Third Base (The Boys of Summer, #1)(30)
I set a single candle deep into the frosting and light it. It crackles like a sparkler. As soon as I turn around with the cake in my hand, I’m singing to her. I can’t carry a tune, but the expression on her face right now tells me that it doesn’t matter. Her hand is covering her mouth and tears form in her eyes as I hold her cake out in front of her.
“Happy Birthday, Daisy.”
Daisy drops her hand from her mouth and clutches the edge of the countertop, leaning forward.
“Make a wish,” I suggest, even though I’m sure she knows to do that. She breathes out, and the flame disappears into thin air. “What’d you wish for?” I ask, putting the cake down next to her.
“I can’t tell you. If I do, it won’t come true.”
“Is that so?” I ask over my shoulder. I pull out two plates and grab two forks from the drawer along with a knife.
“It’s what my grandma used to say.”
“Do you miss her?” Let me stick my foot in my mouth with that question. “I’m sorry. I know you miss her.” I slice a piece of cake and set it on the plate, handing it to Daisy along with a fork. She scoots back onto the counter and crosses her legs.
“I miss her, but she was sick so I’m happy she’s not suffering anymore. I know my grandpa misses her a lot and I catch him, every now and again, talking to her as if she’s in the kitchen.”
I don’t know what it’d be like to lose my grandma or my parents. We have such a strong family bond that I think we’d fall apart. I know for certain that I wouldn’t be who I am today without them and here Daisy is, with only one grandparent left.
“You don’t have to feel sorry for me,” she says, before taking a bite of her cake. Her lips wrap around her fork and her eyes close as she savors the taste. “Oh gosh, this is freaking heavenly,” she says as she looks at me.
“Um…” I’m thankful that I’m partly hidden by the counter right now because my growing dick is begging for a small bit of action. “I’m glad you like it.” Fuck, I love it and want to stand here all night and watch her lick her fork.
“Can I ask you something personal?”
She nods. “I think after what you did for me, I should answer everything you ask.”
I place my hands on her thighs and massage them. “I did that for us. I enjoyed it, too. Everything that we’ve done tonight, it’s all for the both of us,” I tell her. “But I was going to ask if you remember your parents?”
Daisy puts her fork down and slides herself toward me. My hands slide up her legs as she moves. I don’t hesitate to make sure my fingers go under her panties and use my hands as leverage to bring her closer.
“I have pictures, but no real memories. I have some things that I made up from the photos and stories I’ve heard, but I don’t remember them.”
“I’m sorry,” I say for lack of a better response. I lean forward and kiss the tip of her nose. Daisy rests her forehead against mine while her fingers play in my hair. My hands move from her ass to her waist and I hold her against me with my arms wrapped around her. As much as I want to think otherwise, I know I’ve already fallen for this girl in front of me.
She kisses me quickly and as much as I want to hold her mouth to mine and not let go, I do. This isn’t the time or place to start making out, especially since I just asked about her parents. Daisy puts her head in the crook of my neck and sighs.
“I should be getting home,” she mumbles, effectively ruining any chance of her waking up in my arms. It’s for the best though. If I had her in bed I’d be on my knees begging her to let me take her. It’d be a selfish move on my part, but I’ve been walking around with a raging hard on since I’ve met her, so I can’t help it.
“For the record, I want you to stay.” She looks up and smiles.
“Someday, I’d like that, but not tonight. I didn’t make arrangements with the nurse and can’t leave my grandpa alone at night.”
“It’s okay, I understand.” I try to fix her hair, but learn quickly that I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I help her down and hold her hand as we walk back into the bedroom. My bed mocks me, reminding me that I’ll be sleeping in it alone tonight. That fact shouldn’t bother me except I had my hopes up that Daisy would spend the night.
Daisy excuses herself to get dressed in the bathroom and I use the opportunity to change out of my tuxedo pants and into some sweats. I plan to put on the shirt that she’s wearing so I can feel like she’s near me after she leaves. When she comes out, she looks almost as good as she did earlier, but I see the difference. Her hair isn’t as perfect and her lips are slightly redder. She comes to me and I brush my thumb over her bottom lip, wondering if my whiskers hurt her.
“It’s worth it,” she says, holding my hand to her face. She moves my thumb slightly, kissing the pad before linking her fingers with mine. “You should probably put a shirt on. It’s cold out.”
“I was planning on wearing the one you had on.”
“Why? It probably smells like me.”
“Exactly!” I wink and take my shirt out of her hand, putting it on. I go back to holding her hand because it feels good and I want to.
We walk outside and the early spring air is frigid. I shiver, forgetting to grab a sweatshirt, and run us down the stairs and to my car. I help her in before sprinting to the driver’s side. I start the engine and crank up the heat, flipping the switch for the heated seats to come on while both of us shake from the cold.