Page 154 of Riding the Sugar High

“Bath salts,” I mumble. “I had some old ones here.”

She leans forward, pressing a kiss to the middle of my chest. “Get in with me?”

“I don’t think there’s enough room for both of us.”

“Really?” Tilting her head, she pulls at the sides of my shirt. “I think we’ve managed to fit bigger things in smaller spaces.”

Snorting out a laugh, I raise both arms so she can remove my shirt. I wanted her to enjoy her bath in peace, but this sounds much better, so without further resisting, I strip off my clothes and slink beneath the water.

She follows, settling between my legs and resting her cheek on my chest, her soft body relaxing against mine. Slotting in like the missing piece of a puzzle. It makes no sense that we match so well. Whether we’re fucking or fighting, pressing each other’s buttons or pushing our limits, we work like magic.

And I seriously hope nothing will break this spell.

* * *

Steam rises around us, creating a cocoon of intimacy. I reach for Primrose’s purple sponge and pour a healthy amount of soap as she pops the bubbles clinging to the water’s surface.

Gently, I trace the contours of her skin, and in a way, it feels more intimate than sex. Touching her like she’s mine while she’s nestled between my arms and resting on my chest.

“Hey, now that the police are done chasing after us, do you think Paco and Lola can come back? I miss them,” she says, breaking the tranquil silence.

I let out a contented sigh, reminded of when I found her constant chatting annoying. Now, it’s relaxing. Soothing. “Sure, Barbie. I’ll ask Kyle to bring them over tonight.”

“Thank you,” she says with a grateful smile as she traces the shape of my tattoos. Once she turns her focus to my arm, she asks, “How do you choose what design to get?”

“I’ve always known I wanted some of them, like the cow. With others, I just booked with my artist and chose on the day of my appointment.”

“Is it your favorite animal?” she asks as she traces the shape of the cow’s head. “Is that why you wanted it?”

I move the sponge to her neck, and she relaxes into me. “Yes. Cows are social, emotional. They’re great problem solvers too, you know? Very smart animals. Kind of like the farm version of a dog.”

“That mostly stays still.”

I huff out a laugh. “You’d be surprised.”

“What’s this empty spot?” she asks as she touches the skin below my wrist.

“Hm? Oh, nothing. I haven’t had time to get a new tattoo in years. It’s the last free spot on my arm, but it’s tiny. I’m not even sure what could fit there.”

She snuggles closer, and I feel a rush of affection as I drag the sponge to her chest. “How about a cowboy hat?”

“Nope.”

“Cowboy boots.”

“No.”

Laughter bubbles out of her lips. “You’re no fun.”

I bite her neck, and as she squirms away, her feet rise above the water. “Didn’t look like it back in the orchard.”

“Wait—I know just the right thing.”

She walks out of the tub, dripping water all over the floor.

“No, come back. Where are you?—”

She’s already out the door, so I drop my head back, smiling at the ceiling. A minute later, she walks back into the bathroom and closes the door behind her, holding a Sharpie.