Bullets & Bonfires

“But wait, why do you have to go through the academy again?”

“It’s not as intense, but some of the training differs. It’s fine. I’m excited about it.”

I start jumping around again. “Then I’m excited for you.”

Vince and I slap palms as I approach our favorite booth in our favorite bar later that night. “How’d it go?” he asks.

“Good. She loved the place.” I slide into the booth across from him.

“Where is she?” he asks.

I point to the bar, where Bree stopped to talk to her friend. “I think she wants to play matchmaker tonight.”

“I’m not interested.” He glances at the girl and raises an eyebrow. “Maybe. She’s tiny though. I’d break her in half.”

“Jesus.” I almost spit beer all over him. “Not you.”

“Who?”

“Never mind. I want to ask you something before she comes over.”

His blue eyes, so similar to Bree’s, widen. “Oh, Christ, please don’t tell me you’re asking my permission to marry my sister.”

I cock my head and stare at him.

And stare.

Because, yes, that’s sort of what I’m doing. “I’m not asking your permission. I’m just giving you the heads up. If you have any objections, now’s the time to spit ’em out.”

It’s probably the shitty lighting in here, but I swear Vince’s eyes shine a little. “You’ve given her everything I always wanted her to have. How could I object?”

“Thank you.”

Before we both start bawling and hugging each other, Keegan joins us. “Things look uncomfortable over here. I thought you were over it, Vince?”

“Shut up,” Vince grumbles, shifting to the middle of the round booth to make room for Keegan. He lifts his gaze to me and I slightly shake my head. I don’t want to tell anyone about my plan to propose to Bree in a couple days.

Sully approaches our table next and that’s when Bree finally joins us, dragging her friend over. “Liam, you remember Aubrey? Aubrey, this is my cranky brother, Vince, our friend Keegan, and you know Sully of course.” Then she not-so-subtly shoves Aubrey into the booth next to Sully.

I reach out and take her hand, pulling her down next to me. “Obvious much?” I whisper against her ear.

She shrugs and leans into me. “What were you and Vince talking about so seriously?” she asks.

“Nothing exciting.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“Bonfire at mom and dad’s, we don’t want to be late,” I call out as I enter the house.

“I’m almost ready!” Bree shouts, hurrying into the living room to meet me. “Can you put this on for me?” she asks, thrusting a tiny silver necklace in my face.

She turns and sweeps her hair up, but instead of fastening her necklace, I kiss the back of her neck.

“Liam.” Her voice quivers. I place another kiss on the side of her neck and she tilts her head to give me better access. I set the necklace on the table next to me and slide my hands up under her sundress.

Her breath hitches and she presses her butt against me. “What are you doing? You just said you didn’t want to be late.”

“I know, but I need to have you first.”

A short moan slips from her throat as I dip my hand into her underwear. “Spread,” I whisper against her ear and she inches her feet apart.

“You’re all nice and wet for me.”

“A common occurrence,” she teases.

I form a V with my index and middle finger, slowly working them over her clit. She gasps and leans back against me, hooking one arm around my neck. “Like that?” I ask, kissing her forehead.

“Y—Yes. I…”

“Are you coming for me already?” I ask unable to keep the satisfaction out of my voice.

She rolls her hips, chasing my fingers and I press harder, rub faster until she explodes.

While she’s still moaning, I tighten my hold around her waist and walk us to the couch, bending her over the back of it. Hooking my fingers in her underwear, I yank them to her knees.

“Ready for me?”

“God, yes,” she gasps as I undo my belt, unzip and free myself.

My hands grip her hips, positioning her the way I need to, pushing myself inside her in one, long, slow thrust. “You have no idea. I’ve been thinking about having your sweet, wet pussy wrapped around my dick all day,” I murmur into her hair.

Her fingers dig into my arm around her waist. “I love my dirty-talking Liam.”

“I know you do, sweetness.”

I stay at a slow and steady pace until she comes again, bucking against me. Triumph flows through my veins and I increase the power of my thrusts. I lean over and place my forehead between her shoulder blades. “You feel so good.” My orgasm brews at the base of my spine, pleasure jolting through me while I lose track of everything except how good she feels. How good we feel together. I shudder and groan through my release, my breathing ragged.

It takes a few seconds to collect my thoughts and peel myself from Bree. “Are you all right?”

She pulls her dress up around her waist and bends to pull her underwear up, giving me one filthily-spectacular view. “I might need to go change,” she says, tossing a teasing glare over her shoulder.

A short laugh bursts out of me and I reach out to squeeze her butt. “Come on, I want to take a quick shower before we leave anyway.”

“Oh, no. I know what a ‘quick shower’ means in Liam-speak. It means ‘quickie-in-the-shower.’”

I don’t bother denying it.

“We’re definitely going to be late,” I say, glancing at the clock on Liam’s dash once we’re in his truck.

“I’ll take the fall for it.”

“You better.”

A smile twitches at the corners of his mouth. He’s up to something, I can feel it.

“What are you up to, Hollister?”

He glances over with a wide-eyed, who me expression. “When did you turn so suspicious, Avery?”

“Hmmm. We’ll see.”

His parents’ driveway is blocked with cars and we end up parking on the grass. Liam helps me out of the truck and takes my hand. “What’s going on?”

“You’ll see.”

Liam opens the front door and ushers me into the house.

My gaze lands on a big “Congratulations Graduate” banner hanging over the fireplace. There’re wild claps and cheers from everyone in the room. Confused, I stare up at Liam.

“Mom wanted you to have a graduation party,” he explains.

The room blurs from the tears gathering in my eyes, but I recognize Amanda’s voice. “We’re so proud of you, Bree,” she says, giving me a tight embrace.

“Thank you.” I tilt my head toward Liam. “What about him, he’s graduating from the academy soon.”

She reaches up and pats his cheek. “I know. I’m so proud of both of you.” She gives me an extra squeeze and pulls me closer. “How are you really doing?”

“Good. Really good.”

Liam leads me into the living room and I start to process who’s here. My brother, Sully, Keegan, Aubrey, and Emily, along with a few people I don’t recognize.

Vince sweeps me into a big hug. “How’s the new place?” he asks, giving Liam only a slight glare this time. He’s been swinging between happy for us and annoyed since we moved in together. I’m sure he’ll get over it soon.

“I love it,

” I answer.

“Hey, Bree,” a deeper voice behind me says.

“Marcel! You’re here too?”

Amanda gives him an affectionate side-hug that totally surprises me. Liam raises an eyebrow.

“You were late,” Amanda scolds her son. “Marcel was kind enough to help me carry in the bags of charcoal, since you were late,” she adds again.

A bright smirk twists Marcel’s mouth up as he meets Liam’s stare. Amanda squeezes Marcel’s hand and he gives her a genuine smile full of respect and affection. “Anytime, Mrs. H.”

He silently laughs as Amanda heads into the kitchen.

Liam stands there working his jaw, while his mom heads into the kitchen and Marcel silently laughs.

“I didn’t know you knew Liam’s mom,” I finally say to break the tension.

“Sure,” Marcel answers easily. “She used to read to me at the library when I was a kid.” He holds his hand down low to indicate how much smaller he was. He lifts his chin at Liam. “When he invited me, he said early afternoon, so that’s when I showed up.”

I turn to Liam. “You what?”

“Yes, I invited him,” Liam admits grudgingly. “Although, now I can’t remember why I thought it was a good idea.”

Not offended in the least, Marcel chuckles and slaps Liam’s shoulder. “Congratulations, Bree.” He gives me a quick hug before moving across the room to talk to Sully and his brother.

Next, Liam takes me over to meet his former partner, Brady. “Lost my wingman and my partner, you know. But I can definitely see why,” he says, letting his gaze roam over me.

“Are you flirting with his girlfriend right in front of him?” Sully asks, coming over to join us.

Liam laughs and gives Brady a friendly punch on the shoulder.

The rest of the night is celebrating with friends and family. Eating, drinking, dancing, and goofing around.

Much, much later, after Liam’s parents have retired to their room, a few of us are still outside sitting around the fire. Liam and I are snuggled up in one of the larger Adirondack chairs.

Vince walks by and drapes a blanket over us.

“Keep your hands where I can see them, Hollister,” he growls.