Roman flips me off
“It’s gorgeous!” Sophia lets go of my hand or almost does. I pull her back against me, wrapping my arms around her. “Gunner, look at … everything. The fountain is like a work of art. It’s so lush and beautiful.”
I kiss her throat and suck her earlobe. “So it’s just like you.”
She giggles and kisses my cheek. “Look at that. You’re even sweet.”
“You’ve tasted me. You should already know that.” I wink.
She gasps and shakes her head at me. “We are in a public garden, sir.”
“Call me sir again.” I groan in her ear, pulling her closer to me.
“Gunner.” She breathes. She laces her fingers through mine at her side. “Explore with me.”
“Go ahead. I’ll join in a bit.” I encourage her.
She laughs and walks over to Holden. She takes his hand and leads him to the pond to look at some waterfowl as they hurry away. She pouts, and I chuckle to myself. Roman and Nick take some photos of the garden, and I shake my head.
The park is impressive and having Sophie here, getting to share it with her is exciting. It’s so different from what I normally do with the guys, and I was worried I’d hate it, honestly. That I’d have to paste a smile on my face, but it’s easy to be here.
I actually enjoy being at the park. I sit in a vine-coated gazebo and just watch people living their lives. We take a million and a half photos. Sophie kicks a soccer ball around with some kids, giggling and letting them win. The language barrier doesn’t hold her back, and when she doesn’t understand, I laugh. The kids slow down, enunciate each syllable, then drag her around.
Her eyes meet mine, and she grins. I can’t help the smile that answers her. Roman joins in on the game, happily lifting kids when they score and making them squeal with laughter. Nick claps and takes some photos of Sophie enjoying herself, definitely to show her dad we kept her safe. Even Holden joins in on the fun, kicking the ball back when it’s kicked to him and admiring the birds that are hopping around them.
I move to a grassy hill and run my fingers through the soft blades of grass. Nick joins and sighs. “I think this is paradise.”
“I’m tempted to agree, man. This is the first time I’ve been able to forget the rest of the world.” I say with a smile.
We close our eyes, and then, I’m crashed into. A wave of red hair catches the sun across my face, and I find myself staring at Sophie. She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck while her legs sling over Nick’s lap.
I adjust to avoid getting hard in public and then rub her back. “Having fun?”
“Well, I suck at soccer.” She motions to the pickup game still going on. “Nick, will you tag in for me?”
“Well, looks like our team is going to suffer even more.” He chuckles.
Sophie slides off my lap and sits by my side. “Are you having fun?”
“I am.”
“You looked bored, so I wanted to make sure.” She bites her finger. “I know you guys want to make sure I have a good time, but your experience matters too.”
“Thanks, Sweets.” I rub her knee. “I’m having a good time. I promise. And I’m very excited for the wine tasting tomorrow. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a vineyard, and I know that Massimo is not going to settle for anything less than the best.”
She rubs my hand and leans towards me. “I have a feeling I’ll be exhausted by the end of this trip.”
“In more ways than one.” I tease.
She grins and shakes her head. “Always flirting, aren’t you?”
I can’t help it with her. Honestly, the chemistry between us is so fun to explore. I like how quick she can be, seeing the reactions my flirting gets, getting her tongue tied. It’s a game that I thoroughly enjoy and only because she’s so … her.
She looks up at me, the wind tousling her hair, those sweet eyes that I’m convinced could stop a war. I brush my fingers over her cheek. “You’re too sweet for me, Sophia.”
“You only think that because I haven’t bitten you yet.” She teases.
“You have plenty of places to bite. Go for it.” I drop my head back dramatically. “Take out all your vampiric urges on me. I can take it.”
She laughs and shoves me playfully. “You’re full of it.”
“Did you lose your flowers?” I ask, noticing the lack of them.
She motions to a little girl. “She couldn’t stop staring at them.”
But she gives them out to all her friends, and I roll my eyes. “Regifting on me? I see how it is.”
“You can deny a little girl when all she wants is some flowers?” She arches an eyebrow.
I avoid the thought of kids in war and shrug. “Like I said, you’re sweet.”
She kisses my neck softly. “What did you want to be when you grew up?”
“I wanted to be exactly what I became.” I shrug. “Military family. I probably would have stayed in. I was ready to sign up for another tour when Miles had the idea for a club.”
“Well, was following my dad worth it? Did it improve your life at all?”
“Working with my best friends, getting to get fat and drunk without feeling guilty. Hell yes. A massive improvement. There was no second thought.” I pull her hand into my lap and rub her fingers. “I think I enjoy the financial improvement too.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes.
“What, it helps make life fun.” I tease.
“I’m learning all about you, Gunner.” She says as she stands, dragging me up with her. “Whether you want me to or not.”
“Time to head to dinner,” Roman says as he joins us with the guys.
As we head over, I keep to myself how much I’d love for Sophie to know me. But at the same time, there’s a lot she might not like. She wouldn’t necessarily enjoy a lot of stories, from before, during, and after war.
She tugs me along with the guys and pats my belly. “Food. You were all about that, right?”
“Food, alcohol, and you, sweets. Sounds like a winning night to me.” I wink.
She laughs, and I pull her closer. I’m just waiting to have her for dessert.