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  “I love you, too.”

  There’s only one thing that would make this moment better. “I really wish you were here so I could show you.” It’s only been two days, yet I want her already. Not just sex. Her. Being with her.

  “I know. Being apart is not fantastic.”

  “Maybe we should have a serious conversation about that and maybe come up with a way to relieve the problem.” Only one of two options will solve the distance issue we have.

  “I would love to have that discussion with you.”

  “Could I talk you into coming to Birmingham instead of meeting halfway next time? I’ve been thinking I’d love to take you home and introduce you to my family. My mom is having a fit to meet you.” Josette Broussard smells fresh meat. A potential daughter-in-law. Nothing would make her happier than me bringing a woman home to meet her. She refuses to accept my decision to never marry again. And she would stomp my ass into the ground if she knew about the vasectomy. Wise decision to only tell Bridgette and Warren. And now Wren.

  “I would love to meet your family.”

  I already knew Libby and Quentin, so I didn’t have to do the meet the parents thing with them. Taking her to my parents’ home is a big step. At twenty-nine years old, it’s a bold statement. One that says hey, this is my woman.

  I fucking love it.

  “Gotta run, baby. Meeting in five but I couldn’t go without calling you first.” I want to tell her again. “I love you.”

  “Love you too. Talk soon.”

  I did it. Told her I loved her and proposed having a conversation about spending less time apart. I hope she’s open to that prospect. I don't want to be without her anymore.

  * * *

  This weekend’s visit with Wren will be different. We’ve said those three words. And now we’re going to have a conversation about where things go next. Damn, this has been a whirlwind from the start but she’s everything I want and need. I can’t stand the thought of letting her slip through my fingers.

  I’m at the back of the house practicing my archery skills on a deer target when I hear the crunch of gravel beneath tires. She’s finally here.

  We crash against each other, my mouth on hers. I lift Wren from the ground and spin her in a full rotation. God, I’ve missed having her in my arms. “It felt like this weekend would never get here.”

  “I know. This whole week moved at snail speed.”

  I release her and she eyes my camouflage clothing before tugging on my shirt. “What’s with this?”

  “I was in the woods with my brother and dad this morning. Bow season started this week.”

  “Oh.”

  “I didn’t kill anything. Didn’t even try since I knew you were coming. I was just along for the ride.”

  “Good. Bambi lives another day.”

  Once inside, we sink into the sofa. “Mom is cooking for us.”

  “No Bambi, I hope.” She might on any other night.

  “No. She knows you’re vegan and prefer organic. She said she’d come up with something.”

  “I hate for her to cook two meals just to accommodate me. She’ll think I’m a pain in the ass right off the bat.”

  “It’s not a big deal; she wants to do it.” She is literally about to come unglued to meet Wren.

  “What time are we going?”

  “As soon as you’re ready.”

  “Shit. They’re waiting on us?”

  “I told Mom you’d get here earlier but it’s fine, Wren.”

  Wren pokes out her bottom lip. “Awe, we don’t have time to fool around.”

  “Not before we go over there but there’ll be plenty of time for that when we get back.”

  “I’m nervous.”

  “You shouldn’t be. We’ve fooled around a lot.”

  Wren punches me in the arm. “Not that, smart-ass. About meeting your family.”

  I squeeze her thigh and kiss the side of her neck. “Maybe you should let me help you loosen up first. They can wait a little longer.”

  “God, no. I won’t have them waiting on us longer than necessary. I’m already a bundle of nerves. That would just add to the mix.”

  Can’t blame a man for trying. “Don’t be nervous, baby. They’re going to adore you, especially my mother. She’s been surrounded by men for years and has no daughters, so she’ll welcome you with open arms.”

  “She wants daughters-in-law?” And grandchildren.

  “Yes, and she makes no bones about it.”

  “Well, I need to change and get ready since I’m sure she doesn’t want one who looks like this.” Hmm. That sounds very much like Wren just referred to herself as my mother’s potential daughter-in-law.

  I’m considering how to address Wren’s statement when she interrupts my thought. “Should I wear something dressy?”

  “Definitely not. My family is casual all the time.”

  “Good. You know I’m not all about dressing up.”

  I grab her bag and carry it to my bedroom, depositing it on the bed. Wonder if she’ll like what I’ve done. “I cleared a drawer in the bathroom and one in the chest of drawers for you if you’d like a place for your things.”

  A huge smile spreads on her face before she comes to me. “Brou, that is so sweet.” She comes up on her tiptoes and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  “Mind if I hang out back here while you get ready?”

  “I’d love that.” She presses her lips to mine again before stepping away and unpacking. “Can I hang this stuff in the closet so it doesn’t wrinkle?”

  “Put everything you want in the closet on the bed and I’ll take care of it for you while you get ready.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  “No more problems out of Christie?”

  “Nothing, thank goodness. I still feel bad about your nose.”

  I’m seriously surprised she didn’t break it. She fought me like a wildcat. That damn woman is crazy as hell. I can’t believe Wren and Stout are genetically tied to her. “It’s fine. But promise you’ll call if you have any more problems with her.”

  “I will. Promise.”

  “How was your drive?”

  “Long. I hit a huge stretch of road construction. Traffic was backed up for miles.” I hit that same stretch last time I drove to Savannah. I’m afraid it’s going to be like that for a while.

  “I thought you were running late.”

  Wren stops brushing and spits. “Yeah, it was horrible. Probably cost me an hour.” We’ll need to look for an alternate route.

  I rack and hang her clothes and then sit on the bed where I have a view of her getting ready at my bathroom vanity. I watch her with avid curiosity. Applying makeup. Fixing her hair. Slipping out of one outfit and into another with the discarded one folded into a neat square on the counter.

  “Why are you watching every move I make?”

  “I’ve never watched a woman get ready.”

  “How’s that possible? You were married.”

  “We didn’t share a bedroom or bathroom.”

  Wren stops glossing her lips to look at me. “Never?”

  “Never. She took the master and I took the guest.”

  “That’s so weird. Did anyone know you lived like that?”

  “Wasn’t anyone’s business what we did or didn’t do.”

  “I suppose not.” Wren finishes the last coat of gloss on her lips. “Ready. Do I look all right?”

  Crazy print dress. Boots. Headband. Jewelry encased with what I guess are healing stones. The look is very fitting for Wren. “You look beautiful.”

  I lift the necklace from her neck. “What is this stone?”

  “Lapis.”

  “What is the healing property?”

  “It’s said to balance the heart and mind, especially when they’re running overtime.”

  “Your heart and mind are running overtime?”

  “Very much so.”

  “M
ine, too.”

  She offers her hand, and in it, a bright blue stone. “I was hoping you might be feeling the same. That’s why I brought this for you.”

  I take the stone and study it. Looks like nothing more than a small blue egg to me. “What do I do with it?”

  “Put it in your pocket.”

  I don’t know if I believe a rock in my pocket will help sort the feelings I have but I’ll do it because Wren believes it will. “Thank you.” I push the stone down into my jeans. “You’re being strategic, having me place that so close to the part of my brain working overtime when you’re around.”

  Wren shakes her head as she slips her bag over her shoulder. “You’re so bad.”

  “Just being honest, babe. I’d prefer to ditch my family, toss you in the middle of the bed, and stay there for the next three days.”

  “We’ll see about fulfilling the last two parts of that preference after we get back from your parents’.”

  Hell, yeah. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  * * *

  Mom hasn’t stopped smiling since we got here. Maybe even Dad, too. I think they’re as mesmerized with Wren as I am. “You’ve been a business partner with Lawrence’s brother for four years. How in the world have you two missed running into each other until a few months ago?”

  “I’m probably to blame for that. I haven’t come to visit Ollie much since I opened my shop.” Wren is a dedicated businesswoman. I respect that.

  My dad cups his hand over my mom’s. “All things happen in good time. You know that well, mon cher.”

  “Indeed, I do.” They’re referring to my brother.

  My parents were high school sweethearts. Mom got pregnant her senior year. Neither of them felt prepared to marry or raise a baby so they jointly chose adoption. They stayed together after giving up their son and married three years later. It’s been thirty-five years and they’re still trying to find him. Not an easy thing to do with sealed adoption records.

  I agree with what my dad said. All things happen in good time. Meeting Wren four years ago would have been disastrous. “I would have been in the middle of the divorce if we’d met when my partnership with Stout was in the early stages. I’m glad it worked out as it did.”

  “Luc.” My mom scrunches her nose and shakes her head. She disapproves of something I’ve said.

  “What, Mom?”

  “It’s in bad taste to bring that up in front of Lawrence.” She means the divorce. She hates discussing Bridgette, period.

  “It’s okay, Mom. Lawrence knows everything about Bridgette and me from start to finish. No need to pretend it didn’t happen.”

  “Maybe so, but as your girlfriend, she may not want to be reminded you were once married to someone else.” I suppose any other woman might be upset by the mention of it. But not my girl.

  Wren reaches for my hand beneath the table. “It’s okay. I understand Bridgette was, and still is, a large part of Brou’s life. We’ve met, and I like her very much.”

  My mom’s smiling. Guess Wren said something she likes. But Josette Broussard isn’t a fan of Bridgette. I doubt she’d grin about Wren speaking in her defense.

  I bet she likes Wren’s nickname for me. She and my dad have always had pet names for one another. Jojo and Obi. She’d think Wren calling me Brou is sweet. The same with me calling her Wren. An indicator of things moving forward, the only direction she wants for me.

  Funny how naturally you can fall into certain patterns with some people in your life.

  “Most women wouldn’t be so understanding of their relationship.”

  We no longer discuss it but I know my mother still feels Bridgette and Warren betrayed me. She’s never said so but I suspect she’s bitter they married and had children.

  “It was an unfortunate situation but Lucas and Bridgette came out as friends on the other side. Good friends. That doesn’t happen often. I think it’s a true testament to their natures.”

  “My son is an exceptional man for the way he handled himself through that entire situation, from the moment he found out Bridgette was pregnant.”

  That’s so far from what really happened. No one knows the real truth. “Mom . . .”

  “It’s true, Luc. A lot of grown men don’t stand by the mothers of their children the way you did.”

  I can’t stand hearing my mom’s praises for the wonderful way she believes I handled the situation with Bridgette. “Okay, I’m sure Lawrence has heard plenty about all of that.”

  Wren scoots away from the table. “Where is your restroom?”

  “Down the hallway, first door on the right.”

  “Luc, she’s lovely. I can see why you love her.”

  I’m happy to hear my mother’s approval. “She’s pretty fantastic.”

  “That hippie is a hot piece of ass,” Briac says.

  “Bri . . .” There’s a warning in Mom’s voice.

  I lift a brow at my brother. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “I’m being serious, Luc. I think she could be exactly what you need.”

  “Exactly what I need for what?”

  “A wife. A mother for your children.” I can’t argue with her. Wren would make a wonderful wife and mother.

  If I ever wanted to marry and have children, Wren would be the one. But I don’t. And I’m terrified it’s going to cost me our relationship in the end.

  She didn’t make it an issue even after Bridg opened her big mouth. Surely we’re on the same page?

  Losing Wren . . . that would crush me.

  I wouldn’t know how to let her go. She’s a part of me now. How do you relinquish a piece of yourself?

  I almost didn’t survive the last time I lost a part of myself. It changed me forever.

  Can’t go through that again.

  * * *

  I stop before we reach the bed so I can kiss her—just a simple, sweet, romantic token of my affection. “Keeping my hands off you has been very difficult tonight.”

  “I know. I enjoyed being with your family but I’ve been dying to get back here.”

  “They adored you, just as I knew they would.” Maybe a little too much.

  “I like your parents a lot. And Briac too.”

  “Good.” I move to her neck and hit that spot just below her ear, the one that always sends chills down her spine.

  “They have a truly amazing story.” Figures she’d tell Wren. “Do you think that’s why she’s so proud of the way you handled Bridgette being pregnant?”

  “Probably.”

  “Did that play a big part in your decision?”

  “I guess.”

  “Want me to hush about it?”

  “Yes.” I grasp the bottom of her dress and pull it up and over her head. I’m not waiting another minute to have her.

  I palm and squeeze her breasts gently while kissing her neck and slowly move my lips down to her shoulder. Let’s get this bra off so I can touch her thoroughly. My mouth migrates to the space between her breasts, and I can’t resist pushing them together and rubbing my face in them. She loves when I do that. I love when I do that as well.

  I move lower and drop to my knees in front of her. Worshipping her body with my mouth.

  Fingers in my hair. Panting breath. She likes what I’m doing.

  My tongue swipes once, then a second time over her belly button. “Everything from my nipples down to the tips of my toes tingles.”

  “Tingling isn’t the only thing I’m going to make you do.”

  One finger slides inside the front of her panties. Just one so my fingertip can softly stroke her clit in a come-hither motion. She quickly gets wet for me so I wrap my hand around her hipbone and kiss her stomach before my mouth moves in a more southern direction.

  This is never the best position for what I’m about to do. I already know I’m not going to accomplish my goal this way but I can’t resist starting out with licking her to jumpstart things. I want her to want me so much she can hardly stan
d it.

  “Brouuu.”

  I swipe my tongue up her slit while she squirms in an attempt to part her legs. “Want more?”

  “Yes. A lot more.”

  “Good, ’cause I plan on giving you as much as you want for as long as you want it.” I won’t quit when I’m tired. I’ll quit when we’re done.

  I guide her to sit on the edge of the bed and lift each leg so I can hook them over my shoulders. I bury my nose in her crotch and inhale deeply. “I can never get enough of this.”

  “And I can never get enough of seeing your mouth on me.” Wren’s language is mostly tame. Sometimes I want to tell her to stop being so fucking polite and just say what she’s thinking.

  I believe I will.

  “Tell me you love it when I lick your pussy.”

  She drags her nails through my hair and wriggles. “Brou . . .”

  “Or your hot cunt. I love both so it’s your choice.”

  “Brou . . .”

  “Come on, baby. You can do it.” I lean forward and lick her up the center. “Tell me.”

  She hesitates a moment and wears a timid smile. “I love it when you . . . lick my pussy.”

  Motherfucker, that is hot. “Now, tell me you want me to eat your cunt.”

  “Brou!”

  “You’ve got this, baby. You can do it.”

  She drags her nails across my scalp a couple times. Stalling. Come on, Wren. Say it.

  She draws a deep breath. “I want you to . . . eat my cunt.” Her sexy-as-fuck words are followed by a breathless moan, instead of the timid giggle I was expecting. She likes this game. And that’s a turn-on.

  “My sweet, Wren, I’m turning you into a naughty-talking sex freak who likes to watch my head bob between your legs.”

  “Yes, you dirty bastard. You’ve ruined me. I’ll never want to be with another man because I know he can’t make me feel the way you do.” That’s the way I want it.

  The thought of another man putting his mouth on any part of Wren drives me insane. “I’m the only man who touches you. The only one who tastes you.” I rub my thumb down her slit. “The only one who licks this pussy.”