Page 72 of Almost Us

“Okay, sure.” She tucks her phone in her back pocket and heads out the front door.

Alden and I have carried on the tradition of the yearly bonfire party started by our parents when we were kids and tonight is the night. We’ve both been busy all day getting everything set up and ready. This one is special because we’re also celebrating Alden’s birthday.

Next year, I’ll be forty. It doesn’t seem real sometimes, especially when I think back. I was only a few months older than Emily when Alden first kissed me. It’s as clear in my mind as the kiss he gave me this morning. How can it live over twenty-five years in the past?

“Grandpa Milo!” A.J. shouts. “Mom! Grandpa Milo is here!”

Alden walks in the back door. “I lost him. Nobody comes before Grandpa.”

At forty, Alden is as sexy as ever. I can remember wondering when I was a kid if what attracts you to someone ages along with you. For me it certainly did, at least when it comes to Alden’s gray temples and salt and pepper scruff. Working out has remained a habit for him and his body is fit and muscular.

He grins when I slide my arms around his waist and plant a quick kiss on his lips. “Aw, tossed aside for Grandpa. I still love you.”

Milo was a big support for Alden and became much more of a father figure to him once we had our kids. When Emily was five, right after A.J. was born, she hopped in Milo’s lap and asked if she could call him grandpa. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen tears in the man’s eyes, though he’d deny it to hell and back. He became Grandpa Milo, and his wife became Grandma Kathy.

Alden kisses me back then bites at my earlobe. “I told Emily she could stay at Rosa’s tonight, and A.J. is sleeping over at Kyle’s.”

“Really? Got something in mind? Tea and Scrabble?”

He squeezes my ass. “Birthday sex is a tradition, El. We can’t break a tradition.”

“Hmm, I thought you might be too old for such strenuous exercise now.” A second later, I’m pinned against the kitchen wall, his hips flexing into mine. “Den! Someone could walk in!”

He runs his lips up my neck. His knee applies pressure between my legs, and he smirks when my breathing instantly heats up. “Look at you. I’ve barely touched you and you’re turned on.”

“You always turn me on.” My hands wander down over his ass.

“You need a reminder that I’m still in my prime. Tonight, we’ll see how strenuous things get when I bend you over that table. And the couch. Then the banister. And whatever else gets in our way before I get you to the bed.”

My mouth goes dry at the promise that I know he’ll keep. I’m ready to send everyone home now. “Alright, but I had plans of my own.”

His eyebrows rise and he bites back a smile. “Oh? Like what?”

I trail my hand down and brush lightly over his cock, then nod toward the kitchen chair. “Like making you sit in that chair, kneeling between your feet and sucking you senseless.”

I’m not the only one worked up now. He steps back a little. “Okay. We’ll do that first.”

Giggles spill out of me. Thirteen years since I married this man, and he still makes me laugh every day.

A.J. bursts through the back door. “Dad! Grandpa Milo says you have the charcoal piled all wrong.”

Alden rolls his eyes. “You tell Grandpa Milo he needs new glasses for his old ass eyes.”

“Den!” I laugh, and A.J. races back outside. No doubt to proudly follow that order. “You’re awful. Let’s go out. It’s late enough to light the bonfire.”

A.J. sits beside Milo, his chair pulled up close, swinging his legs.

“How’s Kathy?” I ask, kneeling to light the bonfire while Alden goes to the grill.

“She’s good. She’s visiting her sister this week in Illinois or she would’ve come.”

Tori arrives and pops open the cooler, grabbing a beer. “I put the baked mac and cheese on your stove. Paul will be here in a bit.”

“Did you use breadcrumbs?” Alden asks from his spot at the grill.

“Yes, I put breadcrumbs on top. Against my better judgment and only because it’s your birthday and you’re old as fuck,” she calls back.

“I’m one year older than you!”

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