Page 50 of Blue Moon Mistress

They lead me through the house and into the living room where the woodstove radiates a bone-meltingly perfect heat.

“Let us know if you’re too cold,” Thomas says before pulling open the large, chest-like piece of furniture they use as a coffee table.

It’s stuffed full of games.

“A lot of these are four-player.”

“And if you want to play one of them, we will be more than happy to cycle ourselves through the other seats.”

“Doesn’t seem fair.”

“If you sit on our lap, it will be a perfect consolation prize.”

“Sorry.”

His brows pinch for a moment, until I hold up the board game box. And then, his smile turns sharp and he takes it from me. “That was almost mean.”

“But only almost.”

Chase holds me to his side, picking me up and carrying me as if we’re dancing in an old movie.

At some point, he’s going to have to let me go… but I’m not going to tell him that until I absolutely have to.

When he lets me back on my own two feet and I’m only leaning on him a little, I get my first glimpse at the kitchen. Someone has been prepping for game night and I wonder if this is what they do every Wednesday night… or if it’s more because they hoped I’d accept Thomas’ invitation.

Almost as soon as Thomas sets the game down on the table, the door at the back of the kitchen opens, and Johnny tromps through. He freezes when he sees me.

Maybe Thomas didn’t mention to the group at large that he was inviting me over for tonight.

He struggles out of his jacket, watching me like I’ll disappear at any second.

“Welcome home.”

His eyes narrow. “I like that too much.”

Stepping close, he plants a brief kiss on my lips and then backs two steps away. “I need to shower. Don’t go anywhere.”

He points at the other two. “If you let her leave before I’m back, I will take it out on you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I call after him.

“You’d better not!” The door closes and I hear the water turn on immediately.

“I think,” Chase says, still holding on to me. “You might want to come over more, just so none of us accidentally maul you after you’ve been gone too long.”

More stomping turns me back to the doorway, but Joshua doesn’t come in right away.

“He tries to get all the sawdust off him before he comes through the kitchen.”

“How thoughtful of him.”

“It’s not thoughtful,” Joshua says as he opens the door and steps inside, carrying his boots. “I’m the one who’d have to clean it up later, so why get it dirty in the first place?”

“An over fondness for your shop vac?” Chase suggests.

It gets him a dirty look and I make a mental note to ask about the story that went along with that jab.

“I’m glad you came.” Joshua says, turning to me. “Hopefully you’ll play Hearts with us, and can finally put Thomas in his place.”

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