Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3)

by Ahren Sanders

  “Don’t you have a legal department to run?”

  “They seem to be okay today.” He strides inside, his grin growing and eyes shining with mischief. “Jackson Hart. I assume you’re Poppy? Been looking forward to meeting you.”

  She slips out of my hold, hugging him lightly. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you as well, Jackson.”

  Poppy gives the same warm greeting to Tessa. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, especially the flowers. Evin’s sudden change in schedule can’t be easy for your transition.”

  “Are you kidding? I get triple the work done when he’s away.”

  “And that is why I’m lucky to have you.” I tip my head in appreciation. “Especially since we’ll be talking about some more trips.”

  “Maybe you’ll actually take time off. You’re not fooling anyone, we all know you’re working.”

  “We’re talking about that, too,” Jackson breaks in.

  “Don’t start with me.”

  “He may be a workaholic, but I’m glad he has something to do. Watching me dance, teach, and train gets boring.”

  His cocky smile returns. “From what I saw, watching you dance is far from boring.”

  “He saw the video, baby,” I remind her.

  “Of course he did.”

  “And he’s correct, it’s far from boring.”

  She blushes, giving me a grateful look, then turns to them. “Can you both join us for lunch?”

  “I’m in,” Tessa chirps.

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Jackson agrees.

  “How about if I show Poppy around?” Tessa offers.

  “I’d love that if it’s not too distracting.”

  “Honey, word got out you were here and this bank is like Melrose Place, they are nosy. Evin’s team is chomping at the bit.”

  “I can relate to that. My co-workers are nosy. The day I took Evin backstage and introduced him, they pounced. Let’s go feed the curiosity.”

  “The highlight of my day.”

  I tag her around the waist and pull her to me, kissing her quickly. “Don’t take long.”

  She smiles, pressing her hand across my heart.

  When they’re gone, Jackson roars in laughter. “Man, you got it bad.”

  “Not denying it.”

  “Must say, you’ve been holding out.”

  “Then you’ll understand why I married her. Poppy Graham is my wife.”

  His body rocks back. “No fucking shit?”

  “You blame me? Think I’d take one look at her and let that go?”

  “Not on my life.”

  “We planned on telling you and Tessa at lunch. We’re meeting Mom afterward to put an announcement in the paper, so word will get out. Wednesday night, there’s a dinner party at Miller and Ashlyn’s. You’re invited.”

  “I’ll be there.” He stares at me blankly, then shakes his head in disbelief. “Fuck, man, you’re married?”

  I flash my hand, where the ring Poppy gave me is now on the appropriate finger. “We eloped.”

  He surprises me by getting in my space and pulling me into a man hug, pounding my back. “Happy for you, Evin. Wish like hell I could have seen you say goodbye to bachelorhood.”

  “When you see the pictures, you’ll understand it wasn’t hard to give it up.”

  “Annie handle the elopement okay?”

  “She took it well.”

  “And Poppy’s family?”

  “Her birth family is shit. The only people she claims as family are a small group of people in Vegas. Her two best friends stood with us. Dante gave her away and acted as my best man.”

  “I need to get my ass to Vegas.”

  “If you go, hope luck is on your side.”

  His expression grows serious, and I know what’s coming. It’s the same thought on everyone’s minds once the excitement and shock wear off.

  “I’m not moving, at least not permanently,” I answer his unspoken question.

  “How’s it going to work?”

  “Poppy wants to let her contract go next summer. I’m not totally on board with the decision because dancing is her life. If she leaves Cirque and Vegas behind, I’ll make it so she has everything she wants here in Charleston. If she wants to give it more time, I’ll support that, too. For the immediate future, I’m looking into subleasing a place. Her roommate is cool, but we need our privacy.”

  “That’s understandable. Should I be expecting a request for a virtual office set up?”

  “Yeah. When the time comes, I’ll need to make the arrangements. Right now, I’ve got a deal with the hotel. It’s been working so far. The team here has access to me and now Tessa. My clients have felt no difference.”

  “I’m not worried about that at all, your client relationships are solid. We’ll work with you any way we can.”

  “Appreciate that.”

  “She is truly thinking about giving up the stage for your bum ass?”

  “If I thought it was solely because of me, I’d stop it. She’s convinced herself this is what she wants. My job is to make her happy, anyway that comes about.”

  His shit-eating grin returns in a look I know well. “You’ve got a plan.”

  “I sure as hell do.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “Nothing to share, yet. Moving to Charleston doesn’t have to mean the end of her dancing career. I’m meeting with Tony Sanchez this week to discuss an option.”

  Understanding resisters on his features and he whistles through his teeth. Tony isn’t only a long-standing client of mine; he’s also one of the top real estate brokers in the area. “This should be interesting.”

  “When there’s something to share, you’ll know.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  “How long does this tour take?” I check my watch, noting it’s been over half an hour since Ashlyn whisked Poppy away to show her the house.

  “My guess is they are in the nursery. Ashlyn is determined to get everyone’s opinion before she decides on furniture.” Miller hands me a beer.

  “Now that you’re married, how are you feeling about the distance?”

  “It’s inevitable, not much I can do.”

  “Better man than me.”

  “Hell, Miller, you weren’t ready to walk away from Ashlyn when you thought she lived in Chicago. Pierce and Darby lived apart for seven damn months. The distance sucks, but it lessens the sting now that she’s my wife.”

  “Nice play, marrying her the day you took her virginity.”

  “Jesus, do these women share everything?”

  “Welcome to married life. And fair warning: Ashlyn, Darby, and Stephanie are ruthless. Poppy’s a part of that tribe now. Get ready to know way more than you ever wanted to about anything and everything.”

  “I’ll talk to Poppy about that.”

  A chorus of laughter echoes through the house, getting closer. “Thank fuck they’re done. Poppy gets on a plane in twenty-hours to go home. No offense, but there is only one place I want to be right now.”

  His eyes light with understanding. “I’ll make sure we have dinner early and get you out of here.”

  “Appreciate that.”

  Poppy skips into the kitchen, her face flushed and eyes glowing. “This house is amazing.”

  “Good thing I get to show you the best part.”

  “Can’t wait.”

  “Go on out, you know where everything is. I need to change and we’ll be right there,” Ashlyn offers.

  I shoot Miller a look he picks up immediately, jerking his chin. He’ll buy me some time alone.

  Poppy links her hand in mine, letting me guide us outside. Her breath hitches when we hit the patio. I take her to the edge of the verandah, pulling her back to me, and hooking my arms around her stomach.

  “This is unbelievable.”

  “It’s quite a showplace.”

  “I don’t know where to look first.”

  “Take your time, it’s not going an
ywhere.” My lips run along the tendon of her neck.

  “I can’t believe this is where they live.”

  “You want something like this?”

  She slants her head to the side. “You don’t like your townhome?”

  “I like it, but I want to give you a home you want.”

  “I want to be with you, wherever that is. I’m not high-maintenance, your townhome is perfect. The view is irreplaceable.”

  “My townhome is good for now. But think about when Dante and Ryanne visit and we have kids. It’s not big enough. Maybe we can have both a house and the view.”

  “You’re serious about this.”

  “I am.”

  “Can we wait until I’m here and look together?”

  “I wouldn’t pick out a place without you.”

  She glances back around the yard and pool area, obviously thinking about my offer. “How many children do you want?”

  “It’s a decision we’ll make together.”

  “But I need to know how big a house we’ll need for me to plan our search.”

  “You bring your gorgeous ass home to Charleston, however long that takes, and we’ll fill the house.”

  “We haven’t talked about it specifically, but Dante will follow me.”

  “I know.”

  “Ryanne won’t be far behind.”

  “Figured as much.”

  “You married a trio.”

  “I married you, aware of the full package.”

  She falls silent again, twisting her rings and staring across the yard.

  “You’re thinking too hard.”

  “It’s a lot to process.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. We have plenty of time.”

  “I don’t want to leave tomorrow,” she admits on a shaky breath. “My heart is heavy thinking about it.”

  I know that feeling all too well, remembering that Thursday morning I left her in the hotel bed. “If we were at home, I’d wipe that from your mind. But since we’re here, we’ll have to improvise.” My hand goes under her dress.

  She squirms in surprise. “What are you doing?”

  “I only want your mind on one thing right now.” My fingers slide into her bikini bottoms and press her pelvis back to me. “Spread your thighs and give me some room.”

  “We can’t do this; someone might see.”

  “Doubtful since I have you hidden, but we should be quick. Spread, baby.”

  She shakes her head, but as soon as my middle finger grazes her clit, her thighs open a little. My finger glides inside easily. “You’re so fucking wet.”

  “It’s you, that’s us.” She moans softly.

  I bite gently on her earlobe, the animal in me stirring alive. She strutted out of the bathroom earlier, and with one look, she was pinned to the bed. Her eyes transformed into the shade of blue I knew well. She knew exactly what she was doing, teasing me with that suit and the memories of our first morning. The bottoms were barely off before I drove into her, fucking her hard.

  Poppy may have waited twenty-nine years, but once she gave herself to me, all hesitancy about sex vanished. She unleashed her wild side and doesn’t hold back. No inhibitions, no reservations, no mercy.

  I fucking love it.

  “You have no idea what that does to me. Knowing your pussy is coated with the mixture of us.”

  “Evin, we can’t,” she tries again, but her voice gives her away.

  I grin against her neck, sucking the skin under her ear. “Too late, baby.” Another finger makes its way inside and she whimpers. “Every time you look around this afternoon, I want you to think about this right here. Me finger fucking you in this spot until you come apart. If you’re lucky, it’ll hold me off until we get home and I can get my mouth on you.”

  “I want you, too…”

  “What do you want? Tell me.” I pump faster.

  “You… your mouth… your…”

  Fuck if all the blood in my body rushes south and pulses painfully in my dick. “You want my cock while I’m devouring your pussy?”

  “Yes.” She throws her head back, her hands gripping my arm like a vice.

  “You in the mood for wild?”

  “Mmhmm.”

  “Before we leave here tonight, I can fuck you upstairs overlooking this pool. You’ll be naked, watching the party below us while I take you from behind.” I grind my hips into her ass. “You up for that?”

  “Oh, God, sweetie, please.”

  I scissor my fingers, rolling her clit with my thumb until she bucks into me, letting out a small cry. Tremors rock up her legs and back, her muscles convulsing against my hand.

  “Don’t let me go,” she whispers. “I’m not sure my legs are working.”

  “Got you, baby.”

  I slide my hand out and lift her to me, sitting in the oversized sun lounger that’s close. She adjusts across my lap, cradling into me sideways.

  When she looks up, her eyes are glazed and her face flushed. “It’s not fair how good you are at that.”

  “Good at knowing my wife’s body and what she likes?”

  “Yes. All I can think about now is sex and getting home.”

  I wind my arms around her, throw back my head, and roar in laughter. She slaps at my chest, huffing. “Stop laughing at me.”

  “The last ten days you have taken me hard, soft, slow, sweet—expertly working until I blow. I swear each time tops the last as the best and impossible to beat. Then five minutes later, my dick wants you again, and fuck if you don’t give it better. Baby, if you spend the next few hours thinking about sex, welcome to my world.”

  “Is it safe to come out?” Someone yells from the patio.

  “Is that Scottie?” Poppy struggles to get up. “I thought this was his vacation week.”

  “He and Billy are staying at Todd’s beach house forty-five minutes away. Did you think they’d miss this?”

  “We’re down by the pool,” she calls back.

  “You need to stay right where you are and try not to wiggle.”

  “Why?”

  I thrust my hard cock against her thigh, and her eyes bulge. “Okay. No wiggling.”

  Scottie, Billy, Ashlyn, and Miller all file out of the house, Miller openly smirking.

  “Oh, jeez, he knows something.”

  “From what I’m told, he knows a lot. You ladies like to share.”

  “It’s not my fault. They are slick and professional at coaxing information. At least with Ryanne, she comes right out and asks. Darby and Ashlyn are like sleuthing ninjas. You never see it coming.”

  “Share what you want, but I don’t ever, ever want to hear about Darby and Pierce’s sex life.”

  She presses her lips together until her eyes grow wet and she snorts, head planting into my chest. “The feeling is mutual with her. The fewer details the better.”

  “What’s so funny?”

  Scottie stops by our chair. I tap her back to let her know it’s safe to move and she launches into his arms. “Evin’s not tickled by the girl gab.”

  “The men generally aren’t, but wait until he benefits from the wisdom of others.”

  She continues to giggle, removing her dress and tying her hair on top of her head. “I think it’s time for a swim. You coming with me?”

  “Absolutely.” I haul myself out of the chair and yank my shirt over my head, turning to kick off my shoes.

  “Sweet baby Jesus!” Scottie yells right before I’m stumbling forward, trying to catch my balance with Poppy attached to my back.

  “Shit, baby, give me some warning.”

  “Put your shirt back on… please, please, please, do it now!” Her pleas are desperate.

  Earlier this afternoon pops in my head, and I drop my chin to hide my amusement.

  “This is not funny. Put your shirt back on,” she hisses.

  “Too late, wildcat, the evidence speaks for itself. Those are recent, too; you can’t hide that,” Scottie chides. “It’s always the quiet ones
.”

  “Oh my God, we have to leave.” Poppy bangs her forehead against my shoulder.

  I twist slightly, slanting an arm around her waist and shifting her to my front. She doesn’t put up a fight, and it’s easy to see why. Her chest, neck, and face are all flaming red.

  Miller whistles his approval, and Ashlyn snickers as I walk us into the pool.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, I’m not.”

  “Of course you’re not. You don’t get embarrassed. Plus, it’s kinda macho to have claw marks marring your back.”

  “Macho?” I quirk an eyebrow.

  “Macho. Cool. Brag-worthy. Men love that stuff.”

  “I don’t know how cool it is since it’s never happened before. But I love it because it’s a reminder of you clawing me while riding me so hard my brain rattled. It was fucking hot.”

  “Stop. It’s one thing to know we’re having sex, but they know we had sex before coming here.”

  I drop my head back and burst out laughing.

  “Why are you laughing again?”

  “Because, baby, you’ll learn. Miller got off work to come home, under the ruse of helping Ashlyn with tonight. They catered this shit. He came home to fuck his wife. Pierce arranged for his parents to bring Maya and Cole, going home to Darby early. Scottie and Billy are on vacation at the beach, alone. Do you get the picture now?”

  The flush wanes and she nods.

  “He’s right, you know.” Scottie appears over my shoulder, handing her a drink and offering me a beer. “It is hot.”

  “Shut up,” I grumble.

  He ignores me. “Plus, you’re newlyweds. With Darby and Ashlyn’s track record, I fully expect Stephanie to come home knocked up. Honeymoons with this crew start the baby watch.”

  “When I get to take my wife on a proper honeymoon, you can begin your watch.”

  “Can’t wait. Popsy will make beautiful little flower children.”

  “That I can agree with.” I wink at her.

  She relaxes, sipping the drink and choking back a cough. “What is this?”

  “Special concoction. Go easy.” He straightens and leaves.

  “Taste this.” She puts the rim to my lips, and the alcohol fills my mouth.

  “Hell, babe, be careful.”

  “I’ve never had drunk sex.”

  “Drunk sex with you will be out of this world, but let’s not risk alcohol poisoning.”