Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
He said that last part jokingly, but I told him, “There’s nothing basic about you.”
His response to that was a passionate kiss. This went on for a while, until I felt him shiver. “Let’s go inside,” I said. “I want to change, and you need a sweater.”
We skirted around the pizza party in the kitchen, and as soon as we got to my room, he pushed me against the wall and went right back to kissing me.
With shaking hands, we stripped ourselves and each other, and as soon as we were naked, we tumbled onto the bed. I figured there’d be time for slow, sensual lovemaking later tonight. Right now though, both of us were totally overcome with need, so the best we could do was trade quick blowjobs.
Afterwards, we climbed under the covers, and I gathered him into my arms. Even though it was muffled, we could still hear music and laughter coming from the yard. Once he caught his breath, Hal asked, “Do you want to go back downstairs and join the party?”
“No. What about you?”
He shook his head. “I want to stay right here, with you.”
When I woke up and realized it was morning, I was deeply disappointed. I’d thought we’d have all night together.
I tried not to wake Hal as I slipped out of bed. But by the time I returned from a quick shower, he was sitting up and looking around, like he was trying to get his bearings.
He mumbled, “I hadn’t planned on falling asleep.”
“Me, neither. What time is your flight?”
He glanced at the clock on the nightstand and climbed out of bed. “It’s in a couple of hours. I’d better get going.”
He grabbed his clothes before hurrying to the bathroom, and I got dressed while he took a shower. When he returned, I told him, “I’ll drive you to your hotel.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
We went downstairs to the kitchen, where we found Vee and Tank drinking coffee. “Hey, guys,” Vee said. “I was wondering if you were here. I ended up sleeping it off in the pool house last night, after having a bit too much to drink.” When I asked if he wanted a ride back to the hotel, he jumped at the offer.
While I filled two paper cups with coffee, Hal put on a black cardigan and grabbed the garment bag he’d brought over the day before. Vee grabbed a couple of bags too, and he and Tank promised to keep in touch before Vee headed for the door.
When I told my friend, “I’ll be back soon,” I expected him to smirk and tease me about last night. Instead, he looked surprisingly sympathetic. He must have understood that I really didn’t want to say goodbye to Hal, but that was exactly what was about to happen.
Vee talked almost nonstop on our way to the Strip. It turned out players from a few of the other rugby teams had come over, and the party had turned into a wild kegger. I was glad I’d missed it.
Finally, when we pulled up in front of the hotel, Hal told his friend, “Give me just a minute, okay?”
Vee nodded and grabbed all the bags from the seat beside him. “Take your time. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.” Before he climbed out of the SUV, he slapped my shoulder and said, “Thanks for the ride, and take care, man. It was a pleasure.”
Once he was gone, Hal turned to me with a lot of emotion in his dark eyes. “This isn’t goodbye,” he said, as he squeezed my hand. “I know it’s going to be hard for us to visit, between your responsibilities on the ranch and my work and school schedule, but we’ll see each other again, even if we have to wait until this summer. In the meantime, I want you to text and call me. It doesn’t have to be about anything important. I just want to hear from you.”
“I will. I promise.”
I wanted to keep talking. I wanted to listen to the sound of his voice and hold his hand. I wanted more time! So much more.
He kissed me, one last time. Then he lingered for just a moment with his forehead resting against mine. I touched his cheek and fought the urge to beg him to stay.
But he had a plane to catch, and a life to get back to. We both did.
Hal tenderly brushed back my hair before getting out of the SUV. I watched him walk to the hotel entrance. He paused and looked back for one long moment. Then he raised his hand in a wave goodbye and disappeared through the door.
How could I feel such a profound sense of loss? We’d only known each other a matter of hours. But every single minute we’d spent together had mattered to me.