Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

Her hips press into mine, and my dick is instantly rock-hard with the familiarity of our bodies locked together. My hands slide to cup her ass, holding her tight to me. Our lips stay fused and our tongues curl together, her low moans ringing in my ears.

Time stands still as the heat of her body coats over mine. My lips move urgently over hers, greedily demanding more. Nothing over the years has ever come close to the way Darby kisses. Adrenaline spikes in my veins as her tongue sweeps through my mouth.

My hands caress her ass, my hips rocking up, letting her feel what she’s done to me. Her body responds by grinding down, and a small groan vibrates from her throat. She slants her neck, fisting my hair, giving me deeper access. Sparks of need fire off inside me, igniting a hunger that vanished all those years ago.

Her scent, her taste, the feel of her smooth skin—all of it invades my senses, and I’m ready to rip off her clothes and sink inside of her. As if she can read my thoughts, she tears her mouth away, her chest heaving, and lays her forehead against mine. I catch the look of horror right before she scrambles down and takes a huge step back. “We shouldn’t have done that. It was a mistake.”

“Give me a reason why.” Her lips are swollen, her face flushed, and her body visibly wobbly. There is no way that was a mistake.

“I’ll give you a hundred,” she counters.

I widen my stance and cross my arms, waiting.

“You should go.”

“We need to finish our conversation.”

“Maybe we do, but now’s not a good time.”

As if on cue, her door opens and a blonde stands there, eyeing me knowingly. Runner trots out to Darby’s side, licking her hand before bouncing over to me. Like last time, he sits, sweeping his tail over the porch, and paws at me. I crouch to shake his hand and pat his head, and he bumps my knee before heading down the steps and into the yard.

“Hi, I’m Stephanie.” The blonde gives a half-wave.

“Pierce.” I dip my chin her way.

“I kinda figured that out. Sorry to interrupt. Y’all can continue making out. I’ll go back to bed if you want to bring it inside.”

Darby drops her head, and the corners of my mouth twitch.

“Runner was ready to come outside.”

“We get it, Steph,” Darby snaps. “Pierce was just leaving.”

“Actually, I was waiting for an answer.”

Darby’s eyes fly to Stephanie then back to me. Her spine straightens, and a mask of indifference clouds her face. “Are you going to make me say it?”

“Yes, I think you owe me that much.”

“I’ve done my best to dig myself out of the hell I lived in for years. Loving you was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. There’s a piece that will always crave your forgiveness. But the one thing I can’t forgive is Constance Webber. That’s the number one reason, Pierce. You wanted me to say it, and I did.”

With that, she’s gone, running past Stephanie and into the house. I have no choice but to watch her, wondering how the hell I managed to go from one extreme to another.

“What the ever-loving fuck?”

“What did you expect?” Stephanie butts in. “You provoked her.”

“Why is it that both times I’ve been around Darby, I’m left with more questions than answers? She’s hiding something.”

She disappears into the house and comes back, holding out a business card. “I go home this afternoon.”

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

“My guess is you’re going to want to call me in a few days. I have a blood sister, and I love her dearly. My love for Darby runs just as deep. That’s why I’m giving you this card.”

“Want to give me more to go on?”

“Yep, I want to give it all to you. If I could, I’d light the dynamite that’s going to blow this powder keg up, but it’s not my place. She’s given you everything you need to know. Since you’re a guy, I’m guessing it hasn’t sunk in.”

“That sounded mildly like an insult.”

“It’s still early. Give me a little time, and it will sound definitely like an insult.”

“Darby left me. I was allowed to have a life.”

“Oh, we know… Everyone who loves Darby knows all about your life. Since you are so dense, I’ll throw you a clue. Outside of DG Creations, her family, and me, Darby never got on with her life after losing you. Think about that.”

“Not sure why I’m feeling like the bad guy here.”

“Just wait. I’m going to encourage her to talk to you. Once you hear her story, you’ll understand.”

“What’s the fucking deal with her story? I lived through it.”

“Dense…” She tsks, which pisses me off further.

“This is ridiculous. I’m going to talk to her.” I step forward, but she blocks the door.