Page 52 of Tempt Me

Though seeming relieved to know her midwife aunt will be around, Carys exclaims, “Tack threatened me with stinky fingers!”

Aunt Fred hugs Carys and smiles at Tack over her daughter’s shoulder. “Are you happy? Your face is hard to read right now.”

Tack tugs me closer and offers Aunt Fred a big smile full of teeth. “I am happy.”

“Funny,” she says and reaches over to muss his hair. “You’re on the schedule to feed the donkeys tomorrow. Will that still work?”

I smile at him before snickering. “Donkeys?”

“We have a handful of miniature donkeys on the farm. The kids love them. Want to help me feed the little weirdos tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I coo, both excited to enjoy Tack in his element and to see small donkeys. “I’ll follow you around for the next few days and be your helper.”

“Who’s this?” asks the shorter foster boy and points at me. “I don’t know her.”

Tack’s demeanor changes and his tone softens when he talks to the boys. The shaggy-haired boys seem restless until they’re under his gaze. Then, they straighten up and focus hard on his words.

Sticking close to Siobhan and Carys, I feel fatigue wearing down on me. I keep flashing back to Atticus in the moment before his death. I also remember how Tack looked when the shot hit him in the stomach. As yesterday becomes incredibly vivid, a growing dread builds about meeting with the federal agents.

As I’m sitting in the kitchen, Aunt Fred surprises me when her fingers stroke the back of my neck. She offers the motherly affection I’m missing with Suzanne so far away. I lean back against her and smile upward.

Aunt Fred is a complicated woman. She owns such a soft touch and tender voice. Her comforting smile wraps around people, stealing their fears and soothing their pain. Yet, this woman is deeply entrenched in a violent world filled with dangerous people.

I’m not so sure I can be as complicated as Aunt Fred. I’m a pampered rich girl out of her element right now. As much as I trust the people around me, I’m clearly an outsider.

Stuck between yesterday’s chaos and today’s responsibilities, I only want to hide in Tack’s room and cling to the man who saved me.

TACK

I’m not surprised when an exhausted Hunter crashes within minutes of arriving in my room. I only watch her for a few minutes before I’m also asleep. I dream of a pregnant Hunter. She’s overheated and miserable like Carys. I don’t handle her discomfort well. Unlike Pork Chop, I flip out and start yelling at everyone. By the time I wake up from the dream, I’m tense about how people weren’t doing what I wanted.

Hunter is half awake when I turn toward her. Her skin is pink from the room’s heat. I should have put on a fan. When my hand skims her throat, I find her sweaty.

I’m ready to get up and cool down the room when she smiles at me. Hunter’s fingers slide under my shirt and stroke my bruised belly.

“You’re tender here,” she whispers while scooting closer. “I don’t think you’re up to being on top.”

I smile at her meaning before she covers my lips with hers. Hunter tastes so damn good. Her tongue playfully darts across mine. I deepen the kiss. We breathe together as our hands explore.

Hunter moans when my hand cups her right tit. The nipple tightens under my thumb’s teasing. My cock is rock hard even before she strokes the length of it through my boxers.

“Tack,” she mumbles sadly against my lips.

I freeze, assuming I’m misreading her signals. Hunter cups my face and stares into my eyes with her tear-filled one.

“I’m really nervous about talking to the federal agents. Will you stay with me?”

“Of course.”

“Even if the lawyers or agents want you to leave?”

“I don’t give a shit what they want. I’ll stay with you.”

Hunter offers me a relieved smile. I’ve got no clue why she’s so worried or thinks I’d ditch her because a fucking suit told me to.

When Hunter’s lips return to mine, those questions go right out of my head. I can only feel her body pressed against me. My hand wraps behind her, enjoying how she wiggles when I cup her ass.

Hunter pries her lips free long enough to slide my T-shirt over my head. I take the opportunity to remove her shirt and unlatch her bra.

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