Page 84 of Forever Player

I wince. “Yeah, we definitely need to take care of you.”

“Just don’t drag on conversation at dinner. Let them eat and I’ll call an Uber to take them to the hotel,” he urges. The fact he wants me so bad boosts my ego.

“You can’t do that. They came to town to see you. You need to take them to the hotel.”

“Is this a Southern hospitality thing?” he asks.

“Damn straight it is,” I reply.

“You’re trying to kill me,” he grumbles. He swats my ass as I take the rice out of the rice cooker.

I think he is trying to kill me because even that slap has me feeling heated, and thinking of Brett hard as a rock during dinner is just going to make me want to get on my knees and relieve him of that situation.

We serve dinner and Ms. Noble tells me all kinds of stories about Brett. I want to engage but Brett keeps eyeing me. It’s also awkward because I am pretty sure his brother has caught on that he wants them gone so he can have sexy times. Henry keeps laughing at Brett behind his fist, which he holds to his mouth.

“What’s so funny?” Ms. Noble suddenly asks Henry.

Henry removes his hand from his mouth and his laughter dies.

“Nothing, Mom,” he says like he’s back to being a little boy and his mom just caught him doing something wrong.

“These boys, they were always getting into trouble together. Along with our neighbor, Kaleb, they were The Three Musketeers. Kaleb is going to be my son-in-law soon. I’m just so excited about how this family is growing.”

“It is nice,” I agree. Brett places his hand on my thigh under the table and gives me a little squeeze and when I side glance at him, he’s giving me a look that says don’t engage the conversation. He can’t be serious. I need to answer the woman when she is speaking to me. What kind of impression would I make if I didn’t answer when she’s talking to me? But then his hand moves up my thigh, and his finger rubs my clit over my jogging pants. His plan seems to be working because I nod and smile to Ms. Noble without saying a word as my body heats up.

“This is absolutely delicious, Willow. I’ll have to get the recipe,” Ms. Noble says.

“I have it written down in the kitchen. It’s Maddie’s recipe,” I reply.

“I’m just so proud of her,” Ms. Noble says beaming. “And Asher must love little Maylee to pieces. Is there any chance she’ll wake up before dinner is over?”

“I hope not,” Brett mutters from beside me.

Henry laughs some more.

“Oh, Brett,” Ms. Noble says, shaking her head and rolling her eyes playfully.

“Well, thank you for a delicious meal,” Ms. Noble says.

“Yes, thank you,” Henry adds too.

“Oh, there’s still dessert,” I say as Brett groans beside me.

“We’ll pass on dessert,” Ms. Noble declines. “I see my son is a little eager to. . .go to sleep.” She winks.

My cheeks heat. “OMG.” I spin and look at Brett. “I am so embarrassed.”

“Oh, don’t be, darling. It’s all good. I remember what it is like to be young and want sexy times,” Ms. Noble says waggling her brows.

“Mom,” Brett chides. “That’s gross.”

“What? Me and Will were quite hot for each other at the beginning. We still are,” she shares.

“My ears are hurting, please stop,” Brett whines.

“I need to go clean my ears out now,” Henry complains.

“I’m telling you; these boys don’t see me as a woman. It’s like they think I’m some alien who brought them into the world,” Ms. Noble says. “Please don’t be embarrassed, dear. I know we intruded on your special evening. We will have lots of time to spend together. Is it okay if we come back tomorrow to meet my granddaughter?”

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