The flames of the fire pit licked the air, casting shadows across Austin’s face. “Thanks for a great night. We weren’t expecting the entire family to be here.”
His brother smiled as he sat across from us next to Gigi. “When they heard you were coming, they insisted.”
“I miss easy nights like this,” Austin said, staring at the fire. “The hardest part about military life is not being here with the family.”
Gigi placed her hand over her heart like she was touched by his words. “We miss you too. Life’s pretty boring without your cocky mouth around all the time.”
Austin laughed. “Cocky? I was never cocky.”
Gigi tilted her head, gawking at him. “I’m not sure cocky is even a strong enough word.”
“You still are,” I told Austin, throwing in my two cents. He wasn’t over the top, but the man did think highly of himself.
Austin’s gaze flickered to me along with his sexy smile. “There’s a difference between being cocky and self-assured. I know my value and abilities.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You’ve always been full of shit,” Pike told him, shaking his head.
Gigi covered her mouth and yawned. “Well, I’m tired and headed to bed. Austin, I made up your room and Mak’s too. You know where they are and don’t need a babysitter. Pike?”
“I’m coming, darlin’,” he said, placing his empty beer bottle in the grass before standing. “Night.”
“Night,” Austin said, and so did I.
We sat in silence, watching them as they walked toward the house. Pike had his arm slung around her shoulders, holding her tight to his body.
“They’re so perfect together,” I whispered before they disappeared into the house.
Austin turned toward me, studying my face. “They fought it for a long time, but they were meant to be.”
I blinked. “You believe in fate like Izzy?”
He gave me a small smile. “I wouldn’t call it fate, but there was something in play. They met in Daytona and never thought they’d see each other again, and then bam! Pike shows up at her family’s tattoo shop without realizing she’d be there.”
“That sounds pretty much like fate.” I laughed softly, but my laughter died as Austin slid his chair closer to mine and touched my arm.
“If you think fate is real, then maybe we were meant to meet, and this moment was always supposed to happen.”
I swallowed hard as the look on his face changed, and his gaze dipped to my mouth. “This moment?”
“This moment,” he repeated as he leaned over and brought his mouth in line with mine.
I didn’t move. I couldn’t. All the air evaporated from my lungs, leaving me breathless. He’d kissed me before, but that time, he’d taken me completely off guard.
This was different. This was calculated.
My heart pounded as he stared into my eyes, coming closer. I held my breath, waiting for the moment his lips touched mine again. I closed my eyes, leaning forward, bringing my mouth to his.
I didn’t have to wait long before his lips touched mine, sending shock waves of pleasure throughout my body. His mouth was soft, but the kiss was hard.
He moved his hand to my face, cupping my cheek as I snaked my arms around his neck. When his tongue swept across my bottom lip, I opened to him, taking what he had to give.
Time stood still, and the crackling of the fire in front of us grew faint, almost disappearing. Only the sounds of our harsh breaths and needy pants were audible.
When he pulled away, I stayed motionless, my lips still puckered and my eyes closed.
“Let’s go inside,” he said as I opened my eyes.
