Page 40 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

After dinner, Deke assisted Ava in tidying up the kitchen.

The clinking of dishes and the hum of running water filled the air as they worked side by side.

Once everything was in order, he waited patiently as she tucked Ellie into bed, listening to the soft murmur of a lullaby drifting from down the hall.

The anticipation within him was intense, a powerful longing simmering just beneath the surface.

Feeling the heat rising within him, he stepped outside onto the porch, seeking the coolness of the night air.

As he inhaled deeply, the crisp, cold air filled his lungs, and he exhaled slowly, watching his warm breath condense into a fleeting mist before him.

Snowflakes twirled down from the sky, much heavier and more abundant than the flurries earlier in the day, coating the ground in a pristine white blanket. The world was hushed, cloaked in the serene quiet that only a snowfall could bring.

He turned at the soft creak of the porch floorboards and saw Ava stepping out to join him.

She approached with a warmth that melted the chill, slipping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his shoulder, her presence a comforting weight.

He slipped his arms around her, holding her close.

“I want my dessert now,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble of desire, and he grinned as her laughter rang out against the night.

“Then let’s go inside, and I’ll definitely give you your dessert,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she took his hand. Together, they stepped back into the welcoming warmth of the house.

Deke closed the door firmly, locking out the cold world, before effortlessly lifting her into his arms. He carried her toward the sanctuary of their bedroom, anticipation sparking between them like electricity.

Deke’s patience was a thin thread, frayed to the breaking point by Ava’s relentless teasing. She’d been toying with him all fucking night, her lips curling into that wicked smirk, her hips swaying like she owned the room.

With a growl that rumbled deep in his chest, Deke lunged forward, his hands gripping her waist like a vice.

He spun her around, her breath hitching as he put her back against the wall.

Her breasts pressed against his chest, her nipples hard as diamonds through the thin fabric of her shirt.

He didn’t waste time, his mouth crashed onto hers, his tongue forcing its way past her lips, tasting her, claiming her.

She moaned into his mouth, her hands clawing at his back, nails digging into his skin like she wanted to mark him as hers.

“Do you have any idea how much I want you?” he growled, his voice low and husky.

He yanked her shirt over her head, tossing it aside like it was nothing.

Her breasts were barely contained in her black lace bra, a perfect fit for his hands, her nipples already pebbled and begging for attention.

He didn’t make her wait, he practically ripped her bra off, then his mouth latched onto a nipple, sucking hard, his teeth grazing the sensitive bud until she cried out.

Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, urging him on .

His hands slid down her body, fingers hooking into the waistband of her panties.

He ripped them off in one swift motion, the sound of fabric tearing making her gasp.

His fingers found her slit, already wet for him.

He smirked against her skin as he slid his mouth across her chest to the other nipple.

“Fuck, you’re wet,” he growled, his voice thick with lust. “I want you so much.”

Ava nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps as he continued to suck on her nipple, then he picked her up and put her on the bed.

He spread her legs wide, his hands gripping her thighs as he buried his face between them. His tongue lashed at her clitoris, sucking until she was writhing against him, her moans filling the room. He didn’t let up, as she gripped the sheets in her fists.

“Fuck, you taste good,” he muttered.

“Deacon, please,” she begged, her voice trembling. “I need you. I need you now.”

He stood up in one fluid motion, his hands tearing at his own clothes until he was just as naked as she was. His cock sprang free, thick and hard and throbbing with need.

Deke didn’t waste a second. He rolled on a condom, climbed onto the bed, positioning himself between her thighs. The head of his cock pressed against her, and he paused just long enough to watch her squirm.

“You want me?” he asked, his voice rough.

“Yes,” she gasped. “Deacon. Please.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. With one brutal thrust, he buried himself inside her, and he felt her gripping him like a vice.

She screamed his name, her nails raking down his back as he started to move.

His hips thrust into her, each one deeper and harder than the last. The sound of their moans and gasps filled the room.

“You feel so fucking good,” he groaned, his hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave bruises.

Ava’s legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him even deeper as she met him thrust for thrust, and he knew she was close. Deke could feel it too, the heat building in his gut, the pressure coiling tighter and tighter.

“Damn, Ava. You drive me fucking crazy,” he growled.

That was all it took. Ava’s back arched off the bed as she came hard, spasming around him as she moaned his name. The sensation was too much for Deke, with a deep, guttural groan, he buried himself deep inside her and came hard.

They collapsed in a sweaty, tangled heap, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Deke rolled onto his back, pulling Ava with him so she was sprawled across his chest. Her fingers traced lazy patterns on his skin as they both came down from their high.

“It’s always so good, Deacon,” she whispered softly, her lips brushing against his chest as she spoke, leaving a warm imprint on his skin. Deke took a deep breath, then blew it out. Gathering courage to say what he needed to.

“Ava, I am so in love with you,” he confessed with a voice full of sincerity and warmth.

She sat up abruptly, her eyes wide and searching his face for truth. “What?” she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and wonder .

Deke gently pulled her back down to him, cradling her in his arms and placing a tender kiss on her forehead. “I love you,” he repeated, his words laced with deep affection. “You and Ellie, you both make me feel so complete. I can’t imagine how I ever managed without you both.”

“I love you too,” she replied, her heart swelling with emotion.

“I was hoping so,” he said with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling. “I told you we could make this work.”

“I’ll never doubt you again,” she laughed, her voice light and filled with joy.

They slowly drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s embrace, only to awaken later. They took a refreshing shower together, the warm water cascading over them, before falling back into a peaceful and restful slumber until the gentle morning light began to filter softly through the curtains.

****

Ava sat at the kitchen table, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, the rich aroma mingling with the crisp morning air.

She watched Deacon as he slipped on his sheepskin coat, the fabric rustling softly, and reached for his hat hanging from a wooden peg by the door.

His eyes met hers and he grinned. He crossed the room to her side, leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to her lips, the scent of his aftershave lingering in the air as he straightened up.

“I’ll probably be late this evening,” he said, a hint of frustration in his voice. “This case I have is driving me nuts. No leads whatsoever, and it feels like I’m just beating my head against a wall.”

“Okay. I’ll be here,” she replied softly, her smile reassuring and steady.

“Thank God for that,” he murmured. “I’ll try to text or call you later. Have a good day, sweetheart.” With a final glance, he opened the door, set his hat firmly on his head, and stepped out into the day.

As she worked on the sales records for her father’s cattle, the familiar buzz of her phone interrupted her concentration. She picked it up to see a call from Joella flickering on the screen.

“Finally,” she muttered under her breath before answering. “I’ve been worried about you.”

Joella’s voice came through, a bit breathless with excitement. “I’m fine. The gallery has been so busy. People are already shopping for Christmas.”

“Already?” Ava said with sarcasm. “It’s next month, but I know how you are. You always wait until the last minute.”

“I do, don’t I?” Joella chuckled softly.

“Will you be able to make it for Thanksgiving?” she asked, her voice laced with yearning. “I’d love to see you. I miss you so much.”

“I’ll be there,” Joella promised, the warmth in her voice evident even over the phone. “I’ll have to find a hotel room.”

“I wish you could stay here,” she said regretfully. “But with my dad and Jessica coming, there’s just no room. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, don’t be,” Joella reassured her. “I don’t mind staying in a hotel. You know I like my privacy.”

“I do,” she replied, nodding to herself. “There’s a motel in Clifton. I can call and get you a room. ”

“Please do. I cannot wait to see you and Ellie.”

“Oh, guess who else is coming for Thanksgiving?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.

“Who?” Joella inquired.

“Jonah. Deacon said he’s there every holiday. I don’t know anything about his family, but Deacon mentioned he’s been joining them since he started working for him, and that’s been twenty years.”

“Oh, my God!” Joella exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. “That hot ass is going to be there. Now I know I’ll be there.” Laughter bubbled up between them, light and infectious.

“I’m so glad. Let me get off here and see about getting you a room. I’ll text you to let you know.”