Lawful: Gia ~ Hunter ~ Julian ~ Jarrod

by Lexi Buchanan

  “I’m an asshole, Parker.” I softly kiss her lips, inhaling her scent into my lungs, which does nothing to help my cock get under control as it jerks, swelling to rock hard proportions. “Ignore that.”

  She giggles. “It’s too, um, hard to ignore that.”

  I laugh. “When we’re back at Jarrod’s are you okay with sharing my room?” I offer, wanting her to know that I want her close. I always have.

  “Yes.” Her lips move in a whisper of a kiss across mine as I clench my hands on her bottom. “I can’t wait for us both to be completely naked together. I want to feel your chest against my bared breasts. I want—”

  My mouth cuts her off as I reclaim her lips in an earth-shattering kiss. I pull away panting hard. “You and that mouth.” I shake my head and grin. “We need to get cleaned up, and a bag for you packed.”

  I slowly lift her free, gritting my teeth in the process because she feels damn good, clenching around me, trying to keep me inside of her.

  Once she’s free, I make sure she’s steady on her feet before I let her go to yank my shorts and jeans up. Her hand on mine stops me.

  “In a minute.” She drops to her knees and my eyes roll as she sucks me hard into the heat of her mouth. Her hand grabs my balls and my legs tremble. “I wanted to feel you in my mouth,” Parker admits, kissing the tip before she climbs to her feet. “You feel delicious.” She kisses me quickly on the mouth.

  Chuckling, she bends and quickly puts her panties and shorts back on while I stand watching her like a panting, adolescent idiot.

  24

  Parker

  I smile to myself as Julian watches me with his desire painted clearly across his face. I’m so tempted to drop back to my knees and finish him off, except I want him desperate to get back inside of my pants even though something tells me no matter how many times he comes, that he’ll want me just as much the next time.

  My smile is so bright that it lights up my face as I move closer and take things into my own hands—literally. I press his throbbing shaft against his stomach, while I tug his shorts and jeans back into place. “You better do the zipper.” I smirk and with a kiss on his nose, turn. “I’ll quickly pack a bag while you, um…” I wave toward his hips.

  He laughs, a slight blush coating his cheekbones. “I’ll come up with you.”

  “You sure you want to watch me pack panties and bras?”

  He growls and moves to crowd me. “As long as I get a show when we’re alone, then pack away.” He kisses me quickly and taking my hands tugs me upstairs. “Which one is yours?”

  Leading him into my room, the butterflies in my stomach take flight…and of course the first thing his eyes zoom in on is the photograph from Hunter and Gia’s wedding. The photograph has the bride and groom on center stage with Julian and myself to the right, and Jarrod and Ivy on the left. It’s the only photograph I have of Julian so it’s something I’ve cherished.

  His fingers reach out and trace the top of the frame before his gaze finds mine. “We’ll take this with us.” He picks it up and looks around for something, “Your bag?”

  “The one from the other day is there. I’ll use that.” I lean over, reaching for the handle.

  He shakes his head. “No.”

  I frown.

  Julian moves closer and after placing the photograph on the bed, takes hold of my hands. “Carrie placed a bug inside your bag.”

  “What?” I gasp, holding tightly to Julian.

  “They told her to do what they said or she’d never see her sister again.” Julian closes his eyes and clenches his jaw before his beautiful green eyes meet mine again. “I’m trying to understand her, but she’s possibly endangered you, I’m too pissed to even think clearly.”

  I don’t even think and wrap my arms around his neck, sighing when I feel his wrap around my waist as he holds me tightly. “I’m surprised because I thought she was being honest with us, but I can’t blame her. It’s her sister, and thinking about it, I’d do anything if it was you that they threatened.”

  I feel his whole body still at my confession, but I refuse to back track when what I’d said is the truth.

  Julian has been in my heart since we first met and my feelings for him have only grown stronger as time has passed. I love him. He isn’t ready to hear that confession yet, but he’ll be hearing it before too long.

  He cups my head and moves slightly away so that he can see my eyes. “I’d do anything to keep you safe, Parker. I need you to know that what you feel isn’t just one sided.” He offers a gentle smile before clearing his throat. “We really need to leave. We’ve been here too long.”

  Unable to trust my voice, I nod and quickly get my act together by yanking out clean underwear and clothes to last a few days. I hardly wear cosmetics so I leave those behind and just grab some moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and a hairbrush. Running around, I dash into the bathroom for my toothbrush and tossing it into the bag, I face the amusement on Julian’s face. “I’m ready.”

  He grunts as his lips twitch. “I can see that.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’m packed in less than five minutes. That’s a record for a woman.” I grin, smacking him on the ass.

  “Unless you want me to reciprocate, we better get going.”

  I wiggle my brows. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

  Growling, he grabs my bags, and then my hand. “Out. Now!”

  Chuckling, I let him lead me out and to the monster he calls a truck, and before I can even attempt to climb inside, his hands grip my hips. “I’ll boost you up,” he whispers into my ear, sending shivers of arousal down my spine.

  His hands linger on my thighs once I’m seated, and after a kiss to my knee, he backs away and slams the door. I watch him run around the truck with my heart beating out of my chest.

  I might ask him to pinch me later because I seriously thought he’d never take what his eyes told me he wanted. He was an honorable man who had captured my heart and I knew it would always be him. Now, I was excited to be with him, as well as worried that something would happen to screw it up. I’m sure as hell not going to let him walk away. No way. No how.

  “What are you plotting over there?” He raises a brow, amusement in his eyes.

  “I’m not plotting anything.” I smirk.

  He chuckles. “I know better, honey.”

  Honey?

  My insides go gooey hearing the affectionate word from his mouth. It gives me the courage to admit, “I was telling myself that you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

  He throws me a worried frown before he concentrates on the road ahead. “You know I’m still in the Navy, right?”

  I nod.

  “I have to report back soon. I don’t want to go but I don’t have much of a choice at the moment.” His hands tighten around the steering wheel. “All I know is that I’m sick of fighting whatever is happening between us, so,” he sighs but I detect a nervous tick on his handsome face before he continues, “we’ll need to talk before I head back.”

  I’m a little disappointed because I’d hoped he’d be telling me that I was going with him. Although, us being together is brand new, we’ve been dancing around each other, or rather he’s been running, for over a year now. If I’m honest, I’m ready to be tied to the man for life. Why the hell do men have to be so damn complicated?

  Reaching for my hand, he squeezes it as my emotions seem to get the better of me. I raise his hand to my lips and kiss his palm before I lay it flat on my thigh. My own hand covers his as few silent tears roll down my cheeks.

  We drive in silence for a few minutes before he curses and pulls the truck over to the side of the road. He sits back in the seat and rubs the back of his neck with his hand.

  When he seems settled, he turns to me. “I wasn’t telling you this,” he waves his hand between us, “was over before it even gets started…dammit, Parker!” He grabs my face between his large hands, seconds before his lips cover mine. His tongue pushes for
access and then my thoughts get scattered as his taste inflames me…he then pulls away, his breathing harsh while he cups my face. “I’m not going to be in the marines for much longer.” He smiles. “You need to consider yourself mine because I’ve claimed you, Parker.”

  He pulls the truck back into traffic and minutes later we’re pulling up the drive of Jarrod’s home, while I take in what he said.

  I open my door and find Julian there with a smirk on his face.

  “You okay with what I’ve just said?” He leans against the door of the truck, looking casual and confident, but his eyes betray him.

  He’s nervous about my answer and isn’t as sure of me as he’d like to be so stepping into his space, I press the palm of my hand against his chest and hover over his lips with mine. “As long as I’m included in your long term plans then I’m happy.”

  I brush my lips against his, which he soon controls. A hand holds the back of my head while he inhales me. His mouth is strong and insistent and when I wrap my arms around his shoulders, I slide my fingers through the short strands of hair at the nape of his neck.

  It feels like a band of steel is holding me when his arm snakes around my back. I feel every inch of him as the kiss makes me forget everything, I can only focus on the heat and passion…

  “I can see you’ve made up then?” Gia’s amused words finally breach the sexual fog that Julian has me in.

  Breathing heavily, I slowly pull away from Julian, who doesn’t let me go far, and offer my best friend a ‘cat who got the cream’ smile. “We’ve certainly made up,” I comment, ignoring the blush that I can feel rising up from my neck.

  Julian laughs and leaning forward, kisses the top of my head before he grabs my bag from the truck and heads for the front door.

  Gia chuckles. “I think you’ve both more than made up, huh?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell,” I mumble over my shoulder, following Julian inside.

  “You will later when Julian isn’t in hearing distance.” Gia snickers.

  “I wouldn’t bank on that,” I counter and smirk when Julian stops and waits for me to catch up.

  He curls an arm around my neck, tugging me closer as he whispers, “I’ll put your stuff in our room, and then I’m going to talk to Hunter and Jarrod.” He kisses the top of my head. “Behave yourself with Gia, and make sure you watch what you say in front of Carrie.”

  I hold his gaze. “Don’t worry,” I say nodding. Reaching up, I kiss his waiting lips while I snake a hand up his chest.

  Julian growls before resting his forehead against mine. “Don’t leave the house.”

  With a quick kiss to my lips, I watch the sexy man head upstairs with my bag.

  “It’s about damn time.” Gia grins when I face her. “I thought he was going to let the best thing to happen to him walk away.” Pulling me into her father’s office, she adds, “Now all we have to do is work out a way to get Ivy here, and my father thinking that she’s in danger.”

  I watch her closely and frown. “Come again? What am I missing?”

  Gia rolls her eyes and drops into her father’s chair. “It’s been brought to my attention that our best friend has a big thing for my father.” I notice Gia wince as the words leave her mouth.

  “I hate to tell you this but I’ve known that for a long time.”

  Gia narrows her eyes. “You’ve known and you never said anything?”

  “Seriously, Gia?” I drop into the chair opposite. “You seriously expected me to tell you that she has it bad for your father? Don’t you find it weird?”

  “Before I met Hunter then I guess I would have done. I’m still not really there with it all, but having seen how tense my father gets when someone mentions her dating, I can’t ignore the fact that he’s lonely and I think returns Ivy’s feelings.” She sighs. “He’s my father and if our best friend is what he wants and the feeling it mutual on Ivy’s part then I say let’s bring them together.”

  I stare at Gia wondering where she’s coming from. “You sure that’s what you want?”

  “He’s lonely and sad, Parker. I want him happy. He’s been alone for as long as I can remember, and I want him to have someone who loves him. I’ve been thinking and I really believe that Ivy loves him. Why else would she stay away?”

  I clear my throat. “She might be staying away because your father shouted at her to do so,” I add to the conversation.

  “What?” Gia frowns, her stare holding me in place.

  “Exactly what I said. She left in tears and hasn’t been here since.”

  “My dad can be…difficult.”

  I let out an undignified snort. “Oh really? I never would have guessed.”

  “Dammit Parker.” Gia jumps from her seat. “While the men are plotting on how to bring the asshole out into the open, we are going to plot how best to get Ivy back here.” Gia grins and I know only trouble is going to stem from this, but perhaps that’s what her straight-laced father needs.

  25

  Julian

  In the kitchen Hunter rapidly talks on his phone while Jarrod is focused on his laptop, most likely searching the Internet for something. Carrie silently watches me approach from across the table, her eyes lighting with pleasure. I hope I’m damn wrong about that.

  The only woman I’m interested in has disappeared into Jarrod’s office with Gia. Those two together are trouble and I’m sure Gia is trying to get more details out of Parker about the two of us. I’d much rather her be in our room doing things other than talking, except that isn’t going to be happening for awhile by the sound of Hunter’s call.

  I watch him closely and when our eyes meet, I realize he has a lead. It also means that we’re going to be leaving the girls at the house, which doesn’t sit well with me.

  As Hunter hangs up the call, he lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I sure as fuck don’t like it.” His eyes flitter to Carrie before he holds my gaze, silently telling me to get rid of her so that we can talk freely. How the hell I’m supposed to do that without upsetting Parker is anyone’s guess.

  I run a hand through my hair and meet Carrie’s gaze, the one that hasn’t moved since I walked into the room, and look to Jarrod who has an amused smirk on his face.

  “Give me a minute.” I turn and hightail it out of the kitchen, heading straight for Parker.

  Knocking, I push my way inside the office and search out Parker who is sitting with her legs curled under her on the sofa with Gia on the opposite end. Her face lights up when she sees me.

  “I need to talk with Hunter and Jarrod,” I waste no time. “Which means we need Carrie to be elsewhere while we do, and I don’t trust her to be left alone, or in here. Any chance you both could take her into the living room and shove a movie on or something? Keep her occupied.”

  The girls glance at each other and Parker moves toward me. “We can do that.” She lays her palm against the scruff on my face. “Do not leave this house without telling me.” She moves closer as I place my hands on her hips, holding her close. “I mean it, Julian,” she whispers.

  “I’ll tell you when we’re going out,” I promise and jump when she smacks me on the ass. I raise a brow in surprise.

  She giggles. “Be careful. I want more of that.” Smirking she leaves the room and my gaze collides with Gia’s.

  I feel a blush start to work its way up my neck as I grin and whistle on my way back to the kitchen.

  Hunter gives me a bemused look while Jarrod just stares. Carrie tips her head to one side.

  Laughing, I tell Carrie, “The girls are putting a movie on in the living room.”

  “I’d rather stay in here,” she says.

  Clenching my jaw, I try and relax. “It wasn’t optional. We need to talk without you being present,” I add, having enough of pussyfooting around. “I’ll take you in there.”

  She opens and closes her mouth before she slowly rises. “I’m surprised you’d want me anywhere near your girls.” Very slowly she
saunters out of the room while my fists clench at my sides.

  Jarrod stands. “I’ll go and sit in there with them. Message me if you need to know something… You,” he looks at Hunter, “if you need to go out for any reason please make sure you see Gia before you do.”

  “She’ll kill me otherwise, so no worries,” Hunter agrees and when it’s only the two of us, he drops into a chair, his head in his hands.

  I sit facing and wait him out.

  “You and Parker, finally, huh?” he comments.

  I narrow my gaze. “Do I have it written on my forehead?”

  He grins. “My wife sent me a text.”

  “Figures,” I laugh. “Want to tell me what I’ve missed?”

  Sighing, Hunter sits back in the chair. “Colin has someone on the inside, or rather the feds do. He’s received word that something big is going down two nights from now at a concert here in town. Quite frankly it’s going to be a nightmare trying to work out where and how.”

  “They’re either using the concert as cover, or they’re planning on replenishing their stock…the sick fucks.”

  “Yeah, and you’re not going to like what else I have to say, and neither is Jarrod when I tell him.” Hunter looks pained, as he finally continues, “Gia, Parker, and Ivy, have tickets to the same concert.”

  “Fuck, no way!” I shoot to my feet, turning to head toward the living room to give Parker a piece of my mind, but Hunter’s next words stop me.

  “There is no way they’ll be going so calm the fuck down and let’s think.”

  My chest feels damn tight at the thought of Parker being in danger, and when I face Hunter, I see the same worry reflected back at me, for his wife.

  “Now I’ve finally come to terms with our age difference and gone after what I’ve wanted for over twelve months, I’m not going to do anything to loose her—even if she doesn’t like my actions.”

  “My wife is involved in this as well and she knows me well enough to know that I’ll do whatever I can to keep her safe, so as soon as she knows what I do, we won’t have a problem keeping them home. I promise… So can we please focus here?”