Always, Tulip

??Twenty-five

His intoxicating scent, the taste of strawberry and the way he held me confused my senses that a strange sound left my throat though that didn't stop him from devouring me.

Our mouths moved in sync, our bodies pressed against each other as we got carried away into this new feeling. I melted into his embrace, abdicating myself to him as he took lead.

I slightly pulled back for a second gasping for air though Grey didn't seem to have had enough because he moved to claim me again although someone hastily passed by us before he ventured further.

"Something is burning," Reece turned off the oven then checked the cookies and after confirming that they were almost fine, he gave us a brief glance.

Reece cleared his throat though Grey didn't turn his back away from him. He didn't move from me even with Reece's next words though I hid my face into Grey's chest.

"Continue with what you were doing," I was embarrassed at the teasing by Reece yet Grey seemed to reconsider his words though Mayella came rushing in shortly afterwards and I laughed at the grumble that left his chest.

"Masha," she stretched the phone in her hands towards Grey while asking him to put on a game she wanted to play and I assumed that the screen was locked.

She smiled widely when Grey gave her his phone then tugged my wrist, a beam coating her small face. "Elle, come play with me."

She showed me the screen of some princesses and I smiled back knowing she was playing dress up. I was surprised though that the game was in Grey's phone.

I went back to the living room with her as Grey took out the cookies from the oven and I hoped he would be careful enough not to burn himself.

"Elle, which dress do you want? The yellow one or the blue one?" Mayella had the phone angled my way between us. I pointed at the blue one which had her frowning.

She looked at the yellow one for a long time which made me eventually give in and she giggled proceeding to pick up a pair of shoes.

We played for three more rounds before Reece came down to join us. He picked up Mayella from her spot and that made her whine at his interruption.

She kicked in the air and from the corner of my eye I saw Grey come out to check on us. Upon seeing Reece, he relaxed slightly and passed me a smile that I returned.

"Put me down Reecie!" Mayella grabbed a fistful of his hair while clutching Grey's phone on her other hand. I laughed when Reece released her after he feigned a cry.

Their interaction had me envy their relationship. It was usually alone for me at times being an only child and I envied people who had siblings.

"Your lovely brother will be leaving," Mayella lifted up her head once to acknowledge Reece's words though she paid him no heed as she concentrated on her game.

I looked at him in surprise though he pointed at the kitchen while smiling, giving me a teasing look. I shyly looked away abashed, though Grey joined us a minute later with a tray balanced on his left hand.

He placed two glasses of milk before us and then spread out the cookies before us. The aroma had Mayella swiftly looking up as she dropped the phone on the sofa.