Page 11 of Bang
Their genuine laughter eases a little more of my annoyance, especially when she wraps her fingers around my forearm. Welcoming my embrace and including me in the humor. Loving me despite me being a dick to him. Forgiving me for my relentless efforts that she deems unnecessary.
Ford tips slightly at the waist and sweeps his hand toward the door, escorting us without touching her. “Come on, let’s get you a drink.”
Reluctantly, I let her loose but quickly grab her hand to lead her inside with my brother trailing us, ensuring she’s safe between the two of us. For all his faults, I know he’ll protect her to the death too. Our father raised us right.
Her pleased gasp behind me as we enter the kitchen makes all the bullshit worth enduring. The set-up’s nice, I have to admit. With the perfect layout of an open kitchen, living room, and dining room, the carnival atmosphere works. Three small booths with games of chance sit between a caricaturist drawing portraits on one end and a fortuneteller reading palms flanking the other. A huge bar along the opposite side of the space makes everything tolerable.
Taylor almost drops her snow cone margarita when she catches sight of Eden, screaming and running over to her. Too loud and boisterous for my taste, but Ford and Eden like her so I keep my thoughts to myself.
“You’re here! You’re actually here! I can’t believe Beck let you come!”
My soon-to-be sister-in-law engulfs my wife, dangerously close to tipping lime juice down her back. Eden just laughs and accepts her voracious hug, and I feign tolerance, allowing her to be dragged away to make a drink too. They chat animatedly, and I fucking love how Eden glows. Just when I think she can’t get any more beautiful she fucking blows my mind all over again.
Ford must be looking to get his face beat when he elbows my gut, only saving his ass when he hands me a scotch. Of which I take a long and welcoming drink.
“Holy fuck, she’s ten feet away from you and you haven’t killed anyone yet. It’s a fucking miracle.”
“It’s a miracle I haven’t killed you yet.”
Although I can’t lie. I’ve never felt more alive when Eden turns to me and holds out her hand, wanting me to join her as she checks out the activities. Grateful her desire for more freedom doesn’t exclude me.
“Let’s get our picture made.”
I ignore Ford chuckling as I slide on the bench next to her, straddling the wood so I can keep her close. Whatever my wisp wants on date night—hell any fucking time—she gets. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I kiss her shoulder, reminding her how much I love her regardless of us being in a room full of people. The need to be stingy with my affection in public diminishes slightly when we’re surrounded by family and close friends. I hate to fucking admit the truth but they already know my one and only weakness.
“You’re staring.”
I get a side-eye glance before she looks forward again. Mesmerizing me with her delighted grin. “So what?”
“You’re supposed to be looking at the artist so he can capture your entire face.”
There’s no exasperation in her tone. Instead the flint of arousal flickering in her velvet voice lights me on fire too. “I can’t help myself. You’re too damn gorgeous not to look at twenty-four seven.”
That compliment makes her blush and finally turn fully toward me. Fuck if I’m not rock hard when she rubs her delicate hand up my thigh. “You really think so?”
Now it’s on. I twist her around in her seat and yank her closer, eager to feel more. Her bare knees brush my thigh while her hip pushes into the fabric straining to hold my cock hungry and desperate for her. “I fucking know so. Doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I think about you all the damn time.”
I mean fuck, I think about her riding my dick when the guys are bashing in some idiot’s face or fucking her sweet mouth when I’m negotiating a deal or curling her next to me when I’m on the brink of sleep, well aware I’m a lucky fucking bastard that my real life is better than any dream.
“You’re not the only one.” Her shy gaze flicks to my hands on her hips and she brushes over my wedding band with the tip of her finger. “I think about you all the time too. I tell myself I shouldn’t be so infatuated with you but it never works. I just love you so much I can’t help myself.”
If I could fuck her right here, right now, I would whip off her dress and impale her on my cock before she could inhale another breath. “I love you too.”
“Here you go, Mr. Mancini. I hope you like it.”
The young man’s voice quivers as much as his hand when he offers the paper to me. I grab the sheet and hold the sketch up for Eden to see. She decides if the image is acceptable or not.
“Oh! It’s perfect! I love it! Thank you!”
She’s happy, I’m happy. The portrait is dead on too. A halo floats above her head while I glow with devilish features trapping her in my clutches. Guy’s got talent as well as balls to portray the truth. I slip him a benjamin for his skills and her satisfaction before following her to the next game.
After watching a magician with his card tricks, winning her a teddy bear with the balloon and dart game, and having her aura read, of course confirming she’s intelligent, beautiful, and strong, I give her the opportunity to hang out with Taylor and the other women. I don’t want to prevent her from enjoying the girl time she seems to need.
“We’ve set a date.” Ford observes his future wife like prey, despite the ribbing he gives me for being so careful with Eden, before turning his gaze to me. “I want you to be my best man.”
Just like he was for me. It’s a given but I appreciate the sentimental gesture just the same. For as much as we give each other hell, I love my brother and want him to be happy. Even if his fiancée is a lush and trying to get mine to be one too with the drinks she lines up in front of Eden.
My girl’s led a sheltered life thanks to me claiming her at twenty, so she’s never even been to a club or bar. I protect her innocence like the gift it is but also give a little leeway tonight as she gingerly shoots her first tequila. No worries about her getting out of control if the grimace on her face is any indication.