Leaning forward, I press a kiss to his lips. I don’t think I have words to tell him how I feel, and the impulse to tell him I love him is too damn strong right now.
He cups my jaw, angling me the way he wants me as he shifts forward, covering my body with his. Making room for his body, I spread my legs and wrap them around his torso. He rips his lips from mine with a growl.
“We need to get ready for family dinner, and yet you tempt me to skip one of the most important things I’ve done in a long while.”
“I was about to suggest skipping it,” I breathe.
“Not a chance,Marina.This is my first invite to family dinner, and you can bet I’m not missing it for anything.”
He lifts off of me and stands next to me on the couch, where I’m still a little breathless and a whole lot horny.
“Not even for sex? What man turns down sex?” I mumble the last part.
“I do, because I know you’re coming home with me at the end of the day and that I can tease the shit out of you at family dinner.”
“You’re a cruel man, Mr. Steel. Do you enjoy torturing me?” I arch an eyebrow at him.
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” His devilish grin shouldn’t be so attractive, but I must be a glutton for punishment because Arlo teasing me during family dinner sounds like sweet, delicious torment, and I can’t wait.
“Ugh, let’s get dressed, then. Ledger could use the help cooking.” I roll off the couch unceremoniously and plop onto the floor before shifting to my knees, doing a version of downward dog before standing up.
“Jesus, have a mercy on a man, Emmerdeur.” Arlo scrubs his face with his head tipped back, and I smirk, knowing this family dinner is going to be rough for both of us.
Half an hour later, we’re walking into Ledger and Ainsley’s house.
“Where is everyone?” I yell as we walk toward the kitchen.
“Ledg’s out back,” Ainsley replies from the kitchen as she chops up some vegetables.
“What can I help with?” I ask, saddling up next to her.
“You can grab potatoes from the—” She stops abruptly as she looks up and sees Arlo standing across the kitchen island. “Damnit, I owe Ledger twenty bucks,” she whispers, stunned.
“What the hell?” I cannot believe these assholes were betting on me. Well, that’s not true; it’s completely believable. It’s usually just me making the bets. And I thought I had a better handle on all things Arlo, which I evidently didn’t.
Arlo’s booming laughter fills the kitchen as Ainsley’s cheeks turn pink.
“Shit, I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Oh no, please tell me more.” I cock my hip against the island.
“Ains, did you pull the—” Ledger stops in his tracks as he walks in from the back porch. He looks pointedly at Ainsley. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I throw my hands up as Arlo is still laughing. “It’s not funny! You should be just as mad as I am!”
“You aren’t mad; you’re just annoyed you weren’t as smooth as you thought you were.” He smirks.
“Shut it,Sheriff,” I snark.
His wink takes away the sting out of my brother and best friend betting on me, but only just.
“So, what’s for dinner?” I deflect and decide moving on is the best option. Giving Ainsley and Ledger more ammunition is not something I want to do right now.
“To be fair, we knew you were together, or whatever you’re calling it since you already told us. The bet was when you were going to bring him to family dinner.” Ledger shrugs like it’s not just as bad.
“Moving on!” I say loudly as everyone else in the room laughs.
“Dinner is grilled chicken with baked potatoes and random veggies on top of the chicken, like a sauce but not.” Ainsley thankfully helps me out. She can still be called my best friend, I guess.
