Page 24

He shrugs casually. “Nah. It’ll happen, and meanwhile,” he waggles his eyebrows at me, “I get to have a lot of fun. I’ve discovered positions I?—”

“Yeah, great,” I say, cutting him off. “Jon is the oversharer. Don’t you start.”

Loud laughter filters down the garden, and I watch as Kate throws her head back, laughing. She’s got her back to me as her long blonde hair cascades down the back of her chair.

As if she can sense my eyes on her, she turns over her shoulder and pins me with her blue eyes.

I hold her gaze, refusing to be the one to look away first.

She narrows hers at me in challenge, so I throw her a wink and take another sip of my beer.

Finally, she breaks first, turning back to the group and then leaning across to pick up the bottle of wine they’ve been sharing and refills her glass. She’s had way too much already, and she’ll be feeling it for the ceremony tomorrow.

I wonder what she’d do if I marched down there, snatched the bottle from her hands, and told her she’s had enough?

Probably slap me.

Shit, why do I like the thought of that?

“Well, this is an engaging conversation and all, but I’m gonna go take care of my—hopefully pregnant—fiancée.” Zach stands from the swing chair, the loss of his weight sending it right back. He turns to look at me and smirks, “You look cute. Like a scene fromMary Poppinsor some shit.”

I shake my head. I’m always the butt of their jokes. “Go fuck your woman.”

“See you tomorrow bright and early.”

“Sure.”

Zach turns to walk away. “Hey.”

“Yeah?” He turns back.

I jut my chin at the group. “Ask Kate to come over, will ya?”

He knits his brows together. “What, like being summoned to the principal?”

Fucking hell, don’t put ideas in my head.

“I’m just trying to build some bridges for tomorrow.”

He nods his head in understanding, but he doesn’t look confident about my chances. “Alright, see you tomorrow.”

Taking another sip of my beer, I swing on the floral chair. This shit’s relaxing, and I wonder if I could fit one on my balcony.

I watch as Zach approaches Kate, tapping her on the shoulder. She turns to me, a scornful look on her face. After a few more words to Zach, she grabs her wine glass and stands from her chair.

Cracking my neck side to side, I watch as she casually strolls into the garden, one foot on each stepping stone. Her long, black jersey dress scoops down at the front. It accentuates her taller frame, even in flat sandals. My dick stirs.

I’ve genuinely never seen a more beautiful sight.

Stopping a couple of yards in front of me, she props one hand on her hip and waits for me to speak.

I drop my other leg to the ground and spread my thighs apart, leaning back fully in the chair. “Come sit. It’s relaxing. You look like you could use some unwind time.”

She remains silent but lifts a brow.

“Sit.” I point to the empty space beside me, my beer bottle still in my hand.

“Excuse me?”