says as we walk up the front steps of my bungalow style house. It has a huge front porch and the backyard leads to a river, giving me a scenic view of the trees and water.
The way Taylor has no filter, it’s causing me to smile more than I have the past three years, and I’ve only been around her for a few hours.
“No, I need a place of my own and away from Nighthawk. Drake is the one who sleeps there more than any of us.”
“Well, it’s gorgeous.” I allow her to walk ahead of me. Taylor’s hips sway in the tight as sin skirt she’s wearing. Her heart shaped ass, and the way her calves arch in her legs as she takes a step in her high heels cause my jaw to tick.
If Travis knew the fucking thoughts running through my head, he’d kick my ass. No, he’d do more than that. He’d bury me up to my neck in a desert and let the vultures peck away at my body.
“Thank you. I’ll show you around. Drop your stuff wherever.” I motion with my hands. My house is meant to be a home, nothing pretentious or stiff. If I wanted that, I would have done what my family expected of me instead of joining the Navy as soon as I graduated high school. The family empire isn’t what I wanted. When I told my parents that I’d spoken to a recruiter and signed the papers, I basically signed the papers to be disowned. Leaving that day, it didn’t hurt like it should have. Instead, it left me feeling free for the first time in my life.
Taylor places her bags on the couch, and then I show her the kitchen, the back porch, where the laundry room is, and my bedroom. That made her voice hitch, finally concluding the tour with the bedroom she’ll be staying in, that’s right next to mine. The two rooms share a wall, it’s not lost on me that both beds back up to one another with only a few pieces of wood along with some drywall separating the two. Sleep will be next to impossible.
“Slade, thank you again for helping me. I know Travis asked, but I knew if it got worse, I would have sucked up my pride and come to you.”
“Finally, you admit this shit is more than a prank.” A piece of her hair has come loose, my fingers unknowingly move it out of her face without thinking. My fingertips trace the slope of her neck. When she sways toward me, I know I have to back off.
“I’ll go grab your bags. Take your time, and then we’ll figure out dinner.” I kiss her forehead before leaving the bedroom. If I don’t step away, I’ll strip her bare, throw her on the bed, and make her mine, consequences be damned.
I head downstairs, walk into the kitchen and grab the menus before clutching her luggage so when Taylor comes down, she can help figure out what to order. Bridger wasn’t kidding when he said she likes to shop for lingerie. Seeing the lace and satin spilling out of her bag, it took everything I had to control my hard-on from showing, not to mention my desire to see her wearing those for me and only me.
Fuck, this is going to take an act of God to keep me away from Taylor, and I’m not sure I’m that strong enough. I made a promise to Travis, one I know I’ll keep. I’d do anything to keep her safe, but who is to say I can keep her safe from me?
“Hey?” I’m gripping the kitchen counter, trying to talk some sense into myself when she places her hand on mine. “I’ll listen, I swear. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it, Slade. I don’t want to be any more of a burden on you than I already am.”
“You’re not a burden. Come here.” I hold my arms open for her. This is more for me than her, but I bring her into my arms. She loops her arms around my neck and my hand glides to her hips while I lean down into her body. The way her breasts feel pressed against my chest, how she hums her approval, and when she borrows herself into the crook of my neck, I know I’m a fucking goner. Consequences be damned, Taylor was always meant to be mine, and I’m going to fucking