Page 43 of Shameless

“I love you, Stef.”

I say it back and for a second, I just push everything else out of my mind. All that matters is the feeling of her mouth, the way she parts her lips when I trace their seam with my tongue.

I kiss her with everything I have, fisting the fabric at the back of her light jacket to pull her closer to me.

My hands seem to have a will of their own and they slip down to her perfect ass.

I swallow her moan, hungry for more. Then I remember that we’re on the beach and someone could walk past and see us.

The temptation to take her back to my room and have my wicked way with her is almost too strong to resist, but Mom wakes up early and it’s very unlikely that we’d be able to sneak upstairs undetected. Besides, Masha is sitting patiently on the sand and I know she must be starving.

Very reluctantly, I break the kiss.

“What do you say, we run to get breakfast for everyone?”

Lula nods. “It’s the best idea I’ve heard in a while. Last night I was too nervous and I barely touched my dinner and now I’m famished.”

I pinch her toned ass, chuckling when she squeals and retaliates by pinching mine. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Stef.” She warns me.

My mouth stretches in a provocative smile. “But I really want to finish it. I have some errands to run today. What do you say we go out tonight, just the two of us? And then I’d love to get some time alone with you.”

She laces her fingers through mine. “You have the best ideas, Stef.”

Crew

I park my Jeep in front of the address Eddie’s lawyer’s secretary gave me.

“It looks like Stefan and Cutler got here before us,” I tell Napoleon.

Woof.

I pet him on his favorite spot, between his ears. “Yeah I know, Naps. I wish Rikki was here with us too. Scott Larson called to say they were getting the gun residue test results today so hopefully he’ll be released soon. In the meantime, we’ll see what this is all about. Are you going to come with me to the reading? Two sets of ears are better than one.”

Woof.

I swear this dog understands everything I say. Napoleon’s ears move from side to side as if to tell me that he’s gonna pay attention.

“Ok Naps,” I sigh, scooping him up and locking the car. “Let’s see what this bullshit is all about.”

I might sound harsh, but when my late father was involved, bullshit was never off the plate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he left us some crippling debt to pay.

The law firm offices look pretty intimidating with dark wood panels decking the walls, marble floors and solid, expensive looking furniture

“Good afternoon sir,”

The greeting comes from a blonde, young secretary dressed in a suit that probably costs more than my monthly rent.

I walk to her desk and brace myself for her to object to Napoleon’s presence.

“How can I help you?” she smiles instead.

“I’m here for the reading of Eddie Branagh’s will?”

The woman nods, rising from her chair. “You must be Mr. Crew James? I’m Janine, we talked this morning on the phone.”

I shake the hand she offers, confirming my identity.

“Forgive me for asking, Mr. James, but I haven’t been able to get ahold of your brother. Mr. Frederick James?”

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