Page 39 of Finding Solace
"I am," she tellsme.
Running my fingers down her arm, I let my warm breath dance across her ear as I whisper, "You wear this forme?"
I watch her lip turn up with a mischievous grin. "Maybe," she tellsme.
I pull her into me, pressing my hard length against herass.
"You're fuckin' perfect, Mila Vaughn," I kiss her neck again causing her skin to break out ingoosebumps.
"Come on, sunshine," Quinn begs as he towers over Emerson who has walked off. I've never, not in all the time I've known Quinn, seen a woman turn him down. Whatever he gives them they always come back for more. Not with Emerson and it’s thrown him for a loop. I don’t know what to think with this one. Either he is in it for the thrill of the chase, or he has caught what the rest of us have. We all watch what will happen next. Emerson stops, turns and faces him, appearing to listen to what he might have to say. He attempts to lean down and whisper something in her ear, but as soon as he does she places the palms of her hands on his chest then gives him a firm shove. Catching him entirely off guard, he falls backward into the pool, water spraying those of us closeenough.
"Dumbass," Gabriel mumbles, placing Gabe on Alba'slap.
"What did I miss?" Nikolai asks walking around the corner of the house with his hands full of grocery bags. Sam and Leah are right behind him carrying a cake box. I look around. I think the whole family has finally showed up. Except for Prez. I don’t see him anywhere. It's not like him to not show up to things like this. "Where's Prez?" I ask no one inparticular.
"He called earlier this morning. He said he'd be late, but he'd be here. Something is going on with him. I'm not sure what. You know he's tight-lipped about personal shit. He doesn’t share with no one." Logan explains gaining all our attention. I've notice Jake has been a little edgier than usual this past week. I hope everything's alright. As Logan said, Jake doesn’t share anything outside of club business with noone.
I've yet to let go of Mila, just as Logan has a tight hold of Bella and Gabriel has sat his large ass frame down on the lounge chair Alba was on and has her on his lap, and the baby is onhers.
Nikolai walks inside for a few minutes then walks back out with a timid Leah following behind him holding a platter of burgers to cook on the grill. She's always as quiet as a mouse. She hardly says a word to anyone, preferring to keep to herself, but I've noticed Nikolai has taken an interest in her. I'm not sure if it's sexually though. He's very gentle in the way he talks and approachesher.
Hearing her giggles and the splashing, I look off to the side in the grassy area next to the pool and watch Ava playing in the little blow-up kiddie pool set up for the smaller kids. It’s a good thing too because, between Sofia, her friends from school and some of the member's kids, a good dozen teenagers are hanging out in the groundpool.
"Looks like Sam has taken a liking to Sofia," Nikolai gestures as he points the spatula in his hand towards the other side of thepool.
We take notice of Sam standing with Sofia. The two of them talking and smiling at one another when Sam reaches up and pushes her fallen hair from herface.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about Sam, guys. He's not interested in Sofia," Alba says brushing it off and giving her attention back to the squirming baby in her arms. It doesn't look like nothin' to me, and I'm sure my brothers feel thesame.
"What the hell do you mean nothin' to worry about? He has a dick, and he's lookin' at her like he wants her for dessert," Logan lets go of Bella and clenches his fists at his side. Oh hell, this is not going to end well if we don’t get Sam away fromSofia.
"Sam is gay," Leah softly says from besideNikolai.
"Leah," both Alba and Bellachastise.
"Like hell he is. That boy is not gay," Iadd.
Nikolai softly talks to Leah. Low enough no one else can hear, but whatever he says helps her to relax. "I can assure you, ladies; you are wrong." he turns and addresses usall.
Well, doesn’t matter because while we were over here discussing Sam's sexual orientation, Quinn took it upon himself to break up the little moment the two were having and currently is having a talk withSam.
"Where is the birthday girl?" Prez's voices booms over the sound of music and kids as he strides towardseveryone.
Sofia runs over and stands on her tiptoes and hugs his neck, and he hands her a small wrappedbox.
"Thank you, Jake. Where's Grace?" She asks lookingaround.
"Couldn't make it, sweetheart," He looks down at her and gives a forced smile. "Open it," he tellsher.
Tearing the paper off, she pulls the top off the small box in her hand. "Oh, my goodness! It's so pretty." Lifting the gift from the box, she shows off a delicate, gold chain with a small gold cross dangling at the end. Handing it to Jake, she waits for him to put in on her. Like with the rest of us, Jake is the father figure in our lives and with Sofia it's been no different. Unfortunately for her, she now also has several brotherstoo.
An hour later everyone gathers and find a seat at one of the many fold out tables that have been set up end to end. A tired, water-logged Ava sits between Mila and me chewing on the cheeseburger in her hands. I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this happy andcontent.
"You have an amazing family, Reid," Mila says as she takes in all the faces at thetable.
"Wehave an amazing family, babe," I tellher.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
