Page 5 of Claiming His Labor Day

“She just needs a little coaxing out of that shell she keeps herself in,” I said.

“If anyone will do that it’s you. You’re good with the ladies,” Bones said, elbowing me in the rib. “No female is safe when it comes to Devlin.” He raised his beer as if toasting the idea, laughed and slammed half the beer.

I shook my head but kept my eyes on her. Bones was right. When it came to women, if I wanted them, I got them. I was good at it. Besides, practice makes perfect. I loved the chase, and when I got the prize, it felt like a victory. I didn’t work on small talk. I didn’t want to know their hopes and dreams. I didn’t care about where they came from or what they wanted out of life.

This woman was different. I wasn’t interested in just the victory. I wanted to know everything about her.

I leaned against a post close enough to the ladies and watched as they laughed together and enjoyed their drinks. Mia and the blue-haired girl were holding hands, little smooches being stolen from time to time. Naomi was laughing as Camilla tried to toss small plastic rings over bottles in a game. I watched Naomi as she tried to pin her hair back up as the heat from the day began to dissipate. Her pink top inched up, giving me a hint of her stomach, just enough to tease me. Her little white shorts fit her perfectly, showing off her long legs.

“You’re drooling,” Bones said with a shit-eating grin.

“I’m observing.”

“Yeah, sure you are.”

Whatever he wanted to call it, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

He cocked his head with that same grin on his face.

“You’re still staring at me,” I punched him in the arm. “Get the fuck back, freak.”

“Last time I saw this look, it was for that waitress in Rio.”

I looked away and took a drink. “Why do you feel the need to bring that shit up again?”

“Because it’s about to happen again.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said in a cold tone.

“Uh-huh. Last time I saw you hesitate like this when it came to a woman, the bitch ripped your heart from your chest.”

“She treated me poorly, but don’t ever call her that again. She had a name,” I glared at him.

“Too bad she didn’t have a clue.”

I grabbed hold of Bones’ T-shirt and pulled his face up to mine. “Don’t be talking shit about something you don’t know anything about. It’s a really good way to get yourself hurt,” I said slowly.

“Dude! Relax, I-I get it.”

I let him go, and the memories flooded back.

“Come on,” he said, slapping my back. “Before you get all misty-eyed or some bullshit, let’s go.” He nodded at them and began walking in their direction. “Fireworks will be starting soon, and I want to get settled in plenty of time.”

“Since when have you been interested in fireworks?” I asked.

“I’m not. I’ll be making my own if you know what I mean. I don’t know about you, but my piece is a sure thing.”

“You have no class, do you?”

“Who needs class when I have that?” He pointed at Camilla as he waggled his eyebrows.

“Unbelievable,” I shook my head and followed him.

Camilla was the first to notice us. She smiled wide and closed in on Bones. “Hey! I thought you disappeared on me. Did you miss me?” She locked lips with him, and within moments, their hands were all over each other again.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” he growled, grabbing a handful of her ass. She squealed in a girlish way. I shook my head and grinned as they locked their lips together and kissed again, their bodies rubbing together.

Glancing at Naomi, I felt a wave of envy. I caught her look back at me and held it until she cleared her throat and looked away. We stood there awkwardly as our friends fed their lust off each other.

Mia was in a deep conversation with her new friend, holding hands as they stood facing one another.

Bones pushed Camilla back until they were against a large light pole. His hands snaked up her shirt and fondled her as her breathing got a little heavier.

“Don’t worry about us. Just pretend we aren’t even here, or that you’re not in a public place,” I scoffed.

And they didn’t. They didn’t mind us so much that it was as if we weren’t even there.

“Sorry,” Naomi mouthed.

“You don’t have to apologize for your friends. Wanna get out of here?” I asked, glancing at the two hot and heavy couples.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all,” Camilla swooned, wiping her lower lip with her finger. She chuckled and took Bones’ hand leading him away from the crowd. They ducked in between two vendor tents and disappeared into the growing darkness.

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