“Just trying to spice up your marriage, brother.” Forest coughs as he staggers away in the direction of the tables, a huge grin on his face.
A flash of elation surfaces at Wolf’s display of possessiveness, and before I can wonder if that’s all it is—a display—his familiar rough hands glide over my back and apply sunblock across myshoulders. Between the sun and the massage of Wolf’s hands, I have to make a conscious effort to not melt into the grass, especially as he adjusts the straps of my tank top and the bikini underneath.
When my back seems to be sufficiently covered, I expect Wolf to take off again, like he often does anytime we seem to make some good headway. But instead, his arms wind around me from behind, pulling me back against him. It feels nice. Right. Sexy and affectionate at the same time. He doesn’t speak, and I decide not to pop the bubble by speaking up either. Instead, I send up a silent request to the universe for more treats like this today…and to reach a point soon where I don’t have to hope for them so much.
26
WOLF
Hearing Molly laughing with my brothers helped me almost relax. I say almost because of course I want her to have fun and be embraced and feel at home with my family, but this is still them we’re talking about.
Even if she is the first girl I’ve brought around, they all know better than to touch what’s mine. It won’t stop them from trying to get under my skin though. Especially Hawk, who I’m sure would love to retaliate for the bond I formed with Inez, the only one he’s ever loved. That bond was only caring and brotherly, but he didn’t like it one bit. Not to mention he’s turned into a total fuck boy since she left.
And then there’s Forest. Even though he gets points for keeping Hawk at bay, I had been looking forward to the moment Molly wanted sunscreen so I’d have an excuse to put my hands all over her. So there was no way his punk ass would beat me to it.
These last few weeks, I’ve been hesitant to casually touch Molly, even though we’ve had sex. I haven’t figured out yet ifshe’s the affectionate type, or even if I am. Hell, I don’t know how a damn relationship works, let alone a marriage. I’d have to say when it comes to her, though, I’m the affectionate type with how much I’ve been yearning, practically itching to grab onto her pretty much any time she walks by me. My feelings for her are getting more intense the last few days, overwhelming me in a way that makes me feel like I’m losing control and I want to take it back by keeping my distance. Yet when I’m more than a few feet away from her my skin misses the touch of hers. My lungs only want to breathe the air she does. And so when she comes near again my arm stretches out, intent on sinking my fingers in the waistband of her shorts.
Today, whether it’s their intent or not, my brothers will provide me with plenty of reasons to touch her. For now, she seems happy sitting with Dana. They laugh under the canopy shade and enjoy a few snacks and beers, and I’m enthralled by Molly’s smile and her boisterous laugh as she talks with her hands. Forest is at the grill with Uncle Bert, and the sun beats down on me as I sit on an Adirondack chair on the dock. Life is good.
Just as I’m polishing off a beer, my twin approaches with one for himself and holds a fresh one out to me, then takes a seat next to me. The man has his redeeming qualities.
“I still can’t believe you let her brand you,” he grunts, acknowledging my ring finger when I take the beer from him.
And we’re back. “For the last fucking time, she didn’t even know about it.”
“But I still don’t get why.”
“And I could pull out all the charts and graphs in the world, and you still wouldn’t understand, so let’s move on.”
“Fine!” He tosses his hand up and adjusts his shades before turning my way again. “Actually, I’ve got something you’ll like to hear.”
“What’s that?” My attention is piqued.
“You, my friend, left a little too early last night. We got a call from the sheriff.”
“And?”
“And two dipshit poachers were found chained to a tree with those same debauched foot hold traps around their ankles.”
My beer stops halfway to my lips, and my head snaps his way. “You’re shitting me.”
“Not shitting you,” he counters. “Pretty sure one of those wastes of oxygen shit themselves though.” He gives a comical frown with a shrug of his shoulders.
“That’s got to be that Coal guy,” I say, shaking my head in amazement.
“Oh, you know it was.” He looks back at me. “Those pathetic assholes had to get medical attention first, but you can bet your ass they fessed up to everything and are rotting in a cell right now.”
“Yes!” I pump my fist in a rare emotional display before congratulating my brother on the victory. The saga with those despicable traps is over.
We both take a glug of cold beer then, before Hawk tips his head toward Forest, who is loading up his plate with his girl next to him.
“So you know this chick that Forest brought with him today?” he asks, diving right in.
“No, I was going to ask you the same.” I chuckle and crack open my new beer.
He shakes his head. “I saw him bring her home, like four nights ago.”
The first sip of beer sprays from my lips and he nods in response as if to say,right?“So,” I wipe my chin with the back of my hand, “he’s not only brought a woman to one of our SummerSaturdays, but this is at least a second encounter with her? Like outside a twenty-four-hour period?”
