Standing close, I brushed her long hair from her face and cupped her cheek. “Baby, you good? You come out here to see me?”
She nodded and bowed her head. I lifted it back up with my hand still on her chin. “Don’t. Don’t fuckin’ hide from me. Show me those sweet beautiful blues.”
Tears filled her eyes and her bottom lip quivered. “I… I am so embarrassed. My face… I should never have left the room… I—”
Bending down to stop her rambling, I pressed my lips to her good cheek, hearing a quick inhale of breath. Next, I moved to her forehead, tasting her sweet vanilla skin. Dragging my lips down her face, feeling her trembling beneath my touch, I ran my tongue along the unharmed side of her lips, lingering there for a moment too long to breathe her in. I fought back a groan as my cock filled with blood. Lilah let out a quiet whimper as I found myself pushing her back against the door. Her hands gripped my waist.
“Lilah,” I murmured against her mouth, pressing a long, lazy kiss to her full lips, before nipping down her chin until I got to her neck, nuzzling at the soft skin.
Someone smashed a bottle behind me. Lilah jumped at the sound, causing me to pull back. Her eyelashes fluttered as she met my stare, and I pressed my forehead to hers.
“You’re fuckin’ beautiful, sweet cheeks. Ain’t one bit of bruisin’ gonna ruin that. I’m fuckin’ gone for you, and ask any fucker here, that’s a goddamn miracle. You got some kind of pussy magic in you. I’m under your fuckin’ spell.”
Lilah flinched and her mouth tightened, eyes dropping down to stare at her feet. Fuck, I’d pushed her too far, said too much, and scared the shit out of her. Lifting her chin again, I asked, “You ready to attend your first cookout? Prospect’s grilling barbeque.”
“You will not leave me, will you?” Her blue eyes widened as she looked at the people in the yard. “There are so many men. I do not like being around so many men. Maybe I should retire… leave you alone.”
Gritting my teeth at her shyness, I hooked my arm around her shoulders and tucked her in close to my side, a wave of protectiveness taking hold of my body. “You know I’ll never leave you. No one would dare touch you. And if you don’t wanna talk to them, you just let me know and I’ll tell them to fuck off or they risk my fist in their face.”
Lilah nodded her head and looked up at me with a thankful smile. I felt her small hand lie gently on my chest. It was shaking and she gripped the edge of my cut as we began to move.
The brothers suddenly quieted, all eyes drawn to Lilah. My grip on her tightened, and I could feel her warm breath blow against my side where she’d turned in to avoid their heavy stares.
Straightening and holding my head high, I guided us to the bench where Hush and Cowboy were sitting. Death stares of warning were flashed to anyone whose gaze lingered on us too long. Lilah liked Cowboy and Hush; she felt comfortable in their presence.
Hush and Cowboy saw our approach and moved to the side to make room for my girl. Hush stood. “Hey, Blondie. What’s happening?”
Lilah peeked her head around my waist and blushed. I nudged her with a squeeze of my arm to reply. “I… I felt like some fresh air. It has been a while since I dared venture outside.”
Cowboy tapped the bench and tipped his Stetson. “Sit that purdy ass down, darlin’.”
Lilah gripped onto me tighter, still freaking out, so I turned, picked her up, sat down, and held her in my lap, ignoring her body stiffening at the action. I turned to Cowboy. “Now you got my purdy ass beside you. That fuckin’ okay, darlin’?”
Cowboy laughed and raised his beer, taking a sip. “Fuckin’ peachy!”
Lilah sighed and her head tilted up to look at the apartment window. I caught her smile and, when I looked up, Maddie was in the window smiling back down at her, her hand flat against the glass like she wanted to be down here too.
Poor fucking bitch.
“Lilah?”
Lilah dropped her head at the same time as me at the call of her name. Mae came rushing through the gawking brothers with tears in her eyes. Her and Styx must have just got back from their trip.
“Lilah!” she yelled and threw her arms around her neck. “You are outside! I cannot believe it!”
Lilah hugged Mae in return, while I was busy getting crushed underneath.
Mae pulled back but refused to release Lilah’s hand, holding it tightly in hers. Mae tried to see Lilah’s face, but Lilah kept her head firmly down. I saw the flash of panic run across Mae’s face.
“Are you well, sister?”
Lilah nodded meekly. “Yes… I am well.”
Mae kneeled on the ground when Lilah failed to raise her head again. “Lilah, please… look at me. Why do you not look into my eyes? Have I wronged you? Are you displeased with me for leaving?”
I rubbed at Lilah’s back, and she turned to me, her long hair still blocking Mae from seeing her face. I stared into her eyes and nodded for her to show herself. I caught Mae’s frown behind Lilah and the shitty look she cast at me as her eyes narrowed and her full lips pursed. Honestly, I didn’t give a fuck. Mae didn’t know how it was between Lilah and me now.
“Look at your girl, sweet cheeks,” I said and, taking a deep breath, confessed, “She’s gonna find out sooner or later.”
Lilah too took a deep breath and looked at her sister.
Mae gasped and tears formed in her eyes. “Lilah…” she whispered.