The Boyfriend Experience (The Boyfriend Experience 1)

Gene insisted on paying for the meal, then they all walked out to the parking lot together.

Lauren dug into her purse and withdrew a key with a wooden fob with a number on it, handing it to Evie. “Here’s your key since I’ve already checked you in. And I left a little something for the two of you in your cabin. You know, just to spice things up.”

Evie took the key, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. “Uhhh, thank you?” she said, her tone a little sarcastic.

“Oh, I’m sure you will.” Lauren gave them both an exaggerated wink.

As soon as they were in the car, Evie buried her hands in her face and groaned like a wounded animal. “Now do you see how ridiculous my parents are?”

He laughed. “No. I find them . . . fascinating. And I can’t wait to see what your mother left for us.”

She dropped her hands and stared at him incredulously. “Think extra ribbed condoms, flavored lubricant, handcuffs, a vibrator . . . None of those things are beyond the realm of possibility with my mom.”

“Now I really can’t wait.” Grinning, he hooked his hand around the back of her neck and drew her face to his so that he was looking into her light, blue eyes. They were flashing with agitation, and he wanted it gone. “And you, Evie Bennett, are absolutely adorable when you’re all riled up.”

He kissed her, and the way she melted into him was pure heaven, making him forget, for now, the pain and turmoil he’d been in just a short while ago.

CHAPTER TEN

The drive to the Lakeside Camping Resort was a short ten-minute trip from the restaurant—not nearly long enough for Evie to have a conversation about Eric’s family with him. She was still blown away by what he’d revealed, and while she’d given him carte blanche to fabricate whatever story he wanted about his background, she knew he’d opted for the truth. There was no way Eric would make up something so devastating. Most importantly, with her hand holding his, she’d literally felt his pain and had seen it etched all over his face after he’d told them he’d had a twin sister who had died so tragically young.

Her heart hurt for him and everything he must have gone through at such a young age—and that still clearly affected him. On the outside, Eric Miller came across as a fun-loving, easygoing guy who seemed to have a charmed life. Or maybe that’s just what she wanted to believe since it was easier not to get emotionally attached that way. Which was why she hadn’t asked him about his family, or any other personal questions, up to this point. She honestly thought it didn’t matter considering he was just a hired boyfriend, but suddenly, his life, his scars and heartaches made a difference to her.

When they arrived at the resort, they drove past the main lodge, where they were scheduled to meet family for a buffet breakfast, and followed the signs to their cabin. Eric parked the car, he grabbed their bags, and they followed the pathway to the cute log structure. They climbed the three stairs to a small porch, and with the key that Evie’s mother had given to her, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Since this wasn’t her first time at Lakeside, she already knew what the interior of the cabins looked like, but considering she and Eric were essentially going to be living together for the next few days, it suddenly seemed very . . . intimate.

A double-sized bed filled the main room, with an attached bathroom with a walk-in shower and vanity—and there was no overlooking the basket of “goodies” her mother had left propped up against the pillows. From the entrance, you could glimpse the kitchenette around the corner, with a tiny refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, and table with two chairs. There wasn’t a couch or TV. Then again, they weren’t there to lie around and spend the weekend watching Netflix. No, Lakeside Camping Resort was all about unplugging and getting in touch with nature.

“I told you the cabin was small,” she said, turning to face Eric.

“I didn’t expect a penthouse,” he joked, though he seemed distracted, and she was pretty sure she knew the cause.

Their dinner conversation was probably still subconsciously on his mind. And since it was a beautiful and cool July evening and dusk was settling in, she decided that she didn’t want to spend the rest of the night cooped up in the cabin. Leaving the luggage packed for now, she opened the closet and grabbed an extra quilt-like blanket and tucked it into the crook of her arm, then came back to Eric, who was still standing by the door.

He glanced in confusion at the bed covering she was holding. “What’s with the blanket?”