Page 37 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

“I would, but then I wouldn’t sleep tonight,” she countered, knowing the struggle of disrupted sleep patterns all too well.

“Yeah, same here,” he agreed, reaching for the TV remote.

The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face as he flipped through the channels, each click a soothing rhythm.

Ava couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was undeniably handsome, but more than that, he was kind and genuine.

She knew he loved Ellie deeply, but a question lingered in her mind; would there ever come a time when he loved her as well?

The thought startled her, and she inhaled sharply.

Did she truly want that? Yes, she realized. Yes, she did.

“What’s wrong?” Deacon asked, his eyes not leaving the screen but his attention clearly on her.

“Nothing,” she replied, a little too quickly.

“Okay,” he said, casting her a knowing glance that suggested he saw through her facade.

“I’m going to check on Ellie,” she announced, feeling the need to busy herself.

“I’ll do it. Just relax,” Deacon offered, rising from the recliner with an easy grace. He walked down the hallway and disappeared from view.

Minutes ticked by, and when he didn’t return, curiosity got the better of Ava.

She rose and quietly padded to the bedroom.

Pausing in the doorway, she was greeted by the sight of Deacon leaning over the crib’s rails, his eyes fixed lovingly on Ellie.

His hand reached out gently to caress her soft hair; a gesture so tender it made Ava’s heart ache.

She knew she had to make this work, for if it didn’t and she had to return to Maple Ridge, it would break not just her heart but his and Ellie’s as well.

“I love you, baby girl,” he whispered, his voice a gentle caress against the quiet room.

Ava approached slowly, her steps soft on the carpeted floor, and gazed at Ellie, who lay peacefully asleep.

“She’ll be out for a while,” Ava murmured, her eyes full of warmth. “She usually takes a nap a lot earlier, so I’m sure she was tired. I think she’s going to be spoiled by your family. Hud didn’t want to put her down. ”

“Yeah, he’s always liked kids. She’s so beautiful,” Deacon murmured, his eyes lingering on the serene face of their daughter, framed by the soft glow of the afternoon light filtering through the curtains.

“Yes, she is,” Ava agreed, her voice filled with a quiet pride. She took his hand and led him to the living room where they sat on the sofa.

****

Deke leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.

“Damn, I’m tired.”

“Me too.” Ava leaned her head against his shoulder.

“Do you still want to go to the diner later?”

“I’m too tired. I’m sorry.”

“Hell, don’t be sorry, sweetheart. I was hoping you didn’t want to.” He smirked. “I’m too damn tired.” He looked at her. “Maybe we should take a nap.”

Ava sat up and looked at him. “A nap, huh?”

Deke’s hand wrapped around Ava’s arm, his fingers digging into her soft skin as if he was claiming her, marking her as his.

The air between them crackled with raw, unspoken hunger, and the moment they crossed the threshold into the bedroom, the world outside ceased to exist. He closed the door and felt her shiver.

Deke turned to her; her eyes were dark with desire.

He didn’t waste a second. His lips crashed into hers like a storm, hot and demanding, his tongue sliding into her mouth with a possessive urgency that left her gasping.

Ava’s hands clawed at his back, pulling him closer, her nails scraping through the fabric of his shirt as if she could tear it away with sheer desperation.

Deke’s mouth moved from her lips to her cheek, his breath hot and ragged against her skin, and then he was at her ear, his voice a low, gravelly growl.

“I want you so much, Ava,” he whispered, his teeth grazing the sensitive shell of her ear, and she whimpered, her body trembling with anticipation.

His hands were everywhere, cupping her ass, squeezing the soft flesh as he pulled her against him, letting her feel the hard, throbbing length of his cock straining against his jeans.

Ava’s hips arched instinctively, grinding against him, making Deke groan.

He yanked her shirt over her head, tossing it aside like it was nothing, and his eyes raked over her bare skin like he was starving and she was the feast. His hands cupped her breasts, gently kneading them, his thumbs brushing over her nipples until they were hard little peaks begging for his mouth.

His lips closed around one nipple, sucking hard, his tongue flicking over the sensitive bud until she was arching into him, her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

“Deacon,” she moaned, her voice breaking as his teeth grazed her nipple, sending a sharp spike of pleasure through her. He switched to the other breast, giving it the same relentless attention, and he could feel her legs shaking. A sign of how much she wanted him.

His hands slid down her body, gripping her hips as he dropped to his knees in front of her.

He looked up at her, and then he was pulling her jeans and panties down, letting them fall to the floor.

His breath was hot against her, and her knees bulked when he leaned in, his tongue dragging a slow, torturous line up her slit.

She gasped, her hands gripping his shoulders for balance as he buried his face between her legs, his tongue lapping at her clitoris like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

He sucked on the swollen nub. Ava’s moans filled the room, loud and unrestrained, as Deke had her teetering on the edge of orgasm.

Ava whimpered, but he wasn’t done. He stood up, removed his clothes, rolled on a condom, then his hands gripped her ass as he lifted her, carrying her to the bed as if she weighed nothing. He placed her on the bed, his eyes never leaving hers as his cock stood proud and thick.

He climbed onto the bed, positioning himself between her legs, and Ava spread them wider, inviting him in. He guided himself closer, the head of his cock pressing against her slick slit, and then he was pushing inside, inch by inch, until he was buried to the hilt.

“Fuck, you’re so tight,” he groaned, his voice strained as he began to move, his hips slamming into hers with a rhythm that had her crying out his name.

She raked her nails down his back, leaving angry red marks as she clung to him, her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper with every thrust.

The bed creaked beneath them, the sound drowned out by their moans and the sound of skin on skin.

“Now, baby, now,” Deke growled, his voice rough with need, and that was all it took. Her orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave, clenching around his cock as she cried out. He followed her over the edge, groaning as he came and buried his face in her neck, muffling his own moans of pleasure.

They collapsed together in a sweaty, tangled heap, their breathing ragged and hearts pounding. Deke pressed a kiss to her forehead, his arms wrapping around her in a possessive hold that said she was his, now and always.

****

Later, after a shower, Ava checked on Ellie with Deacon. He shifted his gaze from the sleeping child to Ava, then back to Ellie. “She looks like you,” he remarked. “Even though she has my coloring, her face has your features.”

“Everyone says that,” Ava replied with a soft smile, her eyes meeting his and holding his gaze.

Deacon’s eyes held a playful glint. “There’s no way you’re sleeping in the spare room. Ever,” he said, a touch of teasing lacing his words.

“I’m sleeping with you. How can we see if we can have a relationship if you make me sleep in the spare bedroom,” Ava said, her tone teasing.

“Make you? You know better than that.”

Ava smiled. “I do.” She stood on her toes and kissed his lips.

“Good,” he conceded, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, “we know each other pretty well in bed.”

Ava chuckled. “We do, but it’s not enough for a relationship,” she sighed, her expression turning earnest .

“I know, but you know I think it’s a damn good start.”

“Deacon, I’m not going to lie to you. I think I could fall for you, but if that’s not what you want, maybe we should stay in separate rooms.”

Deacon turned fully to face her; his expression serious yet tender.

He gently took her elbow and guided her from the room.

Ava pulled the door closed behind them, leaving it slightly ajar.

She let him lead her to the living room, where he motioned for her to sit on the sofa.

He settled beside her, taking her hand in his with a firm yet gentle grip.

“Ava,” he began, his voice steady and sincere, “I’m already close to falling for you, so nothing would make me happier if you felt the same way. But I agree, we need to know more about each other. I do know that you’re an amazing mother to our little girl, and I want to be a good father.”

“You are already,” Ava assured him, her voice soft and full of conviction. “She loves you, Deacon.”

“I love her too,” he replied.

“I know,” Ava said, smiling. “I heard you tell her.” She tilted her head, a playful smile on her lips. “You’re going to spoil her, aren’t you?”

Deacon laughed. “Yep, and you too.” He shook his head. “I have never looked forward to Christmas as much as I do now.”

“Oh, great. You are going to spoil her,” Ava said with a laugh.

“I want to spoil you both.” He gently squeezed her hand. “Ava, I do want to sleep beside you every night.”

“I’d like that,” she said as she touched his lightly whiskered cheek .

“How about after Ellie wakes up, we do head to the diner. I sure don’t feel like cooking and I’m sure you don’t either.”

“That sounds perfect.”

After Ellie woke up, Ava put her in a pink sundress with her white sneakers and they headed out to the truck. Deacon drove them to the diner in town. Ava was nervous, not sure about the welcome she’d receive. She knew how small towns were. Deacon pulled into the parking lot and looked at her.

“Ready?”

“No. I’m nervous. This is your hometown, Deacon and I’m a stranger.”

“No one, after moving here, is a stranger in Clifton. Since you’re with me, they’ll love you.”

“I hope so.” She nodded. “I’m ready.”

He grinned, opened his door, walked around to open her door, but she got out and opened the back door to get Ellie.

“Let’s get a hamburger, Ellie,” Deacon said from over Ava’s shoulder.

“Hambirder!” Ellie shouted, making them laugh.

“I’ll take her,” Deacon lifted her into his arms and took Ava’s hand in his, then they walked to the door of the diner.

He pulled it open and nodded for her to go inside.

She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

She fell in love with the place immediately.

But when everyone stopped eating and stared at her, she wanted to run back out.

“It’s fine,” Deacon whispered in her from behind then he looked around the diner.

“This is Ava Parsons and our daughter, Ellie,” he announced .

Ava sighed and laughed when everyone clapped their hands. A woman in her early sixties came to them with a smile on her face.

“Hi, Ava. Hello, Ellie. I’m Connie. I own the diner, along with my husband, Owen. Welcome to Clifton,” she said then pulled Ava into a hug.

Ava almost cried. She didn’t expect this at all.

“Thank you so much, Connie,” Ava whispered.

“Told you,” Deacon said from behind her.

She looked over her shoulder at him and grinned. “Don’t brag, Anderson,” she said, making him chuckle.

They sat in a booth with Ellie in a highchair. After their food arrived, Ava took a bite of her burger, Ava groaned and looked at Deacon.

“You win. Best burger ever.”

He grinned and winked at her. “Quit doubting me when I tell you something.”

“Yes, sir.” She laughed.

After eating, they walked along the sidewalks and Ava peered into each shop. She was sure she was going to love living in Clifton.

Later that night, Ava reached for Deacon, but his side of the bed was empty. Sitting up, she wondered where he was as she looked at the clock to see it was past two a.m. She tossed the sheet off, reached for his T-shirt, pulled it on, then headed toward the living room, but it was empty.

Shrugging, she made her way to Ellie’s room and quietly pushed the door open.

Tears filled her eyes when she saw Deacon sitting in the rocking chair holding a sleeping Ellie in his arms. He had his cheek on top of her head and his eyes were closed.

She hated to wake him, but he couldn’t sleep like that .

She walked across the room and gently touched his shoulder. His eyes opened immediately, and he looked at her.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he whispered back. “She was crying, so I checked on her. She needed a clean diaper.” He grinned. “Then she was talking a mile a minute, so we sat down and fell asleep.” He looked at Ellie, then at Ava. “I love her so much, Ava. It’s unreal.”

“Trust me, I know. Let me put her back to bed, then we can head back to ours.”

“Okay,” he said as he handed Ellie over to Ava, then he pushed to his feet and rubbed his neck. “I’m glad you got me up or I’d have one hell of a stiff neck in the morning.”

“That’s why I woke you.” Ava put Ellie in her crib and pulled her blanket over her chest, then looked at Deacon. “You look dead on your feet, Deacon. Let’s go to bed.”

“Now, those are words I love hearing you say.” He grinned.

“What? That you look dead on your feet?” She bit her lip to keep from grinning when he frowned.

“I didn’t know you could be such a smartass.” He pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “God, you smell so good. You’re making me hard.”

Ava pushed her hips against him. “I am, aren’t I? What should we do about that?”

Deacon raised his head, grinned, picked her up, and carried her out of the room.

“I’m sure we can think of something.”