Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

another? Let’s do some exploring and check out the empty house at the beach.”

“I’d like that very much.” Her husky whispered words embarrassed her.

Caleb grabbed the basket from her, climbed the steps to the inn, and opened the front door. “Coming?”

What’s he doing?

She didn’t want to consider the end of the night but loved the emotional high he gave her.

She watched him step inside, moving far away.

Damn, not the way I expected to end the night.

“I need you to come back for a moment.” Her voice sounded loud in the quiet evening.

He retraced his steps and held out a hand to help her. She resisted, drawing him to her and planted a kiss on his lips.

She’d take what she wanted.

He drew back, but then his lips melted with her, and his hand brought her close.

The kiss was exotic and intoxicating. A cliff dive off the edge of her reality. She wanted to keep the intensity and security forever.

A noise from inside the inn startled her. She eyed the windows to determine if someone was spying. Forcing herself away, she scurried around him, hopped the steps, and disappeared inside.

She blew him a kiss from the lobby and headed to her room.

Her fingers brushed her lips, and she wondered if Caleb wanted more. She did. In bed, she tossed, replaying the date, and contemplated why she’d been the one to kiss him.

Did he have all the feelings he claimed to? If he did, what comes next?

19

In his room, Caleb studied the guitar. He stared at it, poked it like roadkill with his foot before picking it up. It had survived the outbreak, his travels, his only constant companion, and keepsake from the past. His father had given it to him and taught him how to play.

At the arrival of the pandemic, Caleb understood it was adapt to the new world or die. When he’d woken up, disorientated from the fever, and of the New Race, he’d refused to look back. He’d slammed the door on the past, but then Jenna showed up and made him want to share.

Caleb wanted more, but she was skittish. They could share whatever this new life would offer, but only if she made the choice to do so. Jenna had to pick him. To want him. A hard lesson to learn by herself, but Caleb would help her down the road a little bit.

The guitar rested against his knees. Thrumming the strings and tuning the instrument, he began to play. The notes and chords sang cherished memories. Transitioning into the song he wanted to share with Jenna, Caleb considered writing a song for her. It would have to wait. It would take time to compose it, but the inn just might give him the needed respite.

Gorgeous in a quirky, kick the living shit out of a Streaker kind of way, Jenna differed from his initial impressions. From the day the group came across her in the cemetery, she’d been moody, independent, and wild, but the tough exterior hid a fragile nature and tragedies. Tragedies were the things they all shared the most of these days.

She rebelled against this existence, and he could tell, she still mourned her old life. While it was tough to crack her hard exterior while on the road struggling for survival, now she’d revealed a gentler, nostalgic side. As the last notes echoed from his guitar, Caleb could not help but wonder when he had fallen in love.

He lowered the instrument and crossed to his bedroom window overlooking the lake. The first hint of the sun, ready to rise, diminished the darkness. Exhaustion clung, and he sprawled across the big bed. Before allowing sleep to dominate, he planned their next date.

A week had passed, and for Jenna, the days dragged slowly. She tended the garden, removing the weeds that no amount of plucking had been able to eliminate, to abate her insecurity about Caleb. She was happy, still riding the high from her time with him. Her garden, that was producing something good as well. The maturing plants supplied a variety of vegetables.

On autopilot, Jenna plucked weeds and considered about how much of a farmer she’d turned into. Alongside Jackie, Beth, and Emma, she learned different canning techniques. Even Aiko joined in and their little party experimented with preserving food for the winter. Now the group had fresh milk thanks to a recent discovery of a nanny goat in the woods, and they planned to find recipes utilizing milk and cheese.

While tempted to join with the scavenging party leaving to explore new, not-so-nearby residences, the garden, the horses, and new goat, eradicated any free time. Cat, who nudged a hand every time she put it down, was also very demanding.

She spied Emma crossing the field in her direction.

No surprise there.

Tonight, she had a big date with Caleb, but she hadn’t caught a glimpse of him. The man had to be plotting with the older woman.

“Can I help you?” Emma asked.

“Of course.”

She sat cross legged on the ground and began to pull at weeds. “What’s new?”

“Since yesterday, nothing.”

“What’s new with you and Caleb?” Her voice trilled.

“I’m looking forward to tonight. Isn’t that what you really came out here to talk about?”

“You know me so well. Tell me everything. What are you doing? Where are you going?”

“It’s not like we can watch a movie or go to a Broadway play.” Jenna shook her head in disbelief. “Weren’t you in on it anyway. I thought you were part of the planning committee.”

“He’s kept it secret from me too. You must have some inkling.”

“He won’t tell me anything.”

Emma’s eyebrow shot up. “Not one clue?”

“I swear.”

“So romantic.”

“It’s frustrating. And this is all so weird because right outside our little utopia Streakers rule and people, if there are any left, continue to die.”

“More reasons to enjoy what you have and the fact you can have it.”

“I’m worried about one thing. Remember how I was alone and injured when I met the group?”

“You had scars on your