Pretty Little Thing (Central Valley U)

“Whoa,” I breathe as the house comes into view. When Orion said his family had a lake house, I pictured a quaint little cabin on the water, not… this.

The house is huge, with a wide wrap-around porch and floor-to-ceiling windows. Honestly, it looks more like a farmhouse than a lake house, but what do I know?

“It’s been in our family forever,” Orion says as he pulls to a stop at the end of the winding drive. “I’m pretty sure my great grandpa and his brother built it. Mom spent a lot of time modernizing it once it was passed down to her and Dad.”

“It’s amazing.” I grew up with wealth—well, around it anyway—but this place is something else entirely. It’s somehow opulent and understated at the same time; like you’d pay five figures a night to vacation in it, but feel right at home during your stay.

“Let’s take our things inside and then we can grab some dinner?” He cuts the engine and hops down from the cab.

I’m more than capable of getting out on my own, but I know he likes helping me, so I hang tight and wait.

It also doesn’t hurt that he’s handsy as hell whenever he helps me down, making sure to brush his hands along my thighs and ass.

This time is no different, and the second his knuckles brush against my bottom, I’m ready to go off like a bottle rocket.

Seriously, do we really need food? Really?

Except, my stomach rumbles—loudly—telling me that we absolutely need to eat.

“I guess we need groceries, huh?” I try to think of how close the nearest store is, but the only one I can think of is at least twenty minutes back the way we came.

He smirks and lets down his tailgate. “Got a cooler in the truck bed.”

“Look at you thinking a step ahead.”

“Bluebird, I’m ten steps ahead. All I’ve been able to think about for the past week is getting you naked. I damn sure wasn’t going to let getting groceries keep me from tasting your sweet pussy.”

My cheeks blaze and my core clenches. “Oh my God! You can’t just say things like that.”

He shrugs and grabs the cooler from his truck. “Just did, now let’s get inside.”

I grab both of our bags from the truck while he unlocks the door and hauls the cooler inside.

The interior is probably the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. It’s just… perfect. Light and bright and open.

Until this moment, I’ve never, ever imagined myself getting married, but now, I can’t help but wish it could happen here.

“What do you think?” Orion calls from the kitchen.

“It’s gorgeous.”

“Let me give you a tour on the way to our room.” He takes his bag from me and starts toward the stairs.

I follow behind him, taking in every detail on my way up.

“The master bedroom is downstairs. Stella’s is to the left of the landing and mine is to the right. There’s a shared bathroom in between. There’s also a guest room at the end of the hall on my side, but it rarely gets used. Especially now that Samson and Stella are together.”

“This place really is magical,” I say, as Orion opens the door to his room. It’s spacious with a king-sized bed and a picture window that faces the lake.

“You know, I guess I’ve kind of always taken it for granted, but you’re right. It’s really nice.”

“Of course, I am. I’m always right.”

He lunges for me and I dart back out into the hall, narrowly escaping him.

“You’ll pay for that, Bluebird.”

“Sure, sure. But feed me before you punish me.”

His eyes darken, and a grin that promises payback curls his lips. “That can be arranged.”

“The food part, right?” Although, with Orion, I’m not so sure I’d mind being punished. In fact, something tells me I’d probably like it.

He shrugs. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

FRANKIE

After a light but filling dinner, there’s only one thing on my mind—getting Orion into bed.

Except, I can’t just point blank ask him if it’s time to fuck. At least, I don’t think I can. Unfortunately, my lack of experience puts me at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to seducing him.

Dancing in a dark room, I’ve got it on lock. Asking for dick in the kitchen after dinner, I’m a damn mess.

“So,” I draw out the word, hoping he’ll take the hint. “What now?”

He stretches his arms overhead and arches his back, causing his shirt to ride up and show a sliver of his delectable abs. “I was thinking we could watch a movie.”

I pout. “I was thinking we could go to bed.”

“You tired?” he asks, a wicked gleam in his eyes. The ass, he’s totally playing me.

Two can play this game, sir.

I fake a big yawn. “Mmhmm, exhausted.”

Orion shuffles closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me close. He presses a soft kiss to my collarbone and then skims his nose up my neck before flicking his tongue against my earlobe.