“What do you think that is?” she tilts her head.
“Are we going to play this game, Daffodil?”
Her lids lower, and her brown eyes darken to that of burnt toffee. I tip her chin up, and her breath catches. “You’re mine, and I want everyone to know it.” I press a kiss on her cheek. By this time tomorrow, the rumor mill will be buzzing with conjecture.
“You fight dirty, Cowboy.”
The husky purr of her voice is music to my ears.
“I call it intentional, and you still haven’t asked me to stop or slow down, little Blume.”
“I’ve always gone along with your schemes.”
“And in turn, you have me wrapped around your tiny finger. I figure it’s a fair trade.”
“There’s no backing out of this now.”
“I know.” Grinning, I squeeze her hip, tuck her under my arm and return my attention to Henry and Fey.
“Hard to believe this place will look completely different in a month, isn’t it?”
Fey grins. “Lots of things are changing rapidly around here.”
“For the better,” Henry adds, showing his support for our pairing.
“I didn’t want to do this here, but since you have no problem creating a spectacle, I figure I might as well.” Laurel’s smug tone is an ice cube sliding down my spine. “Here.” She presents me with a sealed white envelope.
“What’s this?”
“An update on changes with the schedule and some suggestions on how we could make for an easier transition. We just got some news this weekend, so we put our heads together to make a list. Just keeping up in the loop as per request.”
She smiles, and apprehension floods me like cold water.
“Enjoy the party. I’ll see Brax Sunday.” Laurel pauses to lean in to Daphne.
“Enjoy my sloppy seconds.”
Daphne laughs. “Oh, you never told her? How sad you’re still in the dark after all these years about your place in his life.”
The smile fades from her face. “What?”
“Nice talking to you, Laurel. See you Sunday,” I say loud enough to end the conversation.
Giving us a flimsy smile, she stalks away, leaving me with the envelope searing my palm. Folding the envelope, I shove it into my back pocket. I won’t let her ruin the day for me.
Two and half hours later,I lean against the brick wall outside, watching Daphne shut the back door.
“You didn’t have to stay with me,” she says, spinning to face me.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to do this.” I wind my fingers in her hair and pull it taut. She whimpers, and I meet her gaze as I lean down to capture the deep red lips that have been taunting me all night. Her lips yield under mine, and I moan as I slip my tongue into her mouth.
She cants her hips, and I grip her thighs, lifting her up to deepen the kiss.” Whimpering, she winds her arms around my neck and legs around my waist. I press her against the wall, cupping her head to protect it as I devour her sweet mouth.
Rocking my hips, I strain against the seam of my jeans as I run over her center. Her heat burns me through layers of denim. Releasing her lips, I nip my way down her neck, sucking her skin. Her body trembles.
“Please.” Whining, she squirms against me.
I grind against her, adding more pressure. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, and I growl into her ear. She gasps.