Wardrobe Malfunction(67)

“We’ll take one of the trails up to the picnic area,” he tells me.

“Cool.”

We venture off the main road and onto one of the trails, which gives me a view of the lake.

“Holy shit.” I come to a stop, tugging on his arm.

“Amazing, right?”

“It’s stunning.” And it is. It’s a beautiful huge hole in the earth filled with the bluest water I’ve ever seen. The forestry surrounding it is spectacular.

“Come on.” He tugs on my arm. “You’ll be able to get a better view when we get to the picnic spot. It’s just a little further up.”

We walk for a little while longer and then come to a clearing. He wasn’t kidding; the view is spectacular.

“I have to take a picture.” I go to my pocket to get my phone, and then I realize it’s still in the trunk of Vaughn’s car.

Weird that I haven’t felt the urge to use it until now.

“Crap, it’s still in your car,” I tell him.

“Do you want me to go get it?”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry.”

I set the blanket out on the grass, and Vaughn puts the basket on it.

I step a little closer to the edge. “What’s that in the middle? An island?” I ask him.

He comes up behind me and slides his hands around my waist. “That’s Wizard Island. And that tiny one over there…” He points a finger, and my eyes follow the direction.

“Where?” I squint.

“Right over there.” He gestures with his finger again.

My eyes pick up on something, but it’s not very clear. “I can just about see it,” I tell him.

“That’s Phantom Ship.”

“Sounds spooky,” I say.

Then, I make a ghost noise, and he chuckles. I feel it rumble against my back.

“Why’s it called that?” I ask.

“Because people say it resembles a ghost ship.”

I slide my hands over his, linking our fingers, and lean my head back onto his shoulder. I turn my face to him and press a kiss to his neck.

“Are you happy?” he asks me, staring down into my eyes.

“Very. Are you?”

“I’ve got the hottest girl in the world in my arms, and her ass is currently pressed up against my cock. I’d say I’m extremely happy.”

“You’re such a charmer.” I giggle.

“And don’t you just know it?” He laughs, kissing my forehead. “Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

I kick my flip-flops off and sit down. Vaughn sits beside me, opens the basket, and gets the sandwiches out that we made earlier—turkey and mayo.

Yum.

Then, he pulls out a bottle of wine and a plastic glass from the side of the basket.

“When did you sneak that in?” I ask.

“I put it in when you were in the bathroom. I just forgot to tell you. Thought you might like a drink.”

“Aren’t you having one?”

“I’m driving.” He gives me a duh look.

“I know you’re driving, smart-ass, but you can have a glass, can’t you?”

“I only brought the one glass.”

“Then, I’ll share mine with you.”

He pours the wine out, and I take a sip and then hand it to him.

“Thanks for bringing me here,” I say before taking a bite of my sandwich. “It really is beautiful. And kind of romantic if you think about it.”

“I’m a romantic kind of guy.” He grins.

“Can you ever be serious for just a minute?” I nudge his thigh with my foot.

He stares right into my eyes. “Like I told you, I’m serious about you.”

Butterflies swoop into my stomach, going nuts. “I’m kind of serious about you, too, West.”

We eat and drink—well, I do most of the drinking—and we talk about everything and laugh. I laugh so much when I’m with him.

I think humor is such an attractive quality in a man, and Vaughn has it in spades. That, and a gorgeous face and smoking-hot body.

I’m a lucky, lucky girl.

I’m just nibbling on a strawberry when I remember something that I’ve always wanted to ask him. “West, can I ask you something?”

“Is it dirty or kinky?”

“No.” I giggle.

“Sounds boring to me, but go on then. I’m listening.”

I shake my head at him, my lips curved into a smile. “Why didn’t you have me fired when I stabbed you?”

He furrows his brow. “Why would I have?”

“Because you had Millie fired for incompetency. I stabbed you in one of your balls. Seems kind of worse than being incompetent. Even though she is incompetent.”

“Who’s Millie?”

“The girl who did the job before me.” I put the rest of the strawberry in my mouth and chew.

“Oh, her. I had her fired because she kept hitting on me.”

“Oh.” I swallow it down. “Well, it makes sense. She always did seem to like the men I did.” Even if she did see Vaughn first, it doesn’t count because I don’t like her.

“Do I smell a history there between you two?”