She grinned up at him then looked under his arm at Leif. “You hungry, Leif?”
“Uh huh. Did you get the beans and rice? That’s my favorite.” He ducked his head and blushed.
Hell, he was falling for his own kid.
Austin looked into Sierra’s eyes, and he knew she was falling too.
They needed to talk.
Soon.
“Yeah,” she said after clearing her throat. “I got the beans and rice. It’s my favorite part too.”
“Mine three,” he added, noting how they were acting like a family.
The three of them.
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but he would take it one day at a time. It was all he could do.
“Is he asleep?” Sierra asked, running her hands over her hair.
Austin walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Leif had taken the room upstairs and across the hall, meaning it was the farthest from Austin’s first-floor master bedroom. It worked for now, and knowing what Austin wanted to do that night, he was grateful.
“Yeah. He went right out. Apparently, he had a field day during gym so he was tired.”
Sierra cocked her head to the side. “Did we know he had a field day?”
Austin shook his head. “No, at least you and I didn’t. I don’t think Mom did either, or she would have mentioned it. Leif said it was a small one though, just during gym and not a whole-day thing like we used to have when we were kids.”
She frowned. “If you’re sure then. That sounds like something we should have known, right?”
Austin ran a hand over his face. “I honestly have no idea, but we know now, and I think he’s opening up enough that if he has one in the future, we’ll know.” At least he hoped so. At this point it was a gamble if he got Leif to open up about what was going on in his life. Their talk about tattoos and family on the porch, though, had been decent, better than most of the talks they usually had.
Sierra stood next to the bed wearing one of his shirts and a pair of volleyball shorts. Shorts that made her legs look even sexier. His cock perked up at the sight, and he swallowed back a groan. It had been a long while since they’d made love. They’d been too afraid to do anything in the house with Leif around. Sure, it wasn’t a problem for most couples with kids in the house, but this was a first for him, and he didn’t want to fuck it up.
As it was, he and Decker had quietly taken down the dungeon in the basement. It had been pretty easy considering Austin hadn’t had that much of a setup, but it was a little like saying goodbye to a part of him in the process. He couldn’t risk having a place Leif could easily find. What he and Sierra did in private wasn’t any of his business, but it was still irresponsible not to find a way to shield him from things he didn’t understand. In addition, nothing had been formally finalized when it came to Leif staying there. Yes, the kid was his blood, but the courts had to put their rubber stamp on it. People feared what they didn’t understand, and considering the reasons Maggie had left him, he wasn’t about to do anything that could disrupt Leif’s life yet again.
“What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Sierra asked, walking to him slowly.
He opened his arms, and she sank into him, her head resting on his chest. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Sierra pulled back, her brow furrowed. “I’ve been here the whole time, Austin. How could you miss me?”
He let his hand fall through her hair. “You have been with me this whole time. I don’t know how to thank you.” He frowned. “Have I thanked you at all? Or have I just taken your help, guidance, and generally kick-ass attitude for granted?”
She smiled softly then cupped his cheek. He turned into her palm, kissing it gently. “You’ve said thank you. You’ve also worked your butt off in an impossible situation. You have a son, Austin. That is so freaking scary, and yet you raised your chin and said, ‘okay, let’s do this.’ ”
He shook his head. “I was only able to say that because you were there every step of the way. Sure, there was no other answer when it came to Leif. I wasn’t about to leave him in a group home when I had plenty of room here, but you did the same, Sierra. You put everything on hold and then changed your life for him. And for me. You accepted him without argument. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
She sighed. “You had room in your heart for him too, Austin. I believe that even if you can’t see it yet.”
Austin swallowed hard. He didn’t know what to do with his feelings when it came to Leif. It was all a little too surreal to contemplate.
“I can see you’re not ready for that yet, and I get it. As for repaying me? You don’t have to. I get to watch you two work together and figure out what it means for him to be here. I’m getting everything I need.”
God, she was perfect. She was giving up so much for him. They had started out just trying to have fun and see where their relationship went, and now she was practically living with him and playing house with Leif. She hadn’t asked for any of it, and Austin felt like he kept waiting for her to say it was enough and leave.
He couldn’t think about that right then though.
At the moment, he wanted to think about something else.
He leaned down and brushed his lips against her. “Are you sure you’re getting everything you need?”
Sierra blushed, the heat of her skin scorching his. “Austin…”
“It’s been two weeks, baby. He’s across the house, and we can be quiet.” He raised a brow. “Well, I can at least be quiet. We might need to find a way to gag you to make sure you don’t scream too loudly.”
“Oh really? Gagging me now?”
He wasn’t a huge fan of ball gags because he liked to hear her say his name, but…no, not then.
“I want to slide into your heat while my body covers you. I want to go slow and quiet, and make sure you feel every inch of me. What do you say, Legs?”
Her eyes widened, her pupils dilating at his words alone.
“Are you sure you can keep me quiet?”
Austin groaned then pulled her closer. “We can try our hardest. I’m not about to stop making love to you because Leif is here. We’ll find a way.”
“Then make love to me.”
He slanted his mouth of hers, letting her sweet taste dance over his tongue. He walked her backward toward the bed, his hands in her hair, on her face, his mouth on hers. She moaned into his mouth, and he nipped her lip.
“Quiet,” he whispered.
Her eyes brightened. “You taste so good though.” Her hand cupped his dick, and he groaned.
“Quiet,” she whispered.
He snorted then stood back before stripping her quickly. She gasped, apparently surprised he could move so fast.
“Get on the bed and stay on your back.”
She did so, her gaze on his. Her pink-tipped nipples hardened, and he palmed his erection through his jeans.
“Spread your legs.”
When she did, he held back another groan. “You’re wet for me, baby,” he whispered. “So fucking wet. You want me to eat you out before I sink my cock into you? Will that help the ache?”
She nodded, biting her lip.
Austin quickly shucked his clothes then got on the bed. He wrapped her legs around his neck and licked her pussy in one long swipe.
When he heard a muffled scream, he looked up to see a pillow over her face. Well, that was one way to be quiet. He went back to his feast, nibbling and sucking on her lower lips and clit. She rocked into his face, moaning softly as he increased pressure on her clit. When he hummed against her at the same time he rimmed her ass with his finger, she came.
Hard.
“My Sierra likes it when I play with her ass?” he asked, licking her taste off his lips.
She moved the pillow from her face and nodded. “Yes. I like anal sex. Sue me. We can do that later though. Please put that cock in me.”
He raised a brow at her orders. Tonight was different with the
m, and they both knew it. They weren’t a Dom and a sub. They were Austin and Sierra making love. That was their kink, and Austin counted himself lucky he’d found someone who felt the same.
“I’m going to fuck that ass later then, Legs. Now let me get a condom first so I can make love to you.”
She gripped his wrist and shook her head. “No condom. Not ever again. I’m on birth control, and we both got tested. I want you in me.”
He held back a groan and crushed his lips to hers. “I can’t wait to be bare in you again, baby. I know we did it without one before, but this time it’s for keeps. Got me?”
“Then be in me.”
He positioned himself at her entrance, keeping his gaze on hers. As he pushed in, her mouth opened on a silent gasp. He slowly rocked into her, inch by inch until his balls rested against her ass and he could feel every sweet inch of her around his dick.
Austin swallowed hard, his arms shaking. “You feel so fucking good, baby,” he whispered.
“I…I…” She blinked up at him then ran her hands up his back. “Move. I want to feel all of you.”
He nodded then pulled out before slowly thrusting back in. They kept their gazes on one another as he made slow love to his woman, the one he loved. When they came together, they whispered each other’s names, their bodies shaking.
He’d known what she was about to say before she’d told him to move. Just as he’d almost said it as well. There was a reason he wasn’t saying it yet, but he couldn’t get a hold on it. He loved Sierra Elder, but now that things had changed, he wasn’t sure it would last.
His heart did a funny lurch thing, and he kissed Sierra softly, trying to get the sting to go away. He needed her more than anything, but Austin wasn’t sure she needed him as much.
That scared him more than the thought of forever.
Way more.
Chapter Nineteen
“I still can’t get over the fact that you’re a daddy,” Shep said as he sat on his aunt and uncle’s porch, enjoying a beer.
Austin snorted from his chair beside him. “I’m still not over it yet.”
Shep shook his head then took another sip of his beer. “What do you think, Grandpa, you believe it?”
Harry, who sat on the other side of Austin, took a sip of his water. “I do, only because I can see Austin in every little motion Leif makes. It’s funny that kid is so much like you when he had a full decade without you.”
Shep held back an angry response to that. He’d met Maggie once right when he’d left Denver for good so he could move to New Orleans. She’d been spoiled, selfish, and not at all like what Austin had now. He’d had to hold back a few responses when it came to Leif’s mom. It wasn’t fair to speak ill of the dead, but she’d deprived his cousin and the rest of the Montgomerys memories and experiences they’d never get back. And Leif had been forced to stay in a group home, not knowing what his own future would hold because she kept him a secret. That was a fucking huge sin in Shep’s book, and although she was gone, he wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive her for the look on Austin’s face.
His cousin might say he was over it and moving on, but Shep knew better. Austin had no idea how to act around his son, and that was a shame. Sure, the kid was starting to open up, but he hadn’t been around the whole Montgomery clan all at once yet. That was enough to scare anyone, let alone a kid who’d had only his mother for most of his life.
“Leif doing good in school?” Harry asked, his hands shaking.
Shep held back the stinging at the back of his eyes. The radiation was hard on the man, they could all see that, but Harry was strong. Plus with Marie by his side, he was stronger. The prognosis was good according to Harry, and though they were all worried, Shep knew that if they stayed positive, they could make it though.
It didn’t make it any less hard to watch Harry deal with the pain.
Shep met Austin’s eyes and saw his cousin was dealing with the same thing as Shep. It was awful to feel so helpless for those you loved.
“He’s doing good. He’s got a test today that we studied for last night.”
Shep smiled softly at that. The man sounded like such a dad—even though he knew Austin didn’t feel it.
They talked about Leif some more, and Shep soaked it all up. He wanted to know more about the kid’s life and how he was taking it all in.
“You think he’s ready for the barbecue tomorrow?” Shep asked when Harry fell asleep.
Austin stood, throwing a blanket over his father. “Leif? Yeah. I think he’ll be fine. If not, then we can leave. He’s met most of you guys individually, but never as a group.”
“We’re a bit crazy to people who know us, let alone newcomers.”
Austin snorted. “Sierra is coming too, and it’s her first barbecue with the Montgomerys.”
Shep let out a whistle. “Same for Shea actually. At least they’ll have each other when we throw them to the wolves.”
“True. Speaking of Shea, how is she? It’s been a month, and she still seems, I don’t know, off somehow.”
Shep let out a breath. “I don’t know, man. I’ve noticed it too and commented on it. All she says is that she’s fine. Fine. I hate that fucking word. It doesn’t mean fine. It’s a landmine of doom and tears.”
“Damn. You think it’s her mom?”
Shep sighed. Her mom was a first-class bitch and had tried to take everything from Shea more than once.
“I hope not, but the thought’s crossed my mind.”
“I don’t know what to say, Shep. I’m not much help if we can’t figure it out.”
“You have enough on your plate right now that doesn’t have to do with me. Worry about that, and I’ll figure it out. It’s got to be something because she isn’t fine. We both know that. Hopefully she’ll open up to me because it’s killing me that she doesn’t trust me enough to do so.”
Austin looked over sharply. “Trust? You think that’s it?”
Shep ran a hand over his face. “What else could it be? I thought we were open and honest about everything. I guess not.”
“Shep.”
“Whatever. I’m going to head out and back to Griffin’s. Shea is there working on something, and, well, I want to be there.” He met Austin’s gaze then looked over at a sleeping Harry. “We’ll probably head back to New Orleans soon. We’ve been here for a month, and though Shea can do everything from her computer and I’ve been working at Montgomery Ink, we need to get back.”
Austin nodded. “I know. I figured. You just let me know when, and I’ll help if you need me.”
He hugged his cousin, ran a hand over his uncle’s head, and then went back into the house so he could leave. Something was up with Shea. She wasn’t happy, and he could only think it was something he’d done.
He swallowed hard. There was no way he could let her get away with not telling him. He loved her more than anything on this earth, and he needed to know how to help.
Even if it broke him.
Chapter Twenty
“How many Montgomerys are there going to be again?”
Austin didn’t answer her, and Sierra had to turn, narrowing her eyes. Her man grinned, his hands in his pockets.
“You sure look sexy in that dress, Legs.”
She held back her smile at his words. She did look good in her sundress, but he wouldn’t be let off the hook with nice words. Wait. Was she too sexy? She turned on her heel and looked in Austin’s full-length mirror on the back of his closet door.
“Is it too sexy?” Damn it. She wanted to make a good impression and couldn’t do it if she looked like some trollop on the hunt. Yes, she said trollop. It happens.
Strong hands wrapped around her waist as Austin came up from behind her. He tilted her head to the side and ran soft kisses up her neck. Shivers racked her body, and her knees went weak. Damn man and his prowess.
“You look amazing, Legs. Not too sexy,” he added as she narrowed her eyes again. “Your legs look hot, but that’s because
they always do. In fact, the only way they could look hotter is if they were wrapped around my waist…or my neck.” He kissed behind her temple. Seriously. Damn man. “In fact, I might have you change into pants or a nun’s habit so my brothers don’t get a look at those legs. Those are mine, baby.”
She rolled her eyes. Territorial much? “They can look all they want, but I’m still coming home to you.” Oh, boy. That sounded more like a wife’s statement than a girlfriend’s. She didn’t meet Austin’s eyes just in case he took it wrong. She didn’t want to ruin their day before it even got started. “Now, you didn’t answer my first question. How many Montgomerys are going to be there?”
Austin moved back and patted her ass. “Just the siblings and their spouses. Oh, and Shep, Shea, and Decker. Some might bring a girlfriend or, in Maya’s case, Jake since he’s always around, but other than that, Mom and Dad didn’t want to overwhelm you, Shea, and Leif with all the extras right out the gate.”
“You do realize that since there are eight of you in that one family it’s always going to be overwhelming? There’s no taking you in small doses.”
He patted her ass again, and she rolled her eyes. “What can we say? We like the noise. It’s comforting. Now finish getting ready since I know you want to make sure you’re perfect—something that’s already done in my eyes by the way—while I go get Leif ready. He’s freaking out a bit.”
She warmed at his compliment even as she worried for the little boy who had come into their lives so unexpectedly. “Do you want my help with Leif?”
Something odd came in his eyes, but he shook it away. Weird. “I’ve got it. I need to get to know him better anyway, right?”
Huh. That reaction was…different. He kissed her on the corner of her mouth then left the room. What had she done? Said? Maybe she was just looking into everything too hard. It had been a rough few weeks.
She finished putting on her mascara and called it good enough for meeting the family. The whole family. All at once. No pressure or anything. Thank God Shea would be there in similar shoes.
[Montgomery Ink 00.5 - 01.0] Box Set Page 35
