ROYAL ROCK(121)
Except I was learning that I had no interest in rich gentlemen. Apparently the thing I wanted was a dirty-talking, asshole Navy SEAL with a big dick and a bad attitude. I could feel myself blushing just at the way I was thinking, which was crazy.
The whole situation was bizarre. I knew I’d never actually date Nathan or anything like that, and I didn’t think I even wanted to. But still, he somehow got under my skin in more than one way.
Eventually I finished up breakfast and wandered back up to my room. I really didn’t want to run into Lucille again or be around when my dad eventually got home. It was getting close to eleven in the morning, and Nate still wasn’t back from wherever he went, which was bugging me. I knew he could do whatever he wanted, but yesterday was such an insane thing. It would have been nice to have someone to talk to about it.
I found myself scrolling through Facebook on my phone when I got another text from Lydie. I sighed and decided that I had punished her long enough. I clicked her name, calling her.
“Hey!” she said, answering the phone on the first ring.
“Hi, Lydie. Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you.”
“Listen, I am so, so sorry about everything. I have been such a mega bitch. I deserve to get fire ants shoved up my cooter.”
I made a face. “Okay, gross. That was really graphic.”
“Sorry. Would you rather scorpions up my butt?”
“Maybe just skip the body horror stuff entirely.”
“Okay, whatever.”
“Look, I’m not really mad at you anymore.”
“I’m really happy you just said that.”
“But you were being a dick.”
“You’re right, I was. I can make a bunch of shitty excuses, but truthfully, I’ve been a real cock and I’m sorry.”
I smiled. “It’s good to be talking to you again.”
“Ugh, I know. What’s it been, a whole day? I’m like shaking from Claire withdrawal.”
“Want to get your fix?”
“God, you know I do. I’m craving your sweet lips.”
“Meet me at the coffee shop in a half hour?”
“Oh, bitch, you’re singing my tune. See you there.”
She hung up. I smiled to myself the whole time I got dressed.
“I don’t care if I’m a cliché,” Lydie said. “I love pumpkin spice lattes.”
“It’s not even fall.”
“The PSL can be consumed at any time, Claire. Don’t be so narrow-minded.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
“I’m more of a plain black myself.”
“I know.” She made a face. “Plain boring, you mean.”
“I just don’t need the thirty tons of sugar they put in that thing,” I replied, gesturing at her cup.
“First of all, I try not to think about that. And second, yeah, okay, but that’s what makes it so delicious.”
“You have a point.”
We laughed and sipped our drinks. I looked around the little coffee shop and felt calm for the first time since I’d woken up.
The shop was a little hole in the wall in the downtown area of our small town. It was pretty empty, but it would fill up soon enough. It looked like a Starbucks, except it was even more nautical-themed and was owned by local people. I loved it, and I always went out of my way to go during the summers I spent down on the shore.
“So what have you been up to?” I asked her.
“Aside from crying about you not talking to me? Not much. The usual. Had to go to work, unfortunately.”
“Please. I’m sure you’ve been clubbing hard, probably forgot all about me.”
“Yeah, right. Did you see the messages I’ve left?”
“True. You did turn into a psycho stalker.”
“I absolutely did. I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Are you ever ashamed?”
“Pretty much no.”
As we talked, I kept thinking about the night before. Nate’s strong arms, his body pressed against mine, his mouth and muscles all dominating my mind. Even though I was talking to Lydie and laughing with her, I was really still back in his bed, our hips rocking together.
It was the most intense thing I’d ever experienced. As much as I wanted to move on, I couldn’t get it out of my mind, not even for a second.
“So what about you? How’s your stepbrother doing?”
I paused for a second, sipping my coffee. I was worried that she was able to read my mind. Lydie, if you can hear me thinking this, clap your hands twice. I waited nervously for another second, but she didn’t clap. Instead, she stared at me like I was a crazy person.
“What?” she asked. “You look like I just stabbed a bunny.”