“Your body going stone still tells me you know what I’m about to say.”
“Not true.”
“Well, as it turns out, I hadn’t seen the final one. I left my copy at Evin’s office the day I signed with the notary present. He was supposed to make copies and overnight the original to Stephanie. I called him yesterday and asked him if we could go by his office to pick up my copy. He questioned my interest and, after I explained, said something along the lines of ‘goddammit,’ and hung up. Thirty minutes later, he was at my door, contract in hand and my parents in tow. I didn’t have to hunt through the papers because he had tabbed the additional clauses added after I signed.”
“I can honestly say I’ve never seen the contract.”
“It’s on my desk if you’d like to take a look. Those two really finagled an eleventh-hour deal. They did it the next morning, telling Brasher there were some new non-negotiable terms, but if met, they’d have a signed contract in a few hours. They lied on my behalf to make sure I had the option to come back to Charleston. Essentially, they did it so I could return to you.”
She repeats the words I used when I had her pinned to the wall, and my poker face crumbles. “Baby, I—”
“Save it, Pierce. Evin came clean about telling you, too.”
“The only reason I didn’t tell you immediately is because of Evin’s involvement with the bank, the local financing, and the confidentiality surrounding how he found out it was Brasher.”
“I know and appreciate you looking out for my brother, but it’s not fair these events were in motion behind my back. I’ve been independent for a long time, and that’s not changing.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s about making decisions; it was giving you options.”
“The option to come home to my crazy parents, my overly intrusive twin brother, and the man I’m currently sleeping with? Y’all thought that was even an option?”
At the phrase ‘the man I’m currently sleeping with’, my blood spikes, and a haze clouds my eyes. The next second, she’s pinned under me, and I have her caged in with my arms and knees. “Your parents are crazy, but they’re the kind of good crazy. Evin may be intrusive, but he wants his sister in his life full-time. And I’m not only the man you’re currently sleeping with. I’m the only man on this earth who is ever getting that pleasure. You are my addiction and will be for the rest of my life. I’m not opposed to reminding you that, this time, you’re not getting away from me.”
“I’m willing to give this a shot.”
I realize this decision was made before I even graced her doorstep tonight. She’s had over a day to think about what’s happening and knew we had options. But still, I tell her, “That was decided an hour ago against the wall.”
Her lips curl into a sly grin, and she wiggles one leg loose, hitching it around my thigh to bring our hips flush. The tip of my dick glides along her slickness. “One thing you need to learn about the adult Darby is that threatening me with anything that involves sex is never a threat. We have a lot of years to make up for.”
“Damn fucking right we do,” I growl, sinking into her.
Chapter 20
Pierce
Connie’s name flashes across my screen, and Darby slides the phone across her counter with a disgusted expression.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“How dare you tell my babies you’re in love with that bitch?” The screech reaches around the room.
Darby rolls her eyes in dramatic fashion, making me chuckle.
“You asshole! Are you laughing at me?”
“I’m enjoying something that has nothing to do with you.” Any other time, it would be way too early to fuel her, but considering my morning started over an hour ago with a naked Darby in my arms, my energy is high.
“Are you with her now?”
I don’t justify her with an answer.
“We need to talk. Meet me tonight—”
“I tried this your way, and I’m not dealing with a repeat of Friday night. Tonight is out of the question. This morning, eight-thirty. I’ll make this easy for you and meet you at the café.”
“We are not hashing this out at a public café where my office is located. I’ll come to your house tonight.”
“Fuck no, Connie. You’re not coming to my place.”
“I have a job, Pierce.” She spits out my name.
“You have a few hours before we meet. Get your mom over and go in early.”
“I’m not going to inconvenience my parents.”
“You want me to call mine? Mom is already up. She can be there in twenty minutes.”
“You are a dick.”
“Eight-thirty, don’t be late.” I disconnect.
Darby hands me a travel mug, shaking her head. “What?” I ask innocently.
“The café?”
“Figured I could help out with the morning order and deliver them for you.”