by Toni Aleo
“Because you were breathtaking.”
“Well, losing a hundred—”
“Always been breathtaking.” I press my lips together. He moves his finger down my nose, and my breath catches as his eyes meet mine. “I was young, I hated this town, and I didn’t know how to act on it.”
“But now you do?”
He winks slowly, sending the butterflies in my belly into a frenzy. “You’re in bed with me, aren’t you?”
I set him with a rueful look. “I’m pretty sure I got me here.”
He scrunches up his face. “What? I kissed you.”
“But I seduced you.”
He laughs out. “What? No way!”
“I did. Why else would you want to kiss me if I didn’t lure you with my eyes?”
Now we both laugh, our bodies curling around each other. We knock over the bowl of strawberries, but I doubt either of us cares. His hand comes out, cupping my face, and he runs his thumb along my chin. “You do have some sexy eyes.”
My face breaks into a grin as he kisses the side of my mouth. When he pulls back, I find myself asking, “How are you, by the way?”
“Pretty damn good, if I say so myself.” He takes ahold of my boob, and I smack him.
“No, perv. I mean with your dad and all. With your mom and Ambrosia, I know they’re hurting. But with you guys, it’s hard to tell.”
His smile fades, and he nods thoughtfully. “Each day’s tough, and I miss him a lot.”
“I’m sure.”
“But I like how the patients always speak so highly of him. Anyone who knew him can’t help but tell me how great he was. I think he knew that and wanted me to heal here.”
Oh, I couldn’t agree more. Old Man McElroy knew that Reed would need his home, his family, and friends. The loss of someone like him takes a town to help mourn. “So, everyone has been kind?”
He shrugs. “I get the stupid fucks, like at the town hall meeting. Mr. Washington said I was back for the money.”
That angers me. “Simpleminded ass. The good people know why you’re here. For him.”
His lips quirk at the side. “Exactly, but that reminds me. Have you given any more thought to the mayor thing?”
I look away, a bit shy on the matter. “I’m not going to do it.”
“Why?” he asks, his face turning serious. “You’d be great.”
“I like my life, though. I work everywhere, I love the people, and if I did it, I’d be working only for the townspeople and not all my bosses. I don’t know.”
He takes ahold of my bottom lip. “You’d be the boss, Delaney. You’d be perfect.” I bite into his thumb, and he smiles, letting it go. “This town would be lucky to have you as mayor.”
I don’t disagree with him. I could do a lot for this town, yet something is holding me back. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is. Though it doesn’t matter. Only right now matters. I shove his hand away before pushing him onto his back and straddling his sexy waist with my thick thighs. His eyes widen a bit as he drinks me in. “Well, you’re about to find that you’re mighty lucky to have me in your bed.”
He moves his hands up my legs, my waist, before cupping my breasts. His eyes are hungry, sexy, as he says, “I already know how lucky I am. But please, show me.”
I lean on his chest, and he holds my weight like it’s nothing. He doesn’t grimace or try to move me—no, he just looks up at me with this awed look in his eyes. Our mouths meet in a heated frenzy as my toes tuck in between his thighs. His cock is hard, thick against my center as we kiss, our hands exploring each other’s bodies. He feels amazing under my palms, and he tastes just as divine. He parts his lips from mine, kissing my bottom lip, my jaw, my neck before sucking my nipple into his hungry mouth. His fingers bite into my skin as he flicks his tongue against my taut nipple. When he goes for my other one, I start to grind into him, needing the release his body is promising me.
He bites around the mound of breast, not hard but enough he has me hissing out a breath as I move against him. His cock is throbbing against my center, hitting my clit just right as I rub myself against him. I drop my head back, my eyes squeezing shut as he trails kisses between my breasts, licking and nibbling at me. When he takes me by the back of my knees, I open my eyes and look down at him. He’s got this grin on his face, and without any warning, he lifts me, pulling me up until my pussy lands right on his mouth. I cry out, my hands reaching out to hold on to the headboard as my knees settle on either side of his head.
He palms my ass as he gently licks me. His tongue curls around my clit, slowly and utterly unfairly. He licks at me like he has all the time in the world and I’m all he wants to taste. My nails dig into the headboard, his name leaving my lips as I ride his face. He draws my clit into his mouth, a sucking noise filling the room and mingling with my cries. I rock against his face. The coarse hair on his jaw tickles my thighs, and I’m sure I’ll have a bit of beard burn. But in some weird way, I crave it.
It’s a sign Reed was there.
I feel my orgasm building, everything going tight, but then he’s moving. He lifts me up, holding my ass in his hands as he sits up. I hold on to the headboard as he devours me. At this angle, his tongue is curved against my clit, and soon I’m shaking everywhere. His fingers move inside me, fucking me slowly as he eats at me. When I come, it takes ahold of my whole body. I feel it in my tits, my toes and, most importantly, between my legs.
“Oh fuck, Reed.”
“That’s right,” he mutters against my pussy. “Come for me. Hard. Fuck, you taste so damn good.”
He presses the pad of his tongue against my pulsating clit, and I cry out even louder. He laps at my orgasm, and I think I come again. My body trembles and jerks as he lowers me to the bed. He covers my body, kissing my thighs, my stomach before licking from nipple to nipple. When he pushes into me, I arch up, meeting his thrust as he rakes his teeth along my chest. God, he feels so good. So hot, perfect. When Reed pushes my legs back and goes deeper, my toes curl against the sheets. Our lips meet, his thrusts soft and drawn-out. His control is mind-blowing. I just want him to go crazy, fucking me stupid, but he doesn’t do that. He’s tender, each thrust firm but tantalizing too. I squeeze his cock with my body, and when I’m met with his groan, I grin in response.
“Fuck, I want you in my mouth again.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t complain.”
He chuckles against my neck. “Aren’t you supposed to be showing me how lucky I am?”
I move my head to face him, our lips coming so close to each other. “You are absolutely right. Want to come in my mouth?”
He blinks, and his head tilts to the side. Almost like how Wilbur does when you ask him if he wants a treat. Guess I’m Reed’s treat. “Really?”
“Yup.”
His eyes go dark. “Mmm, I think I’d love that.”
Our gazes burn as we get lost in each other. “Just yank the condom off before you come.”
He pauses, and then I pause. My eyes shoot to his face, and I smack his shoulders as he rises up off me. “Condom!”
“Shit!”
But we don’t move. “You’re good?” I ask, and he nods. “Clean?”
“I am. Are you on birth control?”
“I am, and I’m pretty sure it’s not ovulation time, but you never know. You know what, I don’t think this is going to happen again. It freaks me out.”
He nods quickly. “Me too.”
Still, we don’t move. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I want kids—”
“You’d be a wonderful mom.”
“I would,” I say with a nod. “But not now.”
“No, not now. Not with me. I’m leaving.”
“Exactly,” I say, pointing to him. “And this is the third time we’ve had sex.”
“True. Wait, why are we talking about this?”
“I don’t know. You started it!”
“I did not,” he argues before he thrusts into me hard. “You brought it up.�
�
He pulls out and slams into me once more. His hips dig into my thighs, and I can’t think of a better feeling. “Whatever. Point is, neither of us has time for babies.”
He nips at my lips, his eyes so fucking dark, I want to cry in excitement. I’ve always wanted to be looked at like this. So much desire, so much need, and I don’t think anyone has ever directed those emotions at me so meaningfully. “But enough time for sex?”
“Oh, I have plenty of time for that.”
He tugs at my bottom lip. “My thoughts exactly.”
Reed’s shoulders flex under my fingers as he drives into me, our bodies slapping together in the most beautiful way. Usually, I’d get self-conscious of all my skin jiggling and moving with each of his thrusts. He isn’t going easy—oh no, he is going deliciously hard. His eyes move along my body, his lips draw the softest kisses from me, and all I can do is feel absolutely perfect.
When he pulls out of me, he lifts me up by the back of my neck and directs his cock to my mouth. I suck him hard, and his release floods the back of my throat. His groans fill the room and the emptiness in my soul. I look up at his beautiful, thick body as his head falls back and his mouth parts, a sexy, manly sound coming from his lips. But I can only hear the words of Mrs. Pearl Abbot.
Yup, you’re screwed, sweetheart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reed
“Dr. Reed, Mrs. Capernackle is here to see you.”
Oh. Oh no.
Fear shakes me to the core as I look back at our receptionist, Jamie. “Oh? Is her…duck okay?”
“I think so? She doesn’t have Gary with her.”
I almost drop to my knees to thank the good Lord above. Delaney isn’t here today. She’s off, which means I would have had to figure out how to take care of Gary without being within ten feet of him. Hard feat and not one I’m ready to deal with on this sunny summer day. Clearing my throat, I send her a grin. “Coming.”
I turn off my iPad where I am writing notes and head to the front behind Jamie. She walks with a little more wiggle to her hips than needed, but then, everyone in this office has a “crush” on me. Delaney thinks it’s hilarious, but I don’t care. I very quickly developed an eye for only her. It’s new, and I’m trying to ignore it, but neither Jamie, nor anyone else in this town, can hold a candle to Delaney.
“You and Delaney still a thing?”
A thing. Hmm. That’s better than what my mom said this morning. Well, honey, if you’re going to eat from her honey hole, you better make sure she knows she’s the only honey hole you’re eating from. I shiver with disgust. Yes, everything about Delaney is sweet and thick like honey, but hearing it from my mother is downright wrong. Plus, Delaney knows where we stand.
Naked and together.
It’s nice.
“We are.”
“Everyone says y’all two are just screwing.”
I shrug. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“It is for her.”
“How so?”
“Makes her look easy,” she says, but then she holds up her hands quickly. “I don’t think that, though. Delaney is wonderful.”
“She is, and I don’t see that what she does behind closed doors is anyone’s business but hers.”
She laughs at that. “Everyone knows everyone’s business, Dr. Reed, and this town is very judgy.”
I know, though I don’t need to say it. I go toward the doors that led to the exam room, and she goes into the office. When I push open the door, I see Mrs. Capernackle slowly getting up with her arms full, holding a basket. I rush to her, helping her, my hands guiding her up as she grins at me. She has to be close to ninety, but her eyes are those of a spring chicken. She’s wrinkly, but all her wrinkles are happy ones. She’s lived a nice, solid life. How that’s possible with a duck, I’ll never know, but I do care for this sweet woman.
The duck, though, he could burn, and I’d eat him. Okay, that’s a lie. I couldn’t. I’d probably still run even if he were roasted.
“Dr. Reed.” Her smile grows. “I made this for you.”
My face breaks into a grin as I take the basket. Inside is a multicolored crocheted blanket, loads of cookies, and I think maybe an orange cake that I will be digging into as soon as I get it to my office.
“I just want you to know I really appreciate you saving my Gary.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Delaney.”
“Oh, I just adore her. Isn’t she the best? Such a sweetheart.”
My face hurts from smiling. “I think so.”
She sends me a knowing grin. “I did what you said. I got all the marbles out of the yard.”
I nod. “Did Bryce help?”
“He did,” she says with a nod. “Thank you for sending him over. I had hoped you’d come over too. I made dinner and all, but I know you’re so busy.”
“I am,” I say, my hand pressing to her back. “But thank you so much. I love cookies and cake.”
She beams. “Take out the blanket.”
I set the basket on the chair and then pull out the blanket. When I open it, holding it out in front of me, first I’m impressed by the length. She made it as long as I am tall. But then I see she put a design in it. My heart actually stops. I think I’m dead.
“It’s Gary! So if you do leave, you’ll never forget us.”
Bless this sweet woman’s soul.
I swallow hard as I give her the best smile I can. I feel my skin crawling, and I’m already trying to figure out how to regift this to Delaney. Isn’t it customary to give one’s sleeping buddy a gift after three weeks? She thinks ducks are sexy, right? I think I might puke. “Oh… Oh, wow.”
“Isn’t it lovely? I’ve been working on it for the last three weeks. I wanted it to be perfect for you.”
Wow, how sweet. My lips turn up in a real grin. “It is, thank you.”
She reaches out, squeezing my wrist. “Your daddy was so kind, and I know you got yourself a bad rap, but you, too, are very kind. Everyone has been saying it the last few times I’ve been here. You’re doing a wonderful job with these animals.” She then reaches up as far as she can, her fingertips touching my chin. “Now, smile more, and they’ll see ya.”
“Will do, Mrs. Capernackle.”
I put the blanket down, trying not to throw it, and then wrap her in a tight hug.
“Now, when you need another orange cake, you let me know.”
“I sure will,” I say as she pulls back. Before I can stop her, she’s repacking the basket for me. When she hands it to me, I smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Have a great day.”
“You too. Do you need help to the car?”
She waves me off as she very slowly walks toward the door. “I’m just fine. See ya, Dr. Reed.”
I hold the basket as I watch her. “See you.”
When she’s out the door, I look down at the basket with a quirk of my lips.
“Hey, Dr. Reed!”
I glance over to see the Miller family. On one of the kid’s laps is their little golden retriever pup. I smile. “Hey, guys. Everything okay with Olly?”
“Yup.” The little girl smiles. “He needs shots. No bee sting this time!”
Thank God. I thought I was going to lose the pup that day. I’d never seen such a crappy reaction to a bee sting. Olly’s whole face was swollen.
“Well, let’s get him going.”
They all beam as we head back to my exam room.
To my surprise, I’m beaming just as wide.
“I’m not keeping it.” I glare over at Delaney.
She sputters with laughter. “She made it for you.”
I shake my head. “I wish she’d made me another orange cake. I already ate the one she gave me.”
“And yet, you don’t gain an ounce. Bullshit.”
I flash her a playful grin as she rolls her eyes and leans back in the pew. She looks adorable tonight. Her hair is half up, while the part that is down is c
urly and free. She isn’t wearing much makeup, except for some gloss that is teasing me. She has on a blue tank with a pair of denim overalls, looking more like a farmer than a cute little florist, which is the role she was playing today. Her thighs kiss each other as she kicks her legs beneath her, and I’m desperate to touch her. Jesus, she’s hot.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“You?”
I nod, my lips curving. “I like the sound of that.”
She winks at me, sending my heart into a frenzy as Sister Engelmann stops beside us. She looks at Delaney and then at me. “I hope you two can behave.”
I look away to hide my grin, but Delaney does no such thing. “Behave? What does that mean?”
“I know what you two are doing.”
“What? Sitting next to each other?”
“You know exactly what I’m saying, Delaney.”
She rolls her eyes. “You act like we’re gonna do it in the pew.”
I sputter with laughter.
“Jeez, Sister. We’re adults.”
“You were raised better.”
Delaney raises her brows. “How so? My mawmaw has never settled down after she lost Gramps, my sister is on a television dating show right now, and we all know Holden doesn’t keep it in his pants.”
“Maybe so, Delaney Kate, but you two? Just doing it? No commitment? At least Pearl does it in the house. You’re walking around flaunting it.”
Sister looks to me, and I can’t help but laugh.
“We are not. Y’all just run your mouths.”
“You’re at his house every night.”
“And you wouldn’t know that unless Mrs. Shirley told you.”
Sister’s feathers are ruffled for sure. “Still, you call yourself a Christian woman.”
Whoa, low blow. I press my lips together and look up at Sister Engelmann. I go to tell her to go fuck herself, but then a voice comes from behind me. “Move it or lose it, Sister. These two are just fine.”
We all look back as Mawmaw comes up beside us. “Don’t act all holier than thou when we all know you slept with William before you two were married.”
Sister Engelmann actually cries out in horror. It’s rather funny. “Pearl! I told you that in secret.”