Hunger.
His takes me in slowly, every inch. I feel as though he’s undressing me with his eyes. This fling might be easier to initiate than I originally thought.
I’m standing in the kitchen talking to Jackson and Ember, and I feel her. I know she’s watching me. I give her time to take in her fill before I raise my gaze to hers. I pull in a breath. Holy shit, she’s f*cking stunning. I shove my hands deep in my pockets to keep from rushing to her and pulling her into my arms, where I want her. Tatum is wearing a short jean skirt and a shirt that is hanging off one shoulder. Her hair is pulled up and I can see the creamy skin of her neck exposed, for me. I want nothing more than to bury my face in the crook of her neck and taste her, consume myself with her sweet scent. I allow myself another pass to make sure I’m not missing one single inch of her body. My eyes flow past her short skirt to her legs that end up in cowboy boots that match her shirt.
I’m hard as a rock. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, trying to relieve the tension she’s created just from walking into the room.
Jackson’s laugh pulls me out of my Tatum induced trance. He slaps a hand on my shoulder. Leaning in he whispers, “Dude, you’re drooling.” He chuckles.
“I’m good with it,” I tell him. I am. I don’t care who knows I want her. I want her to be mine.
Ember and Tatum are turning off lights and making sure the patio door is locked. When Tatum is finally close enough for me touch, I snake my arm around her and pull her into a hug. “Hey you,” I whisper in her ear.
I feel her relax into my embrace. She doesn’t say anything, and she doesn’t need to. Her body is telling me everything I need to know.
I keep Tatum in my embrace as I lead her to my truck. Jackson and I had already talked about who would drive. Since my truck is four door, I volunteered. My only stipulation was that Tatum was to be up front with me. Considering my sister has him by the balls, he was eager to agree.
I lead her to the passenger door, opening it for her. I turn her so she’s facing me. I ache to kiss her. Those big green eyes of hers watching, waiting. She knows I have to lift her in, which is a big part of why I wanted to drive. I place my hands on her hips. I kiss her forehead before gently lifting her into my truck. I try like hell to ignore the way she shudders as soon as I touch her. I pretend that as soon as I touch her that I don’t feel the electric current. Instead, I shut the door and make my way to the driver’s side.
Tatum’s eyes are on me as soon as I open the door. I climb in and start the truck. I see Ember and Jackson walking toward us. I reach over the console with my right hand and caress her cheek. She leans into my touch.
“You’re stunning,” I tell her.
I watch as a light blush takes over her face. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she replies with a wink.
Holy shit! Tatum’s flirting with me. Maybe convincing her to be mine won’t be as hard as I had originally thought.
I lean over and place a quick kiss to her forehead. I can’t help myself. I pull away just as Jackson is opening the door for Ember. I place both hands back on the wheel and wait for them to get in. I need something to do with my hands, something to keep me from pulling her into my lap and kissing the hell out of her.
The drive to Backwoods is only ten minutes. During the drive, I keep one hand on the wheel while the other rests on her knee. I feel goose bumps break out on her skin and I smile. She’s just as affected as I am.
Tatum takes care of the radio with the direction of Ember. My sister claimed we could only listen to “dancing” music to set the mood for the evening. I’m not really much of a dancer. I’m more of what you would call a head bobber. I like to kick back with a beer and enjoy the music. I tend to bob my head to the beat, but dancing…I don’t really. I can, I just don’t do it. The female population seem to think dancing and romance go hand in hand, so yeah, it’s not really my thing.
As I go to lift Tatum out of the truck, her phone alerts her of a new message. I nod my head toward her hand for her to check her phone. I plan to attach her to me as soon as she is out of this truck. Everyone here is going to know she’s mine; well, that I want her to be mine. I hope they assume she already is and stay the f*ck away from her.
Tatum swipes the screen on her phone and smiles. “Leah and Brent are inside,” she tells me.
I nod my head in understanding. I reach for her and my phone alerts me of a message. I growl and Tatum smiles. I leave one hand on her hip, because really, I need to touch her. I can’t explain it and I don’t really understand it, but I’m going with it. I reach into my pocket with my other hand and pull out my phone. Swiping the screen, I see its Asher. “Asher and Grace are inside, too,” I say.
I place my phone back in my pocket and my hand immediately finds her other hip. I grip her waist and lift her from the truck. I let her body slide against mine. My cock thinks it’s time to party and my heart feels like it’s about to bust out of my chest. Her feet touch the ground, but I don’t let go of her. Instead, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her tight against me.
This…us, is a perfect fit. Nothing and no one has ever felt this good. The feeling intensifies when Tatum moves her hands from my shoulders to place them around my waist.
“I hate to interrupt, you look like you’re having a moment; but are you coming inside?” Ember asks sweetly.
I feel Tatum stiffen in my arms, and just like that, the moment is lost. Without answering Ember, I slowly ease out of the grip I have on Tatum. I place my hands on her shoulders and gently run my hands down her arms. When my hands reach hers, our fingers lace together. I lean down and rest my forehead against hers.
“What are you doing to me?” I whisper.
Tatum doesn’t answer; she doesn’t need to. I know she’s just as mixed up about this as I am. I pull back, gently kissing her forehead. Releasing my left hand, I keep hers clutched tight in my right and lead her into the Backwoods.
Ember and Jackson went in without us after my darling sister ruined our moment. I spot them heading toward the back. I look ahead of them and see Leah, Brent, Asher, and Grace are sitting at a large table in the back.
As we reach the table, all eyes are on us. Asher is smirking, while Grace, Ember, and Jackson are smiling. Leah and Brent both are staring at our hands. I don’t care. I’m not letting go.
“Hey! I didn’t think you all were ever going to get here,” Leah says, standing up to hug Tatum. She tries to let go of my hand; I grip her tighter. She gives Leah a one armed hug. As soon as she releases her, I gently tug her back to me.
I can feel the eyes of my siblings; they’re watching me. I’m not a big public display kind of guy. It’s different with Tatum. I don’t even think about where we are or who is watching. It’s just her; all I see is her. But I know others are watching her, watching us. I know there are at least a dozen or more guys here that are checking her out. How could they not? Her long dark locks and those green eyes, she takes my breath away. There’s not a guy in this room that can deny that. I know they see what I see. I smile because she’s mine, or at least she will be.
Tatum relaxes her stance and leans against me. I smile. Those a*sholes can look, but not touch. Tatum is mine; she just doesn’t know it yet.
Blaise has stepped up his seduction tactics. He’s constantly touching me, giving me sweet gentle kisses. His attention has me on fire. I’m ready to take him to the nearest storage closet or bathroom and take full advantage of what he’s offering.