Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

and more. Sundays were spent doing everything I hadn’t finished during the week, plus cleaning my apartment and running errands before the hectic week started again.

I constantly had a to-do list a page long, and I began to feel like it was never-ending. I think that had a lot to do with what happened. Maybe if I hadn’t been so busy, I would have realized just how much trouble Jimmy had gotten in.

I instantly stop my mind from going there. I take a big inhale and let it out, like I’m letting go of the bad juju my thoughts just brought.

I look around, breathing in the peacefulness around us. “I don’t remember the last time I spent the day completely relaxed. Living in New York and working for a national publication are stressful. I’m always on the go.”

“Then, I’m honored you want to waste time with me.”

My mind starts to wander, thinking of what life would be like, living here, being able to do this more often. Thankfully, I’m broken out of the spell when Tucker reaches in front of me. His slight scent hits me just like it did last time, and I bask in it for a brief moment as he flips on the radio.

Before pulling back, he turns and smiles in my direction. “Always have to have music.”

I agree, “It’s a must.”

Country music blasts through the speakers that line the black railing above us, which looks to hold kneeboards as well.

“My mom always likes going to your shows because you play older country music but not many newer songs. Why is that?” I take a sip of my beer as I smile at him.

He sits back in his seat, placing his arm on the back and looking super relaxed. “I like the old stuff. It reminds me of good times.”

“Not as many good times with the new ones?”

He grins, and I’m not sure if I want to know what that grin says exactly. “Of course there are. But the old ones bring me back to when I was younger. Experiencing life for the first time. Before I had responsibilities, a job, a son. When life was all about where you were going to get your next beer and which girl you wanted to get in the back of your truck.”

“Oh really?” I raise my eyebrows playfully at him.

“Or the front. I was totally okay with the front too.” He winks as he takes a sip from his beer.

“Now, I know why that truck means so much to you.” I laugh and shake my head.

He grabs some salami, crackers, and cheese from the bag and holds it out to me. “I figured we could snack, so the beer and heat don’t get to us too quickly.”

“Smart.” I grab a few of each and hold them in my hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t bring plates. I guess I’m not that prepared.” He shrugs, like oh well.

“I’m all about roughing it, and this is one damn good place to rough it.”

He stands and heads to the rear of the boat. “This entire back area is great to lie on.” He takes a towel and opens it to lie flat on the padded surface.

I stand and unbutton my shorts.

“I told you I’d get you out of those,” he jokes.

I wish I could see his eyes from under his glasses because the way the rest of his face looks, it feels like they are searing into me.

I take my time as I shimmy out of them, keeping my sight on him. This simple movement brings heat racing all over my body.

The way he’s watching me.

The way he’s making me feel like the sexiest thing alive in a simple gaze is so powerful.

So amazing.

And believe me, I want more of this feeling.

I lie down on my back where he laid the towel and relish in the heat washing over me. With one knee up, I glance over to Tucker, who’s approaching me with so much masculinity bursting out of him.

He removes his shirt, and all I see are cut muscles, tattoos, and pure man.

I never thought I would notice the difference between a twenty-something and a forty-something-year-old man, but I see it clear as day. In the way his skin is slightly worn but in a good way. He takes care of his body but not in a I lift weights and I’m beefed up kind of way. More in an I work for a living way. And it’s sexy as hell, and it’s making me lust in ways I shouldn’t be thinking of right now.

He hands me the beer I left on the other side of the boat. There’s a slight shake to his hand, but I ignore it and take it from him as he sits on the bench seat right below me, stretching out his legs and resting his head on the side of the boat.

“Do you do this often?” I ask, turning my head so I’m only a few inches from him.

He tilts his head to face me, and I wish so badly that I could see his green eyes under those glasses of his.

“As often as I can. This is my Zen place. Nothing but me and the water. I come here to think, reflect, and just enjoy life.”

“Sounds like you normally come here alone.”

He lets out a slight chuckle. “Yep. Don’t tell anyone my secret. You’re the first person I’ve brought out here.”

His words feel like a warm blanket wrapping around me.

We stare at each other for a breath. He’s so close, and I don’t know what I want right now, but I know if he kissed me, I wouldn’t stop him.

I watch his chest rise with an inhale before he sits up, obviously affected by our moment, just as I was.

“I’ll grab us some snacks to bring back here.”

The rest of our time is spent lying around, listening to music, and chatting about everything yet nothing at all. He keeps his distance, which I appreciate but it’s driving