Always

Chapter 51

“Yeah, they really aren’t too hard,” Harry added.  I nodded.

“Okay, you guys pick then and teach me whatever,” I said.  “I’m up for anything.”

They decided on some game I had never heard of, but looked colorful and interesting so I was happy with it.  After several attempts to teach me the rules, it quickly became apparent that board games weren’t my forte.  I kept getting the rules mixed up or playing the wrong cards, but no one minded.  They all chuckled along good-naturedly with me, gently correcting me whenever I did something wrong and teasing me lightly. 

The simple act of playing a board game with these people made me feel surprisingly welcome.  They had accepted me, it was clear, and it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.  Gemma, it turned out, was very dry and sarcastic, similar to me if I was in the right mood.  I thought she was hilarious, and couldn’t stop laughing at the playful little digs she took at her mother, Harry, and even occasionally, me. 

They way they spoke together and teased each other was so easy and playful, yet carried strong undertones of love and affection.  You could tell they actually enjoyed spending time together and didn’t just play games together so they could claim that they had ‘family time’ like I had heard so many others do.  This was a real family, and I felt so privileged to be taken into it. 

I had just messed up for what seemed like the hundredth time, earning a laugh from everyone, when I felt Harry’s hand land on my thigh under the table, squeezing reassuringly.  I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my lips as I looked at him. 

He looked so happy having me here with his family when we were all getting along so easily.  He returned my smile, causing his dimples to deepen in his cheeks.  I couldn’t stop thinking how incredible he looked. 

His full lips were pulled into a genuinely happy grin, and his eyes, which were always so captivating, were practically glowing as he looked at me.  His sharp jaw, one of my favorite features, looked stunning, as always. 

Happy really suited him.

It was still hard to believe he was mine. 

My hand, which had been tucked under my thigh, came up to rest on top of his, feeling his warmth.  His skin was soft and smooth on the back of his hand where it was pressed to my palm.  I flexed my fingers, bringing them to slide between the spaces his fingers created.  He turned his hand over and I could feel his fingers trail down my palm before tickling back up my fingers. 

I couldn’t help but shiver at the sensation.  It was crazy that something as simple as our hands tangling together could have such an effect on me, but there was an undeniable sensuality to the movement that drove me insane. 

His movements were slow, gentle, and at times, barely able to feel, but it was so much more than simply holding my hand.  I could feel my body starting to buzz, my head getting cloudy.  If he kept this up, I wouldn’t be able to continue with the games.

The worst of it was, he probably had absolutely no idea what he was doing to me.  His innocent gesture of playing with my hand, meant to be comforting, had turned me into a mess in a matter of minutes.

“Joey?” Anne’s voice pried into my haze.

“Sorry, what?” I asked, eyes widening as I shook my head slightly.  Focus, Joey.

“I said it’s your turn,” she said, a glint of humor in her eye as if she suspected why I had been distracted. “If you don’t get back to start, though, I win and the game is over.”

“So I think it’s safe to say you’ll be winning then,” I chucked.  I really was shit at these games, despite how much fun I had had playing.  Or rather, trying to play.  Anne laughed as I gathered up the dice and threw them, not even knowing what I should be hoping for in order to continue the game.  When the dice landed and Anne cheered from across the table, I knew enough to realize she had been victorious.