.”
“Come on, smart ass. Let’s check out the hotel,” he said playfully.
It was about a twenty-minute walk to the hotel, and I couldn’t believe I was looking forward to spending more time with him. I didn’t think I’d ever felt that way before. I mean, I loved my friends and spending time with them. And I liked hooking up with guys. But I didn’t spend time with the guys I hooked up with very often, and I certainly didn’t enjoy walking with them.
“I’m glad I changed before we went out; it’s colder than I thought it’d be.” I rubbed my hands up and down my arms.
Tanner grabbed me and pulled me in close, wrapping his arm around me. “Did you sincerely just use the word cold in reference to this beautiful weather? It’s gorgeous out. I bet it’s snowing and literally freezing back home right now. I would give anything to live somewhere like this.” He kept me close and took over rubbing my arm to keep me warm. He was that guy who would give a girl his jacket if he were wearing one.
We stayed this way until we reached the hotel. When the doorman opened the door for us, Tanner took my hand again and led me inside. My instincts told me to pull away, but I didn’t. Instead, I decided to pretend. He was leaving in a week anyway, so what was the harm, right?
From the moment we walked through the doors, I was blown away, and the whole world around me disappeared. The Archibald was stunning. No detail was overlooked, from the marble floors to the painted ceiling murals and everything in between. I dropped Tanner’s hand and walked around aimlessly. The place was overwhelming. I wanted to look at everything and didn’t want to miss a single nuance. I wandered over to sit on a high back sofa to catch my bearings.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Tanner’s voice broke me out of my trance, and I looked over to find him sitting on the coffee table directly in front of me.
“It really is. I could get lost in staring at that ceiling. I can’t believe I’ve lived so close to this my whole life and I’ve never experienced its beauty firsthand.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for bringing me here.” My voice was soft and dreamy.
Tanner smiled. “The pleasure is all mine. I’m going to order some drinks and dessert from room service, take your time.” He got up but took me by surprise when he bent over and kissed me on the forehead before walking away.
I smiled and watched his ass as he crossed the lobby, and what a mighty fine ass it looked to be in his cargo shorts. I couldn’t wait to see it naked.
Damnit, now all I could think about was Tanner naked. Focus, Easton.
I sank back onto the sofa and stared up at the artwork on the ceiling. I couldn’t get over the intricate details; it must have taken months to complete.
I felt Tanner as he came to sit beside me, and then he placed his hand on my thigh.
“My mother’s an artist. I wonder if she’s ever been here. She would love this,” I whispered.
“Does she live close by?”
Crap. I didn’t want to talk about her, but I took a deep breath and went for it. “Nope. She moved away the day after my eighteenth birthday. She’s quite the free spirit when it comes to relationships, jumps from bed to bed. She probably went through everyone in town, so she decided she wanted to travel. She asked me to come with her, but I love my life here too much. I was already moving in with Sadie and Rhian, so my mom paid off the lease, padded my bank account for the bills, and headed off to see the world.”