Page 39 of Handling Skylar (Hope Parish #5)

JAKE

I turned the knob and opened the door, the faint illumination from the hallway spilling into the room and lightly touching Sky’s face.

Undoing the buttons on my shirt and unsnapping my jeans, I watched her sleep, remembering the night I’d first made love to her in this bed, still reeling from my discovery. Now I was content.

Bare-chested, I settled into the comfy chair on her side of the bed. She had kicked the covers off and was lying on her stomach, her mouth-watering body, a cornucopia of curves and delicious plumpness beneath a little see-through number that didn’t leave much to the imagination.

Her face was toward me and my eyes travelled over her delicate beauty, stirring in me a tenderness I’d never known. She made me strong and weak at the same time.

Things continued to fall into place. Jordan Summers bought the Blue Coyote.

The facades and landscaping Sky had suggested were all completed.

Boone had outdone himself. The town looked so inviting and so damn cute.

After a unanimous vote, a gazebo had been approved with a plaque commemorating Duel Outlaw and his contributions to the town.

Outlaw Park emerged bit by bit. It was already halfway complete.

Benches and Boone’s landscaping touch would bring the whole thing together.

Our speeches would then be delivered from that pretty white and wood platform.

But, more importantly, instead of a cold, bronze statue of a man whose genes were part of me, who had, not only betrayed every moral code he’d once possessed, but had lost his legacy, we could all enjoy this small oasis.

But, now, holding this beautiful woman, I was certain we would make our own legacy with the fullness and happiness both of us deserved.

Sky let the business go, knowing that she was going to be busy with me and our businesses, two weddings, as well.

Brax was even pushing her to manage his Huckleberry Café franchise since she had scads of experience and was a crack former business owner.

She said she’d think about it. She really wanted to start an online business for her beauty products, stock the store with them and her baked goods.

Partner with me in the Orchard, but I suspected she really just wanted to drive the tractor.

She opened her eyes and shifted to her side, the rounded globes of her breasts, peeking from the filmy material, topped with dark nipples that called for my mouth and hands.

“Oh, no,” she said mock testy and drowsy. “It’s that annoying tenet. Didn’t I evict you?”

Experiencing a nearly suffocating surge of love, I somehow managed to keep from jumping her bones. “Nope,” I said with regret, then winced. “You’re not expecting that back rent, are you?”

She laughed, the sound of it full and rich in the dim room.

“Oh, I’m afraid I am.”

“That’s too bad. I’m flat broke.”

Her eyes lit from within, and she gave me that sunshiny smile. “Oh, I’m sure we can come up with a way to work it off.”

Oh, yeah, my dick responded in a very predictable way. “Is that so?” I said, rising.

“Yeah, sure. I’ve got a project for you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

She grinned, reaching out and clawing my abdomen all the way to the tab of my jeans. “I think you and your dad should think about building kayaks. You love them, and you do now have a ship-building business.?”

“What?” I was ready to get out of my clothes, changing gears at that intriguing thought.

I was going to get physical, but it didn’t involve paddling and water.

“The only wet I’m interested in right now is yours and getting it all over me.

” Then I smiled. “But, it’s a tantalizing idea, so I think that could be negotiated. ”

“I’m good at negotiation,” she purred.

“Oh, cowgirl, I’m well aware of that. Let’s put it to the test.” I put one knee on the bed, and she rose up into a sitting position. “Oh, yeah, like everything else. Just a matter of coming to an…agreement.”

“Exactly, like baked goods in your store. Do you realize how many products you can make from pecans?” She scrambled to her knees, the excitement in her voice contagious.

“Our store,” I whispered, nuzzling her neck and slipping my hand over her breast, my thumb rubbing her nipple, and her breath caught as it puckered against my pad.

“Our store,” she murmured, breathless and my dick got harder.

“Right…our store.” She cupped the back of my head, her hand gentle as she caressed me.

“Mmmhmm,” I said, gasping as she unzipped my fly.

Working off my pants, she said, “Breads are popular, oils and butters, too. My cookies were a big hit. I won first prize.”

“Sky, you are a prize.”

As I reached for the buttons on that tantalizing covering, she started to bounce. “Oh, how about pancake and waffle mixes? Cheese blends, ice cream.” She got up and started jumping up and down on the bed. “Flavored nuts. Oh, pralines! So Louisiana.”

“Stop,” I said, laughing at her antics, but she dropped onto the mattress and pulled me down on top of her, giggling.

“Dips, dressings, and vinaigrettes.”

“Oh, man. I guess I’m going to have to shut you up.” I tickled her, coming down between her legs, my dick aching and hard.

I laughed as she cupped me, groaning as she stroked me. I covered her laughing mouth, and she kissed me, the passion working between us like sparks, an electrical current. Then, she tickled me, and she was up again. I reached for her, but she was slipping off the bed.

Jumping back when I swiped at her, my reach long, she giggled again. “You’re not taking this as seriously as I am.” That made me laugh, her humor was so contagious.

“Serious? Seriously?”

She put her hands on her hips and laughed, the rich sound of it permeating every molecule of air, space and time. God, I loved her so fucking much.

She gave me a mock frown, then hit the button on our stereo system.

The strong opening chords for Katy Perry’s “Love me” blared out.

She started swaying her sexy hips. Then, she whirled, jumping in cadence as she pumped her fist in the air to the beat, shouting.

“There’s pecan pie, of course, but Samantha probably has that covered.

Did I tell you I love that woman like a sister?

I can’t believe we’re going to be sisters-in-law.

Thanksgiving was amazing. I love you and your big amazing family!

It was so kind of your mom to let me make my delicious herb and mushroom stuffing. ”

I went after her, but she squealed and backed up. “You’re not participating,” she admonished.

“Sky, you’re killing me. Get back here.”

She danced into the hall shouting, “I’m still brainstorming. Get with the program!” She sang a few bars of the song, then yelled, “Samantha has cornered the pie business in town, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t give her some ideas, like dark rum, chocolate pecan, maple granola.”

“I ran into the hall as “Crazy,” by Kat Dahlia started up, but she was heading toward the back of the house, her voice raised so I could hear her. “Chocolate coconut, deep-dish, salted caramel…oooh, wait…salted caramel and chocolate. We should definitely have that for Christmas. I’m going to hound her until she says yes,” she shouted in glee.

I wanted her so badly, I growled. “Oooh, the beast is getting restless, but there’s still more…

um…like apple pecan, vanilla pecan, orange pecan. ”

I raced for the back, too, just as the back door slammed.

She was outside dancing around in a circle.

Naked, I came through the door like a battering ram, and she cried out, backing up, her body illuminated in agonizing dips and curves, her hair a thick, dark, wild tangle around her head.

She headed for the water. “Ooh, pecan brownies,” she squealed when I got close.

“Pecan pie bars and, oh yum, pecan pie cheesecake bars…then cupcakes—big fat ones and itty bitty mini ones—the possibilities are endless.”

She backed into the water, and I stopped on the shore. “Dammit, Sky. It’s cold.”

“Oh, crimeny , you’re so Southern ,” she teased, the laughter thick in her voice.

“It’s seventy-two perfect degrees, Varsity.

Come on,” she taunted. “You crewed in Massachusetts. Don’t be a baby.

Come skinny dipping with me, Jake the beautiful.

Jake the sexy. Jake my perfect love.” I took a step in the water and, as soon as it was up to my knees, she splashed me, cold water stinging my skin. I gritted my teeth.

“You’re going to pay for that,” I grumbled and lunged at her. We went under, and when we surfaced, she was laughing like a fool. Without saying a word, I hefted her over my shoulder, water sluicing off us. I slapped her backside when she kept naming off pie.

“Ouch, baby, that feels so stimulating.” She raked her nails up my back and bit me. My knees almost buckled. I almost threw her down then and there and just buried myself deep inside her. I going to fuck you until it’s only my name coming from those beautiful lips.”

“Oh, God, Jake,” she whispered, her breathless voice making me ache. “Oh, God, yes.” She raked her nails over me again, kissed and licked my skin.

I was so god dammed hard for her. Back in the house “Storm” with Lifehouse’s perfect flair started to play, every word resonating.

I threw her on the bed and finally got her pinned down, her wrists, stretched above her head, locked in my hands.

I ravaged her mouth, then each puckered nipple, then the core of her until she was panting, crying out, writhing with an orgasm rippling against my mouth.

“You suck at brainstorming, Jake. But, I do like the way you…oh, God,” she breathed as I roughly spread her legs with my knee and entered her. “Negotiate.”

***

SKY

Chase Sutton and Samantha Wharton had said their vows, and we were now enjoying the wedding reception.

They were going to be flying off for a tropical honeymoon right after the reception that was now in full swing at the Country Club.

The wedding went off without a hitch and Jake looked sexy and proud up at the altar, standing with his brother, providing the rings.

I had been seated in the first pew, next to James and Amy or Momma and Daddy as I was instructed to call them.

Sutton Brothers and Sons Boat Works was almost finished.

The plans for the Sutton Marina and the beautiful house they were going to build done.

They were breaking ground on both in two weeks.

Majestueux was going up for sale in about six months.

But Amy and James had found the dreamiest piece of land for the house, situated near the water and looked to be as grand as the one they were selling.

I leaned over and said, “We aren’t living in a mansion, Jake.”

He turned to me and smirked. “We aren’t?”

“No. If I’m going to do this Sutton thing, then we’re going to do it our way.”

“I’m pretty happy in that Cajun Cottage out on the bayou right now, babe. You have any objections to that?”

“Nope. Easy access for our kayaks, a nice commute to town and to your beautiful orchards. I’d say we’re set for a while.”

“Until the kids anyway.”

I swallowed hard and arched a brow. “You know something I don’t?”

He grinned wickedly and grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. “No, since you’re being bossy about where we live. I’ll let you be bossy about kids.” Then he dragged me out to the dance floor. We wrapped our arms around each other, the contentment stealing over me.

“I applied for a patent for my nut. Sent the papers off yesterday.”

I snuggled my head right below his chin. “That is fabulous. I’m sure you’re going to get many, many orders for it.”

He nodded. “To file the paperwork, I had to name it.”

“Oh, yeah? What did you come up with? Sutton?”

“No, I named it…Skylar.”

Overwhelmed by emotion, I stared up at him. This beautiful man who made me believe that not only everything was possible, but that love lasted forever. Definitely in our case. “I love you, Jake. So much.

“I love you, babe.” We moved slowly to the beat of the music, wrapped up in our love.

We’d build our own legacy in this town, and no one would remember how tarnished the Suttons’ name had been in the past. We’d forge something new and very much our own.