. . .
SIX
What the fuck was that,Grayson?
So much for keeping my distance. I practically told the woman I wanted to fuck her in the forest like a feral animal.
Did that thought cross my mind when I saw how beautiful she looked on her knees before me? Obviously. I’m only a man, and it's been a while since I’ve gotten laid. Did I need to confess that to her? Absolutelythe fucknot.
I have rules for a reason, and, in just minutes, this new wild horse has blown straight through my defenses. I’ve never been so tempted by a woman. It’s like dangling a juicy steak in front of a starved mutt's face and telling them not to lick their lips.
I can’t help but be drawn to her. She is fire, full of sparks and fury, and, apparently, I’m a glutton for getting burned by her flame. I won’t deny she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen, but what's really got my attention is that fiery stubbornness. It makes me want to punish her until her screams turn to moans.
Fuck, you can’t think things like that.
Rule three:no weaknesses. That rule is non-negotiable. I can’t let anyone get hurt becauseIdecided to sell my soul. I take thepunishments so they don’t have to, and I don’t need to add another person to my list of names to protect fromthem.
I rearrange my hard dick in my pants like a teenage boy going through puberty again. As soon as the first words slipped from her sinful lips, I was rock hard. Painfully so. I have to give him a firm squeeze to relieve some of the ache.
I may not be allowed to touch her, but her face will be the only thing running through my head in bed tonight, wringing the tension from my body. In seconds, that woman has turned me into a livewire ready to explode.
“Settle down,” I whisper as he attempts to make a resurrection. I simply thought about her angelic laugh as I enter The Den.
The first thing to hit me is the heavenly aroma of cherry almond Mystery Woman left behind in her haste to flee. The second is the orgasmic smells coming from the kitchen.
Fuck, my boner is back.
Roxy is one of the damn best cooks I’ve ever tasted. This little rag-tag family took me in when I needed them most, and I couldn’t imagine what my life would look like without them. They treat me like blood—that’s the type of people the Foxes are.
Laughter rings out, authentic and rich, the sound of people who genuinely enjoy each other's company. The Foxes value family over everything, it’s what I love most about them.
“Oh, Maisie girl, it’s so good to see you. Get your little booty over here so I can give you a proper squeeze.” Roxy’s boisterous voice rings out above the rest.
Maisie.
I make sure to kick off my boots at the door and then stride towards the farm-style kitchen. I round down the hallway lined with the many family photos squeezed inside mismatched vintage frames. A couple of my own photos can be found sprinkled in, and my heart thumps at the sight.
The first thing I spot are flushed red cheeks attached to a drop dead gorgeous woman peering over Roxy’s shoulder. Idrag my eyes down to her deliciously curved hips that would look perfect with my hands wrapped around them. I want to trace my tongue over every inch of her golden-freckled skin. She glows under the dimmed kitchen lights, which creates a halo around her fiery strawberry locks. I imagine wrapping those long, thick waves around my fist. I bite my tongue to the point of blood to get the image to go away. The last thing I need is to pop a boner in front of my family.
If I thought she was stunning outside in the dark, it’s nothing compared to the real her. Her two-toned honey eyes find mine, and, shit, it’s hard to breathe under their scrutiny.
Please don’t come in your pants. Please don’t come in your pants.
“Maisie.” I tip my hat to her before nodding to the rest of my family and a few ranch hands, Jake, Lukas, and Carter. Her cheeks flush an even brighter pink hearing her name on my lips, and it might just be my new favorite color.
Roxy releases Maisie, passing her off to the rest of the family, who swoon over her arrival, and barrels my way. I keep my hands firmly planted in my pockets before the wind is nearly knocked from me when Roxy’s body collides with mine. I quickly give her a one armed hug while everyone's attention is tuned on Maisie.
“It’s good to see you, son,” she beams up at me.
I chuckle. “You just saw me at lunch, Rox. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were making a pass at me,” I tease.
“Oh hush, boy.” She playfully hits my chest, her cheeks bubbly as ever. “Now sit and eat. I made enough food to feed the entire village for our Maisie girl’s reunion.”
Reunion?
So they know her well. Maybe she is an old neighbor or family friend? Is she an ex of Chesney’s? I definitely don’t like the thought of that. Yes, I know I can’t have her, and I definitely don’t have any claim over her, but thinking about Ches touching her makes me want to do very bad things.
Everyone claims a chair around the large wooden table,Maisie in the center. Food is passed around while leisurely conversation is exchanged.
