by Cee Bowerman
“Sorry to hear that, babe.”
“Yeah.” I shook my head and tried to put a smile on my face. “Anyway, so tell me about the rest of your day.”
And with that, I missed the opening I had to tell him about the drama going on in my life with my ex mother-in-law and possibly even my ex-husband.
6.
“I’m amazing at it, as a matter of fact.”
Mace
MACE
“Don’t forget that I’m off for the rest of the afternoon,” I told my twin brother as we walked toward the parking area to our trucks.
“Oh, yeah.” Angus chuckled. “The date we’ve all been waiting for.”
“Smart ass.” I punched him lightly in the arm.
“Have a good time, man.” Angus got into his truck and started it up as I walked a little further into the lot to mine. I had only been on the job site today for a meeting, so I didn’t need to head home for a shower like I usually did after working. I’d planned it out perfectly. After a quick stop at the flower shop downtown to pick up a bouquet I’d ordered for Reba, I was going to drive over to pick her up when she got off work.
I planned on wooing her and I’d gotten some input from Lena, Lily, Violet, London, and even Liberty so there was a good chance I was going to do this right. Once I had the flowers in hand, I headed to Reba’s office and carried them inside to present them to her before I swept her away for our date.
“Hi,” the young woman at the counter must have been expecting me because she shot me a bright smile and then scurried through a doorway. Within just a minute, Reba came walking out followed by a couple of women I didn’t know.
“Mace, the flowers are beautiful!” Reba smiled as she got closer to me. I held the flowers in front of my chest and waited for Reba to stop in front of me.
“Hello, beautiful.” I leaned down and gave Reba a soft kiss on the cheek. “Are you ready for our date?”
“I don’t know.” Reba blushed. “Am I?”
“It’s killing you that I won’t tell you what we’re doing, isn’t it?”
“A little bit.” Reba laughed.
“Come on, take a chance with me,” I whispered.
“Okay.” Reba smiled brightly and tiptoed up to kiss my cheek. “Let’s go.”
◆◆◆
“How did you know I like to fish?” Reba leaned back in the seat of the boat. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes as she soaked in the sunshine.
“Lena told me,” I admitted. “Did I score some points for originality?”
“So many points.” Reba sighed. I watched her profile for a few minutes, glad to see that she was enjoying herself. “I love this.”
I reached for the cooler I had stashed under one of the seats earlier and pulled out an ice cold beer. I twisted off the top and stretched my arm out until the cold glass touched her hand. Reba’s head came up and she smiled as she slowly shook her head.
“So many points, Mace.”
I chuckled as I pulled out a beer for myself. I needed to buy Lena some flowers now. Her tip had worked out perfectly.
Reba and I sunned in the back of the boat in silence for quite a while before she lifted her head up and looked at me.
“Another beer?” I asked her.
“Sure,” she smiled. “Are we really going to fish or just hang out on the water?”
“Well, that’s up to you,” I told her with a grin. “I have everything we need for either of those possibilities. I also brought something for lunch, snacks, and dinner in case we don’t catch anything.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I came prepared.”
“A boy scout.”
“I was, as a matter of fact. An Eagle Scout, even.”
“That took an awful lot of work and dedication.”
“Years and years. Hell, my mom worked damn near as hard as I did, making sure I was where I needed to be, helping out any way she could. She should have gotten an honorary medal.”
“I’ve wondered if Cyrus might like the Scouts.”
“You should let him give it a try and see if he likes it.”
“I’ll look into it.”
“Do you really like to fish or do you want to just lay in the sun and relax for a while?”
“I want to fish,” Reba laughed. “But I also really want to relax.”
“Your kids come home on Sunday?” I asked Reba. When she nodded, I continued, “Then we have at least 48 hours for you to do both of those things more than once. What do you say we nap for a bit, do a little fishing at dusk and see if we can get enough for our dinner, and then we’ll go from there.”
“In case I forget to tell you, this is the best date I’ve ever been on.”
It felt good to know that Reba was enjoying herself. I had worried that this wouldn’t work and she might think I was a total dork for thinking this was a date. Lucky for me, Reba was an outdoor type and seemed to be enjoying my plans.
“I do have one question though,” Reba chuckled.
“Let me hear it.”
“What exactly do we do if one of us needs to use the bathroom? Go to shore and grab some leaves?”
“Well, I am a man, therefore the world is my urinal. However, do you see the path going up into the trees by the dock we came into the water from?” I pointed into the distance about 100 yards away. “That path goes straight to my family’s cabin where there is electricity and running water. And toilet paper.”
“This date just got even better.” Reba laughed.
“Do you need a trip to the little girls’ room?”
“Not yet, but another beer and I will.” Reba tipped her empty bottle toward me and I reached out and took it from her. I twisted off the top of another beer and then handed it to her, making sure our hands touched during the trade off.
“Tell me something about yourself that I should know,” I suggested.
“I don’t like chocolate.”
“Wow. At all?”
“Not even chocolate ice cream.”
“Isn’t that against nature or girl code or something?”
Reba laughed, “I don’t think they’ll kick me out of the club for that.”
“So what do you like?”
“Butterscotch or caramel. I love toffee. And any kind of brittle, but especially pecan.”
“Good to know. I’ll cancel that box of chocolates I’ve got on order for you.”
Reba laughed.
“Tell me something about you that I should know.”
“I’m allergic to shellfish.”
“Really?” Reba sat up and leaned toward me. “I’ve never met anyone else that’s allergic to shellfish! Cyrus is too!”
“Then you don’t have to worry about him coming into contact with it around my family. They only eat it when we’re out at a restaurant. They don’t cook it at home because of me.”
“That is such a relief!” Reba leaned back and smiled. “So you understand severe allergies? You don’t know the relief that makes me feel.”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “I’ve even got an epipen that I keep in my truck just in case. That’s not the only thing I’m allergic to.”
“What else?”
“Bees will kill me. Strawberries, pineapple, evergreen, grass, and a few other things will give me one hell of a rash. That’s all I know of for sure.”
“Okay.” Reba nodded. “I’ve stored all that in my memory bank and will take the necessary precautions.”
“Like what?” I chuckled. “You’ll carry me across the yard if I’m barefoot?”
“No, smart ass. I won’t make you a pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. Or strawberry shortcake.”
“You cook?” I got a little excited at the thought. My brother’s girl, Violet, cooked like a pro. Lena did pretty well and my brothers and I could man one hell of a grill and that was it. The thought of a good home-cooked meal made my mouth water.
“Yeah,” Reba laughed. “I love to cook. If we catch any fish today,
I’m going to cook them, as a matter of fact.”
“Well, then.” I was impressed. She not only liked to fish, but she could do something with the fish she caught. Some people just liked to fish and then throw back their catch rather than waste it. I liked to eat my catch and I was glad that she did too. “Tell me something else.”
“I love classic rock, not a huge fan of rap, and I only tolerate country.”
“Hmm.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Well, I am going to be the next Eminem, so when I get my record deal and start producing albums, you’re not going to like my music.”
Reba laughed for a second and then sobered when she saw the serious look on my face. “You rap?”
“Yeah. I’m damn good at it too. There’s this underground club where I perform once a week. I’m kind of a big deal. It makes me sad you’re not going to enjoy it.” I looked away from her face and stared out over the water.
“I, um, well...”
“It’s okay. It’s just a dream. It might never happen.”
“No, no! I’m sure you’re really good! I mean, I didn’t know there was an underground rap circuit in the Texas panhandle, but if there is, I bet you’re the best at it.”
“I am.”
“Well, good! That’s really good!” she said encouragingly. “I’d love to watch you perform sometime.”
I kept the serious look on my face and turned back to face her, “I also like to prank people. I’m damn good at that too.”
“You…”
“I’m amazing at it, as a matter of fact.”
“You little shit,” Reba growled. “I thought you were serious.”
I laughed at the look on her face, and when she growled again, I couldn’t hold back. The more I watched the emotions play over her face, the harder I laughed. Soon, I was gasping for air and she was laughing just as hard as I was.
“God,” Reba chuckled as she held her stomach. “That was funny.”
I started trying to beatbox and Reba’s laughter started up again. I was moving back and forth, rocking the boat with the rhythm that I was mostly murdering when she snorted. That caused me to start up again, I had tears in my eyes when Reba yelled, “No! Stop! I have to pee! Oh God!”
Another round of laughter ensued when she crossed one leg over the other and clutched at her knees.
“No no no!” Reba snorted again as she laughed. “Too much! Oh my God!”
Finally our laughter tapered off and the two of us wiped the tears from our faces as we chuckled.
“Really,” Reba nodded. “Get me to that bathroom or I’m going to have to jump in the damn lake.”
“Okay, okay.” I turned around in my seat and started the boat. “To the bathroom we go.”
◆◆◆
I waited in the kitchen until Reba came back from the bathroom and I smiled as I watched her walk down the hallway and through the living area.
“This house is beautiful!” Reba said as she looked around. “Does your family spend a lot of time here?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “There’s usually someone here every weekend and occasionally we plan a big party and all come out together. It’s easy since it’s not too far away.”
“I love it.” Reba smiled at me as she walked closer.
“I grew up coming out here,” I told her as we walked toward the front door of the cabin. “So many memories in this place.”
“I imagine that there are. Did you guys ever sleep out on the porch?” Reba asked as we walked out onto the screened-in porch that wrapped around the house.
“Oh, yeah,” I chuckled. “Almost every night we were here. Hell, I still do when I come out.”
“I would have loved this as a kid,” Reba whispered as her hand trailed down the porch rail while we walked down the steps.
“Do your kids like the water? Or being outdoors? I know they’re fishing with your family this weekend, but I didn’t know if that was a regular thing.”
“Oh, yeah.” Reba nodded. “They both love it. They hunt for bugs, fish, swim like fish - the whole nine yards.”
“That’s good. We’ll have to bring them out a few times this summer.”
“Really?”
“Why does that shock you?” I asked her seriously. “Your kids are cool. Vada is a fucking riot and Cyrus is probably smarter than me. I’d like to hang out with both of them when you get comfortable around me.”
“I’ve never dated a guy who made plans with my kids in mind.”
“Then you’ve dated the wrong guys,” I assured her.
“Obviously.” Reba’s look was assessing and I smiled at her as I helped her into the boat.
There was just something about this woman that shot electricity through my entire body every time I touched her. I couldn’t look at her without smiling and it made my heart swell every time she smiled back at me.
I had it bad and this was only our first date.
◆◆◆
REBA
I’d been sitting in the boat with Mace for hours. We’d fished for a little while and were both unsuccessful, probably because we couldn’t quit talking long enough to let the fish come near the boat.
We’d talked about our childhoods and I was amazed at how different they were. His parents sounded like the ones I’d watched on television. The ones I’d wished were mine rather than the ones I had been given.
Mace had told me about the accident that had taken his parents, brother-in-law, and sisters and how the babies came after his oldest sister lived on life support until they were big enough to be born. I couldn’t help but cry at the pain in his voice and the thought of all that loss. My heart melted when he reached over and brushed the tears from my cheeks as he looked at me sweetly.
I told him how hard it was to watch Travis spiral out of control with his addiction and how much I wished that my kids could have known the younger and more responsible version of him. I was surprised when Mace said that he’d say a prayer or two in the hopes that Travis pulled his shit together and became the dad my kids need in their lives.
Throughout the afternoon, I learned more about Mace than I had known about any other man I’d dated since Travis and this was just our first official date. It was comforting to know that he was an open book and he didn’t seem to have the usual hang-ups that most men had about showing his emotions and sharing his thoughts and feelings.
A little less than an hour ago, he’d pulled a couple of books out of his backpack and given me a choice on which one I’d wanted to read. Since then, we’d been sitting across from each other in the rocking boat, relaxing in the sunshine and reading silently.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Mace asked me softly.
I turned my head to look over at him and saw that he was still leaning back in the seat with his bare feet crossed over each other on the floor, a bottle of water in one hand and his book in the other.
I decided to take a chance and jump in with both feet. Not into the water, but into Mace Conner’s world.
I hoped it wasn’t a decision I’d come to regret.
7.
“You’re one weird dude, Mace Conner.”
Reba
REBA
“I was thinking about you and this perfect afternoon,” I told him honestly.
“Perfect, huh?” Mace chuckled. “We’ve still got time and we haven’t even caught dinner yet.”
“I want to kiss you.”
“You do?” Mace perked up at that and tossed his book over onto one of the other seats.
“I do. I’ve been thinking about kissing you since the first time I heard you laugh in the bookstore that day.”
“Oh, really? Well, isn’t that odd? I could say the same thing.”
“Are you going to?” I asked him.
“Kiss you?”
“Yeah.”
“Equal opportunity kisser here, babe. Make a move.” Mace sat up in his chair a little straighter and uncrossed his feet.
My eyes got a little wider, but then I smiled wickedly. He wanted me to make a move? I could do that.
This day had shown me that he was a man I could trust. He wouldn't laugh at my attempt at seduction like Travis had done more than once. Mace was the kind of man that would relish the attention and reciprocate it in kind. Somehow I just knew that about the man already.
I leaned over and put my book down and dropped my beer into the cup holder over the engine compartment before I slid off the seat to my knees. In the close space of the boat, I was already between his open legs and I watched his face as I moved, wondering what he was thinking about.
I put my hands on his knees and slowly moved them up his thighs until my fingers touched the bend at his hips. Mace sat up straighter and stared down into my face as he waited for me to make the next move.
I ran my hands up his sides and he shivered as my fingertips brushed over his ribs. I moved my hands toward the front of his body and my palms passed over his pecs before my hands went over his collarbone on either side and stopped at the back of his neck.
His gaze was so intense that it was hard not to look away. I moved my leg so that my foot was on the floor and I stood up in front of him for just a second before I put my knees on either side of his thighs and straddled him in the cushioned seat. I settled down in his lap and realized that he was already hard as stone under me.
I smiled wickedly again as I rubbed my core onto his erection for just a second as my lips got closer to his. I paused when his hands settled on my hips and held myself there almost touching his lips with mine.
It was torture, but I waited a few more seconds before I moved in and touched my lips to his, softly at first. Mace’s hands flexed on my hips and I smiled as I kissed him again.
“I think about our first kiss every night when I get off the phone with you,” I whispered. “I lay in my bed and think about what your lips would be like, how your beard feels, where your hands will roam on me.”
