“It’s already ready. These are just the snacks while we’re waiting for everyone to arrive.”

Reid stands and goes into the kitchen, probably to find some ‘real food’. Ryan and Tag arrive, sitting down and shovelling food into their mouths as soon as their asses hit the chairs. Summer brings some beer out, and we all move to the couch and put on a footy game. She wanted us all to get together, the original group, to spend some time together. I thought the idea was sweet, and it’s really nice to have everyone together for some quality time. It reminds me of the old days, back when Reid was fighting in MMA and Summer just moved here without really knowing anyone. I look over at her and smile. She smiles back and turns to watch the TV screen.

“So I hear Dash is in love,” Tag says when everyone goes silent.

I throw a pillow at his head. “How can you all give me shit, when I was the last one to hold out? I was the last man standing until recently.”

The men all go quiet and Summer bursts out laughing. “Reid was the first to fall. Are you calling my man weak, Dash? Because he taught me some new MMA moves, and I will take you down.”

Ryan starts singing ‘Take You Down’ by Chris Brown. I think he’s been hanging out with Summer too much, because she’s a big fan of that type of music.

Reid smirks as he watches Summer, amused by her antics. “She could probably take you all down.”

We have dinner and help Summer clean up before leaving. I drive straight to Viola’s, already missing her. Is this what it’s like for the men every day? Missing their women, wanting to be with them?

How the fuck do they get anything done?

I’m contemplating this as I knock on her door. She opens it in a black silk robe, which has me hardening at just the glimpse of her.

“Hey, how was dinner?” she asks, smiling wide.

I step through the door, shut it behind myself, and lift her in my arms, throwing her over my shoulder. “Dinner was good, but now it’s time for dessert.”

Chapter Seventeen

Viola

I went back to his store for the third time in a week.

I sound fucking crazy…I know. But the guy who works there looks so much like Max it’s uncanny.

Same brown hair and brown eyes. Same build.

I know it’s not him, obviously, but fuck. It’s eerie being around him, yet I can’t seem to stay away.

I get off the phone with my parents then finish getting ready as I wait for Dash to come and pick me up. Tonight, we’re going out to dinner at a new restaurant that just opened, followed by some vintage car show Dash has been dying to go see. I’m just applying my mascara when he walks into the bathroom and whistles. “You look amazing, Vi.”

I’m wearing a black maxi dress that moulds to my figure, and my hair is down and dead-straight, parted in the middle and framing my face. I contoured my cheekbones and brushed on a little bronzer, finishing with a bold red lip and the mascara I’m applying.

“Thank you,” I say, smiling widely. “You look pretty fucking sexy yourself.”

He comes closer and lifts my chin up, staring at my mouth. “I better be able to kiss you. I don’t care how sexy your red lips look; if I can’t kiss you all night, I’m not going to be very fucking happy.”

I peak my tongue out, running it over my bottom lip. “It’s smudge proof, see? You can kiss me as much as you want.”

His lips are on mine just as I finish the sentence. I smile against his lips, my hands wandering over his body.

“We need to leave now, or we won’t leave at all,” I say, sucking on his lower lip. “I just need to grab my bag.”

“Maybe we should just stay home,” he suggests, gaze now on my breasts. “I’ll cook for you here, after I’ve fucked you on the kitchen table, and fuck the car show. I’d rather spend the evening pleasing my woman.”

I put my hands on his chest and push him away. “We can do all that when we come back. Come on. You’re going to regret it if you don’t go,” I say, biting my lower lip. “Besides, making you wait all night,” I throw him my most seductive look, “the sex is going to be even hotter.”

I walk out of the bathroom, leaving him standing there, grab my bag, and wait near the door, so he has no option but to meet me there. He comes to the door, looking both grumpy and amused. I simply grin as he opens the front door and gestures for me to go first. I step outside, keys in my hand. After locking the door, we get into his car and drive to the restaurant. In the car, his hand rests on my thigh, his thumb moving in slow circles. As his hand moves higher up, I glance over at him and lean forward so I can place a kiss on his neck.

“Vi,” he growls.

I move away, shifting in my seat, kind of wishing we’d just had sex before we left the house, because now all I can think of is me laid out on the kitchen table, his head between my legs, and then me bent over said table, him moving behind me.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks in a deep, husky tone. “I know that look on your face.”

“Nothing,” I hedge, looking out the window.

His deep chuckle fills the car.

I squeeze my thighs together and try to think of other things instead of the talented man next to me, except it’s hard to when his presence fills the car.

“You know, I haven’t had you against the wall yet,” he rumbles. “Maybe we should do that tonight too.”

New images fill my mind.

Damn him!

“I think I’d like that,” I mumble, making him chuckle.

“Are you even hungry?”

I am, but not for food.

“Yes,” I reply, dragging the word out.

His hand tightens on my thigh.

“I’ve never have sex against a wall before,” I admit.

“Of course you haven’t,” he says simply. “Because we’ve never done it, so as far as I’m concerned, sex is completely new to you.”

I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. “And how about you, Dash? Have you done it before?”

Of course he has, but I want to see what he says.

“Not with you, and you’re the only one who matters, so no.”

I look at him with wide eyes. “You can’t make up rules like that! You’ve probably been with heaps of women over the years, plus don’t get me started on how recently you were with another woman.”

“Are you grumpy because you’re turned on but I can’t take care of you right now? Because, for the record, I offered to stay home.”

I tighten my lips and scowl at him. “Don’t change the subject. We’ve both been with other people, and you pretending we haven’t is just silly.”

“Baby,” he says, groaning. “I just don’t want to think about you with another man. That’s it, all right? I don’t like it, so I don’t think about it. Ignorance is bliss.”

I lay my head on his shoulder. “Okay. I’m getting a little hungry now.”

“Good,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

“Food, cars, sex, and spooning,” I say, grinning up at him. “Pretty good line-up, don’t you think?”

“Stop being cute,” he says, changing lanes. “It just makes me want you more.”

“I’ll try.”

“Please do.”

We have a delicious dinner together, and spend an hour at the car show until Dash looks at me and says, “I want to go home. Now.”

I know he wants me from the look in his eye, so we go home, where he fucks me against the wall, and then bends me over the kitchen table.

The man is so good in bed that I don’t care how many women he was with before me. It’s me who benefits from his experience.

And I get more than just his body.

I get everything that is Dash.

*****

A few days later, Dash’s sisters all come over for dinner. I can’t believe how much the twins have grown up, and just how beautiful they’ve become. They’re now eighteen years old and both in uni, living together in a house Dash bought for them. Mari’s dark hair is down her back, just above her butt, while Savannah wears hers in a short, blunt bob. Both styles suit them. Sierra works for a high fashion clothing store and loves life, living with her boyfriend and travelling whenever she can. Jasmine is currently overseas, so is the only one missing.