When I glance at Sophia her mischievous grin makes me reach for her hand. I squeeze it.
“You've been hanging with Blaire for too long,” I state. “Then again, you can be wicked on your own.”
She shrugs one shoulder. “He deserves it. Plus, I get a kick out of those two. They act like they can’t stand each other, but it’s just bullshit.”
“Do you know there’s a list of banned subjects we can’t discuss in front of Leyla?”
“No, that’s a new one,” she answers. “I get the feeling that he coddles her even though she’s pretty strong. You know, because he hates her and wants her out of his life.”
I laugh, “He’s so whipped it’s not even funny.”
“She loves him too. I wish I knew what happened between them.”
“Earlier one of the Mary’s came to visit with him and Leyla didn’t care. Maybe it is just one-sided,” I point out, watching the booth and waiting for my brother to swing a punch at the guy in front of them. Instead, they are shaking hands. “Do you think he set them up on a date?”
Sophia rolls her eyes. “Of course not. He’s an Aldridge. If he knew there’s any chance that he’d take his woman, he’d be throwing the first punch. I’m sure he met his wife.”
“The artist is married, and you knew it?”
She releases a loud laugh. “The actual artist is the redhead next to him. She brought her husband along. They are from Idaho.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Leyla did care about Mary Beth dropping by with breakfast for the boys,” she states. “I heard Mary Lu came along to visit with you.”
I put an arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to me and say, “She did, and I told her I was on my way out to be with you.”
“Oh no, you’re not using me as your shield, Aldridge,” she spouts trying to push me away, but I don’t let her. “Just enjoy their adoration and tell them you’re a taken man. After all, you are taken.”
Pierce comes right behind Leyla. He’s glaring at Sophia. “Nice couple. I skipped the thanking since you had done it already.”
“How’s Mary Beth, Pierce? Are you two going out on a date?” she taunts him.
“Only if Henry and Vance agree to join us since she can’t go out without her sisters,” he retorts but gets no reaction from Sophia.
“I still don’t understand why they are called the Mary’s when the third sister’s name is Nina,” Sophia says, ignoring Pierce’s taunting.
“Wasn’t Nina the one who was trying to catch the doctor?” Leyla asks. “They have their sights set on the Aldridge boys. I’m sure at least one of you is going to end up related to Anna Tattle. It could be you, darling husband.”
He sneers at her but doesn’t say anything. As we make our way to the other booths, I move my arm from Sophia’s shoulder and grab her hand, interlacing our fingers. It’s something we’ve done before, I just never thought much of it until now. Never before had I thought about how her hand fits perfectly in mine or how I love the feeling of her skin against mine. I’m tempted to guide her hand to my lips, but I won’t kiss her until she asks, just as I promised her.
But fuck if it doesn’t feel like it’s been years since the last time I tasted her. It’s not like we have time to be together. Other than working out, we haven’t spent any time alone since she arrived. There’s always someone with us, like her parents, my brothers, or an employee. Years. I’ve repressed myself for years. For at least the past year I’ve been fantasizing about her. What are a few more days or weeks?
I hope nothing because I’m about to combust with need, and if I have to keep jerking off for the lack of sex, my dick might fall off before I can have her.
We continue making our way through the booths, while Pierce is desperately trying to locate those big drinks that he hopes are loaded with vodka and will make him forget that he’s browsing with his brother and soon to be ex-wife.
When we find the place that’s selling those large drinks Pierce wants, Sophia wiggles her hand out of my grip, “We agreed, no touching.”
“I was only holding it. You should stop being stubborn and let me kiss you.”
“Sure, just because you say so.” She rolls her eyes. “You don’t get to decide what I should do, Aldridge. What’s next? Tossing me over your shoulder and dragging me to your secret cave?”
“Only if you’re into that, beautiful,” I say, taking a good look at her. “Let me know since I’d have to find a cave to make your fantasy a reality.”
“My only fantasy is eliminating you and disposing of your body without getting caught,” she says. “So yeah, find that cave so I can use it for that purpose.”
“You’d miss me.” I wink. “Tell me what you’re into, and I’ll make all your wishes come true.”
“What about you? Any fetishes?” she questions me with a serious face, but she’s definitely biting her lip so she can hide the smile.
I’m into you. You’re my wish and only fetish.
With the way she looks, I could eat her right now. She wears a black strapless dress and a pair of high heel sandals that make her toned, tanned legs look like a mile long. Longing thrums through me, to push her dress up, move the thin fabric that covers her sweet pussy and thrust inside her. I stop myself right there because even when the tension of not having her is eating me alive, I can’t just take her.
So what if every day we’re together I’m thinking about the ways I could fuck her, wondering if she’s wearing black lacy underwear, or what is under the outfit of the day.
“I’m into not becoming the mistress of some powerful mogul,” she retorts, and lucky me, my brother and Leyla come out of the booth right before I can discuss Martina with her.
“Lavender-strawberry lemonade,” he says, handing one of the two tall drinks he’s holding to Sophia. “It’s not even hard lemonade. What the fuck?”
“Thank you,” Sophia says.
“You know what’d a great business be?” Pierce asks and answers, “Setting up a booth that sells alcohol. At least beer and wine.”
“They’d have to request permission from city hall to sell alcohol outside an establishment. It’s not that easy,” Sophia says, sipping from the lemonade. “This is so good.”
“I knew you’d enjoy it,” Leyla says, drinking from her own, though hers is reddish. “Mine is Rooibos tea lemonade.”
“We should buy the bar and have a booth. I heard Levy is selling it, but it can be just a rumor,” Pierce proposes. “Can you see me as a bartender?”
“No,” Leyla answers. “Stick to what you know. Wait until the beer festival.”
“The kombucha festival is coming up soon,” Sophia informs him. “They should have a tequila, vodka, or scotch festival. I’ll have to check on those sporadic free weekends they have and see if we can institute them.”
“The drinking festival,” Pierce announces. “I’ll be the sole organizer.”
“Do they have a strawberry festival?” I whisper in her ear. “I like to suck on them.”