Lawrence Thorn loves me. And it scares the hell out of me. But also makes me the happiest man in the world.
I close my office door and dial her number. I have to talk to her right now.
“A call in the middle of the day, Lucas? What could this possibly be about?”
“I wanted to tell you that I just got your note.”
“You did?”
“I love you, Lawrence.” There. I’ve said it and it’s a fucking relief. I think I’ll say it again. “I. Love. You. Lawrence”
“I love you, Lucas.”
There’s only one thing that would make this moment better. “I really wish you were here so I could show you how much.”
It’s only been two days and I want her again already. Not just sex. Her. I want her.
“I know. Being apart is not fun.”
“Maybe we should have a conversation about that.”
“I would love to have that conversation with you.”
“Could I talk you into coming to Birmingham instead of meeting halfway next time? I’ve been thinking that I’d love to take you home and introduce you to my family. My mom is having a fit to meet you.”
Josette Broussard smells fresh meat. A potential daughter-in-law. Nothing would make her happier than me bringing a woman home to meet her.
“I would love to meet your family.”
I already knew Libby and Quentin, so I didn’t have to do the meet-the-parents thing with them. Taking Lawrence to my parents’ home is a big step. At twenty-nine years old, it’s a bold statement—one that says hey, this is my woman.
I fucking love it.
“Gotta run, baby. I have a meeting in five minutes, but I couldn’t go without calling you first.” I want to tell her again. “I love you.”
“Love you too. Talk soon.”
I did it. I told her I loved her and suggested having a conversation about the distance between us. I hope she’s open to the idea I have in my head. I don’t want to be without her anymore.
* * *
This weekend’s visit with Lawrence will be different. We’ve said those three words. And now we’re going to have a conversation about where things go next. Damn, this has been a whirlwind from the start, but she’s everything I want and need. I can’t stand the thought of letting her slip through my fingers.
I’m at the back of the house practicing my archery skills on a deer target when I hear the crunch of gravel beneath tires. She’s finally here.
We crash against each other, my mouth on hers. I lift Lawrence into the air and spin her in a full rotation. God, I’ve missed having her in my arms. “It felt like this weekend would never get here.”
“I know. This whole week moved at snail speed.”
I release her and she eyes my camouflage clothing before tugging on my shirt. “What’s with this?”
“I was in the woods with my brother and dad this morning. Bow season started this week.”
“Oh.”
“I didn’t kill anything. Didn’t even try since I knew you were coming. I was just along for the ride.”
“Good. Bambi lives another day.”
Once inside, we sink into the sofa. “Mom is cooking for us tonight.”
“No Bambi, I hope.”
“She knows you’re vegan and prefer organic. She said she’d come up with something.”
Lawrence sighs. “I hate for her to cook two meals just to accommodate me. She’ll think I’m a pain in the ass right off the bat.”
“It’s not a big deal. She wants to do it for you.”
“What time are we expected?”
“As soon as you’re ready.”
Lawrence sits up. “Shit. They’re waiting on us?”
“I told Mom you’d get here earlier because I thought you would but it’s fine.”
She pokes out her bottom lip. “Aw, we don’t have time to fool around.”
“Not before we go over there but there’ll be plenty of time for that when we get back.”
“I’m nervous.”
“You shouldn’t be. We’ve fooled around a lot.”
Lawrence punches my arm. “Not about that, smart-ass. About meeting your family.”
I squeeze her thigh and kiss the side of her neck. “Maybe you should let me help you loosen up first. They can wait a little longer.”
“God, no. I won’t have them waiting on us longer than necessary. I’m already a bundle of nerves. That would just add to the mix.”
Can’t blame a man for trying. “Don’t be nervous, baby. They’re going to adore you, especially my mother. She’s been surrounded by men for years and has no daughters, so she’ll welcome you with open arms.”
“Sounds like she might want a daughter-in-law?”
“Yes, and grandchildren. The woman makes no bones about it.”
“I need to change and get ready. Should I wear something dressy?”
“Definitely not. My family is casual all the time.”
“Good. You know I’m not all about dressing up.”
I grab her bag and carry it to my bedroom, dropping it on the bed. “I cleared a drawer in the bathroom and one in the chest of drawers for you if you’d like a place for your things.”
A huge smile spreads on her face before she comes to me. She rises on her tiptoes and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “That is so sweet. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. Mind if I hang out back here while you get ready?”
“I’d love that.” She presses her lips to mine again before stepping away and unpacking. “Can I hang my stuff in the closet so it doesn’t wrinkle?”
“Show me what you want in the closet, and I’ll take care of hanging it while you get ready.”
“Thanks, babe.”
Babe. I can’t believe that I’m someone’s babe.
“How was your drive?”
“Long. I hit a huge stretch of road construction and traffic was backed up for miles.”
I hit that same stretch last time I drove to Savannah. I’m afraid it’s going to be like that for a while.
“I thought you were running late.”
Lawrence stops brushing and spits. “Yeah, it was horrible. Probably cost me an hour of time. We’ll need to look for an alternate route.”
I rack and hang her clothes and then sit on the bed where I have a view of her getting ready at my bathroom vanity. I watch her with avid curiosity. Applying makeup. Fixing her hair. Slipping out of one outfit and into another with the discarded one folded into a neat square on the counter.
“Why are you watching every move I make?”
“I’ve never watched a woman get ready.”
“How’s that possible? You were married.”
“We didn’t share a bedroom or bathroom.”
Lawrence stops glossing her lips and looks at me. “Never?”
“No. Bridgette took the master and I took the guest.”
“That’s so weird. Did anyone know that you lived like that?”
“Wasn’t anyone’s business what we did or didn’t do.”
“I suppose not.” Lawrence finishes the last coat of gloss on her lips. “Do I look all right?”
Crazy print dress. Boots. Headband. Healing stones jewelry. The look is very fitting for a bohemian girl. “You look beautiful.”
I lift the necklace from her neck. “What is this stone?”
“Lapis.”
“What is the healing property?”
“It’s said to balance the heart and mind, especially when they’re running overtime.”
“Your heart and mind are running overtime?”
“Very much so.”
“Mine, too.”
She offers her hand, and in it, a bright blue stone. “I was hoping you might be feeling the same. That’s why I brought this for you.”
I take the stone and study it. Looks like nothing more than a small blue egg to me. “What do I do with it?”
“Put it in your pocket.”
I don’t know if I
believe a rock in my pocket will help sort the feelings I have, but I slip it into my pocket because it’s what Lawrence wants. “You’re being strategic, having me place that so close to the part of my brain working overtime when you’re around.”
Lawrence shakes her head as she slips her messenger bag over her shoulder. “You’re so bad.”
“Just being honest, babe. I’d prefer to ditch my family, toss you in the middle of the bed, and stay there for the next three days.”
“After our visit, we’ll see what we can do about staying in bed for the next three days.”
* * *
Mom hasn’t stopped smiling since we got here. Maybe even Dad, too. I think they’re as mesmerized by Lawrence as I am.
“You’ve been a business partner with Lawrence’s brother for four years. How in the world have you two missed running into each other until a few months ago?”
“I’m probably to blame for that. I haven’t come to visit Ollie much since I opened my shop.”
Lawrence is a dedicated businesswoman. I respect that because I understand the dedication that it takes to run a successful business.
My dad reaches out and cups his hand over my mom’s. “Things happen all in good time. You know that, mon cher.”
“Indeed, I do.”
My parents were high school sweethearts and Mom got pregnant her senior year. Neither of them felt prepared to marry or raise a baby so they chose adoption. They stayed together after giving up my brother and married three years later. It’s been thirty-five years and they’re still trying to find him.
My dad is right. Things happen all in good time. “If Lawrence and I had met when my partnership with Oliver was in the early stages, I would have been in the middle of my divorce from Bridge. I’m glad that we didn’t meet until now.”
“Luc,” my mom whispers.
“What?”
“Perhaps it would be thoughtful to not bring up your previous marriage in front of the woman that you’re currently dating?”
“Lawrence knows everything about Bridgette and me from start to finish. There’s no need to pretend it didn’t happen.”
Lawrence reaches for my hand beneath the table. “It’s okay with me. I understand that Bridgette was and still is a large part of Lucas’s life. She and I have met, and I like her very much.”
My mom smiles. “Most women wouldn’t be so understanding of their relationship.”
“True, it’s not a typical situation.”
“My son is an exceptional man for the way he handled himself through that entire situation, from the moment he found out Bridgette was pregnant.”
That’s so far from what really happened. No one knows the real truth. “Mom—”
“It’s true, Luc. A lot of grown men don’t stand by the mothers of their children the way you did.”
I can’t stand hearing my mom’s praises for the wonderful way she believes I handled the situation with Bridgette. “Okay, I’m sure Lawrence has heard plenty about all of that.”
Lawrence pushes away from the table. “May I use your restroom?”
Mom points in the direction. “Down the hallway, first door on the right.”
“Luc, she’s lovely. I can see why you adore her.”
I may be twenty-nine years old but I’m happy to hear my mother’s approval. “She’s fantastic.”
“That hippie is one hot piece of ass,” Briac says.
“Bri—” There’s a warning in Mom’s voice.
I grin at my brother. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“I think she could be exactly what you need, Luc.”
“For what?”
“A wife. A mother for your children.”
I can’t argue with my mom. Lawrence would make a wonderful wife and mother. And if I ever wanted to marry and have children, she would be the one. But I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to have more children. And I’m terrified it’s going to cost me our relationship in the end.
Losing Lawrence would crush me. I wouldn’t know how to let her go. She’s a part of me now. And how do you relinquish a piece of yourself?
I almost didn’t survive the last time I lost a part of myself. It changed me forever.
I can’t go through that again.
* * *
I stop before we reach the bed so I can kiss her—just a simple, sweet, romantic token of my affection. “Keeping my hands off you has been very difficult tonight.”
“I know. I enjoyed being with your family but I’ve been dying to get back here.”
“They adored you, just as I knew they would.”
“I like your parents a lot. And Briac too.”
“Good.” I move to her neck and hit that spot just below her ear, the one that always sends chills down her spine.
I palm and squeeze her breasts gently while kissing her neck and slowly move my lips down to her shoulder. My mouth migrates to the space between her breasts, and I can’t resist pushing them together and rubbing my face in them.
I move lower and drop to my knees in front of her. Worshipping her body with my mouth.
Fingers in my hair. Panting breath. She likes what I’m doing.
My tongue swipes once, then a second time over her belly button. “Everything from my nipples down to the tips of my toes is tingling.”
“Tingling isn’t the only thing I’m going to make you do.”
After her panties are gone, I stroke her clit in a come-hither motion. She quickly gets wet for me so I wrap my hand around her hipbone and kiss her stomach before my mouth moves in a more southern direction.
This is never the best position for what I’m about to do. I already know I’m not going to accomplish my goal this way, but I can’t resist starting out with licking her to jumpstart things.
“Lucasss.”
I swipe my tongue up her slit while she squirms in an attempt to part her legs.
“Want more?”
“Yes. A lot more.”
“Good, ’cause I plan on giving you as much as you want for as long as you want it.”
I won’t quit when I’m tired. I’ll quit when we’re done.
I guide her to sit on the edge of the bed and lift each leg so I can hook them over my shoulders. I bury my nose in her crotch and inhale deeply. “I can never get enough of this.”
“And I can never get enough of seeing your mouth on me.”
Lawrence’s words are always so tame. Sometimes I want to tell her to stop being so fucking polite and just say what she’s thinking.
I think I will.
“Tell me you love it when I lick your pussy.”
She drags her nails through my hair and wriggles. “Lucas—”
“Or maybe your hot cunt.”
“Lucas—”
“Come on, baby. You can do it.” I lean forward and lick her up the center. “Tell me.”
She hesitates a moment and wears a timid smile. “I love it when you… lick my pussy.”
Motherfucker, that is hot. “Now, tell me you want me to eat your cunt.”
“Lucas!”
“You’ve got this, baby. You can do it.”
She drags her nails across my scalp a couple of times. Stalling. Come on, Lawrence. Say it.
She draws a deep breath. “I want you to… eat my cunt.”
Her sexy-as-fuck words are followed by a breathless moan instead of the timid giggle I was expecting.
“My sweet, Lawrence, I’m turning you into a naughty-talking sex freak who likes to watch my head bob between your legs.”
“Yes, you dirty bastard. You’ve ruined me. I’ll never want to be with another man because I’ll know he can’t make me feel the way you do.”
If I’m being honest, that’s the way I want it.
The thought of another man putting his mouth on any part of Lawrence drives me insane.
“I’m the only man who touches you. The only one who tastes you.” I rub my thumb down her slit. “The only one who licks this pussy.”
She nods and whispers, “Yes.”
I flatten my tongue and drag it upward several times before pushing her legs back and apart. I love when she squirms beneath me. The way she tilts and lifts her hips, cueing me to what she wants, is hot.
She grasps the top of my hair and tugs to bring me closer. “Right there. Just like that. Don’t stop.”
A moment later, the grip on my hair tightens and her entire body tenses. “Ohh… ohh.”
I begin at her ankles and kiss my way up her inner legs. “That didn’t take long.”
“It’s been almost two weeks. I was ready for that.”
I can’t suppress the grin spreading on my face. “This next part isn’t going to happen so fast. I plan on taking my time with you. Who knows? This could take all night.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.” I stop to kiss the top of her pubic bone. “Always smooth.”
“The one place I don’t go all natural.”
I rub my hand over her hairless skin. “I love it like this.”
“And I love the feel of your facial scruff against me down there. Best sensation ever.”
I love the way she says down there as though she’s innocent and wholesome.
I move my face from side to side so the stiff hair tickles her. “Like that?”
“Yesss.”
I continue up her stomach until I reach her breasts and rub my chin hair over her nipple. “Like it other places too?”
She sucks air in through her teeth. “Ohh, that is so sensitive.”
I move upward until my mouth is on the side of her neck and push her hands over her head. Our fingers are entangled. I love holding her like this.
We’re face-to-face and she doesn’t take her eyes from mine—doesn’t even blink—when I enter her. But I see the look, the one that tells me how good it feels to have me inside her. Parted lips opening to a full O. Hooded lids. I can never mistake that look of pleasure for any other.
Bringing her legs up around me, I’m moving deeper inside her. Close is never close enough. I always want her nearer.
Propping my weight on my elbows, I cradle her head inside my lower arms while I stare into her eyes. This feels different. So different. Until this moment, I never realized how fucking incredible it is to be inside the woman you love. “I love you.”
Southern Girl Series: Bohemain Girl, Neighbor Girl & Intern Girl Page 22
