Page 24 of Eternally Yours
By the time we’ve placed everything outside and are finishing up inside, it’s well past six and my stomach has started rumbling quietly. Silas comes up behind me as I stare out at their beautiful backyard, wrapping his arms around me. He presses a kiss to the top of my head before resting his chin against it. I place my hands over his arms. It’s only been three days, but it already feels so natural, like we’ve been together for years.
“I’m sorry this isn’t the date you were expecting. But I think we’re about done. So, I’ll sneak us out of here, and we can go eat somewhere nice alone,” he tells me in a low voice.
“It’s okay, I’ve had a great time. I didn’t get the chance to talk with Clay much, but Morgan’s amazing,” I answer truthfully. I really have been enjoying myself.
Morgan and I have been talking and laughing all afternoon, we even had a few glasses of wine along the way. Which resulted in us slowing down and the men having to pick up our slack. It was a good day. I’m glad Silas’s plans changed.
We turn around, still in each other’s arms, just as Clay and Morgan come our way, Clay speaking up first. “Why don’t you both join us for dinner? You must be starving after all the work we’ve done. And finding a place to eat at this time on a Saturday night won’t be easy.”
“I don’t know, man. I promised my girl we’d have some one-on-one time,” Silas answers before I can accept the offer.
I want to get to know the Burkleys a little more. Growing up with just my grandmother was nice, but I’ve always envied big family gatherings. There might only be four of us, but I’ve always enjoyed being around other people.
“Oh, please stay. I have a lasagna ready in the fridge that just needs to be popped in the oven. It’ll be my thank you for helping out today,” Morgan says with pleading eyes directed at me.She knows she’s already won me over.
“We’d love to,” I tell them, smiling broadly.
“Are you sure?” Silas whispers, although everyone can still hear.
“Yes, I want to stay. If that’s okay with you?” I look up at him with questioning eyes.
He stares at me for a while, going over every one of my facial features. I offer him a smile, hoping he can see how much I meant my words.
Finally, he gives a quick nod and turns back to Morgan and Clay. “Well then, I guess we’re staying,” he says.
Chapter ten
Silas
Savor that ice cream one lick at a time.
The day turned out way better than I could’ve imagined. I knew everyone would get along well, I just hadn’t expected it to be like this. Cecilia and Morgan have been glued to each other’s side from the moment they met, talking on and on as if they’d known each other their entire lives. Even Clay has warmed up to her, asking her questions about her life and joking with her.
Clay is a pretty reserved guy and often comes off as unapproachable, that is, until you actually get to know him, then he turns into this big teddy with a heart of gold. If there’s anyone in my life that I trust with anything, including my girl, it’s him. So, seeing them get along like this makes me feel elated.
Dinner was delicious as usual. If Morgan ever quit her job, I could definitely see her becoming a chef. After cleaning up the kitchen, we all came outside by the fire pit with beers and warm blankets, given the chilly nights settling on us.
Each couple is resting on opposite sides of the outdoor U-shaped sectional. I’m currently sitting sideways with my legs up on the couch and spread wide, while Cecilia is seated between them with the back of her head resting against my chest. A big, heavy blanket covers us up, keeping us nice and warm.
Every time she talks or laughs, I can feel the sound vibrating through me.It’s paradise.
“You ready for this season, Hayes?” Clay asks, nodding my way.
“Yeah, I think this one might be ours. I’m feeling pretty lucky this year,” I say to him, but smile down at Cecilia as she looks back at me, our eyes locking together.
One of my hands is placed under the blanket, resting over her stomach. Her shirt has untucked from her pants and risen slightly, giving my pinkie finger access to her smooth skin. I move it delicately back and forth over the exposed area, causing her to shiver slightly.
“Making it to the Cup has nothing to do with luck. It’s about strategy, teamwork, and effort. Giving our all at every game—that’s what’ll get us far. And for that towork, your head needs to be in the game. You above everyone else,” Clay tells me sternly, his hard gray eyes boring into mine.
I know what he’s saying. As captain, it’s my job to always be my best, to pump up my teammates, be a great leader, and be one hundred percent focused. And with our last practice, I was anything but. It may not have been a game, but it shouldn’t be any different.
“Yeah, I know. Don’t worry about it,” I say earnestly, maintaining eye contact so he can see just how much I mean it.
I tighten my hold on Cecilia, bringing her in closer to me and resuming my hand motion over her warm skin. My little finger brushes against the waistband of her jeans, causing an audible intake of air from her. I can see the slight tremble in her hand where she holds her bottle.
She readjusts herself, pushing further into my groin as she turns her head slowly from side to side, nestling against my chest. My heart rate picks up, blood flowing south into regions it shouldn’t at this moment.
My hand tightens on her, ceasing her movements. “Minnie, I’m gonna need you to stop doing that,” I murmur into her ear through clenched teeth.
