Deceit in Bloom (The Love Unauthorized Series Book 1) Read online

  “Let’s skip it tonight.” Kai’s response and tone tell me he’d rather have his teeth pulled than partake in this family ritual.

  “We will not! If we only do it when times are good, then it’s pointless. Good, bad, ugly . . .” Teagan means business. Her face is stern and her tone shows no nonsense. Kai will not be getting out of this tonight. I can guarantee it. Teagan clears her throat and attempts to get things rolling. “I wish to get to know Paisley better, and I’m thankful for bad television and good books. Especially since I’ll be more or less on lockdown for the foreseeable future.” Her face has an edge of smugness to it, as if to say, “See? It’s not that hard.” She also wasn’t the one to kill a person with her bare hands today.

  In an effort to appease my sister and give Kai some more time to think up what he’s going to say, I go next. “I wish we had the hard stuff in the house because this beer isn’t cutting it, and I’m thankful for cheap hotel rooms.” Paisley kicks me under the table for the bit about the hotel room, but what I said was better than, “I wish I could figure out this mystery and decapitate the mastermind to watch his head roll.” Besides, booze and sex are the basis of every man’s happiness, especially mine.

  Teagan shoots me a glare, telling me she doesn’t like my responses but isn’t going to push it tonight. “Okay, Paisley, why don’t you go?”

  Paisley looks surprised she’s to be included but maybe even happy about it. She clears her throat and does much better than I did in giving Teagan what she wants. “I wish I knew what was going on with Braelyn, and I’m thankful to all of you for letting me stay here.”

  I give her leg a squeeze, and her hand finds mine under the table. Everyone seated at the table turns to Kai, and I’m actually a little nervous about what might come out of his mouth. He rolls his shoulders and gives Teagan a pronounced defeated sigh.

  “I wish there weren’t a dead guy lying on the floor less than fifty feet away, and I’m thankful for meatloaf.” Well, that was better than it could have been given the particulars as of late. Teagan quickly ignores him, but Paisley stiffens at the mention of the dead guy. We never discussed what happened with Thomas, what with all the hotel sex today. I’m sure she assumed he was dead, but she didn’t know the details and I doubt she expected him to still be in the house.

  Sensing Paisley is uncomfortable, Teagan quickly raises her glass and sputters out a “Let’s eat!” We each return the gesture by raising our own glasses. Did we toast to the dead guy in the office in a roundabout way? All of us want to move past this awkwardness quickly, so we fill up our plates.

  The only noise to be heard is the clinking of silverware on plates and the sound of chewing. Kai and I move on to seconds before the girls even put a dent into their first portions.

  “So . . . what do we do with the dead guy?” Surprisingly this comes from Paisley. Kai practically gives himself whiplash turning to look at her. The clatter of silverware and chewing stop, and the room falls completely quiet. Each of us stares at Paisley.

  “What? It’s obviously the elephant in the room. There is a dead man somewhere in this house. I figure we might as well put everything out on the table. Besides all this quiet makes me nervous with . . . him still here.”

  Kai speaks, and I’m more than surprised to hear him respond. “Leave him to us. He’ll be out by tonight. You just worry about not showing off your lady bits while staying in our house. This place isn’t a nudist colony.” Kai’s face is teasing. Paisley lets out a little squeal of surprise at his words. It’s the first I’ve seen Kai look like himself today, but I’m wondering how and why Kai saw Paisley naked.

  “Okay . . . what’s with the full moon jokes and the nudist colony bit? What am I missing?”

  Kai goes to answer me, but Paisley cuts him off to give her own response. “The first time Kai came over to see Braelyn, I took a shower once they went into the bedroom. I went out into the living room figuring I had a change of clothes there and that I wouldn’t run into Kai since it had been a very, very short shower. I was sorely mistaken on both counts. My back was to him when he came out, and he scared the crap out of me, which caused me to jump and let go of my towel. He got a bird’s eye view of my killer ass.”

  “Yeah, because I saw the awful quality of the tattoo on your back. I told you I have friends who can fix it up for you. Paisley, meet my tattoo artist friends. I’m sure Burke has seen the tattoo in question.”

  Paisley rolls her eyes at his remark before she answers. “I got the tattoo at sixteen on the streets. Of course it looks shitty. Doesn’t really bother me. I can’t even see it. I don’t even really remember what it is.”

  “It’s God-awful . . . that’s what it is.” She shakes her head at him, and I’m happy there wasn’t anything more to Kai seeing Paisley naked. He seems to have a fondness for her that I intend to ask him about, and I don’t like that he’s seen her without her clothes on, even if it was only a glimpse of her ass.

  We finish dinner with a lot less silence. The uncomfortable feeling in the room has lifted. Kai enjoys his favorite meal, and we all bullshit and talk at the table. Teagan and Kai make an effort in getting to know Paisley better, and I enjoy listening to her responses to the both of them. Once dinner is over, Kai stands to clean up the dishes and put away the leftovers.

  “Teagan, why don’t you show Paisley the spare rooms and let her pick one. Kai and I have business to handle.” With dinner over, the dishes reasonably cleaned up, and the girls off to pick a room, Kai and I head to the office. Thomas there, still mostly tied to the chair. The room is a mess, and it might be too soon, but it’s like all I can smell is death. In an effort to take my mind off what we’ll do tonight, I grill Kai about his stance on Paisley.

  “You seem to get along well with Paisley.”

  Even I can hear the accusation in my tone, and my jealousy has me off-kilter. These emotions are not something I’ve experienced before and revealing them to Kai isn’t exactly what I want to do.

  “There is something about her. She makes everything seem . . . okay.”

  Not sure what he means by that, I need further clarification for my own peace of mind. If his smug smile is any indication, I would say that Kai seems to be enjoying how uncomfortable I am in this conversation.

  “You have a thing for her?” My hands clench at my sides as I ask the question that’s really on my mind.

  “Don’t get your panties all twisted up, man. I like her. I like her for you, and I like her being around, that’s all.” I guess Paisley has Kai’s seal of approval. Good to know.

  Today has been one weird fucking day. Watching Kai kill a man, emotional talks left and right, not being able to get Paisley off my mind, pussy fucking epiphanies, the strangest dinner I’ve ever had, and now it’s time to dispose of a body.

  I’m ready for this day to fucking end.

  Paisley

  When I wake, daylight is peeking through the shades in the bedroom that isn’t the one I fell asleep in last night, but these bed sheets are familiar. A smell I’ve quickly grown addicted to envelops me. It’s a clean, masculine scent that reminds me of the outdoors, and it’s all Burke. Coming out of the fogginess of waking up, I also realize his arms are loosely around me, and that last night I had one of my rare nights free of nightmares.

  Burke and Kai were gone late, and I fell asleep before they returned home. Unless I’ve suddenly developed a habit of sleepwalking, he must have carried me in here. I must have been exhausted because I didn’t even stir while he presumably carried me across the house. I’m a little giddy at Burke wanting me in his bed, simply to be near me. It’s only been a few weeks since I met him and less than two days since I felt something shift between us, but I think we could be something strong together.

  I want to be the best version of myself with him. For someone who’s lacking in the department of strong relationships of any kind, that seems like a great sign of something special. In complete honesty, I really have no idea what I’m talking a
bout. I’m someone who has no family, no friends, and has only dabbled in mostly sex-based relationships with men. I’m going with my gut, and it tells me I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

  I turn in Burke’s arms to face him, and he doesn’t move an inch. I wonder how late it was when they got back. His slow and even breathing has a soothing element that could put me right back to sleep if my mind weren’t on other things, like the bare skin of his chest now pressed against mine.

  Pulling back a little gives me a better view. He’s fucking delicious from head to toe. Take. Take. Take. The mantra runs through my head as I envision ravaging him. My thoughts are sinful and I intend to be very unholy this morning. My hands roam and still Burke doesn’t stir from his rest. My fingers trace the outline of his muscles as my eyes follow. My hands move lower to the definition of his abs, which causes Burke to slightly shift to a position flat on his back. Yet, his eyes remain closed and his breathing steady. Pleased with his new position, since it only improves my view, I carefully sit up to admire him.

  I move between his legs and let my eyes feast on the sight in front of me. I know what I want, but I need the courage to take it. My hands move to his thighs and then up. What’s hidden beneath his boxer briefs has me feeling brave. Even in his sleep I can feel how impressive his size is when I slowly stroke him through the fabric barrier. Fueled by my lust and desire for him, I slowly pull his dick out. I want to taste him and know what it’s like to give myself over to his pleasure.

  With my touch, I pay careful attention to the tip before firmly stroking down his warm flesh and then back up. He grows in my hand, and surprisingly, he still hasn’t woken up, but his breathing has changed. His chest rises and falls at a noticeably increased pace. Precum wets his tip, and I can’t hold back any longer. Leaning forward, I swipe my tongue gently around his cock and savor the salty taste of this insanely sexy man. It spurs me on to put my mouth completely around him.

  Burke gently stirs as I take him deeper, only to pull back and swirl my tongue around the head of his growing thickness. I repeat the motion. The lust coursing through me forces my eyes open. With my mouth still wrapped around him, I look up and watch the corners of his lips turn upward and his hands lightly grip the bed sheet. Seeing he likes the wake-up treatment gives me encouragement. My hands move to his balls, and I firmly grip them as I lick him from base to tip. I want to take him deeper. I want him at my mercy. I want to give him every bit of pleasure he’s given to me. I’m still watching him as I hollow my cheeks and take him into the back of my throat, pushing past my gag reflex.

  His eyes fly open, and they immediately seek me out. Freshly woken up from sleep his eyes are a mixture of grogginess and heat. The look on his face spurs me on even more as it mirrors my own need and appreciation.

  “Fuck, Paisley. Oh, God. Fuck, that feels so good, baby.”

  His grip leaves the sheet and travels downward to where I work. With his hands in my hair, he fucks my mouth in a way that doesn’t dominate. He guides me, showing me what he likes and wants while also testing my limits. With him I don’t want any limits. I want to take him as deep as my throat and gag reflex will allow. I want to swallow every last bit of what he’ll give me. I brutally suck him until my eyes water. My nails rake his thighs in an attempt to help release the energy coursing through me from the simple act of pleasing him. Tasting him in my mouth, hearing the grunts he makes, and the feeling of his body reacting to me are the strongest aphrodisiacs I’ve ever felt.

  Burke is an alpha male with a penchant for danger, and currently I’m in control of this thing between us. That has the thin panties I wear completely soaked. Like it has a mind of its own, one of my hands ventures down to touch my clit, which is aching for some relief. Pulling my panties aside, I rub small circles vigorously in sync with the tempo I’m keeping with Burke’s cock in my mouth. I moan against him and feel him twitch deep in my throat.

  “Fucking hell! Paisley, are you touching yourself?”

  To answer his question, I reluctantly take my fingers from my clit, reach them up, and I rub them against his lips. He eagerly opens up to take them into his mouth. He sucks hard while the sexiest, most satisfied noise vibrates down my fingers before he releases them with a sharp pop.

  “Paisley, sit up, take your clothes off, and kneel by the bed. I want to see you touch yourself. Please . . . now.” I love the way my name rolls from his lips when he’s this worked up. His voice has a desperate, hard edge to it. I’m always on the verge of begging him, and that familiar tone is in his own voice. More than happy about it, I do as he asks, quickly taking off my clothes and then getting on my knees next to the bed. Burke follows but stands with his legs on either side of me as he takes his dick in his hand.

  “Touch yourself.”

  He slowly strokes himself, right at my eye level, while he waits for my movement. I can’t resist teasing him a little, so I touch my stomach and slowly move up to my breast. That’s not what he meant when he told me to touch myself.

  “I like it better when you’re saying my name and begging ‘please.’”

  I lightly pinch my nipple while wetting my lips by running my tongue over them.

  “Paisley . . . please touch your fucking pussy!”

  Burke reaches out and tugs on the nipple not being twisted by my own hand. Unable to hold off any longer, I end my teasing by lowering my fingers to my pussy. I touch myself while watching his hand move up and down his shaft.

  “Baby, you’re the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.” His stare is transfixed on the motion of my fingers. “Do you want my cock in your mouth?” I lean forward in an attempt to regain control and taste him once more, but he pulls back from me.

  “I asked you a question. Paisley, do you want my cock in your mouth?”

  “Yes.”

  “Say it.” He wants to hear me. I’d be more than happy to tell him if I could form the words. Taking a deep breath, I collect my sex-scrambled thoughts.

  “I want your cock in my mouth, Burke. Please . . .”

  He leans forward and rubs the tip against my lips. My tongue snakes out, greedy for him. I open wide in an effort to take as much of him as I possibly can, and Burke doesn’t hesitate to give me what I want. He grabs the back of my head, making entrance past my lips and slowly builds a faster pace, giving himself to me, pumping in and out of my mouth. Sitting back on my heels, I enjoy letting him take his pleasure from me. I’ve lost some control in the situation, but it’s okay because I’m not sure I could keep the balance when my own fingers slide inside my pussy. My thumb circles my clit while two of my fingers work in and out.

  “I’m almost there. I’m going to come.” His warning means nothing because I badly want him to finish in my mouth. I want to taste him. I want to swallow every last drop of what he’ll give me. I take him deeper to tell him without words that I want this, that I want him.

  He throws his head back like a man possessed. As I get the first taste of him and feel him come in the back of my throat, my own orgasm begins. Everything about this sets fire to my veins and my legs shake from the force in which it hits me. I’ve never come this hard from my own hand, but I suppose it’s completely different while with him.

  Burke’s heavy breathing fills the room. As I come down, I give him one last gentle suck before releasing him from my mouth. The melody of my own exertion joins his as Burke quickly grabs me to join him on the bed. He wraps his fist around a handful of my hair and kisses me deeply. He’s showing his appreciation in this kiss, appreciation for me and for what we just did. The touch of his lips makes me feel worshiped and cared for.

  Pulling away, he runs his fingers through my hair, and I can’t believe this man is the same one who intimidated me so much a few weeks ago. Looking at him, I’m at ease with his eyes on me.

  “Come on. I’ll cook you breakfast.” I squirm off his lap and get to my feet to find my clothes so I can handle the stove in the kitchen without fear of grease burns.

&n
bsp; “Feel free to wake me up like that every morning. This was the best start to any day I’ve ever had.” Burke, who hasn’t moved from the bed yet, watches me as I dress. I smile as I pull my shirt over my head. It was a great start to my day, too. There is no denying that.

  “Let’s go. Time to refuel!” I leave the room to head downstairs. The house is quiet with no one else in sight as I make my way into the kitchen. On the table there is a note and I learn Kai went with Teagan to the tattoo shop. Leaving the note where I found it, I go inspect the fridge for what they have. I find some eggs and bacon, as well as some bread on the counter before Burke makes his way into the room. He too notices the note, reads it, and then heads to the coffee maker. Coffee sounds perfect. I find the supplies I need and start cooking while Burke makes coffee.

  “I’m sorry, Paisley.” My face scrunches up with confusion having no clue what he’s apologizing for. I turn to look at him. He looks so remorseful.

  “Sorry for what?”

  He advances toward me, and I melt into his physical contact when both his hands cup my face. Burke showers me with a show of affection before he answers.

  “I’m sorry for how I treated you when we met. I was a complete dick to you.”

  “Burke, it’s okay—”

  “No, let me finish. It isn’t okay, and I hate that it’s the way things started between you and me. I was out of line, and I want you to know I’m sorry for how I treated you. If I could kick my own ass, I would. Don’t let anyone, especially me, talk to you the way I did.”