Page 33 of The Games We Play (Balance of Power #3)
NAOMI
I t only took Seamus a few minutes to get dressed before he grabbed a bag from one of the rooms at Afterburn, and then walked me to his truck. He let me walk this time, which is a nice change, but I sort of hated it.
The twenty minute car ride was short, but full of banter between the two of us, just like our days by the lake. This time, reminiscing on the moments earlier in the night when I had him on stage and, what I referred to as, desperate and begging .
He used words like necessary and essential , stating it was for educational purposes as opposed to actually being lost in the moment.
“The penis doesn’t lie, Seamus. You were so far gone and had no control over what I was doing to you,” I tell him.
“Penis?” he questions. “Are we in the PG-13 version of the conversation now?”
“Penis is used during basic conversation. Cock and dick are reserved for the moments of madness, during actual sex,” I reply, factually. “Using cock and dick too much is like swearing too much. Takes away its power.”
“There will never be too much cock talk when you’re talking about mine.” He passes me a sexy look before his gaze returns to the road.
He’s still wearing his all black attire, but his button up shirt now has a couple loose buttons at the top and his sleeves are rolled up just under his elbows, exposing the tight lines of his mouthwatering forearms.
A light from the passing street light shines through the front windshield, and his strong form sits stoic on the console as he drives us to wherever he has planned for our date.
He told me I didn’t have to change, so I’m still currently wearing my all white leggings and sports bra with a light pink, oversized hoodie.
I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get to wear the outfit I specifically bought for our date, but at the same time, it feels like the old us.
Seamus’ truck veers onto a side road and we continue down the dirt path, going up a small, windy road that leads up a mountain.
We pull up to a wooded area, and I’m surprised when he pulls in and backs up in an open spot shaded by massive trees. There are no other buildings around, and I squint in confusion as I look around, seeing nothing.
“Stay here,” Seamus says as he jumps out of the truck.
The dome light pops on as he opens the back passenger door, grabs a couple of bags, then shuts the door. The overhead light fades away immediately, leaving me in the dark as I look out over a stampede of silhouetted trees.
The only source of light is a sliver of the crescent moon, and I’m shocked when I shift my gaze to the sky, how clear it is tonight.
Seattle is known for its drab weather, and the thick, dense fog makes us forget we have a blue sky sometimes. Tonight's midnight sky has shed its layers, exposing itself to us fully.
A surge of anxiety runs through me as the minutes pass.
I have practiced some exposure therapy sessions, forcing myself to hike through wooded areas and other things that my therapist had suggested to overcome some of the recurring panic attacks. This one I feel like I’ve mastered, but I’ve always been moving through it, not staying still.
I glance around again, and even though it’s dark, it appears to be just woods and open air. I don’t see a lake, thankfully, because I’m not sure I could stave off the panic attack if I had one.
The dome light slowly turns on, and my elbow falls to my thigh when my door pulls open.
Seamus stands with his phone in his hand, the flashlight shedding light on the ground so I can step out of the truck. I slide my hand in his extended one, giving myself something to hold on to.
“This way,” he says, leading me to the back of the truck.
He doesn’t let go of my hand and he gently pulls us forward.
I smile to myself when he rounds the back of the truck, popping open the tailgate.
He’s acting like we are going to climb a mountain and it’s imperative that I hold his hand, but no.
We literally just rounded his truck and walked to his truck bed.
With the truck gate open, he presses a button on the inner left side, and a string of twinkling lights glow soft white, trailing the sides of the truck.
A small gasp leaves my lips as I see a mound of fuzzy, warm blankets and a long, soft pillow laid across the back. A set of binoculars and a plate full of snacks sit on either side of bed.
I turn to look at Seamus as he appraises me with so much adoration. Between the gorgeous man in front of me and this entire set up, it’s all so romantic.
It’s also so triggering.