Page 97 of The Close-Up
I run my fingers through his short-cropped hair.
“I think I need to be reminded of just how good we can be,” I say.
Simon gently takes my chin in his hand, then presses a soft kiss to my lips. When he leans away, he’s smiling.
“I might need the assistance of one of those toys you dropped in my nightstand the other day,” he growls. “I caught a glimpse of a couple that looked like they’d be a lot of fun. But first.”
He slips his hands under my shirt and cups my bare breasts. Instantly I’m moaning.
Again our mouths fall into a rhythm of filthy kisses. A second later I’m pulling off his shirt and he’s tugging off my shorts. In a minute, we’re both nearly naked in the kitchen, our mouths and our hands going wild all over each other.
Simon’s gaze fixes on mine. Then he drops to his knees and positions his face between my legs.
When he hooks his finger over the crotch of my underwear, I’m shuddering. “Show me,” I pant. “How good.”
“Can do.”
“Thanks for driving,” I say to Simon as he pulls into the driveway of my parents’ house.
“It’s no problem.” He twists to the backseat and fetches the two bouquets of flowers he picked up this morning from a florist in his neighborhood.
“You really didn’t have to bring anything.” I climb out of the car and shut the door. “Especially with all the cookies and muffins I’m bringing.”
I grab the three Tupperware containers from the back.
“I thought your mom said not to bring any food,” Simon says.
“She did, and I know she’ll tell me off for it, but I had to. I can’t have three dozen peanut butter cookies and banana chocolate chip muffins sitting around. It’s too much.”
I spent most of this morning stress baking in anticipation of bringing Simon over to meet my family. Even though we’re not making a big deal about our status, my family will make comments about him and us the moment we walk in, and just the thought of that gives me hives.
“Anytime you want to cook giant batches of cookies and muffins, I fully support it. They’re delicious and it makes me go all gooey inside to think that you baked me something.”
When we walk in, we’re hit with a blast of conversation and laughter. I kick off my sandals and move to the side so Simon can stand next to me in the entryway. A dozen people sit in the living room, chatting away, not even noticing that we’ve walked in the door. Two of my younger cousins are setting up the karaoke machine the family breaks out every time there’s a gathering.
Harper walks out from the hallway. With her jean shorts, blue flannel button-up, thick-rimmed glasses, and the messy bun she’s sporting, she looks more like a hipster college student than a mega-successful corporate architect.
“Hey, you two!” She greets us both with hugs right as our cousin’s toddler son ambles up to her and tugs at her hand. He holds up his sippy cup.
“Auntie Harper, milk? Please?”
I aww at his puppy dog eyes.
Harper’s expression softens. “Of course, baby.”
She leads him to the kitchen, where another dozen family members are zipping around cooking, setting up plates, and snacking.
I gesture with my hand. “Meet the Ellorza clan.”
Just then Mom darts from the kitchen to the living room. She runs a hand through her shoulder-length black hair.
“ManongSeb, can you help Gordon light the grill? I swear he’s going to set the whole backyard on fire the way he’s trying to do it.” She smooths down the front of her floral print blouse with a hand, turns around, and breaks into a wide smile when she spots me.
“You’re here!” She squints at the stack of Tupperware containers in my arms. “Ay, what is that?”
“I brought dessert.”
She shakes her head and, just like I thought she would, she tells me I shouldn’t have brought anything. She scoops the Tupperware from my arms and puts them on top of the nearby console table. Then she pulls me into a hug before turning to Simon. “Simon! It’s wonderful to finally meet you in person!”
