Page 44 of Unsupervised
“You just got him?”
“Recently, yeah. He’s housebroken but he’s a terror otherwise. Like trying to rein in a toddler.”
When I get to my feet, he hugs me, then plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Why didn’t you ride your scooter?”
“I have to get it registered and plated tomorrow.”
His arm wraps around me as we walk toward his front steps. “I would’ve come to get you.”
“I know.” His house is a cute bungalow with a stone porch and well kept lawn that Midnight is doing his best to destroy by digging. Layton whistles, calling him over.
“I thought we could take a walk before dinner. County Park is just around the corner.”
“That sounds great.” Midnight leaps around us from the second he hears the word walk. “I think you have his vote.”
I follow him inside to get Midnight’s leash. His rooms are cozy but not small. A dark colored couch with matching love seat takes up a good amount of the living room, sitting opposite a massive TV.
Layton clips the leash on Midnight’s collar, then heads into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of water.
“Are you still trying to rehydrate me?” I tease when he hands it to me.
“It’s a long walk. There’s a water fountain at the park, but I’ve watched too many kids practically make out with the faucet to ever want to drink from it. So, we can share.”
“Gross.” His eyebrows jump up, and I add. “The fountain, not the sharing. I’m willing to share. Happy to share, I mean. You’ve had your tongue in my mouth it’s not like I’d be disgusted by drinking after you.” I’m doing it again.Shut up.
He never seems put off by my rambling the way Stanley was. It always embarrassed him, but Layton seems amused. Leaning down, he kisses the spot right behind my ear that sends chills across my skin.
“I’m glad you don’t find my tongue disgusting. There’s so much more of you I want to taste.”
The room ramps up like twenty degrees. All I can picture is Layton’s head between my legs, his hair tickling my thighs…
“Kelly?” I look up into twinkling blue eyes. He knows what he’s done to me. “Did I lose you? Are you okay?”
“Yes!” Jesus, Kelly, volume. Don’t yell at him. “I mean, yes, I’m okay. You didn’t lose me.”
With a deep chuckle, he grabs my hand, takes Midnight’s leash in the other, and we head out the door.
It’s the first time I’ve been to County Park and it’s impressive. On one end is a copse of woods with natural hiking trails. A large pond on the opposite side is enclosed by a paved walking path. Ducks float on the water, and an occasional fish breaks the surface with a splash.
“Woods or path?” Layton asks.
“Woods.” His hand still in mine, we head down the trail. Midnight wants to stop to sniff and explore everything, and I don’t blame him. “It smells so good here.”
“Hmm,” Layton agrees. “Wet pines and earth. I love it. Do you like getting out in nature?”
“I haven’t done that a lot. I grew up in a suburb, in a neighborhood where the lawns were kept so perfect they looked fake, but you weren’t allowed to walk on them. We did go camping once when I was about twelve at a state park. Trey and I loved it, but we ended up leaving early because Dad had to work. Plus, Mom hated it. She said she didn’t understand why people would want to pretend to be homeless.”
Layton throws his head back, laughing. “She literally missed the forest for the trees.”
“I’d like to try more outdoor stuff. I know how to ski, but I’m not a huge fan of the cold. I’m a good swimmer, but I’ve never swam in a lake or river, just pools.”
“Now I know where to take you on our next date.”
“Camping?”
“I was thinking of swimming at the lake, but I like your idea better.”
The thought of sitting by a campfire with Layton, then crawling in a tent to cuddle up with him is thrilling.