Watching Verena escape immediately from the intimate embrace we shared moments ago did not sit right in the pit of my stomach. Her eyes shifted from being filled with lust but with embarrassment, as she took notice of Kaemon, Arsenio, and Zolani watching her move quickly from my arms as she bolted out of the front door.

I tried to walk past Arsenio, but Zolani placed her hand against my arm, looking up at me conflicted, "Let me go see if she is okay". I wanted to run after Verena, but I looked deep into Zolani as if she was pleading with me tonight to not fight with her. I nod and watch as Zolani pats my arm one final time before running after Verena. I wait until Zolani is no longer in the house before letting go of the air I am holding against my diaphragm as I place my hands against the kitchen counter.

"I can't do anything fucking right lately. I think I was getting somewhere with her and then we take ten steps back". I was beyond frustrated with how to handle Verena. Up in the bathroom an hour or so earlier, the sexual tension spilled over to the point where she couldn't no longer ignore that there was still chemistry between us as her lips opened up perfectly and she consumed my lust for her as filled her mouth to the brim.

I thought I was finally breaking down her barrier as we stood perfectly in sync in the kitchen making dinner. I wanted to press my body against her as she used a cooking knife to finely chop up vegetables, kissing her behind her ear, but respected her space and refrained from touching her once more. The kiss we shared moments ago electrified my soul and wanted to taste more of her sweet nectar, but once more Verena was becoming used to running away from me and then trying to work on the issues we needed to resolve.

"You are simply looking at things from your perspective only. Have you ever thought to take time to realize maybe Verena is not ready to forgive you just yet", Kaemon adds to the conversation as Arsenio looks as though he is agreeing with what my youngest brother is saying. "I don't have to keep being reminded how much I fucked up my marriage. I lost her for five years did you not forget". Kaemon shakes his head as if he is not pleased as he has look of disappointment covering his face.

"It takes time for wounds to heal, you of all people should be aware of that", he states, before he walks out of the kitchen. I glance over at Arsenio as he places his hands behind his back. "The young fellow is right you know I know you might not think so, but he is". Arsenio then walks over to turn off the gas stove as he takes a look inside the pot where collard greens are now done.

I then walk over and hold open the stove door to see that the macaroni cheese is done as I place oven mitts on my hands before taking it out and placing it on the counter. I then pat the fried chicken with a paper towel, catching the grease as it soaks off the paper towel, before throwing it away. I then make sure to plate all of the food on serving dishes before I take them to the dining room which is near the kitchen.

Arsenio opens the cabinets and reaches for several clean plates as well as utensils before setting up on the long rectangular table. Once the dining table has been filled with food, I then look over at Arsenio before I glance out the blinds, looking out to see Zolani and Verena sitting in the sand near the ocean. "I think I'm going to go outside and tell the girls dinner is ready".

Arsenio nods, "Don't beat yourself up about Rena, she still loves you, bro, don't give up on her". I was unsure at this point if Verena still had romantic feelings for me, but I refused to let her go. I remove my socks before placing them in the pockets of my True Religion jeans before I walk down the steps down the path to where Verena and Zolani are still plotting on the ground against the soft sand.

Zolani takes notice of me and then leans forward and places her arm around Verena before getting up from her seat on the ground. She walks toward me as her sundress and hair blow against the current of wind that has picked up out of nowhere. "Be careful, she is still pissed the fuck off. I would hate to see you get your ass kicked ass by her".

I smile at Zolani's sarcasm. "Good to know, dinner is ready by the way". Zolani grins when she hears that the food is ready. "Good I was wondering when the food was done, thank you. Be nice to her", she then points over at Verena who still has her back turned to me, refusing to look over at me. "I will, don't worry". Zolani eyes roam between Verena and then me, before she walks back up to the beachhouse.

I then turn around and take small strides before I stand beside Verena and look down at her, as she looks into the ocean a tranquil look covers her face, as if she is in a trance. I take a seat next to her against the sand and bring my knees to my chest, resting my elbows on my kneecaps. I glance down at Verena before I look out into the ocean. The only sounds that give us company for several minutes as waves of the oceans and the seagulls flying high into the beautiful clear blue sky.

"Did you ever think my life would turn out this way when you met me 10 years ago". It takes me a moment to ponder over Verena's question she asks me. "No, I imagine our life to be different. I imagined us to be happy, our life filled with joy. Our home filled with the soft laughter of the children that we procreated together". I take notice of the grim expression that covers Verena's face when I mention children.

"I thought so too at one point, but our life didn't turn out that way", she then looks over at me and I can see the pain and resentment that lie prominent in her eyes as she looks at me. I then take hold of her hand, "Dinner is ready, that's why I came outside", Verena nods before we both stand at the same time, as she wipes the sand from her dress while my hand moves to get rid of the sand that sits against my jeans. Verena then tries to remove my hand from her grasp, but I stop her from doing so.

"Please just allow me this one moment to have you near me. That's all I ask of you". For now, I wanted so much more, but I settled with her hand resting against mine. Verena looks down at our joined hands and nods reluctantly. "Fine just this once, but don't make a habit of getting used to this", she states as we back towards the house. "Whatever you say, Cherie". Maybe Kaemon was right, I caused enough pain in Verena's life I needed to work towards being a better husband to her. Everyone takes notice of joined hands the minute we walk inside the dining room. Verena quickly removes her hand from away from mine and I see a smirk covering Zolani and Arsenio's faces, as my brothers try to hold in from laughing.

Dad looks every bit pleased as I hold Verena's chair open, before sliding against the table and taking a seat next to her before she whispers something to Zolani that causes her to giggle softly. Once I settle into my seat Dad clears his throat, "Alright everyone, let's say grace", We all bow our heads as Dad blesses the food before we collectively say Amen before passing the serving dishes around and piling our plates up with the delectable food Verena and I made for everyone to indulge in.

"These greens are fucking fire", Kaemon says, "Hey watch your mouth", dad says to Kaemon as he raises his eyebrows at him. "Sorry pops, I meant no harm, I was trying to give sis her props". Kaemon then winks over at Verena. Zyran joins in with the compliments, "Rena you need to cook more, I remember when you used to cook for us all the time when I and Kaemon were kids". Verena gives a smile to Zyran.

"Of course, I miss that as well cooking for you, you boys would each so much food". Zyran snorts, "That's because we used to smoke a lot of weed back then". Mason shakes his head as Zolani starts laughing at Zyran's statement. "What", he says as he looks at me I raise my eyebrows at his blunt response.

"It's true", Zyran then hits Kaemon's chest, "You knew we used to buy our weed from this dude who lived on the East side of town". Kaemon takes a sip of his sweet tea. "You talk too much, dad and Eryx didn't need to know that".

Zyran waves him off, "Smoking weed is not bad, hell, we both have indulged in things that are far worse than that". Zyran gives Kaemon a look that causes his eyes to shift down as if he remembers what Zyran is referring to.

"Don't remind me". I am curious to know what they are talking about. I open my mouth to ask, but Verena looks at me urging me to let it go. She then leans toward me, "Don't embarrass them, they are just making conversation", she whispers against my ear.

"Besides did you forget you were once 23", she adds, "I was different when I was their age". Verena rolls her eyes at my statement, "Bullshit, you and I both know you were far worse do you need a crash course of how chaotic and unhinged you used to be back then". I smirked and then leaned forward, my lips touching Verena's right ear.

"Why won't you remind me", as I place my hand against her hand. Verena looks at me but then at her plate. "This is not the time for that we are at the dinner table", she grits her teeth as everyone else ignores us they laugh at something Kaemon and Zyran are talking about.

"It will be a time and place and you can't run from me then", I stare intensely into her eyes before it causes her to shiver as she breaks eye contact. It's only a matter of time before I will have heart and her back in my bed again, my dick jumps at the mere thought of the sheer passion I cannot wait to unleash on Verena.





Just to clarify Kaemon and Zyran are 23. Sorry, I waited so long to clarify their ages, but just wanted anyone to be confused. Also, we just hit over 70k words with this story. I cannot believe it. Hit another milestone. Thank you for reading my story, you guys truly are amazing.