Reckless Kiss

He leans down as if he’s about to kiss me, but I put up my hand. “Wait. My lipstick…” Blue eyes flicker to my mouth, and my stomach tingles. “I want you to meet my family before you ruin my makeup.”

That makes him laugh, and I know he doesn’t give a shit about smudged lipstick. Our love is nothing if not ravenous.

“Lead the way.” He takes my hand, and we walk to the front door. “This place is really nice. It’s your brother’s?”

“He just bought it.” My stomach is flying and falling as I do this. It’s so ridiculous, but it’s the first time I’ve ever brought a boy to meet my family, and Deacon’s not exactly a traditional boy. For starters, he’s a man. A rich man. A rich, white man…

He’s not one of us.

“I always thought your family didn’t have money.”

“So did I.” Reaching out, my fingers tremble, and he sees it. He puts his hand over mine, and lifts it to his lips. “Why are you afraid?”

“I’m not.” It’s a total lie. “It’s a big night for my cousin.” My voice is quiet, and I’m not sure I can say the words. “Promise me…”

His brow furrows. “What?”

“If things get weird, will you trust me? Will you do whatever I ask?” I don’t know what to expect when we walk through this door, and I can’t shake a sense of foreboding.

Deacon pulls me against his chest, wrapping strong arms around me. “I’ll do whatever you ask, my love.”

A quick kiss to my nose, and he releases me.

I square my shoulders and walk through the door. I’m bringing the enemy to make peace.

7

Deacon

Beto’s house is like something out of my world, a stone McMansion in a wealthy, gated community north of town. The joyful blast of culture that greets us as we walk through the door is very different, but I like it.

A lot.

Inside the vast, open downstairs, white twinkle lights wrap around indoor trees and over the curtains, and a DJ plays dance music at the far end of the great room.

A group of teens cluster in a circle on a makeshift dance floor. The girls are wearing floor-length gowns in vibrant colors, and they clap and laugh at the tuxedo-clad boys showing off their moves. When a familiar pop song starts, they erupt into cheers.

Everyone is smiling and talking, hugging and dancing, eating cake, drinking drinks. It puts me at ease, and my fingers tighten around Angel’s. I give her a gentle tug, pulling her against my chest and sliding my hand along her lower back.

“We should dance.” My lips brush the shell of her ear and her shoulder rises.

Leaning down, I brush the tip of my nose along her neck, giving her a brief kiss, wanting to pull her lips to mine.

She looks like a walking wet dream in her long green silk dress. The neck exposes the curve of her soft breasts making me hungry, possessive, and ready to fight off anybody who looks at her. Not to mention the slit up the front, exposing her gorgeous legs.

“Carmie!”

Her body tenses and steps away from me. “Hey, baby!”

I’m confused, looking around when Angel sweeps a little girl onto her hip. She looks a lot like my girl, with large amber eyes and soft wavy hair hanging down her back. She’s wearing a dress like the teens on the dance floor, but hers is fluffy and little-girlie.

“I’ve been waiting for you all night.” The little girl crosses her arms and a rosebud lip pokes out in a pout. She’s adorable.

Angel leans closer, kissing her small nose. “I just walked through the door, sugar puss. I think you’re getting sleepy.”

“I am not!” The little girl shoots her arm up, pumping a fist over her head. “I’m ready to dance all night!”

That makes Angel laugh, and I step closer, tapping her on the shoulder. “Who do we have here?”