Page 25 of Electric Wounds
She gulps, then straightens her shoulders. Pointing to the board, she says, “You’re awfully cocky for someone on the losing team.”
I chuckle, then straighten and head to the other side of the table. “Not for long.”
Our lack of clothing seems to distract Lily, either that or maybe she doesn’t want us all to lose our underwear. We win the next two consecutive pieces and Lily is left sitting across from us in a simple black panty set. I can barely keep my eyes off her chest, and I almost miss when she states, “Checkmate.”
“No way,” Enzo exclaims, staring at the board in shock.
“You need a better team next time,” she says with a laugh.
Enzo groans, slumping back. "This is bullshit," he mutters, taking one last drink and tossing his briefs aside. He’s completely naked now, glaring playfully at all of us.
Jax, who’s been his usual quiet, broody self all night, finally cracks a small smile. "You guys are idiots," he mutters, shaking his head as he removes his boxers.
Dylan grins, flinging his boxers away, then standing there with his hands on his hips like he’s posing. "Yeah, but you love us anyway."
I remove my boxers as well, watching as Lily averts her gaze from all the naked male across the table from her. “Rematch?” I ask jokingly.
“Err, tomorrow?” She asks, still not looking at me. “When do we put our clothes back on?”
Enzo laughs. “Now I guess. Although it’s a bit anticlimactic.”
Lily’s cheeks flush, but she jumps up and throws her clothes back on, waiting to look in our direction until our underwear is back on. She cleans up the chessboard as we all settle back into the couch, returning to the reality tv show. Once she finishes picking up the pieces, Lily settles back against me and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer.
As the night winds down, everyone starts heading to their bunks. Lily slips away ahead of me, but I catch up to her, gently touching her arm. "Crash in my bunk tonight?”
She hesitates, her eyes searching mine. "I don’t know, Marcus... Every time I sleep in someone else’s bunk, it seems to start trouble."
"Just to talk and sleep," I say, my voice soft.
After a moment, she nods. "Okay. Sure, Marcus."
We climb into my bunk, the space tight but comforting. I wrap an arm around her, and she rests her head on my shoulder. The quiet hum of the road surrounds us, and I can feel her starting to relax.
"Today was crazy," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin.
"Yeah, it was," I agree, running my hand gently through her hair. "But life on the road is crazy. This is just part of being with the band."
She looks up at me, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. "I’m worried about what’s going to happen when I have to go back to real life.”
I press a soft kiss to her forehead, buying myself time because I’m not sure how to respond. I haven’t even thought about life after the next tour stop, yet alone life after the tour ends. "There’s time to worry about that later."
She sighs, her body sinking deeper into mine. "I know."
"Get some rest," I murmur, pulling her closer as we settle into the bunk. She’s laying half on top of me at this point and I’m still not sure if it’s close enough.
She leans up, moving to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. I move my face at the last second, capturing her lips with mine. She is soft and sweet, yielding as I demand entry, her tongue hesitantly touching against mine as the kiss continues. A groan builds in my throat as I cup the back of her head, deepening the connection. She releases a soft mewl and I pull back, both of us breathing heavily. Tucking her back into my side, I whisper, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
“Goodnight, Marcus,” she returns with a sigh.
I fall asleep with a grin on my face.
SIXTEEN
APOLOGIES AND TRASH TV
Lily
I wake up to soft light filtering through the small window. The warm chest underneath my cheek makes me smile before I even open my eyes. When I do, Marcus is lying next to me, his hand running gently through my hair.
