Love and Lingerie

by Lacey Black

  “He’s never really seen me in something so…simple. I’ve always worn corsets and little scraps of black lace. Crotchless panties are his favorite,” she whispers, and for the first time in the short time I’ve known my cousin, I watch her blush. “But I have something important to tell him and it’s going to be a pretty big surprise. I thought if I were wearing this he might be less shocked by my news. Of course, he’ll probably be more surprised I’m wearing this instead of what I normally have on when I’m seducing him into agreeing with me,” she says with a slight chuckle.

  Suddenly, she stands up straight. “Forget it.” She reaches for the delicate nightie. “I can’t wear this. He’ll know something’s up.”

  I pull the negligée out of her reach. “No way. You definitely need to wear this. Not because you’ll shock him or surprise him, but because it’s as beautiful as you are, and the thought of him not seeing you in it would be a travesty.” I squeeze her hand, much like I did Jaime’s a bit ago. “Seriously, Lexi, he’s going to be so happy when you share your news it won’t matter much what you’re wearing.”

  She looks at me from across the counter, a look of shock on her face. Without calling me out, she glances back down at the nightie. “You think?”

  “You could wear a burlap sack, and he’d be the happiest man in the world. That guy worships you, and is always talking about more kids.”

  “But four? I mean, four kids, Harper. I don’t know if I can handle four.”

  “You can, and you will. You’re already the best mom to the twins and Stella. What’s one more?” I ask with a big smile.

  Lexi laughs. “Yeah, what’s one more?” With one more glance down, she hands me the ivory nightgown. “I want it. He’ll probably die of heart failure before I can even tell him my news when he sees me in this, but I think it’ll be a good shock.”

  “I agree,” I tell her as I finish ringing up her purchases.

  AJ, Meghan, Payton, Jaime, and Abby all follow. I ring up their new goodies, happy each one found a few new undergarments, pajamas, and some body products to take back to Virginia with them.

  We’re all standing at the counter, visiting as Emma walks up and slams her hand down. “I’ll take these.”

  I glance down and find a few tags cut off and sitting in a small pile. “Where are the items?” I ask, glancing down to see if she has them in her other hand.

  “I’m wearing them!” Aunt Emma proclaims.

  “You’re wearing them? But you haven’t washed them yet,” Payton gapes, her mouth hanging open in shock.

  “No one has crotch cooties, Payters,” Grandma brushes her off.

  “No, but they might have crabs!” Lexi bellows.

  I glance up. “Umm, no one has crabs. My store is crab-free,” I assure, running the scanner over the tags. Glancing at the screen, I’m shocked to see the itemized list that appears. Apparently, I vocalize my surprise.

  “What? What’d she buy?” Jaime asks, leaning over the counter and looking at the screen. A gasp fills the store.

  “What? What’d she buy?” Meghan mimics Jaime’s question.

  “Crotchless panties, garter belt, and a bustier!” Jaime roars, making her sisters gasp in shock.

  “Grandma!” Abby huffs.

  “The bustier is black leather,” Emma boasts proudly. “And it’s missing the bra cups that hold my girls.”

  As if on cue, all of us – my cousins, myself, and Free – all glance to Emma’s chest. I’m not sure what we’re expecting to see. It’s not like we’re able to see through her shirt, yet we all gaze at her as if her boobs could pop out at any second.

  “Your grandpa will be so excited when I get home,” Emma adds, coyly. She leans in as if she’s about to share a secret, but doesn’t keep her voice down as she says, “I always carry my nipple tassels with me. They’ll look amazing with this bustier.”

  A gagging noise sounds over the counter, and I glance up just as Lexi puts her hand over her mouth and takes off to the back for the restroom.

  “Way to go, Grandma. You made Lexi throw up with your oversharing,” Payton chastises.

  “Oh, it’s not my crotchless panties that has her sick, Payters. It’s the pregnancy,” Emma says matter-of-factly.

  AJ glances at her sisters. “She’s pregnant?”

  “Don’t look at me! I didn’t know,” Abby insists, holding her hands up in the air.

  A sniffle echoes through the room. “I’m so happy. We’re pregnant together. Again,” Jaime cries.

  “I can’t believe four of us are pregnant at the same time,” Abby cries, tears streaming down her face.

  A throat clears. “Ummm, five.” Our eyes all fly to AJ, who stands in the middle of her sisters, trying to hide her smile.

  “You’re pregnant too?” Meghan asks, unable to fight her own smile.

  AJ nods her head frantically. “I just found out this morning.”

  “And Sawyer?” Jaime asks.

  “He was with me when I peed on the stick. He knows.”

  A massive hug ensues, filled with grabby hands and happy tears. “I can’t believe five of the six of you are pregnant. At the same time. Your father is going to be so excited,” Cindy adds, hugging each of Brian’s daughters. When she gets to Payton, I notice the tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Payton,” she whispers, pulling her into her arms and giving her a tight hug.

  Payton’s sisters all seem to realize what this means. Even though I’ve only known this side of the family for a few months, I’ve heard the stories. I know Payton has PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and her chances of conceiving are very slim. She went through several rounds of fertility treatment to have her son, Noah, and had a rough time. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now, knowing that all five of her sisters are at various stages of pregnancy, and she’s not.

  Tears burn my eyes, and I will them away. I’m able to get them under control, but not before one slips out and slides down my cheek. Even Free seems to understand the magnitude of this moment, silent tears slide down her own cheeks.

  “It’s okay,” Payton whispers as the tears fall freely. “I’m so happy for all of you.”

  “I’m sorry, Payters,” Meghan says to their oldest sister.

  “I’m not. Am I a little disappointed I won’t experience pregnancy with all my sisters? Sure. But I know I’m going home to the family God intended for me to have. Dean and Brielle, and of course, Noah.”

  Emma steps into the circle and pulls her eldest granddaughter into her arms. “You are, without a doubt, the bravest woman I’ve ever met. Your life is so full of love, just as God intended it to be. Hold on to that, Payton McIntire. Hold on to them.”

  They all embrace once more, but Free and I stay where we are, letting them have this moment. I couldn’t imagine what Payton must be feeling. Disappointment. Sorrow. Anger. I’m sure it’s all there in spades.

  “What’d I miss?” Lexi asks, rejoining the group, looking a little green still.

  “You’re pregnant?” Abby asks her sister. Lexi’s eyes go wide, but she doesn’t say a word.

  “It’s okay. We won’t say anything,” Jaime promises.

  “I’m going to tell him when we get home,” Lexi whispers, a smile playing on her lips.

  She’s pulled immediately into a hug, instigated by Payton. The oldest sister looks down at the youngest and says, “AJ’s pregnant too.”

  Lexi’s eyes fly to her sister. “You are?”

  AJ nods. “Just found out this morning.”

  Lexi bursts into tears, her hormones clearly getting the best of her. “Five of us?” she whispers, glancing to all of her sisters.

  “Five,” Payton confirms. “Just as God intended it to be.”

  Realization seems to hit Lexi in that moment as she turns to the oldest. Without saying a word, she pulls her into a tight hug. The rest of the sisters follow suit.

  “Okay, enough of the tears. We have dinn
er plans tonight down the coast,” Payton says, clearing her throat and wiping away any remaining moisture from her eyes.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Cindy asks.

  The family had invited all of us to drive down the coast for dinner with them. My mom, Brian and Cindy, and Aunt Emma and Uncle Orval are all staying behind to watch all the kids, while all my cousins and their spouses are going to eat. Marissa and Rhenn and Jensen are going, Jensen’s son, Max, staying behind with my mom. Samuel’s on call this weekend and didn’t want to leave town, and I had already made plans with Latham. I’m sure he’d be all for dinner with my family, but my plan for the evening involves very few clothes. That’s not exactly conducive to dinner with the family.

  The thought of getting Latham naked has me a little flush and squirming where I stand.

  “I already have plans, but thank you,” I say, praying my cheeks don’t betray me.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow though, right?” Jaime asks.

  “I’ll be there,” I confirm. “Free’s coming too,” I add, nodding my head to my best friend.

  “Great!”

  “Well, as much as I hate to leave, we need to get back and get ready for dinner,” AJ says.

  My cousins all talk over each other as they grab their bags and head toward the door. With quick hugs and waves, they head out the door and pile into the two vehicles parked right out front.

  “Phew, that was exhausting,” Free says, flipping the open sign to closed.

  “No kidding,” I confirm, heading back to the counter.

  “But at least they bought a ton of stuff,” Free says as she makes her way toward one of the tables in slight disarray.

  “That they did. Just leave all that until Monday. I’ll come in early and straighten it up,” I tell her, turning off the register and computer system.

  “I won’t argue with you there.” Free comes back to the counter and helps with our end of business day ritual, turning off the lights and emptying the trash.

  Before I knew it, I had everything closed down and was ready to head out. Latham wouldn’t arrive for a few hours, but I want to take a soothing bath and shave and moisturize every square inch of my body. And believe it or not, I’m a little worn out from the hour-long shopping visit with my family. I love them to death, but they’re definitely a lot to take in.

  Waving goodbye to my best friend, I head toward my car, noticing Latham’s big truck parked down the alley, behind his hardware store. Three hours until he arrives. Three hours until I open the door, wearing that sexy negligée. Three hours until I get my hands on his amazing body.

  I can’t wait.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Latham

  My palms are actually sweating with anticipation when I knock on her door. It stands open on the opposite side, letting the evening warmth blow through the screen door. I switch the bag from one hand to the other as I fidget with excitement. The thump of puppy paws and scratching of nails brings a smile to my face, and there’s no denying I’ve fallen for the ugly mutt whose tongue is hanging from her mouth and happily barking to announce my arrival.

  “Hey, Killer,” I greet just as a vision in ivory comes around the corner.

  My heart stops beating.

  She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  And she’s fucking mine.

  “Wow,” I whisper as she unlocks the screen door and pushes it open. The ivory satin hangs to her bare feet, clinging seductively to every curve of her body. The lace cups hold her amazing tits, slightly pushing them upward, as if offering them up on some silver platter. Two thin spaghetti straps wrap across her delicate shoulders, disappearing behind her back.

  Then she turns.

  And the back comes into full display.

  The straps slide down her back until they reach the soft satin at the base of her spine, her hair cascading in long, loose curls behind her. Desire swirls in my gut, the need to touch her so great, I’m afraid I might die if I don’t. “I want to take this off so bad, yet leave it in place at the same time,” I state when my eyes finally drink their fill and return to hers.

  She pulls the material to the side, exposing her left leg through a slit that runs up the entire length of the negligée to the top of her outer thigh. “I figure this will come in handy,” she purrs as she steps closer, running a manicured fingernail down my chest. “You know, if you wanted to leave it on.”

  My cock twitches and starts to beg. Images of taking Harper while she’s still wearing this outfit has me harder than concrete and ready to go. Without breaking eye contact, I set the bag down on the small table and reach for her. My fingers slide effortlessly along the satin at her hip as I gently pull her body into mine. “I’m definitely leaving it on,” I answer, bending my head down and running my nose along the long column of her neck.

  Snuggles barks and jumps on my leg, letting me know she’s not happy to have not been properly greeted yet. “Snuggles, down! You know you don’t jump on people,” Harper reprimands her dog, yet her tone doesn’t stop the dog from wagging her tail in anticipation. In fact, Snuggles completely ignores her mama.

  “Down,” I tell her, snapping my finger and pointing to the floor. She does as she’s told, dropping her nose and gazing up at me with big, sad eyes. Immediately, I take a knee and give the dog the attention she is expecting. Her tail continues to wag as she gives me a wet kiss on the cheek. “You know you’re not supposed to jump up like that,” I remind the pup, earning another lick on the hand as I rub behind her ears.

  When I gaze up at Harper, her eyes are wide. I hop up, and place my hands on her arms. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have stepped in. It’s just we worked on her jumping yesterday when she was in the store with me. I didn’t mean to undermine you,” I quickly say, glancing back down at the dog. “You need to listen to your mama.”

  The dog gives me a sheepish look, but leans over and runs her nose against Harper’s hand. “It’s okay, girl. Why don’t you go lay down?”

  Snuggles wags her tail, grabs the mangled chew toy she dropped in her haste to get to the door, and heads into the living room for her bed.

  “Are you mad?” I ask, pulling her into my arms, the satin sliding effortlessly beneath my hands.

  “I should be,” she says, looking up from beneath long lashes.

  “I didn’t mean to overstep, but like I said, I was working with her on not jumping when she was with me at the store, and I just reacted. I really am sorry,” I plea.

  “How sorry?” she whispers, running her hands up my chest and sliding them around my neck. Her body molds to mine, her sweet voice deep and husky, reminding me of sex.

  My cock knocks on my zipper. “Terribly sorry. Horribly sorry. Incredibly, ultra-sorry,” I state, wrapping my hands around her waist.

  She goes up on her tiptoes, her lips touching my earlobe. “Show me,” she says as her nails bite into my flesh.

  “I thought you wanted to eat.” I can’t stop the words from falling from my lips. I’d go a week without food just to have her right here, right now.

  “I was hoping you’d be the one ready to…eat.”

  I groan in both pain and pleasure. My cock is painfully hard, my balls so tight I know if she were to touch them, I’d explode like a teenager watching his first fuck flick. My hands grip her waist, my subconscious telling me to loosen the hold, but my cock is in the driver’s seat. “I’m definitely a starving man.”

  Then my lips descend to hers. They’re plump and warm and wet, ripe for kissing. I move with a quickness even I didn’t realize I possessed, gripping her ass with my hands and lifting. The slit up the side allows the material to move enough for her legs to wrap around me. It’s both heaven and hell as heat radiates through my pants, her scent tickling my senses.

  My lips aren’t gentle. They’re bruising, in fact, as I take the kiss from sweet and innocent to hot-as-fuck in about two seconds. I stumble with
my left hand, but find the open door. It’s closed and locked a moment later, without so much as a misstep in the kiss. Only when the house is secure do we make our way toward her bedroom. I hear Snuggles get up and trot behind us, but block the entrance to the bedroom before she can make her way inside. “Stay.” She whimpers a bit, but doesn’t follow us as I shut the door.

  When I feel the bed hit my knees, only then do I slow the kiss. I lay her on top of the comforter, stretching my body over the top of hers from head to toe. Then, I get to work. Running my nose down the side of her jaw, I inhale her sweet, floral scent. It’s part lotion, part shower gel, and all Harper.

  She tilts her head, giving me full access to the long column of her neck. I trace it with my tongue, feeling the deep pound of her pulse in her neck. As much as I’d love to continue to nip and suck on her delicate skin, my attention is drawn downward. I dip my tongue into the divot below her throat, and she gasps in response.

  I position myself above her, my hands slide easily down her bare arms. She’s like a beautiful angel, a halo of auburn hair splayed across the pillow. My cock throbs in my pants, a painful reminder of how bad I want her. No. Need her. And I do. I’m quickly realizing I need her. Yes, in my bed, but in my life. My home. A part of my every day. I want to share it all with her, because the thought of not having her by my side is unthinkable.

  Because I’m falling in love with her.

  “Latham,” she gasps, melting against me as I continue to gaze down at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  “Yeah?” My voice is deep and hoarse, even to my own ears.

  Her blue eyes stare straight into me. “Please fuck me.”

  Again, I groan and my lips slam down on hers once more. Her mouth immediately opens and my tongue sweeps in. Only, this time, I don’t deepen it further. Instead, I return my focus to exploring her body.

  With my tongue.

  My eyes center on her chest, on her glorious tits. They’re covered by a thin layer of ivory satin and lace, the V dropping down seductively between the two. Her chest heaves with anticipation as I run my hands down her waist, gently pulling the material as I go. The chest drops down until her dark nipples peek out of the top, the reflection of her nipple ring flashing in the dimly lit room.