Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1) Read online

  Now, I can’t get enough of her taste, the smoothness of her skin, the feel of her pressed close. There’s a primal need brewing inside, but I force it down, wanting this piece of intimacy that’s been missing.

  Her breath hitches, and I break away to kiss along her jaw to her ear, nibbling lightly in a way that used to drive her crazy. She gasps, squirming in my lap, grinding against my dick. I lean us back, keeping her in my lap, propping on my elbow for support. She takes my hint, wiggling to remove her shirt and bra, and arches up. I take the invitation, dragging my lips over every inch of her perfect skin, and suck her nipple deep. She moans when I circle my tongue and scrape my teeth over the sensitive peak.

  “More?” I know the answer before she even rasps her yes.

  My hand slides into her shorts and instantly connects with her bare skin. “Fucking love that you still hate wearing panties.”

  “Only sometimes.” Her response is low and breathy.

  I glide two fingers along her slit, teasing and testing until they slide in easily. Her inner muscles clench hard.

  “Shit, baby, you’re tight.” I pump them inside of her, twisting and scissoring, and she grinds her pussy down. Her breathing becomes ragged, her chest trembling under my mouth.

  I pull her nipple through my lips, adjusting to watch her. She’s so fucking hot, her neck arched, her mouth open, the sheen in her eyes as she writhes against me. This was supposed to be a starter, a little tease before I licked her pussy until she screamed my name. But fuck if I’m not going to make her come on my fingers.

  My dick pulses, hard as steel and fully aware this is Darby. I surge farther and strum my fingertips in a rhythm. A slight brush over her clit, and she screams out, twisting into me, convulsing over and over. My cock throbs angrily against my stomach, the hunger inside barely contained. Any willpower or self-restraint I have is being tested. Her clutch on my fingers loosens, and I stroke her lightly as she comes down.

  “Kiss me.”

  She brings her lips to mine, kissing me slowly, still trembling.

  “Swear to God, watching you come for me is still the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. Glad you never lost that, baby.”

  She tenses, her nails digging into my shoulders as she buries her head in my neck. The air between us takes on a new vibe. She’s retreating, and I can’t let that happen. My hand slides out of her shorts, and I roll, balancing over her. The look on her face sends a chill down my spine. “What’s wrong?”

  “I didn’t lose it. It’s all yours, always has been.”

  The meaning behind her words slams into my chest. She said those exact words the night she gave me her virginity and so many times after. Always a pledge she belonged to me and only me.

  “Never?” The question comes out sharp and clipped.

  “Never, no one else. I couldn’t do it.”

  A thousand questions flood my mind, but the answer is right in front of me. It’s Darby. She never moved on. She held on to us and what we had for all those years.

  My Darby…

  Guilt and shame slash through my system. She picks up on it, cupping my chin and tracing a finger over my lips. My heart thunders in my chest. The possessive brute that disappeared long ago stirs and scorches through my veins.

  “Always mine,” I growl, barely able to control my voice.

  “Yours,” she confirms.

  That’s all it takes for my restraint to snap. I slam my mouth over hers, hauling us up. Both of us tear at clothes until we’re naked and she’s lying below me. Her eyes roam over my body, her hand darting out to grip my cock. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I’m ready to blow. Her pussy taunts me, my mouth-watering, but there’s no time. I can’t wait. Knowing I’m the only man to worship her body has me strung tight.

  My hand covers hers, stroking twice before prying her fingers away, and I kneel between her thighs and hover over her. She reaches up, framing my face and bringing my lips a breath from hers. I glide through her slickness, pressing in slowly. Her eyes stay locked with mine, the copper glow burning deep in my soul. Inch by inch, she accepts me, stretching around my length as I sink deeper and deeper until she’s taken me all in.

  Darby is the only woman I’ve ever had flesh on flesh, and the sensation of her heat mixed with my need threatens my control. She tilts, angling her hips, silently telling me she’s okay. Twelve years and no man has ever been inside her, pleasuring her, bringing her to the brink. Sparks sear my nerves, and my primal obsession comes alive.

  There is no doubt in my mind; I’m not letting her go again.

  I thrust in and out of her, slowly at first, picking up pace when her wisps of breath coat my lips. My cock swells thicker, my balls growing heavy with each stroke. Her knees drop, her ankles linking around my waist, and she heaves up.

  “Stop holding back.”

  “Let me do this my way.” I see the defiance forming in her gaze. Wild and insatiable, my Darby reappears. A throaty growl rumbles deep in my chest as she pounds into me from below.

  “More,” she commands, scraping her nails across my jaw and wrapping her arms around my neck.

  I drive faster, harder, sweat dripping down my back as her groans ring in my ears. She screams my name when I hit the magic spot that always sends her over the edge. She breaks eye contact, pressing her neck deep into the mattress and arching into me. I lose sight of her face and the pleasure building.

  “Look at me,” I demand, cupping the back of her head and bringing her back into focus. “I need to see you. Every time I’m in you, I need to see you.”

  She understands immediately, licking her lips and squeezing her thighs. Her walls close in, grasping my cock until I can’t hold back. I pound harder, her cries growing louder.

  “God, don’t stop!” she begs.

  I couldn’t if I wanted to because my entire body is ready to blow. “I need you there, baby,” I grunt.

  She yells out my name, her body shuddering against mine. That’s all it takes to pull me there with her. A powerful explosion rocks over me as I pour into her until there’s nothing left. My vision clears, and her face comes back into focus.

  A small smile crosses her lips, but it’s nothing compared to the liquid amber pools staring back. I recognize the glow, and my cock lurches. No downtime needed.

  We’re only getting started.

  Chapter 11

  Darby

  It’s going to be a good day.

  And that has nothing to do with the fact that I had sex. It has everything to do with the fact that a thousand-pound weight is off my shoulders. Pierce and I cleared the air, and even if it was in the possibly most dangerous way for two people with our history, there are no regrets. My thoughts are interrupted when the phone rings, and I’m amazed when Stephanie’s name pop up on my dash.

  “What are you doing up this early?” I greet her.

  “Your business is a pain in my ass.”

  Runner barks and moves his body to the console at the sound of her voice.

  “What happened?”

  “You made national news is what happened. Somehow, your little outfit in Charleston hit social media, and Brasher Resorts is chomping at the bit to get that contract and fly you to their headquarters for a formal announcement.”

  “Ooooookayyyyyy, is this bad news?”

  “No, but since you don’t have a public relations company, they think I’m your personal go-to gal. Their PR group is hounding me.”

  “Is a public announcement necessary?”

  “What the hell is going on down there?” Her voice rises, and she ignores my question.

  “Nothing out of the ordinary,” I lie.

  “You sound different.”

  “I sound normal. You’re grouchy because you’re up early.”

  “No, seriously, you sound different.”

  I sigh. “Fine, I was going to call you tonight and fill you in. Pierce knows everything.”

  “He knows?”

  “Yes.”

>   “Did you sign the contract before or after you told him?

  “I signed it after. Why?”

  “What happened? There are some missing pieces here.”

  “There was an incident Tuesday night. I got caught in a bad position that almost ended with me coming face to face with Pierce, Connie, and their kids. I panicked.”

  “How did he take the news?”

  “Too much for me to tell you on my way into work. It was messy, dramatic, and things got out of hand. But he showed up last night, and we talked things through. I think we’re in a good place.”

  “That’s it? Did you tell him about Brasher?”

  “No, I didn’t see any reason to.”

  “Did you get laid?”

  “STEPHANIE! Why would you say that?”

  Runner barks enthusiastically, giving me away.

  There’s a rustling of sorts, and I can picture her in her home office sifting through papers. “Never mind. I want all the details, but it’s too early to discuss the reincarnation of your sex life. I’m going to call Brasher. Can you get to Aspen next week?”

  “Push it off two weeks? There’s a lot happening around here.”

  “Yep. They’d do anything to keep you on the line right now.”

  “Kinda late for that, considering the contract is signed. I’ll give Mom a head’s up that she’s becoming a real assistant. Tell your contacts to call her with the details.”

  “Shit,” she screams, the phone clattering down. A second passes before she responds, “Sorry, I’m back.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, but is Evin in the office today?”

  “I suppose. He was going to scan the paperwork and have his assistant overnight them to you.”

  “Great, I have to go. Talk to you tonight.” She hangs up in such a rush there’s no time to say goodbye.

  I pull into the garage by my building and let Runner out to go roam the grassy area across the small driveway. While he does this, I watch in the darkness with a smile on my face, leaning against the back door. For the first time in as long as I can remember, a feeling of contentment settles within me.

  Runner does his thing, and out of nowhere, a light flickers on, blinding me for a second. I let out a little squeal, which has Runner racing to my side. Security lights beam all around the area, and a truck roars somewhere close. A few seconds later, that same truck pulls up in front of me. Pierce hops out, looking like a man who should be on a billboard, not a man that left my house at midnight to meet a moonlighting contractor.

  “The security system is in place.”

  “This is what you had to do last night?”

  “I don’t like the thought of you here in the dark.”

  I roll my eyes and internally push down the butterflies fluttering alive in my stomach. “I’m fine.”

  “You are now, especially since your landlord agreed with me about the security measures.”

  “Should be interesting,” I say under my breath and head to the door, only to find a new state-of-the-art keypad installed.

  My key still works, but when I open the door, a loud beeping sounds. Pierce punches a few digits on the keypad and it stops.

  “You should punch in the code after you open the door in case you feel danger. The same with the keypad on the inside.”

  “I’m not sure I’m a fan of you taking over my security. This place has been fine so far.”

  “Fine is great, but you being here in the dark doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “I have Runner.”

  “The guard dog that would rather shake hands than attack?”

  At the mention of his name, and seeing that my dog has now met Pierce a handful of times, Runner jumps up on his hind legs and goes full frontal with him. It takes a full three seconds before he starts licking the underside of Pierce’s chin.

  “My point is made. Runner is a lover.”

  “I don’t know. I think he’ll come around if anyone ever attacks me,” I argue, throwing my hair up and reaching for my apron.

  “He won’t need to come around because I’ll be the one to attack.”

  His statement causes my head to snap up from tying the apron strings, and I’m met with the Pierce Kendrick glowing blue eyes that could bring a woman down.

  “Stop,” I whisper, losing a little of my balance.

  “Not a chance.”

  “What exactly are you doing here?”

  “Giving you the run-down of the new security system, making sure you are safe, and in a few minutes, I’m gonna fuck you on that table.”

  A shiver runs up my spine, and my thighs clench as a flood of heat rushes south. “I’m working.” I try to sound strong, but it comes out breathy.

  “Do you always dress like that for a day of baking?”

  “No.” I prop my hand on my hip. “Today is Mrs. Asley’s retirement luncheon, and Mom demanded I deliver the desserts.”

  “After we christen that table, I’ll help you make up for the lost time.”

  “Don’t you have a job?”

  “Yep.”

  “Shouldn’t you get to it?”

  “I have lots of jobs. The most important this morning is you. The rest can wait.”

  “Pierce, you are insane. Go to work.”

  He works his lower lip through his teeth and searches my shelves. “Where would I find the caramel sauce you put on your brownies?”

  “It’s a chilled sauce.”

  He goes to the large fridge and yanks it open, reads through the dozen labels, and grabs a random bottle, setting it on the table. “This will have to do.”

  “Have to do for what?”

  This time, when he meets my gaze, his eyes have transformed into liquid blue pools of lust and desire. Each step he takes closer, my skin tingles under the intensity of his stare.

  “Why did you want the sauce, Pierce?”

  “It’s going on my breakfast.”

  “That’s a double raspberry chocolate mixture, and you hate chocolate.”

  “Not anymore.” He stops in front of me, his hand curling around my neck, his fingers sifting into my hair. “Chocolate was my addiction for a long time.”

  My breath hitches as he pulls me gently to him, sweeping his lips across mine. That fluttering in the pit of my stomach goes into overdrive, sending a tremor through my body, the double meaning behind his words winding around my heart.

  “Addictions can be a very dangerous thing. Maybe it was time for a break,” I whisper into his mouth.

  “Worst mistake in my life was giving it up. I never stopped craving my chocolate.”

  “Maybe you should take it slow. You don’t want to get sick of it.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  The air around us thickens with sexual desire, and my knees threaten to give out.

  “Darby,” he rumbles.

  “Hmm?”

  “Get naked now.” His hand slides slowly along my neck, over the exposed skin of my back, until he reaches the zipper and slowly draws it down. “On second thought, maybe I want you in this dress.”

  The seriousness of his tone tells me he’s not kidding, and I move, slashing the knot out of the apron tie, yanking it over my head, and let the dress and apron fall to the ground. His eyes grow heated at the sight of my bright teal bra and hipsters that match the outrageous jeweled flip-flops.

  “Breathtaking,” he murmurs, right before he pounces and I’m off my feet.

  The metal is cold against my skin, but I shiver for an entirely different reason. Pierce is studying me. His tongue runs along his bottom lip, and his gaze rakes up and down my body in a way I know he’s memorizing it all.

  “You got the honors last night. Today, it’s my turn.” He steps behind the table, the pads of his fingers skimming over my shoulder blades before he unclasps my bra and pulls it down over my shoulders and arms. The cool air hits my breasts, my nipples tingling as they instantly pebble. That’s exactly where his eyes land when he rou
nds back. He grins, cocking an eyebrow. “I think we’ll start right here.”

  He fits himself between my thighs, tips my chin, and brings my mouth to his. Our tongues touch, curling together, rolling in a familiar rhythm. He controls the speed, taking his time and exploring my mouth like we have all the time in the world. I lean into him, inhaling deeply, lost in the scent of him surrounding us and the promise of things to come that I barely feel his arm brush mine.

  Freezing cold droplets fall onto my chest, breaking my haze, and I jerk away in surprise. The chocolate mixture drips down, covering my breast. Pierce’s expression goes hot as he leans in, licking the trail and grunting his approval. The air grows thick as he repeats the process with the other side. The warmth of his mouth, combined with the cold of the sauce, is nothing short of exquisite.

  Pierce and I had an explosive sex life, neither of us afraid to try new things or explore. Last night proved that our bodies are still in sync, knowing the other’s desires. I couldn’t miss the way he held back, but this morning, that is gone. There’s an edge to him, a sense of dominance combined with the usual way he owns my body.

  “Lay back, baby,” he orders, sucking at the tender area behind my earlobe, and easing me down onto my elbows.

  I nearly come off the table when he drizzles the mixture from breastbone to navel. He trails the pattern with his lips and tongue, covering every inch of my torso. My body is wound tight. Part of me wants this to last forever, and part of me is greedy for him to give me what I desperately need.

  He squeezes my hips, bunching my panties and yanking them down my legs. I expect him to tease his fingers along my sensitive spots. Instead, he takes the bottle and dribbles chocolate everywhere as he raises his eyes to mine. “Last night, I was too fucking gone for you. Deprived of your taste. This morning, I woke up craving what only you can give me.”