Four games of charades later, the twins' competitive natures were kicking in. Adam was leaning forward, seated between the two boys on the couch, laughing and yelling out ridiculous guesses. Noah was standing in front of the living room window with the sun setting behind him as he did his best to pantomime steering a boat.
While Mimi was enjoying the chaos from the love seat, her father sat down next to her and placed a hot cup of tea in front of her. Chamomile, her favorite. The men in the family made the best tea. The aroma of an herb garden in spring tickled her nose as she lifted her blue mug. With a wide grin, Adam flashed her a wink, and offered another implausible answer, "Thomas the Train!"
With a stomp of his foot, Noah put his hands on his hips and said, "You guys aren't even trying."
Leaning close, her father whispered, "He smiles at you with tenderness." The rest of the family was caught up in the game, yelling silly answers at Noah, who was enjoying holding court.
Considering what to say, Mimi blew across the top of her tea, causing the surface to ripple. "What do you think that means?"
"There is fondness there. Attraction. When you aren't looking, his eyes follow you. Your grandpa used to growl at me for doing the same thing with your mother before we were married."
"I thought grandpa liked you?"
"He did... after your sister was born."
"Do you like him?"
"I don't know, Adam, yet. It's too soon. Seeing you happy makes me hopeful. I'd feel better if his family was here with him."
"I should have brought his sister."
"Next time."
"And her gap tooth boyfriend. You can scowl at him if you like."
"I'd be happy to oblige." When he clinked his mug against hers, she accepted the gesture as being as close to an open expression of acceptance as she was going to get.
***
Under the starlight, Mimi and Adam walked down the familiar path to her trailer, hand in hand. Bumping his arm with her shoulder, Mimi said, "We survived it."
"I liked them. Your family is very loving." He squeezed her fingers. "I'm a little jealous, honestly. When my family gets together, lawyers are present, and the evening doesn't end in games and dessert."
"Not even at Christmas?"
"Maybe at my aunt's house, if she is in the country."
Sparkling stars blanketed the sky above them. With every step, she grew more aware of his wide, solid body walking next to her. There was an intimacy in being alone with him. When his thumb caressed the back of her hand, memories of his calloused fingers between her thighs caused her to shiver.
"Are you getting cold, cupcake?" He let go of her hand and shrugged out of his jacket. When he settled its warmth around her, his scent wrapped her in longing.
Grasping the jacket edges together, she didn't draw away when he looped an arm around her and settled a possessive hand at her waist. He guided them toward the porch. Mimi said, "Won't you be cold?"
"Not next to you, princess."
Mimi looked over her shoulder down the road, watching for shadowing brothers.
With a low grumble, he said, "I imagine your father will be waiting for my truck to pass his house."
Nodding, she stepped up the stairs to her porch. "He will."
Tingling spread across her back, as she felt him close behind her as she drew her keys from her pocket. He leaned down and whispered just behind her ear, "I guess I shouldn't hesitate if I want to touch you."
Turning to face him, she rested her shoulders against her front door, slipping her key back into her pocket. With his arms braced on either side of her, she stood sheltered by the bulk of his body as he asked, "Do you want to be touched?"
Thighs squeezing together, she couldn't see beyond him, only his broad chest was visible, his handsome face. "I can't let you in. They might check."
He dampened his lips, eyes darkening. With a voice as warm as caramel, he said, "Take your panties off."
"On the porch?" she squeaked.
"Would you rather I lay you down in the pine straw?" He pressed a kiss to her temple.
"No."
Forehead resting against hers, his body big and looming, he said, "No, sir."