I was putting the dishes away when he came out into the great room with nothing on except the towel wrapped around his waist. His left hand was gripping the two ends of the towel together; his other hand combed his wet hair back off his forehead.
“I need my bag,” he muttered.
Holy Shit! My brain shrieked again from the new sight of him. My eyes quickly took in the visions of his bare chest and arms, how they still glistened slightly from the water droplets that remained on his skin.
I gasped in a quick breath of air and turned away for the safer view of the kitchen sink. Clean the sink - just clean the sink. Don’t look.
I could see his reflection in the kitchen window; he had his back turned to me as he opened the towel and re-wrapped it around his waist. He stood there for a few moments using both of his hands to comb through his wet hair.
Effin-A he is HOT! Marie was right in her assessment. I was thankful that the metal sink was strong enough to endure my grip and hold me in place as I squeezed my legs together at the knees.
It had been far too long since I saw a mostly naked man and this one was killing me with visions left and right. I think he realized that I was turned and not facing him anymore because he sort of huffed, grabbed his bag, and headed back to the bedroom.
I had the kitchen all cleaned up when he came back to the island counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the main room. He leaned on the island with his elbows right next to where I had my purse.
Shit! When I went to get him a towel, I forgot to shove my pill pack back into my purse. Just as I turned to correct my mistake his fingers picked it up. His look of curiosity was instantly replaced with a smirk when he realized what it was.
“You weren’t supposed to see that,” I murmured. I snatched the pack from his hand and shoved it back in my purse.
“What’s the big deal?” he asked casually. “So you’re on the pill. That’s good to know.” He smirked.
This was a conversation that I didn’t want to have with him. “Are you finished in the bathroom? ‘Cause if you are I’d like to dry my hair quick.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Speaking of which, how are you feeling this morning?”
“I’m feeling better. My stomach muscles hurt though. I feel like I did two hundred sit-ups. And you?”
“I’m feeling pretty good actually.” He stood straight and stretched. “Must have been the lobster. Are you up to taking the boat out again?” I could tell in his voice he was hoping.“Yeah, sure. Just let me finish getting ready.”
Ryan steered the boat back out on the lake and I was comfortable just lounging under a blanket. The bright sun warmed my face. I was feeling better, but still not one hundred percent yet. Being sick made me overly tired.
Ryan was quiet as he repeatedly cast his line out in the water. A few times it appeared that he was going to say something to me, but then he’d turn away to shake his head ever so slightly.
“Aren’t you going to fish today?” he asked finally.
“Maybe in a little while; I’m really comfortable just resting here.”
Ryan stared at me for a moment. “Are you sure you’re feeling up to being out here?” he asked, truly sounding concerned.
“Yes! I’m actually quite content. I’m in a boat, out on a lake on a beautiful, sunny day. I don’t have to be anywhere doing anything. No one is barking orders at me. I am thoroughly enjoying the simple pleasures in life.” I smiled at him.
“Yes, this is very cool!” He grinned in agreement.
“I was wondering something,” he asked as he looked at me a moment later. “Do your friends know how we met?”
I was confused why he would ask that. I felt my eyebrows pull together when I pondered his question.
“What do you mean?” I needed him to clarify.
“My embarrassing run into your pub. Did you tell them about that?”
“No!” I said quickly, confirming my trustworthiness. “I mean they know that you came into the bar, but none of them know under what circumstances. I’m sorry. I promised you that I would never say anything but I had no choice to tell them that you came in once before - it was the only way I could get past the questions so you could join us for poker.
“I swear the only thing I said was that you came in for a beer one afternoon. I didn’t tell them anything else.”
He looked at me funny. “That’s okay! I just figured you were pretty close with your friends that you would have told them about my run up your steps.”