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“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you a lot, and this is how they show their support. It’s a lot. They’re a lot.”

“Wow.” Erin sits on a lounger. “You like me a lot, huh?” she smiles.

“Yes, I do. But I think you know that already.”

“Hum, not sure. Maybe you could prove it?”

“And how would I do that?”

Erin shrugs one shoulder, her eyes smiling mischievously. I sit next to her, our bodies touching. “Maybe a kiss would prove it?”

“Maybe?” Oh this woman. Two can play that game. I lean in. Her eyes flutter shut, but I don’t kiss her lips. Instead, I let my breath tickle her neck ever so gently. I ghost my lips across her skin. The goosebumps tell me how affected she is. Slowly, I make my way to her ear. “I can think of many ways to show you how much I like you,” I whisper, and then I pull away.

Erin is in a trance, a very sexy, horny trance. I’d bet all my clubs and bars that if we were within ten feet of a bed, we would be in it, doing very naughty things to each other. A small gasp escapes her perfect lips. And my heart soars.

Then my family does what they do best. Ruin the mood. The shouts and wolf whistles through the French doors catch us both by surprise. Erin laughs and buries her face in my shoulder, which I love. I shoot a murderous glare at my family. They couldn’t care less. Great.

“Come on, let’s get back inside,” I say. It’s with great reluctance that I stand and pull Erin up. We were quite happy on that lounger. Ugh, families.

“Can we pick this back up later?” Erin nuzzles her nose into my neck again and ruins my underwear.

“We can sneak out right now if you want,” I say, only half joking.

“But I have a party to help plan.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with it? Don’t be scared to say if you’re uncomfortable.”

“It’s a lovely gesture. I’ve never had a birthday party as an adult, so it’s really nice. Should I ask how they got my friends’ and family’s contact info?”

“Probably not,” I laugh. “They mean well. Sometimes they just go overboard.”

“Well, as a single child of parents who live hours away, I’m thrilled they went overboard.”

“What would you like for your birthday?”

“I don’t need anything.”

“I didn’t ask what you needed, Erin. I want to get you something. We’re dating now.”

“Oh, of course, sorry. Dating protocol, right?” She’s mocking me and I don’t care. I want to spoil her.

“Exactly. So as your dating buddy—”

“My dating buddy,” she snorts. “Is that what you call yourself?”

“For now,” I wink. “So, what do you want from your dating buddy?”

“Just to spend time with you. That would be perfect.”

“That is a given.” Our faces inch forward. I’m so close to her lips, so close to feeling them on my own—

“Will you two get in here? I’m starving,” Lucille yells. Erin chuckles, stepping back. She grabs my hand and pulls me to the house.

“Later,” she whispers. Does that mean she wants to, you know… take things further or does it mean she wants to flirt a little more, with a make-out session?