“Oh god,” she moaned as I increased the speed and pressure.
I worked her to a frenzy and swallowed her cries of pleasure as she came, relishing the fact that she was falling apart in my arms.
“So sexy,” I said when she collapsed in my embrace.
“How am I going to go back out there? Everyone’s going to know what we did.” She covered her face with her hands.
“Nah.” I chuckled. “You go around to the front, and I’ll meet you out back in a few.”
She nodded, heading toward the gate before turning back and running to me. She pressed up on her toes. “Thanks, Ethan.” She kissed my cheek.
“Anytime.”
I took a moment to catch my breath and adjust myself before returning to the group. Fuck me, the woman made me crazy. But it was more than just sex. Too bad it wasn’t reality, and it wasn’t going to last.
I grabbed another beer on the way back to the fire, ignoring the curious glance Chase sent my way. Instead, I took the seat next to Mackenzie, reclining in the Adirondack chair with Max at my feet.
“Hey, boss,” Mackenzie said. “Any news on the application for the 501(c)(3)?”
“I wish,” I said.
“Maybe Audrey could help? You know, since her dad had been working on it.”
I stared out at the trees. “She’s going back to Boston soon.”
“Oh.” Her face fell. “Man, she’s really nice. I was hoping to hang out with her some more.”
You and me both.
Conversation resumed, and Audrey emerged from the house with a fresh bag of marshmallows. She walked around the circle, offering some to everyone before perching on the arm of my chair. The fire flickered and crackled ahead of us, its warm blaze comforting.
I had a beer in one hand, and the other was resting on her lower back. I used my thumb to casually graze the sliver of skin on her back where no one could see. Life was good—music and laughter, the conversation of good friends, beer, my dog. I couldn’t ask for much more
Max stood and growled as the gate swung open, revealing a man in a pea coat, an expensive leather bag slung over his shoulder. Damn, I really needed to fix that latch.
“Ben, hey!” Audrey leaped up from her chair as if she’d been scalded.
Ben?Who the fuck was Ben? I clenched my jaw so hard I thought I might crack a molar. Max followed her over, sniffing at the guy.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to surprise you. I missed you.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, and she smiled.
Chase nudged me. “Who’s that?”
I lifted the bottle to my lips. “Not a damn clue.”
“Hey, guys,” Audrey said, turning to the group. “This is Ben. We work together at Jones and Laughlin.”
“We’resomuch more than colleagues, though.” Ben’s smug smile grated on me. Hepulled Audrey into his chest as he shook hands with everyone. He kept touching her, whispering in her ear, and making her laugh. All the while, she avoided my gaze and fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
“Pull up a seat,” Grady said, and I wanted to ram my foot into his shin. “Want a beer?”
“Thanks, but I think I’m going to crash.” This from Ben.
“But it’s New Year’s Eve!” Desi called.
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s already past midnight in Boston.” He peered down at Audrey. “Audrey?” I couldn’t hear what was said after that, but his body language spoke volumes. He wanted her.
