Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

She twists and turns, her eyes fluttering in the space, passing over the vanity, the shower, the tub, the closet, while her hand in mine clutches harder. “When did you—? How—? Are those my pajamas?” she finishes.

“Yes, I packed you a bag. All the other stuff, we picked up while we were in town yesterday.”

“You can’t help yourself, can you? Was the shark tooth scheme yours, too?”

“Totally innocent on that one.”

She scrunches her eyes and purses her lips together. “That was a clever one. Probably Miller.”

“Are you having a nice time?”

“I am.”

“Are you comfortable here with us?”

“Yes.”

“Outside of my almost fit-of-jealousy-violence and my call with Connie, this day has been pretty perfect. Let’s finish it out and wake up to do it again tomorrow.”

She drops her neck back, exhales loudly, and shakes her head. “Fine, I’ll stay the night. I can’t believe I’m such a pushover.”

“You’re not a pushover. I’m persuasive. You should let me make all your decisions.” I press my lips to her to hide my satisfied grin.

•—•—•—•—•

“Have I mentioned how glad I am you decided to stay another night?” I trace my tongue along Darby’s jawline, kissing a trail to her earlobe.

She leans into me, her back pressing to my front, and sighs contently. “That was the idea all along, wasn’t it? Pretend you agreed with my day trip plan, then gang up on me with a Kendrick sneak attack? I didn’t stand a chance.”

“It’s no secret I wanted you here all weekend.”

“I have to leave in the morning. No shenanigans tonight.”

“No shenanigans.”

Our bodies are warm from the sun, and I glance up to the vanity mirror, enjoying the reflection of us. Darby’s wearing the black bikini I gifted her this morning. Maya actually found it when we were shopping on Friday afternoon, pointing out she thought it would be pretty on Darby.

The thought of Darby in the bathing suit wasn’t only pretty, it was also hot. We went in and bought it.

We were right. When Darby walked out this morning in the suit, Miller’s eyebrows shot up, and he sent me the ‘are you crazy’ look. All day, I’ve been thinking of ways to get her out of this suit.

She slinks an arm around my neck, her fingernails scraping into my scalp, and locks eyes with me in the mirror. “What are you thinking about?”

“How I want to peel you out of this suit with my teeth.”

“I’m afraid it’s a little more complicated than it looks.” She grins.

God, she’s gorgeous. Two days in the sun has brought back her sun-kissed glow I remember from long ago. She’s relaxed and happy, and it radiates from her.

“I’ll figure out a way. I’m a very determined man.” I nip on her ear, sliding my hand into the fabric and strumming through her slickness.

“Hmm, as nice at that sounds, you need to let me take a shower.”

“Not without me.”

“Yes, without you. We’ve already been promiscuous enough.” She grinds her ass against my raging hard-on, jiggles out of my hold, and jumps out of reach. I watch in horror as she strips the top and bottoms in two swift moves, crashing my plans for later.

“Dream crusher.” I palm my cock through my board shorts.

She smiles, her eyes glinting wickedly as she steps in the shower and turns her back to me.

I think about joining her but then think of the pleasure of punishing her later instead.

I force myself to leave the bathroom, throwing on a shirt and stopping to enjoy the view and loosen the ache in my cock. It almost works until a whiff of coconut body wash strays from the bathroom. I head to the kitchen, thinking of estimates, sales, football statistics—anything but Darby naked and wet in the shower without me.

A few minutes later, I’m busy chopping vegetables when Maya skulks in, handing me my phone. Her mood is a turnaround from when her mom called a while ago.

“Everything okay?”

She shrugs, pushing around the shark’s teeth lining the countertop, looking miserable.

“Something on your mind, baby?”

“I think I lied to Mom, and when she finds out, she’s going to be angry.”

I stop chopping and lean against the counter, giving her my full attention. “What do you think you lied about?”

She glances nervously around the room. “Where’s Darby?”

“In the shower. Is this about Darby?”

“Sort of. Mom had lots of questions and wanted to know everything we’re doing.”

“That’s understandable. She misses you guys.”

“I didn’t tell her about Darby being here. I purposely left her out of the conversation.”

“That’s not lying.”

“She wants to come here, and she asked me to talk to you. I told her I would try to convince you.”

“Are you going to try?”

She slowly shakes her head. “We’re all happy, especially you, and if she comes, I don’t think anyone will be happy.” Her voice cracks.

“Maya, come here.” I hold out my arms, and she stumbles into them. “I don’t consider that lying either.