by JP Sayle
With no real answers to my internal debate, I pulled into Linc’s drive. A smile spread over my face at the sight of River sitting on the porch with a large colorful bag next to her.
She waved when she realized it was me and was shouting loud enough for me to hear. “Poppy, Mason’s ‘ere.”
I chuckled as I stepped out of the car. Leaving the door open, I headed up the drive to meet River, who was trying to lift the large bag with difficulty. “Wanna hand, sweetie?” As I took hold of the bag that weighed a ton, I glanced up at the sound of feet walking over the wooden floor.
A loud buzzing started in my ears, and my tongue suddenly found itself glued to the roof of my mouth. Holy fuck!
Up till now, Linc had only ever worn jeans, and although he looked mighty fine in them, Linc dressed in low slung cut-offs that revealed tanned, muscled legs covered in fine dark hair was a wet dream. Combine that with a T-shirt of deep plum that clung lovingly to his chest, and hair that had been pulled back and put into a makeshift bun. On many, it would look wrong, but on him it made him look even sexier.
Inappropriate images of holding on to the bun while he fucked me against some hard surface ran through my head. My body instantly reacted, and a flush of embarrassment rode up my neck. Child, there’s a child right there!
As if he knew where my thoughts had gone, he looked at River and raised a brow. His now golden eyes gleamed with humor and, if I wasn’t mistaken, desire while his lips quirked up. “You’re lookin’ a little hot and bothered there, Mase, you feelin’ alright?”
I was thrown for a second by him shortening my name. My mouth opened then closed. Was that a term of endearment? Jeez, you’re acting like a stupid fool, pull it together.
It took effort to stop myself slapping at my forehead as I met Linc’s amused gaze. “It’s hotter than hell out here.”
“Then whats we waitin’ for?” River asked impatiently as she tugged at the hand not holding the bag I’d forgotten I was still gripping.
“What the heck have you got in here? It feels like you have everything but the kitchen sink,” I said to hide my nerves.
“Lots of things I might need. I’s didn’t ‘ave my swimmers last time, so I’s put them in the bag. And I’s a towel, sunscreen, a hat, a present for your Mom and Dad. Oh, and some food Poppy made. We’s got to be social, isn’t dat right Poppy?” She looked expectantly up at Linc, and this time, it was his turn for color to flood his face.
“Yeah…I thought we were in a rush to get movin’.”
He sounded uncomfortable as I eyed him. “Everything okay?” The question in my eyes asked if he were having second thoughts about today.
My heart thrummed against my ribs when he came toward me, his hand coming up to grip the back of my neck. His gaze held mine for what felt the longest time before he lowered his lips to mine. This kiss was so different from the first. It was light and gentle, but the impact was no less forceful. I felt it through my whole being. The lazy way his lips explored mine left me breathless and needy by the time his mouth left mine. There was a promise in the depths of his eyes that made it a little easier to step back and not demand he kiss me again.
“Oh, dat was lovely, Poppy. Ya made Mason’s eyes go all dreamy.”
If I’d thought I was hot before, I now felt like I’d had my head in a furnace as River pointed out how dopey I looked. I coughed and muttered, “Right…let’s get going then.”
Rich, full laughter followed me as I walked back to the car with as much dignity as I could muster. By the time Linc had transferred River’s booster seat into the back of my car and was happy she was safe, my embarrassment had faded.
The drive back to Killeen flew by as River chatted excitedly about seeing Declan again. Linc remained silent, but he appeared relaxed in a way I’d not seen before. His usual dominant aura was there, but it appeared to be dialed back a few notches. I was more than pleased to note his face had lost its pinched, strained look.
His head twisted toward me, though the dark Oakley glasses prevented me from seeing his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be watchin’ the road?”
The low, sexy timbre of his voice caused a shiver to race down my spine, regardless of the heat. I turned my attention back to the windshield, focusing on the road and saying nothing.
When I was tempted to look back at him, I gripped the steering wheel and chanted internally ‘watch the road, watch the road.’
It was harder than I wanted to admit, with him sitting so temptingly close and smelling like heaven. His scent was dark and a little dangerous, like him, and far too tempting in the small confines of the car, even with the windows open.
By the time we arrived at my parents and walked into their air-conditioned home, I was more than ready to beg for mercy. To beg for two minutes alone with Linc to…well, do whatever as long as he was touching me.
Without the legal obligations coming between us, my head had finally caught up with what my body wanted. It was in joint agreement. It wanted a naked Linc any way I could get him.
“What you thinkin’ ‘bout?” Linc whispered into my ear, his hot breath touching my cheek while warmth radiated off his body behind me.
I tensed and struggled to act naturally while my gut churned with need. I twisted my head and River caught my attention as she hopped from one foot to another. When I met Linc’s heavy-lidded gaze, I had to swallow twice before answering.
“I’ll show you later.” His nostrils flared and his lips moved into that lazy smile that turned my insides to jelly.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
I wasn’t sure if I was happy or not when my brother, Hudson, saved me from saying anything more.
“It’s about time you turned up, if Dec had asked me once more what time River was coming, I might have strangled him.” His voice was full of humor as he pulled me in for a one-armed hug and then nodded to Linc, his face still in a friendly smile. “It’s good to see you again, Lincoln. If you have time later, I’d like to talk about getting another tattoo.” His voice dropped and he glanced about the empty hallway before carrying on, “But don’t mention it in front of the wife.”
Linc lips quirked up and he shook his head, “You’re pussy-whipped.”
Hudson burst out laughing and River shook her head. “Poppy, ya say I’s not allowed to say bad words. I’s sure that’s one.”
There was the sound of feet clattering over the wood before Declan appeared through the open lounge door. “River, River ya’s ‘ere. C’mon on, I gots a new water float for da pool to play with.” In a flurry, River disappeared through the house with Declan.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lincoln
I stood listening to Hudson rag on Mason. Looking at Mason’s cheeky grin, I shoved my hands into my short pockets to hide my reaction. The moment I’d stepped out of my house, the sexual energy had burst to life under my skin. When I’d been standing on the porch, Mason hadn’t concealed his attraction and it had steamrollered right over my good intentions to behave today.
There was no excuse for kissing his sweet mouth. Fuck, I’d been more desperate to kiss him than I’d been to have the metal tag off my leg. It scared the shit out of me and made the three days of trying to talk myself out of doing anything hasty utterly useless. I’d no restraint against Mason’s sea-green gaze that begged for things that I had no business wanting.
The moment our mouths touched, I’d been lost in him. Lost in the need to touch, to taste, to feel, to surround myself with him. Any and all thoughts of waiting to start something after the plans I’d set in motion for retribution were resolved, had been blown apart by the sweetness of the moment.
I don’t do sweet.
Says who? You loved it, so stop fucking lying to yourself.
In all my years, I couldn’t remember ever being driven by desire this strong before. Fuck, if it didn’t change everything. I wasn’t sure I was ready for what it meant, but I’d be damned if I could stop myself from taking what Mason was offering.<
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When Hudson knocked my shoulder with his in a friendly gesture, I realized I’d zoned out and wasn’t quite sure what I’d missed after River had darted off with Declan.
“You up for it?” asked Hudson, his brows arched as he waited for me to answer.
“Sorry, up for what?” I didn’t look at Mason when he snorted and choked back his laughter.
“Up for a game of water volleyball? We’re one man down and I think you’ll be a good match against the slippery eel over there,” Hudson nodded at Mason, who gave him a toothy grin.
“You’ll never beat me, bro, you need to give up trying.”
“We’ll see about that. I think Lincoln might be up to the job?” Hudson eyed me and gave a subtle wink.
At a complete loss on how to respond, I gave a curt nod.
All of my life, I’d only ever been included in things by those connected to the club. The only real relationship I’d had as a child had been with Lizzie. I’d never formed friendships or been included in anything at school. No one ever bothered because of who I was associated with. Most of my childhood had been spent as the outcast, the one that people picked on. That was, until I’d started to shoot up in size, grow some muscle, and fight back. This being asked to join in a fun activity left me feeling way out of my depth.
Mason laid a hand on my arm and gently squeezed it before he gave me a devilish smirk. “Be prepared to be humiliated if you pick Hudsons team,” he cackled wickedly, making Hudson roll his eyes and punch at his arm.
“Fuck off. You’ll see, I can tell Lincoln’s got skills. Anyway, you always pair up with Luis, that leaves me odd man out.” He eyed me again, only this time he looked a little more apprehensive.
“There’s only one way to find out.” I arched my brow and indicated with my head for Mason to lead on.
An hour later, dripping wet and out of breath, I clung to the side of the pool, laughing as Hudson dunked Mason. We’d won by one shot and it had been a harder fight than I’d ever have imagined. Stupidly thinking it would just be a fun game of water volleyball, I’d soon realized how competitive the brothers were.
I’d found myself ducking more than once when the ball came sailing at my head. They were ruthless and not opposed to underhanded tactics to stop their opponents. Mason had somehow gotten close enough to touch me any opportunity he could and made it real difficult to keep thoughts of bending him over the side of the pool and teaching him a lesson in just my head.
“You’ll definitely need to be on my team the next time you come over with Mason,” Hudson stated breathlessly as he rested his forearms on the edge of the pool next to me.
The easy acceptance of our somewhat budding relationship was just plain weird. More used to fuck buddies or hook-ups that didn’t involve more than me sticking my dick in them, this thing with Mason’s family left me uncertain of my footing. I was fucking forty-years-old, and families as nice as the Davenport’s would normally run a mile from the likes of me. This whole family acceptance thing was something that would take a bit of getting used to.
What’s to say you’ll be with him long enough to get used to it? With no wish to answer that, I put a smile on my face. About to respond to Hudson, Mason burst out of the water next to Hudson and sprayed us both.
Hudson choked out a laugh as he wiped at his dripping face, but I gave chase as Mason dived back under the water to swim off. I’d learned to swim in the creek out by the clubhouse, and though I wasn’t as fast as Mason, my arms were longer, and I managed to grab his ankle. He didn’t put up much resistance as I pulled him toward me under the water. His eyes were alight with humor and desire and I realized what he’d been up to.
When my lungs refused to let me stay under the water another second, I clasped Mason to my chest and kicked up to the surface. Water streamed down his hair and over his face. Droplets caught on his eyelashes as the sun gleamed down and made them sparkle like little diamonds.
I sucked in a shaky breath and struggled not to give in to the desire to kiss him.
“Inside, now,” he murmured, low enough that only I could hear.
Not needing to be asked twice, I let him go and concentrated on reigning in my desire, aware there were too many people watching us. Getting out of the pool with a raging hard-on in front of the kids and Mason’s family just wasn’t something anyone needed to see.
“I’m just gonna show Linc where he can get changed out of his wet suit,” Mason shouted at no one in particular as he got out of the pool.
Swallowing the groan when his ass flexed right in my face, I heaved myself out of the pool, keeping my body at an angle out of folk’s eyeline.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, son. Remember the food will be ready in ten,” his Dad shouted from the grill, his face only showing humor as he continued turning the meat.
My gaze swept the poolside and found River sat in the shade of a large yellow umbrella with Declan and Mason’s mom. The table in front of them was covered with books and pens. River paid me no attention as she carried on talking to Declan, her face beaming with happiness. There was a sweet ache in my chest as I glanced back at Mason, who remained in front of me, watching.
“I thought we were going to dry off?” The gruffness couldn’t be helped, and Mason took hold of my hand, intertwining our fingers before he squeezed.
The moment lengthened, neither of us saying anything as the anticipation grew between us. A loud shout coming from behind broke the tension. Mason sighed and tugged me over to a sun lounger, grabbing a couple of the towels his Mom had left there for us to use.
Remaining silent, we entered the house and he shut the door behind us. The music and sound of voices lessened. His eyes met mine, the invitation clear.
Emotions I didn’t want to think about right then surged through me. I kept hold of his hand and slowly lowered my lips. His mouth tasted of chlorine as my tongue swept over the seam of his lips, encouraging him to open for me. The second he did, the world became an array of color. Bright and bold like the mouth I was kissing, it left me sinking into a pool of desire so deep, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have the strength to pull my head back above the water.
A shudder ran down my spine as he moved and his wet, slippery skin touched my chest. The hand holding mine tightened as he groaned low and deep.
“Upstairs…we need…to go upstairs…someone might come in,” he panted against my mouth.
“Then move it,” I ground out through clenched teeth as I struggled to think straight with his wet body flush against mine.
He was off and running the second the words left my mouth, his hand refusing to let go of mine as he tried to drag me up the stairs. In the time it took to get to a room I’d not been in before, he was breathless. The second the door closed, he was on me. We fell hard against the wall next to the door, my back thudding noisily as we hit. The air left my chest, but I didn’t complain as Mason wrapped his firm, slick body around mine. Our mouths met in a hungry kiss and his hands came up, his fingers digging into the bun at the back of my head, holding on.
“When you came out of your house earlier, I imagined you fucking me while I held on to this bun,” he rasped before his lips trailed over my jaw to my ear.
The visual filled my head and hardened my cock till it throbbed painfully. Fucking hell, what was he trying to do to me?
Hot breath touched my damp skin and shivers rippled through my body. My cock pressed firmly against Mason’s hip as his magic mouth worked to destroy my control. My hands roamed over his damp skin toward his ass. His murmurs of encouragement continued as his lips teased and tormented me, while the heat of his body dried mine, but made my cock leak.
“We don’t have enough time, but fuck, I want you.” He sounded so disappointed, it helped to take the edge off the needy desperation his actions were causing.
“I’m gonna make you pay for this. You get that, right?” His response was to groan and to grind his own arousal against mine as he shifted so they aligned.
“God, I hope so,” he gasped, then his mouth was back on mine. Sizzling heat spread through my whole body till I felt I’d combust. His hips started a sexy roll that mimicked him fucking me, and for the first time in my life, I wanted it. I wanted to feel him inside me, to know what it was like to be owned by another.
As it registered, I lifted my head, my ears buzzing as I stared down at hooded, tempestuous eyes that sucked me into their depths like a stormy sea. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be out of my depth before I knew it.
You already are!
Before I could move further away, his hands shifted from my hair and he cupped my cheeks. His eyes implored me…my heart stuttered, and I laid my forehead against his. “You don’t wanna be pinning your hopes on more with me. I’m not what you need in your life.” The words hurt but they still needed to be said.
His eyes flashed with determination as his fingers tightened. “I get to choose what’s good for me. I’m not stupid, I know who and what you’re involved in. That makes no difference to me.”
I shook my head to dislodge his hands. “You know nothin about my life. About what is required of me.”
He took a step back then another as his eyes raked me from top to toe. “I know you’ve suffered. I know that the club has been the only life you’ve known. The only family you’ve ever experienced. I want to show you that you can have more. I can give you more if you’ll let me share what I have.” His voice cracked, but he kept me pinned with his gleaming eyes. “Give me a chance, please?”
What did I have to offer? Didn’t he get I was tainted? That it would never be any different? The question pounded at the sliver of hope that had started to grow when he’d openly offered more.
His eyes continued to beg unashamedly, and the hope inside me seemed to grasp on to my heart, refusing to be ground out. My chest heaved and my temples throbbed. All the desire I’d felt was gone as I considered if I could for once put myself first.
