Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(77)

“You’re good for her,” Ledger said. “Charlie said she’s never seemed happier.”

“You’re doing great, my brother. This is a good man right here.” Hawk walked behind the couch and clapped me on the shoulder.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “What is this? Some sort of induction?”

“Listen, if you can get past that one”—Jack flicked his thumb at Dylan—“you’re already in. She’s the toughest one to win over in this group.”

“Tell me about it,” I said, taking a long pull as they all covered their mouths to hide their smiles.

“Are you talking smack over there, big, bad Wolf?” Dylan shouted and came running over with her arms crossed over her chest.

“How did you possibly hear that over there?” Hawk’s laughter bellowed around the room.

“My bat senses were going off.” She raised a brow, and it took every bit of restraint I had not to yank her over to me and settle her onto my lap so I could kiss her senseless. This was a family gathering with kids running around, and I was fantasizing about her while I was sitting next to her father.

What kind of sick fucker does that?

This was what I was worried about. I’d killed people in battle. I had a temper and hadn’t had a decent relationship since high school—and I wouldn’t exactly call that one decent, anyway. And if Dylan Thomas wanted to leave right now and have sex before we ate turkey, I would run right out the door with her.

I was not boyfriend material.

“Hey, can you come help me with something?” She raised a brow. Everyone’s attention was back on the TV, as the game was close.

I moved to my feet and followed her down the hallway to a bathroom. She closed the door and turned around to look at me. “What’s going on? You looked like you were thinking really hard, sitting on that couch next to my father.”

“How the fuck do you know me so well?”

She shrugged. “I’m very observant. What can I say? You look all perplexed.”

“Did you bring me in here to have sex before turkey?”

Her eyes widened, and she chuckled. “No. Did you want sex before turkey? I mean, if it’s important to you, we can sneak away to my house, but it’s not happening in here. It’s too small.” That’s my girl.

“I’m fine. But if you asked me to have sex with you, I’d always say yes.” I shoved my hands into my pockets.

“So would I. Why are you saying this?”

“I’m just—fuck, Minx. I just don’t think I’m what you need sometimes.”

“Family gatherings can be a lot. You’re exactly what I need right now, Wolf Wayburn. And I’m a fabulous lover, so don’t beat yourself up for thinking about having sex with me all the time. Who could blame you?” She moved closer and tipped her head back so she could look at me. “Why are you overthinking this? Nothing’s changed since this morning.”

“I don’t know. Just thinking. I grew up with a lot of money, and it always bothered me a little bit.” I shrugged. Which was a big part of why the military seemed the route to go. I wanted to give back.

“Why did it bother you?”

“Because everyone always assumes that everything you have is handed to you because you have more money than God. Big houses and all the toys and even a family that loves one another. But I never liked that people assumed everything that I achieved had been handed to me. It wasn’t. It was probably a big reason I wanted to become a SEAL.”

“Because you couldn’t buy your way into it. You had to earn it, right?” she asked, her gaze empathetic and understanding.

“Yeah. The military has nothing to do with your social status or socioeconomic standing. You only make it if you earn your way there with hard work and discipline.”

“I get that.” Her fingers grazed mine as if she wanted to comfort me but wasn’t sure she should. I intertwined my fingers with hers. I liked holding her hand.

“Being here—no one treats me like a spoiled rich kid. They aren’t pretentious or judgmental, and I like them.”

“And that freaks you out?” she asked. “Because you like my family, and you like me.”

“No. I’m fine. I still hate you, Minx,” I whispered, running the pad of my thumb over her pouty bottom lip.

“I hate you, too. And later tonight, we’ll be alone, okay? Just you and me.”

Someone shouted that dinner was ready, and she pushed up and kissed my cheek before leading me out of the bathroom.

We all gathered around the big table. The kids had a small table nearby, and I ate more food than I’d ever consumed in my life, and that was saying something because I’d always had a hearty appetite.

There were multiple conversations going on at the table as we passed the dishes around, and everyone was laughing and chatting and having a good time.

Dylan got up to get some more rolls for the table, and Everly turned toward me as she was sitting on the other side of me.

“You’re good for her, you know? I’ve never seen her this happy.” She kept her voice low, looking around to make sure no one was listening.

I didn’t feel the need to make something up and tell her it wasn’t anything serious for some reason. Everly and I had become friends since working together for the Lions, and she loved her sister fiercely.