Page 27 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
It’s not much, but it’ll give me two minutes of not being in the same room as him. Two minutes where he’s not at my side and I don’t feel his touch, his eyes on me, or the way the heat radiates from his body and warms mine.
I let out a shaky breath and open the door. My eyes scan over the cluttered shelves with the massive collection of games. My grandparents started their collection when they first got married, a few special decks of cards from their honeymoon. As my dad and uncle came into the picture, more card games and board games were added to the closet. My mom and aunt entered the scene, and more games were added. After my cousins and I came into the picture, it’s no wonder why this closet isbursting at the seams with every game imaginable. A closet full of memories.
My eyes land on the new card game and I reach forward to grab it, but not before I feel the all too familiar heat at my back. I swallow as I feel his breath at my neck, then my ear.
“I was afraid you got lost in here,” he mutters. His fingers brush down my sides.
“Nope.” I shake my head and quickly grab the new card game. “Found them.”
He steps closer, pressing himself against my backside. “Damn, there are even more games in here than the last time I saw. I didn’t think anymore could fit.”
I quickly shut the door and turn to face him. “Yeah. Okay, let’s go and play.”
His arms cage me in. “Do you want to play, baby?” His eyes dance with mischief.
Yes.My stomach flips at the thought. I want to get out of here with him, but I can’t give in yet.I am a strong, independent woman. Damn, it!All I can think about is taking Ethan back to my house, but right now, it feels like he’s the one in control.
For the past seven years, I’ve been in control. At least, it felt like it. All of these subtle touchesare making it hard. I need to be in control, but I feel like I’m about to crumble and cave. I have to fight back at his own game.
“Yeah.” I trace a finger down the center of his chest, stopping at his belt, and swallow before looking up at him. “Cards.” I grin as I hold up the deck and slip away from him and back down the hall to my family.
Once I’m back at the table, I shuffle the cards and deal them for the first round. Ethan slips into his seat next to me as I finish, his knee brushing against mine under the table.
It shouldn’t affect me like this, but everything about him lights my skin on fire. Every touch is far from accidental and judging from the way his jaw clenches, those touches have been getting to him, too.
Good.
I try to focus on the game. We draw and discard cards around the table until the next round begins.
Everyone is laughing and chatting, but I’m doing all I can to stay focused on the game and not the way Ethan’s fingers are holding his own cards.I didn’t realize how into hands I would be, but his are beautiful.
Strong hands with long fingers I want all over me.
“Daisy,” my aunt’s voice comes across the fog. “You’re awfully quiet tonight.”
I smile softly. “Just a little tired. I’ve been trying out new recipes and planning out stuff for this week for the farm stand. It’s going to be a busy few days.”
“Only one more round.” My grandma laughs as she places her cards down.
“Oh, come on.” Andrew groans as he looks at his own cards.
“I’m in it to win it,” says Grandma.
“You can’t take it easy on your grandkids?” Andrew shakes his head.
“You’re a grown ass man. How would that be fair?” Grandpa laughs across the table.
The conversation carries on, but my mind is elsewhere. Even when I look at all the cards in front of me, they go out of focus. I can feel his eyes on me. I glimpse Ethan out of the corner of my eyes and see the smirk.
Time to end thisgame
I focus on this round, willing it to end as soon as possible. My aunt, who starts placing her cards down on the table, answers my prayers.
“Game over,” she cheers and dances in her seat.
Everyone takes their turn placing down their last cards while Grandma tallies up the totals to declare the winner, most likely herself.
It takes a few more minutes to say goodbye before I’m able to make my escape. I’m not normally in a hurry to leave our family day at my grandparents. I’ve definitely stayed longer.
