Free Text Me by K. J. Reed

muttered.
    “Shut up,” Ariel shot at her, then turned back to Trav. “I’m
going to work with the foster system here in Philly. I’ve already interviewed
and the job is lined up, thank goodness. It’s something I’ve wanted to do
since, I don’t know, forever I think. My brother was adopted out of foster
care, actually. He was twelve when he came to us.” She paused to take a bite of
food.
    “Insensitive jerk,” Mary Ellen put in.
    Ariel just rolled her eyes as she chewed and swallowed.
“Anyway, the great part is that I’ll be close to home. I can work with the
foster system and my parents’ camp in conjunction. They own a summer camp,” she
clarified. “Just your normal summer camp that kids spend a few weeks at during
the school break. Swimming at the lake, learning to ride horses, that sort of
thing. But they try to offer as many scholarships as they can for
underprivileged kids to go.”
    “Where’s the cash from that come from?” Pete asked.
    “Well, sometimes from businesses donating. But mostly
throughout the year they host corporate retreats for executives. You know, like
two-day team-building workshops. Businesses are willing to pay for stuff like
that, and they don’t use nearly as many resources as summer camp kids do. So
that goes into scholarships as well.”
    “Hence why we put up with the butt-pinching geezers,” Mary
Ellen added. “I run the stables, which don’t always get a lot of use when the
kids aren’t there. But I also give private lessons throughout the year.”
    “So I hope to help my parents get hooked up with more
at-risk kids for scholarships, maybe even build in a long weekend at the camp
for special kids.”
    She sparkled. Her eyes glowed and she bubbled with
enthusiasm. The passion she felt for this future project was evident to
everyone. His respect—as well as desire—only climbed.
    The meal ended and the foursome headed out the front door.
Pete, taking his cue from Trav, enacted their previously discussed plan to give
Trav some time alone with Ariel.
    “Mary Ellen, I wondered if you wanted to take a walk,” he
started as he took her elbow and walked her down the sidewalk.
    “Oh, um,” she stuttered, throwing a glance over her
shoulder.
    “Go on. I’ll call you,” Ariel called and waved a hand.
    “All right.” She walked with Pete the opposite way, leaving
Trav and Ariel alone.
    “Come on, let’s walk this way.” Ariel grabbed his hand and
tugged until he caught up, checking his stride to match hers as they walked
away from the commercial area of downtown. “I’m glad to get some time with
you.”
    “Yeah, me too.” His throat felt as if it were swollen shut.
Now was the time. “I wanted to say something, actually.”
    “Oh, me first,” she said, eyes sparkling. “I’m glad I met
you. I’d been avoiding relationships or attachments for a while because I’m too
busy. And I know you’ll head back to your base and all. But…” She stopped and
looked up at him. “But I’m glad we met. You’re a good guy. And I won’t regret a
moment of our time when you go back.”
    Well. What the hell could he say to that? “I’m glad I met
you, too. But I need—”
    “Shh,” she murmured and reached up to press her lips to his.
“I think I know what you need. I need it, too. We’re two blocks away from my
apartment. I want you to come back with me. Make love to me in my own bed.”
    He had to say no. He had to resist the urge to blindly
accept her offer, drag her back to her place, strip her bare and give them the
pleasure they both wanted. Must resist.
    She twined her arms around his neck and pressed her body into
his. “Come home with me, Donovan.”
    “I would love to but—”
    She nipped his earlobe and his good-intentioned resistance
died a quick death. He sucked in a breath and she chuckled into his neck.
    “Come home with me,” she said again.
    He simply nodded and followed along, docile as a puppy, when
she took his hand and led the