“Do you have Monopoly?”
I arch a brow, my lips tipping up. “Monopoly?”
He smirks. “I fucking love UNO, Nat. But it’sMonopoly.”
I laugh. Rowan Asher has always had a thing for board games. Fucking weirdo.My fucking weirdo. “No, but feel free to bring it next time.”
Rowan releases me with a smile, and I look for the cards in one of the drawers of my entertainment unit while he sits patiently on my couch. I turn to find him with his legs stretched, hands on his lap, eyes dark and on me.
He really knows how to take my breath away without ever trying. Regardless, I sit beside him, knowing that there’s neverenough oxygen around him. I begin to shuffle the cards before dealing them.
Shortly after the game begins, I put a plus two on the stack of cards and barely get the wordUNOout of my mouth before his lips and mine are fighting for what they want from the other. Then I’m naked in his arms, he’s naked between my legs, and I’m terrified that he does see me. That he sees me so clearly and he’s going to love every bit of it instead of shy away.
When we collapse in a heap of nearly nothing, we are boneless and brainless. He draws stars with his fingertips all around my scars as we lie together, and I let him.
And then, with barely any clothing on, we play another round of UNO.
CHAPTER 16
Rowan
Friendsgiving is hosted by Lana and Christian, who have now been named the hosts for every event for the rest of our lives. To be fair, their house is basically a mansion and they have the space for it. The greatest part about it, in my opinion, is their backyard.
Christian tends to go overboard getting Lana everything he thinks she wants or needs. I’m beginning to think it’s a problem.
But who am I to judge since she’s the reason they have the giant fire pit and outdoor heaters for nights like this.
The table was filled with all kinds of food. Lana cooked her mother’s old recipes, and I brought everyone’s favorite appetizers as well as Natalia’s personal plate of mozzarella sticks with ketchup.
We’re all outside for conversation and drinks under the stars near the fire after dinner. Our plates are empty, stomachs are full, and the homemade desserts are mostly gone.
No one ever likes to be the one to one to take the last pieceof anything, but I frankly don’t give a fuck when it’s the last of Natalia’s cupcakes, which are decorated as a turkey per Grace’s request.
“You took the last one, dick.” Luca frowns beside me as I pluck out one of the waffle cookie wings and eat it. “I wanted it.”
I pluck and eat the other waffle wing. “I don’t feel bad for you.” I peel back the cupcake liner and take a giant bite. “You should have gotten here first.”
My girl baked these.
He laughs and grabs the bottle opener from the corner for his soda. “Doubt that would have stopped you.”
I shrug, happily eating the very last turkey cupcake and practically humming as I scan the backyard. Grace dances to a pop song with Lana, their arms swinging and legs kicking. Isabelle sits beside Natalia, practically dead asleep. And Natalia…
I collide with the most mesmerizing shades of hazel, and her eyes roam over me—head to toe. I arch a brow and turn away, pulling my phone from my pocket.
Rowan: You’re staring
She replies quickly.
Natalia: Is that a problem?
Rowan: Yes. Makes me want to go over there and kiss you
Natalia: I never said you couldn’t
Rowan: Oh yeah?
I look across the backyard and she shrugs, eyes round and innocent.
