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Conversation is light throughout the rest of the meal. I glance around the patio and notice that only two of my sisters are without a companion. Sure, Abby’s guest is a friend, but that doesn’t mean it won’t someday spark into something bigger. AJ has brought guests occasionally, and even Payton, though that’s been several years. Chris has been a part of the family since he and Lexi were both in high school, and Meghan and Josh have been a couple for three years now.
For several years, I was absent from many family functions. After college, I stayed in Cleveland and eventually met Gavin. I came home at least four times a year to be with my family, but even after the engagement, I was generally on my own. He rarely made the trip with me.
“Come sit with me?” Ryan asks, extending his hand down to mine.
“Sure.” Gathering up our empty plates, I follow behind as we dispose of our trash.
Ryan takes my empty hand in his and leads me towards the big Oak tree. He sits down, with his back against the wide trunk, and I slide between his spread legs. I snuggle in, my head resting against the planes of his hard chest.
“Having a good time?” he asks, running his big warm hand down my arm.
“Mmmmmm,” I purr, sensations flooding my body and stirring to life a need that Ryan quenched twice last night.
“Behave. I can’t be walking around your family gathering sporting wood in my shorts,” Ryan says, his warm breath fanning against the shell of my ear.
After a few silent minutes watching my family, I turn a little and face him. “Do you get to see your family much?”
“Since I moved here, not as much as I’d like. I went home for Christmas this past year because it was my first one away. I’m thinking of flying home in August for a long weekend. It’s my parent’s thirty-fifth anniversary. I got an email from my sister and she wants us all to come home to celebrate.”
“That’s nice. You definitely need to go,” I tell him, touching the coarse skin where his shorts reach his thigh.
“We’ll be neck deep in the Hazelton job, but I’m preparing to go. As long as I plan ahead, it shouldn’t be too much trouble to sneak away for a few days. In fact, I’d really like you to go with me.”
Startled by his statement, I look over my shoulder, gauging his sincerity. “Really? You want me to go? Meet your family?”
“Yeah. I mean, you’re going to meet them eventually, right? Might as well be next month.”
“You’re awfully confident that we’ll still be together next month,” I add.
“I’m very confident, sweetheart. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you go.” He punctuates his words with a kiss.
His lips caress mine softly at first. But the longer there’s contact, the needier we both start to feel. Slipping my tongue inside his mouth, I stroke and suck on his tongue. Fire burns in my veins, as warmth floods between my legs. From this position, I can feel the rock-hard ridge of his erection against my back. It takes every ounce of self-control that I possess to not turn around and wrap my legs around his waist.
“God, you’re driving me crazy. Kissing you is the best thing ever,” he confesses without breaking the kiss.
“Kissing’s pretty great, but there’s something else that I like a lot more,” I purr against him, scooting back an inch and wiggling my backside against his length.
Pulling back, Ryan’s eyes are ablaze with desire. They’re dark and burning with his need for me. “Ready to go?”
Before I can answer, Meghan yells my name from the yard. “Jaime! Quit making babies in front of Dad and get out here and play!”
I startle back and turn to face my family. A dozen pairs of eyes are staring back at us, each set dancing with laughter. “God, that’s embarrassing.”
“Not as much as them all showing up while you’re in your underwear,” Ryan adds with a laugh.
“That may be true,” I laugh.
“What’s going on out there?” he asks, nodding towards the net.
“Volleyball. Three on three. It’s a tradition.”
“Jaime! We’re waiting…” Payton hollers from across the net.
“You better get going,” he says with a smile.
“Yeah. You wanna come play?” I get up and turn back towards him.
Ryan closes his legs and pulls his shirt down to conceal his erection. “Nope. I better just sit over here by myself for a bit and collect my thoughts.”
Laughter spills from my lips as I look down at him.
“Jaime!” Another yell pierces my ears.
“I better go before they come over here and get me.” Crouching down, I place a firm kiss on his lips before turning and running out to play volleyball with my sisters.
