Page 47 of Steamy Ever After

Marisol gleefully takes the unspoken challenge. "Aww. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

I jolt forward as a sudden urge to slap her rushes through. Rose throws her arm in front of me, seemingly unfazed.

"My feelings are fine. It's good to know where you stand."

My gut twists as Rose calmly pays the bill. As soon as we exit the restaurant, Marisol struts ahead of us with an air of confidence and arrogance. We watch as Marisol makes several purchases, flashing her credit card like a weapon. After suffering her presence as we go in and out of a few stores, I glance at Rose as Marisol puts further distance between us.

"We can go back to the house right now," I say under my breath. Rose's eyes meet mine. "I mean it. We can go right now."

Rose answers with a head shake so I stuff my anger, the bitter taste of it lingering on my tongue.

CHAPTER 11

Carter

Iwake up to the feeling of Lacey's soft body pressed against mine. The morning light streams through the window. It casts a warm light over her naked form. She's so perfect. I can't help but reach out and run my fingers through her hair as she stirs.

"Morning," she murmurs, her voice husky with sleep. She stretches, arching her back and pressing her breasts into my chest. I can't help but let out a low growl.

"Morning, baby."

She smiles. "Sometimes, I think that morning is your favorite time of day."

"You have no idea," I respond, my pleasure evident as I press hard against her and capture her lips with mine. Lacey moves closer, her long hair cascading over my chest. I move my hands slowly, inching down her back until they reach her slender waist. She shivers from my touch and presses closer into me, her softness a welcome feeling to start the day.

Heat flares between us as tension builds. She presses her smiling lips against my mouth. "I don't think you need coffee this morning to wake up."

"You should be scared," I counter. I roll over on my back, pulling Lacey with me. Her hips writhe against mine.

She takes my hands and places them on her breasts. I squeeze them gently and she moans.

Our lips meet, devouring each other as our bodies fuse together. I can feel every inch of her that's pressed against me. My senses rachet into overdrive. Lacey's breath hitches in my ear and I know that this isn't just about pleasure. We have something much deeper than that. Something we've been building toward for a long time.

A sudden movement catches my eye and I catch our reflection in the mirror across the room. The same mirror where I fixed my hair on hot summer nights hoping to catch the eye of a pretty girl to hang out with on the Boardwalk for a summer night. But the girl in my arms is all I've ever dreamed. All I've ever wanted.

Our bodies twist and turn in a passionate embrace and I press my throbbing heat into her warm softness. She cradles my aching erection. We grind together, building the anticipation of our release, and I watch with pleasure as Lacey loses herself in the heat of lust. Her eyes drift closed. Her cheeks flush.

With a growl, I push into her. A moan of excitement falls from her lips as my pace increases, my desire for her birthing an animalistic need to claim her. Mark her.

Her sex tightens as an orgasm ripples through her body accompanied by a cry. It's the catalyst needed for my release to rip free, reminding me that, though she hasn't yet said yes, she's mine.

As I inhale a deep breath, I set my half-empty Corona on the wooden porch railing. The sun is setting and, though I can't see it dipping below the horizon, the sky casts a warm glow over the beach.

"Marisol's been doing this longer than me."

I look over at my brother. "What brought this on?"

"Nothing but, it's obvious you don't like her. There are things about her I don't like but tolerate."

"I don't have to tolerate her. Therein lies the difference. It sounds like she matters to you. She doesn't to me."

"I work hard, Carter. I know you don't think so, but it's work. What I do, how I eat, sleep, workout ... all of it means dollars in my bank account. She took off with little effort."

I shrug. "Maybe she slept her way to where she is now."

"Part of me wonders if that's true but then, part of me wonders if it was her exotic looks. Whatever it is, I'm nice to her because I have to work with her."

I look over at my brother and see a hint of insecurity. As the baby in the family, he always got a hefty dose of attention. If his confidence takes a hit, it isn't because he lacked security and protection. "One of the things I've always admired about you is your tenacity. You tell yourself you can do something and, damn, if you don't do it and make it easy. You've always done that. Sports. Building stuff. Girls. I've never seen you fail."

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