I want everything, all the touching, all over, but that’s only because Mike's hands, parting my legs and opening me up to him, feel absolutely divine, and it’s short-circuiting my brain all over again. My heart is beating so hard that it could be a jackhammer or some other cement-demolishing tool in there. He bends his head and proves to me, with a single hot kiss over my lace-clad core, that magic is possible, and it does indeed exist. I’m so wet that I know that scrap of lace is totally soaked. When Mike hums low in his throat and licks his lips, it confirms the fact. And it just about gives me a heart attack because what could possibly be sexier than him licking me off his lips? I dare you to come up with something. I just dare you.When he glances up at me, his eyes are dark. Not haunted. Just dark. He lets me see that, lets me see the most intimate parts of him before he goes back to admiring the most intimate parts of me.He kisses me over the lace again, and my hips arch up int

Don’t make them do the same for you.”“I thought John and James could take a turn.”“Watch out. They probably heard that.”They’re currently outside, all four of them, eating by the pool for the fortieth time this month. I swear, I’ve never met anyone who eats so much pizza. It’s like they chose that option from those silly questions where you’re asked if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Tacos, pizza, doughnuts, or smoothies. Obviously, they all went for the second option big time.I shake my head slowly. “Did you just come by to kick my ass into gear, or did you have something to actually tell me that you couldn’t say online or over the phone?”“No, I just came to see how you were doing.”“So Granny is worried that I’m not going to be on the plane tomorrow morning.”“No, as I said. I was worried.”“So she sent you to make sure that I get my shit packed up, get up at four-thirty tomorrow morning, and don’t leave a big mess for anyone to clean u

I’m not sure if we really were destined for each other from birth, but as she said about the plans of our fathers working out for good, it’s beyond nice to know that no matter what forces are out there, we ended up here now.“I bet Ransom has already eaten twelve burgers,” Sharon says softly. She laughs, the sound of it dispelling the last of my lingering worries. I have to let it go and trust that my brothers and Granny have this. I can’t worry constantly, or I’m not going to make it through the next six months.“Twelve? Just twelve? Try fourteen.”“Sixteen.”“Twenty.”“How many did we cook again?”“I believe there were twelve in a box, and I’ve cycled through the barbeque twice, so four boxes mean forty-eight. Goodness, I’m glad your parents put out a large spread inside. If we just had the burgers, there would be a lot of rumbly tummies going around.”“You were kidding. Ransom will only eat eight.”“Are you sure?”“Okay, maybe four. Maybe he’ll be polite and eat two pounds of pasta

The GPS beeped. I had arrived.The house was the largest and most imposing in the development, with black iron gates that seemed to tower above me. The driveway beyond was long and winding, flanked by lush gardens that seemed to have been sculpted by a master artist. I parked my car at the front gate and stepped out, the unease within me growing stronger as I made my way over to the intercom. I pressed the button and waited for someone to answer. While the intercom continued to ring, I noticed that the gate was slightly ajar, as if someone had left it open deliberately. I hesitated for a moment, then pushed it open and stepped inside.The grounds were even more magnificent up close, with fountains, statues, and intricate mosaics dotting the landscape. But something strange about the air made the entire estate seem to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen.I finally reached the front door, its heavy oak panels creaking as I pushed them open. Inside, the house was even more o

I dialed Mrs. Hamsburg number to ask if she could take in my daughter a little earlier today. It took her a few minutes to get back to me but the sweet soul agreed.Oh, Mrs. Hamsburg What would I do without you?"Go get your bags together while I talk to your teacher," I told Sonia, watching her hurriedly return to class.I approached her teacher and let her know the plan. She agreed and said I could take her out early.I watched my daughter wave at her friends and come to me.On the way, my daughter made us visit the cake shop, and we also had to pick up food. As we drove, my daughter chatted away. Then, I handed her to Mrs. Hamsburg , and she waved me off.A short hour later I was pulling up to the entrance of Laura’s gated community. I signaled to the security guard, and he nodded and let me enter. I pulled over in front of Laura's house and attempted to open the gate, but this time it was locked. Of course, it would be.I decided to buzz the intercom, hoping that Laura would hear i