Me, all I can do is stare. I know she can feel my gaze, because I can see her jaw ticking harder by the second. She’s flustered by my presence, and if that doesn’t bring a smile to my face, I don’t know what will.
Roxy practically shoves two servings of every dish on Maisie's plate, to the point she uses two hands to hold it up. She sits quietly, letting Roxy fuss over her until satisfied. That is, until she spots me, slouched back in my chair, watching over everyone with an empty plate.
Her hands find her hips. “And why is there no food on your plate, young man? Do I have to go over there and dish you up too? You know I will,” she threatens with a wooden serving spoon.
“I wouldn’t want you to fuss over me, Rox. Plus, it seems you’ve already got your hands full,” I joke, sending Maisie a wink. Her returning glare has my dick twitching in my pants. I turn back to Roxy, scared if I stare too long, she might burn a hole right through me. “I ate a bite when I was in town running an errand. I wouldn't miss family dinner for anything, though, so here I am.”
I hope she buys the lie; not much gets past Roxy Fox these days. She stares at me, clearly onto something being off, and when I look to her right, Maisie has the same damn knowing look. Roxy lets it slide, thankfully, shooting me a warm smile. “Well, if you didn’t like my cooking, you should have said so,” she teases.
“Now I’m gonna stop you right there, ma’am. You know damn well how much I love your cooking.”
“Language!” she scolds, her tone playful. “Well, if you don’t at least eat some of this apple cobbler I labored over all day, I will take personal offence.”
“Oh, now don’t go gettin’ mama all upset now,” Chesneycalls from the corner, his cheeks wide in an easy smile. He lives for this, surrounded by family, playful banter exchanged.
“I’ll take a slice home with me.” I tip my head at her. “Cowboy’s honor.”
“Right answer, son,” Walter says, striding in fashionably late. He swoops right to his wife’s side and leans over to plop a juicy kiss on her lips. Those two are inseparable, not afraid to show everyone what real love looks like.
I envy it.
“Well, I was going to scold you for being late, but that kiss sweetened the pot just enough to get you out of the dog house tonight,” Roxy coos as he takes the open seat on her opposite side.
His rosy, windblown cheeks smile at her. “My plan worked then.” He grabs her cheeks and kisses her once more. “Just some insurance for later.”
“Oh, you suck up,” she scolds, but her cheeks are definitely flushed now.
“Get a room, you two.” Chesney fake gags.
My attention is drawn back to Maisie while she looks around, in awe of this family dynamic. She looks a little out of her element, like this is something she’s not used to. It makes me even more curious.
Where did you fall from, angel?
Roxy catches me staring at Maisie, and a knowing smile blooms over her cheeks. “Where are my manners? Maisie, have you had the pleasure of meeting Grayson?”
She scoffs under her breath, so low, I’m sure Roxy misses it. I don’t miss anything when it comes to this woman, though.
“Nope,” she sings. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.” Now, she’s the one smirking at me. “It’s nice to meet you,Gary.”
The noises that come from Roxy and Chesney are downright disrespectful. Roxy is doubled over, laughing so hard, I’m afraid she’s stopped breathing. Ches is wheezing, his mouthful of beer dripping down Carter’s face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,Mary,” I reply, shooting her a grin that says two can play this game. If she thinks pretending to forget my name will get me rattled, she’s got another thing coming.
Her eye twitches once, twice, and then her beer bottle is tipped to her lips, and she’s guzzling the whole thing like a seasoned champ. That shouldn’t be so attractive, but a woman who can handle her liquor is downright sexual.
She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and then has the audacity towinkat me. “Mind getting me another one,sugar? Looks like you could use something to do.” She bites her lip, twirling a lock between her fingers. Meanwhile, Ches is hollering in the corner, clearly amused.
These two will be the death of me.
“As you wish,honey.” I let the words roll off my tongue, slow and sultry. I shove my chair back and spot her legs crossed aggressively under the table.
Checkmate.
I’m secretly glad to escape the madness. Roxy makes Walter keep all his ‘trash beer’ in the garage fridge, so I excuse myself. The temperature is lower out here and helps cool my overheated skin. I know I shouldn’t be playing with fire, but she makes it so damn hard not to.
Get your shit together, Gray.
I snag the shittiest beer I can find just to piss her off, but also as a challenge to see if she will drink it. As soon as my hand wraps around the bottle, I freeze.
