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Blue Lines(80)

By:Toni Aleo


Erik leaned closer, his nose almost touching hers as he whispered, “I could make you forget about it all.”

“Is that right, Mr. Titov?”

A grin pulled at her lips before she brought her bottom lip between her teeth. He was going to kiss her, and he wasn’t going to stop.

“Hey, what are you two talking about?”

Erik tore his eyes away from hers to see his father standing in front of them with his hands on his hips. Swallowing loudly, Erik cleared his throat and said, “Nothing, Mom is looking for you.”

“Probably wants me so we can get a good spot for the fireworks,” Cooper said looking over to where Alla was. Looking back at Erik he asked, “Where are you two going?”

When he wiggled his brushy eyebrows at them, Erik chuckled. “Don’t know yet.”

“Probably the dock,” Piper answered.

Erik nodded. “The dock and no, find your own spot.”

Piper giggled as Cooper shot Erik a knowing grin. “Fine, keep your spot. I’ll find my own.”

Cooper gave them one last, knowing smile before turning to walk away. Erik watched as he headed toward his mom. If Erik was to look for a loving relationship he would want one like Alla and Cooper’s. Thankfully, he wasn’t looking for that.

Piper pulled at his arm, and he glanced down at her as she led them across the yard and onto her dock. The weight from their bodies made the boards creak with each step they took. When they reached the end, Erik fell into his favorite beach chair, causing the dock to swish back and forth from his weight. Piper sat down slowly next to him, propping one foot on top of the other. Erik watched as the sun slowly set behind the lake. It had been a good day.

Which was great: Erik needed a good day. Summer training camp started soon and Erik needed as many good days as he could get; the more with Piper, the better. Sneaking a peek at Piper, Erik wondered what it would be like once he left. Would he miss her? Would he crave her touch and conversation? Would he consistently think of her? Would he want her back?

And what about Piper? Would she miss him? Shaking his head as if to shake his questions away, he let out a long breath. He didn’t want to think of all that right now. He just wanted to get through the next couple of months. See what happened between them. Even though he knew nothing should happen, he couldn’t help but feel like something was about to.

And, for now, that wasn’t bad.

“My favorite part of the celebration is coming up.”

Erik looked over to find Piper grinning at him. He smiled and said, “What’s that?”

“The dancing at sunset,” she said with a dreamy grin on her face. “They have a band and play all these sweet songs and everyone starts dancing under the moonlight.”

“Cool,” Erik said as he nodded. He knew she was baiting him, but he wasn’t giving in that easy. “Did you come last year?”

“I did, and the year before that. I’ve never gotten to dance under the stars with anyone. Elli and Shea always did, but I was always left out since the guys I brought were all duds.”

“Duds?” he asked, fighting back a grin.

She let out a long breath and said, “The year before, I was dating this ice cleaner who Jakob hooked me up with. He’s gone now, moved out west or something. Anyway, he was horrible and didn’t like to dance. The year before that I was dating this computer geek who didn’t know his left foot from his right. So sad.”

“Horribly sad,” Erik muttered as music slowly filled the air around them.

“Yeah,” she said in a huff before crossing her legs and leaning farther back in her chair. Biting his lip to keep from laughing, he glanced over at her to see that she had her arms crossed over her belly and her lip jutted in a pout.

Man, she was cute.

“Piper.” She glanced over at him and a grin took over his face when she met his gaze. He then asked, “Would you like to dance with me?”

He could tell she couldn’t contain her giddiness as she squealed, “Yes!”

Shaking his head, he stood, taking her hand in his before bringing her down the dock, closer to shore. Twirling her out, he brought her back into his arms and smiled when she gave him a dazzling grin while laying her head on his chest. Erik took in a deep breath, enjoying her intoxicating scent. Moving his hands down the middle of her back, he rested them above her ass as they swayed to the beautiful melody.

“Did you date a lot of people?”

When Piper glanced up at him, she seemed surprised by his question. Even Erik was surprised he asked. He usually didn’t take the time to ask questions, but he wanted to know. He wanted to know everything about her.