Page 102 of More To Us

Chapter Nineteen

Austin

"Did you get enough to eat?" I ask Kira as we finish lunch. "Because my dad could grill you up some more burgers."

"No, thanks." She laughs. "One was plenty."

I've been teasing her for not eating enough. I told her how much my family eats, especially me and my brothers. She has brothers too, but they're younger and smaller than us so don't eat nearly as much as my family does. My dad and I each had two burgers and I also had a grilled chicken breast. And then we had sides; grilled corn, coleslaw, baked beans, and my dad got brownies from the store bakery. So yeah, we pigged out. I eat whatever I want on holidays.

"It's nice you could join us," my dad says to Kira. "We usually have a much larger crowd on a holiday but now that my sons all have girlfriends, they tend to want to do their own thing." He smiles. "Except for you two."

"I wouldn't leave you all alone on the holiday, Dad." I smile at him. "And as for Kira, I lured her here with your burgers. I told her about your talents on the grill."

"It was all really good," she says. "Thanks again for having me."

She's thanked him at least three times and I smiled each time she did it. I like a girl with manners. Sadly, that's hard to find.

My dad stands up from the table. "I suppose I should clean this up."

Kira jumps up. "I can do it."

"Thanks, but I don't need any help. You two stay out here and relax. "

"Are you sure?" She looks desperate to help.

He glances at me, a smile in his eyes. He likes her. I knew he did, but now that he's had more time with her, he likes her even more.

He nods at me. "Just keep him out of trouble. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay." She smiles as she sits down.

My dad takes our plates and goes inside the house.

I hold Kira's hand and lean back in my chair. "Awesome day. Not too hot. Not too windy."

"I know. I went out and ran this morning and it was perfect."

I look at her. "You went running?"

"Just a few miles. I did sprints."

I smile at her. "You work out more than I do."

"I like working out. And I really need to get in better shape."

My eyes fall over her curvy yet muscular body. "You're already in great shape." I lean over and kiss her. "You're freaking hot. Your body's perfect."

"Thanks, but I want to be in better shape. I need to get stronger. I was thinking we need to up the intensity of my workouts. I want to push myself."

I turn to face her. "I'm already working you pretty hard. If you push it much more, you're gonna get hurt."

"I won't. I know my limits."

I shrug. "All right. Then we'll push you harder." I kiss her, then talk over her mouth. "But you're gonna be sore, which means you'll need a massage."

She smiles. "From you?"

"I'm your trainer. It's part of my job."

---