Page 27 of Patiently Yours
“I know this is a lot. You must have questions and reservations. I want you to know, we are here for you. And we will go at your pace, I promise.” His declaration leaves me speechless, remembering Rory’s encouragements from earlier today. I didn’t even need to ask for what I needed, they just naturally knew.
Great, now I’ll have to tell Rory that she was right.Again.
I swallow nervously, pulling back to look up at him. “I’m still a bit shellshocked,” I admit.
I look at the rest of the pack. They’re all intently listening, giving me their undivided attention. “Can we just… have fun tonight?” I ask timidly before pointing at the coffee table. “I’m really looking forward to playing some games.”
Their smiles light up the room, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Ciro finds his way behind me, and props his chin on my shoulder. “Oh, doe, just you wait. This is our favorite night of the month. Are you ready to lose or win hard?”
I couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped even if I tried. “Most definitely.”
FIFTEEN
“We always play charades first,” Kendall declares. I end up on the couch between Uriah and Ciro, feeling snug between their beautiful scents.
Ciro leans towards me. “Do you want any wine?”
I hesitate to ask. “Do you have anything stronger?”
He grins triumphantly, joy lighting up his entire face. “Anything specific?”
“Something that tastes good so I can drink a lot of it.”
His expression softens as he leans closer. “And are we doing shots? It’ll certainly help against those two.” He points to Kendall and Atlas setting up the game. “They have some weird mind link with each other, I swear.”
Uriah leans in from the other direction, and their mutual proximity to my face makes my skin heat up. “That’s why it’s going to be us three against them. Maybe you can give us a chance for once.”
Their domestic charade struggles pulls a snort out of me. “I’m so down. And Ciro.” I turn to him conspiratorially. “Maybe shots are a good idea after all.”
“You’re fucking awesome.” He impulsively kisses my cheek before running off. It causes me to rub the spot like a giddy school girl.
Is this what scent matches do to you? Refer you back to when everything felt new and exciting? Because I’m almost itching for someone to just hold my hand.
The second I have the thought, I feel fingers ghosting over mine. The feather-likeness of them makes my eyes flutter shut. It’s bewildering that such a basic action can pull this kind of response out of me.
Uriah winds our pinkies together, the smallest bit of skin touching that somehow lights me aflame. They intertwine, building the first thread of many between us.
It feels promising. Scary… but promising.
“Okay, everything’s shuffled and random. I swear Kendall and I won’t know what’s coming, so you can’t accuse us of that this time,” Atlas says as they take their seats and eye us. “I’m guessing they’ve already recruited you so they could have a chance at beating us? We’re on a ten month winning streak right now,” he teases as Uriah playfully flashes him the finger in return.
“Yes, we have?—”
“Shots!” Ciro interrupts, storming in with a bottle and five bottle glasses.
Oh god, he brought out Everclear.
“Are you trying to kill us?” Kendall groans, but he still reaches out for a shot glass.
“No. Only inebriate.” He begins to pour the disgusting liquid before pulling out a few mini bottles from his back pocket. “And the good stuff for our guest.”
They’re flavored shots in individual bottles. They almost sparkle in my palm. “I’m so glad you’re not making me drink that poison.”
He winks at me, a more reassuring tilt in his grin. “Never.”
“We have a game tomorrow, Ciro,” Atlas lectures, but he doesn’t look upset at all despite his words.
“Well, I’m not forcing anything down your throat. It’s up to you how much you drink. Pace yourself, captain.” His hand halts mid-air, holding their prime’s shot if he’s willing to take it.
