“Psst.”
I turned fast to find a set of dark brown pigtails attached to a very happy little face as Hilary stood in the doorway. “Can you come out and play?”
I snickered and bit my lip. “I think I can do that.”
She grinned from ear to ear. “Karri?”
“Yes?”
“You felt her too, didn’t you? You felt her come and hug me when we were sitting in the grass, didn’t you?”
I watched her closely, doing my best to judge the situation. “I felt something move through you, the energy was so warm and so loving that I think I know whose energy it was.”
“My mommy.”
I nodded.
“I was right, my mommy likes you a lot. She says you’re the one he’s been waiting for.” She pointed at her uncle who was still sleeping on the floor.
That made me laugh. “Hilary, that is ... umm, sweet to say but I think you may have misunderstood what she said. No one waits for me.”
“He did.”
“Okay, I’ll leave this alone if you promise not to start talking about it when he’s awake.”
She seemed to think hard about it, going as far as to touch her cheek and tip her head as she hummed. “I can promise that. But you should probably know that most adults don’t tell kids to keep a secret from someone they love.”
I groaned. “Listen, kiddo, I’ve got absolutely no parenting skills. We’re lucky I managed to parent myself let alone come away with any type of morals. If you’re looking for that, go find Amber. She tends to be the one who explains right and wrong to me too.”
Hilary giggled. “No one else would ever dream of talking to me like that. They think I’ll cry or something.”
“Are you planning on crying now?”
“No.”
“Good. I don’t think I could take anymore sadness today.”
She gave me a puzzled look. “Mommy’s right, you don’t ever see the effect you have on people, Karri-Lynn. She says even when storm clouds sit over your head, you shine light.”
That caught me off guard. “Oh, mommy sounds like she knows me well.”
“I think she does.”
I smiled. “I wish that were true, Hilary. I think I would have really liked her.”
“Can you play for a little bit?”
“Hilary, I need to say something else. Something else that you don’t need to tell everyone about. Okay?”
She nodded and came towards me fast. I put my arms out to her and she moved into my lap. “If something should happen, something different than you’re used to around me, and I tell you to run,” I took her hands in mine and held them tight, “put your hands up like this and think extra hard of mommy as you run to daddy or uncle Riston. Can you promise me that?”
“But I wouldn’t leave you alone with bad things, Karri.”
“This is non-negotiable, Hilary.”
She glanced back looking extremely confused. “Huh?”
“It means that I’m not budging on it. If you don’t agree and promise me to do it you are not allowed to come over without your uncle or daddy with you. Am I clear?”
Hilary whistled. “Whoa, you sounded just like a mommy there.”
“Give me a bit while I try to figure out if that’s a good or bad thing.”
“It’s a good thing.” A slow, sneaky smile spread over her face as she turned all the way around in my lap and cupped my face. “Listen close, it’s about those cousins. I want a girl one for sure and a boy won’t be too bad either. I don’t think so anyway but I want lots of them.”
For a second, I thought Riston had moved. I put my hands over Hilary’s and swallowed back the laugh I had. “I think you should talk to your uncle about that.”
“Why? You’re the one who has to get a big belly. What does it matter what he thinks of it?”
I choked on nothing and shook my head. “Oh no, don’t you dare get it in your pretty lil’ head that I’m going to be....”
“My aunt?” She smiled. “You will be.”
“Hilary.”
“Aunt Karri?”
I growled. “You are quite the little diva.”
“I bet they said the same thing about you when you were little,” she said, giggling.
“Well, I may have had the ability to drive a select few, one in particular, batty. So maybe.”
Hilary stilled and her face took on a serious look. “Aunt Karri, if something happened to my daddy you won’t let Uncle Riston give me away will you?”
“What?” I asked, the topic hitting closer to home than I liked.
She chewed on her lower lip and averted her gaze. “You wouldn’t let him leave me with strangers would you?”
“Why are you asking me this? Your daddy is fine.”
“Don’t let him, please. I don’t think daddy is going anywhere but it scared me. When I saw inside you, I saw you being given away when you were my age and it scared me bad.”
I fought to control my emotions. Every ounce of me wanted to whisk her up and hold her tight. I chose to hug her close to me instead. “How much did you see when you were in there, Hilary?”
“Enough to be scared.”
I stroked the top of her head and rocked her gently. “I promise you that I would never let someone be that heartless with you. I would take you myself before I let that happen, Hilary. And I don’t think your uncle would ever do that. I think he loves you with all his heart and would never hand you over to strangers. People who love you don’t do that.”
“But he....”
“Hilary!” The sound of Amber calling filtered up the staircase.
Hilary’s eyes widened. “Opps, I think Amber just figured out I wasn’t napping.”
I gave her a stern look and she giggled. “Okay, off with you. Go apologize to Amber.”
“I will.” She stood and looked me in the eyes. “Don’t go away. Don’t leave like you’re still thinking of doing. Stay with us. Please.”
I pointed towards the door. “March.”
“Yes, Aunt Karri.”
I growled playfully. “Don’t make me turn you into a pink elephant.”
Her eyes widened as she ran for the door, giggling all the way.
Riston groaned, reached out fast and caught me around my waist. Before I could blink, he had me on my back and his body over mine. My breath caught as I stared up at him.
Riston smiled. “This is even better than I hoped.”
I gave him a questioning look and he laughed. “I’m talking about waking up to find you under me.”
“You weren’t really sleeping, were you?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said, not bothering to move off me.
There was no way that I was going to let Riston get away with eavesdropping. Even though technically he didn’t. “I guess you heard your niece’s request for cousins. You should hurry up and get on that. I could drag you around and find you someone to have them with. I’ll do anything to get her off my case. She’s like a pit-bull.”
He laughed. “She’s stubborn. Kind of like someone else I know.”
“Really?” I asked, doing my best to not get aroused and failing.
“Mmmhmm.”
“You should get off me now, Amber’s afraid of me eating you alive one minute and wanting me to drop a ball and chain around your leg the next. The people here are crazier than me. I think something is in the water. To make a long, drawn out explanation short, get as far away from me as you can. I’m insane and will no doubt leave you, at best, alive but emotionally damaged.”
He chuckled. “Kars, I’m capable of making my own decisions and if I....”
I grabbed the back of Riston’s neck and pulled his head down towards me. I didn’t wait or give him any type of a warning. Instead, I pressed my lips to his and eased my tongue into his mouth. Not one to shy away from taking the lead, I found his warm tongue and began to trace tiny circles around it as I sucked gently.
Riston moaned and I took that as a go
od sign. Pressing onward, I tipped my head to the side and laughed softly as Riston began to kiss me back. We searched each other, tracing a path through the others mouth. As it went on, I found my breathing growing shallow and Riston’s mirroring mine.
His rigid cock pressed against me and I fought to keep from begging him to give it to me. It didn’t help that I seemed to need to have him in me to the point it was almost painful. My nipples ached to be touched by him, caressed with both his tongue and hands. Sensing I was the one who was about to lose myself, I drew back from the kiss and pressed on Riston’s chest.
Reluctantly, he pulled back but not before stealing one more, tiny kiss from me. He let out a small sigh and shook his head. “Karri, where in the hell did you learn to do that?”
“What? Kiss?”
“That was no kiss. That was ... it was ... a kiss.”
I snickered. “Yeah, I think I said that already.” I patted his back gently, savoring the feel of his muscles as I did. “So, you were starting to lecture me on how you were more than capable of making your own decisions. I missed the rest of it. What were you going to say?”
“That I might have been mistaken. Ignore everything I said. I can’t think for myself when it comes to you.” He bent down to kiss me again and I put my hand over his mouth.
“Hey, Romeo, up. I smell like I’ve been rolling in the mud. Oh, wait. I was rolling in the mud.” I let out a small laugh as he tried to talk into my hand. “What was that? You want me to shower so you can stand to even be in the same room as me? I understand. No need to be that way about it. I can take a hint.” I let go of his face and he nipped playfully at my hand.
“I think you smell wonderful.”
I snorted. “Something’s wrong with your sniffer. Now, up, big boy.”
“Big boy?” He arched a brow and smiled.
“Please, as if you don’t already know that you’re sporting one hell of an impressive cock. It’s been hard and digging into my leg for the last five minutes. I have to say that I’m a little concerned that it might rip me in two so don’t be coy and pretend you don’t already know that.”
“Kars?” Riston blinked several times. “Kars?”
“Echo, echo.” I winked. “Let me guess, you haven’t had a woman announce that before? I find that hard to believe. In fact, I find it hard to believe that you aren’t with someone. I’m guessing every woman who has taken a ride on Riston has wanted to make the vacationland permanent. Care to share how it is you manage to chase them off?”
“I found out that I had a very special ticket holder and closed entrance to the park some time ago,” he said, taking me by surprise by playing along.
“Hmm, I’ll have to ask Uncle Joe if I’ve got a golden ticket.” I batted my lashes and licked my lips before doing something I’d warned myself not to--I kissed him again.
He ground his hips, pressing his erection into me more. The layers of clothing between us suddenly seemed like they were miles thick. Riston must have felt the same way because he slid his hand up and under my tied red shirt and stopped just shy of touching my breasts.
“Say, yes,” he whispered, as he kissed his way down my neck.
I fought with all my inner might to be strong and say no. That wasn’t what fell out. “Yes.”
He slid his hand up and over my breast, closing his eyes, seeming to savor what he found. He sucked gently on my neck, nibbling just enough to make my entire body responsive. I lifted one leg slightly, sliding my foot up his jean-clad leg.
Sliding my hands down, I cupped his ass and pulled on it with each thrusting motion he made. I squeezed trying to find any indication that he wasn’t pure muscle. I got none. He moved his hand up more and as his fingers glided over my nipple, my breathing became even more erratic.
Riston kissed my neck causing tiny noises to escape me as I began to undo his zipper. He held his breath as though he were unsure if I really would keep going. As I began to actually pull his zipper down he exhaled. I slid my fingertips in, encountering a thatch of well-maintained hair and felt my pussy flood with cream in anticipation of what was to come.
“Karri! I’m in the house. If you two are doing anything freaky please tell me now. I do not want to walk in on anything,” Amber called out from the lower level.
Riston groaned and planted a kiss on my collarbone. “She has impeccable timing.”
“Saved by the Amber.” I winked as he rolled off me, adjusting himself and zipping quickly.
He got to his feet and extended his hand to me. I took it and laughed. Riston offered a fake frown. “You think this is funny, don’t you?”
“Yes, and I have the strongest urge to punch you in the face.” I grinned. “Something made me think of my mother today and a conversation we once had. It just seems like it would be fitting to just sock you one. Almost like you deserve it. I must be mad that you got me all worked up without a finish.”
Riston pulled me to him and gave me a tight squeeze. “I’ve missed you.”
“Huh?”
“Guys,” Amber called out, being sure to make a ton of noise as she stomped up the stairs. “Are you decent?”
“I’m dressed. Riston on the other hand is butt-ass naked and all I can say is damn. You should see the size of his penis. We need a picture of this. Quick, get the camera. I think we finally found the winner.”
He chuckled as he winked at me. “Can I get a rain check on that golden ticket admission?”
“Most certainly.”
Amber entered the room with her eyes covered. “Please tell me that she’s joking, Riston.”
“I’m dressed.”
“Whew.” She uncovered her eyes and looked a bit upset. “You didn’t do it, did you, Karri?”
“Didn’t do what?” I went to step away from Riston but he took hold of my hand, not letting me go anywhere.
“You didn’t seduce my friend,” she said, in an almost pout-like voice.
Much to my shock, Riston lifted our joined hands and planted a tiny kiss on mine. He stepped into me, leaned down and captured my lips with his. I was too stunned to do anything beyond give in, so that’s what I did.
He traced the inner edge of my lips with his tongue, paying special attention to my lower one before seeking my tongue out. I took a tiny step back, overwhelmed by the passion he’d put into it and he followed me. My free hand fell to my side as I stood there limp, completely caught up in his kiss.
Cupping my face with one hand, Riston began moving his head back and forth, sliding his tongue in and out of my mouth artfully, teasing mine in the process. I was powerless to him and from his stance, he knew it. He drew back and I was left standing there with my mouth partially open.
I touched my swollen lips and stared up at him in wonderment. “Amber?”
“Uhh, yeah?” she asked, sounding as floored as I was and I’d been the one to get the kiss.
“I think your friend is seducing me.”
“Is it working?”
I glanced at her, ran my fingers over my lips and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fairly positive it’s going well for him.”
Amber gasped. “Riston, you’re smiling.”
“He smiles a lot. Why is now different?” I glanced up to find him staring at me with a goofy look on his handsome face. “Okay, this one is different but he really does smile a lot.”
“Not around us. At least not for close to a year, Karri.” Amber shook her head. “Oh, your phone rang when I came in. I left it downstairs, sorry. I wouldn’t have interrupted but I know how you are about your phone. You’re all dramatic, life and death with it.”
“Thanks.”
“Karri, ignore it and go back to letting him seduce you.” She smiled wide. “I heard through the grapevine that somebody put in a request for lots of cousins.”
* * * *
I searched around the kitchen for my phone and found Amber holding it with a huge smile on her face. “Still leading the life of a spy I see?”
“A spy?”
Riston asked, eyeing me up.
Amber laughed. “Yeah, Karri, I’ve known you for years and you still won’t tell me the truth about what it is you do. I’ve done a lot of thinking about this over the years and I think I have it figured out.”
I bit my lower lip and snickered. “And, what did you come up with?”
“That you’re either some CIA agent, the highest-priced call girl ever or a member of an organized crime operation.” She winked. “That or an actress.”
Riston coughed and choked on air. “She’s a what? How the hell can you not know what she does, Amber? She’s your best friend.”
“And she’s insane. You should see her when she’s in the thick of the part she’s playing. In normal, everyday Karri land she’s eccentric enough. Add in her creepy business acquaintances and you try to figure it out. She can go from dumbass blonde to I’ll-eat-you-and-your-little-dog-too in about a second. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Karri’s degree is in physics.”
“Physics?” he asked, looking more than surprised.
I smiled. “Shock of all shocks, I have a brain. Though, I have to take the time to throw props to someone from my childhood. He was a science geek, in the cutest way possible.”
Amber snickered. “You would grow up with sexy, smart men around you.”
“Yeah, lucky me.” I wagged my brows.
Amber sighed. “You think it was just another day at the office. Those movers of yours are hot as hell. The one with a beard is funny.” She pushed Riston slightly. “Ask her something. She’s really friggin’ smart.”
“I’ve got nothing,” Riston said, giving me a soft smile and a slight nod.
Amber gave him another push. “What do you mean you have nothing? You teach physics at the University during the school year when your normal job doesn’t keep you busy enough to satisfy your need to always be doing something.”
I glanced at him. “Physics? This is all a little too coincidental for my taste.”
“What is?” Amber asked.
“If you tell me that he got put on academic probation for building a weapon that generates varying pulses too then I’m going to think you’re making this all up. And for the record, I had no intention of wiping the campus grade computers out. It just sort of happened.”
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