Gage says something, causing Leo and Les to break apart laughing. Her eyes catch my movement stepping back into the house, and her smile freezes me to the spot again. She says something to the guys, and they get up, walking toward the house.
“You don’t have to go,” I tell them. I don’t want to interrupt their time with her.
Gage slaps me on the back. “She just wants you out here, man. No biggie.”
They disappear into the house, and Les beckons me over. She’s wearing a bright pink bikini that has her body on display.
She is stunning.
I try to avert my eyes from her cleavage when I sit down on the lounger facing her, unsuccessfully if the smile on her face is any indication. I look down at my lap; I don’t want her to feel weird about me staring.
She tilts my chin up with her fingers. “Don’t hide your face,” she reminds me. She and Ryder often remind me to look up and not slouch or try to hide, and I’m trying.
“Okay,” I say softly.
“Did you need something?” she asks with a tilt of her head. She knows I don’t seek her out often. Too scared to talk to her. It’s a little easier since our trip to the ranch.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am,” she sighs. “It was just a bad day, and I let it get to me.”
“Is Ryder home?” I ask and immediately regret it when sadness enters her eyes.
“No, but he’s okay at his dad’s. He will come home.” I wonder if she’s convincing herself as much as me.
I nod when I can’t think of anything else to say. I’m about to run for the house when she pulls my chin back to her eyes. “Was there anything else?”
I swallow and shake my head. It’s a lie, especially after I saw her kiss Leo and Gage. I want that too, but I’m too big a coward to go for it.
She sits up and swings her legs toward me. Her knees brush mine, and I swallow again, kicking myself for not being bolder. “Are you sure?” she asks, tilting her head in the way I love. All the other guys except Dex would go for it. They would just kiss her, but I can’t get myself to move. I’m gripping the sides of the lounger so hard my fingers are hurting. I shake my head again.
She reaches down and pries my fingers loose. She moves my arms to the side before standing and sliding both of her knees beside my hips, straddling my lap. I have the most gorgeous woman in the world on my lap, and I can’t fucking think or move. My handsitch to touch her, but I can’t move them from their position on the lounger.
She leans in beside my ear. “What do you want, Holden?” Her breath blows over my ear, making me shiver. My cock is paying attention too, and I’m embarrassed because I know she can feel it through my shorts. She rubs her hands down my hot cheeks, leaving them there, holding my face. “Don’t be embarrassed. If you didn’t react, I would worry more.” She leans in and presses her lips against mine like she did at the ranch. This time, she licks the seam of my lips. I open my mouth and feel her tongue slide against mine, freezing on the first stroke. She pulls back with a slight frown. “Do you not want this?”
“No,” I say too fast. “I mean, yes. I want this.” I pull her face back to mine, crashing my lips against hers. It’s sloppy and uncoordinated. Embarrassment floods me again when she pulls away, and she stares at me for so long that I start to get uncomfortable.
“Are you a virgin, Holden?” she finally asks softly. I try to look away, but she holds my face in her hands. Too mortified to answer out loud, I just nod. No way she wants a bumbling fucking virgin when she has guys who know what they’re doing.
“I should have told you before.”
She smiles again. “It’s not a problem. We will just go slower. If that’s what you want.” I nod because I do. I want this so bad. “You know I’m with Gage and Leo, right?” I nod again. “That doesn’t bother you?”
“No,” I croak out. “I want you happy.”
She loops her arms around my neck. “They do make me happy.” She runs her fingers through the hair. “But you make me happy too.” Her smile turns sad again. “Dex and Ryder too.”
“He will come home,” I say with more confidence than I feel. I heard them arguing. What if he doesn’t come back? I’m not sure I want to admit how much that thought hurts me.
“Hm,” she says, running her fingers through my hair again. It feels so good. “Dex is another matter. But we will work that out later. For now--” She lets her total weight down on my cock, and I grunt.Fuck.She takes my hands and puts them on the sides of herhips. Her tanned skin is soft and hot from being in the sun. “We will start with this.”
She presses her lips to mine, teasing them open with her tongue. When it slides in this time, I’m more prepared. Sure, I’ve kissed girls before, but I was sixteen when my uncle sold me off after my parents died. Even in school, I was a computer nerd, and that didn’t bring many girls banging on my door.
She strokes my tongue several times before I feel bolder, following her tongue into her mouth. She pushes in, deepening the kiss. I finally find my courage and start kissing her back harder. I slide my hands up her hips and ribcage, marveling at how soft she is before sliding them around her back, pulling her, so her breasts are pressed against my chest. Les moans into my mouth, grinding her hips down on my cock. A shocked gasp escapes me at the sensation, and I end up breaking our kiss. I stare into her blue eyes, seeing lust there—lust for me. I hear someone layout on the lounger behind her and don’t even care. I don’t want to look away from her.
“This looks cozy,” Gage remarks, and I finally look at him, making sure he isn’t mad. He’s wearing a sly smile but doesn’t look to be upset. “Don’t stop on my account.” He puts his hands behind his head, closing his eyes.
She giggles softly before leaning in and kissing me again. I know what I’m doing this time, so I take over, and she melts against me. I start sliding my hands over her skin, content to feel her against me. Like I’ve dreamed about. She’s so much softer than I imagined.
