“Be patient, Keenan,” he said softly.
“Did you say something, honey?” Julianne asked.
He put down the knife and slid his hand around her hip. Julianne leaned over and kissed him gently.
“Honey Boyfriend,” voices started to chant.
“Did you have to tell them that?” Keenan put his head against her stomach and groaned.
“Wait until my brother and sisters get here. They’re worse.” Julianne laughed.
“I’m gonna make you pay for that.” He glared up at her.
Julianne leaned over again and whispered, “Make me blush.”
Keenan went rock hard. “That’s just mean. You know we can’t do that now.”
“I know. Anticipation,” Julianne sang softly.
“Anticipation is overrated,” Keenan griped.
Julianne chuckled and went back to the island. Keenan cut vegetables viciously and Julianne laughed again. He shifted.
“What the hell are you doing?” Rayne roared.
Keenan glanced at her, shocked, knife stilling. “Umm…cutting vegetables.”
“Slaughtering, you mean.” She plucked the knife out of his hand, then pointed. “Out of my kitchen.”
Keenan stood. “Hey. This is my house. My kitchen. You can’t throw me out.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Rayne’s chocolate-brown eyes narrowed. “The hell I can’t. When I’m cooking, no matter where, the kitchen is my domain. Now out.”
Keenan opened his mouth. A hand gripped his arm.
“He’s going, Rayne. Don’t hurt him.” Reid, Julianne’s brother, manhandled him to the door.
Keenan didn’t put up a fuss, but glared at Rayne. She flipped him the bird, then turned her back on him.
“Who is going to fix this mess Honey Boyfriend made?” Rayne asked.
“I got it, sugar,” Dakota said.
“Humph. Don’t pull that on me. Get to work,” Rayne said.
“She’s crazy.” Keenan shook his head as they entered the backyard.
“Consider yourself lucky. At least now you won’t have to be in on the cooking for the weekly family dinner.” Reid slapped him on the shoulder.
He walked away, joining some of the others who had arrived. Keenan frowned. He didn’t know what Reid had meant. Spotting Tommy and his wife, he went over and greeted them. People began arriving, and he made sure they had whatever they wanted. Morgan strolled in. Keenan grabbed a strawberry banana juice from the cooler and took it to him.
“Good turn-out,” Morgan said.
“Don’t leave before you meet Julianne,” Keenan warned, handing him the juice.
“I won’t. After all you have my favourite flavour juice. And I spotted some strawberry and coconut pastries on the dessert table.” Morgan smiled.
Keenan chuckled. Morgan had a selective sweet tooth. He only loved anything with strawberry or coconut. If they were combined, it was even better. Morgan hated crowds. Keenan would have to keep an eye on the dessert table, or all the strawberry and coconut desserts would be gone, along with Morgan.
“I’ll get Julianne,” Keenan said.
He went towards the kitchen.
“Keenan, where is the rest of the wood?” Harmon called, stopping him.
He turned back and returned to him. Bending by the table next to him, he pulled out the box with the wood chips then he straightened and handed some to Harmon. Harmon accepted them, spreading the wood chips on the grill as Keenan watched him. Once he was done, Harmon put the first set of ribs on the grill, arranging them. Soon he closed the lid of the grill and moments later Harmon took a drink from his water, then glanced at him.
“I see they kicked you out of the kitchen.” Harmon laughed.
“Rayne did. Out of my own kitchen, too.” Keenan scowled.
“She’s that way when she cooks. At least you won’t have to work at the weekly get-together.”
“What is that?” Keenan asked.
“The Sunday dinner the siblings have. They rotate between their houses. Whoever’s house it is at chooses the menu that will be made. And then everyone comes and we all cook together. Well, except for those who don’t have an aptitude to cook. They’re banished from the kitchen and relegated to be the cleaning crew when all is done. We usually watch movies after dinner and just chill out. I usually go to the one Julianne and her siblings have, but the others demand I bring some of my sauce to them.”
“There’s more than one?” Keenan asked.
“Yep. Each set of the Locke siblings has their own, every Sunday in the month except the last one. That one is the family Sunday dinner thing, with each set of siblings and their parents. It’s a way for the parentals to keep in touch with what everyone is up to,” Harmon said.
No wonder she doesn’t see me on Sunday. Keenan frowned. Julianne hadn’t mentioned anything about either one to him.
Maybe she’s planning to. Keenan glanced towards the kitchen door. Spotting Julianne talking with Morgan, he wondered why they looked so intense. Julianne hugged Morgan. Keenan’s eyes narrowed.
“Get me the steaks. The other grill is ready,” Harmon said.
Keenan looked away from Julianne and Morgan. He got the steaks from the cooler, handing them to Harmon one by one. Harmon put them on, then checked the first grill.
“Smelling good,” Julianne’s voice sounded.
Her arms slid around his waist. Keenan pulled her to his side.
“It is. See you met Morgan. What were you talking about?” Keenan asked.
“Oh…nothing special. Harmon, I want some of the corn.” Julianne stepped up beside Harmon.
Keenan listened absently as they chatted. He didn’t really register what they were saying. From the brief view he’d had of Julianne and Morgan’s discussion, it hadn’t seemed like nothing. He remembered that Morgan had mentioned knowing Julianne.
“Are you okay, Keenan?” Julianne’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Umm…yeah. Come meet Tommy and Willy,” he said.
He walked with her to Tommy and his wife. He’d talk with her about it at another time.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, the guests were leaving.
“Night, Keenan. Thanks for the great barbecue,” Rayne said.
She grinned widely. Keenan hugged her and teased, “Next time, I’ll keep out of your kitchen.”
“See, I knew I liked you. See you tomorrow, Jules,” Rayne said.
She laughed, leaving behind the rest of the last departing guests. Rayne pulled the door closed behind her.
“That was fun.” Julianne slid her arms around his waist.
“It was. And it was nice of them to clean up before they left.”
“That’s what they do. I’m beat. Going to get ready for bed.” Julianne kissed him gently, then went up the stairs.
Keenan headed for the kitchen, then out of the back door. He walked around the yard, double-checking to make sure everything was put away. He took the lock out of his pocket and locked up his shed. Heading back inside, he secured the house and headed upstairs. Keenan entered his bedroom, shrugging out of his shirt. He went into the bathroom. The shower was running and Julianne was humming some song.
Suddenly, she belted out, “Is that my Honey Boyfriend? Come and stroke me. Make me blush.”
It was perfectly pitched. Julianne opened the shower, singing the words over and over again. She made a ‘come here’ gesture, swirling her hips as she sang about her Honey Boyfriend.
He stripped and joined Julianne. “I didn’t know you could sing.”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.” Julianne started singing again.
Her many facets continued to surprise him. Keenan kissed her. Julianne gripped him. Keenan pushed her back against the shower wall from under the multi-head shower spray. Julianne lifted her leg around him, rubbing her slit over his shaft. Keenan withdrew from their kiss and opened the shower door a little, reaching for a condom. Julianne took it
from his hand then stepped to the side and sat on the bench. Keenan turned to face her. She placed the protection on the bench beside her. Julianne slid her hands over his hips and pulled him forward. Keenan stepped closer. She opened her mouth and he moaned as he slid between her lips. Julianne sucked and licked his shaft.
Keenan thrust into her mouth, watching her face. Julianne’s head was pushed back as she opened to take him in. Keenan put his leg up next to her on the bench, moving in and out of her mouth. With a fingertip, he traced her lips stretched around his cock. Julianne’s lids fluttered and her golden eyes met his. Her cheeks hollowed as she suckled him stronger. Keenan held himself rigid as she tantalised his shaft with her ministrations. His sac went tight and he shivered as he came in her mouth.
“Julianne,” Keenan moaned sliding his hand into her hair.
Julianne swallowed it all down, still moving on his shaft. She kept sucking until he was hard again. She released him with a pop, then retrieved the condom and slid it on his revived erection. Keenan knelt and brought her forward to the edge of the seat. He raised her legs around his hips before thrusting forward into her wetness.
“Keenan,” Julianne cried.
He rocked inside her slit. Julianne’s hands tangled in his hair holding him firmly. Keenan moved inside her wetness. She moved her hips, shifting against him. Keenan turned his head and met her lips. He kissed her as he thrust. She gasped in his mouth then went tight. Keenan held her, pushing forward, then he shuddered as he came again. Julianne clenched on his cock as his release flowed out of him into the latex. Suddenly he resented that barrier between them—Keenan wanted to feel her bare. He held her, wondering when she would be ready for that.
Keenan withdrew from her warmth then disposed of the condom. He rose and pulled her up with him, turning them into the spray of water and washing them off. As Keenan slid his hands over her body he imagined her heavy with his child. The visual was so real he ached with the need for it. Keenan shook it off. That would come in time. First he had to work on getting Julianne to let him into all aspects of her life. There was still so much Julianne kept separate from him—he still hadn’t properly met Rissa.
Be patient, Keenan. He licked out of her mouth then pressed soft kisses on her lips.
He would be for now.
Chapter Eight
Keenan stopped typing as he re-read the report he was preparing.
“Hey, Keenan. I found this lady outside looking for you,” Morgan said.
Keenan turned towards the office door and stood when he spotted Julianne.
“Julianne. This is a surprise.” Keenan walked over to join them.
“See you soon, Jules. I have to check…something,” Morgan said, leaving them alone.
“I was in the area for a meeting and decided to come by. I hope my dropping in is okay,” Julianne said.
“Definitely okay.” He kissed her.
Julianne leaned against him, returning the kiss. He released her before it got too heated.
“If you have time, I can show you around,” he offered.
“I have time,” she said.
He started the tour with his office, then the rest of the station, introducing her to the firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, and others who were working. In the rec room, Julianne sat on the couch talking to the captain and the other men who had followed them there. Keenan leaned on the counter in the kitchen and looked at her. She was radiant and gracious.
“That one is a keeper,” Tommy said, joining him.
“She is,” Keenan agreed.
Julianne looked up at them. She winked, then went back to chatting.
Later, as he escorted her out, the men told her to visit again. Julianne invited them to come by Moments for a tour. Keenan chuckled as they followed behind them. He ushered her out and closed the door on their faces. He ignored their protests and escorted Julianne to her car. She unlocked it and opened it, throwing her purse into the passenger side. Julianne leaned against the doorframe. Keenan braced his hands on the roof over her and kissed her. Julianne hugged him, holding him close.
“We still on for tonight?”
“Yeah. A quiet night at home is just what we need,” Julianne said.
“I got the food you wanted from the store.”
“Good. Till later.” Julianne nodded before kissing him, then got into her car.
“Tonight.”
He closed the door and stood back, watching her leave. Returning to work, he was looking forward to the night ahead. Having her spend a night through the week was a rare thing.
Hopefully, that will change soon.
Later that evening, Keenan finished washing the last plate and passed it to her. Julianne kissed him, taking the dish and drying it. She had enjoyed dinner and now her thoughts turned to her visit to Keenan’s work.
From what she could tell, he was well respected by his co-workers. The tour he’d given her of the station had been eye-opening. It was very different to how she had pictured a fire station. After being with Keenan, she’d come to respect people in the fire department even more than she had done before.
“I’ll get the popcorn and drinks,” Keenan said.
“I’ll put in the movie.” She wiped off her hands.
Julianne gave him another kiss before she left the kitchen. He followed her to the living room, where she put the DVD in then sat on the couch, pulling her legs up and scooting back against the arm rest. Keenan put the popcorn and drinks in easy reach while she moved forward making space for him. He sat behind her, pulling her back against his chest. Julianne sighed, relaxing against his big frame. Keenan kissed the top of her head as she handed him the remote.
She absently watched the previews, thinking that the whole evening had been wonderful. Cooking together, eating and even cleaning up had been done with a playful camaraderie. It had been a great idea to have a night in. She touched his hands around her. It was so rare for them to have a night over during the middle of the week.
That’s my choice.
Yes, it was. She knew that Keenan wanted to get to know Rissa. Heck, Rissa wanted to get to know him, too. Since their conversation, Rissa had been asking when she would get to see him and Julianne kept telling her it would take time. Being like any eight-year-old, Rissa wanted an actual date. Julianne had none to give her.
Maybe I should let Keenan spend some time with Rissa. As soon as she thought it, she dismissed it. It was too soon.
It will always be too soon. Julianne ignored the nagging inner voice. When she felt it was time, she would get them together.
“What has you thinking so hard?” Keenan said.
Julianne shook her head. “Nothing. Just tired.”
“We can go to bed,” he offered.
“Sure. I want to make you blush.” Julianne glanced at him.
Keenan smiled wickedly, that delightful blush edging up his face.
Julianne stood and Keenan turned off the TV before he rose. She kissed him, then turned, picking up the popcorn and drinks.
“Let me put this away,” she said.
“And I’ll lock up.”
Julianne took everything through to the kitchen then shut off the light, heading to the stairs. The rest of the downstairs of the house was dark. Ascending the steps by the light at the top, she turned left on the landing and went to the bedroom. She flicked the landing light just outside the door off before entering. Julianne paused in the doorway, taking in the man on the bed. Keenan was nude, lying on top of the covers, his arms bent behind his head.
Her mouth watered at all that delicious tanned skin available for exploring. She pulled off her housedress and dropped it on the chair by the door. Naked, she sauntered to the foot of the bed. She tapped his ankle, and he widened his legs giving her the room to crawl up between his legs and to what she wanted to taste. Opening her mouth, she licked the top of his spongy head, tasting his essence. Growling, she pushed her tongue on the hole, lapping up the pre-cum. Keenan’s thighs were rigid. F
orming an ‘O’, she sucked him into her mouth. He shuddered, a groan sounding above her.
Suckling him, Julianne moaned. Opening wide, she pulled as much of him as she could into her mouth—he was like silken steel. Hollowing her cheeks, she bobbed on him, playing with his balls.
“Jul…iannn…e…yes…please,” Keenan babbled.
Raising her gaze, she noted the flush spread across his skin and up to his face. Keenan’s head was arched back, his neck muscles bulging, a harsh grimace on his face. Keenan glanced at her. His pale green eyes were slightly unfocused while his lips were pulled in a straight line. He held the back of her head. Keeping her eyes locked on his, she sped up her ministrations. Keenan grunted, pushing his cock deeper into her mouth. Julianne sucked harder, tightening around him. Keenan roared—his essence filled her mouth. Swallowing it, Julianne continued to suck him, taking all he had. She squeezed his sac. Keenan’s cock twitched and filled again. Releasing him, Julianne rose then grabbed protection by his thigh, she sheathed him, then straddled his hips.
Keenan guided her as she slid down onto his length. Julianne moaned—he filled her going deep. Keenan sat up, holding her tight as they moved together. Keenan kissed her, rocking his hips into her. Julianne gasped, his cock slid along her inner walls. She pushed down then back whimpering, she wrenched her lips from his. Arching back Julianne rose rapidly up and down, spreading her legs wider. With a hitch of her hips, she took his cock deeper, moving on him. Tension pooled in the base of her spine and went up her back to her skull. Keenan gripped her hair, pulling her head further back. He pressed his lips on the centre of her throat, then he bit gently.
“Kee…nan…” Julianne screamed and spasmed, coming.
“Jul…ianne…” he roared, joining her.
She shivered while he shuddered. Slumping against him, Julianne tried to relearn how to breathe. Her pulse pounded and her heart raced. Keenan’s chest rose and fell rapidly. He dropped back, holding her. Julianne moaned softly. He cupped her ass. Julianne inhaled the scent that was them. Everything about being with him seemed so easy. So perfect and idyllic.
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