Liars (Licking Thicket 2)

I felt my orgasm barreling toward me, amped even higher by the incredible connection between us, and it was impossible in that moment to believe that he didn’t feel it too. Something this instinctive and all-consuming couldn’t be one-sided, right?

“I’m so close,” I told him. “God, please don’t stop.”

“Not stopping. Not ever. Come on, baby.”

Diesel gave me one last perfect stroke, and that was all it took. I came with a cry, and he did too, the sound washed away by the storm.

He pulled out and quickly removed the condom before gathering me in his arms and pulling me upright with his chest against my back. He peppered my neck and the side of my jaw with tiny, happy kisses that had me laughing even as I gasped like I’d run a marathon.

“Jesus, that was perfect,” Diesel breathed, chuckling slightly. “But my knees are going to feel this for weeks. I hadn’t considered the height thing. Next time I’m gonna get something for you to stand on.” He lifted my hands to examine them and brought them one at a time to his lips to kiss. “And maybe a blanket to save your hands from the railing.”

“What I hear you saying…” I turned in the shelter of his arms and took a deep, steadying breath. “Is that you’re not ready for your porch sex merit badge yet, Camper Scout Church.”

He laughed out loud. “We can’t all be as perfect as you, Camper Scout Partridge.”

“Aww. Don’t be sad. Think how much practice we needed just to get the believable kissing down.”

He laughed again, and I decided I really loved that sound. Then he pushed me up against the railing and kissed me until I was breathless again. “Just look at us now, huh?”

“Just look at us now,” I echoed, letting him pull me against him again, and I grinned, thinking that being with Diesel felt a lot like being in the center of a thunderstorm. Wildly exciting—thrilling—but safer than I’d ever been in my whole life.

It was only later, after he’d taken me by the hand and led me through the house, after we’d curled around each other in his bed, that I lay in the dark and listened to the silence… and remembered that thunderstorms didn’t last.

14

Diesel

“Did you tell Ava about the strawberries?” I asked, fidgeting nervously with the silk noose around my neck.

“Yep.” Parrish leaned forward and pressed the elevator button. It was Monday morning, and we were in Nashville to meet with the new attorneys. Needless to say, I was probably going to pass out and make a scene.

“It’s just that if she has too many—”

His hand pressed against my lower back, nudging me through the open elevator door. “I know, babe. I told her.”

“And if she bangs at her cheek—”

“Give her the teething pain relief. I told her.” His voice was patient and didn’t even border on patronizing. “She’ll be fine. It’s only for a few hours.”

“But—”

The elevator doors opened again, and we were suddenly there. The sleek high-rise office of Merchant, Greene, and Chandler sparkled in minimalist perfection. I glanced down to make sure I didn’t have my dirty boots on somehow by accident.

Parrish stood on his toes to brush his lips against my ear. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

I closed my eyes for a second and breathed in his familiar clean scent, nuzzling the top of his hair with my nose before leaning down to press a kiss to his lips. “I l-l-like being reassured,” I finished lamely. I’d come this close to telling him I loved him, which was ridiculous. We’d known each other for a hot minute, and I had no business having strong feelings for a man so far out of my league.

But his sweet words of comfort—hell, his noticing I even needed comforting in the first place—were enough to make me feel all kinds of ways.

Now wasn’t the time, though. We were here to get things squared away for Marigold and me, and if there was one thing I was willing to walk through all kinds of fire for—including wearing a suit and tie to a Nashville law firm—it was the future of that baby girl.

Parrish studied my face for a beat before plastering on his polite smile and approaching the reception counter. “Good morning, and how are you today, Kerrianne?”

The woman dropped her own polite smile and grinned wide. “Hey, Parrish. Doing fine, and you?”

“Good. How’s Brady? And Hoss?”

“They’re good. Brady started kindergarten already, and I about cried my eyes out on the day. Even Hoss had to wipe off a tear, not that he’d ever admit it.”

I gritted my teeth against the small talk. Social niceties were one of the things I liked most about Parrish. He was attentive and kind, thoughtful like a true friend. But right now I wanted to get down to business. Parrish must have sensed my lack of patience because he leaned forward and whispered, “We’re here for our ten o’clock, but is there any way of tracking down a Coke or something for this guy? This is my fiancé, Diesel Church. Diesel, Kerrianne Timothy.”