Page 17

“Can burn.” I tangled my hands in his curls, and pulled firmly, groaning lightly as honeyed eyes rolled closed and full lips parted on a shuddering breath. I moved in close enough to smell the sweet, subtle fragrance of his building arousal. I was close enough to taste him on my tongue, a rumbling, anticipatory growl sounding in my chest… when the phone rang.

Delaney's eyes snapped open. His pupils were blown wide, his eyebrows pinched together. He looked around the room, bewildered. “Is that… a landline?”

Instantly, my mood shifted, becoming cloudy with a dark and simmering rage. “Yeah, give me a minute.” I rushed from the kitchen and into my office, where I picked up the receiver. “What?”

“Is that any way to greet your brother?” Jackson drawled, already sounding as if this conversation was beneath him.

“Forgive me,” I started, cutting him off in the middle of his preening. “I meant to say, what the fuck do you want?”

“Such crass language. I can’t understand how you are the pride of the family.”

“I’m pretty sure our parents would be more than happy to explain it to you. Again. And again, I would say—”

Jackson loudly interrupted, “You’re such a bother. How hard it must have been for you to be cared for and doted on. Spare me your need for validation of the erroneous belief that your childhood was anything but carefree and easy. I’m simply calling because you are being asked to attend dinner this weekend. And no, you cannot get out of it. Or run away with an excuse like last time.”

I swore under my breath, hanging up the phone. The last thing I wanted was to be at another family dinner. Given Jackson’s tone, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to get out of it. Not wanting to burden Delaney with my family, I did my best to put the conversation out of my mind as I walked back to the kitchen, but he was great about picking up on the littlest things.

“You’re upset.”

“Trying not to be.”

Delaney hopped off the counter. “If you want to be alone, I can leave. You can call me when you’re feeling better.”

My eyes softened as I looked down at him. His sweater was back on, lopsided and exposing a bare shoulder, the lighting in the kitchen giving his skin a soft, almost golden glow. His hair was pulled up and away from his face in a large, messy bun again. “You’re beautiful,” I quietly stated.

A flush crept across the apples of his cheeks. He waved a hand dismissively. “Stop that. You’re changing the—” he paused, eyes narrowing imperceptibly as he met my gaze. “You know, that might be the smartest thing you’ve said since we met.”

“Oh yeah?” I laughed as I entered the kitchen again, checking on the pots on the stove.

“Mhm.” Delaney hummed, hopping up on the counter again. “Aside from you telling me—each time we finish—that I’m the best lover you’ve ever had. Even if it’s bullshit, it’s a testament to your intelligence.”

I turned off the burners, removing the roasted chicken from the oven. Without saying a word, I scooped him up, throwing him over my shoulder.

“Hey! Put me down!” Fists pummeled my back, but I ignored the assault, walking him through the house and into my bedroom.

Gently, I sat him down, pushing him back onto the mattress. “I gave you a glowing performance review. It's only fair that I'm extended the same courtesy.” I hovered above him, smirking.

“I judge harshly,” Delaney teased, his cheeks dimpling. He spread his thighs, silently encouraging me to slot between them. The scent of his arousal thickened with each passing second. He shifted underneath me, rocking his hips up and grinding his hardening erection against mine.

I slid my hands up his sides, easing them underneath the sweater. My fingers danced along his obliques, the contact causing him to shiver. A light breath of air escaped barely parted lips, the hushed sound going straight to my dick. “Well, I guess I have my work cut out for me.”

Soft moans and breathless gasps replaced banter as I slowly expressed my gratitude at being given the space to change the conversation.

I was incredibly uncomfortable.

Dinner with my family was always a small event, so I had no choice but to dress up. I never cared for expensive labels, but if I showed up in anything less than the best, my mother would see fit to berate me for the better part of an hour and question, “what we did to deserve this ungrateful attitude”. Sighing softly, I tuned out the different conversations at the dinner table, wishing I was with Delaney. Unfortunately, my mother’s voice cut through my thoughts, dragging me back into the discussion.

“Our Elias has decided it’s time he takes a mate.”

My head snapped up; my attention wholly focused on my mother. Although I’d been taught to keep my expressions unreadable, the shock on my face was loud. “I have?” The Caldwell-Moore’s had joined us—yet again. I knew better, but I let my guard down after the last time. My mother hadn’t brought Taylor up again, so I fully believed she, at the very least, heard me.

I was wrong.

“Well, your father and I have decided it’s time.” She nonchalantly corrected. “We aren’t getting any younger and would like to enjoy grandchildren.” She smiled broadly at me before glancing at Taylor.

It finally dawned on me, a growing pit swallowing up the knot in my stomach. “I thought you finally understood, Mother.” My voice was barely above a whisper; disbelief having stolen any volume. “Arranged marriage is—”

She cut me off to parade me around like a show dog. “Taylor doesn’t believe that you’re a dominant, dear.” She flashed a fake smile, and I felt the pit in my stomach expand at her demanding voice. “Remove that god awful necklace.”