Page 58 of Painting Her Fate

“Shit. I had no idea it was that late. I told Ford I’d be there in a half hour.” I wave him away as I type out a quick text to Ford then head outside to the patio where everyone is playing a game at the table.

I clasp Lili’s shoulder then hesitate when I remember her issue with touching. She doesn’t flinch. She’s comfortable here. I’m glad my family can do that for her.

Her gaze meets mine and she smiles back, “Care to join in a game of Chicken-Foot? This game is fantastic. I’ve never had so much fun.”

My face falls and I notice her immediate attention to my shift, “I have to get back to the bar.”

“Oh,” She mimics my disappointment, “we can head back.” She starts to stand.

“Nuh-uh, you’re staying. We are having too much fun to stop now. You can ride back with me once we are done.” Emma grovels. “Besides, I’ve gotta see if you can be the master over here.” She playfully sneers and points at our dad. Everyone laughs as Blake and Gavin sit back down, Gavin taking the seat next to Lili and sending me a smirk, two ice cream sandwiches in his hand.Kick his ass, Lili. He deserves a good wakeup call.

“Stay, have fun.” I tell her, gripping the back of her chair.

If I touch her, I know my body will only harden and make things difficult to leave her. How I want to stay, want to continue to hold her hand in mine, want to forget all my other priorities.

Business first, Zander.No time for pussy-farting around.

She nods, taking a sip of her water.Even the way she does that is stimulating to me. I have it bad for this woman.

“Can I hitch a ride back with you? I wanna hang out with Derek and the band.” Wyatt asks, standing from his chair.

“Sure.” I nod, watching him kiss my sister ever so gentle and sweet and whispering something in her ear, then he grabs his empty glass to take to the kitchen. How I wish I could kiss Lili so freely like that. We are far from that type of scenario. Would we ever get to that point? Does she even want a relationship?Hell, do I want one?I’m not meant to be relationship material.

I’m a man married to my bar. The bar and me.

“Emma and I will pop over later.” Lili mentions and I immediately perk up.

Noticing movement under the table, I find Hank has made himself right at home by Lili’s feet, his head in her lap as she strokes his ears.

Is he snoring right now? What a lucky fricken dog.

He doesn’t even care that his owner has to leave. Then again, if I were in his place, I wouldn’t give a shit either. Although, I’d want her naked, her legs slung over my shoulders so I could dive into her sweetness- hear her whimpers and moans, feel her body writhe under me as I suck and nip- I clear my throat.

“I’ll see you tonight then.” I say lamely, the words coming out tight.

My cock however is rather fond of the idea of having Lili for an after-dessert delicacy. Ford can hold down the fort a little while longer while we swing back to her condo, right? I swallow hard.

Fucking hell.

Now that I’ve touched her skin, tasted her, felt her delectable body grind against mine.I’ve gotta get out of here before I do something I may regret later.

“Watch my dad there,” I point to him, “this man has many tricks up his sleeve. He likes conjuring sneak attacks and ways of probable cheating. Happens every game night.”

Strategy plays a big part in this family’s competitions; we wouldn’t be a military family without it. We often bet about the stupidest shit and sometimes break a few rules to swindle the outcome in our favor. Best family

I could’ve asked for, right here.

Dad chuckles, saying nothing on his part for defense. He knows it’s true; all his children and our mother have caught him in the act- more than once, mind you.

Both parents are born and raised here, dad has always been the quiet reserved man while mom is more of a free spirit and lover of nature. Their love of each other is out of this world. A love I’ve been inspired to one day have.

I squeeze Lili’s shoulder, wanting instead to sweep her into my arms, tell her to forget the game and come with me. But I don’t want to ruin the fun she is having here. Walking to mom at the patio door, I pull her into a hug and kiss her cheek. “Everything was great mom. Thanks for allowing Hank to stay.”

As soon as I let her go her fingers touch where I kissed, a whimsical look about her, “anytime dear. Don’t be a stranger.” She regains some of her motherly composure, “you know, I don’t see you much anymore.” Her hand taps my shoulder, “Take a break from the bar and give some of the responsibility to others. Your mother misses you.”

If only I could build up the courage to tell her, I’m not the same man I was at seventeen. The Marines have hardened me into an emotionless slab of concrete.

The thing with concrete, it forms cracks after time if not taken care of.

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