Page 16 of Another Round
We.
There is no ‘we’ in any sense of the word except bodyguard and client. She wants to go so I have to as well. Except that I want her all to myself and not be forced to share her with anyone for the long weekend. Or ever actually.
Of course, she deserves more than boring dinners with a man old enough to be her father. Especially when she proves once again that she really is a good person. Willing to sacrifice her own desires. Putting my feelings before her own. Holding back for me and my issues. Which she is absolutely correct that I’d rather have her stab me in the eyes with that fork than make small talk with a bunch of strangers. But, that’s not fair to her. That’s why I’ll go. That’s why I’ll be nice. “Definitely. It sounds fun.”
All of her doubt evaporates from my lie. Replaced with the euphoria I’ve missed. The smile I crave.
“Really? You don’t mind? We can go?”
“Sure. It’ll be great.”
It’s not great.
“This is my friend, Andy. Andy, this is Patrick. He’s the marketing director at SBI.”
The man recovers pretty quick from his shock and plasters on a huge fake smile while he pumps my hand. An elegant gorgeous woman escorted by a punk with ink on both arms and each finger always sparks confusion.
“Pleasure Andy. Glad to have you both here. Make yourselves at home.” He gestures toward the expansive deck covering the entire back of the cabin and furnished with teal and navy furniture set in small conversational groupings. Lanterns swing in the breeze across the roof line providing enough light to see all the way to the water’s edge.
“Bar’s to the left and food’s to the right. We’ve got stuff for roasting hot dogs and everything you could possibly need to make s’mores.”
“Wow! Your home is beautiful. Thank you so much for having us.”
“You’re welcome. If you need anything just let me know.”
He gives her a pleased nod and me one more pat on the shoulder before he heads off to greet other guests and we make our way to the dessert bar. I chuckle from her biting into a chocolate square before piling a plate with graham crackers and marshmallows. I guess she couldn’t wait to dig in.
About fifty people mill around on the patio and beach. Mostly couples but a trio of blokes suck down beers next to the pontoon boat housed under a wooden canopy. We’re obviously the subject of their conversation with their repeated glances in our direction.
Never, and I mean never, have I been the jealous kind. Until now. Until them. Until her. The arse in the yellow polo finally squirms under my relentless stare back at him, and he nudges the man next to him, nodding toward the volleyball pit. Smart thinking when he trudges in that direction and his two mates follow him.
Good. I tuck her next to me and guide her to one of the benches by the fire. Her silky skin already warm under my hand from the backless dress she wears that I love on her and hate for others to see.
“What a perfect night. You can even see the stars.”
I relish the pleasure floating through her tone. So relaxed and serene. Somehow making me feel the same way. I stop and point toward the sky. Wanting to show her the constellations that she probably never gets to check out with the smog veiling the celestial beauty in her hometown. “See right there? That’s the big dipper.”
Concentrating with curiosity, she follows my finger, smiling when she catches sight of the pattern I trace. I dip down to be even with her eye level so I can outline more of the shapes for her. “This one is Sagittarius.”
“That’s so cool. Thank you for showing me.”
Her soft breath, sweet from the candy she nibbled earlier, blows on my cheek. Lips only centimeters from mine. Small breasts brushing my chest. I raise to my full height. Ignoring the disappointment darkening her face from ending my demonstration but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t have her so close and be able to control myself. “You’re welcome.”
More turmoil courses through me when we sit down. I want to position her between my legs, her back to my chest so I can show her Orion too. Feel her slight weight pressed against me, protected in my arms, peaceful in my embrace. I settle for her next to me. Balancing her plate on her lap and building the little sandwiches while I grab a metal skewer from the box underneath our seat and shove the marshmallows on the dual tips. I hold the rod into the blaze. Twisting slowly so the sugar doesn’t catch on fire.
Roasted perfectly if I do say so myself. She must agree with her wide eye approval from the crinkled brown char on the exterior. Her laughter permeates the air as she slides off the gooey mess and squeezes the confections between the graham crackers. I accept the one she makes for me even though I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Giving me something to concentrate on while she licks the gooey remains off her sticky fingers.
“God, these are so good.”
Fuck me if she just moaned. Unaware how sexy she is and how tempted I am. “Glad you like them.”
A ginger woman about my age slides in next to her. Waving to me and giving her a huge smile. “I’m really glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure if you’d make it or not.”
Evie swallows down her bite, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure if it would work out, but Andy was free, so we decided to come.”
We.
This ‘we’ feels a whole hell of a lot different than before when she reaches over and entwines her hand with mine.
