Page 80 of Devious Temptation
Her words are filled with faux contempt as she wipes off the fish water, but a smile stretches her swollen lips. Her little yellow bikini does nothing to hide the love marks I gave her last night, and I take great pride in seeing my brands on her flesh as she stretches out again.
“Aww, you don’t hate me, rainbow. As a matter of fact…” I secure the fish in the cooler and grab another piece of bait. “…I seem to remember you telling me over and over again how much youlovedall my parts last night—and this morning.” I grin at her before casting my line out.
Last night would have been the perfect time to tell her that I love her, and Lucy caught herself almost saying it multiple times, covering it up with remarks about loving my mouth, my fingers, and my cock. We’re both ready to say the words, yet we’re both holding back. That damn conversation we still need to have hangs over our heads like a cloud full of rain.
Lucy flips me off and pulls her sunhat further over her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
I don’t respond, letting the sounds of the lake and nature fill the space between us. For a Saturday, there aren’t many boats out, and the ones who have passed by are mindful not to send huge waves our way. The birds chirp from the tree branches that line the shore, and there’s laughter from children playing on the banks in the shallower water.
It’s peaceful, and as I look at Lucy, it feels right—likehome.
“We should probably talk about everything,” I softly state, reeling in my line so I can focus on her.
As she sits up, Lucy lifts her hat and peers at me from beneath the brim. “Yeah.”
“Where is your head at?” I hate how vulnerable I sound. It’s a big decision to make—coming clean to everyone.
“I mean, you know how I feel about you, Lawson.” Lucy reaches for her discarded sundress to play with the hem, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s deep in thought or nervous.
“Come here.” I motion for her to sit between my legs, where she’d been before I teased her with the fish. She does—but onlyafter I lay my shirt over the fish water so she doesn’t have to sit in “fish goo.”
“This is nice.” Lucy sighs, settling against my chest. “I love it here.”
I’m sure she can feel the rise in my heartbeat as I take a deep breath, preparing to bare my soul. Hugging her to me, I settle my chin on her shoulder. “We can come out here every weekend if you want.”
She hums with approval, fingers tracing idle patterns on my forearms. “And what about New York? Are you still thinking about returning once the office is fully integrated into M.I.G.?”
“I won’t lie and say I don’t miss the city. But I think my future is here in Chicago with you.” My voice is husky as the words tumble from my lips. “We started something all those years ago, rainbow. Something that’s turned into a whirlwind of emotions I didn’t think I could feel again. And it’s going to be hard… telling everyone. If I’m being honest, I don’t know that we’re quite ready for that.” Lucy tenses in my arms, and I reach for her hands, lacing our fingers together as I kiss her temple. “Do you think you’re ready to come clean to your parents?”
“Yes.” Her answer is immediate, and she twists in my hold, climbing into my lap to wrap her arms around my neck. “Yes, Lawson, Iamready. Aren’t you? Don’t you want to stop sneaking around? It’s getting exhausting. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“I’m still married, Lucy. There’s a lot to figure out… and Rhys... Fuck, when Rhys finds out?—”
Her eyes have become glassy. “It’s okay, Lawson.”
“Baby, don’t cry.”I cradle her cheek as her eyes fill with tears that she tries desperately to keep at bay.
“No, it’s stupid, I know.” She shakes her head, pulling from my grip to wipe at her face. “You’re not ready. It’s fine.” Her voice hitches, cracking like the little fissures her tone puts in my heart.
“Lucy.” I pull her face to me again. “Lucy, look at me.” Holding onto my wrists like a lifeline, she does, and I capture her lips, pouring every ounce of what I’m feeling into our kiss.
“Baby, I love you.” My declaration pulls a gasp from her chest. “I love you so goddamn much it hurts not to be able to show you off in public.” I kiss her again. “That’s why I want to do this the right way. I don’t want to tell your parents while I’m still married to Charlotte. And I don’t—” I turn away to look out at the water as I think about all the times I took Rhys fishing in this same boat on this same lake. “I don’t know how to tell Rhys. That is going to be a fucking nightmare I don’t want to put you through.”
Lucy is silent, and when my eyes slide back to hers, her lips are parted in surprise. “You… you love me?”
Chuckling, I draw her in for another kiss, whispering against her lips, “I don’t think love is a strong enough word for what I feel for you, rainbow. You make me fucking crazy. Whenever I see another man look at you, I want to take you right there just to show him that you’remine. I can’t get my fill of you, and I suspect I never will. You’re it for me, Lucy Bradee. If you want me, I’m yours.”
“Of course, I want you, you idiot!” she exclaims before pressing her lips to mine. “I love you, too.” Another kiss. “So fucking much that I feel like I’m going to explode sometimes.”
Abruptly, she jolts from my lap, pushing back so roughly that the boat rocks with her movement. Grabbing the oars, she shoves them into my hands. “Take us back home right now before I get us a ticket for public indecency.”
At my raised brow, she fixes me with a heated stare. “You just told me you love me, Lawson. Now I want you to fuck me while you say it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her cheeks grow pink as she shoots me a saucy smile. “I think I like the sound of that.”
I double-time it back to the shore. “Don’t get used to it, rainbow. I’m still your daddy. I’m still the one in charge.”
