Between Him and Us Read online

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  “Good.” His hands traveled higher and under the hem of the shirt. “There’s something here, Lilly, and I know you feel it, too.” His fingers migrated north.

  “Easton,” I mewled and licked my lips, sparks igniting in the wake of his touch.

  “Sunshine.” His thumbs skimmed the edges of my lace panties. My head fell back, and his lips latched onto my neck. Sparks exploded through me, prickling every inch of my skin, making my body drip with need. “There are a few things we should discuss first,” he breathed against my neck before sucking at the hollow of my throat.

  “I agree,” I moaned.

  Rubbing my clit with his thumb, he dragged his lips upward along my jawline before finding my mouth. My skin burned hot, and the thumping of my pulse echoed in my ears as I slipped the shirt off my body.

  “I don’t share.” The sternness in his voice made his statement very clear.

  “I don’t, either,” I conceded.

  His hands moved quickly, yanking each hook from my bra. Desperation toyed with the better of me, wanting me to beg and plead with him to hurry it up. I planted my feet at the base of his hips and slid his boxers down his thighs, revealing his erect cock. A buzzing feeling resonated deep within me, humming in anticipation. I reached between our bodies, wanting to hold him between my palms and stroke his pleasure out of him.

  He took a step back and out of his boxers mumbling, “Forget breakfast,” before his lips found the column of my throat again. “I need you more.” His voice was hoarse as he secured his arms around my waist, lifting me from the counter and heading in the direction of his bedroom, where he breathed into my mouth, “Move your panties to the side.”

  “You were incredible.” I ran the back of my knuckle down the side of her face, admiring the glow on her cheeks and twinkle in her eyes. She was absolutely stunning.

  We had been in my bed for well over an hour, pleasuring each other and getting to know one another on a more intimate level. I had a mountain of things to do today, but for the life of me, I couldn’t get out of bed. Not if it meant having to spend the day without her. I could go for another hour or two of being tangled up and compromised under the sheets.

  “You aren’t so bad yourself.” She peered up at me, and her smile hit me square in the chest.

  When I moved a year and a half ago, I had no intention of looking for companionship. I closed that part of me off for a while in hopes of getting my head on straight. My intentions were strictly to help my grandmother. Keep a straight line, concentrate on work, and detoxing my mind and heart from my last failed relationship.

  But in a short amount of time, Lilly unexpectedly and effortlessly made her way into my life and my heart. Regardless, if I wasn’t looking for anything serious—I took relationships seriously.

  I was a man who knew what he wanted, and I wanted Lilly.

  “You make me crazy when you’re around me, you know that? I just want to rip your clothes off and stay buried deep inside you.” Running the tip of my finger along her bottom lip, I trailed my finger over the curve of her shoulder, down the length of her arm, where goose bumps broke out and she shivered. Moving along, trailing the swell of her breast, I brushed my thumb over her taut nipple. Nowhere recovered from earlier, let alone ready to make good on my taunting, I still couldn’t keep my hands off her.

  “Easton, we should talk.”

  Normally, those words would scare the shit out of a man, but not an ounce of fear plagued me when she said them.

  “We should,” I agreed and slid my hand behind her neck, bringing her lips closer to mine. “Maybe you should put a shirt on first. I don’t think I can talk or stop touching you with your beautiful body on display.” I kissed her slow and sweet before I hopped out of bed to grab a shirt. I pulled a pair of boxer briefs from the top drawer and put them on before sliding back into bed beside her.

  “Last night. . .” she trailed off with a faraway look in her eyes. “You said it’s been a while for you. Why? I mean. . .”

  “You’re so cute when you’re flustered.” I grinned, teasing her.

  “Why has it been a while for you?”

  “What if I said I was waiting for you?” I joked, trying to deflect, knowing good and well she wouldn’t buy it.

  “Shut up. You know that isn’t true.”

  I laughed. “It was worth a try.” I kissed her cheek. “I had a girlfriend before I left New York. She had a choice, her new job or me. When she chose not to move, we agreed it was best if we broke it off.”

  “Was it serious?”

  “Somewhat.”

  “A job doesn’t sound like a good enough reason to end a relationship, at least not in my opinion.”

  “She’s a city girl. She would have been miserable here.”

  Lilly nodded, understanding. I thought she would have left it at that, but of course, she had more to ask.

  “How long were you two together?”

  “Four years.”

  “And you never asked her to marry you?”

  The tone she took and the way she went over my answer with a fine-tooth comb felt accusatory, as if she were making me out to be somebody I wasn’t. Toward the end, Sierra and I just didn’t work. She chose her life of glitz and glamour, knowing that wasn’t something I wanted. Thinking back, it was clear that my moving was just an excuse for an easy break for the both of us.

  “Not every relationship ends in marriage, Sunshine.”

  Sierra was a high-class fashion model and would have been bored in a small town like Savannah. If the choice presented itself five or ten years earlier, we might have stood a chance, but if she had come with me when I moved, she would have lasted a week tops before she had her bags packed and was on the first flight back to New York.

  “Right!” She scooted out of my arms.

  Kicking off the sheet, Lilly moved to sit on the edge of the bed, but I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her back into me. Leaving our little bubble wasn’t an option—not yet.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” I spoke low and pressed a lingering kiss to her shoulder. “You’re reading this all wrong,” I whispered close to her ear. Needing her to feel just how wrong she was.

  Looking over her shoulder she argued, “And how do you figure that?”

  “Sierra never wanted a husband like me.”

  “So, she just stayed with you for four years for no reason? And what the heck is that supposed to mean anyway? ‘A husband like you’?” She turned to face me with a pretty scowl on her face. She was almost as hot angry as she was when she smiled.

  “Why are you talking about another woman while we’re in bed? After I pleasured your body . . .” In one swift movement, I positioned myself between her thighs and braced myself above her. Grinning at the sour look on her face, I teased, “You’re so pretty when you’re pouting.”

  “I am not pouting, you big jerk.” She bit back a smile as she tried to push me off. I lowered my lips to her ear and blew a soft breath.

  “You feel that?” Grinding my cock against her warmth, she let out a soft moan, which had me pushing harder into her. “You feel me? This is what you do to me.”

  “Hmm . . .” She snaked her arms around my waist. “Why wouldn’t she want a man like you, Easton?” I ground harder. If I pushed my boxers down, I could easily slide into her and make her forget all of this nonsense talk. “You’re kind and patient.” She pressed a warm kiss against the tattoo on my chest. “And sexy.” She gently raked her nails from my nape down the center of my back before bringing her hands around to the front. “So sexy.” She stopped at the trail of hair that disappeared below my waistband.

  Sex with Lilly was nothing like I’d ever experienced. These feelings were foreign and new to me. Her touch alone caused a wave of heat to blaze through me, charring every inch of my control. I reached into the waistband and pulled my hard cock out and teased her entrance. Just as I submerged myself into her warmth, a loud k
nock came from the front door.

  “Shit!” I pressed my forehead to hers and waited, taking in a deep breath.

  “Easton,” Aunt Millie called before knocking a little harder.

  With a side-glance, I looked at the alarm clock and couldn’t believe it was already past ten. Turning away from Lilly, I yelled and my voice cracked. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  “Okay, take your time.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, trying to ease my throbbing cock down, Lilly laughed. This was most definitely no laughing matter, but the sound alone warmed me.

  “Oh, so you think this is funny, huh?” I ground into her again, only to end up throwing myself to the side. “Dammit.” I chuckled, slightly irritated with the thought that my aunt was waiting on me.

  “It’s okay, lover boy. There’s always next time.”

  “Damn right there’s next time.” I pulled her in for one last kiss.

  “I should get going anyway.”

  I wasn’t ready for her to leave just yet. “What are your plans for the day?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think I’ll stop by the salon and see what my sister is up to.” Lilly sat up and looked back at me. “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

  “Not at all. Towels and everything else you might need are in the bathroom. Help yourself.”

  “Thank you.” She got up, and with a big sneaky grin, she pulled my shirt off, revealing her beautiful naked body. Then tossed it at me, hitting me square in the face.

  “Hey, Lilly, are you here to see Leeza?” Tamra was all smiles as she stood from her chair.

  “I am. I hope my showing up is not at a bad time.”

  “Not at all. She’s in her office if you want to go on back.”

  “Thanks.”

  Passing the almost empty row of stations, I eyed the two clients getting their hair done, which was nothing out of the ordinary. I remembered Leeza saying Tuesdays and Wednesdays were typically slower days for the salon.

  The stylist worked her blow dryer with ease. The middle-aged woman sitting in the chair had chosen to go all gray with what looked to be purple highlights. If I pictured it well enough, the end result should be pretty awesome.

  As I approached the back of the salon, I stopped short when I heard the edge in Leeza’s voice. “I can’t do this right now . . . I know. Why do you always do this to me?” She sighed then went quiet. “Look, I have work to do. I’ll talk to you, later.” She slammed the phone.

  I counted five one-thousands before rapping my knuckles against the door and then walking in without her permission. “Hey, everything all right?”

  “Yeah, everything’s fine.” She waved me in. “Have a seat.”

  Pulling out the chair in front of her, I sat and looked around at the heap of papers covering the entire top of her desk. “Are you sure everything is all right?” I flicked my eyes between the papers and her.

  “Oh, this?” she replied sarcastically, pointing at the disarray covering her desk. “This is the least of my worries.”

  Getting a good look at the mess scattered across her desk, I took a closer look. Invoices, bills, and folders were spread out from one end to the other. It looked like a mild windstorm had blown through the space.

  “Did you need some help?” I asked, pointing to the mess.

  “Yes, and I can’t find anyone who would work for a reasonable wage. The few people I have interviewed are well qualified to run this office, but they expect to be paid a ridiculous amount. I just can’t afford any of them.”

  I sat back and waited. Apparently, she had forgotten I had a degree in Business Administration. A long, painful minute passed, and when it was clear she wasn’t going to connect the dots, I spoke. “Leeza, you do realize I can help you, right? Like, that is what Daddy insisted I major in.” Well, he actually insisted on management, but administration is where I drew the line. My father could dictate certain areas of my life, but I never allowed either parent to hold the reins.

  As if a light bulb had been turned on, Leeza smiled, but just as quickly it faded, and she let out a defeated breath. “I can’t ask you, Lilly. You have a lot going on and this would just be added stress you do not need right now.”

  “Well, thanks for the confidence.”

  “That isn’t what I meant and you know it. It has nothing to do with your ability. I just don’t want to add to your plate.”

  “I can understand where you’re coming from, and I appreciate the concern, but did you ever stop to think I might welcome the distraction?” I scooted to the edge of my seat. “Like I need a distraction?”

  Clearly contemplating my words, she sat there staring at me, not saying a word as she worked it out in her head. Leeza took a good look at the mess, and when she looked back up, she said, “You’re hired. When can you start?”

  “Hold it right there, Miss Bossy Pants.” We both giggled. “There are terms and conditions of employment that need to be discussed first. Hours, benefits, and oh, pay of course,” I teased playfully. Leeza smiled, and by the look on her face, she would’ve smacked me. “All kidding aside, I’m here anytime you need me, and honestly, I’d do it for free.”

  “You know I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “And why not? It isn’t as if I need the money.”

  It was the truth. Between what our parents had saved for us and the money I was receiving from the military, I didn’t need any more right this minute. I would gladly do this for my sister free of charge if need be.

  “Well, what if we negotiate?”

  “I’m listening.” She should have known I would do whatever she needed me to do. She really was a great businesswoman, but she hated the nine-to-five part of the job.

  “What if you take care of this side of the desk in exchange for your choice of services we offer? No limit.”

  “But you already do my hair for free.”

  “I would cover the cost and extend the services of the others to you. You could get facials, massages, and anything else anyone in the salon offers.”

  Well, that sounded like a sweet trade off, one that didn’t require much thought. “Deal!” I stuck my hand out, exaggerating some lucrative business deal.

  “Deal!” She gripped my hand and when she let go, she smiled wide and relaxed into her chair with a look of pure relief.

  “So, who were you talking to before I came in?”

  The tension was back on her face.

  “Take a guess.” She rolled her eyes and looked away.

  “What the heck did he want?” I scoffed.

  “What he always wants but can no longer have.” It didn’t take much to guess what that man wanted. No matter how long he would stay away, he always found a way to try to wiggle back into Leeza’s life. Unfortunately for her, he was her weakness.

  “So.” She eyed me for a whole thirty seconds. “Is it safe to assume that since you made an appointment with the doctor, your decision is leaning toward going through with it?”

  “I’m still not sure what to do, but I would be stupid not to go in and see what they have to say.”

  “It’s a lot to think about.” Her expression softened along with her voice. “I did a little research of my own, and I’m not trying to make your decision any more difficult, but did you consider at all the possibility of multiple births?”

  I knew this. “I read a bit about it.”

  “Did you think about how you would raise more than one child on your own if it came to that?”

  I knew my sister meant well, so I ignored that she wasn’t helping the situation at all by bringing this up.

  “Honestly, no. I can barely wrap my mind around the fact that there is even the slightest of possibilities that I could still have Tyler’s child.” I sat back in my chair and inhaled a long breath, then slowly exhaling through my nose. “This is a lot to process, and until I can sit with the doctor and get concrete answers, I refuse to make a final decision.”

  “Fair enough.” I raised
one eyebrow and Leeza sighed. “Lilly, I will support you no matter what you decide. I just want to make sure you explore all your options and not rush in making your decision.” I nodded and tucked my chin to my chest. I didn’t want Leeza seeing how much this conversation was affecting me. “And if you decide to go through with it, I will help you. I will be there for two a.m. feedings. I’ll change diapers and drive you to doctors’ appointments. Anything you need.”

  A tear slid down the side of my eye. “Thank you.” It felt like something had been lodged in my throat.

  “If you have twins, you could give one to me.” She giggled. “Lord knows that at the rate I’m going, I’ll never have one of my own.”

  “Why would you say that? It isn’t as if you’re old or your biological clock is ticking.”

  “Well, it’d be hard to do without a ma—” She waved her hand, dismissing her thought. “Never mind. This is about you, not me, and I want you to know that whatever you decide, I’ll support your decision.”

  Leeza stood and rounded the desk with her arms open wide, and I let her wrap me in a warm hug. I couldn’t have been any more grateful for my sister than in that moment. We both took deep breaths and Leeza went back to her chair and I sat in mine. My stomach took that moment to interrupt us with a loud growl, and her brow wrinkled.

  “Are you not eating?”

  My face flushed, and I squirmed in my seat, thinking about Easton and the last twenty-four hours. The things he did to my body, the way he made me feel. How he comforted me.

  “Lilly?”

  “Hmm.” I couldn’t resist smiling.

  “What’s going on?” She leaned forward. “You do know that if you’re seriously considering having a baby that you need to eat properly.”

  I almost blurted out that I had met someone and he was the only reason for my skipping the first meal of the day. But I held back. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to explain what Easton and I were.

  Could we even be a something if I decided to go through with it?

  “Nothing. Nothing is going on.” I got up. “I’m gonna head out.” I took a few backward steps, and Leeza narrowed her eyes. She smirked and pointed a knowing finger at me.