Southern Comfort (Lunchtime Chronicles, #23)

by Loren, L.

  After making our purchase, we headed to the next shop to find her outfit. I tried my best to make it fun for her, so I paid the clerks to cater to her like she was Vivian in the movie Pretty Woman. We spent about an hour and a half in that damn store, but when we were finished, Lina had new lingerie, a black catsuit with muted black zebra stripes, a pair of black gloves that extended to her elbows, but left her fingers exposed. The design put me in mind of dragon scales, if that made sense.

  She topped the ensemble off with a black and white zebra striped pill box hat and matching ankle boots. I even bought her a .357 with a zebra striped handle for her wedding gift. The woman was beyond spoiled. She looked more like a sexy ass superhero instead of a bride, but that was fitting. In my eyes, she was a heroine instead of a villain.

  We strolled into the men’s store, and I immediately found what I wanted. I chose a red velvet suit jacket, to wear over a white tuxedo shirt, black slacks, and a black bowtie. On my feet I wore red velvet loafers, and on my head, I donned a black fedora. I attached the Cartier pocket watch that Lina gave me for my wedding present, to my jacket pocket. I was so sharp; I might just cut my damn self. After a quick visit to the salon, where Lina had the lady pin her hair in a quick updo, we made our way down the strip to the wedding chapel. There would be no cheesy Elvis impersonator, like Lina wanted. I shut that shit down. I wanted a real priest, and a somewhat traditional service. We had no one to stand up for us, so the chapel provided witnesses.

  It was in that moment that I really missed my family. It would have been nice to have my brother standing next to me like he did for my father, but those days were over. After what I did to him and his son, there would be no way he would do that for me. If there was one regret I had in life, it would be that attempted assassination. Weston didn’t deserve that. He was just a victim in this whole ordeal. My eyes watered just thinking about how I betrayed my big brother.

  “Do you, Malina Gardner, take Garrison Daniels as your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “You know I do!”

  Lina was so beautiful standing there, looking like a deadly angel. The officiant moved the ceremony along. I looked up after saying my vows to Malina, and my heart leapt in my chest. I saw my big brother standing at the back of the chapel, smiling at me. He took out his phone and snapped a few pictures. We made eye contact, and silently came to a mutual understanding. I knew why he was here. It had nothing to do with my wedding, but he was allowing me this moment. It was his last duty as my big brother. I knew he would come for us, so I had to make the most of the short time we had left. I nodded my head at him, and smiled back before leaning down and kissing my new wife.

  Nine

  Final goodbye

  I knew Weston was coming but had no idea when he would strike. Or how, for that matter. My brother was a master at his craft. He not only knew guns and knives. The man was trained in hand to hand combat, an expert in poisons, and I’m sure he knew some shit I had never heard of. As the oldest brother, it was his duty to ready himself to take the helm of The Enterprise. I on the other hand was like Prince Harry. Very little pressure, all of the spoils.

  None of that mattered now. My only concern was giving the love of my life the most romantic wedding night she could have, under these circumstances. I refused to tell her about seeing Weston. I didn’t want her to worry about anything tonight. This would be my final time to show her how much I loved her.

  I managed to collaborate with a staff member from the hotel and had her decorate the room as a surprise to Lina. We walked into the suite and Malina gasped. Being the most non-traditional woman I knew; it didn’t surprise me when she rejected my attempt to carry her over the threshold.

  “What the fuck are you doing, G?”

  “I’m trying to carry my wife into our marital suite.”

  “Yea, no. I’m gonna have to decline that shit. You do not need to be carrying me like I’m some sort of virginal sacrifice. You know how this thang works already. No need to act all shy.”

  “Damn, baby. It’s like that?”

  “Just like that. I know one thing though; you look damn good in that suit. It took everything in me not to shove you to the ground and ride you in that wedding chapel.”

  “You sure know how to sweet talk a man.”

  “Don’t I?”

  We laughed as she took in the room. The staff did an amazing job decorating the space. There were strings of white lights on the walls illuminating the space. It smelled of jasmine, Lina’s favorite scent. Instead of rose petals, which Malina detested, there was an oversized heart shaped container filled with Red Hots™ candy in the center of the bed. My baby loved that candy, and I wanted her to have all of her favorites, one last time.

  The melodic strumming of a guitar filled the room, as I reached over and pulled Lina to me. She allowed me to undress her as I kissed down her neck. Rihanna’s sultry voice rang out as I laid my wife on the bed and entered her for the last time. Overwhelmed with passion, sadness, and pure love, I made passionate love to my woman as Riri sang the words of our life. This was indeed our final goodbye, only she didn’t know it.

  I kissed her entire body over and over. I needed to take in every aspect of her. If there was an afterlife, I was going to remember her just like this. Beautiful, full of love and passion. I did my best to burn that image in my mind. Lina called out to me.

  “G, don’t stop. Oh, baby. Just like that.”

  Fuck! What a goddess. I never wanted to stop making her come. She was my heaven on earth. If I had to die, this is how I needed to spend my final moments. My emotions got the best of me when she looked me in the eyes and professed her love for me.

  “Garrison, you are the love of my life, baby. Thank you for loving me.”

  I though I detected a trickle of a tear in her eyes, but as quickly as it happened, it was gone. Well, I had no issue with letting her know how much she meant to me. My eyes were wet with tears. They dropped down onto her face. My tears left evidence of their existence, with a trail running down her gorgeous breasts, as I leaned over to lick and suck her nipples. No man had ever made love to a woman with this much intensity, in the history of the world.

  When she reached her pinnacle for a second time, I tried like hell to resist joining her, but the pull was too strong, and I finally gave in. I couldn’t catch my breath for a long time. When I did, I continued laying there on top of her. Still inside my treasure, I wanted to remember this feeling. I kissed her passionately as she wrapped her arms around me.

  “Garrison, is there something wrong?”

  “No baby. I am just so happy to be your husband. I can’t believe we actually did it.”

  I kissed her hand that wore the ring I bought for her. My wife. My love. My forever. Rolling off of her, I placed my hand on her stomach and kissed her temple.

  “Get some sleep, baby. I’ll stay up and keep watch.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, baby. Sleep now. And know that you have made me the happiest man ever to walk the earth.”

  “Did you just go all Jurassic Park on me? ‘When dinosaurs walked the earth’.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. I watched as she closed her eyes and started drifting off to sleep.

  “Good night my beloved. I love you more than I can say,” she whispered as sleep claimed her.

  I smiled as I held her close. “My love for you is immeasurable, baby.”

  Sleep took her. She would always be young. She would always be beautiful, and she would always be mine. I saw my brother’s face in the corner of the room. I pulled Lina tighter to my chest before closing my eyes for the final time. I whispered in my love’s ear my last words on earth.

  “Malina Daniels, I have found the one whom my soul loves. See you on the other side, baby.”

  Thank you for reading Southern Comfort. I hope you enjoyed Garrison and Malina’s story. I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review at the retailer where you purchased the book. And please be sure to
read all of the Lunchtime Chronicles Books.

  You may have noticed the mention of a drink in the book called the Uncomfortable Screw. It is a delicious concoction created with this story on mind. If you are a ‘dranker’, here’s the recipe for you to make your own:

  Up Next in the Lunchtime Chronicles is Posey Parks’ Sweet Georgia Peach! Here’s a sneak peek:

  SWEET GEORGIA PEACH

  CHAPTER ONE

  WYATT

  I peeked at the scoreboard, then my eyes fell on our team captain, quarterback, and best friend Deacon Hurns. Turning his head slightly, he winked.

  Showtime.

  We were down by three. The right play and we could win the game. Maxon hunched over at the other end of the lineup.

  Sweat dripped down my brow. I tugged the front of my football helmet once. We disbursed. I side stepped Jimmy from Cherokee High. Running down the side of the field, I glanced over my shoulder. Deacon released the ball, and it spiraled through the air. I extended my hands, while peeking at Jimmy in my periphery.

  He ran top speed toward me. My focus was on the play. I drowned out the cheering crowd, the band, the cheerleaders, even the coach on the sidelines. Everything felt like it happened in slow motion. The ball slapped my gloved palm midair. I tucked it at my side and sprinted toward the end of the field. Two other players reached for me. A third grabbed my jersey. I shook him off, not losing momentum. The cheering fans struck my eardrums just as my foot made contact with the end zone. Spinning around, still clutching the ball, I stared into the eyes of my ferocious screaming teammates. I slammed the ball to the ground and jammed my index finger in the air. “#1 baby,” I roared. The guys hoisted me into the air.

  “Yes, we won!”

  Twenty minutes later, after leaving the locker room, my best friends and I met our families on the sidelines.

  “Great job, Oak.” Dad poked his chest out, slapping my shoulder. He looked good for his age. The man didn’t have one gray strand in his jet-black hair. He still worked out a few times a week, maintaining a solid build.

  “Thanks.”

  I hugged my mother and little sister.

  “You were great out there, Wyatt.”

  I was an only child for five years until my sister entered this world with a head full of dark curly hair. Mom said that was why she had indigestion throughout her pregnancy. The memory made me laugh inside. She’d get our parents' undivided attention once I went off to college. “Thanks, Phoebe.”

  My sister and I had the same color eyes as dad. Dark gray.

  Mom’s dark hair framed her smiling face. “I’m so proud of you.” She swiped at a tear.

  “My son’s going to the pros. Just like his daddy.”

  I pulled her curvy frame into me. Her head fell in the center of my chest.

  “Love you, Mom. Don’t soften me up in front of the guys.”

  She patted my chest. “I’ll stop.” Mom sniffled.

  Her green eyes met mine. “Wrap up your conversation with your friends so we can head to dinner,” she stated with a southern drawl.

  “Ok.”

  “We’ll see you in the truck.” Her head swiveled toward the madness on the football field.

  “Maxon, come on. Toss me into the air. We’ve practiced several times.”

  “Rayne, I’m not a dude cheerleader.”

  She clapped her hands. “Let’s go.”

  “Be careful,” Mrs. Wynters hollered out.

  Mom gasped as Maxon tossed Rayne in the air like a football. Her body twirled above his head. Stretching his hands out, he caught her midair.

  Sylvie popped up behind them, slapping Rayne’s hands.

  “That was awesome,” she shouted.

  “Oak, your friends are crazy.” Mom shook her head.

  I laughed. “That they are.”

  The second my family walked away; I stole a glimpse of Lakelyn. The little navy and white cheerleading uniform hugged her curves. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her beautiful brown skin glowing under the field lights. Lakelyn’s skin reminded me of the color of little gingerbread cookie ladies. How I’d like to eat her up. Stealing her from our families, pulling her into my arms, and kissing those sweet lips ran through my mind.

  Side tracked.

  That happened often when it came to her.

  Deacon’s arm hung protectively over his sister’s shoulder, killing the hard-on I had for her.

  Lakelyn was one year younger than myself, Rayne, Sylvie, Maxon and Deacon.

  We couldn’t reject her from our crew. Wherever Deacon went she did too. That was his parents’ rules.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Hurns, how are you both, tonight?” I asked with a thick southern drawl.

  “Wonderful,” she smiled, stepping closer to me.

  “Doing good,” Mr. Hurns face lit up. “You guys played one hell of a game.”

  I loved watching the game with Deacon and his dad on Sundays. Mr. Hurns had swag as Deacon liked to say. He wore his red polo shirt tucked into his jeans, which drew attention to his round belly.

  We lived in Buckhead, an affluent suburb in metro Atlanta, GA.

  Everything and everyone in our town screamed wealth.

  “Thanks. It was a close one.”

  I felt Lakelyn’s heated, mouthwatering gaze. Thumbing her high cheekbones and oval face was one of my many goals. She was five-three and all sass. Her father walked over congratulating Deacon on the win.

  Mrs. Hurns smiled up at me, flashing her brown eyes. She reminded me of an older version of her daughter. A long time ago Deacon and I were tossing the football around in his backyard. We caught his parents making out in the living room. Let’s just say we could never unsee that moment.

  “Don’t let Deacon see the way you’re looking at his sister,” she whispered.

  Thank god, Deacon wasn’t in ear shot.

  Mrs. Hurns caught Lakelyn and me walking home from school a few years ago. We didn’t need to walk. We had drivers. There was no way I could ride with her or vice versa. So I persuaded her to walk home with me from school once a week. Our conversations were innocent. She obsessed over football stats as much as I did.

  “Mrs. Hurns, you’re wrong. I’m looking past her,” I lied.

  She chuckled. “Boy, what about all the other times?”

  I scratched my head.

  “Be careful, Wyatt. I don’t want to see you and my son’s friendship fall apart because of your feelings for his sister.”

  “I appreciate your concern, Mrs. Hurns.”

  “Oak, there you are.” Melanie stepped beside me, threading our fingers. She licked her lips, taking in my six-five muscled frame.

  Her tiny skirt left nothing to the imagination, nor did the pale pink cut off tank top that accentuated her porcelain belly. She batted those long lashes over her gray eyes up at me.

  “Y’all, have a good night.” Mrs. Hurns folded her arms and narrowed her eyes at my situation. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she liked the idea of Lakelyn and I. If only her brother was on board.

  “Daddy, I’ll be in the truck.” Lakelyn glared at me before storming off the field. The view of her tight, round ass was perfect until Michael from the opposing team caught up with her. He slinked his big arm over her shoulder. My fist curled at my side.

  Dating each other was out of the question. Didn’t mean we enjoyed seeing the other romantically linked to another. The thought of going off to college next year and not seeing her face every day squeezed my heart like a grape. I’d return home every weekend if I had to, just to see her beautiful face.

  **P**

  Lakelyn and I separated from our friends at my going away party. We sat on the balcony in my bedroom and laughed and joked about the people hanging around the pool.

  I felt like a jerk talking to my best friend’s sister behind his back. After he made me promise to never make a move on her.

  “You know how I feel about you right?” I stole a glimpse of her lying on the gray lounge chair
at my side.

  “I know you dislike the company of guys I keep.”

  “You’ve sent the chicks on my arm unnerving glares too.”

  She arched a brow. “None of it matters. Our interactions only showed how sexually attracted we are to each other. What do our feelings for one another change?” She shook her head.

  I opened my mouth.

  “You don’t have to answer. I’ll tell you. Nothing.”

  She stalked into my bedroom. Two strides behind her and I turned the little woman to face me.

  “Go live your life, Wyatt. Soon you’ll play for an NFL team.”

  “I’ll do everything in my power to play in Atlanta.”

  She eased up on her tippy toes and pressed her finger against my lips. “Wyatt, we’ve shared kisses in the past and now we can add this one night to our special memories and move on with our lives.” Her big brown eyes were full of desire.

  “My brother doesn’t have to know. We’ll never speak of it again.”

  My heart raced in my chest. I knew I wanted more.

  Her hands dropped at her sides. I gripped her oval face, yanking her tiny frame against mine. My brows lowered as are gazes held firm. “Is this all you want between us, sex?”

  Her breasts rose and fell. “We won’t betray my brother after tonight. This is it.”

  If I would’ve told her I’d forgo my friendship with her brother, we could’ve started a relationship.

  Lakelyn was right. She’d enter college next year, and I’d go pro.

  One thing was for certain, that special night between us wasn’t enough. Problem. I’ve tasted the forbidden fruit. Now I craved what was off limits.

  Honey Dripper By L. Loren

  Summary

  SERENDIPITY COMES WITH a British accent....

  I had my heart set on losing myself in a steamy novel by my favorite author and was determined nothing would stop me. Imagine my disappointment when my boss delays my plans and I arrive at the bookstore only to find they sold the last copy in town five minutes earlier! It was obvious that today wasn’t going to be my day—or was it?