Page 21 of Deception & Daylight
When I get back to my house, I head straight for the shower, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles. My thoughts stray easily to Maggie in her sundress when she first arrived at the inn, the way she looked on the oversized bed in the honeymoon suite. I wanted to lay her down and torture her with my tongue right then and there. I’m rock hard in seconds, picturing everything I would do to her if she were at my mercy. The way she’d moan and scream my name, begging for release.
The pressure becomes unbearable and I take my cock in hand, working myself over to visions of my handprints on her ass while I plunge into her from behind, her hair wrapped tightly around my fist as I tug her upright to play with her tits — a perfect fucking handful. I’d pull her head to the side, exposing her neck so I could mark her for everyone to see, whispering filthy words in her ear that would have her coming around my cock in seconds.
My movements become frantic, and it’s not long before ropes of cum coat the tile as I cry out my release with Maggie’s name on my lips.
I finish showering, ignoring the growing ache in my chest. Rummaging through my closet, I pull on a pair of jeans, cuffing them at the bottom before shrugging on a light blue button down over a plain white tee. My towel dried hair is a bit of a mess, and I’m overdue fora trim, but that’ll have to wait for another day. I head out to the truck and make my way towards the inn for our weekly family dinner, though it’s just me and Ma these days.
With any luck, Maggie won’t be at the inn when I get there. Her presence has been haunting me since the moment she arrived in Oak Ridge. She seems to be popping up everywhere like a phantom and it’s fucking with my head.
When I get to Willow Creek, it’s so much worse than I anticipated. Not only is Maggie seated in the dining room with my mom, but Matty is there too, looking like a smug motherfucker. He’s about two inches shorter than my 6’4” frame, and his blonde hair is a shade darker. We both share mom’s blue eyes, but that’s where our similarities end.
I glance around the otherwise empty room until my eyes land on Mags. Her body is tense, and I can sense the unease pouring off her in waves.
Like a moth to a fucking flame, I seat myself directly beside her. She might not be my biggest fan, but fuck if I’m not going to plant myself right here and become the buffer between her and the asshole that shares my DNA. Her posture eases with my presence, and a smile blooms across my face at her reaction.
Taking in her makeup free face, I notice the pronounced cut above her eyebrow and the mottled purple bruises that are fading to yellow in some spots. It takes everything in me not to reach for her. I’ve always been drawn to Maggie in a very visceral way, but this protective instinct is new — and not entirely unwelcome.
“So, Maggie. Not to be a nosey Rosie, but a little birdy told me you’re interviewing for a position at the Gazette,” Ma says, filling the stilted silence with her warmth.
“Yeah. The position is temporary until they find a permanent replacement since Patty’s retiring, but I’m looking forward to it. If I get the job, I’ll be covering the Blossom Festival next week.”
“Heard they’re having a bachelor auction. Might see if I can earn a few bucks to support some local charities. Whaddaya say, Mags? Wanna bid on me?” Matty’s unsettling smirk appears as he winks across the table, but it doesn’t have its intended effect. Maggie recoils at the suggestion, her body growing rigid. I look down to see her fists clenched in her lap, tight enough to leave little half moon marks from her fingernails. Without thinking, I lay a palm over hers, prying her hand open to lace our fingers. Warmth floods me when she doesn’t attempt to pull away. Her breath hitches as my skin connects with hers, and she visibly relaxes.
I don’t know what it is about Matty that has her hackles rising, but I don’t fucking like it. “I’ll pass. But I’m sure someone is into… whatever it is you have to offer.” She waves a dismissive hand and Matty’s face falls. It happens so fast, I don’t have time to stifle my laugh. Matty flashes a look of disgust at her biting words, but it’s gone before I can even catalog it.
The hand that was clasped in mine disappears, and I instantly miss the feel of her.
Mom starts to cut in, but the oven timer goes off, slicing through the palpable tension in the room. Maggie offers to help her in the kitchen and as soon as they’re out of earshot, I round on my brother. “What part of stay the fuck away from her did you not understand, brother?”
“The staying away part,” he deadpans. “S’far as I can tell, you don’t have any claim over her. She’s fair game.”
I’m just about to argue with my brother when Maggie returns with a basket of rolls, and her next move shocks me to my core. “You’re wrong.”
Mags
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
What are you doing, Maggie? This isn’t you. You don’t make rash decisions. But then again, it’s Miles. When have I ever made rational decisions where he’s concerned?
This isn’t a game, but with Matty involved it feels like one. I take a tentative step closer to Miles, hesitating with my foot halfway to the floor. I can feel the weight of his eyes on me, but it’s not justhisgaze that unsettles me. Matty is also staring at me, and there’s something almost predatory behind it. My pulse quickens, and before I can reconsider my decision, I sink down onto Miles’ lap and wrap my arms around his neck. This is reckless and stupid. So why does it feel so good? Better the devil you know, I guess.
I like to think I’m an excellent judge of character, and Miles’ brother instantly rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe I’m still on edge from recent events, but his forced smile seems to hide something much more sinister, and the way he appears to be using me to provoke Miles sets off my protective instincts. Although, I don’t have the energy to unpack why they’re directed towards a man I loathe with my entire being. I provoke him all the time, so it shouldn’t bother me when someone else does it.
I lean down to whisper in his ear, barely loud enough for him to hear. “I…just go with it, okay?” My voice is lower than usual, a hint of uncertainty threading through the words. I force a smile, but my eyes dart to Miles, looking for reassurance.
Understanding washes over his features and Miles’ arms band around my waist, sending a shiver coasting along my spine. He pulls me tight against him, his voice laced with an edge of something like possessiveness, “She’s my girlfriend.” The steadfast declaration causes my stomach to clench uncomfortably, but I got myself intothis mess and I have to own it.
“Oh my goodness, I knew something was going on with the two of you!” Lucy says as she rushes back to the table. She places a huge homemade lasagna in front of us and looks over at Miles with a tender expression.
“You’ll be good for him,” she says, patting my cheek with such affection, it nearly suffocates me. I didn’t grow up with a mom; she died before I even uttered my first word. My dad is the only parent I’ve ever known, and he was absent from much of my childhood. I had nannies, but I practically raised myself. Well, me and every book I could get my grubby little hands on. I can’t help the brief pang of guilt that pierces me when I see the way Lucy is looking at us.
Sliding off of Miles’ lap, I place a kiss on his cheek and his eyes snap to mine. I wink, then sit back in my own seat as Lucy dishes up the lasagna. I can feel Miles’ eyes boring a hole into the side of my head, but I keep my eyes trained on the table, holding back a smile.
“Well now, Miles. You’ll have to withdraw yourself from the bachelor auction,” Lucy says. Something like relief flashes over Miles’ features, and I can’t help but toy with him.
“Oh, absolutely not. I wouldn’t dream of taking that massive payday away from the children. I can get over Miles going on one innocent date if it means helping out a good cause.” A saccharine smile spreads across my face as my eyes meet his piercing blue gaze. “Besides, Miles is definitely going to get the highest bids.” I skate a hand down his chest, and a groan vibrates through my palm. I glance down at the noticeable bulge in his jeans, and suddenly, I’m having second thoughts about my plan.
Matty clears his throat from across the table. The expression on his face is impassive but the way he’s violently stabbing at his meal tells a different story, and it has the hairs on my neck standing on end. Something about the way he looks at me is unsettling. His aura radiates hostility, and I find myself watching the clock tick by, waiting for the end of our tense interaction.
