Page 75 of Devious Temptation
First, though, I need to discuss it with Lucy. We need to think about what the future will look like, what it will do to my sons, and what it will mean forus.
As the guys fall into a conversation about work, my eyes find hers again. All the difficult discussions we shelved for a later date need to be had now. We’re at a crossroads where we either make a go of this or we don’t.
At this point, I don’t think I could walk away, even if she wanted me to.
“Lucy!You’re not at work. You don’t have to serve him! Is this what you have her do, Lawson? Have her bring you food and drinks like some sort of servant?” Charleigh’s teasing tone rings clear across the yard as Lucy hands me another beer and a plate of Kendall’s ambrosia salad.
She laughs, “Aunt Daphne was doing the same for Uncle Henry! I thought I’d be nice!”
“Thank you, Lucy. I appreciate it.” Our fingers brush as she hands me the cold bottle, lingering for a few seconds under the guise of grabbing my empty one. The women are still soaking up the sun on lawn chairs while the guys sit in a circle around the unlit fire pit.
“You’re welcome. Does anyone else need anything?” Her uncles shake their heads as they continue talking about fishing lures—a conversation I’m interested in. However, I’m more interested in the daring smile Lucy flashes me when no one is looking before she heads into the house.
I wait a few moments, placing my beer on the ground and my plate on my seat as I get up. “Bathroom is down the hall, right?”
Will nods in confirmation, too distracted with their discussion to realize his daughter also went inside. Once again, I feel guilty, but getting Lucy alone for a few moments is worth it. I close the doors behind me as I enter their home. It’s a large open concept with a joint dining room and kitchen, and the object of my affection beams at me as she puts food away.
“Having fun?”
“I am.” I lean against the kitchen island across from her. “Is it weird for you that I’m here?”
“Lawson…” She looks behind me to make sure the doors are shut and no one can hear us. “…you came inside me multiple times this morning. I think… it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if we came clean about what’s going on between us.”
My chest fills like a balloon with anticipation andhappiness, and a little bit of anxiety swells beneath my lungs as her suggestion tells me we’re on the same page.
I open my mouth to agree with her, but the sound of pounding footsteps coming down the stairs interrupts me as my son enters the kitchen. His face is flushed with mussed hair and a wild look in his eyes.
“River? Are you okay?”
His light blue gaze darts to mine before he looks at Lucy and then back to me. “Yeah. I’m fine.” His voice hitches like he’s lying with an undercurrent of anger.
Lucy catches it, too. “River, where’s Rose?”
“Upstairs talking to Liam,” he answers in a rush, opening one of the doors and disappearing outside before we can ask any more questions.
“Liam?” Her face scrunches in confusion. “I didn’t even know he was here. Liam!” she shouts from the bottom of the stairs.
After a few moments, I watch her face morph into curiosity as the heavy sound of her brother’s footsteps resonates through the air, and Lucy steps back into the kitchen as Liam appears, looking pissed off and worse for wear. His skin is ashen, and his eyes, which are rimmed with red, narrow on me.
“Why haven’t you come outside? Mom didn’t think you were coming today. And where is Rose?” Lucy resumes putting away the food. Feeling like an outsider for the first time today, I busy myself with helping her to avoid Liam’s glare.
“She’s in the bathroom upstairs.” He finally looks at his sister. “I’m not staying.”
From my conversations with Lucy, I know Liam isstruggling. I know he’s an addict, and it’s a damn shame because the boy is sharp as a tack. He looks lost, like he’s not sure he belongs here, even though it’s his home and this is his family.
I know that feeling all too well. “Come on, Liam. Stay a while. I think your father was just about to start a fire.”
Lucy shoots me a grateful smile, though it’s tinged with a bit of sadness, as she turns back to her brother, who is now openly sneering at me.
“Gee, thanks for inviting me to stay in my own house, Lawson. What, you think because you’re fucking my sister, you can play house here now?”
Lucy whirls around, mouth open in shock as she pales. “Liam!”
An icy wave of dread crashes over me. Before I can say anything, a movement in my peripheral has my head swinging in slow motion to see Kendall frozen just inside the door. Her eyes dart between us before she quickly looks over her shoulder and shuts the door. Instantly, I’m thankful that she doesn’t march out and spill our secret to Bree and Will.
Liam has the grace to look remorseful for about half a second before he turns for the front door.
“Liam!” Lucy yells as she runs after him.
