Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
A slow smile spreads across his face. “I’m gonna need me some of those birthday girl snuggles,” he says, patting his lap.
My body instantly reacts to the sound of his voice, desire pooling between my thighs.
“My man!” Legend calls out.
He releases me, and on shaking legs, I make my way toward Roman. His eyes never leave mine, as I take cautious steps that carry me around the fire to where he’s sitting.
He pats his lap again, and I dramatically roll my eyes, pretending like this entire scene is ridiculous.
That’s what I want them to see. What I want them to think.
What they can’t see is the way my heart pounds in my chest. They can’t feel the way my palms grow sweaty. I manage to keep a steady gait regardless of how unstable my legs actually feel. They can’t see how turned on I am just from his heated stare.
“Come on, birthday girl,” he says. His voice is low and deep, slicing through me like a caress when we’re lying together skin to skin.
I move to sit on his lap, and he immediately wraps his arms around me. It’s not the blaze of the fire that warms me within, but his embrace. “Hey, baby girl,” he rasps. His thumb slides beneath my shirt, and he traces my skin just above the waistline of my jean shorts.
“My sister,” Forrest says again. “Why am I the last to get birthday snuggles?”
“It’s okay, Forty,” Monroe says from her chair next to Forrest. “She’s saving the best for last.”
“The real for last,” he says, and I don’t even have to look at him to know that he’s smiling. I can hear it in his voice. Slow speech and all from all the adult beverages he’s consumed. “Come here, kid. I’m feeling left out.”
Roman tenses, but after one more gentle squeeze, his arms fall away, and I stand freely. I don’t turn to glance at him over my shoulder. I won’t be able to hide the longing I feel for him. I just want to stay on his lap, wrapped up in his arms.
“The birthday girl!” Forrest yells, entirely too loudly. He taps his lap, and I can’t protest because I just did the same thing with Roman. I perch myself on his lap and he gives me one of his big-brother bear hugs. “How dare they steal my big brother thunder,” he grumbles.
I pat him on the shoulder and chuckle. “You were the first,” I tell him.
“Damn right. Hear that, boys? I was the first. I hold the big brother title.” Forrest thrusts his hand in the air, the same hand that’s holding his can of beer, and it spills all over both of us. “Oh, shit. Sorry, Em.”
I laugh and shake my head. “It’s fine, Forrest. Just a little beer. I’m going to run inside and change. Does anyone need anything?” I ask, standing from his lap.
“Can you bring me a hoodie or something?” Monroe asks.
“Sure, Lyra? Lisa?” I ask the other ladies.
“No, thank you,” they reply in unison.
“There’s a hoodie in my truck,” Legend tells Monroe. “It’s on the passenger seat.”
“Do you mind?” she asks him.
“Nah. Come on. I’ll go with you to get it.” He holds his hand out for her, and waits for her to stand and join him. She takes his hand and, together, with a little bit of wobble in their steps, they head to his truck that’s parked right next to the house to grab Monroe a hoodie.
In my room, I pull my soaked T-shirt off as I make my way to my en suite bathroom and toss it over the sink. Grabbing a washcloth, I run it under some warm water and wash the sticky beer from my skin. Luckily, it wasn’t enough to soak my bra, but somehow it still smells like beer. Reaching behind my back, I unclasp it and leave it lying over the sink with my soiled T-shirt before turning off the light.
I gasp when I see Roman sitting on my bed. He has the sketchbook and the huge art set of pencils and markers that he and the guys gave me earlier for my birthday in his hands. I know the art set wasn’t cheap, and they gave me three huge sketchbooks. They all know I love to doodle, and word finally spread about the lily tattoo Roman did for me.
“What are you doing in here?” My eyes flash to the door that’s now securely closed.
“It’s locked,” he explains.
“What if they come looking for you?”
He shrugs. “Told them I had to shit. I shut the bathroom door and turned on the fan just in case.” He grins as he stands and walks toward me. “I wanted a few minutes with you.” He stops when we’re toe to toe. He cups my breasts, one in each hand, as if he’s testing their weight. His thumbs glide over my nipples that are already hardened peaks, longing for more of his touch.