It was hard enough to peel away from her after the optometrist. After ensuring her eyes were okay, I saw her home safely and proceeded to my apartment, pumped iron until my muscles screamed, then fucked my hand in the shower.
Gemma is sitting in the middle of the long dining table that’s dotted with various trays, plates, and bowls of meats, salads, and roasted vegetables. The spread is impressive, but I’m finding it difficult to focus on the food when all I canthink about is the curve of Gemma’s neck as she deliberately avoids looking at me.
April and James give each other loving looks from the far end of the table. Meanwhile, Gemma sits between Will and me. Anna is opposite us, next to Oliver with Mason on her other side, the tension evident as she maintains just enough distance from him to make it obvious she’s avoiding his touch. Something you’d only notice if you were really paying attention.
I’ve seen him attempt to slip his hand into hers or wrap his arm around her waist, but each time she’s sent him a small smile and pulled away.
“Do you like my sausage?” Will’s voice cuts in, and I see him lean into Gemma with a sly smirk that makes me want to introduce his face to the table.
“You’re in my burger,” Gemma says, her voice low and dry.
Will pumps his eyebrows suggestively. “Oh, really?”
“No. I mean, your sleeve isactuallyin my burger. Move it.” She shoves his arm away.
Will looks down at his sleeve and huffs in frustration when he sees sauce on his cuff. Gemma and Anna roll their lips to stop from laughing, their eyes dancing with amusement.
“So, Max,” Oliver says across the table as he cuts into his steak, “April tells me you’re in from New York.”
I appreciate the guy making an effort. He seems like a nice bloke, and I can tell he’s the most similar to James out of the group.
If I’m honest, it’s an honor being invited to this dinner. Anna and April have been best friends for the better part of thirty years, so I’ve known April a long time, seen her through some of the most horrific events as she leaned on Anna and my family for support. Growing up, she was like another little sister to annoy and pick on, so I carry a lot of affection for her.
“I am, yes. I’ve only been there for two years, but it’s become home.” The words feel true as I say them, but there’s a twinge of unease when I see Anna’s eyes drop to the table and Gemma’s fleeting glance.
“What brings you back?” he asks.
“Work, mainly. And seeing family, of course.” I gesture to Anna, who gives me a warm smile. “I work with Grayson Livingstone—”
“Shit,” he says with light laughter. “He’s a big deal. What do you do for him?”
“I’m his chief development officer.”
“Ah, that’s right,” he says, nodding. “You’re opening that swanky new hotel.”
“That’s right, Gray Hotel.”
“His company hired mine,” Gemma inserts before looking at me with a quick smile. “So we’re working together too.”
“You are?” Will says, looking around Gemma to regard us both. His jaw tightens as worry creases his face. He’s jealous that I’m working with Gemma. I know the guy is harmless and certainly no competition, but I revel in his obvious discomfort. The fact that I’ve seen Gemma naked—thatIknow the exact sound she makes when she comes all over my cock—while he’s sitting making immature sausage jokes, is a silent but assured victory.
I meet Oliver’s gaze coolly.
“Yes. Gemma’s agency is handling the marketing for the hotel launch, so we’ll be working closely over the next six weeks.” I look at Gemma as I say the next part. “She’s proven herself to be one of the most capable people I’ve worked with.”
The compliment comes easy because it’s entirely true.
Under the table, Gemma’s knee briefly presses against my thigh. I’m not sure whether it was deliberate or accidental, but it sends a jolt up my leg and straight to my dick.
“Wow. Impressive,” Oliver says, lifting his brows appreciatively. Just as I’m about to elaborate, James’s mother cuts in, taking over the conversation. I notice Gemma place her napkin over her lap before she scoots her chair in closer to the table.
The dinner proceeds around us—April describing wedding plans, James’s brother, Lucas, sulking in the corner while he taps away madly at his phone, and Will entertaining the other end of the table with band stories.
Stealthily, I slide my hand under the table and play with the hem of Gemma’s skirt. I feel her tense beside me as she nods along to something Anna is saying, but she doesn’t shift or stop me, so I take it as permission to continue.
I gather the fabric in my hand, bunching it up as slowly as possible before dragging my fingertips along her soft skin. Her breath hitches as I reach the delicate skin of her inner thigh. She widens her legs ever so slightly, granting me better access while maintaining composure. Everyone seems to be occupied with their conversations, completely oblivious. Gemma takes a sip of her wine with her left hand.
When I reach the juncture of her thighs, my fingers glide over wet fabric as it clings to her pussy, creating a perfect mold of her intimate parts. I almost groan at the contact.
