It takes every ounce of self-control I can find not to lose myself in her with one thrust. "The possessive beast inside me wants to fucking bury myself in you right now. Feel your pussy sucking me deep until you're panting. I want my neighbors to hear you screaming my name and know all day your insides are coated with me."
Her breath hitches and her hips pivot, teasing me with the familiar silky smoothness. I brace my weight on one elbow, cupping her neck and skimming my other slowly down her body, circling her nipple and continuing until my fingers reach where we're almost connected. My thumb rolls around her wet and swollen clit while my hips rock, teasing her.
"Oh my God, Miller, please." She bows up, and I hiss when my dick slips barely inside.
"Not yet, baby," comes out coarse and sharp. The need to have her burns through my veins, and I force myself to shift my position.
Her eyes glaze over and roll closed as she arches her back to grind harder. I keep my thumb circling and slide a finger inside while continuing to buck my hips to hers. She's so fucking wet, her walls clenching my finger as her whimpers grow louder. Since Sunday afternoon, I've taken every chance to reacquaint myself with her body. The way she responds to my touch, the sounds she makes, the way her eyes communicate for her. Everything I missed all those months ago.
Another finger slides inside, and I curl them together in a strumming motion. She writhes, her red hair falling over her face and blocking my view. "Look at me."
She brushes her hair away and dips her head, giving me what I asked. Her eyes are wild, her cheeks flushed, and her breath coming in pants. She rides my hand, rubbing against me. The knot at the base of my spine tingles, and I know I can come again from the friction alone.
She clamps down, her muscles clasping my fingers, and moans, telling me she's close. I increase my speed, leaning down to take her nipple between my teeth.
"Miller!" she shouts, coming undone against me. It's a sound I've grown to love these last few days.
My dick jerks and thickens, my balls grow heavy, and I heave up, keeping my fingers inside her as I stroke myself. For the second time this morning, I explode, this time all over her.
"Shit," I growl, the possessive animal coming alive.
"You really enjoy marking me."
I slowly remove my fingers and haul her to me. "I never understood it. Pierce tried to explain, but it never registered. Intimacy was foreign to me. The physical part of sex was straightforward and uncomplicated. Outside of two relationships early in life, feelings have never been involved. Until you. It's more than a mark, baby; it's knowing I did it to you."
She wraps her arms around my shoulders and places her forehead to mine. "In case you haven't figured it out, I'm crazy about you, too."
"Good to know."
•—•—•—•—•
The exaggerated cries ricochet through the empty house, ringing in my ears. I catch the other three men flinching before their hard stares land on me. We all size each other up, me noticing that Austin and Andrew are younger images of their father—tall, dark-haired, and built solid. Ashlyn backs away from her mother's embrace, jumping to each brother before landing in her dad's arms. Only then does his face soften as he picks her up in a bear hug.
Her mom steps away, coming to me with her arms stretched. I take her in and see where all her kids get their sparkling green eyes. "Miller," she gushes, hugging me warmly.
"Mrs. Rhodes."
"Call me Janette or Janie."
"Janie, it's nice to meet you."
She beams, keeping a hold of my biceps but leaning back to assess me. "You're it." Her whisper is low, but her meaning is clear.
"I am," I tell her with no regard. She can create her fucking Pinterest board anytime.
"J, you want to let go of the contractor so we can meet him?" Dozer groans. His meaning is not lost on me.
She steps back but stands to my left, Ashlyn joining her on my right. I catch the move right away. The Rhodes women are flanking me and sending a message. It's me who steps forward with my hand raised. "Miller Kendrick," I offer to her dad first.
He slaps his hand in mine more forcefully than necessary, but I'm ready, gripping it hard. His eyes are sharp and intense, his expression unreadable.
I give him the time he needs, holding his stare. No words are exchanged, but an entire conversation drifts between us.
I'm a lot more than the contractor.
Yes, I'm crazy about your daughter.
No, I'm not good enough for her, but she’ll get everything she deserves in this life.
I'm not going anywhere.
I catch the flicker of understanding and agreement before he drops his eyes to our joined hands with a smirk. "Dozer Rhodes," he finishes his introduction.
Austin and Andrew repeat the same motion, without the silent interrogation, until Ashlyn steps in. "Would you like a tour?"
"Where's the crew? It's eleven on a Thursday. What kind of slack-ass company doesn't have people working?" Austin speaks up.
"We scheduled them at noon so we could have some time alone."
"Seems stupid to lose an entire morning. What moron made that call?" His question aimed at me.
"Don't be an ass, Austin. I decided. We’re actually ahead of schedule. Now, do you want to see the house or not, because our time is severely limited." She shoves a finger in his chest, and I bite my tongue to keep from grinning.
He grimaces, pushing her hand away and narrowing his eyes at me. "Yeah," he answers brusquely.
"Follow me," she directs in a no-nonsense tone.
I want to pull her to me and kiss her, but instead squeeze her shoulder and motion to the back. She ushers everyone
