Love's Hot

by Karen Deen

  “Look, Daddy, Aunty Lilly is here. Can we eat now? I’m starving, and Meme won’t let me eat anything.” Samuel looks up to Zach almost pleading like he was going to starve to death.

  “So, I see. You will have to ask Meme that question. She’s the boss today. Go and tell her Aunt Lilly is here and see what she says.” Samuel is already halfway across the yard before Zach is finished talking, with Sophia not far behind him. That kid is hilarious.

  Thomas spots Lilly and starts wriggling on my shoulders to go to her. We all exchange hellos and then I kneel in front of her so she can take Thomas for a cuddle. The smirk on her face looking at me on my knees for her and my face level somewhere I think we would both enjoy it being. My wicked little Red has other things on her mind. While I’m here worrying how I’m going to end this arrangement, the first five minutes of being with her already have my heart fluttering and my dick on fire with her seductive looks. Man, this whole thing sucks.

  In what feels like less than thirty seconds, Sammy is back telling everyone it’s time for lunch and to make it snappy. Luke starts chasing him across the yard to an outburst of giggling. The two of them seem to have a special bond, which I see when they’re already at the table with their plates loaded by the time we enter the house.

  “You’ll never beat those two to the food,” Meme says as she comes up behind me. “It’s become a bit of a tradition for Sammy that he has to be the first to the table. He and Luke race every time. Of course Luke lets him win, but I also think he uses it to his advantage to get first go at the food table.” Her laugh is warm and deep. One that reminds me of my own mom. It’s a laugh that’s full of love and kindness but also with years of experience behind it. “You better get in quick, this crew won’t leave much and they never worry about the visitors. I did raise them with manners.” Placing her hand on my arm, she softly pats it like she’s known me forever.

  I feel a tingle up my other arm as the touch I know so well has me turning to see Lilly standing next to me.

  “Don’t listen to her, Kane. There will be plenty of food, plus she’s telling lies. She never taught us any manners, we were very naughty children. She let us run wild. I mean, look at the way Grant acts now, it just shows what hooligans we are.”

  Meme just rolls her eyes at her and heads off towards Mitch who is quietly standing back and surveying his family with pride. Everyone around the table is laughing out loud at Lilly’s comments about her mom. I highly doubt that’s the case, but it sounded good. Placing food on my plate, I hang back not really knowing where I should sit. My body wants to be as close to Lilly as I can, but my head is telling me that is not such a good idea. I’ll just give away the connection between us. Xavier saves me by pulling out a chair next to him and signals for me to take it. Nat sits on the other side from me looking a little stressed. I was expecting Jordan to be sitting near us, but he ends up on the other side of the table opposite where Nat is sitting. I hear her groan under her breath.

  “You okay, Nat?” I whisper in her ear. Nat and I are close. She’s like another sister to me. Being Xavier’s twin, it’s like she comes as part of the friendship package.

  “Yeah, just not sure how much longer I can do this.” Shit, hang on, what have I missed? Her eyes are looking down at her plate but when I look up, I notice Jordan looking like he wants to eat her for lunch. Holy shit, I wonder if Xavier knows what’s going on here. Shit, Jordan’s married.

  “Can I help? Do you need me to tell him to back off?”

  Her face whips up quickly to look at me. “What? No. I mean, what are you talking about?” Her face is flushed.

  “Knock it off, Nat. Your brother may be blind but I’m not.”

  “Shh. Keep it down. I’m okay. That’s all you need to know.”

  “Okay, okay,” I say holding my hands up like I’m surrendering. “Discussion for another time, hey.”

  “Yeah, like the one about you and Lilly.”

  Now it’s my turn to choke on my beer. “What?”

  “Just like you said. I’m not blind either.”

  “Fuck,” I mumble under my breath to myself.

  “Oh, I bet you have been.” She giggles a little and at least it has her smiling slightly. “At least more than me.”

  We both start laughing, and I put my arm around her shoulders and give her a hug. Looks like we have something in common at the moment. An attraction we can’t do anything about. Lilly’s voice breaks our connection.

  “What’s so funny?” There’s a feeling of daggers being thrown in the tone of her voice. When I look at her, Jordan also looks like he’s about to launch over the table and take my hand off Nat. Well, this is one for the books. Jealousy is in full flight on that side of the table from both of them. Oh man, this is going to be messy for both of us, I can tell. I make a note to talk to Nat tomorrow before I go off-grid.

  I think quickly on my feet. “Just laughing at Xavier who used to think he was the king of funny but is now in a family with lots of comedians. He’s getting his karma coming back to bite him in the ass.”

  “Wow, thanks guys. You two are supposed to be on my side, not joining the enemy.” Watching Lilly and Jordan, they seem to relax a little at the explanation, but it takes me moving my arm off Nat’s shoulders to see Jordan finally relax completely.

  Lunch is a noisy affair, with lots of wedding talk. Meme gets wound up about things she wants to get sorted until Gruffy steps in and reminds her that we’re here to have fun, or to let us poor kids eat without being badgered. Lilly, the cock tease, is sitting eating one of my cupcakes. Licking the icing off her finger very slowly moaning and saying how good it tastes. Next time, mental note, no icing.

  As much as Alesha and Xavier are getting annoyed, I see the love and excitement in Sophia’s eyes at her daughter being so in love. She just wants it perfect for them. Little Sophia is sitting on Lilly’s lap after we finished eating, talking about how pretty her flower girl dress is going to be. She has Lilly’s full attention and her eyes are bright and sparkling. Sammy is already moving around the kitchen talking to everyone or anyone who wants to listen to him. Thomas is crashed out in Zach’s arms. The excitement got to be too much. He could probably put him to bed, but he just looks so content sitting cuddling his son.

  I look around the room at this big family. For the first time I can see myself fitting in as part of the extended family. I know it can’t happen, but it’s the first time I’ve ever felt that if I had a chance then this would be the place I would belong. It feels natural and carefree. It would be easy to feel at home. Maybe it’s lucky that this case came when it did. To stop me from making a mistake and thinking I can have this in my life when the reality is, I never will. I accepted that a long time ago. I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

  I feel a tug on my sleeve when I turn to see little Sophia standing behind me.

  “Kane, Aunty Lilly said you wanted to see my horse. I can take you if you want.” She looks shyly down at her feet. From what I know about her, she’s very shy when it comes to men she doesn’t know well, so I can’t deny such a brave question.

  “Thank you, Sophia, I would love that. Is your Aunt Lilly going to come too?” I glance across the table and see my little minx grinning at her little scheme to get me on my own away from the adults.

  “Yes, and I’ll get Sammy so you can see his horse too.”

  “Fantastic, let’s go.” I stand and put my hand out for Sophia to take if she wants to. Her little face lights up and she takes it and starts to drag me towards the door. She doesn’t need to say anything to Sammy. As soon as he sees us moving outside, he’s by my side as well. Lilly announces the kids are just showing me their horses and we’ll be back shortly. After Emily gives the kids their instructions about listening to what they’re told and be safe, then we’re out the door and the kids are running ahead of us. Racing to see who’ll reach the yards first.

  This gives Lilly and I time to talk as we walk casually behind them. At fir
st, we’re walking silently but I can’t last. As we round behind the cottage and walk past a small gap between two trees and a shed, I grab her and pull her in. Before her little scream even has time to escape her lips, I’m kissing her like I’ve been starved for years. Her hands go straight into my hair and she’s pulling me towards her. I grip her ass cheeks hard. The noise of the kids calling out to us, looking for us, finally break apart the desperate embrace.

  “Fuck, I’ve been wanting to do that since you arrived.” I put my forehead on hers, just breathing her in.

  “Me too,” she whispers.

  The twins’ voices are getting closer as we break apart and she’s trying to make sure she looks okay. She steps out just before they reach us, surprising them.

  “You win, you found us! We were hiding to see if you could find us and you did. You’re so clever. Now let’s go see these horses and give them some carrots and apples, shall we.” The kids both cheer and take her hands. She glances over her shoulder with her cheeky little smile, and I watch her fine ass wander off in the direction of the stables with the kids. What a stunning picture she is. She’ll make a beautiful mother someday. Some lucky bastard will make her happy and safer than I ever can.

  With everything that’s been weighing me down lately, the afternoon spending time with the Stevenson family and the kids is the most relaxed I’ve felt in a very long time. Just sitting on the railings at the stables watching the kids feeding their beloved pets reminds me why I do the job I do. It’s to keep the innocent in the world safe. Kids like Sophia and Samuel deserve to be able to just be kids without feeling scared or unloved. The sun is starting to set so we start back towards the house. Lilly is cunning and tells the kids she wants to see who the fastest is getting back. As they take off running, she pulls me behind the cottage and jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist and kissing me while she’s laughing.

  I whisper in her ear that tonight she’s all mine and I will punish her for being so cheeky, then I smack her on the ass as we come out from behind the building.

  I’m back to a hard dick and blue balls and the difficult job of trying to hide it from everyone else. I thought we were doing okay until Sammy ratted us out and said that we were playing hide and go seek and that he and Sophia won. Xavier and Alesha both looked at me like the cat that ate the canary. Not sure who told Ally, but she definitely knows by the smug grin on her face.

  The reason for everyone not knowing is even more important now than before. After tomorrow, this arrangement will be over, and I’ll be gone for a while. I’m trying to protect Lilly from the comments and having to explain to everyone what happened. It’s going to be hard enough on her as it is. This is why we were only ever supposed to be fuck buddies. For this exact reason.

  No feelings, no awkwardness and be able to walk away at any time.

  Instead, we have more feelings than either of us know how to deal with, the incredible magnetism we have every time we’re in the room together and the huge amount of hurt there’s going to be tomorrow as I force myself to walk away like it doesn’t matter.

  That was the mistake I made.

  I let myself feel.

  21

  Lilly

  AFTER OFFERING TO give Kane a ride home, telling everyone I need to go as I’m going out with some friends, we do the rounds to say goodbye. Now driving into town, he’s been quiet for most of the journey. I’m not sure what’s going on in that head of his, but he’s worrying about something. I can tell. The relaxed, laughing guy that was at the farm is now looking out the window pondering the world’s problems. I’ve started a few conversations that have been met with short answers and then silence again. Just as I’m about to say something, he startles me by putting his hand on my leg and turning to look at me.

  “Stay with me tonight, Red. I want you screaming my name. I need you.” The look in his eyes is my hot fiery wolf that’s got me tingling all over my body instantly. It’s the voice he uses when he’s like this that makes me quiver. He slips into a hot sexy place, and I’m more than happy to let him take me there too.

  “I already packed my bag. A girl needs to be prepared just in case.” I look at him, trying to show him exactly what he’s doing to me. I’m finding it hard to concentrate on my driving. Luckily, his apartment is just down the road. Not sure I could safely drive much longer with him running his hand slowly up my leg. So much for safety, Mr. Policeman.

  Kane standing at my door with his hand stretched out for me is an imposing sight. His body is solid and toned. Looking up at him makes my mouth water. I stand expecting him to move backwards but instead I’m pulled hard into his arms. He’s not waiting until we get upstairs. With his hands on my backside, he lifts me up, and drags my legs around him. He backs me away from my car and sits me on his motorbike that’s parked in front of it. Spreading my legs so I’m straddling the seat, he lays me back with my head resting on the fuel tank. Standing above me, he looks like he’s going to devour me.

  “I have dreamt about you laid out on my bike like this, naked with your hair spilling down just like it is. While I stand right here between your legs and fuck you senseless. Both of you are my ladies of power. The ones that get my adrenaline going. Race me to a place I can be at peace. The two of you are just heaven.” His breathing is deep, he’s lost in his own fantasy moment.

  “Then do it,” I murmur. He has me that worked up I’m not sure what I’m even saying. All I know is I want what he wants, and I want it now.

  “Not here, I’m not sharing your naked beauty with anyone else. Not a chance. You’re mine, Red. Deep down, you always will be.” He picks me up and starts towards the elevator. I snap out of my lust.

  “Wait, I need my bag.”

  “I’ll get it later.” He keeps walking.

  “No, Kane. I need it. Please.” He stops and looks at me to see my desperate face.

  Letting me down so I can run back to the car, he’s calling behind me, “Nothing is as important as me being balls deep in you right now.”

  “You’d be surprised. You just have to be patient to find out what.” I sway past him with my ass shaking a little more than normal to hear him following me like I’m a dog in heat, growling deep in his throat. Who would have thought that his growl would become one of my favorite sounds?

  We only last one floor before someone joins us in the elevator. Kane stands behind me, pulling me against him. I’m sure it’s to hide the raging hard-on that he has currently pushing into my ass. Just like it’s at home there.

  We finally make it into Kane’s apartment where he pushes me up against his front door as it closes.

  “You drive me crazy, Red. I can’t be around you and not want to do this.” His lips start licking my collarbone and then kissing, nibbling and biting my neck as he works his way up to my ear. “You are so fucking sexy you make me think the whole time about the bad things I want to do to you all night long.”

  My mouth drops open, a breath escaping. I lose all control over my body when he talks dirty to me. His touch is already sending my body into overload but when he starts talking, I just can’t function properly. I melt and want to let him do whatever he wants to me.

  “So, what’s so important in this bag of yours, my little one? What couldn’t wait?” I try to think and then my brain clicks back into gear for a moment.

  “Kane, please, I can’t breathe. Let me show you.” He slowly lets my legs fall to the floor. Still kissing my neck and then grabbing my chin and sucking the air I am desperately trying to get, right out of my mouth as he kisses me with all he has.

  “What are you hiding in there, Red? Do I need to do a search? Or perhaps I’ll do a strip search instead.”

  “No,” I cry out. “Let me show you. Please, I want to surprise you.” We’re both panting hard by this stage. “Stay here until I call you.” I bend down to grab my bag as he steps away from me just a little.

  “You have two minutes and then I’m coming in there no matter what.
Get moving.” Although my legs feel like jelly, I scurry towards his bedroom and close the door. Pulling off my clothes as I’m moving around the room. I dive into my bag looking for my purchase and take a deep breath as I crawl up the bed.

  I lay on my back, completely naked, and nervously cuff one hand. I take the keys and put them on the bedside cabinet then slip the cuffs around the rung on the headboard. I hesitate and then hear Kane start to move which is enough for me to click the cuff into place. No turning back now. I am totally past anything I have ever done before, but I need Kane to know how right we are for each other. I am giving up my total control just for him. I will never trust anyone like I trust him. I know he will never take advantage of me.

  I hear the handle on the door turning and my heart is thundering. I can feel it all over my body. If this is the intensity using cuffs is going to bring, then tonight is going to be more than I can imagine.

  He freezes. The look in his eyes is more intense than I’ve seen. I hear him gasp and the slowest I’ve heard the word, “Fuck,” come out of his mouth.

  “I’m your little Red vixen.” I pause. “All. Yours.” As I feel my face heat with blush at his undeniable need.

  “Too right you’re mine. All night long, baby. I will treasure you for every minute of it.” He stands assessing every inch of my body. “I promise to take care of you.”

  He slowly walks up the side of the bed, running his finger softly up my body from my toes to the side of my breast, where he continues across my chest and between the two of them. Settling on my lips. My body is shivering with the want of a release, a touch in the right spot, anything that will help with the ache between my legs.

  “Do you trust me, Red?” I can’t answer with his finger pressed on my lips silencing me.

  I nod my head as I let go of the last of my control.

  He pulls away his finger and turns his back, walking away from me out of the room.

  I have no idea what’s happening and it’s the most exhilarating feeling.