She yanks off my shirt and I pull down my zipper. My cock is already halfway out of my boxers, aching for her.
“Twenty-four hours without you is way too fucking long.”
“God, I know,” she purrs back, wiggling her ass to give me easy access to her hot pink cunt. I stay there for just a second, savoring this, like I always do—like I always will—and then press inside her. Her eyes flutter shut, flickering white with pleasure.
Behind her is her vanity mirror. I gather up her nightie and pull it off over her head, tossing it aside. As I drive into her slowly, I reach behind her, watching us in the mirror. With one finger, I press into the valley of her ass cheeks, then find the hot little dark hole, penetrating it. As I do, a flood of wetness spills from her pussy.
“Feel that?” I growl into her ear. “That’s me, owning every hole you have.”
Now we’re really fucking like pros, my finger deep in her ass and balls-deep in her cunt.
But a hard knock on the door shakes me out of my rhythm. And then the fucking thing starts to swing open.
“Holy shit!” bellows her dad.
Goddamn it. In one quick gesture, I plant my hand on the door to slam it shut.
“What’s happening in there, Lexie!?” he yells, like only a father who finds his daughter being violated in his own home can.
She cringes, turning bright pink with embarrassment.
“Dad. You shouldn’t just open doors!”
“Who is that? Who is that in there with you?”
I can see she’s just about to answer, but I stop her. And take a moment to collect myself.
It’s not ideal, getting caught with her. But at the same time, it might be a fucking blessing.
Because all this sneaking around? All this shame and secrecy? If it makes me feel like a fucking criminal, I can’t imagine how it makes her feel.
I pull her close, nestle my face against her cheek. That sugar-sweet skin, soft as silk. This is it and I know it. Right now. This moment.
“We’re done with this bullshit, Lexie.”
She pulls away from me, her eyes wide with shock.
“Marshall. Please don’t…”
Her worry, her fear—it all makes me just want to protect her more. So I take her in my arms and press a kiss to her forehead, still holding the door shut to keep her dad out.
“You deserve so much fucking better. And I’m going to give it to you. Right now.”
She shakes her head but I soothe her, pulling her forehead over my heart.
“Raymond. It’s Marshall.” I clear my throat. “Go downstairs. I’ll be right there.”
More swearing. Then stomping.
I get dressed and she wraps herself up in a bathrobe, looking like she’s about to cry. Hand in hand, I walk her with me downstairs.
Her parents are waiting for us on the couch, looking equal parts horrified and confused.
Patricia lays into me first, which is not unexpected, so I let her release some of her inner pressure before I say anything.
“What in God’s name is happening here? Is this what I get for inviting you to dinner? You seducing my daughter? Nice. Really nice, Marshall. Uncle Marshall.”
Lexie intervenes.
“Mom. It’s not like that at all. I actually met him. Before, at…”
I squeeze her hand to silence her. Not a fucking chance. There’s no way I’m letting her give away how we really met.
“At a Beekeeping Society meeting,” I lie.
Even to my own ears, it sounds fucking ridiculous. And clearly, they’re not buying it either. But it doesn’t matter. The past makes no difference. It’s only the future now.
I sit down across from them with Lexie by my side. Patricia looks pissed. Raymond looks tequila-pickled.
“She did say you’re very bad news,” Raymond grunts out, scratching his head. “But I thought she meant shady business deals.”
“He is bad news,” Patricia snaps. “In every way that matters.”
Enough. Enough.
“But I’m not and you know it,” I say to Patricia. “I’m not bad fucking news. I come from a rough background, but so do you. And it’s not fucking right that you think you and you alone can rise above that.”
Patricia blows out a breath, watching me closely. “Go on.”
“I love her. I love your daughter. And you of all people know that I know how to love. With my whole fucking heart. If only you’ll let me.”
Patricia’s face softens. Just a touch.
“So, then, what?”
For the second time since I met Lexie, or Stephanie, or whatever the fuck she wants to call herself, it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. I love her. I want her. And there’s no fucking chance I am living my life without her.
Time to risk it all.
So I take a deep breath to steady myself and I turn to her. Those beautiful eyes. Those lovely cheeks. That innocence that fucking melts me.