Tempt Me: A First Class Romance Collection

by Jessica Hawkins

  And she does. Sutton pours out every disturbing detail. I do my best to tame the rage roaring inside of me while she recounts his purge. She finishes with a massive exhale, as if the weight has vanished off her chest. I know the feeling well.

  I press my lips to her forehead. “Damn. Where is he now?”

  She shrugs into me. “Hell if I care. Chief Wilson assured me Lance would no longer be a concern. He’s supposed to call you later.”

  “Me?”

  “Yup. Clear the air and all that.”

  I scrub the back of my neck. “Wow, that’s heavy.”

  Sutton nuzzles against my throat. “You were wrongfully accused, Gray. The city has some apologizing to do.”

  “It’s not their fault Lance is insane.”

  “True, but they hired him.”

  “Speaking of, how’d that fly?”

  “Turns out Lance’s parents have been hiding his illness for over a decade. He’s very mentally unstable. The records are sealed tight and buried deep. That’s why he had no trouble becoming a cop. He appeared squeaky clean.”

  Another load of kindling doused in gasoline gets thrown on the fire in my gut. “What a rat.”

  She nods. “The worst kind.”

  I cool the flames in my blood with a quick drink off her lips. “I’m so thankful for you, Sutt.”

  She blinks up at me. “So, you’re not upset?”

  I lift a brow. “How could I be?”

  “Maybe I stepped a tad out of bounds?”

  That earns her a chuckle, the first genuine one in almost two weeks. “I love you so damn much, Sutt.”

  Her sigh says it all. “Love you, Gray. I can’t even describe how much. It’s beyond reason.”

  “Marry me,” I blurt. The question has been on my mind, but I didn’t plan to ask in this moment. Maybe it was meant to happen here, releasing inhibitions and setting my intention free. Nothing has ever felt so... us.

  Sutton’s blue gaze snaps wide open. “W-what?”

  I kiss her parted mouth and smile against my greatest gift. My words are shared between us. “I just survived ten days in the bowels of hell. That place is meant to break a man. But I’m looking forward, at you and us and everything we’re meant for. We’re destined for only good so long as we’re one.”

  Her lashes flutter against my cheek. I release a groan at the slightest touch from her. Our future carves a path in my mind, certain and sure. “Be my wife. Agree to be my one and only happy something, forever plus a day. Life has taught me some harsh as fuck lessons, Sutt. Reality is unpredictable and fickle and cruel. I want us to live in the stars. You’re my dream. Be my fantasy for always. I’m not taking more risks where we’re concerned. I want you tied to me, irrevocably and always. Promise to be mine for the rest of our lives. Please make me the luckiest man to walk this jaded earth.”

  Her eyes mist with a fresh wave of tears. “Y-yes. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

  I rub over the third finger on her left hand, bare and missing an essential symbol. “I don’t have your ring with me.”

  She lets her jaw hang open. “You bought me a ring?”

  “Course, baby. Remember the day I woke up with you lying next to me?”

  “How could I forget?”

  I brush my nose along hers. “Now you really won’t.”

  Sutton nods in the general direction of her car. “Let’s go home.”

  “Someone’s in a sudden hurry,” I laugh. “Are you aching?”

  She rocks her hips into mine. “Yes, so much. Aren’t you?”

  “Hell yes. I need to shower and make love to my fiancé, not necessarily in that order.”

  “Well,” she bites her lip, “good thing we discovered both of those can be done at once.”

  I kiss her again, longer this time. My tongue drags across the seam of her mouth until she opens for me. We share a groan, hands fisting any fabric within reach. I pull away before things get out of control in the jail parking lot.

  “Damn, I missed you,” I whisper.

  Her eyes are bedroom heavy and reflect the desire burning through me. “Show me how much?”

  “I gladly will. Each day for the rest of mine.”

  33

  Grady

  Happy something #2: Sutton Rose Olsen.

  I scrub a towel over my wet hair and turn toward Sutton. There’s pure fire in her tropical blue eyes. I’ve missed that fierce desire over the last ten days. But I’m home and we’re together. We’ll never be apart that long again.

  She’s perched so pretty on the edge of our bed. A slinky white dress covers her slim figure, but I’m acutely aware of the seductive curves hidden underneath. I lick my lips with a slow glide. Her taste still lingers there. My mouth waters for another shot of that tangy flavor.

  I prowl closer, wearing nothing except a pair of black boxer briefs. “Why’d you bother getting dressed?”

  Sutton’s gaze devours me. She doesn’t bother hiding the appraisal. I flex my muscles for her benefit. My upper body is more defined due to vigorous hours in the county gym. Jail only offers a few options for recreation. At least this gets my girl more hot and bothered, if that’s even possible.

  When only a mere foot separates us, she walks her toes up my bare legs. Her voice is all smoke and filthy promises about to be fulfilled. “What should we do today?”

  I grab her ankle and kiss along the delicate bone. “I have several ideas. All of them involve you and this bed.”

  Sutton scoots closer to the edge of our mattress. “Oh? Just this room?”

  “For starters.” I ghost my lips up her smooth calf.

  “Well, I have something in mind.”

  I reach the sensitive skin behind her knee. “Whatever it is can wait.”

  “This is a surprise.”

  Every part of my body visibly tenses. “Sutt, I’ve had my fill of the unexpected.”

  “This is a good one. I promise. Think of it as a celebration.” She holds up her left hand. Her engagement ring catches the light, nearly blinding me with all that sparkle.

  Good. I smirk at her showing off the bling. It’ll be easy for everyone to see.

  She wiggles her finger. The sapphire and diamonds glitter with her waving motion.

  “Damn, you’re a sexy fiancée.”

  She snaps the elastic at my waist. “And all yours.”

  I tower over her. “Remind me why we aren’t naked?”

  A sigh eases off her thoroughly-kissed pout. “I’m beginning to regret my other plans.”

  “Can we reschedule?”

  She gives a slow toss of her hair. Nope, not a chance. “We’ll return to this exact position in a few hours.”

  “And naked?”

  Sutton laughs. “Very much so.”

  “Okay,” I grumble. “I guess we have a deal.”

  “You’ll enjoy this. It might take your mind off stripping me bare.”

  “I highly doubt that, but if you say so.” I stride to my closet, throwing on the first pair of jeans on my shelf. A white tee gets tugged over my head and I’m set.

  I follow Sutton down the stairs, enjoying the view of her ass swaying in the slinky fabric. She switches off lights along the way, locking the door behind us. Next she releases Bear into his outdoor kennel.

  “You’ve established a routine in my absence.”

  Her smile is a bit sad and I want to punch myself for bringing it up. “Kind of had to.”

  I thread our fingers together, kissing each of her knuckles. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “There is absolutely nothing for you to apologize for. And we’re all good now. Let’s never go back to being apart.”

  “Couldn’t agree more.” I guide her toward the garage to get my bike. Sutton begins tugging me in the opposite direction. I pause my route and glance over at her. “Uh, what’s up, Sutt? What are you doing?”

  “Walking to my car. How about you?”

  “Figured we could take the Harley.”

  S
he quirks a brow at me. “But it won’t be a very good surprise if you know where we are going.”

  I already agreed to this so she’s got me there. Relenting is inevitable. I allow her to drag me to the small coupe, squeezing my tall frame into the passenger seat. My knees bang into the dashboard and I bite off a curse.

  Sutton cringes. “Sorry. We’ll take the bike next time. And from then on if you want.”

  I wink at her. “Freedom on the road.”

  “And this is the opposite. You probably need the feeling of no barriers right now.”

  “Worth it, baby. I don’t mind being cramped into a small space with you.”

  Her whimsy sigh soothes my hard edges, securing me around her pinkie. “You always say the perfect thing, Gray.”

  “Only the best for my girl. No bounds on our love, baby.”

  She fans herself with an open palm. “Swoon alert. You’re straight out of a romance novel.”

  “But better?”

  “So much.”

  Ten minutes is all it takes for us to reach the main drag of Silo Springs. My eyes are focusing out the window, watching the buildings pass. I assume we’re having dinner at one of the few restaurants in town. But Sutton pulls over and parks in front of the very last place I ever imagined.

  I do a double-take at the name, not computing how this adds up. A row of motorcycles decorate the designated area out front. I blink at the yellow and blue neon sign. Howlers is blinking bold and proud. I peer at Sutton from the corner of my eye. She’s beaming at me, her expression about to burst with joy.

  “Uh, is this my surprise?” I point to my old stomping ground.

  She nods and steeples two fingers under her chin. “Yep. Let’s go inside.”

  When we step through the entrance, an eruption of cheers and applause rings out. I almost topple backwards onto my ass. It appears more than half the residents of Silo Springs are packed inside this dingy space.

  “What’s everyone doing here?” I can hardly hear over the pounding parade of my pulse.

  Sutton bumps her hip into me. “To celebrate, of course.”

  I scrub over the prickle on my scalp. “How could they already know about our engagement?”

  “They’re here for you, silly. We all wanted to celebrate you.”

  “All of this is… for me?” I almost don’t get the question out of my clogging throat.

  She loops an arm around me, leaning her head on my arm. “Yes, baby. Everyone wanted to see you.”

  Barry, Alice, and Jace are the first to approach us. They don’t bother asking before wrapping me up in a group hug. I return the affection without hesitation. These are my people. They’re always here for me.

  We find an open spot at the bar and settle in. The stools are more uncomfortable than ever. Familiar groans from worn leather paired with squeaks of rusting metal greet me.

  Alice hugs me again. “I’m so glad we caught him. That man needs to pay for framing you.”

  A black shadow passes over my vision thinking of Lance and his attempt at ruining my life. I crack my neck, grinding all consideration of him into the stained ground. “Sounds like he will,” I mutter.

  “Mom,” Sutton interrupts. She shoves her left hand under Alice’s nose. Her mother gasps.

  “Is that what—”

  “Yes! We’re getting married. Let’s focus on that happy and leave the poison buried in the past.”

  “Oh, sweetie,” Alice coos. “This is wonderful news. The absolute best.” She lifts her watery features to me. “I can’t wait for you to officially be part of our family.”

  Jace nudges his mom over a step. “He already is. Always has been.”

  She huffs. “You know what I mean.”

  Barry pats me on the back. “Damn proud of you son. Couldn’t ask for a better man to make an honest woman of my daughter.”

  “Dad!” Sutton scolds.

  He chuckles. “Just kidding, sweetheart. You’ve always been a catch.”

  She folds her arms. “Uh-huh, yeah.”

  I lean into her. “For me. That’s what matters.”

  “So,” Alice chirps. “When’s the wedding?”

  “Oh, mom. Stop.” Sutton’s wise gaze slides to me. “We just got engaged this morning. Maybe we’ll plan for next—“

  “Month?” I finish for her. She chokes on that little bomb I dropped. “Problem?”

  Sutton whips her head back and forth. “Nope. That’s great. Perfect, really.”

  I kiss her temple. “That’s what I thought, beautiful.”

  She sags into me. “Love you, fiancé.”

  “Damn, I really like the sound of that. I’m gonna love calling you wife.”

  A collective sigh comes from her parents. Alice is practically glowing. “We better start planning.”

  I just laugh. Sutton holds up her left hand again, showing off the goods. “Not yet. I want to appreciate having my fiancé home. How about we spend today enjoying each other’s company? Tomorrow we can discuss the future.”

  I cup her ass against the seat. “You’re reading my mind, Sutt.”

  “Because we’re one.” There’s awe in her voice.

  We order a round of drinks and toast to this happy something. Family bonding. There’s nothing quite like it.

  Others begin trickling over to give me a clap on the back or offer to buy me a beer. Everyone has a smile and kind words reserved for me. My heart is bursting and threatening to overflow. I’ve never felt this level of acceptance. It’s almost unbelievable, but my eyes don’t deceive me.

  One hour feeds into two. The third ticks over and my skin is getting itchy. I glance over at my girl. Her baby blues are already latched onto me. She gives me a little wave of her fingers. I nod toward the exit. Her eyebrows wag at me in return.

  Well, damn. It looks like I’m getting all sorts of lucky today

  34

  Sutton

  Happy something #199: Getting so caught up in something, or a certain someone, that I forget to breathe.

  I wake with a lazy stretch. All of my muscles, especially in the lower half, are deliciously sore. I revel in the lingering burn. Aftershocks zap at my nerve endings and I smile into the pillow. That last orgasm is one for the books.

  Grady stirs next to me, reaching over in his drowsy state. “Morning, baby.”

  I roll over and flop onto his bare chest. “Hey, Gray.”

  “Sleep well?”

  “So good.”

  His lips find my forehead and I shiver. Grady got his wish about being naked. Not a single stitch of clothing has touched my body for almost seventy-two hours. We’ve barely separated for air since he was released. It’s safe to say our codependency has reached record highs. Not that I’m complaining, and no one would blame us.

  “Coffee?” The question is a murmur against my temple.

  I brush my lips over his nipple. “Maybe in a bit.”

  “That’s my girl.” His fingers roam over the base of my spine, and drift lower.

  We haven’t left the bedroom for more than basic essentials. I’m perfectly pleased to survive on Grady and his very capable body. But alas, my pesky stomach growls intermittently with different demands.

  In this moment, my lower belly is in charge and craving the naked man beside me. He seems to be having the same bout of hunger.

  Grady presses his nose into the crook of my neck. A whisper of heat pebbles my skin when he growls against me. “You smell like a freshly showered dude.”

  I giggle and squirm closer. “I ran out of body wash. I’ve been more than happy to bathe in your manly aroma.”

  He treats himself to another whiff. “I’d rather put my scent on you the old fashioned way.”

  “Be my guest,” I purr.

  Grady flips our position in a single beat. He crawls over and lowers on top of me with a groan. Our naked limbs twine together within seconds. An idea strikes me just as he’s about to slide in.

  I push on his chest. “Wait.”
<
br />   He startles and props up on an elbow. “Care to repeat that? Pretty sure I misheard you.”

  “I have an idea.”

  “Does this involve simultaneous orgasms?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right then.” His dick twitches against my core as he lines us up again.

  “Wait!” I giggle.

  His forehead hits my shoulder. “Killing me, Sutt. I’m no longer familiar with that word when it comes to you and sex.”

  “My parents are going out of town. I told them I’d feed the horses.”

  “You choose to bring this up now?”

  I sweep some stray strands out of his eyes. “Wanna join me?”

  “Afraid of a big, bad wolf?”

  I dance my toes along his calf. “I might need your help.”

  “That involves us getting dressed.” He nudges his eager insistence into me, steely hard against velvet soft. “Staying right here is much more promising.”

  I wiggle out of his intended target zone. “I have something else in mind while we’re there.”

  “Another surprise?”

  I nod. “Yes. The last one turned out well, right?”

  “It did.”

  “And this one has been a long time coming.”

  A quiver skates over my body. “Those words from your mouth ruin me, Sutt.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  Grady kisses me, a slow slide of lips that delves deeper. I loop my arms around him while brushing our tongues together. We share a groan and I’m almost regretting hitting the pause button.

  He’s the one to pull away. “Never can deny you.”

  I’ve never been more thankful that Grady bought a house within five miles of my family farm. We’re pulling up in front of the barn before the desire has cooled from my blood. I drag him toward the door, his hands already wandering up the exposed skin of my thighs. The skirt I’m wearing is definitely on purpose.

  The smell of sawdust and leather are hanging heavy in the air. I lead him toward the ladder, making my intentions clear.

  Grady’s cheek dents with a smile. “We haven’t been up there in years.”

  “I loved those nights.” I peek down at him once I’ve cleared the landing.