AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Not that I blame her. We’re all unfamiliar faces, but as the night’s worn on, she’s relaxed more and more.
Roman and I have shared longing gazes when no one else was looking; at least I hope no one was looking. I also managed to snag a seat next to him when we were eating, but other than that, no contact. We’re not counting his hand on my thigh under the table.
It’s harder than I thought it would be. The closer we become, the more difficult it is to pretend like he’s not more to me than just one of the guys. One of my brother’s best friends.
“Em!” Lachlan calls out. “Get your ass over here and give me a hug. You’re leaving in two days.” He’s more than a little tipsy, but I do as he says.
“You going to miss me, Lach?” I ask, wrapping my arms around his waist. I feel his lips press to the top of my head. Not unlike anything Forrest or any of the others have done in the past. They all treat me like their little sister. Well, not all of them.
Roman definitely did not treat me like his little sister earlier tonight in his room at the shop.
“Stop hogging her,” Maddox calls out. “I need a hug too.” He juts out his bottom lip and stumbles, so he sits his ass on one of the homemade benches around the fire. He’s trying to make a sad puppy-dog face, but he’s laughing, so it’s not really working for him.
They’re all wasted. Everyone is except for Lisa, Roman, and me. Lisa is the designated driver, and they’re dropping Lyra off. As far as Roman and I, well, we both knew we’d slip up if we were wasted, so we’ve nursed our drinks all night, and as everyone around us grows more intoxicated, the more I feel my shoulders ease. If I stare a little too long, they’ll be less likely to notice, and even if they do, they more than likely won’t remember it.
“You two are ridiculous.” I laugh, as I pull away from Lachlan and make my way to Maddox. He grins as I lean over and offer him a hug. He pulls me into him, and this time I’m the one who’s stumbling. I laugh as I right myself, holding on to his shoulders before standing back to my full height.
“What the hell? Emerson, you better head this way, missy!” Legend hollers. He’s standing on the other side of the fire with his arms wide open. “I need some birthday girl snuggles too.”
“I’m her brother!” Forrest replies. “I should get all the birthday snuggles.” He’s sprawled out in a lawn chair, sitting off to the right on his own. He was feeling queasy, so we all decided to give him a wide berth.
“So are we,” Legend counters.
“Yeah!” Lachlan and Maddox chime in.
“Rome, help us out here.” Legend pulls Roman into the conversation. “Tell Forrest she’s ours too.”
My belly flops because I am Roman’s, just not the way Legend thinks I am. I hate that we are lying to them, but it won’t always be this way. If we can make it through me being away to finish my last year of college, and we still want this, then we’ll tell them.
They’re all going to be mad we kept it a secret, but I’d rather do that than Roman decide I’m too young, or he’s just not feeling this relationship thing, and they all be pissed at him for breaking my heart. Because if that happens, my heart will indeed be shattered into a million tiny pieces with his name on them.
I tell myself not to look at him. However, I know that if I don’t, it’s going to be obvious. With Legend’s arm still slung over my shoulders, I turn and lock eyes with the man who holds my heart.
Does he know? Does he even realize what he means to me?
His eyes sear into mine. I can feel the heat of his gaze all the way to my toes. His eyes flash to where Legend’s arm is around my shoulders before settling back on my own.
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.”
