I could have fired back and taken the bait, but instead I lounged back once more and took another pull from my now-empty bottle. The four of us sat in silence, each of them I knew were waiting for me to react, but I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction. Instead, I grabbed another beer and finished half of it in one long drink.
I was just about to get up and insist we get started again on the project when I heard the sounds of laughter flowing out from the screen door that led inside the house behind me.
I looked back over my shoulder just in time to see Maddison coming outside, followed by Grace, AJ, Raven, and Chloe. Gone was the flowing dress from last night, and in its place was a short pair of cut-off frayed shorts. A tank top, light pink, that showed off a sliver of her stomach where it met her shorts. I half expected cowboy boots on her feet, but instead she had on a pair of sandals showing off her ankles and toes.
I followed the trail of her long tan legs back up over her flat stomach and her perfect tits, and when I was met with a knowing pair of blue eyes, I offered her a wink.
“Wow.” Maddison paused in the center of the deck, looking up at the structure. “This is—” Again she stopped and just marveled over the frame of what would be her greenhouse.
“You don’t like it?” Mike looked worried.
“It’s just that I never expected it to be so—” She turned to face him. “You didn’t have to be so extravagant, Mike. I told you that I was fine with a little shed.”
We all watched as he moved in and rested his forehead to hers, whispering something only she could hear. She smiled, and then he kissed her, holding her close as he gently rocked her from side to side. Her tiny bump showed more today with the tight shirt she wore. Seeing them together like that, so in love, it made my chest feel a little tight.
I took a chance and glanced at Chloe only to find her watching me instead of them. I wanted to reach out and pull her closer, feeling the warmth of her body pressed to mine, but I wasn’t sure how she felt about that display in front of her family. Hell, I wasn’t sure what she and I were or where last night had left us. I knew where I wanted to be, but after Rhett’s shit he pulled, I guess I didn’t know if she and I were on the same page.
Rhett shoved Terrance’s shoulder, and he stumbled. “What?” He chuckled, shielding himself from a further assault.
“That’s my little sister, you douche.” Rhett looked like he was about to tackle Terrance, and I realized I’d missed something.
“Knock it off.” Grace pushed Rhett’s chest. “I am not a little girl anymore. Stop treating me like I’m ten years old and you need to protect me.”
“Girl, I don’t give a shit if you’re eighteen or twenty-five living in your own damn place. I will still be ensuring dumbasses steer clear.”
“Such an ass,” she mumbled.
I noticed Chloe roll her eyes before turning around and going back inside. Wasting no time, I slipped away when they were all occupied and followed her. Hearing the sounds of my boots against the hardwood floor, she looked back over her shoulder and stumbled a bit as she paused.
“Hi.” Trying to recover, she braced herself on the wall at her side and offered me a smile.
“Orchestrated, huh?” Stepping up closer, I placed my own hand at her side and leaned in close. This action triggered her to lean back, and her head made a thud sound as it hit the wall behind her.
“What?” Ignoring the fact that she just hit her head, she quickly moved past it.
“Rhett said you felt last night was a little to planned out.”
“You should know by now that Rhett is trying to get to you.” A smile spread out over her lips, and I was lost for a second in its beauty. This woman had the ability to make me feel all fucking jumbled up inside with a smile alone. So damn beautiful. “Looks like he was successful.”
“So you didn’t say that you wondered how many other women I’ve taken to that very spot?” Her smile faltered, and she worried her lip as she bit at the corner of her mouth. When she avoided looking at me, I knew that part was true. “Just you.” Lifting her gorgeous blue eyes to lock on mine, I reached up and cupped her jaw with my free hand. “Nothing about last night was planned, besides the reservation to the restaurant. I just knew that I wasn’t ready for it to end after dinner.”
“Me neither.” Her confession triggered a blush to fill her cheeks. So innocent and sweet, yet sassy and confident, Chloe was everything a good woman should be.
We stood tucked around the corner in a darkened hallway that led toward the bedrooms, and part of me wanted to drag her off to the bathroom or a closet so that I could ensure we’d remain alone. The things she made me feel were exhilarating and damned confusing, too.
“Last night was just for you.” She nodded her head, her eyes still locked on mine. “For us.”
Her lips parted, and without a second thought, I moved in and pressed mine to hers. Almost instantly, her hand rested upon my bare chest and her tongue glided over my lips. What was meant to be a simple kiss quickly shifted, and I stepped in closer, her body sagging back against the
