by K. C. Lynn
Gently grasping either side of her jaw I tilt her mouth up, licking between that small gap, and hear the hitch in her breath. “Just remember all the dirty things I like to do to you with this filthy mouth of mine, Cupcake.”
She stares up at me, her cheeks flushed. “Don’t worry. I never forget what you do to me.” There’s a sad note in her voice, one I don’t like hearing.
“Everything okay, Grace?”
Something briefly flashes in her eyes, but she quickly masks it with a small smile. “Everythin’ is fine.”
Bullshit!
I know it’s not but I don’t press her on it, knowing now’s not the time. Leaning in, I kiss her forehead. “Come on, baby.”
We climb out of the SUV and by the time I walk around the front I see Grace already in my mom’s arms, along with Hope. “I’m so glad you guys are here. We’ve missed you so much.”
“We missed y’all, too,” Grace says, hugging her back.
My dad walks over with Parker in his arms and extends his hand to me. “Hey, son, good to see you.”
“You too, Dad,” I say, clasping it.
My mom comes over next and tugs me down by the collar of my shirt and kisses the shit out of my face. “Missed you so much.”
“Good to see you, Mom,” I mumble, hearing Hope giggle.
A squeal fills the air and I look up to see Sam bolting out the door and down the large front steps. She launches herself at me first since Grace and my dad are in an embrace with Parker.
“’Bout time you’ve come back for a visit, big brother!” she says, laying a loud smacking kiss on my cheek before trying to put me in a headlock.
I flip her around, hanging her upside down.
“Hey, come on now, you can’t do this to me just because Jesse isn’t here.”
“I’ll do whatever I want,” I grunt. “Speaking of half-pint, how is she?”
“Great,” my mother answers with a smile. “She said if she would have had more notice she and Matt would have come for the weekend, too.”
Jesse moved to LA three years ago to kick off her fashion career. She’s made a huge success out of it and that’s where she met her husband, Matt.
“There’s always next time. Besides, it wasn’t that long ago that they came to see us. At least she comes to visit,” I say, making a point to tap Sam, who still hangs upside down.
“Yeah, well you’re not the only one who doesn’t see her very much,” my dad grumbles.
My sister tenses and my mom scolds him. “John, not now.”
Well, what the hell is going on here?
Things are quiet and awkward for a long moment before Sam breaks it, slapping my arm. “Will you let me up? I can’t think with all this blood rushing to my head.”
Taking pity on her, I flip her back up then place her on her feet, then she snatches Hope from my mom. “Look at my sweet little princess. You’re getting so big, and you’re so pretty, just like your mama.”
“Hi, Auntie Sam,” Hope greets her with a smile. “I was hopin’ you’d be here. Me and Mama created a special auntie pie we’re gonna make just for you.”
“You did?” Sam asks excitedly and carries Hope over to where Grace stands so she can hug her, too.
“Yeah, it’s called Pain In The Ass Pie,” I say with a smirk, earning a glare from her.
My mom smacks my shoulder. “Watch your mouth. Especially in front of the kids.”
“Don’t worry, Grandma. We’ve heard him say much worse,” Parker tells her, throwing me under the bus.
“Yeah,” Hope joins in. “We make a lot of money in the swear jar ’cause of him. Ain’t that right, Mama?”
“We sure do,” Grace agrees, tossing a taunting smile my way. “Comes in handy when we wanna shop.”
I grunt. I’ll bet it fucking does. Glancing back over at my mom, I see her glaring at me with disapproval. I throw my hands up. “I’m trying, all right? Jesus, it’s not fu—easy when you’ve been doing it for so long.”
“Well try harder,” she scolds. “Now go on and take your stuff into the house and upstairs. I know it’s been a long day of traveling for you guys. I’ll have supper ready in an hour.”
“Actually,” Sam cuts in, “why don’t you and Grace take the guesthouse. I want to have a sleepover with my niece and nephew tonight.”
“Yay!” Hope cheers. “Are we gonna have candy?”
“You know it, I have a huge stash.”
“Cool! I’m in,” Parker says, running around my dad’s legs, looking hyper enough without a sugar rush.
“Are you sure, Sam?” Grace asks tentatively. “It could be a lot.”
“I’m positive. I want to spend as much time as I can with them before you guys go. They’ll be fine,” she promises.
“Oh I know they’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about,” Grace says. “I mean, they’re good and all, but they can be…shall we say, rambunctious.”
“Actually, I’d say…coool,” Parker adds, putting on his Oakleys I bought him and sliding to the side with his arms out, making everyone laugh.
I put out my fist for him, feeling damn proud. “Good one, kid.”
He knuckle bumps me. “I know.”
“Lord help me.” Grace shakes her head but can’t hide her smile.
“Well come here my cool nephew and give your auntie a hug.” Parker goes to make a run for it but Sam is faster. She picks him up and peppers his face full of kisses.
“Aw man, come on.” He laughs, trying to push her face away.
Sam pulls back with a frown. “Don’t tell me you can’t handle a few kisses.”
He smirks at her. One I know well. “It’s not me who can’t handle it. It’s the ladies who can’t handle me.” Grace gasps in horror and my mom’s eyes bug out of her head. “Isn’t that right, Dad?”
Oh shit!
My dad turns his head and coughs, trying to cover his laugh. Meanwhile, Grace turns at me with fire in her eyes, and not the usual kind I like to erupt from her.
Sam groans and looks over at me. “Good god, he’s a mini version of you. This is frightening.”
“Of course he’s like me. He’s awesome.”
“That’s right,” Parker agrees with a nod.
“Oh dear.” My mom sighs, patting my chest. “Go on now and take your stuff to the guesthouse before you dig yourself deeper.”
They all head inside, leaving me alone with one pissed off chick. Grace comes at me, arms swinging, and nails me in the arm.
“Ow!” I laugh, shielding her tiny blows.
“What did you say to him?”
“Nothing.”
“Yes, you did. You’re gonna fix this, Sawyer, you hear me?” I lock my arms around her, stopping her pathetic punches, and pick her up off her feet. When I lean in to kiss her she turns away. “Oh no you don’t. Your sexy lips aren’t gettin’ ya out of this one.”
“Come on, baby. Don’t you want him to grow up and be as cool as me?” She turns her death glare on me again, which is exactly what I was anticipating, and use the opportunity to fuse my mouth with hers. However, she still doesn’t budge, her lips remaining lifeless against mine. “All right, fine. I’ll talk with him,” I give in. “He was just spewing shit. I’m sure he wasn’t serious, but if it makes you feel better I’ll tell him it’s not okay to talk like that.”
“Thank you.” She softens in my arms.
“I’ll tell him not until he’s at least twelve.” She stiffens again. “I’m kidding…fourteen.”
“Sawyer!” she growls, making me laugh.
“Okay, okay. No more jokes. I’ll make it right. I promise.”
“You better. I don’t want my son growin’ up to be a pervert like someone I know…”
“Hey! In all fairness, I only perv on you and you’re my wife, so technically that’s okay.”
“It wasn’t always like that,” she grumbles.
“To me it has been, because you’re the only one that’s ever mattered.”
She watches me, her expression softening and a small smile touching her pouty lips. “I must admit, Evans. Sometimes you can say the most perfect things.”
She leans in, giving me the kiss I wanted earlier. My dick comes to life, screaming to be inside of her. However, she ends it much too soon. “Now put me down, you charmin’ bugger,” she orders, pushing against my chest.
With a grunt, I lay one more hard kiss on her lips then place her back on her feet. Just as I head to get our bags, she grabs my arm and stops me. I turn around to see her staring up at me, a soft expression on her face. “Just for the record, Sexy Sawyer, nothing makes me more proud that Parker is just like you. Even when he’s playin’ jokes on me.” She gets a small smile. “I wouldn’t want him any other way.”
And this is why my Cupcake is fucking awesome.
Instead of telling her that, I lean down to grab her around the legs and throw her over my shoulder.
She lets out a squeal of surprise. “What on earth are you doin’? Put me down.”
“I don’t think so, baby,” I say, heading toward the guesthouse.
“Hey, wait! You forgot the bags.”
“Screw the bags. After those words, we’re fuckin’ first.”
She giggles but it trails off on a moan when I lay a hand to her ass.
I move a little faster, need propelling my every step. By the time I’m done with her she won’t sit down without feeling me.
Sawyer
We sit around my parent’s kitchen table, eating supper. Grace’s cheeks are still flushed pink, and her lips swollen from the good fucking I gave her less than an hour ago. And still, all I can think about is getting back inside of her. I swear, I will never tire of her, never stop wanting her every second of every day.
“Hey, Auntie,” Parker says, turning to Sam. “Pull my finger.”
“No, don’t!” Grace leans over and pulls Parker’s hand away before Sam can do it. “Parker Evans, give it to me, now.”
“Aw, Mom, why did you ruin it?”
“What is it?” Sam asks as Parker hands over the small device that was hidden under his finger, dropping it into Grace’s hand.
“Trust me. I just saved you from the shock of your life.”
Sam looks over at Parker and quirks a brow. “Trying to pull a fast one on me, kid?”
“It would have worked if Mom didn’t ruin it,” he grumbles, but then makes eye contact with Grace. “But I still love you, Mom.”
Grace smiles, her angry expression softening. “I love you too, baby.”
Yeah, the kid is fucking smart and knows exactly how to get himself out of shit.
“It wouldn’t have worked on me because I’m the master,” Sam says. “First off, if you want to pull a prank on someone you don’t start off by saying ‘pull my finger’, that’s a dead giveaway. But don’t worry, little lad, I’ll teach ya.”
I chuckle at Grace’s groan before looking over at my dad. “You still have my hockey equipment kicking around?”
He nods. “Of course I do.”
“What about my smaller stuff? Anything that would fit Parker?”
“Yep. I got it all.”
I figured as much.
“Why, Dad?” Parker asks.
“Because I spoke to the rink attendant yesterday and got us some ice time tomorrow. I thought we could all go skating and I could teach you some hockey. Get you prepped for tryouts this year.”
“Yes!” Parker cheers.
“What about me, Daddy? I don’t have skates.”
“It’s okay, Shortcake, we’ll rent some for you and Mom.”
“Oh no, not me,” Grace says, throwing her hands up. “Not after what happened last time, but I’ll come watch y’all.”
I smirk, remembering a few years back when I took her again while my parents watched the kids, and she felt confident enough to try some sort of fancy shit and face-planted before I could make it to her.
“We’ll come, too,” my dad says. “I want to see our future star tear up the ice.”
“I can’t wait,” Parker says. “Dad says he’s a legend around here.”
Sam rolls her eyes. “I’ll bet he did. It’s something he feels the need to tell everybody.”
I shrug. “What can I say? I’m a truthful guy.”
My mom shakes her head, but is unable to hide her smile. “Well on another note,” she says, changing the subject. “Your father and I have some exciting news to share with you guys.”
Everyone falls quiet, and while I notice my mom’s vibrant smile, I notice Sam’s vanishes.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
My mom stands and walks over to my dad, putting her arms around his neck. “Your father and I have decided to move closer to you guys. We’re looking at Sunset Bay or Charleston.”
“Oh my gosh, are you serious?” Grace gasps excitedly while I stare at them in shock.
My mom nods. “We want to be closer and watch our grandkids grow up.”
“Yay! Now we’ll get to see you and Grandpa all the time.” Hope stands on her chair and launches herself at my mom.
“This is wonderful!” Grace says. “We’d love to have y’all closer.”
“What do you think, boy?” my dad asks.
“I think it’s great. I’m just shocked is all. You guys have lived here for so long.”
“I know,” my mom responds softly. “It will be hard to say good-bye. We have so many amazing memories here, but it’s harder to be away from you guys and my grandbabies.”
I glance over at Sam to see her quiet, staring at her plate while pushing food around with her fork. “What about you?” I ask. “You coming, too?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Aw, why not?” Hope asks, disappointment thick in her little voice.
My dad grunts. “Because heaven forbid she leave him.”
“John. Not now,” my mom snaps.
But it’s too late, his comment sets Sam off. “This has nothing to do with Grant!”
“Grant? Who the hell is Grant?” I ask, wondering why I’ve never heard of this guy before.
“No one,” Sam says coolly. Shaking her head, she looks away from my father and over at Parker. “You guys ready to go upstairs and start our slumber party?”
“Yes!” both Parker and Hope yell enthusiastically, oblivious to the tension.
“All right, say good night to everyone and let’s go party.”
They run to Grace first.
“Y’all be good for Auntie now, ya hear?”
“We will, Mama, promise.”
I hug them next then stand and grab my sister, giving her one too since she seems so upset. “We’ll see you in the morning. You have my permission to tie them up if you need to.”
She softly chuckles. “Thanks, but we’ll be fine.” She leaves the room without looking in my parents’ direction.
After taking my seat again I look at my dad. “What’s going on?”
He points at me, his jaw hard. “I don’t like him, boy. He’s bad for her but she won’t listen to a goddamn thing I say.”
“What do you mean?” Grace asks. “And who is he.”
“Grant Fleming.” He spits his name like it’s acid. “Some hotshot investor who thinks his shit don’t stink. And I’m not talking the same way you and I do,” he adds, making me smirk. “I’m talking about the bad kind, son. They’ve only been together a few months but I see the change. She’s not the same anymore. We never see her and if we do it’s brief. He calls her every five seconds. I’m surprised she’s even here now. One day, about a month ago, she came home crying and locked herself in her room for three days straight.”
I tense, not liking the sound of that, and look over at my mom. “What do you think?”
A worried sigh escapes her. “I don’t know. We’ve met him a few times and he’s definitely not someone I would expect her to be with. Your dad is right, something is different with her, but when I spoke to her she to
ld me she really likes him. And this is Sam we’re talking about; she wouldn’t let anyone treat her badly. This change could be anything. She had a hard time when Jesse moved. And now that we are, maybe that’s what has her so upset. We’ve begged her to come with us. I don’t want to leave her. The thought of her here by herself breaks my heart.” She trails off as emotion clogs her throat.
Grace gets up and moves next to her, rubbing her back. “Don’t worry about that. Sam is a strong, independent girl and she knows y’all love her and want her to come. That’s what’s important.”
“She used to be a strong, independent girl,” my father bites out. “That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. He’s done something to her. I know it.”
The certainty in his voice has me concerned, and I decide before I leave here I will find out for myself. If what my dad says is true, it will be the last mistake Grant ever makes.
“So what do you think about everything your dad said?” Grace asks me later that night as we lie in bed. She’s draped over me, her head on my chest as she delicately drags her nails across my stomach.
“I don’t know. I agree with Mom. The Sam I know wouldn’t let some asshole push her around, but I haven’t been here so who knows. My dad seems damn certain this guy is no good, and usually he’s a good judge of character.”
“Maybe he’s just bein’ really protective?”
“No, I don’t think so. I mean, yeah, we’ve always been protective of my sisters, but this is different.”
“Well I hope he’s wrong. Sam’s too sweet to be treated badly by anyone,” she says softly.
“I tell you now, I’m going to find out one way or another, and if my dad is right that fucker is dead.”
Her entire body tenses. “Oh lord, Sawyer, don’t be killin’ nobody. I need you.”
I chuckle. “Don’t worry, Cupcake, I won’t kill him, but if he’s hurt her I’ll fuck him up good.”
“I swear if you go to jail I’ll kill you.”
I flip her to her back and come over top of her, pinning her arms over her head. “I promise, baby, I’m not going anywhere.” Leaning in, I bury my face in her slender neck, her sweet scent penetrating my senses.
A scent I crave every fucking day.
“Good, because I need you. Always,” she whispers, her voice sounding sad now.
