“Do I look like the type of girl who has ever stepped foot in a Walmart? Do they even have clothes?” she asks, as she bats Henri away and finds her footing to stand up.
“Hendrix, come here,” I command. He whimpers, but reluctantly leaves her side and goes inside the camper. “No, princess, you certainly don’t look like someone who would ever step foot in a Walmart. Maybe you should spend a little more time learning how the other half lives so the fall off your high horse wouldn’t hurt so badly.”
I immediately turn and enter the camper, closing the door behind me. I know I’m provoking her a tad, but I figure feisty Jen needs to return. If I take the white gloves off and treat her like I always do, maybe her fire will ignite once again. My guess is spot on when I hear the camper door slam as I’m placing the dishes in the sink.
“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” she shouts. “I’m a completely down to Earth person. Dammit, I go through my closet every year and send things to Goodwill for fuck’s sake. Just because I don’t like to prance my ass around Wally World so I can have my picture taken and put on those stupid people of Walmart Facebook collages which everyone laughs at doesn’t make me a snob. Excuse me for not wanting to be featured on Tosh.0.”
With that, I burst into laughter. Hendrix is caught off guard and begins to howl. I’m glad Jen’s found her spunk, even if it’s to tell me off. Damn that was funny.
“What? What’s so funny?” she asks in an agitated tone. “It’s pretty rude to laugh at people, you know.”
“Oh, sparky, believe me there is nothing funny about this. I try to help you by bringing you here. I try to be considerate by getting you things I think you’ll need during your stay at the only place available to me, and you find it’s not good enough. I find that rude.”
“Ugh! You’re infuriating,” she announces after letting my words sink in a bit. “I do appreciate what you’re doing and I know I can act like a brat at times. I’m sorry, I’m a little out of my element here. I’ve never done a lot of things, including camping.”
“Now that is funny. You’ve never been camping?” I laugh, but I almost find her confession somewhat sad. What person has never camped out under the stars? There were times as a kid I had no choice but to sleep outside to get away from what was happening at home. The drugs, the fights, the strangers coming in and out of the house; the outdoors was the only safe haven for my siblings and me. Sometimes, getting them to our secret campsite was the only way to keep them safe.
“Spoiled rich kid, remember?” she jests as she plops down onto the seat next to the small kitchen table and uses her finger to circle her face. “Really, though, my father never had time for things like that, and my mother wouldn’t be caught dead sleeping in a tent.”
“Well then why don’t you simmer a little and take this weekend as a time to not only regroup but have a new experience?”
She takes a moment to consider my offer, and I know she’ll cave. For all of the tough attitude Jen presents to the world, I know underneath all of the gruffness, is something fragile, something soft which needs nurturing. More and more I find myself wanting to be the man who protects that glass heart of hers…the one who glues her pieces back together.
“Okay, truce,” she says, holding her hand out to me. Leaning against the counter I try to act nonchalant about the fact she is willingly staying with me and will be a good sport about all of the outdoor activities she’ll be involved in today, but really I’m shaking with excitement. I want to make today unforgettable, help to erase the events of last night. When she closes her eyes tonight, I want her to see me and only me, not that piece of shit security guard.
I push off the counter and reach for her hand to accept the armistice. When she places her hand in mine, instead of shaking it, I pull her from the chair and to my body.
“I promise we will have a good weekend together, Jen,” I say, placing my hand on her back and pulling her even closer. “I plan to erase every memory of the nightmare of last night,” I whisper in her ear. Her breathing catches as my breath hits her neck, and I know I have her. I move away and slap her ass playfully. “So, get dressed in your damn Walmart camping clothes and get ready for an adventure!”
She squeals and lets out a huff, but then does what I ask, moving past me to the back bedroom. Just before reaching the door, she turns around to face me with a smile to match my own. “You’re an asshole, Casen Thompson, don’t forget that, but I do appreciate this.”
“I do my best, sparkplug,” I tell her with a nod before she turns and enters the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Jen
By the time I make it out of the camper, the dishes have all been cleaned up and Casen is sitting on the back of his truck with the dog. I don’t remember his name; Goliath fits him just fine for me. I managed to put myself together, with what I’m assuming are the best pieces in the Mary-Kate and Ashley collection. I’m impressed he remembered the small items like deodorant and a toothbrush. The average male would have forgotten such things and then insisted I use my finger with a little toothpaste and his Axe Body Spray to freshen up.
I want to hate Casen. I want to not want him, but when he does things for me which no other man has ever even thought to do, it makes it damn difficult. I might actually choke on the words, but he is a decent guy. Mix that with the tattoos and toned body, tousled hair and flippin’ steel-grey eyes, and I may have to weld myself a chastity belt to keep myself under control around him.
He looks no less tasty when he looks up from the mammoth sitting next to him and sails a panty-melting smile to me. No freaking fair. How does a woman even begin to maintain herself when a guy does that? I could take up residence in his adorable dimples when his hair sweeps across his brow, forcing him to run a hand through it to push it back. I have to direct my attention to something, anything else, but him.
“That thing is huge, it’s going to dent your truck,” I say as I adjust my ponytail. There was a shower, so I took full advantage of the camper’s bathroom facilities. I’m glad he was already dressed for the day because I used every ounce of hot water.
I look up again at Casen and he begins to chuckle. “You know, I’ve received several compliments over the years about my size, but never has someone suggested he would dent metal. I’m not sure what to say other than thank you.”
“Oh my God, you are such an adolescent. I was talking about your dog, but I’m glad to know you pride yourself on the size of your genitalia to such an extreme.” I roll my eyes and begin to walk toward the truck.
“What man doesn’t value his junk, sweetheart?” he laughs. “I knew you were talking about Henri, I just like watching you squirm,” he adds, hopping off the tailgate and moving around to the passenger door.
“Yeah right, whatever you say.”
Casen opens the door allowing the dog to jump in and then holds it open for me. “Climb in, Jen. We need to get moving if we want to have dinner tonight.”
I slide in onto the smooth leather of the bucket seat and push the horse over a bit to give myself a little more room, as it apparently has some kind of drooling condition.
“Are we going to a grocery store for food or something?” I ask once Casen is behind the wheel.
“Nope, we have to catch our dinner. We’re going to Skagway Reservoir to go fishing,” he answers, turning the key in the ignition, revving the engine to life.