Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(36)
I rolled my eyes. “Beer?” I asked Dash, not wanting the tantric yoga god to start talking sex, as he often did. To Dash, a person’s sexuality was always open for commentary. He just couldn’t help himself.
Dash surveyed the counter. “Wine?”
“Pussy,” Clay mumbled before getting the corkscrew and opening a bottle of red he’d bought.
Amber set the cake down and came straight toward me. She pulled me in for a hug and asked me how I was, immediately checking out my neck sutures and confirming the doctor did a great job. I wasn’t ready to show her my back, even though I knew she wanted to see the extent of the injury. The resident in her was always on the surface, but like her husband with sex, she was passionate about what she did—she helped people. I just didn’t want her to focus on it here tonight.
“Hey, Doc, you want a glass of red or white?” Clay asked Amber as she walked over and sat on the couch.
“Same as Dash, please.” She cuddled against her husband’s side.
“Of course,” he deadpanned.
“Don’t knock it till you try it,” Dash warned and grinned like a loon.
“Believe me. I’m trying.” His gaze slashed to mine and burned with a thousand unspoken words of want and need. My knees weakened at the heat burning in his baby blues.
He continued to stare as I got close. He put a hand on my back. “Genevieve would like a beer. I’ll take the wine though,” I murmured shyly to my guy. My guy. A flush of excitement sprang to my chest.
“Now that’s my wife.” Trent’s chest puffed with pride as Genevieve sidled up to him.
“What?” she asked.
He looked down and kissed her nose. “Nothing, gumdrop. You’re just perfect for me.”
She petted his cheek. “Don’t you forget it.”
“Not possible.” He smiled and kissed her quickly.
My cheeks flamed red-hot when Clay put a proprietary arm around my shoulders. Dash clocked the move right away, lifting his head in approval. Amber’s mouth opened in what was likely shock. Dash’s hand went for her mouth to cover it, but she grabbed his wrist and tucked it to her breasts. He immediately copped a feel.
“No way! Monet, you and Clayton! This is so awesome!” she gushed.
Without realizing it, I stiffened in Clay’s arms. I knew he felt it because he pressed me closer and rubbed at my neck, trying to provide a little comfort to the part of the evening we had to get out of the way. Our friends would eventually find out we were seeing each other, and at least it came from the source and not through the gossip mill.
Clayton spoke, his voice sure and strong. “It’s new,” he hedged. “And now that everyone knows we’re seeing each other, we can move on to other things.”
“Yes, please.” I placed my wine glass in front of the bottle. He poured half a glass, and I lifted my gaze to his and pouted. Clay cocked an eyebrow in response.
I let it go and lifted the glass to my mouth, taking a sip and enjoying the berry notes floating tantalizingly over my tongue. A soft moan left my mouth at the luscious taste. Clayton didn’t miss a beat. He tunneled his hand into my hair and kissed the essence of the wine right from my lips in front of everyone.
When he was done kissing the daylights out of me, I was dazed and probably glassy-eyed, not able to see anything but him.
The couples around us didn’t say a word. Clayton grinned, turned, and tucked me to his side once more, where I planted my face to hide my flaming-hot cheeks.
“How do grilled steaks, potatoes, and salad sound to everyone?” he offered the room.
A round of approved grunts and yummies from the women sliced through the silence. The awkwardness evaporated as he grabbed the steaks, kissed my forehead, and headed to the backyard to fire up the grill and hang out with Mila and Atlas.
We’d survived the uncomfortable moment of each person checking on me and us updating our friends about our new relationship. None of them seemed all that taken by the news, which not only made me feel more secure in my decision to move forward but paved the way for the idea of future barbeques, birthdays, holidays, and more as one big happy group to resonate through my mind. Nothing but love and light seemed to be ahead. One day at a time. Things were starting to fall into place.
Chapter Eight
A heart-centered couple will experience challenges just like any other, but these struggles tend to strengthen their relationship, not weaken it. Each new challenge faced will have their love growing and expanding in time.
CLAYTON
Damn, that woman was going to kill me. Not being able to touch her the way I wanted to, hold her, make love to her. Fuck! I ran my hands through my spikey hair and did some yoga breathing in order to cool my jets.
Soon. I’d have her all to myself soon. I just had to be patient and let this play out. Give her more time to heal. She was just starting to come around. Rushing her more than I had wouldn’t do either of us any favors.
Slow. I’d promised slow, and that was what I’d give her. Besides, it was no hardship to touch, flirt, and kiss Monet Holland. The anticipation of more might be killing me, but it definitely wasn’t a bad way to go.
Heart and head in check, I refilled her wine—another half glass—and grabbed a handful of beers for the crew. We had settled into the formal living room, where Monet had several couches, tables, and low lighting. It was perfect for chilling with so many couples. Atlas and Mila were hanging out on the floor, him plucking at his guitar while she, eyes closed, hummed and swayed to the rhythm he set. They were perfectly content with one another, and I privately applauded them. They’d stuck with it through thick and thin and had worked out their differences when many would have just gone their separate ways.