“Only five times,” she answers.
“Just want to make sure.” She chose a light yellow maxi dress with little to no back and cuts deep in the front. According to her, it’s a sundress, but I can’t be too sure about that, especially with the way I can see her hard nipples.
“Oh, and just so you know . . .” She stands on her toes and whispers, “I’m not wearing underwear.”
“Lia,” I groan just as the door opens.
Reign, their private chef, greets us with a warm smile. “Hey, Breaker. Everyone is in the back.”
“Awesome. Thanks.” I pause and clap him on the shoulder. “Please tell me JP isn’t making Bloody Marys.”
“Sorry, dude, I tried to offer up something else, but he was positive everyone enjoyed them.”
“We don’t. We really don’t.”
He chuckles, and with Lia’s hand in mine, I walk her to the back of the house, where I spot JP, Huxley, Ryot, Lottie, Kelsey, and Myla all standing around talking.
When we appear at the wide-open sliding door, everyone’s eyes fall on us and then on our connected hands.
“I fucking told you,” JP says to Huxley, who rolls his eyes.
Lottie and Kelsey clap their hands while Ryot places a kiss on Myla’s head.
“Tell us, tell us it’s true. You’re officially a couple,” Lottie says.
I glance down at Lia and then back at our family and friends. I raise our hands and say, “It’s official.”
The girls screech while the guys dish out their “I told you so’s.”
After some hugs and handshakes, the girls usher Lia away while the guys are left to make plates for them.
“So . . .” JP says. “I’m assuming you’re a very happy man at the moment.”
I put an egg taco together for Lia and nod. “Don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
“Funny how that is, you know, you could have been happy years ago, but—”
“Dude, I don’t need to hear it, trust me. I’ve been punishing myself enough.”
“He’s right, though,” Huxley says while making a plate for Lottie.
“Well aware. I didn’t come here to listen to you drone on about how you were right all these years. I came here to celebrate the fact that I finally feel . . . complete.”
“Jesus, dude,” JP says. “I didn’t think you would get all emotional on us.”
“I’m not crying, but hell, I’m really happy. I feel like everything is in place.” I glance back at the girls, who are huddled, and then I pause before scooping up fruit and say, “We kissed for the first time last night and then had the most intimate sex of my life. After that, I was a goner. I’m done. I know I need nothing else in my life but her.”
“Did you tell her that?” Huxley says.
“Fuck no. Not sure she’s ready to hear all of that just yet, but it’s been hard to keep it to myself, that’s for sure. I just want to tell her how much I love her. I mean . . . fuck, I’d propose today if I knew she’d be open to it.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re practicing self-control,” JP says. “That’s progress.”
We finish filling the plates for our girls, and then, with a mimosa in hand, we take them their food.
“Thank you,” Lia says. I slip the mimosa glass into her hand and then lean down and grip her chin. I place a soft kiss across her lips only for Kelsey, Myla, and Lottie to all make cooing noises next to us. Lia smiles against my lips and then pulls away.
“You ladies have fun talking,” I say.
