I blushed, while Steven, who was medium height with dark hair and eyes, lovingly rolled his eyes at his wife. Amelia and Steven were one of those couples that looked like they went together.
Gael chuckled beside me. “I made some lunch. I figured you guys might be hungry,”
I turned to Gael. “That’s why you were cooking all morning long. You are such a sneak. I love it. Thank you!”
Giving him a quick kiss, I wanted it to turn into more, but kept it in check considering we had an audience and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop myself in my current status.
Amelia responded, “We’re famished. We got up early and had to run to our gate to catch our connecting flight.”
Bringing in the two medium-sized bags, we closed the door. Gael took their coats and hung them in the closet while Amelia rehashed parts of their trips such as the elderly woman in the concourse that made eyes at Steven. Through all the jovialness, Amelia still watched Gael and I closely. Her family had always been fiercely protective of me.
“How long are you here?” I hoped we at least had a couple of days.
She huffed. “For two days and then we have to head back. Stupid work and only two weeks of vacation sucks.”
We laughed as we made our way to the kitchen to eat the pasta Gael had made this morning. It warmed me that Gael was getting to meet the other two people I held most dear in my life.
I had brought the last dish into the kitchen to help Gael clean.
“Why don’t you rest? I’ve got this.”
Raising my eyebrow, I gave him my best no-nonsense look. “You cooked and planned this wonderful surprise. I’m better now, I can help, but someone refuses to give me my clean bill of health.”
Gael picked me up and spun me around. I squealed in delight. As he sat me down, he nibbled on my earlobe and seductively whispered in my ear. “You just want sex.”
Leaning back my head, I gave him access to my neck which he kissed. The water continued to rise as the bubbles multiplied in the sink. “Yes, I do. I miss you.”
Gael’s hands fisted my hair keeping my neck exposed as he worked his way up to my jaw. “I’ve missed the feel of your body, Ashlin.”
“I need you, Gael.” It embarrassed me how out of breath I sounded, but the throb neared unbearable.
I felt the tip of his tongue trace my jawline. The stairs made noise as Amelia and Steven came down. Gael let go of me and gave me a chaste kiss on the mouth. “Tonight. I hope you can be quiet with our guests.”
“I can.”
Gael’s hard on was evident. I giggled and he adjusted himself. Right on cue, he stepped to the sink, turned off the water, and rinsed the dishes as if he hadn’t been about to maul me in my own kitchen. I grabbed a towel to dry as I tried to slow my breathing down and buy some time to get the flush out of my cheeks.
Amelia and Steven came into the room. “Did you guys get settled all right?” I asked from over my shoulder.
Steven strode to the fridge to get himself a drink before sitting at the bar. Countless times both Amelia and Steven had come with me to see Aunt Leelyn. This place was like a second home to them.
Amelia responded, “Yes, we did. It’s like I remembered it. I miss Aunt Leelyn.”
“I know. Me too.”
I stopped drying the dish and turned. Amelia came and put her head to mine as we hugged. I asked Amelia, “Are you upset I didn’t call you while you were on your honeymoon? I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you guys to have your time ruined or come back early.”
Amelia took a couple of steps back. “I would have done the same thing if it was you. It’s been a walk down memory lane being back here. I miss her. I think I’d like to visit her grave if you’re okay with it.”
“I’d be more than okay. We can go tomorrow if that sounds good.” I hadn’t been back to the grave since the burial. It was probably time to take some fresh flowers.
“Perfect.”
Gael finished rinsing the dishes. His phone vibrated and he looked at the phone. “I need to get to the restaurant. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Is everything okay?” I was still on edge wai
ting for Harris to strike.