Page 35 of Everlasting Love

Well, if he’s gonna be like that. I reach across and grab two balls, adding one to my plate and one to Violet’s.

“Here’s your tea, ómorfi kyría,” Cristo says as he places a small tray with a teapot and cup on the table in front of Vi. He turns to me with a wink and says, “Courtesy of your companion.”

“Thank you. You didn’t need to go to so much trouble for me.”

“It was no trouble at all. Enjoy.”

Everyone around the table takes the opportunity to thank Cristo for the delicious meal and desserts and Violet pours her tea into the cup, her lips tipped up at the edges. “Thank you for this. I didn’t want to make a fuss.”

“You’re welcome, but I don’t think asking for tea could be considered making a fuss, Blue.”

She takes a sip, closing her eyes in appreciation, and I have the sudden urge to lean forward and press a gentle kiss to her lips. I glance around the table, noticing Oliver and Kate leaning close together, whispering to each other while Cassia and Toby do the same.

“Hey,” Violet whispers, breaking me from my observation. When I turn my head, her face is mere inches from mine. It would be so easy to lean forward and steal that kiss I was thinking about a moment ago. When I raise my eyes to hers, there’s a hint of a smile like she caught me staring at her mouth,and she knows I’m tempted to kiss her. “I was wondering if you’d be able to help me with something.”

“Sure.”

She grins. “You don’t even know what it is,” she says playfully.

“Whatever you need, you know I’m happy to help.”

She drops her eyes for a moment and fidgets with the ends of her hair. I’ve noticed she does that whenever she feels nervous or uncomfortable. “I know,” she murmurs, her playfulness gone, and I’m not sure why.

I need to change her mood, so I bite into a zesty lemon slice and moan as the sweet and sour flavors burst across my tongue. I point to the same dessert on Vi’s plate. “Eat that.”

She looks at me and then, without question, scoops a piece up with her fork, places it on her tongue, then slides the utensil out of her mouth between her lips. Her eyes widen as she chews and then close in delight as she moans around the delicious treat. “Oh my gosh, that’s so freaking good.” I try to block out the huskiness of her moans of enjoyment and do my best not to think about how she would sound if I were to slide my dick into her pussy. Concentrating like I’m sitting for an exam, I work hard to focus on something else.Anythingelse.

Leaning across the table, I collect another slice to place on her plate and one on mine before Toby eats everything in sight. Violet chuckles as I make a big production of securing each of us another piece.

“Oi! What do you think you’re doing?” Toby calls out across the table.

I lick my fingers slowly, then answer, “Making sure we don’t miss out.”

Everyone around the table laughs at our playfulness and now that Vi appears to have moved past whatever upset her momentsago, I nudge her with my arm. “So, what did you need help with?”

Her head snaps around the group and once she sees whatever she is looking for, she leans in close. “Mom and I have an idea for a wedding present.”

I lean closer still to ensure our conversation stays between us. “Oh, yeah. Tell me more.”

“Last summer, we noticed the area around Toby’s pool?—”

“I’ll have to stop you there. It’s TobyandCassia’s pool area now.”

She smiles at me and nods. “Well, yeah. Mom and I noticed it’s a bit bland. Everything else about their place is stunning but the pool area could do with some plants.” I raise my brows and my lips tip up. “Anyway, we thought we could jazz up the area while they’re away on their honeymoon.”

I’m nodding before she can finish asking. “What do you need?”

“I don’t suppose you could get me a key to their back gate? If I ask, it’ll seem suspicious but I figure you already have access to all of that.”

“Of course. I think it’s a great idea. I’ll give you my key after the wedding, and you can give it back to me after the honeymoon.”

“Thanks, Shane.”

“Can I contribute financially, so the gift is from all of us? I have no idea what to get them.”

Vi smiles at me and it does something strange to me every single time. “Sure. We can work it out later. Mom can get the plants at wholesale prices through her business so that will keep the price down.”

“Sounds good. Let me know what I owe, and I’ll transfer it across to you.”

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